(4/5/03) Brownstown Indiana Icebreaker Results and Notes...

This first Brownstown Speedway post of the season is dedicated to the memory of Gene Dalton...

DON O'NEAL went flag to flag and rolled to a chilly Indiana Icebreaker win at the Brownstown Speedway.

After three failed starts that each came to the stripe three wide with O'Neal, STEVE BARNETT and SCOTT JAMES, O'Neal grabbed the lead on the fourth attempt rolling by Barnett off the rim of turn two. A slip by Barnett down the back chute allowed James to take second while the Real Deal inched out to a half straightaway lead by lap two.

A half mile later, seventh starting BILLY DRAKE tracked down James for second taking a look beneath the Silver Shark before the duo each stepped to the outside in O'Neal's tracks. A lap later Drake pulled ahead of James down the front stretch as 8th starting RUSS SCHEFFLER began to make noise getting by 5th heat winner MIKE JEWELL for 6th. A little further back, DAN STURGEON quietly eased his way from 11th to 8th in less than 10 laps as O'Neal took his lead into the lapped traffic.

Meanwhile, Scheffler continued his career best Brownstown outing moving under GREG JOHNSON for 4th in turn three while the pair of 28's of KEVIN CLAYCOMB and 14th starting DENNIS ERB, JR. danced for 6th. Behind them, Sturgeon picked up another spot scooting under Jewell to take 7th to begin the second half of the main event.

As O'Neal moved around at will to get by the back markers, Drake began to close slightly in the final ten trips. Drake's rocky trips across the mud in two allowed O'Neal again to ease back out to a half straightaway while Sturgeon, Claycomb and Jewell staged a friendly battle for seventh. Back up front it was another Donnie O show as the Real Deal pedaled his 3 year old Rayburn through the black ice to another Brownstown win.

FINISH (top ten)
1 Don O'Neal
2 Billy Drake
3 Scott James
4 Russ Scheffler
5 Dennis Erb, Jr.
6 Greg Johnson
7 Dan Sturgeon
8 Mike Jewell
9 Kevin Claycomb
10 Steve Barnett

OTHER ODDS AND ENDS...

-JASON SETSER was the first car out to qualify and set fast time only to be black flagged in the first heat after a single lap when he showed his displeasure with RICHIE HEDRICK.

-In heat race action, Barnett, O'Neal and James each ran off with their respective events before Claycomb and Erb diced with a dash of Johnson at the end. In the final preliminary, Mike Jewell rocked the field to sleep after front row started Brad Neat spun.

-Those not making the main event included Ted Loomis, Richard Smith, Brad Cummings, Jamie Zidar, Greg Hicks, Joe Godsey, Brad Barrow, Rick Sowders, Cody Mahoney, and Mark Anderson.

-In typical Brownstown fashion, the tacky surface that hosted some fine hot laps and qualifying gave way to the infamous black ice that sent the cars from top to bottom for some great racing. Also, a hats off to the staff for running the Late Models first in order to get everyone on the road in a timely manner. Hopefully the next trip for the PAL-U Crew will go a little better with no flats on the way. It was nice to meet the 4m's biggest fan of tacky race tracks, CLAYTON WETTER as well as see Smash and Evernham lurking about.

-And for those who are following the further adventures of the Fireman's modified outings. After starting 8th and spotting the two guys behind him spots at the green, the firehead decided to get going and rolled up to 4th, one spot out of the main event. In the consi, a front row spot looked promising but was all for not when he faded to 6th. In all fairness though, I believe his foot did find the firewall on a few occasions.


With unsure weather for next week, the crystal ball is a bit hazy in regards to next week's travels. Although go-karts and Scottsburg are looking promising for Friday and Sunday, Saturday is still up in the air.

So until next time, we'll be enjoying racing the way it used to be and is supposed to be, and rollin' em around! (thanks Ms. Rosemary!)