Mike Marlar
Many might have picked Mike Marlar to win the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Series event at Ponderosa Speedway before the action began. However, after qualifying and heat racing action concluded many supporters might have lost faith. But a second half charge by the ‘The Winfield Warrior’ ultimately secured a thrilling victory from the 22nd starting position.
The Longhorn Chassis from Winfield, Tennessee earned $15,000 for his win on the track located in Junction City, Kentucky.
A total of 32 cars were signed in for competition
Qualifying Results:
Group A Results- 1. Brandon Sheppard (12.895), 2. Ryan Gustin, 3. Cade Dillard, 4. Kyle Bronson, 5. Brian Shirley, 6. Kent Robinson, 7. Joseph Joiner, 8. Michael Chilton, 9. Stormy Scott, 10. Johnny Scott
Group B Results- 1. Bobby Pierce (12.860), 2. Chris Madden, 3. Josh Rice, 4. Dennis Erb Jr., 5. Shane Clanton, 6. Nick Hoffman, 7. Gordy Gundaker, 8. Mike Marlar, 9. Brandon Williams, 10. Todd Cooney
Heat 1 Results: 1. Brandon Sheppard, 2. Cade Dillard, 3. Brian Shirley, 4. Justin Ratliff
Heat 2 Results: 1. Kyle Bronson, 2. Michael Chilton, 3. Johnny Scott, 4. Dustin Linville
Heat 3 Results: 1. Bobby Pierce, 2. Tanner English, 3. Shane Clanton, 4. Gordy Gundaker
Heat 4 Results: 1. Chris Madden, 2. Nick Hoffman, 3. Dennis Erb Jr., 4. Todd Cooney
Last Chance Showdown 1 Finish: 1. Stormy Scott, 2. Joseph Joiner, 3. David Breazeale
Last Chance Showdown 2 Finish: 1. James Rice, 2. David Webb, 3. Mike Marlar
WoO Redraw Results:1. Madden, 2. Pierce, 3. Bronson, 4. Sheppard, 5. Dillard, 6. English, 7. Hoffman, 8. Chilton
Feature Re-cap: The 50-lap feature got underway with Madden bolting to the early lead ahead of Pierce, Sheppard, Bronson and English. By lap 5, Pierce had closed to the rear spoiler of Madden then made his move to grab the top spot two laps later.
The front runners began to encounter slower traffic on lap 9 as Pierce looked to pull away from his pursuers. As Pierce began to distance himself from the pack, the threesome of Madden, Sheppard and Bronson engaged in a spirited fight for positions 2-4.
A caution flag at the halfway mark erased Pierce’s lead and set up an amazing second half of the feature.
Just after green flag racing resumed, Madden and Sheppard swapped the second and third spots multiple times with Madden eventually securing the position just before a lap 30 yellow flag again slowed the pace.
Sheppard moved to the runner-up spot on the lap 30 restart while 22nd starting Marlar jumped to fourth.
Marlar wrested third away from Madden on lap 34 then set off after Pierce and Sheppard. On lap 43, Marlar appeared to have secured second but a caution would negate that advance.
On that restart, Marlar moved up to second and then went after Pierce. On lap 46, the No. 157 car’s charge was complete as he drove by Pierce to grab the lead. From that point, it was on to the checkered flag and the victory.
Click on the play button below to hear our post-race interview with Mike Marlar:
Feature Results: 1. Mike Marlar, 2. Bobby Pierce, 3. Brandon Sheppard, 4. Chris Madden, 5. Tanner English, 6. Dennis Erb Jr, 7. Michael Chilton, 8. Ryan Gustin, 9. Dustin Linville, 10. Nick Hoffman, 11. Gordy Gundaker, 12. Johnny Scott, 13. Justin Ratliff, 14. Brian Shirley, 15. Stormy Scott, 16. Cade Dillard, 17. Kyle Bronson, 18. Shane Clanton, 19. Brent Larson, 20. David Breazeale, 21. Todd Cooney, 22. Dustin Walker, 23. James Rice, 24. David Webb, 25. Joseph Joiner
