Post by RedBud69 on Mar 31, 2009 14:40:51 GMT -5
Story by Bruce C. Walls
Photos by
Bruce C. Walls
Susan Taylor-Walls
March 21, 2009
Photos for stories here - redbudsclassics.smugmug.com/gallery/4180324#P-1-12
Five Double at N.C./VA Money Series Opener $13,000 Paid Out
MARGARETTSVILLE, N.C.-Five double winners highlighted the N.C./VA Money Series 2009 season opener Saturday March 21st. Almost 300 racers came to Margarettsville Speedway in Margarettsville, N.C. for a shot at earning part of a $13,000 purse. Two double winning Delawareans earned a large share of that purse, Brandon White of Lewes and Zach Bullis, of Millsboro; each topped two classes on the wide high-banked high-speed ¼-mile dirt oval. White’s wins earned him $1,500; Bullis pocketed $630 for a combined total of $2,130.
White won Animal Lite from the pole fighting off challenges from Austin Banker who was just 0.058-seconds late at the stripe. “It was all good until my head started wearing down,” described 16-year-old White who pilots a Mishue Motors powered Galaxy kart. “ It all went down hill from there. We got lucky enough to hold it. The kart was perfect. I couldn’t have asked for a better deal. They said I was checking out, but I started wearing down eventually.”
Kevin Turner crossed third followed in the top five by Shane Bass and Thomas Underwood.
A chance to win $1,000 lured many of the east coast’s karting elite to compete in Animal Heavy 375 lbs. Group qualifying laps determined thirty-two feature positions. Each group got three qualifying laps. White’s fastest qualifying lap earned him a third place start. His 14.107-seconds rounding was 0.26-seconds off pole winner Turner’s 14.081-seconds lap time.
When the initial green flag flew Turner took off. In just a few laps Turner built a huge lead over the talented field. Turner was closing in on traffic when suddenly crashing karts behind him brought out a full field caution that also evaporated his lead.
This time when green flag racing resumed Derek Hedgepeth was banging on his rear bumper. Turner shook off Hedgepeth’s challenges, but as Hedgepeth slipped back to third White roared by him heading for the front. Next time around White took the lead in time to get the five laps to go signal. Turner tried to take it back, but White was determined to win and did leaving Turner trailing at the finish line by 0.043-seconds.
“I knew I was doing something wrong at the beginning,” White explained. I finally figured I was dive-bombing them in the turns. After that it was all positive. I got past Turner and just took it from there. The kart was amazing the way it handled. It was just driver error in the beginning. Once I figured out what I was doing wrong it was just smooth sailing from there. I couldn’t ask for any better ride and I want to thank Jim Lumas for the helmet.”
Bullis earned Junior Sportsman 1 Lite’s pole with a 15.835-seconds top-qualifying lap. From there he had Devin Dodson fighting his Hertrich Auto sponsored P&P Speed Shop powered Phantom Icon chassis for the lead. Bullis finally ran a kart length away from Dodson for a little comfort and then the first of two caution flags flew.
When the green flag returned Bullis could feel Dodson close behind him. Dodson gave him a little scare pulling along beside him going into turn three. Bullis dropped down and held the lead. I just had to block him to stay out front,” described the 10-year-old double winner.
Dodson kept the pressure on trying to pass Bullis on the outside. He was positioning himself for a pass attempt when the second caution flag waved ending that opportunity.
“That last caution worried me,” Bullis admitted. “I thought Devin (Dodson) was going to get by me on the restart. He was doing good back there. I thought he was going to get me on the high side going down the straightaway, but I was sure he’d spin out in the corner.”
In the final laps Zachary Taylor took second from Dodson, but was never really a threat to Bullis who cruised across the finish line with a small, but comfortable, edge over Taylor. Further back Dylan Jackson and Carson Wright completed the top five.
“The kart was good, but during the last few laps it started getting tight,” Bullis said after his first win.
Later that night Dodson and Bullis shared Junior Sportsman 1 Heavy’s front row. Times of 16.106 and 16.222-seconds earned them those starting positions. Bullis blasted into the lead as Dodson drifted back into the field where he finished last. Carson Wright took second and offered Bullis some serious challenges along their way to the checkered flag. When it waved Bullis lead Wright under it.
