Story By: RYAN DELPH / SPRING NATIONALS SERIES – JUNCTION CITY, KY – Mike Marlar, of Winfield, Tennessee, broke out the broom on Friday night by sweeping the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco-sanctioned ‘Finn Watson Memorial’ at the legendary Ponderosa Speedway! Mike earned Fast Time honors during FK Rod Ends qualifying, won his heat race, and later started the 53-lap headliner from the pole position. He then bolted to the lead on the opening circuit and never looked back in dominating the non-points race to the tune of lapping all the way up to fifth place.
With no yellow flags slowing the pace, Mike cruised to the $10,000 triumph and his seventh career Spring Nationals victory. Garrett Smith, who won the other heat race and started the ‘Finn Watson Memorial’ from the outside of the front row, finished in the runner-up spot to receive a $5,000 payday. Illinois invader Brandon Sheppard started third and placed third in the 53-lapper to round out the podium. Jason Jameson moved past a pair of competitors to come home fourth, while Adam Stricker did the same to earn the final position inside of the top five at the checkers.
Mike Marlar’s #157 Skyline Motorsports Longhorn Chassis carries sponsorship in part from Bruening Rock Products, Skyline Materials, Truck Country, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Olson Explosives, Bennett Explosives, Petroff Towing, Can-Am Auto Salvage, Brown’s Heavy Equipment, Tri-Rivers Enterprise, Paulson Rock Products, Stussy Construction, VP Racing Fuels, Bilstein Shocks, Midwest Sheet Metal, and Capital Signs.
At Ponderosa Speedway on Friday night, a total of 14 Super Late Model competitors were in the pit area for the rescheduled ‘Finn Watson Memorial.’ On the original race date back on April 19, there were 25 teams on hand for the event before a combination of new dirt and overnight rain led to unsafe track conditions. Mike Marlar posted the quickest time in FK Rod Ends qualifying with his fast lap of 12.791 seconds, while Marlar and Garrett Smith were victorious in the pair of heat races.
Following the ninth race of the Spring Nationals season that escaped the wrath of Mother Nature, there still have been no repeat winners on the tour. Ethan Dotson (Waycross Motor Speedway), Brandon Overton (I-75 Raceway), Dale McDowell (Tazewell Speedway), Ashton Winger (Buckshot Speedway), Kyle Bronson (East Alabama Motor Speedway), Camaron Marlar (Lake Cumberland Speedway), Will Roland (Sugar Creek Raceway), Josh Putnam (Duck River Raceway Park), and now Mike Marlar (Ponderosa Speedway) have secured triumphs with the miniseries in 2024.
Next up for the Spring Nationals tour will be a return trip to Lake Cumberland Speedway in Burnside, Kentucky on Saturday, June 1. Camaron Marlar bested a 27-car field back on April 20 at the 3/8-mile, red-clay oval. Along with the Super Late Models shelling out a $10,000 payday, other classes on the card are Open Wheel Modifieds ($1,500 to win), Pro Late Models ($1,500 to win), Hobby Stocks ($700 to win), FWD Ministocks ($700 to win), and Crown Vics ($400 to win).
Both the pit gates and the grandstands will swing open at 3:00pm. The Drivers Meeting is slated for 6:30pm and Hot Laps for the ‘Billy Todd Classic’ are scheduled for 7:00pm. Adult grandstand admission will be $30.00 and kids ages 10 and under will be allowed into the stands for FREE. Pit admission will be $45.00 for adults, $20.00 for children ages 6-10, and FREE for kids ages 5 and under. The track is located at 360 Racetrack Road in Burnside, Kentucky 42519.
Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing
Round 9 Race Summary
Friday, May 31, 2024
Ponderosa Speedway – Junction City, Kentucky
Schaeffer’s Oil Feature Finish (53 Laps):
1. (1) Mike Marlar $10,000
2. (2) Garrett Smith $5,000
3. (3) Brandon Sheppard $3,000
4. (6) Jason Jameson $2,000
5. (7) Adam Stricker $1,800
6. (4) Tanner English $1,500
7. (5) Camaron Marlar $1,400
8. (8) David Webb $1,300
9. (11) Jared Hawkins $1,200
10. (9) Michael Chilton $1,100
11. (13) Skylar Marlar $1,000
12. (10) Keith Hammett $1,000
13. (12) Jeff Watson $1,000
14. (14) Tripp Gerrald $1,000
Entries: 14
Lap Leaders: Mike Marlar (Laps 1-53)
Cautions: 0
FK Rod Ends Time Trials:
Fast Time Overall: Mike Marlar 12.791
Qualifying: 1. Mike Marlar, 2. Tanner English, 3. Camaron Marlar, 4. Tripp Gerrald, 5. Brandon Sheppard, 6. Garrett Smith, 7. Michael Chilton, 8. Jason Jameson, 9. Adam Stricker, 10. David Webb, 11. Skylar Marlar, 12. Jeff Watson, 13. Jared Hawkins, 14. Keith Hammett
Sunoco Race Fuels Heat Race #1 Finish (All Transfer): 1. Mike Marlar, 2. Brandon Sheppard, 3. Camaron Marlar, 4. Adam Stricker, 5. Michael Chilton, 6. Jared Hawkins, 7. Skylar Marlar
American Racer South Heat Race #2 Finish (All Transfer): 1. Garrett Smith, 2. Tanner English, 3. Jason Jameson, 4. David Webb, 5. Keith Hammett, 6. Jeff Watson, 7. Tripp Gerrald