Wimbish Earns First Win of the Season
Media Contact: Jill Frischmann
Hickory Motor Speedway PR
828.464.3655 – Track
704.728.3182 – Cell
hickorymotorspeedway@gmail.com
Photos Courtesy of L&D Photography
( Newton, NC - - May 29, 2010 ) Honey's IGA Hometown Hospitality Night was a spectacular night of racing action and excitement for thousands of fans in the stands. The night was filled with special promotions including car load ticket prices, drink specials and tons of fan give-aways. There was more racing entertainment than any fan could ask for as all six divisions of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series took to the track along with the Ford Focus Midgets. The night was topped off with a fireworks display, but the real fireworks were on the track as the No. 51 of Josh Wimbish grabbed his first win of the season during the caution filled Bojangles Late Model 50 lap feature.
The No. 10 of 2009 Late Model Champion, Andy Mercer, found himself in a familiar place for the start of the Bojangles Late Models 50 lap feature, out front. Mercer brought the field to the green from the pole position and managed a four car lead over the field by lap five. The No. 88 of Kyle Mansch followed suit as he began to pull away from the remainder of the field, leaving the No. 51 of Josh Wimbish and the No. 19 of Kyle Moon to battle for third. On lap 12 the No. 43 of Jesse LeFevers and the No. 5 of Becca Kasten touched as they headed down the front stretch. Kasten lost momentum from the contact allowing LeFevers to settle into the sixth place position. The first caution of the feature waved on lap 27 after the No. 36 of Neil Meredith and Kasten connected coming off of turn two. The second caution of the feature came out on lap 38 when the No. 92 of Candace Muzny spun out in turn two.
It was an eventful restart as Wimbish got into the back of Mansch as the field headed out of turn three. The contact sent Mansch for a spin collecting the No. 5 of Dexter Canipe Jr., Muzny, the No. 2 of Michael Cherry and the No. 1 of Megan Reitenour, bringing out caution number three. The field managed to complete a lap before the fourth caution fell after the No. 18 of Matt Kurzejewski got into the outside wall on the front stretch. After tapping the wall, Kurzejewski shot across the track collecting Meredith and Muzny. Meredith received major damage to his ride, bringing out the red flag for track clean-up. On lap 40 Wimbish squeezed under Mercer looking for a chance at the lead. Wimbish's move slid Mercer up the track allowing LeFevers an opportunity to get into the mix, as the drivers went three wide coming out of turn four.
Kasten wasn't having the night she was hoping for, as she spun out heading out of turn two on lap 43 bringing out the fifth and final caution. During the caution, Mercer was black flagged due to mechanical issues, leaving him to restart in the back of the pack. LeFevers led the field to the final green with Wimbish and the No. 19 of Kyle Moon in tow. Wimbish did all he could to get around LeFevers and Moon as they went three wide on several occasions. With five laps to go, Moon was black flagged for mechanical issues leaving Wimbish and LeFevers to duke it out for the lead. Wimbish powered ahead of LeFevers grabbing the lead on the final lap, giving Wimbish his first win of the season leaving LeFevers to settle for second. Mercer managed to work his way back into the top three, with No. 7 of Ashley Huffman and Mansch rounding out the top five.
The Advance Auto Parts Limiteds hit the track with a full 17 car field for their 35 lap race. The No. 97 of Brandon Lynn made a great qualifying run allowing him to start in the pole position with the No. 5, of Limited Points leader, Dexter Canipe Jr. right on his tail from his second place starting position. The first caution fell early when the No. 55 of Zach Bruneger, the No. 66 of Travis Byrd, the No. 45 of Kenneth Pardue, the No. 23 of Trey Buff and the No. 03 of Russell Stillwell collided as they headed into turn four on the first lap. Canipe Jr. didn't waste any time as he pulled into the lead on the first lap as he and Lynn headed down the back stretch, causing Lynn to ride around in second. The No. 11 of Matt Piercy and the No. 12 of Austin McDaniel spent the first four laps battling for the fourth place position, when McDaniel pulled ahead of Piercy as the two exited turn two.
By lap seven the No. 07 of Tyler Church had pulled up on Piercy grabbing the fifth place position, leaving Piercy to ride around sixth. Church continued his run moving into the fourth place position after getting under McDaniel on lap 12. The second caution of the race came out on lap 26 when Byrd got loose coming out of turn four and spun down the front stretch. Caution number three fell shortly after, when McDaniel got into the back of the No. 25 of Nick Proffitt, sending Proffitt spinning as the field headed into turn two during the restart. With ten laps to go Piercy and the No. 8 of Mark McIntosh maintained a tight battle for the fourth place position. On lap 30 the two connected heading into turn one sending both for a spin and Piercy into the outside wall, bringing out the fourth caution. The fifth and final caution came out on lap 31 for debris on the track. The last four laps of the race were intense as Canipe Jr. and Lynn ran door to door for the lead. The two were nose to nose as they came out of turn four, but Lynn powered ahead beating Canipe Jr. to the checkers by mere inches. As Lynn and Canipe Jr. were crossing the finish line McDaniel found himself spinning down the back stretch, while Proffitt went for a spin coming out of turn four. Church, the No. 35 of Chris Lewis and the No. 6 of Brandon Hudnall rounded out the top five.