“This is great getting two wins today,” Bullis beamed. “The kart was good. It was strolling. I was a little worried out there trying to make a move on Carson (Wright). I was a lot faster then he was, but I couldn’t get past him. Then I was under him when it came time to pass him so I did.”
Dougie Young, of Highland Springs, VA, dominated Stock Medium (350 lbs) and Stock Heavy (375 lb). Young was Stock Medium’s second fastest qualifier. David Meade earned the pole with a 14.687 seconds run beating out Young by 0.123-seconds. Their first start fizzled when karts behind them got together causing an initial lap caution. Meade led them single file back to the green flag. Piloting a Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Phantom Icon Young got around Meade for the early lead. Before he could expand that lead the caution flag ended his momentum. Young led the restart as he would several more times before it was over.
As Young ran away with the lead Corey Evans and David Stallings scrapped over second place. Evans won the fight for second at mid-race, but by then Young was ½-track ahead of him. Caution cut that lead again several laps later. In the final laps Evans tried to hang with him, but Young quickly put the last few laps in the book on his way to win number one.
“We happened to put the right four shoes on that ride today, and well, everything worked out our way,” Young explained through a smile. “There were a lot of red flags out there, but that was alright because my tires were good, motor was running good and the kart was excellent, I have to thank Scotty Bajer of BKS Kart Shop and everybody that helps me.”
Young was the sixth fastest Stock Heavy (375 lbs.) qualifier. His best effort of 15.041-seconds was 0.229-seconds slower than pole winner Tyler Gray’s 14.812-seconds run. Gray grabbed the early lead then had to do it again as caution waved during the opening lap.
Once they got going Young quickly shot out front opening a huge lead. As Young lead the way Gray and Kevin Elliott fought over second behind him. Young held the lead until the mid-race signal was shown. Gray found some momentum, secured second then powered past Young for the lead. The excitement heated up in the final laps. Gray took the white flag with Young challenging him for the lead. As they battled down the back straight Young got a run on Gray going into turn three. Gray tried to recapture the lead, but time and distance were against him as Young took the checkered flag.
Elliott held onto third and was followed across the stripe by David Stalling and Alicia Piland for the top five.
“It was tight there at the end, real tight,” Young described. “But we put it together. I’ve got a good crew Ray Crowley, Carmen Wood, Matt Smith, BKS Kart Shop, Phantom Racing Chassis, and Tod Miller Power. I can’t say enough everything went well and we got two today. It takes a lot of hard work to win two of these races, a lot of hours during the week making sure everything is pristine. You have to know what you’re doing and get err done.”
With a Moon Power South engine bolted on his Phantom Icon racing chassis 14-year-old Bradley Sacra, of Spotsylvania, VA, scored both Restricted Junior Lite and Heavy wins. Qualifying lap times of 14.664 and 14.529-seconds put Lewes, DE driver Alex White on the poles.
Austin Wyatt was second fastest qualifier and Sacra started behind White. Back markers crashing in turns one and two forced a single file restart. White brought them back to the green flag and showed the 27-race field around twice before caution waved again. When the green flag waved again Sacra was quick on the throttle. He shot by Wyatt closed in on White and two laps later he was leading.
Lap four saw the caution flag return. This time Sacra led them back to the green flag. From there Sacra held on as White and fifth fastest qualifier Chase Williams scrapped over second. In the final lap Williams won that position. White was third across the stripe followed in the top five by T.J. Bolton and Nicolas Ogles.
“He (Brandon White) was pretty fast,” credited the 14-year-old winner. “I knew I was faster so I went on ahead and made the move early. There were a lot of cautions. The last one worried me a little. I had to guard my line to keep it. The Icon Kart was perfect, I don’t know how it could get any better and the Moon Power South motor had plenty of power.”
Heavy’s start was a repeat of Lite’s. On the single file restart White quickly pulled away driving deep into turns one and two. After building a small cushion over the field caution returned cutting his lead. White led the restart and one more lap before Sacra slipped by him. Sacra led them through a trio of cautions before crossing the finish line with White behind him. Following White in the top five were Wyatt, Williams and Austin Babb.
In addition to the Briggs classes raced, two Box Stock Project (Clone) classes competed with Mike Banks besting both fields. “This, a nice facility and a nice track, it just came to me,” said the Richland, N.C. based racer. “I didn’t get to practice, I qualified last in the first class, but I qualified on the pole for this one.”
