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Birkhofer (15) takes the lead from Clanton (25). (pbase.com/cyberslash )

10:35 p.m.: Seven laps remaining

Brian BIrkhofer hold a half-track margin on Shane Clanton as fans begin to file out of the K-C Raceway grandstands.

10:31 p.m.: Half-lap lead nearing

With 20 laps remaining, Brian Birkhofer has nearly a half-track margin on second-running Shane Clanton, a rarity in a crown jewel. The rest of the top five is Steve Francis, Scott Bloomquist and Tim McCreadie.

10:27 p.m.: Biggest lead for Birky

Leader Brian Birkhofer had a tense moment lapping Mike Marlar, but he's stretched his lead to more than a full straightaway at lap 70. He has a six lapped-car cushion on Clanton. Birkhofer is nearly a third of a lap ahead.

10:24 p.m.: Birky rules at lap 60

Brian Birkhofer is nearly a straightaway ahead of Shane Clanton at lap 60 with Steve Francis and Scott Bloomquist on the same straightaway as Clanton. Rick Eckert is fifth but out of touch with Bloomquist.

10:22 p.m.: Halfway rundown

Brian Birkhofer, Shane Clanton, Steve Francis, Scott Bloomquist, Rick Eckert, Jimmy Mars, Tim McCreadie, Darren Miller, Darrell Lanigan, Earl Pearson Jr. and Josh Richards, who is about a half-track behind the leader at 50 laps.

10:20 p.m.: Groove check

Leader Brian Birkhofer is running in the lower middle of the corners with Steve Francis about the same and Shane Clanton running high. Scott Bloomquist is also high with Rick Eckert lower on the track. BIrkhofer has more than a half-straightaway lead after 47 laps with Clanton regaining second from Francis on lap 46.

10:17 p.m.: Schlieper spins lap 41

Dan Schlieper spun exiting turn two after contact with second-running Steve Francis to draw the second caution on lap 41. The rundown: Brian Birkhofer leads followed by Steve Francis, Shane CLanton, Scott Bloomquist, Rick Eckert, Jimmy Mars, Tim McCreadie, Earl Pearson Jr., Darren Miller, Josh Richards, Darrell Lanigan, Jimmy Owens, Josh McGuire, Dennis Erb Jr., Chub Frank and more.

10:17 p.m.: Birkhofer leads lap 37

Brian Birkhofer got under Shane Clanton to lead lap 37 as the slower car of R.J. Conley hampered Clanton. Francis dropped Clanton to third a lap later and Scott Bloomquist is right in the mix, too. Conley pulled out on lap 41.

10:16 p.m.: Tight among top two

Shane Clanton leads with Brian Birhofer all over him as traffic has developed ahead. Francis is about a half-straightaway behind in third at lap 35.

10:13 p.m.: Brady Smith struggles on restart

Brady Smith lost ground on the restart and Shane Clanton is still out front followed by Brian Birkhofer as the top two, with no traffic ahead of them, have edged away from third-running Steve Francis at lap 29.

10:11 p.m.: Lap-24 rundown

Shane Clanton barely over Brian Birkhofer followed by Steve Francis, Scott Bloomquist, Rick Eckert, Jimmy Mars, and Earl Pearson Jr. A caution appeared for a slowing Davey Johnson. Under the caution, McCreadie pulled up alongside Clanton to express his apparent displeasure for the incident where he nearly spun eight laps earlier. The rundown after Pearson: Tim McCreadie, Brady Smith, Josh Richards, Josh McGuire, Dennis Erb Jr., Darren Miller, Darrell Lanigan and more.

10:10 p.m.: McCreadie loses ground

When leader Shane Clanton slowed on the backstretch after getting hung up with the slower car of Davey Johnson, Tim McCreadie charged under Clanton in turn three trying to take the lead. But McCreadie nearly spun and almost came to a stop saving the car as he tip-toed between tire barriers and the inside guardrail to get back in the race, but he lost eight positions.

