Video: Absolute Crazy Twin A-Mains Highlight 2013 Dream Night #1

When Eldora Speedway adjusted the 19th annual Dirt Late Model Dream’s format many wondered how the changes would affect the racing. If Thursday night’s twin features is any indication – It only made it that much better.

Fans were treated to some of the best racing of 2013. Even the announcer was having a hard time believing his eyes as he exclaims in the video – “IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?!?!”

After qualifying the field was split in two for a couple of dramatic main events.

The first of the twin 25 lap main events featured a dramatic battle for the lead that saw Jonathan Davenport, Steve Francis, Josh Richards, and Darrell Lanigan all battle for the lead. Each had their moment leading at the front of the event but when it was all said and done it was Josh Richards who performed a dramatic last lap pass of Steve Francis to capture the $2500 pay day.

“It was a fun race,” said Richards, who started sixth driving a Valvoline-sponsored Rocket Chassis house car that he debuted last Saturday night. “The track had some speed to it even though it was hard, and you could really move around on it and race. You had to be aggressive if you were gonna pass somebody and that’s what we did at the end.”

The second main event was just as exciting as Jimmy Owens and Matt Miller battled side by side for nearly ten laps before Miller took control of the event and drove on to victory.

“This is one of those places where if you slow yourself down you lose your rhythm,” said Miller, “So I felt better just attacking. If I’m racing, I’m not thinking about laps.”

The Dream XIX by Ferris weekend continues on Friday night (June 7) with a second preliminary night of competition. Time trials will again split the field into two groups for heat races, B-Mains and 25-lap features that will pay $5,000 to win.

Heat races for Saturday night’s Dream XIX by Ferris will be aligned using drivers’ best qualifying laps from time trials on Thursday and Friday, putting plenty of importance on the second round against the clock on Friday night.

Complete Results:

Odd-Number Qualifiers Feature Finish (25 laps): 1. 1. Josh Richards, 2. Steve Francis, 3. Darrell Lanigan, 4. Brian Shirley, 5. Jonathan Davenport, 6. Jeep VanWormer, 7. Brian Birkhofer, 8. Chris Simpson, 9. Eric Wells, 10. Duane Chamberlain, 11. Frankie Heckenast Jr., 12. Mike Spatola, 13. Jason Montgomery, 14. Nick Latham, 15. Tim Lance, 16. Jacob Hawkins, 17. R.J. Conley, 18. Jimmy Mars, 19. Dustin Neat, 20. Dale McDowell, 21. Terry Phillips, 22. Shannon Thornsberry, 23. John Blankenship, 24. Jeff Provinzino

Even-Numbers Qualifiers Feature Finish (25 laps): 1. Matt Miller, 2. Jimmy Owens, 3. Bub McCool, 4. Scott Bloomquist, 5. Dennis Erb Jr., 6. Chad Simpson, 7. Billy Moyer, 8. Jeff Babcock, 9. Tyler Reddick, 10. Scott James, 11. Brandon Sheppard, 12. Jerry Bowersock, 13. Doug Drown, 14. Billy Moyer Jr., 15. Jared Landers, 16. Dusty Moore, 17. Morgan Bagley, 18. Wayne Chinn, 19. Chad Stapleton, 20. Mason Zeigler, 21. Jeremy Payne, 22. Kent Robinson, 23. Donnie Moran, 24. Tim McCreadie

Top Twenty Dirt Late Model Dream by Ferris Time Trials Results (Unofficial):

1. 25-Shane Clanton/Zebulon, GA 15.387

2. 15-Jon Henry/Ada, OH 15.430

3. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 15.483

4. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaqua, IL 15.544

5. 28-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 15.591

6. 3s-Brian Shirley/Chatham, IL 15.628

7. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 15.628

8. 1b-Jeff Babcock/Wayne, OH 15.659

9. 99Jr-Frankie Heckenast Jr./Orland Park, IL 15.674

10. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 15.691

11. 44-Chris Madden/Gray Court, SC 15.703