TUCSON, Arizona -- The 2003 Bud 5 Star Series continued its racing program at Tucson's 3/8 mile paved oval with four NASCAR divisions and The Specialists' Spectacular Drags.
The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series defending track champion, Chuck Wares, posted his second consecutive win in the NASCAR Super Late Model 30 lap main event on Tucson Shopper Night at the Races. Wares started the main event in the 5th position and worked his way to second by lap five. Race Leader, Ron Wear, had built a 5-car lead seeking his 1st main event win. Ware continued to catch the leader and after a side by side battle, took the lead on lap 20. A caution on lap 23 for a sole backstretch spin by Joe Paladenic gave way to Wares taking his 2003 Monte Carlo to Victory Lane. Wares was overjoyed in victory lane on his second win. "I really have to thank my crew for getting us here again, and to win again with my father here, at the races, is just great."
Following Wares in 2nd Place was Ron Norman, who was fast qualifier for the night. Norman grabbed 2nd place on lap 29 from Ronnie Wear who finished third. Buddy Nelson brought his new ride into 4th position, the 2002 Grand American Modified Champion returned to racing in the Super Late Models the second week and this is his 1st Top Five Finish. Mike Egurola rounded out the Top Five.
In the NASCAR Late Model Main Event, Matt Levin won the 25 lap Feature. Levin captured his 3rd win of the 2003 season. Starting in the 4th position Levin was able to take the lead on lap two from Brad Moyer. The first caution came out on lap one when pole sitter, Gary Alvarez, spun down the backstretch and returned to the race. On lap three, the caution flew again for Brandon Schilling making hard contact with the turn one wall. Levin held on to first, while Brian Brown moved into 2nd on lap seven. Brown tried everything to catch the leader and post his first win but took home 2nd place honors. Following Brown in 3rd was David Nekula. Tim Blodgett , the 2002 Factory Stock Champ, took home 4th and Brad Moyer rounded out the Top Five.
Levin said from Victory Lane, "I wish we could have kept it green the whole race, the cautions sure brought the field close, but I was able to keep it out front for all my family, friends, crews and my sponsors."
The NASCAR Mighty Compact Main Event saw Russell Bratka return to victory lane for the 4th time in the 2003 season. The 2002 champion started the main event in 6th position and powered his way into the lead on lap three over taking Wade Simmons. Chris Bates who had won the two previous feature events, passed Simmons on lap five and set chase on the leader, Bratka. Bates was not able to catch the leader in the caution free race and took home 2nd place. Ken Barnett captured 3rd in his Toyota Truck. Wade Simmons finished 4th with Michael Vaughan in the 5th position. "I just want to thank my Dad, my future in-laws and of course, my crew and sponsors for this win," an exhausted Bratka claimed from victory lane.
In the NASCAR Factory Stock 20 lap Main Event Mike McGullam captured his first ever Factory Stock Main Win. McGullam followed pole sitter, George Sims, throughout the race, Sims and McGullam traded the lead back and forth until lap 16 when McGullam pulled ahead and gathered his 1st main event win. "I've waited a long time for this win, we've been racing for 5 years and been close. To get to victory lane, I must thank my wife and crew chief, Doug and all my great sponsors for making this all possible."
George Sims settled for 2nd, followed by Kelly Germain in 3rd, Mike Shipyor came from 9th starting position to finish 4th and Flying Brian O'Brien taking home 5th. The feature saw its only caution on lap one when Greg Jayko got airborne after contact with Rod Jurado. The Red Flag came out as the Jayko and Jurado machines were done for the night.
Spectacular Drags brought the street legal cars to the 3/8 mile oval. Frank Caddel took top honors and a $300 gift certificate from The Specialists as he powered his Ford Probe past Steve Leidig in his 2002 Honda Insight Hybrid electric/gas vehicle in the best 2 out of 3 final round.
Next week Famous Sam's presents the NASCAR Super Late Models, NASCAR Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Mighty Compacts and the First Rollover c
- MAIN EVENT
- 1. Chuck Wares, 2. Ron Norman, 3. Ron Wear, 4. Buddy Nelson, 5. Mike Egurola, 6. Ron Searle, Jr., 7. Branden Bonnett, 8. Joe Paladenic, 9. Chris Barr, 10. Jeff Huebner, 11. Scott Walker
- TROPHY DASH
- 1. Branden Bonnett, 2. Chuck Wares, 3. Ron Norman, 4. Joe Paladenic, 5. Mike Egurola, 6. Ron Wear
- HEAT TWO
- 1. Buddy Nelson, 2. Scott Walker, 3. Chris Barr, 4. Ron Searle, Jr., 5. Jeff Huebner
- FAST TIME
- Ron Norman - 15. 665
- MAIN EVENT
- 1. Matt Levin, 2. Brian Brown, 3. David Nekula, 4. Tim Blodgett, 5. Brad Moyer, 6. Scott Strachan, 7. Bob Cramb, 8. Gary Alvarez, 9. Brandon Schilling, 10. Bobby Collister
- HEAT ONE
- 1. David Nekula, 2. Bobby Collister, 3. Gary Alvarez, 4. Brandon Schilling, 5. Bob Cramb
- HEAT TWO
- 1. Scott Strachan, 2. Matt Levin, 3. Brad Moyer, 4. Tim Blodgett, 5. Brian Brown
- MAIN EVENT
- 1. Russell Bratka, 2. Chris Bates, 3. Ken Barnett, 4. Wade Simmons, 5. Michael Vaughan, 6. Jim Bates, 7. Clayton Clark, 8. Jeff Dwight
- HEAT ONE
- 1. Chris Bates, 2. Russell Bratka, 3. Ken Barnett, 4. Wade Simmons, 5. Michael Vaughan, 6. Clayton Clark, 7. Jim Bates, 8. Jeff Dwight
- MAIN EVENT
- 1. Mike Mcgullam, 2. George Sims, 3. Kelly Germain, 4. Mike Shipyor, 5. Brian O'Brien, 6. Dustin Jones, 7. A.J. Jurado, 8. Doug Paxson, 9. Alan Levin, 10. Clay Roberts, 11. Becky Harrington, 12. Dan Burdick, 13. Chris Smith, 14. Fred Stephens, 15. Ken Huizenga, 16. Bill Briles, 17. Bill Harrington, 18. Brian Harrington, Jr., 19. Matthew Sevits, 20. Michael Levin, 21. Rod Jurado, 22. Greg Jayko
- HEAT ONE
- 1. Mike McGullam, 2. Rod Jurado, 3. Clay Roberts, 4. A.J. Jurado, 5. Alan Levin, 6. Dan Burdick, 7. Bill Briles, 8. Matthew Sevits
- HEAT TWO
- 1. Greg Jayko, 2. Kelly Germain, 3. Doug Paxson, 4. Brian O'Brien, 5. Becky Harrington, 6. Brian Harrington, Jr., 7. Chris Smith
- HEAT THREE
- 1. George Sims, 2. Dustin Jones, 3. Mike Shipyor, 4. Michael Levin, 5. Fred Stephens, 6. Ken Huizenga, 7. Bill Harrington
