PORTSMOUTH, Ohio -- After battling the weather for nearly one month, sunny skies greeted PRP on Saturday, June 11th for the season opening “Big Red Book Stars and Stripes 35”. A large crowd was on hand to see a total of 94 cars compete in the four divisions.

In the Big Red Book Stars and Stripes 35 Late Model A-Main, Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame driver Delmas Conley took the lead at the start with R. J. Conley in second. The father-son duo battled side by side for the lead during the races opening laps with R. J. taking the lead on lap six. With R. J. Conley now leading, track record holder Josh McGuire moved into the second position and battled side by side with Conley for the lead!

After several thrilling laps of side by side action, McGuire made the pass on Conley on lap 16 to take the race lead. Conley stayed close behind McGuire for the next 14 laps, only allowing the #41 machine to gain a six car length lead during that period. As the race reached, its final five laps, Conley began to reel McGuire back in and by the white flag lap was right on the bumper of McGuire! Conley took a look inside McGuire in turn one on the final lap but had to get off the gas for a slight second off of turn two to avoid a lap car. Conley drove the car deep into turn three but wouldn’t have enough as Josh McGuire came across the checkered flag to pocket $3,000 and win the Big Red Book Stars and Stripes 35! R. J. Conley finished second with Delmas Conley third, Rod Conley fourth, and Jason Montgomery fifth.

Doug “The Buzzard” Adkins took the lead at the start of the nights 20 lap, $1,000 to win Modified A-Main. With Adkins leading, the action was furious for the second position with Todd Robinson, Chris Stotts, and Rick Hensley all battling for the spot. As the race wore on, the hard racing would take its toll as both Stotts and Hensley were sidelined with mechanical problems.

When the race resumed after a caution flag for a stopped Rick Hensley, the battle for the lead would get hot and heavy between Adkins and Todd Robinson. Adkins kept his #7 machine on the high side of the speedway with Robinson staying a groove lower. Robinson peaked to the inside of Adkins each lap but could never make the pass as high side momentum carried Adkins off the turns each lap and into victory lane for the $1,000 win! Robinson finished second with Tim Tribby third, Anthony Slusher fourth, and Shawn Holliday from the 16th starting position to finish fifth.

John Melvin, one of the winningest drivers in PRP track history, continued his winning ways as he picked up the big $1,000 Limited Late Model feature win. Chris Burchett finished second with Steve Applegate third, Jerry Mustain fourth, and Todd Galloway fifth. The talk of the evening in the Limited Late Model division was a heat race incident involving the #68c of Jeremy Akers. The car flipped upside down in heat race action and the entire machine submerged in flames. Thankfully, the driver was able to get out of the car and walked away without injury.

A full field of Bombers was on hand for their $1,000 to win portion of the Big Red Book Stars and Stripes 35. The always exciting division produced another great feature event as it would be Joe McGinnis coming across the checkers first to claim the big win! Robbie Lewis finished second with Jeremie Bretz third, Christopher Stevens fourth, and Ken Aldridge fifth.

PRP will be in action next Saturday, June 18th with the “Premiere Precast Products Limited Late Model Extravaganza” paying Limited Late Models $1,500 to win. Also on hand will be Late Models-$2,000 to win, Modifieds-$600 to win, Bombers-$400 to win and the Vintage American Race Cars. General admission is only $12 with pit passes $22. Gates open at 4:00 pm with hot laps starting the night’s action at 6:45 pm. For more information visit www.portsraceway.com.

RESULTS

Big Red Book Stars and Stripes 35 Late Model A-Main Finish
1. Josh McGuire
2. R. J. Conley
3. Delmas Conley
4. Rod Conley
5. Jason Montgomery
6. Chris Wilson
7. Nick Bocook
8. Mark Frazier
9. Paul Davis
10. Billy Gullion
11. Jamie Ferguson
12. Roger Ruark
13. Brett Kennard
14. Josh Bocook
15. Kenny Christy
16. Jason Perry
17. Kenneth Howell
18. Erick Christian
19. Butch Dowdy
20. Mark Queen
DNQ: Matt Jobe, Carl Dillow II, Audie Swartz, Rick Christian, Larry Ferrell
Car Count: 25

$1,000 to win Modified A-Main Finish
1. Doug Adkins
2. Todd Robinson
3. Tim Tribby
4. Anthony Slusher
5. Shawn Holliday
6. Jake Keaton
7. Luke Jordan
8. Adam Jordan
9. Rick Walker
10. Adam Colley
11. Jeremy Hayes
12. William Bapst
13. John Brady Jr.
14. Andy French
15. Derrick Walker
16. Chris Stotts
17. Rick Hensley
18. Miles Cook
19. T. J. Harper
DNQ: Delmar Qualls, Steve Clemons, Randy Anderson, Chris Moore, Billy Davis, Brad Butler, Tony Sites, Justin Mills, Greg Anderson, Tommy McClain, Bud Frazier
Car Count: 31

$1,000 to win Limited Late Model A-Main Finish
1. John Melvin
2. Chris Burchett
3. Steve Applegate
4. Jerry Mustain
5. Todd Galloway
6. Perry Dearing
7. Rick Robinson
8. Evyian Terry
9. Kevin Terry
10. Anthony Knell
11. Tommy Twinam
12. Rick Neace
13. Jay Dunaway
14. Roger Dilley
DNS: Matt Cook, Harold Terry, Jeremy Akers
Car Count: 17

$1,000 to win Bomber A-Main Finish
1. Joe McGinnis
2. Robbie Lewis
3. Jeremie Bretz
4. Christopher Stephens
5. Ken Aldridge
6. Jason Spillman
7. Danny Aldridge
8. Eric Collingsworth
9. Wade Miller Jr.
10. Jeremy Brady
11. Jason Aldridge
12. Travis Pertuset
13. Josh Bivens
14. Rick Butler
15. James Johnson
16. Conard Newman
17. Shane Pendleton
18. Mike Drake
19. Phil Dowdy
20. Zack VanHoose
DNS: Robert Hall
Car Count: 21