Burke drivers Carswell, Barker both earn victories
Brian Carswell of Valdese won the Street Stock division at Harris Speedway in Rutherford County on April 11.
Harris Speedway hosted its “Bomber Wars” event on April 11, featuring six different divisions with 92 cars on hand.
Brian Carswell of Valdese, the 2005 Harris Speedway driver of the year and Street Stock track champion, drove his No. 13 back to victory lane. Carswell qualified second, quickly took over the lead from pole-sitter Steve Green, and was able to hold off Matt Whitener to pick up his first feature victory of the season.
Another local driver, Joey Barker, towed his Crown Vic north on I-77 to Friendship Speedway in Elkin on April 11. Barker made it look easy, picking up his fourth victory on three different tracks this season.
Burke County racer Joey Barker won the Crown Vic feature race at Friendship Speedway in Elkin on April 11.
The same day, Hickory Motor Speedway hosted the SMART Modified Tour Hickory 100. The 650-horsepower, open-wheel ground pounders always put on a great show.
Former NASCAR Cup Series regular Ryan Newman started from the pole and controlled the early stages of the race. Hickory driver Jack Crum passed Newman for the lead and paced the field before Jake Baldwin in the 7NC machine took over the top spot.
Baldwin looked to be heading to an easy victory when his right-front tire went flat, giving Danny Bohn his second checkered flag ahead of Brandon Ward.
Jeremy Mayfield in action at Tri-County
Mother Nature brought afternoon showers on April 4, but the sunshine returned and the local race fans were rewarded.
Tri-County Speedway in Hudson had a staggering 85 cars race in nine different divisions for the inaugural Skip Moser Memorial 335.
Former NASCAR Cup Series winner Jeremy Mayfield was on hand and raced in the 75-lap Late Model Stock feature.
“I live about 20 minutes from here and consider Tri-County our home track,” Mayfield said. “Our team plans to race the entire IHRA Late Model Tour this year and wanted to race close to home to shake down the car and work all the bugs out.”
Mayfield finished eighth in a race that saw Kaeden Ballas take the checkered flag ahead of Hudson Sharp. Mexico City driver Diego Mendez-Torres finished third while driving Justin Carroll’s No. 57 car.
Zack Franks won the 50-lap Limited Late Model feature. Chase Pollard finished second, and week one winner Walter Jenkins was third.
James Powell picked up his 108th victory by winning the Crown Vic feature. The Street Stock feature went to Gary Ledbetter, while Dakota Slagle won the 50-lap Outlaw feature and Isaac Harris took the checkered flag in the FWD event.
Bob Hayden won the 20-lap Vintage race, the Mini Stock feature went to Jason Garwood, and Klint Townsend of Lenoir won the Renegade race. Tri-County returns for week three of its season this evening (April 18).
Bumgarner takes HMS late model victory
Hickory Motor Speedway had sparks flying in the 75-lap Late Model main event on April 4. Defending track champion Michael Bumgarner took the checkered flag, but not without some controversy. Hudson driver Thomas Beane was leading the opening laps of the feature before Bumgarner passed him after the two battled side-by-side for 20-plus laps.
Beane pulled the crossover move, and the two got together on the front stretch, causing Beane to spin. Helio Meza finished in the runner-up position, and Beane ended up finishing last.
Chase Robinson won the Limited Late Model feature ahead of Mark Johnson and Lenoir driver Don Carlton.
HMS returns to regular weekly action today, and HorsePower Park will also be back in action today.
