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Racing is now back on track

Finally I’m getting back on track with this column and our race car. Elkins Raceway was able to get the makeup features run and get the second full evening of Thunder in the Mountains in the books on May 11.

Let’s get right to the action. The AMRA Open Wheeled Modifieds had a makeup feature and 15 cars started this race. Dave Defibaugh put the number 83 Rob Smith-owned car in victory lane. Phil Jefferies was a close second. Randy Bohan finished third. Michael Moreland and Larry Yanero Jr. closed out the top five.

We were able to get the first race of the year behind us, finishing up eighth in the John 3:16 Mud Bus. The Street Stocks also had a makeup feature. Anthony Arbogast grabbed the win over Josh Rovello. Teresa Vaughan finished third. Brian Youtzy and Todd Simmons rounded out the top five.

There is a new division this year called the EDGE HotMod division. These cars are similar to the AMRA cars in appearance but are more of an entry level type of racer. These cars have a 360 cubic in-engine limit and two barrel carburetors along with limits on compression. They are also restricted to a very hard compound tire.

Danny Thomas grabbed the win. Former Mini mod competitor Chandi Currence is racing in this division. There are lots of these cars racing at Tyler County Speedway and it will be interesting to see who all will make the tow to Elkins.

Now it was time for this week’s regular events. Seven Super Late Models were on hand. Kyle Thomas took the win over Mike Benedum. Cody Hardesty finished third. Bob Gordon and last week’s winner Billy Holbert rounded out the top five.

The FasTrack Crate Late Models were up next. They were wound up and caution flags ran rampant. Garrett Jones took a wild ride, flipping down the front straight into the first turn. Garrett was sore and suffered a bruised leg.

Kyle Lukon took the checkered flag after the event was stopped due to the constant cautions and restarts. Tyler Bare was second. Troy Frazier finished third. Corey Almond and Billy Beachler rounded out the top five.

The AMRA Modifieds were next and 14 cars took the green flag. There were plenty of cautions and crashes. The checkered flag fell over veteran Phil Jefferies as the winner. Mike Baldwin finished second. Randy Bohan grabbed another third-place finish. Nolan Dalton and Dave Defibaugh rounded out the top five.

I was able to be running at the finish and the Mud Bus finished 10th.

The Street Stocks were next and 10 cars took the green flag. Jamie Keene put her bright yellow and orange car in victory lane. Anthony Arbogast finished a close second. Jason Ammons finished third. Brian Youtzy and Chris McDonald rounded out the top five.

The EDGE HotMods had four cars on hand and Danny Thomas won over Travis Thomas. Chandi Currence was third with Roland Fullmer fourth. Elkins Raceway’s action rained out on May 18.

Make plans to come on out for this week’s Thunder in the Mountains events on Friday night. Gates open at 6 p.m. and action starts at 7:30 p.m. As always, the concession stands will be serving wonderful hot and tasty food. Come support your local Dirt Racing Track and star drivers.

This week will be the first Street Stock Special event with extra laps and prize money for this competitive division.

•••

NASCAR action took to the mile and a half Kansas Motor Speedway on the weekend of the 11th and 12th. The Xfinity teams were enjoying a weekend off.

The Camping World Truck series kicked things off on Friday evening. The “37 Kind Days 250” rolled off with Noah Gragson on the pole ahead of his team owner Kyle Busch. Noah set sail and never looked back, sweeping both stages and taking the victory in his KBM Toyota Tundra.

Boss man Kyle Busch held on to finish second. Stewart Friesen finished third. John Hunter Nemechek and veteran Johnny Sauter rounded out the top five.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series ran the KC Masterpiece Sauces 400 Saturday evening on this Mother’s Day weekend.

Ryan Blaney started up front and led the early part of the race, notching a stage one victory. Kyle Larson was right there and he led the way to the stage two win. Kevin Harvick was right there and it was hard to tell if one of these guys had a real advantage.

There was no way to tell for sure, because as Larson and Blaney battled, Larson got into the side of Blaney and sent him into the wall. Blaney was out and the back window began to move in and out and sink down as the air passed over it on Larson’s Ganassi Racing Camaro ZL1. The broken bracket on the rear window proved costly because he was docked the Chase bonus point he had won with his stage win along with a strong fine of $50,000 and suspension of his crew chief for two points paying races.

Kevin Harvick took the lead late in the event and drove away to victory. Martin Truex Jr finished second over Joey Logano in third. Kyle Larson brought his floppy window home in fourth. Denny Hamlin finished out the top five.

The NASCAR guys were racing in the All-Star weekend the next week at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. On Friday, May 18, the Camping World Truck series kicked things off with the North Carolina Education Lottery 200.

Veteran Johnny Sauter grabbed the victory, followed by Kyle Busch, Brandon Jones, Brett Moffit and Ben Rhodes.

The next evening there was a million dollars up for grabs to the winner of the Monster Energy All Star race. First race of the evening was the Open for those not qualified for the All Star Feature.

Alex Bowman, Daniel Suarez, and A.J. Allmendinger transferred to the feature by winning stage victories. Chase Elliott also got a chance to run for the million by winning a special fan vote.

Kevin Harvick was “Freaky Fast” once again and took home the million dollar prize in the All Star Feature event. Daniel Suarez finished second. Joey Logano was third. Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott rounded out the top five. Wow!

I’ll be right here next week to bring you all the action from Elkins Raceway and the World 600 at Charlotte, plus special events from Tyler County Speedway and that little 500 mile race in Indianapolis.

Remember our veterans on this Memorial Day weekend! At the end of the straightway there will be another left turn.

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