7.24.21 Winchester Speedway Results

By Brent Hottle
Winchester, (VA)- The inaugural Junior Boone Memorial has been a highly anticipated race, since the original announcement. The Boone family worked hard selling t-shirts that looked just like and were made by the same company that once printed a jacket for Junior himself. These sales would go into the big bonuses that were presented throughout the night. Not only for just the drivers, but there were extra things given out to the spectators also. Coloring books and goodies bags were given to the children. Gift card drawings for the grandstands, an autographed driver shirt, frisbees, and several cash bonuses for the competitors. We cannot thank the Boone family for all of their hard work to help make this such a great event. Junior Boone was a fixture at the Winchester Speedway for many years. He was a driver, fan, track worker, and techman at the speedway. Chances are that rather you were a fan or competitor at the Winchester Speedway, you have probably met him at some point. It was only fitting to have such a great event to honor him with. The weather was warm and the skies were clear, which only added to the already great combination that would turn this night into one for the history books.
We would start our night out with timed hot laps for all of the divisions. Ben Scott (crate), Allen Brannon (super), Dylan Rutherford (pure stock), Michael Altobelli Jr (modified) and Andrew Fertig (vintage) would set fast time for each of their divisions. Each driver was awarded a big check and cash bonus for their efforts. It was now time to watch the heat races where each winner would receive a cash bonus courtesy of the Boone family. Once the races were over and the feature lineups were finished, it was time for our invocation and National Anthem. This would also be a special moment, as after Brent Hottle finished the night’s invocation he would pass the microphone to Chris Armel, who would sing the anthem live as one of Junior’s personal vintage cars circled the speedway displaying the American Flag! It was a beautiful sight to see! It was now time to go feature racing.
First up was the crate late model division. Levi Crowl would take the early lead from his pole starting position. However, the race would be quickly stalled as the red flag would be displayed after the first lap for a 7 car wreck. On the restart we would see Crowl keep the lead and Kyle Hardy jump to the second position. After second place starter Ray Love slid high in turn one the chase was on as Crowl and Hardy started to pull away from the field. Hardy would try an unsuccessful slide job on Crowl as they started the sixth lap. Just as Hardy started to pull alongside Crowl, once again, the race would slow as a caution would come out. On the next restart we would see Hardy make the move around Crowl for the lead. Has Hardy continued to lead the event with Crowl solidly in the second position a hard charging Mike Franklin was making his way into the top five after starting tenth. Unfortunately, as Franklin was battling Ray Love for the third position the two cars would hook together and spin in turn three on the fifteenth lap. Once the race went back green, we would see Hardy take the win. Followed by Levi Crowl in second and Scott Sweeny Jr in third.
After such an entertaining race, the excitement was at a big high as it was now time for the super late model division. Promoter Greg Gunter and myself have been wanting to bring back driver introductions
for special events. It was decided that this would be the event to make it happen. Before the start of the race the fans would see the twenty-eight car starting field pulled up on the front stretch and all of their favorite drivers outside of their cars. These drivers would first take a group photo to commemorate the event. Then they would each go into the grandstands and toss autographed Frisbees to the fans. Next up they would be introduced one by one, giving the fans a face to go with the names they cheer on. Once the drivers were in their cars and ready, Junior’s wife and daughter, Diane & Terry, would give the command to start the engines. After the four wide salute was finished it was time to go racing! Pole sitter Kyle Hardy would jump out to the lead over second place starter Trever Feathers. Mike Steck would slow down on the track bringing out the caution on lap 6. Hardy would continue to pace the field until the caution flag once again waved. On this restart we would see Hardy continue to lead, but now fifth place starter Logan Roberson would pass Feathers for second place. Logan would set his sights on leader Hardy until once again the yellow flag waved on the thirteenth lap. Hardy would once again keep his lead on the restart, however Roberson would slip back to fourth as Feathers and Tyler Bare slipped past him. As Hardy started to navigate his way around lap traffic on the twentieth lap, a hard charging Feathers would start to close in. Just as we thought lap traffic could play a factor in this race. the caution would once again come out on the twenty-fifth lap. On this next restart we would see eighth place starter Kenny Moreland find some quick speed as he began to challenge feathers for the second position. Feathers would defend off the challenges of Moreland and secure the second position. As the race continued Hardy would develop a eight car lead as he crossed the line and takes the win in his second event of the night! We would see Logan Roberson once again make his way to the front as he would challenge Feathers for second and take the second position away on the final lap. Roberson would bring home a second place finish followed by Feathers in third.