The Everything Attachment Super Trucks kept the action rolling, as they took to the track for 35 laps of fast paced racing action with the No. 69 of Michael Cooper leading the field from the pole position. The No. 16 of Super Truck points leader, Clint Fields moved into the top spot early in the race after grabbing the lead from Cooper on lap one. Cooper stayed tight to the bumper of Fields looking for an opportunity to regain the top spot. The two sailed around the track door-to-door for the majority of the race, but Fields was able to maintain the lead. The two remained in a tight battle until the final lap when they made contact heading into turn four on the final lap, sending Fields for a spin bringing out the first caution of the race. A green-white-checker was called to complete the race. During the restart the No. 11 of Thomas Beane experienced issues getting his truck up to speed, causing the No. 69 of Trevor Hignutt to get into the back of Beane as the field headed into turn two bringing out the second and final caution. The field made another attempt at the green-white-checker finish. The No. 33 of rookie driver Jeremy Birch lead the field around the track like a veteran getting his first win of the season. The No. 7 of Justin Crider, Cooper, the No. 05 of Kyle Wilson and Beane completed the top five respectively.
The Hickory Street Stocks completed a full night of racing action at the ‘Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars'. The field took to the track for a 30 lap action packed event. The No. 21 of Roger Pitts was quick to take over the top spot, grabbing the position on lap three from the No. 1 of pole sitter, Taylor Stricklin. Stricklin slowly fell off the pace, allowing the No. 9 of Charlie Watson to get around him taking over second. Watson was black flagged on lap 15 for mechanical issues, which moved Stricklin back into second. With five laps remaining the No. 03 of Kevin Eby pulled up along-side Stricklin, taking over second leaving Stricklin to run in the third place spot. Pitts was able to hold onto the lead for the win with Eby, Stricklin the No. 64 of Marshall Sutton and the No. 88 of Josh Bruchette making up the top five.
The Hickory 4-Cylinders took to the track for a 25 lap feature with the No. 21 of Todd Harrington leading the pack to the green flag. The first caution of the night flew early after the No. 98 of Rob Lewis and the No. 6 of Caleb Sisk went for a spin exiting turn one on lap two. Harrington pulled away from the field as soon as the green flag waved leaving the No. 09 of Randy Canipe and the No. 4 of Adam Beaver to battle for second. Canipe got loose as the two headed out of turn four on lap four allowing Beaver to pull ahead leaving Canipe to ride around in third. A second caution came out on lap 9 when the No. 51 of Nathaniel Kanupp spun around in turn four.
The restart proved beneficial to Canipe as he sailed around Beaver moving into the second place position on lap ten. Beaver stayed close to the back bumper of Canipe looking for an opportunity to regain the second place spot. Just as Beaver was about to make his run heading into turn three Sisk, Kanupp and the No. 8 of Tony Poole went for a spin coming out of turn one, bringing out the third and final caution. With five laps remaining, Beaver pulled under Canipe as they entered turn three completing his pass for second place on the exit of turn four. Canipe put some pressure on Beaver as the two ran side-by-side until they pulled up on lap traffic on the front stretch allowing Beaver to get the edge and the position. Harrington led the field to the checkers with Beaver, Canipe, the No. 16 of Devon Haun and the No. 28 of Kyle Pierce in tow to round out the top five.
The Red Baron Race Parts Hobby Stocks entertained the crowd for ten laps of racing excitement. The No. 85 of Jeff Wiesner took the lead from No. 88 of Andrew Towery on the first lap. On lap four the No. 28 of Casey Pierce grabbed the lead from Weisner, but Weisner quickly moved back out front on lap six. The No. -1 of Ronald McNeil made contact with the No. 31 of Steven Willis heading into turn four as they battled for the fourth place position on lap eight. Weisner was able to hold onto his lead for the win, Pierce, Towery, McNeil and Willis completed the top five.
The Ford Focus Midgets were a welcomed addition to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series line up for Honey's IGA Hometown Hospitality Night. The seven car field cruised around the track for a 35 lap high speed event. The No. 12 of Tyler Corriher brought the field to the green flag setting the pace for the race. The No. 97 of Justin Hommel tapped the back stretch wall during the first laps of the event, but was still able to hold onto his car and maintain a second place position for the first ten laps. The No. 14 of pole sitter, Scott Hunter, moved into the second place position on lap ten leaving Hommel to ride around in third. Hunter was on a mission as he took over the lead from Corriher on lap 15.
