Elkins Raceway
May 3, 2014
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Elkins Raceway Opens 2014 Season

KERENS, WV (May 3) - After a long winter, Elkins Raceway opened it's gates for the start of the 2014 season. Although some questioned if winter was over yet, with the cool temperatures, racing heated up the good crowd on the hillside. With over 200 loads of new surface on the track ready for action.

In the Jenkins Ford Super Late Models, Cody Hardesty and Shane Hitt grabbed the prelims. When the green flag dropped, Hardesty shot to the point and was never challenged. Jared Hawkins would slip by Hitt for second early but could not reel Hardesty in. Even with the lone caution on lap 18, Hawkins could not pressure the Oakland Maryland driver. Hardesty parked his #1 Touchdown City / Pleasant Valley Tarp #53 in victory lane as the first winner of the new season. Hawkins, Hitt, Jacob Hawkins and Billy Holbert rounded out the top five.

George Kowatic jumped to the lead in the Budweiser FASTRAK Late Model feature. Three yellows slowed action, but not Kowatic. Chad Green would close in on Kowatic late in the race, and was on the Pennsylvania driver's tail as the checkerboard flew. Kowatic driving the Warrior Chassis / Bobby Lake Motorsports #1 collected his first career win at the Elkins oval. Derek Rogers would finish third. Jamie McCloud and Tracie Sampson were fourth and fifth.

Only one caution appeared in the Fast 'N Friendly Pharmacy Modifieds. Defending track Champion Brent Trimble would lead flag to flag to notch his first victory of the year. Dave Defibaugh gave chase but could not make a serious bid for the spot. The H & R Block /  Stutler Racing Engines #1B picked up where he left off last season as he had eight wins. Robert Smith, Matthew Chenoweth and Robin Maxson filled out the top five.

On the fourth attempt at green in the Miller's Used Cars Street Stocks, Scott Bittinger set sail and lapped up to third spot demolishing the field. Bittinger's  "Golddigger" is sponsored by Conners Trucking & Repair and Jack's Recycling. Brian Mitchell and Josh Mullenax were second and third and the only two other drivers to finish on the lead lap. Samantha Rogers was fourth and Jamie Keene finished fifth.

The High Lines Oversize Load Escorting Mod Lites saw race leader Mitch Ward loop his mount in turn four on lap four. That handed the slot to Jeff Fornash. The Richard Webb Contracting / Triple H Enterprise #99  would then hold off a recovered Ward for the checkers. Ryan Harris, Gabe Philips and Matt Ward completed the top five.

Once again the Darren's Pizza Shack Mini Wedges set the tone for the night's racing. Dueling four wide, the young guns showed no fear around the 3/8 mile oval. When it was all said and done, Abby Watson emerged as the winner ahead of Ryan Gum, Paige Bragg, Caleb Nolan and Garrett Jones.

Join us next week as Central Supply presents Friday Night Thunder. For the latest information, schedule and point standings go to www.elkinsraceway.net 

Supers (13); Heat 1: Cody Hardesty, Jared Hawkins, Gary Dalton, Chuck Harper, Jacob Hawkins, Billy Beachler, Shaun Poling.
Heat 2: Shane Hitt, Billy Holbert, Skip Hare, Tim Senic, Joe Krcelich, (DNS) Bob Gordon.
Feature: Cody Hardesty, Jared Hawkins, Shane Hitt, Jacob Hawkins, Billy Holbert, Tim Senic, Billy Beachler, Gary Dalton, Skip Hare, Shaun Poling, Joe Kreclich, Chuck Harper (DNS) Bob Gordon.

FASTRAK (14); Heat 1: George Kowatic, Michael Lake, Garrett Paugh, Jamie McCloud, Kris Southern, Derrick Shaw, (DNS) Tyler Stutler.
Heat 2: Joey Jenkins, Derek Rogers, Chad Green, C J Johnson, Tracie Sampson, Gary May, Corey Metheny.
Feature: George Kowatic, Chad Green, Derek Rogers, Jamie McCloud, Tracie Sampson, Joey Jenkins, Kris Southern, Garrett Paugh, C J Johnsonm, Corey Metheny, Derrick Shaw, Michael Lake, Gary May (DNS) Tyler Stutler.

Modifieds (12); Heat 1: Robert Smith, Dustin Isner, Randy Bohan. (DQed) Robin Maxson (DNS) Ronnie Tincher, Nick Wilson.
Heat 2: Brent Trimble, Dave Defibaugh, James Nelson, Matthew Chenoweth, Bill Van DeVender, Emerson Payne.
Feature: Brent Trimble, Dave Defibaugh, Robert Smith, Matthew Chenoweth, Robin Maxson, Bill Van DeVender, James Nelson, Dustin Isner (DNS) Emerson Payne, Randy Bohan, Ronnie Tincher, Nick Wilson.

Street Stock (15); Heat 1: Brian Mitchell, Ryan Watson, Allen Fortney, Chad Judy, Rick Knicley, Anthony Arbogast (DNS) Ricky Vest, R D Isner.
Heat 2: Scott Bittinger, Samantha Rogers, Jamie Keene, Dickie Tharp, Josh Mullenax, Brian Youtzy, Teresa Vaughn.
Feature: Scott Bittinger, Brian Mitchell, Josh Mullenax, Samantha Rogers, Ricky Vest, Jamie Keene, Teresa Vaughn, Rick Knicley, Brian Youtzy, Dickie Tharp, Ryan Watson, Allen Fortney, (DNS) Chad Judy, R D Isner, Anthony Arbogast.

Mod Lites (7); Heat 1: Mitch Ward, Jeff Fornash, Ryan Harris, Gabe Philips, Matt Ward, Matt Cain, Logan Hitt.
Feature: Jeff Fornash, Mitch Ward, Ryan Harris, Gabe Philips, Matt Ward, Logan Hitt (DNS) Matt Cain.

Mini Wedges (15): Abby Watson, Ryan Gum, Paige Bragg, Caleb Nolan, Garrett Jones, Braydon Beachler, Levi Nolan, Jordan Gum, Skylar Moats, Howe, Ryan Hare, Olivia Ferguson, Brett Coberly, Steve Frazier (DNS) Colby Hutton