In what was the biggest crowd in a long time, and nearly the biggest car count, made another bold statement that Elkins Raceway is back.
After just getting hot laps in the previous two weeks, on Hunter's Haven night, fans and drivers set out for a near record setting evening. And at intermission, the fans were treated to an autograph session with the drivers.
In the Jenkins Ford Super Late Models, Chris Meadows, Charlie George and Billy Holbert snared heat wins. As the field roared to the green, George quickly grabbed the point with Chuck Harper, Meadows, Holbert and Paul Wilmoth Jr. in line.
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Paul Wilmouth (B1) and Chuck Harper ran side-by-side for the last half of the Late Model race as Harper went on for the win.
Meadows began to drop backward early as both Holbert and Wilmoth slipped by on lap three. George was still showing the way but on circuit four he pushed high in turn four as Harper zipped by for the spot.
With Harper now out front, the race was slowed on laps five, six and ten with yellows. Another front runner, George began to drift backward as both Holbert and Wilmoth had gotten by him by lap 10. On lap 13 Wilmoth moved to the high side and motored by Holbert then closed in on Harper.
The remaining circuits were nothing short of an old fashioned door-to-door dog fight. The front duo were welded together with Tim Senic lying in wait for a mistake. When the checkers flew Harper put his Rick Sturms Motorsports/J Rods Vending No. 00H in victory for the first time since late 2010.
Wilmoth, Senic, Holbert and Chris Garnes filled out the top five. With the added money, Harper pocketed a cool $2,000. Plus a $100 bonus from Miller's Used Cars.
Shawn Jett made only his third visit to Elkins this season. But this time he made it count. In the Budweiser crate Late Models, Jett jumped from his third starting hole to the front and never looked back.
Driving the Aluminum Service Center/Custom Builders No. 747, Jett made it look easy as he lead flag-to-flag for the $1,000 paycheck. Kyle Thomas had to start eighth due to winning the last time he raced in Elkins, but climbed to a second place finish. In doing so Thomas received the $100 Hard Charger award presented by Leggett Refrigeration.
Daniel Hill, Derek Rogers and Corey Metheny rounded out the top five.
In the Miller's Used Cars Modifieds, Brent Trimble continued his great season by leading wire-to-wire for the third time en route to his third checkerboard. Trimble placed his BB & T Auto Crushers/H & R Block (Brosius locations) sponsored No. 1B into victory lane and claimed the $700 first place check. Deana Groves, Junior Payne, Phil Jeffries, and Matt Chenoweth filled out the top five.
The Valley Supply Street Stock feature became a marathon as the yellow waved numerous times. Ricky Vest would lead until the restart of lap five, when he pushed high in turn one, then broke loose in turn four.
That let Ronnie Tincher shoot by for the point. Tincher then had to fend off heavy pressure from Jim Byers. With just six laps to go, Tincher developed a push that allowed Byers to duck under him and grab the front spot. Byers would drive the remaining circuits unchallenged to place his Sprouts Place / A & P Trucking #36 across the stripe first for the third time this season. Chad McLean, Willie Mallow, Michael Duritsky Jr., and Tincher rounded out the top five.
Steve Frazier would lead wire to wire to win the 4 cylinders ahead of Donnie Wamsley, Jason Frazier, Harold Hoard, Scott Crutchfield, and Justin Hornick.
Trey Watson and Logan Hitt (the only two feature winners, Watson with two and Hitt with three) battled door to door and nose to tail with Brandon Weigle right behind them. Watson would claim his third checkerboard. Hitt, Weigle, Paige Bragg and Alec Frazier crossed behind.
This week is the second annual Richard Skidmore Memorial for the Jenkins Ford Super Late Models as a $7,500 check awaits the driver who can beat some of the area's finest jockeys. A stellar field is expected to vie for the top prize. Defending race Champion Jacob Hawkins, along with Chuck Harper, Paul Wilmoth Jr., Butch McGill, Billy Holbert, Tim Senic will lead the local hot shoes againest the out of towners, Chris Garnes, Chris Meadows, Booper Bare who are expected.
Also on the card is the Renegades of Dirt Modifieds series as they fight for $1,500. Our Miller's Used Cars Modified regulars, Brent Trimble, Deana Groves, Mike Murphy and Phil Jeffries will square off with Bobby Kitchen, Bart Hartman, Rick Aukland, Kyle Strickler, Nick Hoffman, Mark and Travis Dickson and more.
Plus the EDGE Budweiser crate Late Models will pay $750 to win with $110 to start. And the Valley Supply Street Stocks will pay $350 with $60 to start this Friday. (July 13)
Both classes will be awarded double points as well!
For all the latest information, point standings, and more go to www.elkinsraceway.net
Super Late Models (20); Chuck Harper, Paul Wilmoth Jr., Tim Senic, Billy Holbert, Chris Garnes, Butch McGill, Dusty Hamrick, Shane Hitt, Richard Frazier, Jamie McCloud, Steve Weigle, Shaun Poling, John Parsons, Steve Booth, Billy Beachler, Charlie George, Bob Gordon, Bob Hershman, Chris Meadows, Skip Hare. Heats; Meadows, George, Holbert.
Crate Late Models (16); Shawn Jett, Kyle Thomas, Daniel Hill, Derek Rogers, Corey Metheny, Danny Thomas, Robert Cossell IV, Duane Moreland, Bob Norman, Chad Green, Louie Krushansky, Mike Thorne, Tracie Sampson, Greg Hicks, Tyler Stutler, Matt Lopez. Heats; K. Thomas, Hill.
Modifieds (14); Brent Trimble, Deana Groves, Junior Payne, Phil Jeffries, Matt Chenoweth, Jay Vandevender, Dylan Shafer, Kenny Harris, Nick Wilson, Mike Murphy, Steve Stover, Michael Cromer, Robert Smith, Jacob Shafer. Heats; Jeffries, Trimble.
Street Stocks (20); Jim Byers, Chad McLean, Willie Mallow, Michael Duritsky Jr., Ronnie Tincher, Ryan Watson, Jamie Keene, Rick Knicely, Michael Duritsky Sr., Bill Deem, James Nelson, Dustin Isner, Ricky Vest, J P Tallman, Bob Miller, Jason Mullens, Josh Mullenax, Jimbo Owens, Randy Bohan. DNS; Kenny Vest. Heats; Tincher, R. Vest, Duritsky Sr.
Mini Wedges (13); Trey Watson, Logan Hitt, Brandon Weigle, Paige Bragg, Alec Frazier, Kaitlyn Frazier, Elliot Newlon, Abby Watson, Austin Simmons, Skylar Moats, Caleb Nolan, Olivia Ferguson, Levi Nolan, Brett Coberly.
