Elkins Raceway
May 31, 2015
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Fans enjoy autograph and picture night at Elkins Raceway

KERENS, W.V. May 29) - Darren’s Pizza Shack presented autograph and picture night at the Elkins Raceway Friday. Pictures, autographs, candy, bracelets, and more from the drivers were the souvenirs for fans of all ages. And there was racing as well.

 Shane Hitt and Tim Senic captured the prelims in the Jenkins Ford Super Late Models. When the green flag was unfurled, Senic shot to the point with Bob Gordon, Hitt, Steve Wilmoth and Cody Hardesty filling the top five. Senic was riding on rails as by lap six he had built nearly a full straight away cushion. When the checkered fell, the Roys RV Super Center / Shaeffer Racing Oil #S2 had lapped up to eighth spot. Gordon would cross in a distant second. Hitt, Paul Wilmoth Jr. (from eighth), and Gary Dalton were third through
fifth.

 In the Budweiser FASTRAK feature, Chad Green was the first to turn one with Derek Rogers, Kris Southern, Garrett Paugh and Daniel Hill hot on his decklid. Hill motored to fourth on lap three. Green was all by his lonesome out front while a three wide battle was going on behind him for second. Hill would gain the advantage. The first yellow waved on lap eight when Southern looped his car in turn four.  Green, Hill, Rogers, Paugh and Greg Hicks now were the top five. On the restart, Hill peeked under Green but was turned away. At the half way mark, Hill pulled even with Green. On the next go round, Hill made a successful bid for the spot. As the laps wore on, Rogers applied pressure to Green for second but couldn’t make a serious move. The Larry’s Western Shop / P D C Energy #8 of Hill cruised to a full straight away victory. It was the third generation pilot’s second win. Green, Rogers, Hicks, and C J Johnson rounded out the top five.

 Brent Trimble grabbed the lead from his inside pole starting spot in the Performance Motors Modifieds. He would set sail poised to claim his fourth checkerboard. But last weeks winner and  runnerup to Trimble three times,, and sixth starting Dave Defibaugh had other thoughts.  While Trimble had clean air ahead of him, Defibaugh took third on lap three, and second on lap four. Trimble driving the H & R Block / S & M Glass #1B, had amassed a full straight advantage. But, a caution on lap twelve erased the buffer. Trimble would then drive on to set in victory lane for the fourth time this year. Defibaugh again was second. Phil Jeffries came form the tail to finish third. James Nelson and Dustin Isner were fourth and fifth.  

 On the third try at green, the West Virginia Pools Street Stocks counted a lap. John Tallman Jr., Ryan Watson, Scott Bittinger, Chad McLean and Chad Judy quickly filled in the top five. Tallman, after having three top five finishes, finally got his first win of the year. Under a yellow with two laps to go second running Ryan Watson pulled off. Bryan Mitchell would claim second ahead of Bittinger. Brad Harris was fourth and  Judy was fifth. Note of interest: It was the first time in five weeks, someone had not been disqualified in the class. Brad Harris would be awarded the Leggett Refrigeration ‘Hard Charger’


 The Miller’s Used Cars Mod Lites had a red flag for the second consecutive week. After Dean Ward’s eight barrel rolls last week in turns one and two. Taylor Espinoza rolled nine times over turns three and four as he cleared the catch fence. Luckily both, Dean last week, and Taylor this week were able to walk away. Beau Newlon in the Newlon’s International / Apex Speed Shop #1 notched his third checkerboard. Logan Hitt grabbed second ahead of John Cogar, Ryan Harris, and Mitch Ward.

 In the B C T Construction Mini Wedge “B” group, after not making the call for the heat, Blake Runyon in his Civil Environmental Consultants / T K S Construction #20  roared from the tail to add his third first place trophy. Pressley Wilt, Cochran, Abbie Hudler - Pennington, Kelsey Tincher and Madison Taylor completed the finishing order.

 The “A” group once again had two, three and almost four wide racing as no less than seven karts were near the front. Mitch Thomas driving the Iron Horse Logging / New England Truss & Joist Service #97 would cross the stripe ahead Haley Mahoney, Abby Watson and Paije Bragg.

 This week Gold ‘N Guns Pawn Shop of Belington will present the Performance Modified special for $750 to win.

 Upcoming will be, Mountain Insurance will have school’s out bike races on June 12. On June 19, Performance Motors will present ‘Old Timers” night.

 Don’t forget June 29 will be the 6th annual Jim Hitt Memorial for the Jenkins Ford Super Late Models brought to you by: Hitt’s Garage, Middletown Homes, Mountain Lakes Convention and Visitors Bureau, T K S Construction, and High Point Construction. There will be a $5,000 check awaiting the winner. Plus a gigantic fireworks display! There also will be extra $$ to win in all other classes.


Jenkins Ford Super Late Models (12)
 
Heat 1: Shane Hitt, Bob Gordon, Steve Wilmoth, Gary Dalton, Charlie George, Ronnie Tincher.
 Heat 2: Tim Senic, Cody Hardesty, Chuck Harper, Paul Wilmoth Jr., Billy Holbert, Billy Beachler.

Feature; Senic (2), Gordon, Hitt, P. Wilmoth, Dalton, Holbert, Harper, Hardesty, George, S. Wilmoth, Beachler, Tincher.

Budweiser FASTRAK Late Models (12)

Heat 1: Jamie McCloud, Derek Rogers, Garrett Paugh, Troy Frazier, Greg Roberson, Trey Watson.
 Heat 2: Daniel Hill, Chad Green, Kris Southern, Greg Hicks, C J Johnson, Brian Youtzy.

Feature: Hill (2), Green, Rogers, Hicks, Johnson, Paugh, Southern, McCloud, Frazier, Youtzy. DNS: Roberson, Watson.

 Performance Motors Modifieds (11)
 
Heat 1: Brent Trimble, James Nelson, Keith Miller, Tyler Payne, Larry Atha, Phil Jeffries.
 Heat 2: Dave Defibaugh, Dustin Isner, Bill VanDeVander, Robin Maxson, Joel Rogers.

Feature: Trimble (4), Defibaugh, Jeffries, Nelson, Isner, Maxson, VanDeVander, Atha, Miller, Rogers, Payne.

West Virginia Pools Street Stocks (13)
 
 Heat 1: Bryan Mitchell, John Tallman Jr., Chad McLean, Josh Rovello, Josh Mullenax, Erin Ramsey, Ryan Gum.
 Heat 2: Ryan Watson, Scott Bittinger, Chad Judy, Jamie Keene, Brad Harris, Rick Knicely.

Feature: Tallman, Mitchell, Bittinger, Harris, Judy, Knicely, Ramsey, Watson, Rovello, McLean, Keene, Mullenax. DNS: Gum.

 Miller’s Used Cars Mod Lites (6)

 Heat: Beau Newlon, John Cogar, Logan Hitt, Ryan Harris, Mitch Ward, Taylor Espinoza.

 Feature: Newlon (3), Hitt, Cogar, Harris, Ward, Espinoza.