A Thrilling Three-Peat; Junkyard Dogs
Survive Onslaught
Points chase down to three teams with two races left!

They did not have it easy and they were not invincible. Instead, the Junkyard Dogs were overwhelmingly effective as they withstood severe hits and lap deficits en route to their third straight win and a commanding points lead.

The largest crowd of the season jammed Route 66 Raceway entrances and parking lots several hours before show time to fire up the grills, pump up the music, and assure themselves a seat to witness the ensuing carnage.

The best-looking Orange Taxi Co. yet, headed up by team captain Matt Pierce, would draw the back-to-blue Havoc squad in the third heat of Round 1. Havoc won two events in 2007 with this paint scheme and were going to need a Championship-style performance to stay in the 2008 title picture.

Points leading Junkyard Dogs kicked off the action against Beyond Driven, whom sat tied for third in the points, but this was not the same Beyond Driven team which last month plowed through Damage, Inc. and survived an epic battle with Havoc. After their Round 2 disqualification, several drivers left the team in protest and frustration. Team owner Greg Mesich persevered through a turbulent month and still showed up ready to fight. In a sick twist of irony, Beyond Driven could only get 3 cars to the starting line, verse the 5 cars which led to controversy last month.

Mesich and his 2 drivers put up a respectable 3-car performance, but the numbers and the power of JYD was going to win out every time.

Killer Bees were second place in points and another team needing a strong finish to keep any kind of pace with the 'Dogs. The 2007 Champs proved they were not out of this yet as they stung Damage, Inc. with numerous hits and gave #77 Robby Stahulak and clear path to 5 untouched laps.

After two quick races to start the night, the Taxi's and Havoc put on a long, thrilling contest. Havoc overcame a stuck throttle on Rich Wilson's #44 car, which sent him slamming into the wall, and the pesky but tactical driving of #65 Keith Whitley and #69 Dean Ibrahim kept #47 Jason Ritacco and #48 Chris McGuire more than busy. #43 Steve Gursky, Jr. looked strong as he raced away from the Taxi's to take the win.

Round 1 concluded with another wild race between Stranglehold and Mean Green Machines. Neither team has been able to find a grove all year and their high hopes for a successful season would be all but gone with another first round loss. #17 Tim "Terminator" Pankow powered out to a quick lead after bouncing off the wall and right into a glancing door shot. But, the car never made it through Turn 3 and Stranglehold immediately took advantage. #50 Zac Van Allen notched lap after lap as the rest of the brothers fended off the resilient #1 wagon of Mike Beck. The damage was too much for MGM to overcome and Stranglehold moved on.

Here we go again! Junkyard Dogs vs. Killer Bees. Guaranteed to be worth the price of admission every time and this one did not disappoint. The Bees did not let #03 Ryan Bleuer jump out to the early lead, instead it was #77 Stahulak with the burst of speed into the open space. Bleuer bounced off the wall in Turn 1 and #74 Steve Volbrecht caught him by surprise with a powerful shove putting Bleuer's car up onto the wall! Bees looked in control; was this going to be turning point of the season? That hope vanished almost quicker than it started.

Bleuer reversed off the wall, blew past #7 Brian Anderson and roared around Turn 4 where #36 Tom "Brickman" Lewis had stopped Stahulak in his tracks with a crushing head-on hit! All cars broke free and began one of the most intense several minutes we've seen all year. Insane hits all over the track and no one showed signs of giving up. #74 Volbrecht got in another shot on Bleuer, but was immediately swatted away by Brickman.
#34 Johnny Ryan charged through the infield and blasted former teammate #7 Anderson in a double knockout shot. Stahulak's car was a mangled mess, but he went full speed head-on into #35 Gerritt "Big Kahuna" Vanderbilt in the most wicked hit of the round that annihilated both machines. Bleuer roared down the front stretch and took the checkered as the chant of "J-Y-D!
J-Y-D!" rattled the grandstands.

