The stage is set for the championship round of Miami Valley’s third annual $25,000 North America Drivers Championship (NADC) on Tuesday afternoon (January 8).

In one of the closest races in the contest’s short history, the field of driver finalists was whittled from 30 to 10 after two preliminary rounds to engage in an eight-race, head-to-head battle for the trophy, the title and the $10,000 first prize. The ‘race’ to make the championship round was so close, in fact, that five drivers tied for the final spot and had to draw randomly to determine which one got to advance.

Although he didn’t win a race on day two, Brett Miller managed three runner-up finishes from his four drives and emerged as the point-leader of the preliminary rounds. His 144 point total topped Jeremy Smith (136), Randy Tharps (122), Joe Bongiorno (115), Dan Noble (114), Drew Monti (113), Aaron Merriman (106), Dexter Dunn (98), Anthony Napolitano (91) and Canadian reinsman Travis Henry (86) — the lucky winner of the draw to advance.

Others in the tie at 86 points were Simon Allard, Pat Berry, Shawn Gray and Chris Page.

Conditions call for a clean scoring slate for the championship round with all 10 drivers starting again from scratch. Points are awarded 30-20-14-11-9-7-5-3-1 for first through ninth place finishes.

A total of 10 drivers scored triumphs during the 12 NADC races on Monday. Simon Allard and Jeremy Smith scored the only doubles. Winners, in order, were Fudge (Noble), Ideal Magic (Allard), Townlinedaliscard (J Harris), Friskie Teddy (Smith), Fleet Bumblebee (Allard), Three Card (Merriman), IYQ YQR (Monti), Cast No Shadow (Henry), Velocity Mattis (Bongiorno), Llama Llama (Dunn), Howabout Hanover (Smith) and Scwartz Bros Beaty (Napolitano).

Immediately following the round two races, drivers were drawn randomly into fields of horses that were previously drawn. In front of a full room of anxious finalists invited to witness the draw, the results were revealed.

Those who drew morning line favourites in the eight-race competition, in order, were Smith (Gold Coast Muscle), Napolitano (Carries Desire), Tharps (Rock Is Sweet), Noble (Mgsperkg Bluegrass), Tharps (One Sweet Woman), Noble (Gone Girl), Napolitano (Bettor Win) and Noble (Rockin Hot Lady).

Post time for Tuesday’s North America Drivers Championship program is 2:05 p.m.

(With files from Miami Valley Raceway)