With 15 laps remaining the No. 2 of Cody Acton began to put pressure on Hommel as he tried to work his way into the top three, grabbing the spot on lap 26. As soon as Acton secured third he set his sights for second, moving into the position by lap 28. Hunter was able to hold onto his lead for the win bringing Acton, Corriher, Hommel and the No. 55 of Nike Drake along to complete the top five.
About Hickory Motor Speedway:
Known as the Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars, Hickory Motor Speedway celebrates its 59 th season of stock car racing in 2010. Opening the gates in 1951, Hickory Motor Speedway is the oldest professional sporting venue in Catawba County, and has been credited as the longest continually operating motor speedway in the country. Producing drivers like Ned and Dale Jarrett, Bobby Isaac, Harry Gant, Ralph Earnhardt and Dennis Setzer, it's easy to see why Hickory Motor Speedway is filled with such rich stock car racing history and has earned the title of, Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, June 5 th is Whelen Night at the Races featuring the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. The night will include appearances by the Advance Auto Parts Limiteds, the Everything Attachment Super Trucks, the Hickory Street Stocks and a special 100 lap feature for the Bojangles Late Models. Grandstands open at 5 PM with qualifying immediately following. An On Track Autograph Session will take place at 6 PM with feature racing action beginning at 7 PM. Tickets are only $10 for adults, $8 for teens and seniors, $5 for kids ages 7-12 with kids 6 and under FREE! Remember… if you're not here, you're missing out!
Pole Award Winners:
Bojangles Late Models: No. 10 – Andy Mercer – 15.346 seconds
Advance Auto Parts Limiteds:No. 97 – Brandon Lynn – 15.938 seconds
Everything Attachment Super Trucks:No. 68 – Michael Cooper – 15.888 seconds
Hickory Street Stocks: No. 1 – Taylor Stricklin – 16.985 seconds
Hickory 4-Cylinders: No. 21 – Todd Harrington – 16.781 seconds
Ford Focus Midgets: No. 14 – Scott Hunter – 15.091 seconds
Bojangles Late Models Honey's IGA 50
1. Josh Wimbish (51)
2. Jesse LeFevers (43)
3. Andy Mercer (10)
4. Ashley Huffman (7)
5. Kyle Mansch (88)
6. Rebecca Kasten (5)
7. Dexter Canipe Jr. (5)
8. Kyle Moon (19)
9. Candance Muzny (92)
10. Neil Meredith (36)
11. Matt Kurzejewski (18)
12. Megan Reitenour (1)
13. Michael Cherry (2)
Advance Auto Parts Limiteds Honey's IGA 35
1. Brandon Lynn (97)
2. Dexter Canipe Jr. (5)
3. Tyler Church (07)
4. Chris Lewis (35)
5. Brandon Hudnall (6)
6. Travis Byrd (66)
7. Mark McIntosh (8)
8. Nick Proffitt (25)
9. Matt Piercy (11)
10. Zack Bruneger (55)
11. Jason Smith (71)
12. Austin McDaniel (12)
13. Matt Daley (9)
14. Landon Huffman (37)
15. John Hilliker (45)
16. Russell Stillwell (03)
17. Trey Buff (23)
Everything Attachment Super Trucks Honey's IGA 35
1. Jeremy Birch (33)
2. Justin Crider (7)
3. Michael Cooper (68)
4. Kyle Wilson (05)
5. Thomas Beane (11)
6. Trevor Hignutt (69)
7. Clint Fields (16)
8. James Kirkman (15)
9. Barry Williams (51)
Hickory Street Stocks Honey's IGA 30
1. Roger Pitts (21)
2. Kevin Eby (03)
3. Taylor Stricklin (1)
4. Marshall Sutton (64)
5. Josh Burchette (88)
6. David Werner (35)
7. Don Machutta (71)
8. Waylon Flynn (5)
9. Kevin Townsend (9)
10. Jeremy Peelfrey (25)
Hickory 4-Cylinders Honey's IGA 25
1. Todd Harrington (21)
2. Adam Beaver (4)
3. Randy Canipe (09)
4. Devin Haun (18)
5. Kyle Pierce (28)
6. Randy Freeze (16)
7. Dan Moore (1)
8. Rob Lewis (98)
9. Matt Laws (07)
10. Caleb Sisk (6)
11. Nathaniel Kanupp (51)
Red Baron Race Parts Hobby Stocks Honey's IGA 10
1. Jeff Weisner (85)
2. Casey Pierce (28)
3. Andrew Towery (88)
4. Ronald McNeil (1)
5. Steven Willis (31)
Ford Focus Midgets Honey's IGA 35
1. Scott Hunter (14)
2. Cody Acton (2)
3. Tyler Corriher (12)
4. Justin Hommel (97)
5. Nick Drake (55)
6. Ryan Ayers (98)
7. Scott Gordon (16)