TUCSON, Arizona -- The 2003 Bud Five Star Series continued its' racing program at Tucson's three eighth mile oval with three NASCAR divisions, Hornets and Tuff Trux.
The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series saw Branden Bonnett post his third straight win in the 30-lap main event.
Bonnett took the lead on lap three and was never headed. "It's great to keep winning, but I couldn't do it without the support of my sponsors, crew and family," said Bonnett.
Behind Bonnett was Chuck Wares, who posted his third straight second place, finish. In third was Chris Barr, who cracked the top five for the first time this season. In fourth place was John Sweeney, who made two weeks in a row in that position. Rounding out the top five was Mike Egurola in fifth place. In the NASCAR Factory Stock Main Event youth was served as two 17 year olds finished one two won in the 20-lap feature.
Topping the field and posting his first victory ever at Tucson Raceway Park was Dustin Jones. The race was highly competitive with Jones not taking the lead until lap 17.
Following Jones across the finish line was Kelly Germain another local high schooler, who has one win and two seconds to her credit so far this season.
For Jones it was a memorable moment, "I am really pumped, " he said. " I couldn't have done it without my family and crew."
The race was not without some flag activity as the yellow flag came out on lap three, as last week's winner Rod Jurado was forced to the pit with a mechanical problem after spinning out on the back stretch. On lap six the red flag flew when Alan Levin, Ken Kranzler and Bill Harrington all got together in turn one. Levin was able to continue, but Kranzler and Harrington were forced to leave the race.
Following Jones and Germain across the finish line was Greg Jayko in third. Jayko was the race leader from lap one through lap 16. Jones first pressed Jayko on lap 17, which saw Jayko fall back to second, while Germain was able to catch him on lap 18. In fourth place was Matt Levin, while Doug Paxson was fifth.
In the NASCAR Mighty Compact Main Event Russell Bratka won for the second time this year in the 20-lap feature.
Bratka was beaming following the race. "I get a lot support from family and my sponsors which really makes this worth it," said Bratka.
Bratka followed the race's early leader E.K. Ongley for 16 laps before taking the lead and never looking back.
Ongley for the second time this season lost engine power and was forced from the race and finished ninth. In second place was Ken Barnett, who now has two second place finishes to his credit. In third place was Jeff Dwight, while Chris Bates was fourth and Wade Simmons finished fifth.
In the Hornets Main Event Karl Griggs posted his first win of the season in the 30-lap feature.
Griggs said, "It was sure exciting. I really enjoyed having this opportunity to race at TRP."
Griggs took the lead on lap one and was not seriously challenged on his way to the checkered flag. Behind Griggs was Jim Schreck, who finished second and has raced in the Factory Stock division here at the racetrack. In third place was Jerome Zane, while Dick Cameron posted a fourth and Tammy Lynn was fifth.
In tonight's specialty event the Tuff Trux took to the track with Tomas Melero winning the Main Event posting a winning time of 54.818 seconds over a field of 18 entries.
Following Melero was Ruben Federico who covered the course in 54.859 seconds, while Tom Baird was third at 55.867 seconds, followed by Skip Lyons in fourth at 56.435 seconds and Grant Wilson rounded out the top five in fifth at 58.191 seconds.
Next Saturday the Bud Five Star Series continues with NASCAR Late Models, NASCAR Grand American Modifieds, Mighty Compacts, Factory Stocks and The Specialists' Spectacular Drags all presented by TransWestern Publishing and Quik Mart.
- MAIN EVENT
- 1. Branden Bonnett, 2. Chuck Wares, 3. Chris Barr, 4. John Sweeney, 5. Mike Egurola, 6. Hank Winter, 7. Joe Paladenic, 8. Ron Norman, 9. Ron Searle, 10. Ron Wear, 11. Scott Curtis
- TROPHY DASH
- 1. Chuck Wares, 2. Branden Bonnett, 3. Ron Norman, 4. John Sweeney, 5. Chris Barr, 6. Joe Paladenic
- HEAT TWO
- 1. Ron Wear, 2. Hank Winter, 3. Mike Egurola, 4. Ron Searle, 5. Scott Curtis
- FAST TIME
- Branden Bonnett - 15.631 seconds
- MAIN EVENT
- 1. Dustin Jones, 2. Kelly Germain, 3. Greg Jayko, 4. Matt Levin, 5.Doug Paxson, 6. Ken Huizengia, 7. Chris Smith, 8. Mike Shipyor, 9. George Sims, 10. Dan Burdick, 11. Becky Harrington, 12. Alan Levin, 13. Clayton Roberts, 14. Gannon Pritchard, 15. Rod Jurado, 16. Davidson Wyatt, 17. A.J. Jurado, 18. Fred Stephens, 19. Ken Kranzler, 20. Bill Harrington, 21. Mike McGullam
- HEAT ONE
- 1. Kelly Germain, 2. A.J. Jurado, 3. Fred Stephens, 4. Becky Harrington, 5. Becky Harrington, 6. Dan Burdick, 7. Bill Harrington, 8. Clayton Roberts
- HEAT TWO
- 1. Dustin Jones, 2. Alan Levin, 3. Ken Huizenga, 4. Ken Kranzler, 5. Davidson Wyatt, 6. Gannon Pritchard, 7. Mike McGullam
- HEAT THREE
- 1. Greg Jayko, 2. Rod Jurado, 3. Chris Smith, 4. Matt Levin, 5. Doug Paxson, 6. George Sims, 7. Mike Shipyor
- MAIN EVENT
- 1. Russell Bratka, 2. Ken Barnett, 3. Jeff Dwight, 4. Chris Bates, 5. Wade Simmons, 6. Jim Bates, 7. Clayton Clark, 8. Mike Vaughn, 9. E.K. Ongley, 10. Bob Powers
- HEAT ONE
- 1. E.K. Ongley, 2. Russell Bratka, 3. Mike Vaughn, 4. Clayton Clark, 5. Chris Bates
- HEAT TWO
- 1. Ken Barnett, 2. Jeff Dwight, 3. Jim Bates, 4. Wade Simmons, 5. Bob Powers, 6. Gail Goodrich, Jr.
- MAIN EVENT
- 1. Karl Griggs, 2. Jim Schreck, 3. Jerome Zane, 4. Dick Cameron, 5. Tammy Lynn
- MAIN EVENT
- 1. Tomas Melero, 2. Ruben Federico, 3. Tom Baird, 4. Skip Lyons, 5. Grant Wilson
- QUALIFYING EVENT
- 1. Grant Wilson, 2. Ruben Federico, 3. Tom Baird, 4. Skip Lyons, 5. Tomas Melero, 6. Chris Hare, 7. Ryan Makowski, 8. Carl Husted, 9. Mike Downing, 10. Matt McLain, 11. Ed Smith, 12. Richard Jisko, 13. Tommy Baird, 14. John Callans, 15. Windle Shue, 16. Jerry Welsh, 17. John Yeomans, 18. Bill Wilson
