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Beard secures victory at Caraway

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SOPHIA – Coy Beard led for a large portion of the Late Models race on his way to victory Saturday night at Caraway Speedway.

Dean Fogleman was the runner-up, with Daniel Schadt in third place.

In the 30-lap Challengers race, the winner was Brian Rose in a wire-to-wire effort. Alan Vance placed second and Fletcher Whatley was third among nine entrants.

In the Mini Stocks, Jimmy Crigger was the winner for the second time this year. He topped the field in the 20-lap race, edging Alex Whatley.

A.J. Briscoe was sixth, a notable finish given it was his first appearance in the division this season. He was the track’s Mini Stocks runner-up in 2021.

In UCARs, Daniel Hughes emerged in the front of the 15-lap race. He pulled ahead of second-place Troy Ring and third-place Justin Smith.

In a Legends race, Justice Calabro claimed a victory in a 25-lap event.

The Bandolero feature went to Bryson Brinkley, who was followed by Phoenyx Kimball.

There’s no regular racing this weekend at Caraway Speedway. The next event is set for May 14 with the David “Lightning” Saunders Memorial the main event.

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Beard boasts best results at Caraway

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SOPHIA – Coy Beard was the fast qualifier and backed that up in the Late Models feature Saturday night at Caraway Speedway.

Beard finished first in the race ahead of Daniel Schadt, with Wesley Hawkins third and Gavan Boschele in fourth and Jeffrey Wood in fifth.

Cody Norman won for the third straight Modifieds race at the track, claiming the 30-lap event. Carson Loftin placed second and Dean Lowder was third. Loftin earlier won a 10-lap qualifying event in the division.

With four cars entered in Mini Stocks, Brandon Clements was the winner with Jimmy Crigger in second.

In the Challengers feature, Cody Griffin was the races fourth leader and he crossed the finish line first. Toby Layne was the runner-up. Earlier leaders were Bobby Salisbury, Alan Vance and Fletcher Whaley.

In the UCAR division, Brandon Collins ended up with the victory ahead of Daniel Hughes.

The next racing date for Caraway Speedway is set for April 30 with Late Models. Mini Stocks, Challengers, UCARs, Legends and Bandoleros.

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Beard, Black claim Caraway features

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SOPHIA – Coy Beard and Tony Black were winners of twin features in the Late Models division Saturday night at Caraway.

Two races were contested across each of six divisions.

Beard won the first of the 35-lap Late Models races, leading from the start. Beard was second in the second feature, unable to get around Black.

The winner in the Modifieds action was Cody Norman for his first victories in the division. He won both races, leading from the front in the first race and coming from the rear in the second event.

In Mini Stocks, Johnny Baker and Jimmy Crigger were the winners. Crigger was the runner-up in the first race before improving one spot.

In the Challenger class, Cory Rose posted a wire-to-wire victory. Matthew Smith, a grandson of former Caraway driver Lowe Smith, was the winner in the second Challenger race.

In the UCars, Steven Collins and Corey Rose made it across the line first to win the respective races. Steven Collins was the runner-up in both of the races, which drew a field of 16 drivers.

The Bandolero races produced the same winner in each case, with Bryson Brinkley capturing those.

The next night of regular racing at the speedway is scheduled for April 16.

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Heady overcomes Labonte, others in Caraway event

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SOPHIA – Caleb Heady won a late-lap showdown with Burt Myers in Saturday night’s SMART Modified Tour race at Caraway Speedway.

Bobby Labonte, a former NASCAR Cup Series driver, made a late pass of Matt Hirschman to gain third place. Brian Loftin placed fifth.

Earlier leaders in the race included pole sitter Jonathan Brown, Luke Fleming, Bobby Measmer Jr. and Labonte.

The SMART Tour will return to the track in June.

In action among the Caraway Speedway regulars Saturday, Carson Loftin in the Modifieds while pole sitter Cody Norman was the runner-up. 

In a 40-lap Mini Stocks event, Tyler Bush pulled away from Patrick Mullen and Levi Holt for the victory. Mullen and Tyler Bush went to the front earlier in the race, but Bush was undone by a blown engine.

Nathan Bess won the Challengers race in a field of 15 cars. He navigated the 35-lap race ahead of Brian Rose, JR Goode, Ronnie Riggs and Michael O’Brien.

