TUCSON, Arizona -- The 2003 Bud Five Star Series continued at Tucson Raceway Park with three NASCAR divisions of racing and the World Famous Trailer Race of Destruction.
The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series saw Chuck Wares post his second straight win and fourth win overall in the 2003 season in the NASCAR Super Late Model 30-lap main event on Craftsman Tools night at the races.
Wares commented on his racing success, "I found a groove that the car felt comfortable in and just kept things moving so as to stay in front of John Sweeney. I knew he was close, especially when we started to get into lapped traffic. It slowed me up a bit and I really felt him coming on at that point. I got some good help from my spotter Leland Stevens and was able to stay in front." Wares added, "I hope to keep the winning ways going, but know the competition will be tough."
Behind Wares was the aforementioned John Sweeney in second. For Sweeney it marked his first second place finish of the year to go along with one win and three fourths. In third place was Ron Searle, Jr., who now has one third place finish on the season to go along with one win and one fourth. In fourth place was Buddy Nelson, who now has four top five finishes since returning to racing just a little over a month ago. In fifth place was Branden Bonnett, who now has eight top five finishes this season.
In the NASCAR Grand American Modified Main Event Chad Bowden won the 25-lap feature. It marked his fourth win of the season in the division, and the first since May 31.
Bowden in his post race comments said, "I am tired. I have never raced that hard side by side with someone else for that long." He added, "P.J. Megna ran a good race, but I wasn't going to give in to him."
Bowden and Megna traded the lead back and forth until the last lap when Megna spun out in turn four and after regrouping in the infield was able to cross the finish line, but was only able to post an eighth place finish.
Megna's misfortune was Patrick Bush's good luck as he stayed close throughout the race, and as Megna spun Bush bolted ahead and finished second, his third such finish of the season.
The order of finish behind Bowden and Bush saw Larry Kayton finish third his second third place finish on the year, and a great comeback after being forced from the race last week in a five car pile up.
In fourth was the always tough and competitive Ruben Federico, who now has seven top five finishes in 2003.
In fifth was Dusty Fielden, who entered the racing action as the division points leader and was able to post his ninth top five finish on the year.
The NASCAR Factory Stock Main Event was won by Kelly Germain marking her third win this season in the 20-lap feature.
Germain was able to get to the front on the 13th lap and kept the balance of the field of 19 cars behind her until the checkered flag. Germain came into the racing action leading the Factory Stock division in points and with the win keeps her competition at bay for another week.
The races' early leader was Fred Stephens, who took command as the green flag flew and held on for the first seven laps. The races' next leader was Greg Jayko, who took the lead on lap eight, but was passed by Germain on lap 13. Jayko was able to maintain his position and held on to finish in second place.
Germain was ecstatic from the winner's circle, "I wanted to win so bad, but I wasn't sure I could get by Greg (Jayko), but I did and here I am." She continued, "It was a good race and I really enjoy green flag racing."
Behind Germain and Jayko was Mike Levin in third, which had his best finish of the season. Behind Levin in fourth was last week's winner Mike Shipyor, while Mike McGullam filled out the top five in fifth.
In the World Famous Trailer Race of Destruction of field of nine competitors went all out in a full throttle search and destroy mission that saw trailers fly and competitors put on a show for the ages.
The last trailer to trail saw the always-popular John "Crash" Callans behind the wheel of a Ford LTD and "JAWS" the boat and trailer.
Next Saturday the Bud Five Star Series continues with the NASCAR Super Late Models, NASCAR Grand American Modifieds(50-Lap Main Event), Factory Stocks and the Fireworks Extravaganza all presented by Budweiser.
- MAIN EVENT
- 1. Chuck Wares, 2. John Sweeney, 3. Ron Searle, Jr., 4. Buddy Nelson, 5. Branden Bonnett, 6. Ron Wear, 7. Mike Egurola, 8. Chris Barr, 9. Billy Kann, 10. Ron Norman
- TROPHY DASH
- 1. Ron Searle, Jr., 2. Chuck Wares, 3. Buddy Nelson, 4. Chris Barr, 5. Ron Norman, 6. John Sweeney
- HEAT TWO
- 1. Branden Bonnett, 2. Ron Wear, 3. Mike Egurola, 4. Billy Kann
- FASTEST TIME
- Chuck Wares - 15.743 seconds
- MAIN EVENT
- 1. Chad Bowden, 2.Patrick Bush, 3. Larry Kayton, 4. Ruben Federico, 5. Dusty Fielden, 6. John Sweeney, 7. Carl Thomae, 8. P.J. Megna, 9. Denver Dodd, 10. Cris Pastika
- HEAT ONE
- 1. P.J. Megna, 2. Dusty Fielden, 3. Chad Bowden, 4. John Sweeney, 5. Denver Dodd
- HEAT TWO
- 1. Patrick Bush, 2. Ruben Federico, 3. Larry Kayton, 4. Carl Thomae, 5. Cris Pastika
- MAIN EVENT
- 1. Kelly Germain, 2. Greg Jayko, 3. Mike Levin, 4. Mike Shipyor, 5. Mike McGullam, 6. George Sims, 7. Fred Stephens, 8. Dustin Jones, 9. Brian O'Brien, 10. Bill Briles, 11. Alan Levin, 12. Doug Paxson, 13. Chris Smith, 14. Dan Burdick, 15. Gannon Pritchard, 16. Clayton Roberts, 17. Becky Harrington, 18. Bill Harrington, 19. Davidson Wyatt
- HEAT ONE
- 1. Kelly Germain, 2. Mike Levin, 3. Brian O'Brien, 4. Dustin Jones, 5. Chris Smith, 6. Dan Burdick, 7. Bill Harrington
- HEAT TWO
- 1. Mike McGullam, 2. Greg Jayko, 3. Rod Jurado, 4. Doug Paxson, 5. Alan Levin, 6. Ken Huizenga, 7. Davidson Wyatt
- HEAT THREE
- 1. Fred Stephens, 2. Mike Shipyor, 3. Bill Briles, 4. George Sims, 5. Gannon Pritchard, 6. Becky Harrington, 7. Clayton Roberts, 8. John Levin
