West KY Dirttrack Series Round 8, Graves Co. Fairgrounds, Mayfield, KY
June 14, 2003

Brad's Back
By Bobby Lewis

After a long layoff with a badly broken ankle, Brad Furlong returned to action and looked like he had never missed a beat. The KY Dirttrack Series arrived in Mayfield and saw close racing all night long on the limestone half mile. Furlong grabbed the lead and led Jason Goodwin down the back straight as the Open Pro-Am final got underway. The two front runners put a little gap on Aaron Ladd who was running a strong third. Goodwin stayed on Furlong's rear fender waiting for a bobble that never happened. Furlong took a close win over Goodwin while Ladd kept them honest in third. Billy Gruwell finished fourth after a race long dice with Kyle Kelly, Kyle Naliborski and Kent Briggs.

Goodwin led into turn one in the Open Pro class but it was Furlong once again leading off of two. Goodwin got underneath to momentarily lead at the halfway mark but after trading paint Furlong was back in the lead. It came down to the wire with Furlong getting the win by half a wheel length. Ladd was once again third over Cody Shamblin, Coty Bowland, Randy Thistle and Kelly. Jeremy Anderson moved from a mid pack start to lead by the end of lap two. Naliborski was moving up to challenge before low-siding out of the action a lap later. Jon Goodwin moved into second and followed Anderson to the checkers. Coltz Chebultz was third over Jeff Heiden and Michael Stalvey.

Chebultz would return to score a convincing win in the 250cc Amateur class over Stalvey and Dakota Simmons-Brown.

Jeff Jones changed lines in the main to improve on his heat race finish and led wire to wire in the Vet class. Mike Dunaway was a close second while Gruwell held off Dean Faulkner and Steve Atwell for third.

Jim Monegan used good drives off of the corner to win the hotly contested Senior final. He won a close battle over Michael Grieff and Bill Zentmyer. Gene Yopp moved to fourth over Byron Ward and Terry Goodwin.

The 200cc Pro-Am final was almost an instant replay with Hayden catching Heiden once again. It appeared that Hayden's high-cushion line might work but Heiden got a terrific drive off turn four to the flag to win another tight one. The two riders would hook up once again in the 85cc class, with Gillim getting the spot. However the spot was for second this time as Andy Goodwin nailed the start and put together a string of perfect laps en route to the win. Whitecotton would come in fourth after Frankie Lee to round out the top five.

Hayden would lead the restarted 65cc final and stretch it into a win at the checkered flag. Frankie Lee held onto second over a fast closing Jake Lewis moved past Whitecotton to third. Ethan Gillim made the pass also to nail down fourth. Jordan Covert and Austin Waley would round out the pack.

Brian Neblett learned a little following heat race winner Tracy Gibbs in the Trailrider class to rebound and score the win in the main over Gibbs, Jeff Heiden and Steve Parrish. Lewis would win the Chain Drive final in light-to-flag order as did April Ladd in the Stock XR100 class.

Nick McFadden never bobbled in taking the Shaft class win. Jace Faugno rode a steady race to place second as Josh Greif slid out and remounted for third. Landon Woley rode to fourth over Luke Baird and Timothy Greif.

The closest races of the night would come in the 200cc classes. Jonathan Heiden led the 200cc Amateurs down the back straight and appeared to be breaking from the field. Hayden Gillim was working through traffic and closed on the leader. Heiden and Gillim came off turn four side by side with Heiden getting to the stripe in first to win by inches. Tyler Whitecotton bettered Frankie Lee Gillim and Michael Heiden for third.

Race Results and Series Points