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TRACKS: Racing action at Bloomington Speedway completed under threatening skies

14 May 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

BLOOMINGTON, IN--With the season opener rained out early and with overcast and threatening skies covering Bloomington all day yesterday, it seemed likely that this round might also fall victim to weather. However, Mike Miles and his crew had the track ready. The racers were in the pits with their cars. And, the fans were finding their way to the hill. Everyone did everything possible to keep the program moving including passing up victory lane activities on the final two races. The checkered flag had fallen on the final feature; and most of the fans were back in their cars when the skies opened up. The program was complete; and the 2000 season was underway.

Both track champions in competition began the 2000 season the way they ended the 1999 season in victory. Lee Hobbs won the Super Stock feature while Ray Humphrey prevailed in the modified feature.

In the Tire & Wheel Center Super Stock feature, Greg Kendall put his beautiful black racer into the lead early; but 1999 champion Lee Hobbs was putting a lot of pressure on him. As they started picking up backmarkers, the wily Hobbs worked the traffic to perfection and got past Kendall. Kendall labored valiantly to regain the lead; but he couldnt overtake Hobbs. Kendall held on to garner the second place finish.

Ray Humphrey finished second to J.D. Francis in the Dash for Cash in the ONeal Wood Products UMP Modified class to earn an outside front row starting position in the feature event. When the green flag fell to start the feature, Humphrey got the jump on Francis and was never seriously threatened. Francis had a last chance to get the lead back when a white flag lap yellow closed up the field and set up a green white checker dash for the win. Humphrey was, again, up to the task. However, a good battle developed between Francis and Matt Tiller for second; but Francis managed to hold on to the runner-up spot.

The bombers made a rare appearance on the Bloomington Speedway banks and put on a pretty good show for the fans in attendance. Sam Chastain scored a flag to flag victory; but he had to outlast a tenacious Robert Walters to get the job done.

RESULTS:

TIRE & WHEEL CENTER SUPER STOCKS

Heat 1: Stephen Hunt, Michael Purtlebaugh, Gerald Todd, Jack Frye, and Steve Hollars

Heat 2: Lee Hobbs, Danny Harris, Brandon Short, Brad Cummings, and Bryan Freeman

Heat 3: Greg Kendall, Brady Short, Perry Bruce, Diane Grubb, and Mike Jones

Dash: Lee Hobbs, Greg Kentall, and Stephen Hunt.

B Main: Tom Plotz, Chris Hillman Tony Laughman, Jon Davis, and Marty Cooper

Feature: Lee Hobbs, Greg Kendall, Michael Purtlebaugh, Steve Hunt, Gerald Todd, Perry Bruce Steve Hollars, Brady Short, Jack Frye, Diana Grubb, Bryan Freeman, Mike Jones, Chris Hillman, Tony Laughman, Danny Harris, Marty Cooper, John Davis, Brad Cummings, and Brandon Short

ONEAL WOOD PRODUCTS UMP OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS:

Heat 1: Brian Yeatman, Gary Trammell, Troy Jarvis, and Adam Sasser

Heat 2: J.D. Francis, Ryan Blevins, Joe Godsey, and Brett Barr

Heat 3: Ray Humphrey, Rodney Harris, Jr, Lee Hobbs, and Brian Sullivan

Heat 4: Matt Tiller, Richie Lex, Donnie Parson, and Jack Taylor

Dash: J.D. Francis, Ray Humphrey, Brian Yeatman, and Matt Tiller

B Main: Tim Prince, Allen Barr, Clint DeMoss, and Levi Godsey

Feature: Ray Humphrey, J.D. Francis, Matt Tiller, Gary Trammell, Lee Hobbs, Brett Barr, Jack Taylor, Allen Barr, Donnie Parson, Joe Godsey, Levi Godsey, Brian Sullivan, Clint DeMoss, Brian Yeatman, Ryan Blevins, Troy Jarvis, Tim Prince, Adam Sasser, Rodney Harris, Jr., and Richie Lex

BOMBERS:

Heat 1: Robert Walters, Larry Harris, Paul Owens, Joe Johnson, and Darrin Dayhuff

Heat 2: Sam Chastain, Ray Godsey, Jr, Matt Bex, Red White, and Matt Hamilton

Heat 3: Andrew Davis, Glenn Wolff, Greg Leitzman, Mik Strunk, and Dave Eagan

Dash: Sam Chastain, Robert Walters, and Andrew Davis

B Main: Josh Holt, Johnny Ray, Brent Eagan, Phillip Pate, Jr., and Dave Lemons

Feature: Sam Chastain, Robert Walters, Matt Bex, Andrew Davis, Joe Johnson, Mike Strunk, Josh Holt, Johnny Ray, Matt Hamilton, Dave Eagan, Phillip Pate, Jr, Larry Harris, Paul Owens, Brent Eagan, Ray Godsey, Jr, Darrin Dayhuff, Glenn Wolff, and Greg Leitzman

Text provided by Tim McKinney

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.