But misses the cut for the main event
Gibsonton, FL (February 10, 2000) Jimmy Mars paced the entire field
of eighty-seven entries to pick up the fastest qualifier award, but somehow managed to
miss the cut for the 26 car main event. Mars was only a tenth of a second shy of setting a
new track record.
Mars turned the East Bay Raceway with a time of 14.845 in his ParkerStore/Rocket Monte Carlo. The team was making changes on the fuel cell throughout the day in order to increase traction to the right rear tire. The changes seem to have paid off in a big way. "Changing the car around made all the difference in the world, said Jimmy. We could have used even a little more side-bite in the heat. The Rocket cars have a little different characteristics than what we are used to, we just have to figure out what it likes and dislikes. It's all starting to come together though. We should be pretty tough from now on."
In the heat, Mars finished 4th out of a field of 15 entries, missing the transfer spot by one position. Mars lost several spots at the start of the race due to a mechanical problem. "The carburetor sputtered when they dropped the green and the motor didn't fire right. I think we've got the new carburetor blues," Jimmy stated. With the competition being so tough, Mars was not able to work his way back up to one of the top three transfer spots.
The ParkerStore team watched the main event from the sidelines, and were joined by many other standout drivers and teams that had also failed to make the cut.
Mars has moved in to the Top 20 in the Hav-A-Tampa point standings and is currently in the 19th position after the first three rounds. The fourth round takes place on Thursday, February 12. Check back for the latest news and updates.
(Article by John Strand)
OFFICIAL RESULTS OF ROUND 3 FEATURE EVENT
POS STRT CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN CAR LAPS $ WON
1. 7 24 Rick Eckert York, PA Pont. 40 $5,500
2. 3 79j Davey Johnson Greensburg, PA Chev. 40 $3,000
3. 5 12 Rick Aukland Fargo, ND Pont. 40 $2,000
4. 6 E1 Mike Balzano Parkersburg, WV Chev. 40 $1,950
5. 2 99 Donnie Moran Dresden, OH Pont. 40 $2,000
6. 14 28 Dennis Erb Jr. Carpentersville, IL Chev. 40 $1,600
7. 22 1* Chub Frank Sugar Grove, PA Chev. 40 $1,000
8. 13 29 Darrell Lannigan Union, KY Ford 40 $900
9. 4 1cj Jack Boggs Grayson, KY Chev. 40 $800
10. 24 21 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR Pont. 40 $700
11. 17 30 Steve Shaver Parkersburg, WV Pont. 40 $800
12. 15 00 Freddy Smith Knoxville, TN Chev. 40 $1,075
13. 19 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY Chev. 40 $1,050
14. 1 l Steve Lucas Charleston, WV Chev. 40 $525
15. 12 71m Lance Mathes Winona, MN Chev. 40 $500
16. 26 66 Bill Frye Greenbrier, AR Pont. 40 $975
17. 10 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN Ford 40 $650
18. 8 96 Terry English Benton, KY Chev. 40 $425
19. 25 6m Wendell Wallace Batesville, AR Pont. 38 $900
20. 16 70 D.J. Myers Greencastle, PA Chev. 35 $400
21. 15 71d Delmas Conley Wheelersburg, OH Chev. 26 $400
22. 18 17m Dale McDowell Rossville, GA Chev. 22 $1,250
23. 23 B12 Kevin Weaver Gibson City, IL Chev. 21 $400
24. 20 11g Kevin Gundaker St. Louis, MO Chev. 21 $400
25. 21 s9 Dan Schlieper Pewaukee, WI Chev. 15 $400
26. 9 2j Mike Johnson Imperial, PA Pont. 13 $400
ENTRIES: 87
LEAD CHANGES: 6 Among 5 Drivers
LAP LEADERS: Lucas, 1-4; Moran, 5-26; D. Johnson, 27-30; Aukland, 31-32;Eckert, 33; D.
Johnson, 34; Eckert, 35-40.