10:06 p.m.: $40,000 winners up front

After eight laps, the top four of Shane Clanton, Tim McCreadie, Steve Francis and Brian Birkhofer have all won races paying $40,000 this season, Fifth is Rick Eckert followed by Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Mars and Earl Pearson Jr. after 10 laps.

10:03 p.m.: Clanton leads early

Shane Clanton got the lead at the outset of the 100-lapper followed by Tim McCreadie, Steve Francis, Rick Eckert and Brian Birkhofer.

10 p.m.: Feature field rolls

Driver intros have been scrapped and the 27-car starting field is rolling. Tim McCreadie and Shane Clanton are on the front row.

9:46 p.m.: Carrier wins Jim Dunn Memorial

Eighth-starting Eddie Carrier Jr. went to the front early, then held off challenges from Matt Miller throughout the second half of the 30-lapper for a victory in the Jim Dunn Memorial for non-qualifiers. "Put the trophy up," Carrier said in victory lane, answering the question of whether he'll tag the tail of the main event or take the $2,500 winner's purse. Don't worry, he'll still get the trophy, but he'll have to run 10th or better to earn the $2,500 he just passed up.

Non-qualifiers' race finish: Eddie Carrier Jr., Matt Miller, Donnie Moran, Jeep Van Wormer, Jared Miley, Corey Conley, Eric Jacobsen, Tim Dohm, Jerry Bowersock, Chris Hackett, Pat Doar, Chad Stapleton, Terry Hicks, clint Smith, Justin McNeill, Kevin Wagner, Anthony Adams, Joe Loudin, Delbert Crum, Brian Day, Michael England, Freddy Smith, Nick Bocook.

9:38 p.m.: Caution sets up seven-lap shootout

Matt Miller had just pulled alongside leader Eddie Carrier Jr. with seven laps remaining when a caution slowed action in the non-qualifiers' race. Jeep Van Wormer was lurking in third. Carrier, Miller and Van Wormer will restart in the top three with Donnie Moran fourth at lap 23.

9:29 p.m.: Carrier leads at lap six

Eddie Carrier Jr. leads the non-qualifiers race after six laps with Jeep Van Wormer and Matt Miller filling spots in the top three. Carrier took the lead from Corey Conley on an early restart. The lap-six caution came out when Freddy Smith slowed with engine problems and Brian Day spun. The 30-lapper pays the winner $2,500 or a starting spot in the DTWC.

9:18 p.m.: First-lap wreck

Nick Bocook got into the turn-three tire barrier on the first lap on the non-qualifiers' race, heavily damaging his car and bringing out a first-lap caution. His car is being towed from the track and workers are tending to the tire barriers in turn three that protect the butt end of the concrete wall. Clint Smith's car was smoking under caution and he went to the pits; he's returned and will restart on the tail.

9:13 p.m.: Non-qualifiers' race up next

Here's the starting lineup for the $2,500-to-win Jim Dunn Memorial for non-qualifiers, lined up by draw. The winner can either take $2,500 or tag the tail of the 100-lapper. Drivers have to finish 10th or better to make $2,500 in the main event.
Row 1: Joe Loudin, Corey Conley
Row 2: Chris Hackett, Clint Smith
Row 3: Freddy Smith, Tim Dohm
Row 4: Eric Jacobsen, Eddie Carrier Jr.
Row 5: Matt Miller, Nick Bocook
Row 6: Jared Miley, Jeep Van Wormer
Row 7: Jerry Bowersock, Terry Hicks
Row 8: Michael England, Donnie Moran
Row 9: Kevin Wagner, Delbert Crum
Row 10: Pat Doar, Chad Stapleton (corrected from Greg Johnson)
Row 11: Brian Day, Anthony Adams

9:09 p.m.: Wheatley wins modified feature

Jason Wheatley of Loretto, Ky., won the 30-lap modified feature.