It was now time for the pure stock division. Rob Nichols would take the lead on the first lap from his outside pole starting position and never look back. As Nichols would lead flag to flag, we would see two cautions during the fifteen lap event. But, Nichols couldn’t be shaken and would take the win, followed by Dylan Rutherford and Jasen Geesaman.
The Mid-Atlantic Modifieds would take to the track next. Pole sitter Michael Altobelli would take the early lead. We would see third place starter Mike Franklin pull alongside Altobelli and make a challenge for the lead, but a lap three caution would stall Franklin’s bid. We would see Mike Corbin make a challenge for the lead on the restart, as all three drivers would start a battle for the lead. Just as the three-way battle started to catch lap traffic, the caution flag would once again wave. On this next restart we would see Corbin make his way around Altobelli and take the lead. Altobelli wasn’t going away though as he charged back alongside Corbin on the low side of the speedway. Altobelli would take the lead back away from Corbin. Corbin would then slip back to third as Franklin would make his way around him for second place. Altobelli would go on to take the win, followed by Franklin in second and Corbin in third.
The last division of the night would be the vintage cars. Pole sitter Chris Bohrer would take the early lead and the win. Sixth place starter Andrew Fertig would make his way to second place and catch our leader. A slow air leak in the left front of the Fertig’s “Brewster Baker throwback” car would hurt the handling conditions and bring him home a second place finish. John Marks would finish the feature in third place.
On behalf of Greg Gunter we cannot thank everyone enough for making this night such an amazing one. A ton of hard work was put into this event. It was so refreshing to see the packed pits and grandstands. I cannot tell you how big or small the event will be, but I can tell you this wasn’t the one and only Junior Boone Memorial. As Mrs. Boone was so happy with how the event came together that she agreed to have a Junior Boone Memorial once again next year! So, if you see the Boone family, please stop and thank them for all of their hard work and generosity. We look forward to seeing you back at the track next week when the USAC sprint cars will make their return.
Crate Late Model Results
Kyle Hardy, Levi Crowl, Scott Sweeney Jr, Devin Brannon, Jacob Burdette, Daniel Brown Jr, Bubby Tharp Jr, Branson Woodward, Mike Franklin, Trevor Collins, Timmy Booth, Josh Williams, Mike Raleigh, Steven Payne, Charles Smith, Doug Saylor, Ray Love, Dickie Tharp, Gregory Carrico, Dylan High, Morgan Johnson, Ben Scott, Dustin Arnold, Keith Walls
Super Late Model Results
Kyle Hardy, Logan Roberson, Trever Feathers, Kenny Moreland, Tyler Bare, Justin Weaver, Travis Stickley, Roy Deese Jr, Allen Brannon, Keith Koontz, Austin Stover, Brad Omps, Tyler Horst, Samuel Bryant, Jonathan DeHaven, Buddy Wilson, Craig Parrill, Doug Jones, Bubby Dillman, Kris Holiday, Richard Hawkins, Andy Kirby, Harry Shipe, DJ Myers, Ethan Ours, Matt Sponaugle, Walter Crouch, Mike Steck
Pure Stock Results
Rob Nichols, Dylan Rutherford, Jasen Gessaman, Tony Catlett, Mike Grady Jr, Michael Carter, Buddy Wilson, Ryan Smith, Tyler Gray, Steve Kent, Delmar Grady, Bailey Tolson, Brandon Lowery, Duece Wright, Greg Breeden, Andy Adkins, Brian Booze
Modified Results
Michael Altobelli Jr, Mike Franklin, Mike Corbin, Cody Oliver, Cody Williams, TJ DeHaven, Rick Hulson, Bret Hamilton, Justin Cullum, Dale Smith, Ray Kable, Haley Kaiser, Matt Wallace, Stuart Weaver, Joe Jones, Travis Clower, Jeffrey McCauley, Scott Sweeny Jr, Gary Moreland, Andy Bosley, Cole Nogle, Frank DiBella, Michael Pappas, George Gutridge
Vintage Results
Chris Bohrer, Andrew Fertig, John Marks, Bill Cuda, Dale Payton, Fred Whitelaw, Eiric Morris, Lionel Teets