In the UCAR feature, Corey Rose was the winner, with Steven Collins the runner-up and followed by Jeremy Kidd and Josh Williams. Josh Phillips and Corey Rose were tops in five-lap qualifying heats.

In the Super Trucks division, Robert Tyler claimed the checkered flag, ahead of Jason York and former track champion Billy Hogan. This was the first of four Atlantic Turfscapes Super Track races at the speedway, with the next one set for July 23.

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Ward claims Late Models win in Caraway opener

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SOPHIA – There was a different driver in a certain Late Models car but a familiar name behind the wheel when Caraway Speedway’s points season opened Sunday. It began the 57th season at the track.

Third-generation driver Trevor Ward guided a car owned by former track champion Jay Hedgecock to the victory in the 60-lap race.

Ward led for about the last 40 laps after getting around pole sitter Coy Beard, the 2020 champion who finished as the runner-up. Tony Black was third, and reigning track champion Blaise Brinkley took fourth ahead of Daniel Schadt in the nine-car field.

On the Modifieds, the winner was Josh Lowder, who ended up ahead of Carson Loftin, Lee Jeffreys and Paul Hartwig Jr.

In Mini Stocks, Chuck Wall prevailed after trading the lead with Tyler Bush during a riveting span. Adam Thomas ended up in third.

Enoch McNeil claimed the season-opening triumph in the Challenger class, topping a field of 17 entrants. Toby Layne was second and Jacob Brooks placed third.

There were also 17 cars in the UCARs event, with Josh Phillips finishing first ahead of Daniel Hughes, Steven Collins, Cory Rose and Troy Ring.

The Legends victory went to Landon Lewis ahead of Daniel Wilk.

Bryson Brinkley, a younger brother of Blaise Brinkley and son of multi-time track champion Brad Brinkley, was the Bandoleros winner, speeding ahead of Phoenyx Kimball, a Raleigh girl, and Bobby Gossett.

This week, the racing shifts to the normal slot on Saturday night. The main event is a 99-lap feature as the SMART Modified Tour visits.

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Caraway creates program to lure driver commitments

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SOPHIA — Caraway Speedway is putting together a program to reward drivers for their loyalty. It’s called “Caraway Strong” and the intent is to provide a more stable group of entrants for the speedway.

“We’re starting to get the response,” general manager Darren Hackett said. “I think we’re going to be OK.”

The speedway’s regular racing series begins with Sunday’s opening races in seven divisions. This is the 57th season for the track.

To be part of the “Caraway Strong” program, drivers agree to compete in every points-paying event for their division across the course of the season. The incentive will involve bonus money.

“It’s rewarding them for commitment,” Hackett said. “That’s what we’re looking for is consistency.”

Drivers involved with “Caraway Strong” will have to find replacement drivers for events they might miss. Ideally, about 15 drivers in each class would give the classes good competition and increase interest from fans, Hackett said.

The speedway’s regular classes are Late Models, Challengers, Mini Stocks, 602 Modifieds and UCARs. On opening day, there also will be races for Legends and Bandoleros.

Hackett said the 2021 season had ups and downs. “Caraway Strong” is intended to avoid the valleys, particularly after the pandemic-impacted 2020.

“It showed promise last year,” Hackett said. “But we need more promise.”

There’s the natural optimism with the launching of a new season. Concerns exist as well.

“I think things are lined up to have a good year, but these fuel prices (might be) a problem,” Hackett said.

The speedway’s schedule generally includes racing every-other Saturday night with some variations. Either way, there are usually two racing nights per month in the regular divisions along with special shows.

Racing Sunday is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.

The track’s season actually began earlier this month with open practices. Then last weekend, the CARS Tour held events at the facility, with the Old North State Nationals as the main event. That race included a $30,000 prize to win in the 200-lap race Sunday, with 34 Late Model entries.

Carson Kvapil captured the Late Model Stock Car Tour for the grand prize. He was followed by Kaden Honeycutt, Jared Fryar, Jason York and Corey Heim.

Caden Kvapil won the Pro Late Model Tour in a field of 16 drivers. Luke Fenhaus was the runner-up.

The Kvapil brothers are sons of former NASCAR Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil.

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Causey wins main event in Caraway season finale

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SOPHIA – Gary Causey led the entire race to win the Late Models feature Sunday in Russell Hackett’s 35th annual Thanksgiving Classic at Caraway Speedway.

