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Markham Completes Triple,
Lee Hits One Out of the Park
July 20, 2007
Millersburg Ohio - Once again Hilltop Speedway gave race fans plenty to talk
about after the IRS racing series paid their second visit to the action packed
little dirt track located in scenic Holmes County. With 35 of the regions best
Late Models signed in only Mark Banal failed to make a qualifying run with his legendary T8 machine after a brush with the wall during hot laps. Rick Aukland set fast time of the night at 14.655 seconds around the dirt 1/3 mile and
collected one hundred dollars and merchandise from Fastenal Supply of
Wooster for his efforts. Heat races were won by Chet Alexander, Doug Drown, Steve Shaver, and previous IRS / Hilltop feature winner Dave Hess Jr.,
The fast five race that determines the feature front row lineup was won by
Davey Johnson who was behind the wheel of the Malcuit’s Tavern
sponsored # 79 dirt car.

After driver introductions and a 4 wide salute to the near capacity crowd of race fans the
green flag signaled the beginning of the 50 lap main event with Davey Johnson jumping
into the lead and leaving the remainder of the field in a frenzied scramble for position.
Even this early in the race it became clear several cars would be major players in
this event with Markham, George Lee, and Rick Bond making bold moves. Wayne Chinn
would bring out the first yellow and later recover for a great finish. The following restart
saw Doug Drown and Rick Aukland get together causing all behind to check up and Rob Blair
of Titusville PA was knocked out of action as the result. The green waved and a good restart
put action in high gear with Johnson fighting Balzano off his back bumper and George Lee
taking to the high side of the track often brushing the wall and passing cars two at a time.
After a brief battle with second running Balzano, Lee set his sights on the leader and quickly
disposed of Johnson and just drove away by several lengths.

 

 

A race on the edge has its perils and “The General”
had his night come to an end after contact with the guardrail put him over and out of the arena. After insuring Lee was unharmed his motor was refired and drove back onto the race track to thunderous applause and cheers. Unfortunately the car suffered damage underneath and was unable to complete the event.

 

The competitors lined up for the restart with Johnson back in the lead followed by Mike Balzano, Rick Aukland, Ryan Markham up from twelfth, Eric Myers, and Doug Drown. Back to racing the excitement was far from over. There was much more than just a little friction between Doug Drown, Eric Myers, and the guardrail as Drown
was seen airborne and Myers done for the night with moderate damage.

 

After a fast cleanup, back to racing and laps nearing an end Johnson and Balzano slip in turn four
allowing Aukland into the lead and Markham also taking advantage, still running the extreme outside
Markham brought the crowd to their feet with just over a lap to go and passed Aukland for the win.
Recent wins for the Advance Cylinder, Massillon Transmission, Stus Place sponsored number 5m
of Markham include high paying events at Wayne County and Lakeville just prior to Hilltops
“IRS Returns 50” completing a sweep of this areas major events.

 

More great racing followed, Norm Aronhalt continues to dominate a stellar field of Modifieds and paid
an amazing eighth visit to victory lane. Heats were won by Don Lewis, Chris Basich, and Kevin Morehouse.
Pure Stocks followed with Brandon Gardner and Troy Anderson claiming heat wins with Anderson back to
full power for a first feature Hilltop win on the season. Jeremy Hudson continues to impress Mini Stock
race fans with a heat and feature win on this night, also claiming heats were Tom Ogle and Dustin Hostetler.

 

Results

36 IRS Late Models:
Fast Qualifier – Rick Aukland @ 14.655
Heat 1 – Chet Alexander, Robbie Blair, Ryan Markham
Heat 2 – Dave Hess Jr., Rick Aukland, Wayne Maffett Jr.
Heat 3 – Doug Drown, Eric Myers, Mike Balzano
Heat 4 – Steve Shaver, George Lee, Justin Chance
Dash – Davey Johnson, Eric Myers, Mike Balzano, Rocky Owens,
FEATURE – Markham, Aukland, Johnson, Balzano, Drown, Wayne Chinn,
Dave Hornikel, Hess Jr., Rick Bond, Corey Conley, Maffett Jr., Alexander,
Norm Aronhalt, Ryan Eddleblute, Chance, Jeff Esbenshade, Myers, Jeff Gress,
Chris Wilson, Lee, Owens, Blair, Jeremy Canada, Shaver

26 Eddleblutes Garage Modifieds:
Heat 1 – Don Lewis, Kevin Potts, David Hittle
Heat 2 – Chris Basich, Norm Aronhalt, Rob Melzer
Heat 3 – Kevin Morehouse, Jesse Wardell, Josh Morrow
FEATURE – Aronhalt, Wardell, Josh Morrow, Basich, Potts, Bruce Miller,
Mick Conkle, Melzer, Tom Conley, Denny Benjamin, Lewis, Tim Roe, Hittle,
Morehouse, John Reeser, Brandon Morrow, Rory Reed, Chris McCombs,

16 American Payroll Advance Pure Stocks:
Heat 1 – Brandon Gardner, Fred Snyder, John Swinehart
Heat 2 – Troy Anderson, Donna Canode, Kevin Sharier
FEATURE – Anderson, Snyder, Gardner, Canode, Willie Coblentz, Keith Tish,
Dave Haven Sr., Sharier, Jason Rohr, Denny Shear, Bob Chilcote, Swinehart,
Brian Lillibridge, Jim Nicely, Mike Duncan, Harold Duncan

22 Holmes Tire Mini Stocks:
Heat 1 – Tom Ogle, Chase Alexander, Josh Hershberger
Heat 2 – Jeremy Hudson, Ernest Fortune, Brett Adkins
Heat 3 – Dustin Hostetler, Jason Theil, Terry Adkins
FEATURE – Hudson, Ogle, Theil, Hostetler, Travis Gray, Alexander, Fortune,
Terry Adkins, Brett Adkins, Charlie Ray, Dusty Lint, Roy Halsey, Kevin Markey,
Mark Adkins, Mitchell Randolph, Ben Mott, Joe Yoder, Josh Hershberger

 

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