Tazewell, TN-April 12, 2008- The Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Open Wheel Modified division presented by Graphic Impressions kicked off its 2008 racing season on Saturday evening at Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, TN and when all was finished, three-time and defending series champion Joey Kramer of Hanover, IN had claimed $2,000 for his win at the Gary Hall promoted facility.  

Kramer’s 14th career series victory came at the series 50th tour event.  The win was Kramer’s second career win at “The Bad Fast Taz” and came aboard the Claudette Kramer owned Hill’s Historic Painting/Fall Creek Financial/PBM Performance Products/All Star Performance/Bright Beginnings Day Care sponsored #77 Lightning Chassis.

The start of the 30 lap, $2,000 to win A-Main would see the first of six caution flags fly immediately before one lap was completed for a multi-car incident that involved Delane Browning, Bobby Edens, Kevin Nesselhauf, and Kelly Warren.  With the green flag now sending action underway, Kramer would jump to the race lead, with Kurt Owens and Paul Bales giving chase.  Action would be slowed again on lap 5 for an incident that involved Ben Petrey, J.J. Patterson, and Nesselhauf.  Back underway, Kramer would again pull away from the pack until the caution flew again for a snow shower on lap 10, but this would be brief and action would resume.  Kramer would again pull away from the field, as Don Adams had mounted a charge into the top five and would battle with Kurt Owens for the runner-up slot. 

Caution would fly again on lap 14 when Kevin Copher rolled his mount to a stop on the racing surface, but would be able to continue.  The restart would again see Kramer continue to lead the way, while Adams and Owens heated up the cool East Tennessee night air with their battle for second.  Aaron Ogle would bring out the next caution when stopped on the track on lap 20, but would continue.  The final caution of the event waved on lap 21 for an incident on the frontchute involving Browning and Donahoo, with Kelly Warren scraping the outside wall, but never stopping on the track, while Ogle and Skylar Marlar would wreck entering turn one just past the initial incident.  This caution period would become a red flag when safety personnel had to check out Marlar, who would be all right. 

The final nine circuits would see Kramer stay on the point and take the checkered flag first, with Don Adams taking second, followed by Kurt Owens in third.  Kelly Warren and Kevin Copher would complete the top five.  The remainder of the top ten would be Hard Charger winner Shawn Tolson, who started 15th, followed by Billy Palmer, Tommy Bailey, Stanley Donahoo, and Paul Bales.

In preliminary action, Kelly Warren was top qualifier with a lap of 12.495 seconds.  Heat race victories fell to Kurt Owens, Joey Kramer, and Paul Bales. 

The next event for the Modified division of the Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series will take place on Saturday May 10 at the James Brown promoted Clinton County Speedway, located in the Alpha community just outside of Albany, KY.  The event will pay $1,500 to win.

The Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series sanctions regional Open Wheel Modified events at tracks in Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee.  For more information about America’s most competitive regional racing series, visit the series webpage on the world wide web at www.battleofthebluegrass.com or call the series office at (859) 762-1606 or (502) 931-5068.

Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Modified Division

SUMMARY-Tazewell Speedway-Tazewell, Tennessee-April 12, 2008

Top Qualifier- Kelly Warren 12.495

1st Heat- Kurt Owens, Skylar Marlar, Kelly Warren, Tommy Bailey, Sammy Duncan, Mickey Sansom, Bobby Edens
 

2nd Heat- Joey Kramer, Kevin Copher, Wayne James, Stanley Donahoo, Delane Browning, Kevin Nesselhauf, J.J. Patterson
 

3rd Heat- Paul Bales, Aaron Ogle, Don Adams, Billy Palmer, Shawn Tolson, Ben Petrey (DNS- Robert Potter)
 

A-Main:  Joey Kramer, Don Adams, Kurt Owens, Kelly Warren, Kevin Copher, Shawn Tolson, Billy Palmer, Tommy Bailey, Stanley Donahoo, Paul Bales, Mickey Sansom, Aaron Ogle, Skylar Marlar, Delane Browning, Ben Petrey, J.J. Patterson, Kevin Nesselhauf, Wayne James, Sammy Duncan, Bobby Edens (DNS- Robert Potter)

Entries- 21

Cautions- 6 (Lap 0, 5, 10, 14, 20, and 21)

Red Flags- 1 (Lap 21)

Hard Charger- Shawn Tolson (started 15th-finished 6th; advanced 9 positions)

View full results here

Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Modified Division Point Standings (after April 12)
1. Joey Kramer- 255
2. Don Adams- 233
3. Kurt Owens- 225
4. Kelly Warren- 218
5. Kevin Copher- 209
6. Shawn Tolson ®- 201
7. Billy Palmer- 197
8. Tommy Bailey- 192
9. Stanley Donahoo- 187
10. Paul Bales- 185     
 

Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Open Wheel Modified Division Upcoming Schedule of Events:

May 10- Clinton County Speedway (Albany, KY)- $1,500 to win        

May 17- Bluegrass Speedway (Bardstown, KY)- 8th Annual Mod Squad Bash- $1,500 to win   

May 23- Ponderosa Speedway (Junction City, KY)- 4th Annual Summer Shootout- $1,500 to win

May 24- Richmond Raceway (Richmond, KY)- $1,500 to win

June 7- Tazewell Speedway (Tazewell, TN)- $2,000 to win

June 13- Moler Raceway Park (Williamsburg, OH)- $1,500 to win

2008 Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Open Wheel Modified Division Sponsors:

Max Brake- “Official Trailer Brakes” of the Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Modified Division

CarbonX- “Official Flame Shielding Fabric” of the Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Modified Division

Health PMO- “Official Health Care Company” of the Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Modified Division

Graphic Impressions- Presenting Sponsor and “Official Souvenir and Merchandise Vendor” of the Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Modified Division

Bob Hook Chevrolet of Louisville- “Official Vehicle Dealer” of the Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Modified Division

Other Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series Open Wheel Modified Division Supporters Include: American Race Tires, C.J. Rayburn Race Cars, DriveSmart Kentucky, DT52 Photos, Hoosier Race Tires, Kentucky’s Best Racing, PPM Racing Products, Racing Optics, Trailer Parts and Service, Valvoline, Wayne Bowen Racing Supply