Photo Courtesy of Boyd’s Speedway
When it comes to March many think March Madness! But for regional drivers and race fans it the time to head to the race track. Boyd’s Speedway kicked off the 2016 season with the Lucky Star 40.
Schaeffer Oil Super Late Models
Schaeffer Oil Super Late Models were ready to storm the 1/3 mile clay oval. While many were there just to get a little racing done some were there for a much bigger reason. Many of the nations finest were there to tune up for the upcoming Lucas Oil Series 50 on April 1st. With a Super Late Model list of drivers that included: Donald McIntosh, Corey Hedgecock, Jason Croft, Jared Landers, Randy Weaver, Jonathan Davenport and local favorite Dale McDowell. All were ready to tame the 1/3 mile high banks.
With 34 Super Late Models lined up for their 2 laps of qualifying, it was local fan favorite Dale McDowell that showed the way around with a fast time of 14.651 followed by Corey Hedgecock with a 14.700. Murphy’s NC native David Payne was third with a 14.748 and rounding out the top five qualifiers were Donald MacIntosh and Jonathan Davenport. The Top 4 Dash would see Corey Hedgecock make a late Dash pass of Dale McDowell to take the pole for the evenings forty lapper. The remainder of the field was completed with four Heats setting the twenty-two car-starting grid.
With Corey Hedgecock and Dale McDowell leading the field from the front row the green would wave and see a No. 17M dart to the early lead from the outside. A lap eight caution would retire the machine of Anthony White in what appeared to be a suspension problem. McDowell held a commanding lead until a lap fourteen caution for oil that was coming from the No. 22 of Tim Busha. On the restart Donald McIntosh would take the opportunity and would get around Hedgecock for second. A couple more cautions would slow the field, but when the smoke and dust had cleared Chickamauga’s Dale McDowell would take the checkered flag followed by McIntosh, Hedgecock Jared Landers and Randy “The Dream” Weaver.
Feature Races
But before we would tackle the Super Late Model Main Event a couple of local divisions would compete in their evening feature races. First brought the “Heavy Weights” B-Hobby’s to front straightaway for their fifteen lap Feature Event. With Logan Walston leading the field to the green he would take the early lead until a lap 5 caution for a slowed No. 43 driven by Charles Williams and he would be assisted to the pits. Once back under way Logan Walston would lead every lap to the finish, but a post-race refusal to breakdown would see his victory handed to No. 18 Adrian Williams followed by Jr. Pierce.
Topless Sportsman Class
Next would bring the Topless Sportsman the newest class to the racing surface for the twenty-five lap Feature Event. An early spin for No. 9 Sam Gibson would bring out the events first caution. As Mr. Gibson would get his machine headed in the right direction the No. D22 Daniel Brewer would see his night come to an early end with mechanical problems on the backstretch. Once back under way Josh Walker continued to hold the upper hand on second place and Cabin Fever Winner No. 44 Beau Bice. Another yellow flew on lap five with Shane Langston and Sam Gibson getting together in turn two. Several more cautions would fly but in the end Josh Walker took his first Sportsman Feature Event followed by Beau Bice, Justin Winters, Jason Layne and Matt Thompson.
In the Pony division the No. B20 of Brad Cross would see his fortunes turn to the good as the No. 99 which led all but two laps be DQ’d at the scales handing Mr. Cross his first victory of the season. Following Cross was the No. 80, No. 29, No. 20R and No. 777.
Crate Late Models
The last Feature of the evening would see the ever-competitive Crate Late Models fight it out over thirty laps. Jeff Smith (making his Boyd’s Speedway appearance after a long rehab) would lead the field to the green. Smith would take the early lead and the only lead of the night as Smith would lead all thirty laps on his way to take the $1500 top prize. Following Smith was Corey Hedgecock (doing the Double) followed by “The Youngster” Cruz Skinner and filling out the top five was No. 39 driven by Eddie King Jr. and No. 85 of Tom Maddox.
Coming Up Next Week
Next week Boyd’s Speedway goes back to the regular Friday Night Event with a full slate of Racing in all Divisions including the weekly Super Late Model Division. Make plans for the Big Event on April 1st as the Lucas Oil Series storms in way back through the Tennessee Valley. Come early and get the best seat for a great night of racing.
Compiled by Kent Whitaker from Track Reports
