March_13_14

MOYER EXPLODES AT ATOMIC IN OUTLAW LATE MODEL SERIES RETURN

March 13th & 14th, 2004 – OAK RIDGE, TN

More Photos from Atomic, TN. ........Here

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series returned to action after more than a month layoff and it was 'Dirty Dozen' mainstay Billy Moyer overtaking points leader Scott Bloomquist to capture his first checkered flag of the young season at Atomic Motor Speedway.

Moyer from Batesville, Ark. collected a $5,000 first-place check in day one following a methodical move from sixth to first which culminated in his first-ever win at the high-banked Oak Ridge, Tenn. third-miler.

Full-fender competition Saturday afternoon at Atomic marked the biggest season-opening event in the track's colorful 36-year history. With more than $100,000 in purses on the line for the inaugural Hoosier 100, Moyer claimed the lead-off 40-lapper while a 60-lap WoO Late Model Series A-Main paying $12,000-to-win awaits the top competitors on Sunday afternoon.

Moyer wasted little time showing he was the class of the 54-car field signed in for time trials as he scaled the third-miler in a time of 12.680 sec. for an average speed of 94.637 mph. Volunteer State favorite Bloomquist (12.805 sec.) from Mooresburg was second fastest while multi-time Atomic points champion Billy Ogle, Jr. (12.867 sec.) was third quickest and best among the locals.

Dash winners Dale McDowell and Mike Balzano shared the front row to pace the star-studded 24-car starting field and it was McDowell leading the early stages as his closest challengers continued to dice for position.

Row three partners Bloomquist and Moyer made the biggest advances as 'Bloomer' overtook Steve Francis on lap four then pulled into third past Rick Eckert the following circuit. Moyer remained in tow as the leaders approached traffic.

But it was the car of 24th running Scott James that ended any chance for recently crowned Florida Tour champion McDowell as his no. 17m machine spun with 10 laps complete. Balzano inherited the lead for the restart with Bloomquist, Moyer and Eckert in relentless pursuit.

The biggest incident of the feature took place on lap 12 when WoO rookie contender Tim McCreadie got caught up in lapped traffic with Shannon Babb and Patrick Duggan as the trio exited turn four. All were able to refire and on the ensuing Delware-style restart Balzano continued to run ahead of Bloomquist and Moyer.

Bloomquist stuck his nose under Balzano for the first time coming out of turn two on lap 13 but Balzano was able to slam the door shut as they dove into turn three. The stalled mount of Babb required another yellow flag on lap 14 to keep the field bunched still shy of the halfway mark. Balzano staved off another bid by Bloomquist on lap 16 before Vic Hill spun to incur a caution period and let him regain his breath.

The top-three order remained intact with 20 laps scored despite Balzano finding it harder to hold fast in the low groove. Bloomquist finally ducked low in turn four as the leaders came around to complete lap 23 and Moyer mirrored the inside maneuver out of turn two the following circuit.

Moyer quickly caught up to Bloomquist and actually pulled alongside low on lap 26 but his initial effort to take command was delayed when the frontrunners again reached traffic with only 10 circuits remaining. Three laps later Moyer switched lanes and once again ran wheel to wheel, this time testing the high line. The third try proved to be the charm as 'Mr. Smooth' dropped low exiting turn four to forge the final lead change as the scoreboard clicked off 35 laps complete.

Bloomquist never retreated as he made numerous bids up high aboard his potent Custom-powered no. 0 Miller Brothers Coal-Hawkeye Trucking machine before falling just a car-length shy under the checkers. Balzano, Eckert and Francis produced a sweep of the top-five spots for the Outlaws' 'Dirty Dozen' while Dan Schlieper (12th), Chub Frank (14th), Darrell Lanigan (15th), provisional starter Bart Hartman (16th) and McDowell (19th) finished further behind. Wendell Wallace and Rick Aukland did not qualify.

2002 UDTRA Rookie of the Year Ogle,Jr., Chris Madden, Ronnie Johnson, Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway record-holder Steve Smith and 2000-2001 Atomic points champion Mark Vineyard rounded out the top-10 in the afternoon affair.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series returns to Atomic on Sunday afternoon for its final show of the weekend. The nation's top full-fender stars battle in a big 60-lapper paying $12,000-to-win. Check www.worldofoutlawslatemodelseries.com for all the latest news and results as they are made available on the world wide web.

WORLD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODEL SERIES

FEATURE(40‑LAPS): 21-BILLY MOYER ($5,000), 0-Scott Bloomquist, e1-Mike Balzano, 24-Rick Eckert, 15-Steve Francis, 201-Billy Ogle,Jr., 44-Chris Madden, 5-Ronnie Johnson, 3-Steve Smith, 4-Mark Vineyard, 44-Clint Smith, s9-Dan Schlieper, 20-Jimmy Owens, *1-Chub Frank, 29-Darrell Lanigan, 75-Bart Hartman, 15-Patrick Duggan, 1-Vic Hill, 17m-Dale McDowell, 39-Tim McCreadie, 83-Scott James, 22-Mike Weeks, 52-Scott Sexton, 18b-Shannon Babb.

On the second day of Atomic's season-opening 'Hoosier 100' Chub failed in his quest to transfer into Sundays main event.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series makes its second successive stop in Tennessee with Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap hosting the 'Lords of the Ring' on Saturday, March 27 in its own season-opener. A full show of Late Model action includes time trials, qualifying races, consolation rounds and a 60-lap feature finale paying $10,000-to-win.

And on Friday March 26th at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap is hosting a benefit race on Friday for injured driver Duayne Hommel paying $3000.00 to win for 35 laps.

Don’t forget to stop by merchandise, there’s been a lot of new merchandise added.

Chub Frank Racing

Rt.1 Box 146

Lottsville Niobe Rd.

Bear Lake, PA 16402