Banks threaded his way to second in the first feature following Dennis Carroway across the stripe. Carroway lost part of his tailpipe in the final laps. He was disqualified at tech and forced to surrender the Clone 375 lbs. win to Banks. Chad Wall advanced from third to second. Officially third through fifth were Ted Gerard, Evan Bryan and Aaron Hudson.
Banks blasted around the track in 16.797-seconds for Clone 400 lbs. pole. From there he was perfect for 20-laps. Wall followed him across the stripe with Hudson, Gerard and Gregory Wood behind him in the top five.
“The kart was hooked up. It’s my lucky day I guess,” “The Phantom kart was excellent they’re the best on the market I’d say. Hands down for the budget racer there’s no comparison. The class is growing; it’s a budget class for the Friday night racer who can afford to do it. It’s not just the money it’s also for the racer who hasn’t got time to prep tires or get an engine rebuilt and all the other kind of stuff. I’m sure there are boys running this class that can afford to run another class, but they don’t have the time to work on their kart. That’s my biggest thing ‘time’ I don’t’ have time to run other classes. It’s a great class, I enjoy it and it’s what brought me back to karting. ”
Ryan Fisher ruled Junior Sportsman Champ’s qualifying with a 16.788-seconds rounding. Camden Testerman took the other front row starting spot with a time that was 0.028-seconds slower. Behind them in row two were Chester, VA racer Ryan O’Conner and Blaine Sharp.
Fisher led several laps with O’Conner tucked in tightly behind him. O’Conner saw an opening and took the lead. Next time around they reached lapped traffic. They went three-wide with traffic in the middle. O’Conner went high; Fisher took the low line and the lead with stunning displays of driving talent from both lead drivers as they continued threading through traffic.
Caution waved shortly after that part of the show. Fisher led the restart. O’Conner shot by him as they rounded turn two. As they battled down the back straight Fisher got a piece of it back. They diced the lead for two laps, and then caution returned. O’Conner was leading when racing was halted and led the restart.
Mason Bailey passed Fisher on the restart and began challenging O’Conner. Bailey tried to get around O’Conner high and low. O’Conner shut him out and held the lead down to the stripe. Logan Willis, Justin Kirby and Blaine Sharp rounded out the top five.
“We help him (Mason Bailey). He’s a good driver. It’s his first race here. He’s did pretty good. When he got me on the white flag lap I didn’t know to think or if I could get back by him or not. The Tod Miller Racing Engine was awesome and so was the Rage Nitro kart.”
Brian Farrow, Jr. was the fastest of 14-Non Pro qualifiers. Farrow, Jr.’s 15.161-seconds qualifying lap was 0.038-seconds then Alicia Piland’s 15.199-seconds best effort. Behind them Justin Ward and Kayla Watson occupied row two.
Piland hustled into the early lead. Caution waved as Piland was showing them for a second lap. Piland led the restart with Ward, Kayla Watson and James Robbins, Jr. battling over second behind her. Ward secured second and set his sites on Piland. He passed her and pulled away from the field. In the final laps Ward ran away with the lead. Cody Gregory trailed a distant second. Piland held onto third with Robbins, Jr. and Jeffrey Stroud behind her in the top five.
“I got shuffled back one time. I just had to keep on going to get there,” explained Ward, of Tyner, N.C. “That was the best I could do. The Millenium Kart was perfect, beautiful and Tod Miller’s motor was pulling hard.”
Crockernub, N.C. competitor Eddie Wall paced Senior Champ’s qualifying with a 14.725-seconds run that was 0.386-seconds faster than Edward Buck’s 15.093-seconds effort. Wall shot into the early lead and never looked back. Behind him Buck, Brandon Comer, Darek McCauley and Tanner Aman completed the top five of 15 entries.
“We sat on the pole and kind of checked out it felt like. We did the best we could. I don’t know how I could have gotten the Trick/Olimpic kart any better if I tried and P&P Speed Shop motors are the best out there on the market; no doubt about it.”
Just 0.006-seconds separated Jason Manes and Richlands, VA racer Donny Alpin in Stock Super Heavy’s qualifying. From the outside pole Alpin was perfect. He rocketed into the early lead and away from the rest of the field. Manes followed him in second.
The race’s real battle was for third. Chris Garris was there when it counted. Behind him in fourth and fifth were Duane Wade and Wes Morgan.
