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Scott Wolfe
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (April 30) - Over the past several seasons, Eddie Carrier, Jr. AKA the "Salt Rock Express" has been more like the 'Rock of Gibraltar" in the K-C Raceway racing circles. Carrier has won six big name races and several 'regular' shows on the K-C highbanks, this Friday night adding yet another feather to his cap. Carrier, Jr. blitzed the field in the 47-lap $5,000 to win Ralph Seymour Memorial Classic. Picking up the AMRA Advanced Services Modified win was Albany, Ohio's Chris Stotts while Jamie Adams of Laurelville claimed the Dan Reno Hobby Stock main.
Quantitively, the field wasn't large, but it was of a high quality as 26 late models and 36 modifieds qualified for the Ralph Seymour Memorial, the prelude to Saturday's Dirt Cup Classic, paying $10,000 to win plus a Rocket Chassis frame valued at $8500.
In 2009 Carrier Jr. found himself with a top five starting position and by lap 83 had battled his way into the second spot and was beginning to challenge leader Shane Clanton for the top spot. For the next ten laps Carrier Jr. rode the inside of Clanton waiting for the right attempt for the lead. With five laps remaining Carrier Jr. would ride the rail around the top side but Shane Clanton would hold on to the top spot to earn the $20,000 payoff. Friday's tune-up for Saturday's 2010 Dirt Cup Classic was a moot point once the rains hit Saturday morning and into Saturday afternoon to wash out the event.
Eddie Carrier, Jr. and his father are both great guys and true winners. After Friday's win they handed the trophy from the Ralph Seymour Memorial at K.C. Raceway over to Tracy Seymour, Ralph's son. After signing the trophy, Eddie insisted on Tracy taking it.
Although Carrier led early and led much of the way he was challenged early by Rick Combs, Jason Montgomery, and Bart Hartman. Another contender, fast timer Zach Dohm, Charleston, WV, jumped the cushion while in pursuit and had to fight back from the rear.
Jeep Van Wormer duplicated a run over the turn three bank, went to the tail and work his way back into a top ten and at times may have been one of the fastest cars on the track. Freddy Smith, Kings Mountain, NC suffered a similar fate in getting on the binders on lap two, only to have some debris pierce a tire.
Meanwhile, many fans had their eyes on Audie Swartz, who at times had it up on the bars in typical Charlie Swartz fashion coming from 18th to 8th before running out of time in running down the leaders. Greg Oliver also had a nice run after picking up a B-main win in coming from 15th to seventh.
Montgomery and Combs held their own for much of the race, but Steve Casebolt, Jr. and R.J. Conley had oncoming runs to the top six, and Van Wormer was fighting his way back through the pack into the top ten. Van Wormers on the edge-run was entertaining if just not outright thrilling.
Hartman was on Carrier's posterior in position to strike at the end, but Carrier was able to hold on for the emotional win. Rounding out the top ten behind second place Hartman, were Casebolt, Rick Combs, Jason Montgomery, R.J. Conley, Greggie Oliver, Audie Swartz, Jeep Van Wormer, and Donnie Moran.
Thirty-six of the fastest, most competitive AMRA Advanced services modifieds time trialed for the modified portion of the Seymour Memorial. Fast timer Jason Montgomery started ninth in the inversion, while Bobby Kitchen, Columbus, and Chris Stotts brought the field to the starting grid. Stotts grabbed the lead early with Kitchen his main challenge. Clint Keenan, Brian Whiteman, Doug Adkins, and Rob Stambaugh joined the early chase.
While Stotts, the master of the Invitational, was razor sharp out front, Doug Betts set out for redemption in the back of the pack. Betts was at his best, rambling from 17th to 9th to earn hard charger honors. Veteran Bob Crace, Jr. mixed it up early with Bart Hartman.
Hartman later gained some momentum as his mount came alive about the halfway point. Montgomery and Fireball Pinkerton had a similar battle going for position as the latter finished just outside the top ten. Hartman and Robin Duston the squared off with Montgomery lying in wait.
Advancing now took extra care as the track took more rubber and a high-flying freight train broke new ground. Stotts and Kitchen outraced Keenan, Whiteman, and Adkins to the finish with Stotts picking up yet another high dollar win. Rounding out the top ten were Stotts, Kitchen, Keenan, Whiteman, Adkins, Bart Hartman, Robin Duston, Jason Montgomery, Doug Betts, and Bob Crace, Jr.
