MIKE MARLAR TO DRIVE FOR STEPHENS MOTORSPORTS IN 2007

Source: Dustin Jarrett, Team PR
Date: 12/14/2006

After several seasons of sponsoring Sam Gilbert’s dirt late model team, Flemingsburg, KY business owner Owen “Junior” Stephens officially teamed with Gilbert in the late 90’s to form a partnership that would be an instant threat in and around the Bluegrass State. Gilbert already had Vern LeFevers as his driver and, with Stephens knowledge and financial backing, the team was an immediate success. Over the course of four seasons, Stephens’ entry, with LeFevers behind the wheel, found victory lane several times at Florence, Mudlick Valley, and Brushcreek among other places. In 2000, the team won the track championship at Mudlick Valley (KY) Raceway.

In 2002, John Whitney drove Stephens’ car and would continue to do for the next several years. After Whitney’s successful stint in the Stephens Motorsports #34, drivers such as RJ Conley and Jerry Rice among others would take their turn behind the wheel.

In 2005, the team called on Steve Hillard to drive the car. Hillard would finish runner-up in the final Northern All-Stars Late Models (NALMS) points standings along with picking up the NALMS Pete Abel Memorial win at Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, KY. In 2006, both Hillard and Ben Adkins would drive Stephens-owned entries, with Adkins cashing his biggest career paycheck in the prestigious Paul “Butterball” Wooldridge Memorial at Richmond (KY) Raceway.

Mike Marlar has an impressive resume of his own, which begins with his first ever race. In 1995, at the age of 17, Marlar made the most of his very first time behind the wheel of a stock car, picking up the Street Stock feature win at the Lake Cumberland (KY) Speedway.

From that point on, success would come almost naturally for Marlar. In 1999, he made the move up to Open Wheel Modifieds and, once again, found victory lane early and often. His accomplishments in the Open Wheel Modifieds were capped off by a runner-up finish in the 2002 UMP National Modified points standings.

In 2003, Marlar took his success to the next level as the young superstar moved up to Late Model ranks where he set his sights on the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Rookie of the Year title. What Marlar accomplished in his first full year behind the wheel of a Late Model is what most veteran drivers can only dream of accomplishing. The Winfield, TN hotshoe notched an astounding five wins with the nation’s most competitive regional racing series en route to claiming, not only the 2003 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Rookie of the Year title, but also the 2003 O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Championship.

If winning the O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Championship in 2003 wasn’t enough, Mike Marlar certainly became a household name by the end of 2004. In addition to winning the Paul “Butterball” Wooldridge Memorial at Richmond (KY) Raceway, Marlar notched, what was considered at the time, two of the biggest upsets of the 2004 racing season when picked up wins in the prestigious $25,000-to-win Hillbilly 100 at Tyler County (WV) Speedway and the Magnolia State 100 at Columbus (MS) Speedway. In addition, Marlar finished 5th in the final points standings for the NARA DirtCar Series, now known as the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.

2005 found Marlar traveling and hitting more big money races as he teamed up with Bill Moyer Sr. Motorsports. Starts in the Dream and World 100 at Eldora (OH) Speedway added to Marlar’s successful reputation, and a top 10 finish in the 2005 World 100 solidified his status as one of the best talents in the country. In 2006, Marlar found victory lane in a Northern All-Stars race at Thunder Valley (IN) Speedway as well as unsanctioned events at Cleveland, Tazewell, and Lake Cumberland.

The Stephens Motorsports team, along with driver Mike Marlar, is ready to tackle the 2007 racing season. With Estes powerplants under the hood, a Rayburn and a MasterSbilt await the upcoming campaign. Crew Chief Mario Vietti is poised to call the shots in the pits with veteran wrenchman Brian Ollish also on board. The team plans to travel as much as possible, hitting top dollar races across the Midwest in addition to O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass and Lucas Oil sanctioned events as well as various television races. The team will officially kickoff its 2007 season in Florida in February.

Several fine sponsors have already signed on with this potential powerhouse team for 2007 including Stephens Trucking, S&B Cattle Company, Doyle Fertilizer, Crump’s Lawn & Garden, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply, and PBM Performance Products.

Other sponsors the team would like to thank includes Fleming Auto Parts, Dyer’s Top Rods, Bell Helmets, American Diecast Company (ADC), Sweet Steering, Dart Engine Components, Real Wheels, Erson Cams, Hoosier Race Tire, Hawk Brakes, Peterson Fluid Systems, Wile's Drive Shaft, PPM Race Products, KB Carburetors, and All-Star Performance

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