Lane Automotive

Bart Hartman - Photo By Johnny B - Article Courtesy of DIRTcar Racing

ROSSBURG, OH - Sept. 12, 2009 - Eldora Speedway is no longer Bart Hartman's Achilles' heel. With a victory in the World 100, Bart Hartman ended his longtime run of frustration at the famed half-mile oval. Hartman passed 2007 World 100 winner Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., for the lead on lap 20 and never looked back, winning a $42,000-plus payout. "I never disliked this place," said Hartman, who became the first Ohio driver to capture the World 100 since Donnie Moran in 1997. "I just didn't like my luck here."

Hartman's previous career-high finish was sixth in the 2007 Dream and he had never finished better than 12th in three career World 100 A-Main starts. In a fast-paced race slowed by just two caution flags, Hartman fought off mid- and late-race challenges from 2002 World 100 champ Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, to run the event's streak of first-time winners to eight consecutive years. Hartman steered his self-owned Rocket Chassis/Cornett Chevy engine combination under the checkered flag several car lengths ahead of Birkhofer's MB Customs mount. Hartman started fourth and was understandably surprised by the superiority he demonstrated over the talent-laden field.

"I didn't think our car was as good as it was until we got out there," said Hartman, who grabbed second from Landers on lap 15 and then rapidly ran down Owens. "This car was awesome. We were good right around the middle to bottom (grooves), and we just ran our line and we got by (Owens)." During a long green-flag run that stretched from lap 21 to 83, Hartman built a lead of nearly a straightaway before lapped traffic slowed his pace and allowed Birkhofer to close in.

Birkhofer, who started fifth, pulled up to Hartman's rear bumper on lap 62, but Hartman drove away when he broke into open track a few circuits later. Birkhofer got within a car length when Hartman approached lapped traffic again with five laps remaining, but Hartman calmly maintained command. One tough driver. Hartman made his march to victory while fighting a wicked headache that developed during his heat race and left him uncertain whether he could go the 100-lap distance.