As a result of their heat wins Brandon Thompson, the youngster, and veteran Tommy Mossbarger line-up for the start of the Dan Reno Hobby Stock main. Mossbarger and Thompson raced side-by-side, but Adams worked his groove and came alive for this third straight K-C win.
Rounding out the top ten were Adams, Mossbarger, Brandon Thompson, Jim Hildebrand, Joe Williams, Duane Ackley, Jayme Dailey, Mike Brust, Justin Poling, and Joe Buskirk. Tom Cutler raced from 19th to 13th to earn hard charger honors.
The Summary:
AMRA Late Models
Fast Time: Zach Dohm 14:652
WPAY Dash: Jason Montgomery, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Bart Hartman, Rick Combs, Zach Dohm, Billy Gullion
Heat One: R.J. Conley, Donnie Moran, Freddy Smith, Delmas Conley, Brandon Kinser, Kenny Christy, Chris Combs, Audie Swartz, Chris Wilson, Wayne Chinn
Heat Two: Steve Casebolt, Jeep VanWormer, Mike Wilson, Doug Drown, GreggieOliver, Duane Chamberlain, John Mason, Mark Frazier, Shannon Thompson, Le Roy Dunaway
B-Main: Greggie Oliver, Kenny Christy, Brandon Kinser, Audie Swartz, Mark Frazier, Duane Chamberlain, Chris Combs, John Mason, Chris Wilson, Shannon Thronsberry, LeRoy Dunaway
Feature Ralph Seymour Memorial 47: Eddie Carrier, Jr., Bart Hartman, Steve Casebolt, Rick Combs, Jason Montgomery, R.J. Conley, Greggie Oliver, Audie Swartz, Jeep Van Wormer, Donnie Moran, Doug Drown, Kenny Christy, Zach Dohm, Billy Gullion, Duane Chamberlain, Delmas Conley, Brandon Kinser, Mark Frazier, Freddy Smith, Mike Wilson
Hard Charger- Audie Swartz started 18 finished 8th
Advanced Services AMRA Modifieds
Fast Time: Jason Montgomery 16:345
Heat One: Bobby Kitchen, Rob Stambaugh, Jason Montgomery, Kenny Johnson, Doug Betts, Josh Edmisten, Brian Moore, Hoyt Reynolds, C.D. Judd, Adam Lawson
Heat Two: Chris Stotts, Doug Adkins, Fireball Pinkerton, Jeremy Rayburn, Bud Frazier, Sean Schobelock, Rodney Keefer, Daley Lyons Eric Arledge, Ken Patrick
Heat Three: Clint Keenan, Bob Crace, Jr., Jess Hartman, Jason Cottrill, Emmitt Beeler, Fred Hardbarger, Lonnie Kidd, Bud Thornsberry, Ben Adkins, Matt Holcomb
Heat Four: Brian Whiteman, Bart Hartman, Robin Duston, Joe Cox, Mike Estep, Ricky Neace,T.J. Harper, Mike Long, Phillip Bapst
B-Main One: Emmitt Beeler, Mike Long, Lonnie Kidd, Fred Hardbarger, T.J. Harper, Mike Estep, Rick Neace, Bud Thornsberry
B-Main Two: Doug Betts, Bud Frazier, Sean Schobelock, Dale Lyons, Rodney Keefer, Brian Moore, Eric Arledge, Hoyt Reynolds, C.D. Judd, Ken Patrick, Josh Edmisten
Feature: Chris Stotts, Bobby Kitchen, Clint Keenan, Brian Whiteman, Doug Adkins, Bart Hartman, Robin Duston, Jason Montgomery, Doug Betts, Bob Crace, Jr., Fireball Pinkerton, Jeremy Rayburn, Rob Stambaugh, Mike Long, Emmitt Beeler, Jess Hartman, Kenny Johnson, Joe Cox, Jason Cottrill, Bud Frazier
Hard Charger -Doug Betts started 17 finished 9th
Dan Reno Hobby Stocks
Heat One:Brandon Thompson, Jamey Adams, Joe Williams, Jayme Dailey, Joe Buskirk, Brandon Mather, Tim Cutler
Heat Two: Tommy Mossbartger, Justin Poling, Mike Brust, Tracey Ross, Tim Glassburn, Steve Burrow, Courtney fisher
Heat Three: Jim Hildebrand, Duane Ackley, Keith Dubois, Jason Holstein, Sam Parks, Richard Trego, Richard Johnson
Feature: Jamey Adams, Tommy Mossbarger, Brandon Thompson, Jim
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