LAPS LED: Moran, 22; Eckert, 7; D. Johnson, 5; Lucas, 4; Aukland, 2
CAUTIONS: 6
PROVISIONALS: Wallace and Frye
HAV-A-TAMPA SHOOTOUT INVITEES: D. Johnson, Aukland, Frank, Lannigan, and Boggs
QUALIFICATIONS:
POS CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN CHASSIS CAR MAKE ENGINE TIME
1 1m Jimmy Mars Elk Mound, WI Rocket Monte Carlo Chevy 14.845
2 96 Terry English Benton, KY Rayburn Monte Carlo Hatfield 14.911
3 79j Davey Johnson Greensburg, PA Rocket Monte Carlo Malcuit 14.937
4 77br Barry Bragdon Wheelersburg, OH Rocket Monte Carlo T&H 14.939
5 12a Rick Aukland Fargo, ND MasterSbilt Grand Prix Malcuit 14.944
6 E1 Mike Balzano Parkersburg, WV Rocket Monte Carlo Russell Baker 14.95
7 1 Steve Lucas Charleston, WV Rocket Monte Carlo Draime 14.968
8 99m Donnie Moran Dresden, OH MasterSbilt Grand Prix Fisher 14.981
9 00 Freddy Smith Knoxville, TN GRT Monte Carlo Custom 15.033
10 1cj Jack Boggs Grayson, KY Rayburn Monte Carlo Rayburn 15.086
11 71 Delmas Conley Wheelersburg, OH Rocket Monte Carlo Draime 15.087
12 71r Rod Conley Wheelersburg, OH Rocket Monte Carlo Draime 15.103
13 24 Rick Eckert York, PA Rocket Grand Prix Custom 15.104
14 28 Dennis Erb Jr. Carpentersville, ILL Rayburn Monte Carlo Hatfield15.112
15 42 Todd Andrews Eldred, PA GRT Mustang Malcuit 15.123
16 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN Warrior Mustang Custom 15.158
17 30 Steve Shaver Parkersburg, WV Rayburn Monte Carlo Malcuit 15.183
18 17m Dale McDowell Rossville, GA GRT Monte Carlo Custom 15.196
19 29 Darrell Lanigan Union, KY Rocket Mustang Cornett 15.197
20 71 Don O'Neal Martinsville, IN Rayburn Monte Carlo Rayburn 15.204
21 w7 Thomas Ware Cynthianna, KY Rocket Monte Carlo Russell Baker 15.237
22 70j D.J. Myers Greencastle, PA Rocket Monte Carlo Hershey 15.256
23 s9 Dan Schlieper Pewaukee, WI Rayburn Monte Carlo Pro Power 15.264
24 89 Marshall Green Dalton, GA Warrior Monte Carlo Hatfield 15.286
25 11db Donnie Barnhart N. Little Rock, AR GRT Grand Prix Markes 15.286
26 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY Rocket Monte Carlo Russell Baker 15.297
27 2J Mike Johnson Imperial, PA Rocket Grand Prix Malcuit 15.309
28 32 Bob Pierce Oakwood, IL Rayburn Monte Carlo K-Motion 15.31
29 16i Tony Izzo Bridgeview, IL GRT Monte Carlo Engine Master 15.324
30 00h Chuck Harper Beverly, WV Rayburn Monte Carlo Custom 15.325
31 1* Chub Frank Sugar Grove, PA Rocket Monte Carlo Draime 15.332
32 c9 Steve Casebolt Richmond, IN Rayburn Taurus Dargie 15.352
33 02 Keith Nosbisch Valrico, FL Rocket Monte Carlo Custom 15.374
34 51 Craig Leist Piketon, OH Rayburn Grand Prix Fisher 15.376
35 D2 Nolan Dalton Morgantown, WV Rocket Grand Prix Russell Baker 15.385
36 166 Joe Izzo LaSalle, IL GRT Monte Carlo Engine Master 15.387
37 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC GRT Mustang Cornett 15.39
38 4b Jackie Boggs Grayson, KY Swartz Monte Carlo Hixon 15.397
39 75 Scott Pounds Bakersfield, CA GRT Grand Prix Pontiac 15.413
40 B12 Kevin Weaver Gibson City, IL Rocket Monte Carlo Pro Power 15.419
41 21 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR GRT Grand Prix Clements 15.429
42 71 Lance Mathes Winona, MN Fegers Monte Carlo Custom 15.442