8:55 p.m.: Two first-time DTWC starters

Youngsters Jordan Bland of Campbellsville, Ky., and Ben Adkins of nearby West Portsmouth, Ohio, are the only two first-time starters in the DTWC main event. Bland, who turned 20 on Friday, also made the World 100 starting field in September.

8:49 p.m.: They're not talking about a GRT

Here's a sign that might catch your eye as you head down the road to the entrance of K-C Raceway: "Lost goat," with details about the goat's appearance and possible whereabouts. For what it's worth, I haven't seen any fans with any goats.

8:48 p.m.: Modified feature has 12 more minutes

A third-turn pileup on the first lap is among delays slowing the modified feature, which has seven laps down. If officials hold to the 30-minute time limit, the checkered flag should fall about 9 p.m.

8:20 p.m.: Hot laps for locked-in cars

The 18 cars who transferred into Saturday's main event through Friday's heat races are getting a chance at hot laps. The drivers were split into groups of nine for the practice session.

8:16 p.m.: Some no-shows

Among no-shows for consolation races were Terry Casey, Scott James and Steve Shaver.

8:14 p.m.: R.J. Conley wins third consolation

Polesitter R.J. Conley ran virtually unchallenged in the third consolation for a victory while fellow front-row starter Steve Casebolt turned back a stirring charge from eighth-starting Eddie Carrier Jr. for the second and final transfer spot. Carrier edged ahead of Casebolt a few times in turn four while working the middle of the track, but Casebolt's high-groove momentum carried him back ahead on the frontstretch. Michael England held the third spot early before losing it to Carrier while standouts Clint Smith and Shannon Babb weren't able to work their way into the mix up front.

Third consolation finish (cars running): R.J. Conley, Steve Casebolt, Eddie Carrier Jr., Michael England, Clint Smith, Shannon Babb, Matt Lux, Terry Hicks, Doug Drown, Donnie Moran, Brad Neat, Josh Bocook, Chris Combs, Nick Bocook, Kenny Christy, Chris Wilson, Jerry Bowersock, Mike Wilson, Chad Stapleton, David Powers, Wayne Maffett Jr., Justin Rattliff, Dean Boyd.

8:08 p.m.: R.J. Conley leads third consolation

After 10 laps, polesitter R.J. Conley is leading in the third consolation while fellow front-row starter Steve Casebolt is holding on to the second and final transfer spot. Michael England is third with Eddie Carrier Jr., Clint Smith and two-time DTWC champ Shannon Babb futilely giving chase.

8:04 p.m.: Berner survives to win second consolation

Keith Berner, who three times was saved by caution flags after losing the lead, won the second consolation over Ben Adkins. Berner started outside the front row and lost the lead three times to sixth-starting Matt Miller between laps 6-10. But each time, cautions put Berner back ahead of Miller and Miller's high side groove began to slow, allowing the mid-running Berner to hold on. The fourth-starting Adkins moved past Miller after a lap-10 restart and pulled away from the field along with Berner. Polesitter Tim Dohm was third crossing under the flagstand on the first lap and never contended, finishing fourth.

Second consolation finish (cars running): Keith Berner, Ben Adkins, Matt Miller, Tim Dohm, Eric Wells, Dustin Linville, Pat Doar, Greg Johnson, Curt Spalding, Corey Conley, Jared Miley, Jason Montgomery, Brian Ruhlman, Shannon Thornsberry, Chris Garnes, Jeremy Canada, Anthony Adams, Scott Edmisten, Brian Day, Russ Frohnapfel, Freddy Smith.

7:59 p.m.: And a third time

For the third time, Matt Miller was sent back to the second spot after taking the lead from Keith Berner in the second consolation. Cautions negated each move, the third time when Russ Frohnapfel spun between turns three and four. Miller appealed to track officials — or perhaps a higher power — by holding his hand out the driver's side window in frustration.

