Michigan’s Mielke Wins DIRTcar UMP Modified Race; Pardo Scores Another Eldora Stock Car Win

ROSSBURG, Ohio (April 16, 2016) – A brave move by “Insane” Duane Chamberlain to fend off fourth-place starter Jeep VanWormer enabled him to take control of the A-Feature and lead all 25 laps of the Late Model event in Eldora’s 63rd season opener.

VanWormer, from Pinconning, Michigan, tried a slide job as they entered turn three on the start, but glanced off the wall, which allowed Chamberlain, from Richmond, Indiana, to brazenly take the lead as the field completed the first lap.

“It was a big cushion and we were able to hold it wide open,” Chamberlain said. “I got in the wall a bit and it took some air off the car and I think it helped us out. I want to thank Bill Dues and the St. Henry Nite Club. I wouldn’t be here without them and hopefully this is the beginning of a really good season.”

Following a frenzied charge, Devin Moran, from Dresden, Ohio, started 10th and crossed the line second. But he was disqualified post-race by DIRTcar officials for a non-conforming tire. That moved pole sitter James Rice, from Verona, Kentucky, into second, while Steve Casebolt, Nick Latham and Rusty Schlenk rounded out the top-five. VanWormer ended up sixth.

David Mielke won the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds A-Feature as he pulled a slide job in turn four on Ryan Sutter with 14 laps to go. Mielke, from Gladwin, Michigan, started fifth, but didn’t stay there long as he moved toward to front to claim victory.

“It’s a nice win,” Mielke said. “It’s just me and my dad here this weekend. I was runner up in the Fall Nationals in 2012 and I’ve been here before, but it’s nice to finally get a win here.”

Evan Taylor, from Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, was second, while Jeff Koz, Nick Stroupe and Brian Post rounded out the top-five.

It was an eventful night for the Modifieds as Evan’s brother, Jonathan, was running second, but clipped the wall in turn three early in the race and was done for the night. Ryan Sutter was running third but was collected in a wreck involving Scott Williams taking him out of contention.

There was a five car pileup on the first lap in turns three and four and Collin Thirlby, from Traverse City, Michigan, flipped his car, but no drivers were injured. And in the third heat race earlier in the night, Jason Kenney, from Celina, Ohio, took a violent flip on the frontstetch. He was not injured.

Paul Pardo, who swept both feature races last August, won the Eldora Stock Car race.

“It’s pay off when you win,” Pardo said. “It was a nice field of drivers, too. We had some new guys who like to mix it up. I was just driving the heck out of it. Trying to keep it straight.”

Pardo, from New Paris, Ohio, started fifth, but took the lead in turn one from Donnie Jeschke and never looked back. Red Harvey Jr., crossed the line second, but was 10 pounds light post-race at the scales and disqualified. Rob Trent, who started seventh, was moved to second with Jeschke, Frank Paladino and Earnie Woodard rounding out the top-five.

The racing at Eldora continues on April 23 with the Saturday Night Speedfest featuring the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, a double-feature for the Eldora Stock Cars and Vore’s Compacts.

Admission gates will open at 2 pm, with hot laps 4:30 pm and a complete racing program beginning at 6 pm. Tickets can be bought at www.EldoraSpeedway.com, by phone at (937) 338-3815 or at the box office at the race track. It’s $12 for adults and kids 12 and under are free.

The complete schedule for Eldora’s 63nd consecutive season, including ticket and campsite information, is available at www.EldoraSpeedway.com.