Doar Returns to Wild West Shootout Victory Lane After Seven Year Absence

Ryan Neuharth Tucson, Ariz (January 9, 2011) – It had been so long since New Richmond, WI driver Pat Doar sat in Victory Lane at the Wild West Shootout that the event technically didn’t even exist. USA Raceway’s mid-winter mini-series began in 2001 at Central Arizona Raceway in Casa Grande, and was known then as the Early Thaw. The 2003 edition saw Doar score two-wins and the series point’s championship, but the well had run dry until this sunny Tucson afternoon.

After a less than stellar performance in the series opener, it appeared that Terry Phillips would not be denied in his quest too add to his status as the series all-time wins leader. Having blasted from his fifth starting spot to take the lead on lap two, the driver known as “TP” began to motor away as fierce battles erupted throughout the running order.

Behind the top three Phillips’ teammate and opening night runner-up Jeremy Payne lead a group of contenders that included Clay Daly, Billy Moyer, Jr, Jimmy Mars and Bub McCool. That quintuplet seemingly changed positions with each flick of the steering wheel, only to have their fun interrupted by cautions for Brad Looney on lap seven and Ronnie Lee Hollingsworth on lap twelve.

Running third during the races middle stages, Doar slotted behind race long leader Phillips and hometown favorite and USA Raceway Modified Champion RC Whitwell. With the top three blasting around the top-side of the immaculately prepared speedplant, Doar took advantage of lapped traffic to maneuver past Whitwell and quickly took the fight to Phillips. It was short lived as Phillips shoved the nose off of turn two, making hard contact with the backstretch concrete and handing the lead to Doar.

In the scramble Payne edge by Whitwell for the runner-up spot with Moyer, Jr. up from ninth on lap fifteen to run fourth when the yellow would appear for top five runner Daly on lap twenty-two. Just like 24-hours earlier, a late race restart would tell a dramatic tail, but unlike night number one, Doar would have to survive not one, but three restarts in the races final seven laps.

The first of which provided the most drama as Doar jumped the cushion in turn one allowing Whitwell to throw the slide job to momentary grab the point in turn two. Down low, Payne pulled even with Whitwell as Doar threaded the needle making it a three wide charge towards turn three. Driving in deeper than his counterparts, Doar eclipsed Payne before sliding in front of Whitwell to regain the lead he lost half a lap earlier.

“I didn’t know where he was, I just drove it in there and it stuck,” Doar said from Element 7 Victory Lane. “He was out of sight and I hope it was clean.”

Just as things appeared settled out front, all eyes shifted to hard charging Billy Moyer. Having started twenty-first, the Hall of Fame driver cracked the top ten on lap twenty and ran seventh as the yellow appeared for David Breazeale on lap twenty-seven. While this restart was far less dramatic for Doar, for the second night in a row Payne and McCool found themselves occupying the same real estate, this time Payne ended up facing the wrong direction in turn one. The scuffle resulted in the races final restart, and again Doar didn’t bobble, slipping away from Whitwell and McCool as a pair of Moyer’s contested third. The elder Moyer would take the position from his son completing an impressive run in which he gained seventeen positions. Doar ran the last three circuits unmolested for this third career Wild West Shootout win.

After thanking his crew and sponsors from the winner circle, Doar was sure not to forget the most important person of them all. “My wife just got here today and I guess she’s good luck,” said Doar.

Full Results can be found at http://www.usaraceway.net/results.php
 

The third round of the Wild West Shootout kicks off this Wednesday night with racing starting at 7pm.  Advanced tickets are on sell for the final four nights of Wild West Shootout action.
 
Ticket pricing and purchasing information can be found online at http://www.usaraceway.net/Uploads/WildWestTickets.pdf or by calling the USA Raceway office at 520-574-8515

Hotel Information can be found at www.usaraceway.net/lodging.php or by calling the Tucson Airport Courtyard by Marriott at 520-573-0000
 
USA Raceway is located east of Tucson off I-10 exit 268, then 1.6 miles south on Craycroft Road, which turns into Los Reales.  For more information please, contact the track at 520-574-8515 or additional information regarding USA Raceway can be found at www.usaraceway.net