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Jason York

Caraway driver Chase Murphy July2023

York, Murphy win in Late Models; Challengers race becomes rough, feisty at Caraway

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Chase Murphy was a trophy winner in Late Models on Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. (Courtesy photo)

ASHEBORO – Jason York and Chase Murphy were winners in the Late Models class Saturday night at Caraway Speedway.

Twin features were held in many classes.

York had the fastest qualifying time and went on to win the first race in the division. Former NASCAR Cup Series driver Jeremy Mayfield placed fifth in the first race and 10th in the second race.

Murphy moved to the front at the beginning of the second race and went on to win.

Camden Thomas was the runner-up in both races. York, the track’s points leader, was fourth in the second race.

In Challengers, Allen Vance had a wire-to-wire victory in the first race, but that result was later overturned.

The second race involved a scrap between Vance and Brody Duggins following a wreck, which wrapped up with Duggins’ car on top of Vance’s car. Vance’s actions in the ensuing scuffle resulted in his disqualification and wiped out all his results for the night.

Matthew Smith was the original runner-up in the first Challengers feature, but his car failed inspection. So Duggins, who was third in the first race, was moved to the top spot on that rundown of results.

The second race standings showed Blake Shupe in first place and Nicolas Graham in second.

In 602 Modifieds, Jaxon Casper captured first place in both features. Second place in both races went to Josh Lowder and third place belonged to Justice Calabro each time.

There were a pair of 10-lap UCARs races with Steven Collins winning the first and Justin Smith prevailing in the second.

In Bootleggers, Jon Morton won both races, with the 10-lap events having identical results for all the entrants. Bentley Black had a pair of second-place finishes.

In U.S. Legends, Josh Lowe was the winner after leader Neal Dulin’s crash. London McKenzie placed second.

The Bandoleros victory went to Rylan Lowder.

The next race night for Caraway Speedway comes Aug. 5. That includes a Demo Derby plus class racing in Challengers, UCARs and Bootleggers.

Scene at Caraway June 28

Big turnout witnesses Larson, others at Caraway Speedway

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SOPHIA – It was as much about the scene as it was the racing Wednesday night at Caraway Speedway.

And the racing was pretty good.

The biggest crowd in at least a decade showed up at the speedway and there was quite a show.

The main event was the 125-lap CARS Tour Late Models feature.

The first to cross the finish line in the Firecracker 125 was Layne Riggs. But by Thursday, his victory had been overturned because of a failed post-race inspection.

So Riggs was disqualified and that moved Jared Fryar into the first-place spot. Riggs was steering a car owned by Kevin Harvick.

At issue was the size of the sway bars on Riggs’ car.

“I really hate this for the team and all my fans,” Riggs posted on social media. “I don’t think this should overshadow what a good showing we had. It’s disappointing that it was over something that was not a performance advantage and unintentional.”

The new runner-up is Mason Diaz, while Carson Kvapil was third and Kaden Honeycutt took fourth in the 32-car field. Pole-sitter Chase Burrow, who had a qualifying time of 16.779 seconds, exited with car damage during a caution on the 45th lap and didn’t return until the leaders were on the 60th lap, so he ended up in 22nd place.

“Biggest crowd I’ve seen out here in 10 years,” Caraway race director Doug Smith said. “You hope the stars line up. Tonight, they did.”

Crowd estimates ranged from 3,5000 to 4,000. Track publicist Randy Myers agreed with those numbers.

“I’ve never seen so many people here and I’ve worked here since I was 15,” said a concessions worker, who’s now 26.

“I’ve never seen it like this,” Dale York, mother of Caraway regular Jason York, said of the masses on hand to witness the mid-week special.

The main attraction was Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion. He placed seventh in his first Late Models competition in 10 years. He started in the 16th position.

“It was honestly much more fun than I was expecting,” Larson said. “The cars were much quicker than what I remembered them being. Obviously, I would have liked to have done a little better, but I’m not a short-track racer. This style of racing has been difficult for me, and it showed against the guys who do this for a living.”

Many fans showed up clearly supporting Larson based on their apparel.

The experience at Caraway might have perked Larson’s interest in Lake Models.

“This obviously worked out because it was a good week and close to home, so that makes things a lot easier,” he said. “I’ve never even looked at a Late Model schedule before, so I don’t even know what else is out there.”

York, the points leader at Caraway, didn’t finish and was in 28th place.

To open the racing, Bryson Brinkley won the Bandoleros event.