“The kart was tight and the driver was tired,” Alpin laughed. “We did alright we hung in there. That Tod Miller Racing Engines power is all it took. We took the lead on lap one and led every one of them from there. The driver is just tired.”
Trevor Brightwell topped Junior Sportsman 2 Lite. The 11-year-old Mechanicsville, VA based Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Phantom Kart pilot beat pole winner Van Davis to the stripe. Outside pole winner Christopher Phillips captured the early going leaving Davis and Brightwell to battle over second. On lap five the first of two caution flags flew. Phillips huge lead evaporated.
Phillips broke from the field on the restart with Davis hot on his tailpipe. Davis pressured Phillips for three laps before taking the lead from him. They got the five laps to go signal and things heated up. Brightwell took second and was fighting hard for the lead. Phillips took the white flag. But Brightwell wasn’t giving up.
“The white flag lap was interesting. I didn’t think I could do it there, but then they shot up the track. I took the only chance I would get,” Brightwell explained. Brightwell took the checkered flag. Crossing close behind in second and third were Davis and Phillips. Further back Blaine Sharp and Justin Kirby completed the podium.
“The Icon kart handled really well, extremely well and Tod Miller’s motor was powerful,” Brightwell added.
Another of the Brightwell clan, Michael, followed with a win in Senior Stock. Michael clinched the pole and the win piloting a Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Phantom kart. Brightwell bagged the pole in 14.378-seconds. The only thing slowing him on his way to the checkered flag was a caution flag. Something that always worries a race leader.
“There’s always a chance the tires cool off and you make a little slip and they can get by you. That’s racing,” Brightwell said. The Phantom Icon kart handled great. We finally got the right tires on it today; we’ve been struggling with tires lately, so we finally put the right four on. Tod’s motor was flawless as usual.”
Outside pole winner Wes Morgan held second. Craig Schill crossed third, Stuart Jennings followed in fourth and Shawn Fitzmorris crossed fifth.
Tyler Warriner won Junior Champ. The 15-year-old Glen Allen, VA based Mishue Racing Engines powered Eclipse kart pilot was third fastest qualifier 0.119-seconds slower than pole winner G.R. Waldrop’s 15.558-seconds trip.
Warriner quickly worked his way to the front, built a comfortable lead and then had Brockwell close in on him in the final laps threatening his lead until he took the checkered flag. Spencer Malick, Bailey Moore and Tim O’Conner completed the top five.
“I was worried about him (Dylan Brockwell) closing in on me there on the final laps and I had to start blocking,” Warriner said. “The Eclipse kart was handling real good and Eddie Mishue’s motor was strong. He builds some awesome motors.”
Kevin Turner was the fastest of 27-Animal Medium (350 lbs.) qualifiers. His 14.173-seconds run was 0.064-seconds faster than White’s best effort. After two failed attempts at getting started Turner led them single file back to the green flag. This time the field fought nose-to-tail through turns one and two. Then as they exited turn two racers battled two and three wide behind them down the back straight. Turner continued expanding his lead. He reached the field’s tail and took on traffic. He ripped through the field until the checkered flag flew.
Jared Jackson fought his way from an eighth place start to a second place finish. Richard Noblitt followed him from seventh to third. Stephen Adams finished where he started in fourth and Brandon McGee battled his way from 14th to fifth.
“We learned a little bit from Animal Lite, worked on it and got a little better for this race. The kart handled pretty good the whole race that time and the P&P Speed Shop motor was strong the whole time.”
Bingo, N.C. based Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Phantom kart pilot Christopher Phillips produced Junior 2 Heavy’s win. Van Davis clocked the pole time in 15.243-seconds. Phillips was second fastest at 15.436-seconds.
Phillips hustled into the early lead. Fifth fastest qualifier Blaine Sharp quickly shot into second pulled along side of Phillips and passed him for the lead. As they battled down the back straight Phillips recaptured the lead. In the final laps Davis and Kirby closed in on him threatening Phillips as he reached lapped traffic.
“The last lap was scary I thought they were going to pass me because of lapped karts, but they didn’t and I was happy, said the 13-year-old winner. “My dad and Cliff and everybody that helped me are what gave me the win. The kart handled good and the motor was good to it had a lot of power.
Behind Phillips Davis, Kirby, Logan Willis and Sharp rounded out the top five.
N.C./VA Money Series racers return to Margarettsville Speedway April 11th, July 18th and August 22nd.
