‘The Salt Rock Express’ Eddie Carrier Jr. again made his presence known at Tyler County Speedway, also known as ‘The Bullring’ in Middlebourne, WV as he became the second repeat winner on the O’Reilly All Star Late Model Series tour in 2009. Carrier used a fast but steady line to get by early race leader Mike Benedum on lap 14 on the ultra smooth Tyler County surface.
Tyler County Speedway locals Doug Eaton and Mike Benedum led the talented crop of 24 drivers to the green with Benedum grabbing the early lead from his outside starting spot. The pace was slowed for an early red flag as St. Clairsville, OH’s Mark Banal took a terrible ride down the front straightaway. Banal barrel rolled at least four times before his mount came to a halt just feet from the entrance to turn one. Banal was later disqualified for his antics after the accident and will be suspended from O’Reilly All Star Late Model Series competition indefinitely. Also collected in the violent accident was Greg Baumberger and Butch McGill.
When the green flag reappeared Benedum continued to lead as fourth starting Carrier Jr. began to put the pressure on. Carrier snagged the lead from Benedum on the fourteenth go-round as the young ASLMS contingent began to make their charge to the front. South Park, PA’s Jared Miley, who started sixth was barreling down on Benedum for second as the 11th starting Coleby Frye from Dover, PA made a charge to the front using the low line of ‘The Bullring’. Fairmont, WV’s Jared Hawkins also made his way to the top five from his 9th starting spot.
On the 28th circuit Miley and Hawkins battled side-by-side for the second spot for numerous laps as Benedum started to fade. Carrier began to run into a plethora of lapped cars to let what has now become a three car battle, including Miley, Hawkins, and Frye, for second close in. The three youngsters swapped positions every lap and as Frye made his way under Hawkins for second and looked under the Engines Inc., Grover Motorsports, Grover Racing Engines sponsored Rocket Chassis of race leader Carrier. Just as Carrier fought off the charge from Frye, the second caution of the event appeared as Tyler County Speedway regular Joe Loudin spun on lap 42.
The remaining eight laps were all Carrier as he went on to win his second ASLMS event of the season claiming the Eaton – Childers Memorial ‘King of the Ring’ and the $5,000 payday. Holding on to second was Frye followed by Miley in third. Bruceton Mills, WV’s Doug Horton slipped into fourth with Hawkins coming home fifth. Robbie Blair was sixth as ASLMS points leader Boom Briggs came home seventh. Tim Dohm, Mike Benedum, and Paul Wilmouth rounded out the top ten finishers.
Official O’Reilly All Star Late Model Series
Eaton – Childers Memorial ‘King of the Ring’ (50 Laps):
1. 28 Eddie Carrier Jr.
2. F1 Coleby Frye
3. H1 Jared Miley
4. 46 Doug Horton
5. 37 Jared Hawkins
6. W11 Robbie Blair
7. 99B Boom Briggs
8. 17T Tim Dohm
9. 25B Mike Benedum
10. B1 Paul Wilmouth
11. 00H Chuck Harper
12. 5L Joe Loudin
13. 32B Greg Baumberger
14. 71R Rod Conley
15. E10 Brian Eaton
16. 77 Scott Pelts
17. 14C Corey Conley
18. 1E Doug Eaton
19. 6T Zack Dohm
20. 44 Dave Hess Jr.
21. 75W Steve Weigle
22. 12W Rick Williams
23. 1MC Butch McGill
24. T8 Mark Banal - DQ
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