The 2007 NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Modified Series season came to a close Saturday night at Soggy Bottom Raceway in an event that saw Ed Shamhart of Olney, IL lead all 40 laps to score the richest win in Series’ history, earning the Illinois driver the record-breaking $5,000 prize.
Shamhart and Dennis Roberson led the star-studded 22-car field to the green flag with Shamhart getting the jump into turn one to take the early lead. By virtue of transferring into the A-Main, Joey Kramer clinched his 3rd consecutive Series Championship, and looked to put an exclamation point on his racing season with a $5,000 win. By lap 3, Kramer had worked his way around Roberson for 2nd, and set his sights on reeling in Shamhart for the race lead.
For the next several laps Kramer would stalk Shamhart for the top spot, before finally making a move to the high side on lap 7. Just when it appeared that Shamhart and Kramer would be set for a side-by-side battle for the top spot, a three car incident in turn one involving Josh Lucas, Kelly Warren, and Russell Childress would bring out the race’s first caution.
When the green flag waved again, Shamhart and Kramer quickly resumed their battle for the lead. Behind them, a hard-charging Shon Flanary began to move toward the front, securing the 3rd position by lap 8. As Flanary looked to reel in the two race leaders, the lead duo continued their intense battle up front. Kramer continued to look to the high side and appeared to be gaining slightly with each lap. By lap 10, the two drivers were deadlocked in a virtual heat for the top spot, allowing Flanary to close the gap and make it a 3-way battle for the lead.
The next several laps would feature some of the most exciting racing of the night, as neither Shamhart nor Kramer could gain an advantage. Flanary attempted to make it a 3-wide battle on lap 14, bringing the capacity crowd to its feet. After several laps of white knuckle action, Shamhart managed to hold Kramer at bay, retaking the lead on lap 16.
As Shamhart resumed his position up front, Kramer suddenly found himself locked in a furious battle with Flanary for 2nd. Flanary would eventually win out and claim the runner-up spot on lap 19, and set his sights on the race leader as Kramer began to fade.
Behind the leaders, Randle Sweeney was on the move toward the front. Sweeney, who owns an NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Modified Series victory at Soggy Bottom Raceway had worked his way up into the top 5 by the halfway point of the 40-lapper after starting 10th. The Clifty, KY driver continued his march to the front by passing Roberson for 4th on lap 22 and getting around Kramer for 3rd on lap 25. As Sweeney closed in on Flanary for 2nd, Shamhart began to put some real estate between himself and the rest of the field, building a half-straightaway lead by lap 32.
As it appeared that Shamhart was on the road to a comfortable victory, the events 2nd and final caution flew on lap 36 for a stalled Kelly Warren in turn four, setting up a 4 lap shootout for the $5,000 prize. At the drop of the green flag, Shamhart quickly jumped out to a three car length advantage, but it soon became apparent that his #71x machine was beginning to lose the handle. Flanary looked to the inside in turn 2 on lap 38, but that’s the closest the Mt. Carmel, TN driver would get as Shamhart would hang on to score the biggest win in Series’ history. Sweeney capitalized on a last lap turn 4 pass to edge Flanary out at the line. Benji Lee and Russell Childress rounded out the top 5.
Of the 46 entries on hand for the event, Joey Kramer set fast time during Time Trials with a quick lap of 16:360. Kramer, Matt Goulden, Mike Harrison, Shamhart, Roberson and Flanary won qualifying heats while Benji Lee and Keith Denny won the two B-Mains.
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