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Dalton drives to victory in Caraway opener

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SOPHIA – Ross “Boo Boo” Dalton of Liberty won the 100-lap feature for the Late Models division at Caraway Speedway on Sunday afternoon in the 58th season-opening event.

After past weather-related postponements, the track’s first event of the season was skated to consist of a total of 270 laps of racing.

Dalton survived a skirmish with Blaise Brinkley late in the feature to finish ahead of Jason York and Toby Lane. Eric Wallace finished fourth ahead of Brian Rose and Camden Thomas.

Jaxson Casper captured the victory in the Modifieds feature. Rookie Justice Calabro, who was in his debut with GrayCo Performance Racing, finished second ahead of early race leader Cody Norman. Josh Lowder was the fast qualifier, but he finished in the pits and in 10th place.

In Challengers, Allen Vance started the season on a winning note. The runner-up was Anthony Bennett and third place went to D.J. Dean.

Steven Collins took the victory in UCARs ahead of Daniel Hughes.

In Bootleggers, Jon Morton was the winner and Steven Collins was the runner-up.

In Legends Car, Alex Meggs drove to the victory ahead of Conner Yonchuk.

In the Bandolero class, Bryson Brinkley was first and Alison Johnson took second.

For many drivers, it was the beginning of a hectic stretch near the start of the season.

For instance, Luke Baldwin was entered in the Modifieds that was the beginning of five races across two weeks for the Tommy Baldwin Racing team.

On Saturday night, the SMART Modified tour roars into Caraway Speedway for the Warrior 100. This will be the second 2023 race on the SMART circuit after last weekend’s weather-related postponement of the Lonesome Pine card in Coeburn, Va.

Also on the docket for Saturday is racing for Challengers, UCARs, Modifieds and Mini Stocks.

Archie Adams Sr Caraway Wall of Fame Aug2022

Brinkley secures Caraway win on induction night

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Archie Adams Sr., center, receives recognition as he’s inducted into Caraway Speedway’s Wall of Fame on Saturday night. (Courtesy photo)

SOPHIA – Blaise Brinkley returned to Caraway Speedway and won the Late Models feature Saturday night.

Brinkley, who was the 2021 track champion in the division, finished ahead of current points leader Coy Beard.

Tommy Neal was third, followed by Blake Bledsoe and Dylan Ward.

In Mini Stocks, Patrick Mullen claimed the checkered flag ahead Adam Thomas and Rudy Hartley. Mullen and Jimmy Crigger were engaged in a battle at the front until an electrical issue with Crigger’s car put him out of contention.

In the 35-lap Challenger race, Corey Rose secured the victory. Kenny Bost led for a chunk of the race but finished second ahead of Toby Layne, Brian Rose and Matthew Smith. Jaxson Casper was the fast qualifier.

In the UCAR feature, Caleb Allred topped fast qualifier Ron Mock, with Steven Collins in third place.

Prior to the racing, five new members were inducted into Caraway Speedway’s Wall of Fame. The group included Archie Adams, Sr., Bob Labonte, Banner Shelton, Ronald Fox and Wayne “Speedy” Thomas.

The 81-year-old Adams competed on the dirt at Caraway and won NASCAR division titles

at the track. Adams accepted his membership plaque then strapped into his No. 1sc Challenger division Chevy and turned 35 more laps on the Caraway asphalt.

Fox was a winner of many races and titles at the speedway as a driver and crew chief. After accepting his award, he hopped over the pit wall and finished the pre-race prep on

the familiar No. 21 Late Model driven by Brandon Cox.

Bob Labonte was the car owner for two sons, Bobby Labonte and Terry Labonte, who climbed the ranks to the NASCAR Cup championship. His ownership of cars driven by Bobby Labonte and grandson Justin Labonte at Caraway Speedway along with the support he gave to many other

drivers at the track earned him a spot in the Wall of Fame. Bob Labonte was unable to attend

the ceremonies due to health issues, but his award was accepted by his son Bobby Labonte.

Shelton died in 1976 but not before his contributions to racing at

Caraway Speedway earned him the honors.

Thomas, most just know him as “Speedy,” was one of the best-known car owners in the Modified ranks for more than 40 years. His cars won many Modified features at Caraway Speedway. His drivers included Sam Ard, Paul Radford, Jimmy Spencer, Jimmy Hensley and Billy Hensley along with three of his drivers present at the track to help with the Wall of Fame induction. Those included Hank Thomas, Satch Worley and Frank Fleming.

The track’s next racing night comes Sept. 10 with Mini Stocks, Challengers, UCARs, Legends, Bandoleros and the Grand National Super Series.