7:55 p.m.: Berner catches break(s)

Matt Miller took the lead on the sixth lap, but the move was negated by a caution when Russ Frohnapfel slowed in the second consolation race. On the lap-six restart: Keith Berner, Matt Miller, Ben Adkins, Eric Wells, Tim Dohm, Dustin Linville and Curt Spalding. Miller again took the lead on the ninth lap, but the move was once again nullified by a caution as Freddy Smith stopped above the turn-two banking. The lap-eight restart: Keith Berner, Matt Miller, Ben Adkins, Eric Wells, Tim Dohm, Dustin Linville, Curt Spalding, Pat Doar, Greg Johnson, Corey Conley and Jared Miley.

7:52 p.m.: Lap-four caution in second consolation

Keith Berner leads the second consolation at a lap-four caution after Brian Day spun in turn four. Matt Miller holds second followed by Ben Adkins and Tim Dohm, who is struggling early.

7:47 p.m.: Marlar wins first consolation

Polesitter Mike Marlar ran unchallenged for a 20-lap victory while Jordan Bland got the second transfer spot for his first DTWC start. Bart Hartman started outside the front row but lost the second spot to Bland on the second lap and faded the rest of the way. Fourth-row starters Chris Hackett and Jeep Van Wormer rallied into contention late, but not quickly enough to give Bland a run. Third-starting Rod Conley ran as high as third midway through the race before fading after his car appeared to slow briefly on the backstretch.

First consolation finish (cars running): Mike Marlar, Jordan Bland, Chris Hackett, Jeep Van Wormer, Rod Conley, Bart Hartman, Eric Jacobsen, Vic Hill, Delmas Conley, Michael Dean Howard, Andy Bond, Jeff Houser, Brandon Fouts, Rich Neiser, Paul Wilmoth Jr., Kenny Riddle, Jamie Ferguson, Nick Corbitt, Jackie Boggs, Kevin Wagner, Rick Aukland, Shon Flanary.

7:37 p.m.: Marlar cruising in first consy

Mike Marlar has a straightaway lead in the first consolation after five laps with Jordan Bland in pursuit. Bland took second from Bart Hartman on the second lap when he slid up into the outside groove to take the spot from Hartman exiting turn two. Shon Flanary spun in turn four to bring out a lap-seven caution. Mark Banal and Davey Johnson, assured provisional starting spots for the feature, dropped out in the early laps. The restart order on the seventh lap: Mike Marlar, Jordan Bland, Bart Hartman, Rod Conley, Chris Hackett, Eric Jacobsen, Jackie Boggs, Jeep Van Wormer and Vic Hill.

7:29 p.m.: First consy on the track

The first consolation race is on the track and getting a few fast laps to whip the track surface into shape. The modifieds were slipping and sliding around the track during their hot laps.

7:17 p.m.: Possible provisional starters

Davey Johnson of Latrobe, Pa., and Mark Banal of St. Clairsville, Ohio, are the first two drivers in line for provisional starting spots for the main event, which go to the fastest two qualifiers not making the feature through heat or consolation races. With Johnson starting on the tail of his consolation, it appears he'll be getting one of those provisionals. Banal starts inside the second row of the first consolation race. UPDATE: Banal elected to start on the tail of his consolation race.

7:13 p.m.: Track surface not quite ready

Drivers scheduled for the modified feature are on the track for hot laps, but the track surface is still too wet for practice. Hot laps were scheduled for 7 p.m.

6:56 p.m.: No hot laps for consolation starters

The program is scheduled to begin with the modifieds in tonight's feature hot-lapping, but drivers in the three Late Model consolation races won't get the luxury of practice before their races. The 18 drivers locked into the feature event may get hot laps preceding the main event, time permitting.

6:46 p.m.: 162-pound pig?