Photos by
Bruce C. Walls
Susan Taylor-Walls
March 21, 2009
Photos for stories here - redbudsclassics.smugmug.com/gallery/4180324#P-1-12
Five Double at N.C./VA Money Series Opener $13,000 Paid Out
MARGARETTSVILLE, N.C.-Five double winners highlighted the N.C./VA Money Series 2009 season opener Saturday March 21st. Almost 300 racers came to Margarettsville Speedway in Margarettsville, N.C. for a shot at earning part of a $13,000 purse. Two double winning Delawareans earned a large share of that purse, Brandon White of Lewes and Zach Bullis, of Millsboro; each topped two classes on the wide high-banked high-speed ¼-mile dirt oval. White’s wins earned him $1,500; Bullis pocketed $630 for a combined total of $2,130.
White won Animal Lite from the pole fighting off challenges from Austin Banker who was just 0.058-seconds late at the stripe. “It was all good until my head started wearing down,” described 16-year-old White who pilots a Mishue Motors powered Galaxy kart. “ It all went down hill from there. We got lucky enough to hold it. The kart was perfect. I couldn’t have asked for a better deal. They said I was checking out, but I started wearing down eventually.”
Kevin Turner crossed third followed in the top five by Shane Bass and Thomas Underwood.
A chance to win $1,000 lured many of the east coast’s karting elite to compete in Animal Heavy 375 lbs. Group qualifying laps determined thirty-two feature positions. Each group got three qualifying laps. White’s fastest qualifying lap earned him a third place start. His 14.107-seconds rounding was 0.26-seconds off pole winner Turner’s 14.081-seconds lap time.
When the initial green flag flew Turner took off. In just a few laps Turner built a huge lead over the talented field. Turner was closing in on traffic when suddenly crashing karts behind him brought out a full field caution that also evaporated his lead.
This time when green flag racing resumed Derek Hedgepeth was banging on his rear bumper. Turner shook off Hedgepeth’s challenges, but as Hedgepeth slipped back to third White roared by him heading for the front. Next time around White took the lead in time to get the five laps to go signal. Turner tried to take it back, but White was determined to win and did leaving Turner trailing at the finish line by 0.043-seconds.
“I knew I was doing something wrong at the beginning,” White explained. I finally figured I was dive-bombing them in the turns. After that it was all positive. I got past Turner and just took it from there. The kart was amazing the way it handled. It was just driver error in the beginning. Once I figured out what I was doing wrong it was just smooth sailing from there. I couldn’t ask for any better ride and I want to thank Jim Lumas for the helmet.”
Bullis earned Junior Sportsman 1 Lite’s pole with a 15.835-seconds top-qualifying lap. From there he had Devin Dodson fighting his Hertrich Auto sponsored P&P Speed Shop powered Phantom Icon chassis for the lead. Bullis finally ran a kart length away from Dodson for a little comfort and then the first of two caution flags flew.
When the green flag returned Bullis could feel Dodson close behind him. Dodson gave him a little scare pulling along beside him going into turn three. Bullis dropped down and held the lead. I just had to block him to stay out front,” described the 10-year-old double winner.
Dodson kept the pressure on trying to pass Bullis on the outside. He was positioning himself for a pass attempt when the second caution flag waved ending that opportunity.
“That last caution worried me,” Bullis admitted. “I thought Devin (Dodson) was going to get by me on the restart. He was doing good back there. I thought he was going to get me on the high side going down the straightaway, but I was sure he’d spin out in the corner.”
In the final laps Zachary Taylor took second from Dodson, but was never really a threat to Bullis who cruised across the finish line with a small, but comfortable, edge over Taylor. Further back Dylan Jackson and Carson Wright completed the top five.
“The kart was good, but during the last few laps it started getting tight,” Bullis said after his first win.
Later that night Dodson and Bullis shared Junior Sportsman 1 Heavy’s front row. Times of 16.106 and 16.222-seconds earned them those starting positions. Bullis blasted into the lead as Dodson drifted back into the field where he finished last. Carson Wright took second and offered Bullis some serious challenges along their way to the checkered flag. When it waved Bullis lead Wright under it.
“This is great getting two wins today,” Bullis beamed. “The kart was good. It was strolling. I was a little worried out there trying to make a move on Carson (Wright). I was a lot faster then he was, but I couldn’t get past him. Then I was under him when it came time to pass him so I did.”