43 19 Gary Stuhler Greencastle, PA MasterSbilt Grand Prix Leggett 15.452
44 10 Pete Parker Kaukauna, WI Fegers Grand Prix Pro Craft 15.472
45 31 Skip Arp Georgetown, TN GRT Monte Carlo Russell Baker 15.483
46 98 Pete Broughton Waumauma, FL MasterSbilt Monte Carlo Custom 15.493
47 12s Jason Smith Laurel, MS Rocket Mustang Cornett 15.495
48 6m Wendell Wallace Batesville, AR GRT Grand Prix Russell Baker 15.5
49 C3 Gusty Christenberry Knoxville, TN GRT Grand Prix Custom 15.508
50 38 Kenny Pettyjohn Georgetown, DE BRC Grand Prix Draime 15.618
51 4 Brian Stinson New Paris, OH Rayburn Monte Carlo Dargie 15.633
52 18 Shannon Babb Decatur, IL Rayburn Monte Carlo Pro Power 15.644
53 33 Al Purkey Coffeyville, KS American Grand Prix Hatfield 15.661
54 00 Booper Bare Rockbridge Bath, VA Rocket Grand Prix Malcuit 15.686
55 11c Jimmy Cobb Charleston, WV Rocket Grand Prix Draime 15.696
56 83 Joe Morris Galatia, IL Rocket Monte Carlo Runyon 15.707
57 56 Gary Webb Bluegrass, IA GRT Monte Carlo Clements 15.712
58 71c R.J. Conley Wheelersburg, OH Rocket Grand Prix Draime 15.765
59 80 Brian Durig Warren, OH Boss Grand Prix Miller 15.781
60 70n Terry Neal Ely, IA GRT Monte Carlo Grove 15.835
61 66 Bill Frye Greenbrier, AR Warrior Grand Prix Custom 15.841
62 4 Vernon Smith (R) Rome, GA GRT Monte Carlo RED 15.847
63 11g Kevin Gundaker St. Louis, MO GRT Monte Carlo Gaerte 15.879
64 87 David Smith St. Auburn, WV Rocket Monte Carlo Draime 15.909
65 12 Rick Williams Beckley, WV Mastersbilt Grand Prix Verns 15.92
66 64 Ryan Dauber Tonica, IL GRT Monte Carlo Sabotta 15.926
67 88a John Hill Caliente, CA GRT Camaro Chevy 15.927
68 11b Rob Blair Titusville, PA Rocket Grand Prix Malcuit 15.928
69 3 Steve Smith Powell, TN Rayburn Monte Carlo Custom 15.951
70 007 Jeff Webber Clayton, GA Rayburn Monte Carlo Custom 15.962
71 28r Bill Reed Knoxville, TN Fast Monte Carlo Clements 15.964
72 5s Bret Sievert New Berlin, WI Warrior Monte Carlo Pro Power 15.973
73 42ma Marshall Austin Dover, FL Rayburn Monte Carlo Nelson Bros. 15.975
74 21jm Jason Montgomery Jackson, OH Rocket Grand Prix Draime 16.023
75 17le Lance Elson (R) Wellsburg, WV Mastersbilt Grand Prix Fisher 16.069
76 21h Robert Hensley Richwood, KY Rocket Monte Carlo Draime 16.073
77 77b Bill Bartels Los Angeles, CA Rocket Monte Carlo Draime 16.352
78 15b Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA GRT Grand Prix Russell Baker 16.364
79 17g Mike Gault (R) Gaffney, SC Warrior Grand Prix Clements 16.408
80 21k Dewayne Kiefer (R) St. Louis, MO Rayburn Monte Carlo Pro Power 16.551
81 A10 Andy Bond Coolville, OH Rayburn Monte Carlo Hixon 16.648
82 2 Anthony White Clinton, TN Warrior Grand Prix Custom 16.659
83 6h Tom Hall Denton, KY Mastersbilt Monte Carlo T&H 16.943
84 55v Jeep Van Wormer Pinconning, MI Warrior Mustang Custom 17.718
85 28b Dick Barton Asheville, NY GRT Mustang Malcuit DQ
86 CV3 Clayton Christenberry Knoxville, TN GRT Monte Carlo Custom NT
87 84 Roger Best Maryville, TN Warrior Monte Carlo Clements NT
BORLA PERFORMANCE 12-LAP HEAT RACES (Top 3 Transfer To Main Event): 1ST HEAT: 1. Lucas; 2. Eckert; 3. Lannigan; 4. Mars; 5. Frank; 6. Cook; 7. Barton; 8. Stuhler; 9. Frye; 10. Gault; 11. Cobb; 12. G. Christenberry; 13. Austin; 14. Hill; 15. Barnhart.
