Elkins Raceway
May 11, 2012
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Benedum bests Late Models in season opener Friday night at Elkins Raceway

KERENS, W.V. (May 11) - The Elkins Raceway opened it’s gates for Fast and Friendly Pharmacy night. The 2012 season lid lifter Friday night had a great crowd who braved to cool temperatures and field of cars. Over 180 loads of clay had been worked onto the track in the off season, and side by side racing returned to the 3/8 mile track.

In the Jenkins Ford Late Models Chuck Harper flew to the point at the drop of the green. But a quick yellow for Jacob Hawkins near flip on the backchute set up a restart. On the second attempt, Harper again out dragged Mike Benedum to the first turn, but the yellow fell again for a yet another restart. On the third try, Harper again snared the front spot with Benedum, Shane Hitt, Mason Zeigler and Jared Hawkins in tow. The go rounds clicked off with Harper covering to field, leaving Benedum, Hawkins, Hitt and now Paul Wilmoth Jr. to battle for second.  The race stayed green as the leaders darted in and out of the backmarkers until the race was stopped on lap 18 when Jamie McCloud and Derek Doll tangled in turn four..  On the restart Harper had suffered mechanical problems with a left front shock. He drifted high in turns one and two letting Benedum and Hawkins to slip by. Two more late cautions slowed the event, but Benedum was able to fend off Hawkins ending a long dry spell. Wilmoth, Harper and Hitt would round out the top five. Benedum parked the BSI Well Service #25 in to victory lane and dedicated the race to his Mother who is battling cancer. Benedum, Harper and Zeigler scored the prelims. Butch McGill was the Leggett Refrigeration Hard Charger. 

Duane Moreland snagged the lead in the Budweiser Edge crate motor Late Model finale with Daniel Hill, Donnie Dotson, Chad Green and Kyle Thomas quickly falling in behind. A early stoppage on lap four for Shawn Jett  who loped his car in turn four, let Hill pull even with Moreland on the restart. On the next circuit Moreland slid high in turn one and continued as he dropped off the racing surface on the back stretch bringing out the yellow . Hill inherited the lead and never relinquished it. After a lengthy caution on lap 16, Hill picked up where ghe left off, driving away from the field. The third generation driver put his brand new Perkins Supply / Larry’s Western Shop #8 into victory circle. Dotson, Thomas (who was the only driver eligible for the ‘back to back wins’ bonus with Tyler County) Louie Krushansky and Norm Weaver completed the top five. Hill and Moreland won the heats.

Vic Vandergrift would lead wire to wire in the Miller’s Used Cars Modified feature enroute to the checkers. Dave Defibaugh gave chase as he had to fend off Phil Jeffries. Robbie Scott and Mike Murphy would cross the line in fourth and fifth. Vandergrift driving the Tri City Electric / Hassey Chassis #V16 also won his heat, while Defibaugh took the other prelim. 

After the third try Mike Duritsky grabbed the point in the Valley Supply Street Stock finale and held back a late charge from Jim Byers for the checkerboard. C J McClean, Samantha Rogers and Ricky Vest were third through fifth. Ronnie Tincher and Duritsky won the heats. The Pennsylvania driver sports Fayette NAPA / Mike’s Auto Repair on his #90.

Although they were not expected to race, nine 4 cylinders pulled in.  On a last lap bump and run, Dusty Wamsley edged Billy Bunnell at the stripe for the checkers. David Bunnell, Scott Crutchfield and Billy Martin rounded out the top five. Wamsley also notched the heat. 

In the Mini Wedges, Trey Watson and Logan Hitt put on a whale of a battle for the win as Watson got the nod at the stripe. Paige Bragg, Kaitlyn Frazier (from the tail) and Alec Frazier crossed behind the front duo. A. Frazier and Hitt won the prelims. 

This Friday at the Elkins Raceway is the first night of a topless double header. The Edge Andrenaline Tour for crate motor Late Models invade the 3/8 mile for a $1,000 to win Elza’s Cycle and ATVs Topless 25. The following night the Edge tour will travel to Tyler County Speedway. For all the latest information and point standings go to www.elkinsraceway.net

  
Late Models; Mike Benedum, Jared Hawkins, Paul Wilmoth Jr., Shane Hitt, Tim Senic, Mason Zeigler, Butch McGill, Billy Holbert, Bob Gordon, Jamie McCloud, Shaun Poling, Dusty hamrick, Skip Hare, Derek Doll, Jacob Hawkins, Tracie Sampson, Charlie George, Cody Hardesty. Heats; Benedum, Harper, Zeigler.

Edge crates; Daniel Hill, Donnie Dotson, Kyle Thomas, Louie Krushansky, Norm Weaver, Cody Rogers, Robert Cossell IV, Shawn Jett, Greg Hicks, Mike Thorne, Duane Moreland, Bob Norman, Chad Green, Joey Jenkins, Matt Lopez, Mike Lewis. Heats; Hill, Moreland.

Modified; Vic Vandergrift, Dave Defibaugh,, Phil Jeffries, Robbie Scott, Mike Murphy, Brent Trimble, Deana Groves, Matthew Chenoweth, Larry Harris, Robert Smith, Bill Vandevender, Larry Atha. DNS; Michael Cromer. Heats; Vandergrift, Defibaugh.

Street Stocks; Mike Duritsky, Jim Byers, C J McClean, Samantha Rogers, Ricky Vest, James Billie, Ryan Watson, JR Auvil, Kenny Vest, Rick Knicely, Ronnie Tincher, Dusty Isner, James Nelson, Patrick Zirkle, Randy Bohan, J P Tallman. DNS; Dusty Swecker. Heats; Tincher, Duristsky.

4 cylinders; Dusty Wamsley, Billy Bunnell, David Bunnell, Scott Crutchfield, Billy Martin, David Propst, Jason Frazier. DNS; Mike Frazier. Heats; Wamsley.

Mini Wedges; Trey Watson, Logan Hitt, Paige Bragg, Kaitlyn Frazier, Alec Frazier, Levi Nolan, Elliotn Newlon, Caleb Nolan, Austin Simmons, Skylar Moats, Chance McCartney, Abby Watson, Olivia Ferguson. Heats; A. Frazier, Hitt.