7th Annual Ike Moler Memorial Full of Last Lap Passes

A fine field of 32 Late Models were on hand and it was Wheelersburg,Ohio’s RJ Conley taking the Slicker Graphics Fast Time award with a 12.979 lap. In the 6 car Fast Dash event presented by Diamond Cut Lawn Care it was Bedford, Indiana’s Greg Johnson taking the win in his Revelution Chassis over Middletown,Ohio’s John Whitney Jr. In heat race #1 it was Richmond,Indiana’s Duane Chamberlain taking the win in his St.Henry Niteclub sponsored machine over Edinburgh Indiana’s Chad Stapleton. In heat race #2 it was Centerville,Ohio’s Chad Smith taking the win over last year’s Ike Moler winner Steve Casebolt from Richmond, Indiana. In the third and final heat race it was Milan, Indiana’s Bill Sheets taking the win over Verona,Ky’s James Rice. In the last chance event it was an exciting race as Sardinia, Ohio’s Barry Doss was successful in his first return to a race car since a serious heart issue at the track almost 4 months ago. Doss would take the 12 lap B-main win over a hard charging Jesse Lay. In the 50 lap feature event it was a rough start as Florence,Ky’s Robby Hensley would lose a wheel on the first lap bringing out a caution. On the restart it was fast qualifier RJ Conley on the move from his third starting spot and taking the early lead. It looked like Conley and Johnson were going to run away with things as those two set a fast pace out front. A lap 24 caution for fifth place running Joe Ramey from Ironton, Ohio who made heavy contact with backstretch wall would change things as racelong leader Conley would develop a fuel leak and have to leave the race track for repairs. On the restart it was Johnson out front with Jason Jaggers of Wyanet, Illinois in second spot with Smith, Chamberlain, and Devin Moran of Dresdon, Ohio rounding out the top five spots. At the green Johnson would slowly pull away from the field but as the laps wore down Jaggers slowly began running him down and with lots a lap cars still on the track in front of leader. As the white flag flew Jaggers was able to cleanly get underneath Johnson off of turn #2 and take the lead for the first time of the race. Jaggers would take home the $5,000 payday in his first ever visit to Moler Raceway Park. Johnson would bring the Gary Engle owned #15 in second spot with Smith, Chamberlain, and Tim Prince rounding out the top five spots.

In the UMP Modified it was Matt Hamilton and Pete Holt bringing the field to the green flag with Hamilton(Aurora,Indiana) taking the early lead. By lap 3 it was fifth starting Devin Gilpin getting past Josh Rice for second position and setting sail for the leader. A caution on lap 13 for Rice and Brandon Green hitting the wall hard on the backstretch would reset the field for a final exciting finish. With Hamilton working the bottom of the race track it was Gilpin going to the high side to find some traction. As the laps wore on it was obvious the Gilpin was better on the high side through turns #1 &#2 but Hamilton was better on the bottom through #3 & #4. On the white flag lap it was Gilpin getting all the way beside Hamilton and at the checkers the two leaders were separated by less than a foot as Hamilton in his Schmoes Collision, Concept Gentleman’s Club, OTS Lightning Chassis would claim his 3rd win on the season at MRP. Gilpin would come home second with Holt in third position while Larry Pickelheimer Jr would charge from 14 to fourth position with Aaron Pendleton making his first visit to MRP successful by placing in fifth spot. Heat races were won by Hamilton, Holt, and Rice while John Baker would win the B-main event.

In the final event of the evening it was heat race winners Sean Jones and Miles Tarvin bringing the field to the green flag for the 15-lap chevette feature event. At the green it was Jones getting the jump and taking the lead while Tarvin would battle with Rusty Yarger in second spot. Tarvin would take control of the second position as Yarger would have his hand’s full with 6th starting Boog Verdon. Meanwhile out front it was Jones setting sail and winning his first feature event in a couple of season. Jones would dedicate the win to his friend and former engine builder Ron Snell who passed away last summer. Tarvin would come home second with Verdon in third spot followed by Spensor Watson and Yarger. – See more at: http://www.molerracewaypark.com/#sthash.j1f9Eq7z.dpuf