Causey, a former track champion, was on the pole for the 75-lap race. He was followed at the start by former track champions Tommy Neal, Boo Boo Dalton and Donnie Apple.

Causey fended off all challengers. Neal, despite a flat tire during the race, came back to claim second place. Dalton was third and Tony Black finished fourth. They were followed by Eric Wallace, Casey Kepley Jr., Brian Rose, D.J. Dean, Corey Rose and Kirk Sheets in the top 10.

This was the final scheduled racing date for 2021 at the speedway.

In the Street Stocks, Bobby Tumbleston was the winner of the 50-lap event. Jeff Melton was second and ex-track champion Gary Ledbetter Jr. ended up third with Cody Demarbles in fourth and Mike Pollack in fifth.

In Mini Stocks, Luke Smith captured the 50-lap race, which was dubbed the Archie Sanders Memorial. A.J. Sanders placed second in the race that was named after his grandfather.

Patrick Mullen took third, with Levi Holt and Kenny Dixon in the next two spots.

In the special 11-lap Archie Sanders Dash, the winner was Patrick Mullen, who was ahead of Brandon Crotts. This was for drivers who’ve yet to win a feature event.

In U-Cars, Daniel Hughes took the top spot ahead of Gary Dillard and Scott Haller.

The Enduro event was won by Jimmy Crigger, who was in front of runner-up Tyler Murphy third-place Sammy Bullins in the 24-car field.

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Black claims victory in Mischa Sell Memorial

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SOPHIA – Tony Black was the winner in the Limited Late Models feature as part of the Mischa Sell Memorial racing card Saturday at Caraway Speedway.

Black led the 15-car field, with Mitchell Wright the runner-up and Casey Kepley in third place across the 100 laps.

Black also won the pole bonus. The pole runner-up was Zack Clifton, who finished 10th.

In 602 Modifieds, Lee Jeffreys finished first, followed by Junior Snow and Carson Loftin among 10 drivers.

The UCars victory went to Allen Vance, with Daniel Hughes second and Steven Collins in third.

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Labonte contends in Caraway feature

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SOPHIA – Bobby Labonte, a NASCAR Hall of Famer, had to settle for second place at Caraway Speedway.

That’s because Jonathan Brown won for the first time in the SMART Modified Tour, edging Labonte in Saturday night’s 99-lap race.

Brown became the seventh different driver to win on the SMART Modified Tour this year. Labonte previously won this year at Dillon Motor Speedway and Carteret County.

“We were off a little bit in qualifying, I didn’t feel like I got a good lap, but we were able to start third on the redraw and get some points for the 30-lap shootout,” Labonte said. “At the end, I couldn’t catch Jonathan in the right place.  I felt like I was faster but passing him was going to be difficult.”

Burt Myers finished third, followed by Caleb Heady and Jeremy Gerstner.

There were other notable results Saturday at the track.

Jason York claimed the 50-lap Late Models race from the pole, with Mike Bledsoe the runner-up. Division points leader Blaise Brinkley was sixth.

The Mini Stocks race was won by Brandon Brendle, with Tyler Bush second in the 2-lap feature.

Joe Fleenor captured his first career victory by winning the 602 Modified race. Fleenor led the whole way, with Brian Weber second.

Other winners were Nick Collins (Street Stock) and Riley Neal (Sportsman).

  • It was the second racing card of the week at Caraway Speedway.

On Labor Day, Brinkley (Late Models), Cody Griffin (Challenger), Brendle (Mini Stocks) and Allen Vance (U-Car) were among the winners.

Brinkley was the top qualifier and never relinquished the lead, with Tony Black was the runner-up.

Griffin was a surprise winner in Challengers because initial winner Tyler Johnson was disqualified based on a postrace car inspection. Division points leader Mike Chambers was third.

Brendle, who was the Mini Stocks track champion at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, finished ahead of Tyler Bush and points leader Brandon Collins.

Vance secured the 20-lap triumph despite Steven Collins holding a lead for 13 laps. Collins ended up third behind Troy Ring.

Also, Dylan Ward (Sportsman) and Nate Gregg (Street Stocks) won races for Bowman Gray Stadium divisions, while Bryce Applegate and Nate Tetrow each won a Legends car event.

Ward passed brother Trevor Ward, who was third behind Michael Adams. Gregg claimed the 25-lap feature in his race.

Applegate had the best qualifying time in Legends and won the first of the twin features. Applegate was second in the next feature.