Potomac Speedway
July 27, 2012
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Hollidge Scores Dominating Win in Potomac’s Van Meter Memorial
Reynolds Breaks Through for First Modified Win

by Doug Watson
Budds Creek, MD- Mechanicsville Md.’s Dale Hollidge was triumphant for the first time this season, and the second time in his career, in last Friday night’s 35-lap Gene Van Meter memorial at Potomac speedway. Hollidge’s win, his first since July of 2010, was worth $2000 and made him the fifth different winner in the six races run for the class this season.

Hollidge and Jeff Pilkerton shared the front row for the start of the event. Hollidge made the most of his good fortune as he blasted in to the race lead as the field raced off turn two. As Hollidge lead, sixth-starting, and defending Potomac track champion, David Williams reached second by the seventh-lap. Williams would then chase Hollidge over the remaining twenty-seven laps but would not get close enough to mount a challenge and would settle for runner-up honors.

“We changed a bunch of stuff on the car (MasterSbilt/Hershey) the past few weeks and it was as good as it’s been all season.” Hollidge stated in his post race interview. “I spoke to Daryl Hills earlier in the week and he gave us some advice on what to do with our shocks, and the car seemed to respond real well.” Track conditions played a role in Hollidge’s winning drive. “The track was good.” Hollidge emphasized. “When it gets kind of black the way it did tonight It’s my style of track and I knew if I stayed in the groove we’d be ok. I just want to thank my mom and dad and everyone who helps on the car, it sure does feel good to win again.” Matt Quade took third, Steven Axtell Jr. was fourth and Stevie Long completed the top-five. Heats went to Hollidge and Ryan Hackett.

Mike Reynolds drove an inspired race to score his first-career modified feature win in the division’s 20-lap main event. Reynolds snared the race lead from Brian Dobie on the eighth-lap and then had to fend off Jimmy Duncan over the final five-laps to score the popular win. “We’ve been working all season to get here.” Reynolds stated. ‘There’s nothing like winning here at home.” Curtis Barricks was third, David Reid fourth and Jeff Solinger rounded out the top-five. Dobie was the heat race winner.

Former track champion Kyle Nelson raced to his second win of the season and 17th of his Potomac career in the 16-lap street stock feature. Nelson took the lead from Kurt Zimmerman on the twelfth-lap and drove to the win over Ben Bowie. Zimmerman held on for third, Frankie Dove was fourth and Mike Raleigh filled the front five. Zimmerman was the heat winner.

Jimmy Randall, also a former Potomac champion, drove to his second win in a row and second of the season in the 15-lap hobby stock main. Randall wrestled the race lead from Rusty Alton on the eighth-lap and would lead the remainder of the race to post his 14th career Potomac feature win. John Burch was second, Bobby Miexsall third, Jerry Deason fourth and Don Breach rounded out the top-five. Heats went to Alton and Brian Adkins.

Rookie Kevin Pollard annexed his second win of the season in the 15-lap u-car feature. Pollard started on the pole and would lead the entire event to score the win over Tom Paddock, who came from eleventh. Justin Bettor was third, Brandon Coates took fourth and Ryan Clements were the top-five. Paddock was the heat winner.

In the nightcap 50-lap strictly stock event, points leader Nabil Guffey drove to his first win of the season. Guffey, who started second, would lead all 50-laps to post the win over defending track champion John Hardesty. Greg Morgan was third, Gage Perkins fourth and Ed Pope Sr. completed the top-five.

Late Models
1. Dale Hollidge 2. David Williams 3. Matt Quade 4. Steven Axtell Jr. 5. Stevie Long 6. Kenny Moreland 7. Ryan Hackett 8. Jeff Pilkerton 9. JT McGlanigan 10. Tim Shelton 11. Stacy Roberts

Modifieds
1. Mike Reynolds 2. Jimmy Duncan 3. Curtis Barricks 4. David Reid 5. Jeff Solinger 6. Brian Dobie 7. Craig Ramich 8. Aaron Harris 9. James Sparks

Street Stocks
1. Kyle Nelson 2. Ben Bowie 3. Kurt Zimmerman 4. Frankie Dove 5. Mike Raleigh 6. Mart Hanbury 7. Stephen Quade 8. Darren Alvey 9. Mike Latham 10. Johnny Oliver 11. Dale Reamy 12. Scotty Nelson

Hobby Stocks
1. Jimmy Randall 2. John Burch 3. Bobby Miexsall 4. Jerry Deason 5. Don Breach 6. Will Nelson 7. Jonathon Raley 8. James Sutphin 9. Sam Archer 10. Matt Tarbox 11. Rusty Alton 12. Brian Adkins 13. Brittany Wenk (DQ) 14. Robbie Gass (DNS)

U-car
1. Kevin Pollard 2. Tom Paddock 3. Justin Bottorff 4. Brandon Coates 5. Ryan Clements 6. Wesley Hepner 7. Jessica Markle 8. Race Alton 9. David Coates 10. Billy Hill 11. Mark Pollard (DNS)

Strictly Stocks
1. Nabil Guffey 2. John Hardesty 3. Greg Morgan 4. Gage Perkins 5. Ed Pope Sr. 6. Buddy Dunagan 7. Ed Pope Jr. 8. JJ Silvious 9. Megan Emory 10. Dave Moseley 11. Jimmy Suite