Potomac Speedway
July 25, 2014
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Stevie Takes Long-Awaited Win Friday at Potomac
Bowie Scores Crate Late Model Hat Trick

by Doug Watson
Budds Creek, MD - "I didn't think we were ever going to get one of these again." Were the words from a jubilant Stevie Long after he was victorious in last Friday nights Late Model feature at Potomac speedway. Long, a Mechanicsville MD native, drove to his first win of the season and second of his career in Friday's 35-lap Bobby Allen memorial. The win for Long, worth a cool $2700, made him the fifth-different winner of 2014 and it was Long's first Potomac feature win since the season-opener back in March of 2012.

Stevie Long and JT Spence shared the front-row for the start of the event with Long winning the drag race as the duo entered turn-one with Long gaining the race lead. Long would go on to pace all 35-circuits, but it was no easy trip to the checkers. Spence stayed in Long's tire track for the first 10-laps before fifth-starting Jason Covert swept by and took up the chase. Covert was gaining on Long until he tangled with a lapped car at the completion of the 20th-lap forcing him to pit with front end damage. Spence re-inherited second and would get close to Long on more than one occasion, but would have to settle for runner-up money as Long was clearly the class of the field. "There's about six or eight guys that can win down here on any given night." Long stated during his post-race interview."We've been close to getting one here, but to finally beat all the good cars that are here for each race has been a long time coming." A front-row starting spot and racy track conditions made Long's job a little easier on this night. "This track has been super this season." Said Long. "We've had a bunch of top-five's and I've had the opportunity to watch the leaders race on this track back in third and fourth and I cant be more proud for all the crew and sponsors to finally get them a win." Jamie Lathroum was third, Kenny Moreland took fourth with Dale Hollidge rounding out the top-five. Heats went to Long and Spence.

Ben Bowie drove to his third win of the season in the 20-lap RUSH Crate Late Model feature. Bowie, who started on the pole, got the lead early and lead the distance as he took the win over Reese Masiello. "I was starting to overdrive the car a little at the end of the race and I saw the 22 car (Masiello) stick his nose in there a few times." Bowie stated. "I just calmed myself down and ran my line and we were able to hold him off. We've been struggling a bit the past few weeks and it feels really good to get back to victory lane." John Imler came home third, 11th-starting Darren Henderson was fourth with Tyler Emory completing the top-five. Heats went to Emory and Jeff Pilkerton

Ed Pope Jr. also became a three-time Potomac winner with his victory in the 15-lap Hobby Stock main. Billy Crouse lead the first five-laps until Pope arrived and snared the race lead on lap-six. Pope would then have to survive a lap-fourteen caution and a late-race surge from 12th-starting Jonathan Raley to preserve the win. Crouse hung tough for third, John Burch was fourth with Ryan Clement filling the front five. Heats went to Crouse and Jamie Sutphin.

Current point leader Megan Mann drove to her second feature win of the season in the 15-lap U-Car contest. Mann, who started on the pole, would lead all 15-circuits but would have to fend-off a pesky Mikey Latham over the final five-laps to score the popular win. Corey Swaim was third, Erica Bailey took fourth with Cori French rounding out the top-five. Heats went to Mann and Swaim.

Current point leader and former track champion Troy Kassiris took his first win of the season in the 16-lap Street Stock feature.

Late Model feature finish
1. Stevie Long 2. JT Spence 3. Jamie Lathroum 4. Kenny Moreland 5. Dale Hollidge 6. Amanda Whaley 7. Jason Covert 8. Deane Guy 9. Mike Unger 10. Rich Marks 11. Kerry King Sr. 12. Matt Tarbox 13. James Sparks 14. Marty Hanbury 15. Kyle Lear

RUSH Crate Late Model feature finish
1. Ben Bowie 2. Reese Masiello 3. John Imler 4. Darren Henderson 5. Tyler Emory 6. Jeff Pilkerton 7. Mike Wharton 8. Brian Lederhouse 9. Timmy Booth 10. Mike Parsons 11. Harry Shipe Jr.

Hobby Stock feature finish
1. Ed Pope Jr. 2. Jonathan Raley 3. Billy Crouse 4. John Burch 5. Ryan Clement 6. Jamie Sutphin 7. Scotty Nelson 8. Matt Stewart 9. Will Nelson 10. Kenny Sutphin 11. Korey Downs 12. Tom Wagner Jr. 13. Jerry Deason 14. Raymond Reed 15. Greg Morgan 16. Robert Johnson 17. Steve Windsor 18. Michael Clark

U-Car feature finish
1. Megan Mann 2. Mikey Latham 3. Corey Swaim 4. Erica Bailey 5. Cori French 6. DJ Powell 7. Jeremy Pilkerton 8. Jamie Marks 9. John Molesberry 10. Dominic King 11. Savannah Windsor 12. Sam Raley 13. Angel Mudd

Street Stock feature finish
1. Troy Kassiris 2. Mike Hanbury 3. Mike Latham 4. Ed Pope Jr. (DNS)