Dougie Young, of Highland Springs, VA, dominated Stock Medium (350 lbs) and Stock Heavy (375 lb). Young was Stock Medium’s second fastest qualifier. David Meade earned the pole with a 14.687 seconds run beating out Young by 0.123-seconds. Their first start fizzled when karts behind them got together causing an initial lap caution. Meade led them single file back to the green flag. Piloting a Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Phantom Icon Young got around Meade for the early lead. Before he could expand that lead the caution flag ended his momentum. Young led the restart as he would several more times before it was over.
As Young ran away with the lead Corey Evans and David Stallings scrapped over second place. Evans won the fight for second at mid-race, but by then Young was ½-track ahead of him. Caution cut that lead again several laps later. In the final laps Evans tried to hang with him, but Young quickly put the last few laps in the book on his way to win number one.
“We happened to put the right four shoes on that ride today, and well, everything worked out our way,” Young explained through a smile. “There were a lot of red flags out there, but that was alright because my tires were good, motor was running good and the kart was excellent, I have to thank Scotty Bajer of BKS Kart Shop and everybody that helps me.”
Young was the sixth fastest Stock Heavy (375 lbs.) qualifier. His best effort of 15.041-seconds was 0.229-seconds slower than pole winner Tyler Gray’s 14.812-seconds run. Gray grabbed the early lead then had to do it again as caution waved during the opening lap.
Once they got going Young quickly shot out front opening a huge lead. As Young lead the way Gray and Kevin Elliott fought over second behind him. Young held the lead until the mid-race signal was shown. Gray found some momentum, secured second then powered past Young for the lead. The excitement heated up in the final laps. Gray took the white flag with Young challenging him for the lead. As they battled down the back straight Young got a run on Gray going into turn three. Gray tried to recapture the lead, but time and distance were against him as Young took the checkered flag.
Elliott held onto third and was followed across the stripe by David Stalling and Alicia Piland for the top five.
“It was tight there at the end, real tight,” Young described. “But we put it together. I’ve got a good crew Ray Crowley, Carmen Wood, Matt Smith, BKS Kart Shop, Phantom Racing Chassis, and Tod Miller Power. I can’t say enough everything went well and we got two today. It takes a lot of hard work to win two of these races, a lot of hours during the week making sure everything is pristine. You have to know what you’re doing and get err done.”
With a Moon Power South engine bolted on his Phantom Icon racing chassis 14-year-old Bradley Sacra, of Spotsylvania, VA, scored both Restricted Junior Lite and Heavy wins. Qualifying lap times of 14.664 and 14.529-seconds put Lewes, DE driver Alex White on the poles.
Austin Wyatt was second fastest qualifier and Sacra started behind White. Back markers crashing in turns one and two forced a single file restart. White brought them back to the green flag and showed the 27-race field around twice before caution waved again. When the green flag waved again Sacra was quick on the throttle. He shot by Wyatt closed in on White and two laps later he was leading.
Lap four saw the caution flag return. This time Sacra led them back to the green flag. From there Sacra held on as White and fifth fastest qualifier Chase Williams scrapped over second. In the final lap Williams won that position. White was third across the stripe followed in the top five by T.J. Bolton and Nicolas Ogles.
“He (Brandon White) was pretty fast,” credited the 14-year-old winner. “I knew I was faster so I went on ahead and made the move early. There were a lot of cautions. The last one worried me a little. I had to guard my line to keep it. The Icon Kart was perfect, I don’t know how it could get any better and the Moon Power South motor had plenty of power.”
Heavy’s start was a repeat of Lite’s. On the single file restart White quickly pulled away driving deep into turns one and two. After building a small cushion over the field caution returned cutting his lead. White led the restart and one more lap before Sacra slipped by him. Sacra led them through a trio of cautions before crossing the finish line with White behind him. Following White in the top five were Wyatt, Williams and Austin Babb.
In addition to the Briggs classes raced, two Box Stock Project (Clone) classes competed with Mike Banks besting both fields. “This, a nice facility and a nice track, it just came to me,” said the Richland, N.C. based racer. “I didn’t get to practice, I qualified last in the first class, but I qualified on the pole for this one.”
