Record Crowd ‘Packs The Track’ At Speedway
The Hometown Racing Association presented “Pack the Track” Night at Tyler County Speedway and a staggering and record 4,000 fans arrived at the ‘Bullring’ for a free night of action. The crowd is believed to be the largest in the speedway history for a non-multi-day major event. Lots of smiles and memories were made as fans were greeted to a well run show featuring 110 competitors with Derek Doll, Derek Rogers, Bird Wilson, Travis Thomas, Jeff Fornash, Bill Tennant, and Roo Roo Dotson all picking up wins. The capacity crowd was filled with families and kids who enjoyed a mega bike giveaway and family autograph night at intermission. Impressed by the large turnout, promoter John Watson invited all back next week for just $5 if you bring your armband back as its “Turn Back the Clock” Night on Saturday.
Greenwood, W.Va.’s Derek Doll would grab the win in the J&R Excavating Super Late Model division presented by Midcap Land and Timber. The third starting Doll would hound early race leader Paul Wilmoth lap after lap with a lapped car causing some tense moments as the leaders battled hard with Wilmoth on the high side and Doll working the bottom. Misfortune would strike Wilmoth as a flat tire would send the leader pit side, turning the lead over to a fast Doll. Doll would distance himself from the pack to claim the popular win. Seventh starting Butch McGill would claw his way into the runner up position ahead of Steve Weigle, Billy Brown, and Daniel Hill.
Shawn Jett would set a blistering pace leading the Peoples Bank FASTRAK division in the early stages but a charging Derek Rogers working the bottom of the speedway would roll past Jett taking the lead. While Rogers would set sail a ferocious battle between Jett and past winners Robbie Scott and Kyle Thomas, thrilling fans. But at the checkered it was Derek Rogers picking up his second win of the season, followed by Jett, Scott, Kyle Thomas, and Danny Thomas.
In a very entertaining Two Brothers Motorsports Modified main event it was Sistersville’s Bird Wilson claiming another win. Wilson would hold off a pesky and hard charging Lance Elson as the duo was blasting around the speedway cushion lap after lap. Elson waited on Wilson to make a mistake, but the veteran of the ‘Bullring’ would drive a flawless race holding off Elson, Junior Nolan, Gerald Deitch, and Mark Dickson for the win.
In a very hotly contested Hotmod main event it was young Stevi Magyar leading the way from her pole position by her virtue of bringing the most fans to the speedway. But early race leader Kenny Isner had victory in sight but third-starting Travis Thomas would eventually pass Isner and go on to claim his first win of the season in the familiar blue and white #18. A classic three-car battle would rage for the runner up position between Mick Baker, Chad Smith, and Isner, but when the dust settled it was Mick Baker claiming the bridesmaid position over Isner, Smith, and Lou Ennis.
Jeff Fornash of Salem, W.Va., would dominate the Modlite main event besting Josh Baldwin, Jim Ruckman, Mitch Ward, and Gabe Phillips.
Bill Tennant of Colliers, W.Va., has put a stranglehold on the FWD 4 Cylinder division. Tennant would lead Donnie Wamsley, Robert Frohnapfel, John Sinnett, and Mike Frazier across the stripe.
It was Roo Roo Dotson picking up a very popular win and her first ever victory in the MWRA Mini Wedge division. The young racer outlasted Dalton Anderson, Jacob Ice, Brady Reed, and Kylie Cross across the line.
Join next Saturday Night, June 14, as Tyler County Speedway hosts “Turn Back the Clock” Night as $1 dogs and 50-cent popcorn await hungry fans. Also in appreciation of the speedway’s 40th anniversary season, if you were born in 1974, the track’s first year of operation, admission is free. Plus bring your general admission armband back from “Pack the Track Night” and get your seat for just $5. All classes will be in action as its Midseason Championship (double points) along with a King of the Kounty event for the FASTRAK, Hotmod and Modlite divisions.