Rick Miller and Neil Brown have set the stage for one of the most intense NASCAR-sanctioned late model championship showdowns in Motordrome Speedway history.

Miller, who is trying to repeat as champion, has a four-point advantage with two Friday nights of racing to go. Should they knock each other out-- something not to be dismissed after incidents Friday-- Garry Wiltrout trails by only 38 points.

What makes this particular points-race most interesting is a simmering engine controversy that has erupted once again. Under Miller's hood is a sealed fuel-injected motor. Introduced at Motordrome last season, the fuel-injected engine was met with derision from many drivers, including Brown, who race with conventional carbureted engines. Drivers say the fuel-injected motors generate more horsepower, while Miller believes handling has made the biggest difference for him.

Brown, who perceives Miller's ability to pass and clear other cars as due to an unfair advantage in horsepower, launched an unfruitful protest last week to have the heads on Miller's engine inspected, even taking it upon himself to call NASCAR.

"They refused to come to tech," Brown said. "If you refuse to come to tech, you should be disqualified, The rule book states that.

"I have called NASCAR about it because I'm a firm believer in going through tech inspection. In racing, you'll never, ever be able to do away with tech inspection. You've got to have it because that's the only way to tell if somebody tampered with the motor."

Miller, who doesn't necessarily want his engine torn apart with two races left to decide the title, remains unfazed and is leaning on his experience in the American Speed Association, where he raced for $50,000 and rookie-of-the-year honors.

"The fuel-injected motors are definitely the wave of the future," said Miller, who believes the motor controversy only takes away from the work of his team. "If we're lucky enough to win it two years in a row with the fuel-injected motors, well, that pretty much would say that would be the way togo."

The sealed engine is a type of crate motor, one that drivers can purchase at less than half the cost of the carbureted engines Brown and Wiltrout race. "I think crate motors are great," Brown said. "But that option should go through the same tech inspection as we do."

Once the green flag drops tomorrow night, the focus will move from the inspection area back to the track, but don't look for either Miller or Brown to suddenly turn into defensive drivers.

"If you get cautious, then you'll lose it because you're too cautious," Miller said. "We just try to keep business as usual. We have the speed right now so I like my chances."

Brown, a two-time Jenners-town champion, is trying to add his first Motordrome crown in what he says might be his final season on asphalt.

"I'm going into the last two races to give it 110 percent," Brown said. "If I win races, the points will come. I haven't been cautious. Anybody that's gone to Motordrome can tell we haven't been cautious. We go there to win, and we're not changing for the last two races."

Championship battles in the other divisions at Motordrome are almost as intense. Gary Scott has a six-point lead in modifieds going into tomorrow night's 30-lap special, Greg Kelley leads by 46 points in pro trucks, Frank Turek has an 18-point advantage in street stocks and Bob Shipp has a 14-point lead in chargers.

Lugnuts

Garry Wiltrout swept the two super late model features last Saturday at Jennerstown, giving him a nearly insurmountable lead in the standings. Jennerstown will feature a regular show Saturday.

Lou Bradich earned his 20th career win last Saturday at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Points-leader Dave Wade finished third and is a virtual lock to win his first late model championship.

PPMS will run a regular program Saturday and feature the Tim Chitwood Thrill Show.

Apollo native Ryan Hemphill will attempt to win his seventh ARCA Re/Max Series race of the season Saturday when he competes in the ReadyHosting.com 200 at Chicagoland Speedway.

Cranberry native Travis Geisler will race tomorrow night in the NASCAR Busch Series Funai 250 at Richmond International Raceway.