Havoc used a Killer Bee car last month in an added effort to topple the JYD, this time, they went even more multi-colored up against Stranglehold. Jason Ritacco's #47 was dressed in pink while the #44 was pure Damage, Inc., including Dave Swan behind the wheel instead of Rich Wilson!
Havoc took command quickly with #43 Gursky, Jr. out front again and it was practically a gift lead as no Stranglehold car made it around the second turn legally.
A frightening moment occurred on Lap 2 as #51 Trey Van Allen spun away from Gursky's car, but it left his driver's side wide open towards the oncoming #48 McGuire. The impact was hard to watch and undoubtedly painful for Van Allen to take. Gursky continued to lead but Stranglehold was not relinquishing their grip. Trey surprisingly stayed right in the combat and even stopped Gursky up against the wall on Lap 3! #54 Jason Van Allen was collecting laps for Stranglehold and took the lead away! #47 Ritacco slammed Trey out of the way of Gursky while #54 Jason got caught in the log jam up against the wall in Turn 4. Trey was still in the fight and tore across the track hoping to nail Gursky, but was too soon and instead blasted head-on into Ritacco! Gursky cruised around the final turns but again had to cut across the track to pick up the win and avoid Trey barreling towards him in reverse from Turn 1! Havoc goes to the Finals but what a performance from #51 Trey Van Allen.

Havoc has looked much-improved over their June efforts and are no strangers to defeating the Junkyard Dogs. On the other side, the 'Dogs have shown they're vulnerable but heal quickly. Both have shown the power to punch out opponents and the ability to blister the track for 5 laps. A re-match from last month, but would it be a replay performance?
#35 Vanderbilt bolted out ahead of #03 Bleuer and everyone for the lead around the first turn but had #47 Ritacco right on his bumper. Bleuer went too deep into the turn and slid into the wall. #43 Gursky, Jr. tracked him the whole wall and absolutely blasted the #03 with the sickest T-bone hit all year and maybe one of the hardest ever! The side door and panel were completely folded into the middle of the car, which was now pancaked up against the concrete!
#35 Vanderbilt took the lead after Lap 1 with #47 Ritacco a half lap back. Bleuer cranked on starter and amazingly re-fired the #03, backed up and sped away from the wall and again was off to the races! #36 Lewis tangled with McGuire's #48 wagon and #34 Johnny Ryan bashed #43 Gursky off the pace. Vanderbilt did not make it around Turn 3 with the lead, but Bleuer was right behind him and now took the lead into Lap 3! But, trouble struck again as he skidded up against the wall, in nearly the same spot he just left, and the engine died!
Vanderbilt again picked up the slack and took over first place, but had to fight through a double block by McGuire and Gursky. Bleuer's engine stacks shot 4-foot high flames as he tried feverishly to get the car going again. Bleuer's car was toast, and so were several other cars. Only Vanderbilt was running for JYD, but Havoc was down to only Gursky. as well!
Kahuna had 1 lap to go, when all of a sudden 3 Havoc cars were running! But it was too little too late! Their damage was too severe and with no forward momentum or steering left, there was no stopping the inevitable. Kahuna raced across the Finish Line and scored his second race win of the night and the third event win in a row for the Junkyard Dogs!

There is no question the Junkyard Dogs suffered their most damage and were attacked the hardest this night than perhaps the previous two months combined. They never came closer to losing a race any other time outside of the May Finals against Killer Bees. However, they're the points leaders and winners of 3-in-a-row for a reason. Havoc and Killer Bees proved they can run with the 'Dogs, but have the 'Dogs already run away from them?
It is going to take a near miracle for Havoc or Killer Bees to wrestle away the points lead. With two nights remaining, here are all the possible points race scenarios heading into Round 4:
--If Junkyard Dogs win just one heat in either night, they're guaranteed a tie for the title.
--If Junkyard Dogs win more than one heat, they're the champions.
--If Junkyard Dogs LOSE the first race the remaining two nights and Havoc or Killer Bees WIN both nights, they will be champions.
--If Junkyard Dogs lose the first race the remaining two nights and Havoc/Killer Bees finish 1st-2nd both nights, we will have a 3-way tie for first!

The tournament is not over yet, and after this night, it looks like we're in for a fantastic fight to the finish! Make sure you're there August 18th! Will the Championship be decided or will the plot thicken towards a no-holds-barred dramatic 5th night finale?!?

Up to date points stands are posted in the NEWS section and be sure to check back for more photos and of course the video coming soon!