Bluegrass Speedway
Brad Neat pockets $5,000 at Bluegrass 50
By Michael Despain
Bluegrass SpeedwayBARDSTOWN, Ky. (Aug. 6) — Brad Neat of Dunnville, Ky., pulled away from a duel with his older brother for a $5,000 victory in the 13th annual Bluegrass 50. Neat's victory was his first on the first-year STARS Midwest Dirt Racing League and second in one of Bluegrass Speedway's annual events.
Older brother Dustin Neat led 13 laps early in the race but settled for second in the 23-car main event. Jason Jameson of Lawrenceburg, Ind., was third followed by Terry English of Benton, Ky., and Justin Rattliff of Campbellsville, Ky. Sixth-place finisher Tim Dohm of Cross Lanes, W.Va., improved six positions.
Dustin Neat led at the outset, pacing the field 12 laps before the fourth-starting Brad Neat took the point. Dustin edged back ahead to lead lap 14, but Brad went back out front exiting turn four on the 15th lap and began stretching his advantage.
The winner built leads of more than a half-straightaway in controlling the rest of the 50-lapper at the half-mile oval.
Notes: Brad Neat's Bobby Labonte Motorsports Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Cornett Race Engine and sponsored by Red Buck Cigars, Neat's Service Center and Tarter Farm & Ranch. ... Mike Jewell of Scottsburg, Ind., tangled with Eric Wells and Tanner English on a lap-19 restart, but Jewell managed to work his way back to ninth with English just behind him. ... Among drivers failing to make the main event: Daniel Hatcher, Zak Blackwood, Scotty Earl and Timmy Yeager. ... MDRL competitors take a break before a Sept. 3 event at Richmond (Ky.) Raceway paying $3,000 to the winner.
Bluegrass 50: (1) Brad Neat, (2) Dustin Neat, (3) Jason Jameson, (4) Terry English, (5) Justin Rattliff, (6) Tim Dohm, (7) Victor Lee, (8) Rohn Moon, (9) Mike Jewell, (10) Tanner English, (11) Tim Rivers, (12) Dustin Linville, (13) Jeff Watson, (14) Lee Devasier, (15) Mick Sansom, (16) Cody Mahoney, (17) Greg Johnson, (18) Steve Barnett, (19) Eric Wells, (20) Jason Smith, (21) Michael Chilton, (22) Tim Tungate, (23) Jason Hinkle. Fast qualifier (among 27 cars): Tungate, 15.369 seconds. Heat race winners: Tungate, Jameson, D. Neat. Consolation winner: Johnson. Provisional starters: Sansom, Smith, Hinkle.