Hav-a-Tamp Phillies Cigar 100: Report and Standings
10 February 1998
Gibsonton, Fla - Skip Arp marched through a field of America's best drivers on dirt Saturday night at East Bay Speedway to snatch a victory on the Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Racing Series for the second consecutive week. Arp's rousing run to the checkered flag began with a provisional starting spot in the field for the "Hav-A-Tamp Phillies Cigar 100" as the nations leading dirt late model series competed in the hometown of its title sponsor. The Georgetown, TN driver pockted over $10,000 dollars as he bested the 77 entries that were on hand to attempt to make the 24 car starting field. "This is hard to believe," said a jubilant Arp in the victory lane celebration with his crew and family. "I mean, to use a provisional and come out of here with a big win like this is just super. The crew gambled and it really paid off here tonight." The win, Arp's ninth career victory on the series, moves Arp into the early season points lead in the national championship standings for dirt late model racing. After having difficulties in his heat race and the last-chance consolation qualifier, the driver of the Curtis Equipment sponsored Chevrolet Monte Carlo was faced with the possibility of not making the transfer into the main event. His only salvation came through the use of a provisional starting spot, by virtue of his sixth place final standing in the 1997 points chase. Arp used the opportunity to its fullest advantage, the went on to keep the standing room only crowd at East Bay Speedway awestruck with his thundering run to the front. "I was fortunate enough to have such a good car under me tonight," said Arp in the winner's circle. "We just planned on doing the best we could and this is how it turned out. It's another big, big win for this team." Arp's remarkable run to the front included a daring pass of four cars in turns one and two on lap 23 that moved Arp into the top-ten. Donnie Moran had outgunned polesitter Jack Boggs on the first lap and held the top spot until Boggs took the lead on lap 29. Boggs then battled with Tim Hitt for the next ten laps, with Hitt leading lap 35. By lap 38 Arp had become part of a five car battle for the lead and slipped past Boggs on the next lap to move into the lead. Arp would go on to lead the final 61 laps en route to a Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Racing Series Victory lane visit for the second time in 1998. Freddy Smith gave chase to the winner in a run that was nearly equally impressive as that of Arp. Smith, also started from the rear of the field and went on to challenge Arp for the lead during the final 20 laps. Following Arp and Smith in the finishing order were Scott Bloomquist in third, Hitt in fourth while Bart Hartman rounded out the top five . Sixth through tenth, respectively, were Johnny Virden, Dan Schlieper, Bob Pierce, Rick Eckert and Mike Balzano. Boggs shattered the previous track record for late models in qualifying with lap of 14.715 seconds around the one-third mile track to earn the ISKY Racing Cams Fast Gun pole award. The event was slowed by eight cautions with six cars finishing of the lead lap. The series now takes a week off before returning to action on February 20-21 at Waycross(GA) Motor Speedway. For event and ticket information on the Hav-A-Tampa Dirt Racing Series "7th annual Walker-Jones Chevrolet 100" in Waycross call the speedway office at (912)283-3587 HAV-A-TAMPA DIRT RACING SERIES National Point Standings Following Event #2 of 1998. Driver Hometown Points ----------------------------------------------- 1. Skip Arp Georgetown, TN 362 2. Bart Hartman Zanesville, Oh 320 3. Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 320 4. Freddy Smith Knoxville, TN 316 5. Bob Pierce Danville, IL 302 6. Donnie Moran Dresden, Oh 300 7. Johnny Virden Russellville, Ar288 8. Wendell Wallace Batesville, AR 265 9. Rick Eckert York, Pa 259 10. Dan Schlieper Peewaukee, WI 253 11. Mark Miner Stockbridge, Ga 248 12. Billy Moyer Batesville, Ar 235 13. Ray Cook Murphy, NC 233 14. Dale McDowell Rossvile, Ga 231 15. Jimmy Sharpe Vidalia, Ga 222 16. Bill Frye Greenbrier, AR 218 17. Steve Francis Ashland KY 207 18. David Gibson Ash Flat, Ar 198 19. Marshall Green Dalton, GA 195 20. Rodney Combs Ft. Myers, Fl 191 21. Alan Vaughn Belton, Mo 189 22. Clint Smith Griffin, Ga 185 23. Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, Tn 181 24. Tony Izzo, Jr. Bridgeview, IL 181 25. Jack Boggs Grayson, Ky 175 John Kaiser -- The Auto Channel