Next time you see Carolinas announcer Duane Goins, ask him about the 162-pound pig. That's what Goins said Hall of Fame inductee Carlton Lamm gave him the first time he met him. Lamm, the founder of Dunn-Benson Motorsports, is being interview by James Essex in front of the grandstands. Lamm sold out to Bobby Labonte Motorsports after Earl Pearson Jr. won the 2006 World 100, Dunn-Benson's biggest victory. Will Dunn-Benson ever field a team again, Essex asked Lamm. "We'll just see what time brings," he said.

6:38 p.m.: Clear, cool evening at K-C

The sun never came out Friday around K-C, but Saturday was a beautiful fall day. The high was about 60 and with about 20 minutes before action begins on Saturday night, it's 57 degrees as the sun sets behind the grandstand. Overnight lows are forecast to drop into the upper 30s. Pack trucks are whipping the track into shape at sunset.

6:33 p.m.: Schrader phones in from Martinsville

Ken Schrader, the 2009 Sportsman Award winner for the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, has phoned in from NASCAR's activities in Martinsville, Va., and announcer Pete Secret is interviewing him over the P.A. system. The Fenton, Mo., native expressed his excitement over the honor.

6:29 p.m.: Next year's Hall of Famers announced

Bill Holder of the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame and others are introducing the Class of 2009. Check out the nine new members of the Hall of Fame, who will be inducted next August at Florence Speedway in Union, Ky. Some representatives of the Class of 2009 are on hand to speak to the crowd, including DTWC driver Randle Chupp, whose father Gene Chupp is among next year's inductees.

6:22 p.m.: Any first-time starters?

The 18 drivers locked into Saturday's main event have all started previous DTWCs (although not all of them at K-C). The potential first-time starters with the best chance to transfer through the consolation races: Tim Dohm, who starts on the pole of the second consolation, and Jordan Bland, who starts fourth in the first consolation race.

6:20 p.m.: Frank picks up $1,000

Chub Frank is picking up his $1,000 check from DirtonDirt.com for setting fast time among more than 100 cars in qualifying.

6:05 p.m.: Drivers' meeting under way

DTWC drivers are meeting at the infield tower to discuss the night's plans. Among other things, the officials will draw for drivers who will compete in the night's non-qualifiers' race, dubbed the Jim Dunn Memorial. That race will pay $2,500 to the winner. It will be run preceding the 100-lap feature, time permitting.

5:49 p.m.: Drivers wrapping up autograph session

The 18 drivers locked into the feature event, along with others, headed to their souvenir trailers for an afternoon autograph session behind the K-C Raceway grandstands. Among them was Josh McGuire of Grayson, Ky., who was asked by announcer James Essex about what wife Tracy might want to buy if they captured the night's $50,000 race. Diamonds, Essex suggested? "Maybe some tires and wheels for the car," McGuire countered.

5:33 p.m.: Consolation lineups set

The consolation lineups have been posted at K-C. The top two finishers from each race will advance to fill spots in rows 10-12 in the 26-car main event. No doubt there will be some drivers scratching from their consolations.

Feature lineup

Row 1: McCreadie, Clanton
Row 2: Francis, Eckert
Row 3: Birkhofer, Mars
Row 4: Pearson, Bloomquist
Row 5: Erb, B. Smith
Row 6: McGuire, Richards
Row 7: Frank, Schlieper
Row 8: Blankenship, Lanigan
Row 9: D. Miller, Owens
Row 10: Marlar, Berner
Row 11: R.J. Conley, Bland
Row 12: Adkins, Casebolt
Row 13: D. Johnson, Banal

Saturday's schedule

5 p.m. - Autograph session
6:15 p.m. - Drivers' meeting
6:30 p.m. - Fast qualifier award; announcement of Class of 2009 of the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame
7 p.m. - Late Model consolations
8:30 p.m. - Modified feature
9 p.m. - Late Model non-qualifiers race
10 p.m. - 100-lap DTWC

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