By Rick Eshelman

WAUSEON, OH (June 26, 1999) - After years oF near misses and close calls, Defiance Ohio native Hillard Miller finally broke the drought by capturing the 25 lap UMP late Model feature by less than a foot at the finish line over Toledo’s Rody Schroyer Saturday night at the Oakshade Raceway. Miller started his Quality Cars # 53 in fifth and chased race leader Schroyer right up until the final corner when he caught Schroyer at the checkered flag. Shane Yoder again for the umpteenth time had to start way in the back and as is Yoder’s season, the J&H Industries #8 finished a very close third. Polesitter George Lindsey held on for a fourth place tally while Tony Marks who went off from the seventeenth spot, finished fifth. It was the most exciting feature for the fans to date.

Lyons Ohio pilot Aaron call notched his first 360 feature event as the #17A started from the pole but relinquished the lead to Todd Heller. Heller looked to be in control until mechanical woes forced the #14H out of competition. Call regained the lead and sailed to victory in the 20 lap main. Older brother Grayling Call hauled in second for his best finish of the 1999 campaign. Willie Keegan came home third ahead of Dan Short and Scott Krayleck.

Chris Smith earned his second Sportsman feature event of the year as the Federal Five Co./ Fertile Lawn Service #94 took the lead late and held off Brad Kendall for the victory. Mike Sudith had his best finish of the year placing third over Casey Noonan and Bill Clapp.

Kurk Lancaster kept his hot streak in tack by winning the Bomber a Main event over Tony Tolles, Brice Luttrell, Josh Caudill and Jim Chapman. Kevin Cole bagged the B main win over Billy McNight and Devin Shiells. John Thompson collected the C main ahead of Dan Bleidamp and Bill Stoner. Danny Hogrefe put his Quality Cars #18th in victory circle for the D main over Bill Reeves Sr. Oakshade will host the American Late Model series by Sunoco next Saturday with Sportsman/Trucks and Bombers in action with racing a 7pm.