2ND HEAT: 1. Moran; 2. English; 3. Erb; 4. Francis; 5. Jackie Boggs; 6. Pettyjohn; 7. Parker; 8. Kiefer; 9. V. Smith; 10. Morris; 11. Montgomery; 12. C. Christenberry; 13. Casebolt; 14. Blair. 3RD HEAT: 1. D. Johnson; 2. M. Johnson; 3. F. Smith; 4. Gundaker; 5. Webb; 6. Pounds; 7. Stinson; 8. Elson; 9. Bond; 10. Arp; 11. S. Smith; 12. Best; 13. Andrews; 14. Ware; 15. Nosbisch.
4TH HEAT: 1. Jack Boggs; 2. Scott Bloomquist; 3. Myers; 4. Bragdon; 5. Leist; 6. Weaver; 7. Babb; 8. Broughton; 9. R.J. Conley; 10. T. Izzo; 11. D. Smith; 12. White; 13. Hensley; 14. Webber.
5TH HEAT: 1. Aukland; 2. D. Conley; 3. Shaver; 4. Moyer; 5. Schlieper; 6. Harper; 7. J. Smith; 8. Reed; 9. Durig; 10. Bartels; 11. Hall; 12. Purkey. 6TH HEAT: 1. Balzano; 2. Mathes; 3. McDowell; 4. Pierce; 5. Birkhofer; 6. Bare; 7. Wallace; 8. Neal; 9. J. Izzo; 10. Sievert; 11. Dauber; 12. Van Wormer; 13. Rod Conley; 14. Green.
CONSOLATION RACES (12-Laps – Top 2 Finishers Transfer To Main Event):
RENEGADE TRANSPORTERS 1ST CONSY: 1. Francis; 2. Frank; 3. Barton; 4. Stuhler; 5. Mars; 6. Cook; 7. Jackie Boggs; 8. Pettyjohn; 9. Frye; 10. Parker; 11. Gault; 12. Barnhart; 13. Kiefer; 14. Cobb; 15. Montgomery; 16. Blair; 17. C. Christenberry; 18. Hill; 19. G. Christenberry; 20. V. Smith.
POLARIS ATVs 2ND CONSY: 1. Gundaker; 2. Weaver; 3. Webb; 4. Bragdon; 5. Leist; 6. R.J. Conley; 7. Pounds; 8. Broughton; 9. Stinson; 10. White; 11. Best; 12. Bond; 13. Webber; 14. Elson; 15. D. Smith; 16. T. Izzo; 17. Arp; 18. Babb.
HAV-A-TAMPA 3RD CONSY: 1. Schlieper; 2. Moyer; 3. Bare; 4. Pierce; 5. Harper; 6. Birkhofer; 7. J. Smith; 8. Neal; 9. Van Wormer; 10. Rod Conley; 11. Sievert; 12. Durig; 13. Wallace; 14. Williams; 15. Purkey; 16. Bartels; 17. Hall; 18. Dalton; 19. J. Izzo; 20. Reed; 21. Dauber.
HAV-A-TAMPA POINT STANDINGS THROUGH 2/9/00:
1. Rick Eckert – 535
2. Steve Francis – 453
3. Freddy Smith – 435
4. Donnie Moran – 433
5. Mike Balzano – 414
6. Dennis Erb Jr. – 413
7. Wendell Wallace – 400
8. Bill Frye – 399
9. Steve Shaver – 396
10. Brian Birkhofer – 387
11. Ray Cook – 373
12. Billy Moyer – 370
13. Scott Bloomquist – 364
14. Skip Arp – 360
15. Dale McDowell – 350
16. Terry English – 318
17. Dan Schlieper – 295
18. Roger Best – 271
19. Jimmy Mars – 271
20. Jimmy Sharp – 267
