DeGRAFF, Ohio -- The 2004 running of the Shady Bowl Shootout is in the books, as Modified fans were treated to a 100 lap green flag event that saw the youngest driver in the field take home the $10,000.00 top prize.

The action started early, as 63 drivers from as far away as Alabama took the green flag during time trials to lock in the top two qualifiers and set the field for six heat racers. Dayton’s Scott Reeser was fast qualifier in his Moore Trucking machine with a 13.87 lap. Greg Stapleton emerged as the second fastest qualifier. The six 10 lap heat races followed, with the first three finishers advancing to the shootout, with the rest going to the “C” and “B” mains. Dean Pitts, Ross Klingelhofer, Steve Christman, Jeremy Wallen, Kyle Jones and Rodney Scott were winners of the heat races. Dayton’s Rick Lewis powered his way to the top spot in the “C” main 20 lapper. Don Mahaffey Jr., also of Dayton picked up the win in the 25 lap “B” main. The Shoot field was now set, as 24 of the worlds best modified drivers were set to do battle.

Quincy OH’s Josh Smith took advantage of his front row starting spot to lead the field under starter Mike Stapleton’s green flag. Smith took control of the event in his Modified owned by his father, (Jerry Smith). The rest of the field quickly strung out, as drivers jockeyed for position thru out the field. Smith continued to lead as several drivers made their way to the front pack. Bud Perry was putting the pressure on Smith until he spun on lap 66, forcing him to restart on the tail. Springfield’s Mike Stacy then filled Smith’s mirror as he pressured the 17 year old, hoping for a mistake. Indiana driver Rodney Scott had made his way to third from his ninth starting position, and began working on Stacy. Greg Stapleton, who was never out of the top five was lurking in fourth spot, watching and hoping for a mistake from one of the leaders that would shoot him to the front. Stapleton also was having problems of his own, as Brian Nester was trying everything he knew to take over the fourth spot from him. Smith however was holding them all off in his Wren’s Towing and Recovery backed open-wheeler. The laps counted down, as Smith looked like a veteran driver instead of a young man with just one full season of modified racing under his belt. Smith went on to take the biggest win of his young career as Stacy and Scott battled for the number two spot. Stacy was just able to prevail, as Scott had to settle for third. Stapleton was strong enough to finish fourth, with Nester fifth. In a tearful victory lane Smith thanked his parents (Jerry and Dawn) for their support.

The team plans to use part of the $10,000.00 to buy a much needed trailer. Josh is having a career year already, as he leads the Modified points chase and in eighth in the highly regarded AMERICAN MODIFIED SERIES points. Look for great things from this youngster, as he really has it all, with the ability, personality and family support and guidance to go a long way in racing.

The 20 lap Mini Stock feature saw leaders Steve Clarkson and Gary Eaton crash out on the white flag lap, bringing out a yellow and putting them at the rear of the field on the restart. Shawn Sparkman of Xenia was able to hold off his brother Shane to post the win and make a 1-2 sweep for the Ron’s Painting backed team. Dave Tingley was third, with Eaton coming back to finish fourth and Matt Potter fifth.

Piqua’s Dave Sage was the winner of the 20-lap Flying Stock feature, as he posted his first ever feature win in his Muffler Brothers backed stocker. Gregg Jackson was a close second, with Mike Pippen third, Rodney Roush fourth and Mark Heath fifth.

Jeff Kimes of Piqua visited victory lane for the first time, as he put his Kimes Racing front wheel drive car in front at the end of the first 20 lap compact feature. Spanky Parker was second, with Jerry Ellis Jr. third, Stan Shaffer fourth and Josh Sage fifth. The second twenty lapper also saw a new winner, as Wendell Meed won the event in his Ohio Cash Advance sponsored car. Dillon Snapp was second, with Mike Robertson, Jeremy Bernardi, and Cale Johnson rounding out the top five.

The annual school bus race will be held this Saturday (8/21). The full size buses will run two heat races plus a feature on the tight oval. The Modifieds, Late Models, Flying Stocks, Compacts and Legends will round out the field

of competitors. Gates will open at 3, with time trails at 5 and racing at 7.

RESULTS

MODIFIEDS:

Heat Winners: Dean Pitts; Ross Klingelhofer; Steve Chrisman; Jeremy Wallen; Kyle Jones; and Rodney Scott

“C” Main: 1. Rick Lewis 2. John Gearhart 3. Ken Rutherford 4. Mark Timmerman 5. Doug Zorn 6. Shawn Stroble 7. Josh Nester 8. Brock Coyer 9. Charlie Goins 10. Richard Miller 11. Dave Sceva 12. Dave Barnhart 13. Don Loughan 14. Brian Brandyberry 15. Jeff Smith 16. Curt Dinsmoor 17. Jeff Wilson

“B” Main: 1. Don Mahaffey Jr. 2. Bull Baker 3. Rob Yelton 4. Dave Stacy 5. Mike Carroll 6. Stan Perry 7. Chris Lawson 8. Harold Scott 9. Jerry Stapleton 10. John Gearhart 11. Brad Springer 12. Doug Zorn 13. Shawn Stroble 14. Michael Gaier 15. Gordon Watson 16. Don Skaggs 17. Erich Holton 18. Doug Meyer 19. Frankie Martin 20. Mark Timmerman 21. Dave Nester 22. Ken Rutherford 23. Derek Barnette 24. Rick Lewis

100 lap Feature: 1. Josh Smith 2. Mike Stacy 3. Rodney Scott 4. Greg Stapleton 5. Brian Nester 6. Kyle Jones 7. L.J. Lines 8. Scott Reeser 9. Dean Pitts 10. Don Fleming 11. Dave Stacy 12. Don Mahaffey Jr. 13. Jason Dietsch 14. Steve Chrisman 15. Chad Poole 16. Jeremy Wallen 17. Bud Perry 18. Lance Young 19. Jim Lewis Jr. 20. Ross Klingelhofer 21. Bull Baker 22. Wayne Watercutter 23. Steve Poland 24. Rob Yelton

MINI STOCKS:

Feature: 1. Shawn Sparkman 2. Shane Sparkman 3. Dave Tingley 4. Gary Eaton Jr. 5. Matt Potter 6. Steve Clarkson 7. Jeremy Fry 8. Mike Risley

FLYING STOCKS:

Feature: 1. Dave Sage 2. Gregg Jackson 3. Mike Pippin 4. Rodney Roush 5. Mark Heath 6. Chad Small 7. Dan Griest 8. Danny Suffron 9. Jamie Sites 10. Tom Williams 11. Matt Wiley 12. Chris Bailey 13. Ron Masters 14. Donnie Hall

COMPACTS:

Feature #1: 1. Jeff Kimes 2. Mark Parker 3. Jerry Ellis Jr. 4. Stan Shaffer 5. Josh Sage 6. Brad Worley 7. Nick Bower 8. Chris Parker 9. Jordan Ferrell 10. Tony Raleigh 11. Lynn Mitchell 12. Donnie Hensel 13. Tommy Massengill 14. Jim Massengill 15. Jeff Massengill

Feature #2: 1. Wendell Meed 2. Dillon Snapp 3. Mike Robertson 4. Jerome Bernardi 5. Cale Johnson 6. Jeff Binkley 7. James Jones 8. Justin Durflinger 9. Glen Swiger 10. Rex Zimmerman 11. Sonny Haerr 12. Brook Ervin 13. Aaron Phillips 14. Curt Jones