COAL GROVE — The Rocky Top Raceway was the place to be Friday for the running of the “Tri-America Contractors 50” for Late Models and the “Tri-America Contractors 25” for Bombers.

Drivers from five different states (Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee) came to the 3/8-mile oval to do battle.

With lightning lighting up the night sky, the “Tri-America Contractors 50” got under way with R.J. Conley, Mike Marlar, and Robbie Blair in a three-way battle for the lead with the rest of the field two- and three-wide behind them.

The three-way battle for the lead continued until a caution flag waved on lap four with Conley leading.

When the race went back green, Conley and Marlar continued to battle side by side for the lead while sixth-place starter Tim Dohm started his methodical run up to the front.

On lap 13, Dohm finally made the pass to move into the second position and then set his sights on Conley.

For the next 15 laps, Conley and Dohm battled for the lead with Dohm making the pass on lap 28 to take the lead.

With Dohm leading, the battle was now on for second as R. J. Conley and Eddie Carrier Jr. battled for the position with Conley making the pass on lap 30.

Carrier made a strong run the remaining 20 laps on Dohm, but could not make the pass as Tim Dohm went on to win the $5,000 in the “Tri-America Contractors 50.”

Eddie Carrier Jr. finished second with R. J. Conley third, Jackie Boggs fourth, and Robbie Blair fifth.

Dohm, Dave Hess Jr., and Mike Marlar won Engines Inc. heat races.

The “Tri-America Contractors 25” Bomber feature got underway with Perry Dearing taking the lead.

2007 track champion Wayne Hughes moved into the second position and then a few laps later made the pass for the lead.

Hughes and Dearing battled hard for nearly the entire race, going side by side for several laps.

Dearing made a strong run off of turn four coming to the checkers but couldn’t make the pass as Wayne Hughes went on to win $1,000 in the “Tri-America Contractors 25.”

Perry Dearing finished second with David Dunn third, Jeremie Bretz fourth, and Phil Rice fifth.

Dearing and Hughes won Engines Inc. heat races.

Tony Sites took the lead at the start of the Mod Lite A-Main and held off challenges from Chris Stone and Jerry Cushing to take his first career RTR Mod Lite win.

Sites also made history in becoming only the second driver in RTR history to win features in two different classes.

Jerry Cushing finished second with Chris Stone third and Harold Kuhn fourth.

Sites also won the Engines Inc. heat race.

“The most exciting, action packed show in town” at Rocky Top continues on Friday, June 20th for a full racing program of Late Models, 30 laps for $2,000 to win, Tomahawk Race Car Modifieds $650 to win, Bombers $350 to win, and Mod Lites $200 to win.

General Admission is only $12 with pit admission $25. RTR features grandstand seating along with plenty of places to bring lawn chairs.

Gates open at 4 p.m. with Hot Laps at 7:30 pm.

For more information visit www.rockytopraceway.net.