Elkins Raceway
August 2, 2013
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Holbert Takes First of the Year

by Jeff Yost
KEREMS, WV (August 2) -  Another great crowd was treated to side by side racing on Hilltop Recycling Friday Night Thunder at Elkins Raceway. 

  In the Jenkins Ford Super Late Models, Bob Gordon and Billy Holbert notched the prelim honors. Holbert jumped to the point at the outset and never looked back. As the laps clicked off no one had anything for Holbert but second was very much in question. Gordon and Robbie Scott battled for the spot racing door to door and nose to tail. The 25 lapper would go green to checker with Holbert crossing first. Scott nipped Gordon for second. Chuck Harper and Tim Senic rounded out the top five.

  The Good Samaritan of Barbour County Mod Lites again were racing for some extra winning moneys. Corridor H Tire stepped up this week for the $500 to win event. Mitch Ward grabbed the point at the drop of the green with Alan Knepper close behind. On lap two Knepper turned up the wick and it got very hot for Ward. Knepper continued the heavy pressure and took the spot on lap three. Meanwhile, Lynn Knepper, started eight and began to work his way to the front. A Knepper began to drive away while Ward now had to fend off Lynn. When the $500 checker fell, driving the Knepper ATV / Evolution Race Cars #20 A. Knepper became the first two time winner in the class. Lynn would get by Ward for second. Ryan Harris held off Tracy Fritter for fourth.

  Driving the W. V Fan Zone / Local 400 UFCW #K2, Kris Southern has had a banner year. He has lead the Budweiser FASTRAK Late Model point standings all season and padded his cushion with his fourth first place finish. Southern held the spot flag to flag, but it wasn't quite that easy. Southern held off Kyle Thomas for most of the race, and then a late charge from Daniel Hill. It was the first of his four victories that the feature would complete the scheduled laps. The previous three were time limit expired events. Southern proved that they weren't 'handed' to him. Hill, Thomas, Billy Beachler, and Corey Metheny rounded out the top five.

  In the Fast 'N Friendly Pharmacy Modified finale, Brent Trimble out dragged inside pole setter Phil Jeffries to turn one for the front spot. Trimble piloting the H & R Block / David Stanley Consultants #1B would collect his sixth checkerboard with ease. Behind  him though Jeffries and Mike Murphy raged nothing short of a war.  When the checkers fell Murphy would cross in second. Jeffries was third, Randy Bohan, and Robert Smith completed the top five.

  Scott Bittinger, the newest driver of the legendary  #29 Automotive Machine "Gold Digger" would drive green to checkered pacing the field in the Miller's Used Cars Street Stocks to add his third trip to victory lane. J P Tallman chased Bittinger but had to settle for second. Rick Knicley, Ryan Watson and Willie Mallow finished third through fifth.

  In seven of the ten Darren's Pizza Shack Mini Wedge feature races, the #2* TKS Contracting / Leggett Motorsports driven by Logan Hitt has taken the checker flag. Hitt is in position to repeat as track Champion in the class. Olivia Ferguson, Braydon Beachler, Caleb Nolan and Skylar Moats followed him across the line. In 2013 there has been 19 different drivers in this class, and 17 were on hand Friday night.

  The up coming schedule for the Elkins Raceway is,  August 9 the Valley Steel Street Stock Special with $500 in tools courtesy  of Snap On Tools. August 16 will be the Miller's Used Cars Season Championship with double points in each class. Plus Stewart Sanitation $500 to win Mod Lites. August 23 will be the rescheduled JC Distributing presents the R H Armstrong Classic. It will be $4000 to win for the Jenkins Ford Super Late Models. PLUS $1,000 to win for the Budweiser Late Models, Fast 'N Friendly Pharmacy Modifieds, the Miller's Used Cars Street Stocks and the Good Samaritan of Barbour County Mod Lites! Then regular racing in all classes on August 30.

  For all  the latest news, and point standings go to www.elkinsraceway.net

Super Late (11); Billy Holbert, Robbie Scott, Bob Gordon, Chuck Harper, Tim Senic, Cody Hardesty, Shane Hitt, Charlie George, Shaun Poling, Derek Doll, Butch McGill. Heats; Gordon, Holbert.

 FASTRAK (20); Kris Southern, Daniel Hill, Kyle Thomas, Billy Beachler, Corey Metheny, Joey Jenkins, Michael Lake, Tracie Sampson, Matt Lopez, Chad Green, Mike Thorne, Duane Moreland, Derrick Shaw, Aldon Butcher, Tyler Stutler, Cody Rogers, Jerry Brown, Brian Rankin, Ron Wiles, Troy Frazier.

 Modified  (11); Brent Trimble, Mike Murphy, Phil Jeffries, Randy Bohan, Robert Smith, Larry Atha, Bill Vandevender, Brandon Kerr, Keith Miller, Nick Wilson. DNS; Shawn Davis. Heats; Jeffries, Trimble.

Street Stock (17); Scott Bittinger, J P Tallman, Rick Knicley, Ryan Watson, Willie Mallow, Barry Faris, Kevin Collins, Ronnie Tincher, Samantha Rogers, James Nelson, Allen Fortney, Brian Youtzy, Teresa Vaughn, Ryan Newman, Dustin Isner, Josh Mullenax. DNS; Dusty Swecker. Heats; Bittinger, Tallman.

Mod Lite (13); Alan Knepper, Lynn Knepper, Mitch Ward, Ryan Harris, Tracy Fritter, Beau Newlon, Trey Watson, Matt Ward, Ron Harris, Zak Kmbrew, Mark Cottrel, Elliot Newlon, A J Spagnuolo. Heats; A. Knepper, L. Knepper.

 Mini Wedges (17); Logan Hitt, Olivia Ferguson, Braydon Beachler, Caleb Nolan, Skylar Moats, Levi Nolan, Paige Bragg, Kolbe Kimbrew, Kaitlyn Frazier, Ryan Gum, Brett Coberly, Cody Tate, Austin Simmons, Brody Hess, Garrett Jones, Abby Watson, Jamie Tate. Heats; Watson, Hitt.