Banks threaded his way to second in the first feature following Dennis Carroway across the stripe. Carroway lost part of his tailpipe in the final laps. He was disqualified at tech and forced to surrender the Clone 375 lbs. win to Banks. Chad Wall advanced from third to second. Officially third through fifth were Ted Gerard, Evan Bryan and Aaron Hudson.
Banks blasted around the track in 16.797-seconds for Clone 400 lbs. pole. From there he was perfect for 20-laps. Wall followed him across the stripe with Hudson, Gerard and Gregory Wood behind him in the top five.
“The kart was hooked up. It’s my lucky day I guess,” “The Phantom kart was excellent they’re the best on the market I’d say. Hands down for the budget racer there’s no comparison. The class is growing; it’s a budget class for the Friday night racer who can afford to do it. It’s not just the money it’s also for the racer who hasn’t got time to prep tires or get an engine rebuilt and all the other kind of stuff. I’m sure there are boys running this class that can afford to run another class, but they don’t have the time to work on their kart. That’s my biggest thing ‘time’ I don’t’ have time to run other classes. It’s a great class, I enjoy it and it’s what brought me back to karting. ”
Ryan Fisher ruled Junior Sportsman Champ’s qualifying with a 16.788-seconds rounding. Camden Testerman took the other front row starting spot with a time that was 0.028-seconds slower. Behind them in row two were Chester, VA racer Ryan O’Conner and Blaine Sharp.
Fisher led several laps with O’Conner tucked in tightly behind him. O’Conner saw an opening and took the lead. Next time around they reached lapped traffic. They went three-wide with traffic in the middle. O’Conner went high; Fisher took the low line and the lead with stunning displays of driving talent from both lead drivers as they continued threading through traffic.
Caution waved shortly after that part of the show. Fisher led the restart. O’Conner shot by him as they rounded turn two. As they battled down the back straight Fisher got a piece of it back. They diced the lead for two laps, and then caution returned. O’Conner was leading when racing was halted and led the restart.
Mason Bailey passed Fisher on the restart and began challenging O’Conner. Bailey tried to get around O’Conner high and low. O’Conner shut him out and held the lead down to the stripe. Logan Willis, Justin Kirby and Blaine Sharp rounded out the top five.
“We help him (Mason Bailey). He’s a good driver. It’s his first race here. He’s did pretty good. When he got me on the white flag lap I didn’t know to think or if I could get back by him or not. The Tod Miller Racing Engine was awesome and so was the Rage Nitro kart.”
Brian Farrow, Jr. was the fastest of 14-Non Pro qualifiers. Farrow, Jr.’s 15.161-seconds qualifying lap was 0.038-seconds then Alicia Piland’s 15.199-seconds best effort. Behind them Justin Ward and Kayla Watson occupied row two.
Piland hustled into the early lead. Caution waved as Piland was showing them for a second lap. Piland led the restart with Ward, Kayla Watson and James Robbins, Jr. battling over second behind her. Ward secured second and set his sites on Piland. He passed her and pulled away from the field. In the final laps Ward ran away with the lead. Cody Gregory trailed a distant second. Piland held onto third with Robbins, Jr. and Jeffrey Stroud behind her in the top five.
“I got shuffled back one time. I just had to keep on going to get there,” explained Ward, of Tyner, N.C. “That was the best I could do. The Millenium Kart was perfect, beautiful and Tod Miller’s motor was pulling hard.”
Crockernub, N.C. competitor Eddie Wall paced Senior Champ’s qualifying with a 14.725-seconds run that was 0.386-seconds faster than Edward Buck’s 15.093-seconds effort. Wall shot into the early lead and never looked back. Behind him Buck, Brandon Comer, Darek McCauley and Tanner Aman completed the top five of 15 entries.
“We sat on the pole and kind of checked out it felt like. We did the best we could. I don’t know how I could have gotten the Trick/Olimpic kart any better if I tried and P&P Speed Shop motors are the best out there on the market; no doubt about it.”
Just 0.006-seconds separated Jason Manes and Richlands, VA racer Donny Alpin in Stock Super Heavy’s qualifying. From the outside pole Alpin was perfect. He rocketed into the early lead and away from the rest of the field. Manes followed him in second.
The race’s real battle was for third. Chris Garris was there when it counted. Behind him in fourth and fifth were Duane Wade and Wes Morgan.
“The kart was tight and the driver was tired,” Alpin laughed. “We did alright we hung in there. That Tod Miller Racing Engines power is all it took. We took the lead on lap one and led every one of them from there. The driver is just tired.”
Trevor Brightwell topped Junior Sportsman 2 Lite. The 11-year-old Mechanicsville, VA based Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Phantom Kart pilot beat pole winner Van Davis to the stripe. Outside pole winner Christopher Phillips captured the early going leaving Davis and Brightwell to battle over second. On lap five the first of two caution flags flew. Phillips huge lead evaporated.
Phillips broke from the field on the restart with Davis hot on his tailpipe. Davis pressured Phillips for three laps before taking the lead from him. They got the five laps to go signal and things heated up. Brightwell took second and was fighting hard for the lead. Phillips took the white flag. But Brightwell wasn’t giving up.
“The white flag lap was interesting. I didn’t think I could do it there, but then they shot up the track. I took the only chance I would get,” Brightwell explained. Brightwell took the checkered flag. Crossing close behind in second and third were Davis and Phillips. Further back Blaine Sharp and Justin Kirby completed the podium.
“The Icon kart handled really well, extremely well and Tod Miller’s motor was powerful,” Brightwell added.
Another of the Brightwell clan, Michael, followed with a win in Senior Stock. Michael clinched the pole and the win piloting a Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Phantom kart. Brightwell bagged the pole in 14.378-seconds. The only thing slowing him on his way to the checkered flag was a caution flag. Something that always worries a race leader.
“There’s always a chance the tires cool off and you make a little slip and they can get by you. That’s racing,” Brightwell said. The Phantom Icon kart handled great. We finally got the right tires on it today; we’ve been struggling with tires lately, so we finally put the right four on. Tod’s motor was flawless as usual.”
Outside pole winner Wes Morgan held second. Craig Schill crossed third, Stuart Jennings followed in fourth and Shawn Fitzmorris crossed fifth.
Tyler Warriner won Junior Champ. The 15-year-old Glen Allen, VA based Mishue Racing Engines powered Eclipse kart pilot was third fastest qualifier 0.119-seconds slower than pole winner G.R. Waldrop’s 15.558-seconds trip.
Warriner quickly worked his way to the front, built a comfortable lead and then had Brockwell close in on him in the final laps threatening his lead until he took the checkered flag. Spencer Malick, Bailey Moore and Tim O’Conner completed the top five.
“I was worried about him (Dylan Brockwell) closing in on me there on the final laps and I had to start blocking,” Warriner said. “The Eclipse kart was handling real good and Eddie Mishue’s motor was strong. He builds some awesome motors.”
Kevin Turner was the fastest of 27-Animal Medium (350 lbs.) qualifiers. His 14.173-seconds run was 0.064-seconds faster than White’s best effort. After two failed attempts at getting started Turner led them single file back to the green flag. This time the field fought nose-to-tail through turns one and two. Then as they exited turn two racers battled two and three wide behind them down the back straight. Turner continued expanding his lead. He reached the field’s tail and took on traffic. He ripped through the field until the checkered flag flew.
Jared Jackson fought his way from an eighth place start to a second place finish. Richard Noblitt followed him from seventh to third. Stephen Adams finished where he started in fourth and Brandon McGee battled his way from 14th to fifth.
“We learned a little bit from Animal Lite, worked on it and got a little better for this race. The kart handled pretty good the whole race that time and the P&P Speed Shop motor was strong the whole time.”
Bingo, N.C. based Tod Miller Racing Engines powered Phantom kart pilot Christopher Phillips produced Junior 2 Heavy’s win. Van Davis clocked the pole time in 15.243-seconds. Phillips was second fastest at 15.436-seconds.
Phillips hustled into the early lead. Fifth fastest qualifier Blaine Sharp quickly shot into second pulled along side of Phillips and passed him for the lead. As they battled down the back straight Phillips recaptured the lead. In the final laps Davis and Kirby closed in on him threatening Phillips as he reached lapped traffic.
“The last lap was scary I thought they were going to pass me because of lapped karts, but they didn’t and I was happy, said the 13-year-old winner. “My dad and Cliff and everybody that helped me are what gave me the win. The kart handled good and the motor was good to it had a lot of power.
Behind Phillips Davis, Kirby, Logan Willis and Sharp rounded out the top five.
N.C./VA Money Series racers return to Margarettsville Speedway April 11th, July 18th and August 22nd.