In the Pro Late Models, teenager Caden Kvapil won the 100-lapper ahead of runner-up Kate Hettinger among 17 entrants. It marked the first 2023 victory for Kvapil, who won the same event last year at the track.

The race card ended with the Legends division. That race endured multiple cautions – including a wreck that ended Neil Dulin’s race – and was ultimately placed under a time limit. It turned out that the race was reduced from 25 laps to 19 laps, with 17-year-old Landen Lewis of Supply the winner. London McKenzie of Asheboro was the runner-up.

Another big event is set for Saturday night at the track. It’s the Rusty Harpe Memorial. Among the races will be a 99-lap SMART Modifieds Tour event with 2000 NASCAR Cup Series champion Bobby Labonte behind the wheel of one of the entries

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York, Strmiski among winners on busy Caraway slate

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SOPHIA – Jason York continued his winning ways by winning the Late Models race Saturday night at Caraway Speedway.

Tony Black and Dean Ward brought out new cars to try to stop York’s winning ways. Both

had solid performances with Black claiming the runner-up spot. Ward was

running second to York when a quick shower halted racing on lap 30. Ward elected to

withdraw at that time leaving Black, Camden Thomas, Toby Layne and Chase Murphy

to chase York when racing resumed.

** In Mini Stocks, Robert Strmiski claimed the 40-lap victory. Strmiski had to fight off challenges from Luke Smith, Tyler Bush and Johnny Baker, not to mention a visit to pit road for a tire change.

Bryson Pickard was the runner-up followed by Mason Tucker, Martin Tucker and Jamison Whittington.

** In Challengers, Allen Vance was the victor ahead of Corey Rose, with Caleb Allred in third.

** The UCARs feature went to Ron Mock, who was head of Steven Collins and Josh Phillips.

** The Grand National Super Series held twin 50-lap features as part of the racing card. Jake Christman and Jeremy Mayfield were the winners. Christman was the runner-up in the second race, which Mayfield won wire-to-wire. Kevin Kromer held the second-place spot in the first of the races.

** Ethan Elder won the 25-lap Legacy Series race, with Justin Oplinger in second.

** In Legends cars, Neil Dulin held off Josh Lowe for the victory, with Jason Kitzmiller in third.

** In Bandoleros, Jay Hemenway took first place.

Ard honored

Sam Ard was honored with Saturday’s prerace tribute that highlighted his racing career and his relationship with Thomas Brothers Country Ham and Caraway Speedway. Ard was honored as one of NASCAR’s Top 75 drivers.

Ard won two Bush Grand National Series titles and hundreds of races in a storied career that was cut short by an accident at Rockingham Speedway. Many of his family members and crew members were on hand for the tribute.

The next regular racing card at the speedway comes June 17 with females admitted free.

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Duggins wins for first time at Caraway

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SOPHIA – Brody Duggins won for the first time at Caraway Speedway by capturing the Challengers feature Saturday night.

Duggins qualified for the pole position. He managed to move to the front after a redraw and hold on, with Allen Vance was second and Corey Rose placed third.

In Late Models, Jason York of Reidsville won again despite his son, Jamie York, posting the fastest qualifying time.

Brian Rose was the runner-up in Late Models, followed by Chase Murphy, Camden Thomas and Jamie York.

In UCARs, Steven Collins collected his fourth victory of the year at the track despite starting in the 10th position. Josh Phillips, Jason Richmond, Daniel Hughes and Ron Mock rounded out the top five.

In Legends, there were 20 cars in the field, with London McKenzie taking the checkered flag. The 25-lap event was riddled with cautions. Caleb Day placed second, followed by Bobby Gossett, Spencer Bradshaw and Josh Lowe.

On the USAC Midgets circuit, Brady Allison Jr. secured the victory in the 35-lap race. He led the entire race, with Chris Lamb ending up in second place.

The Bandoleros race was won by Rylan Lowder, who’s listed as a third-generation driver at the speedway. Ellie Gossett placed second.

The next regular racing night at the track comes May 13, which has been dubbed Randolph County Appreciation Night with $8 admission for county residents. That will include a schedule 100-lapper in Late Models. The Modifieds division will be in action along with other regular classes at the track.

Caraway driver Alex Stoltz Challengers division

York claims Late Models adventure at Caraway

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Alex Stoltz celebrates his victory in the Challengers division Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. (Courtesy photo)

SOPHIA – Jason York wasn’t unscathed but he was the winner in Saturday night’s 69-lap Late Models feature at Caraway Speedway.

York, a Reidsville driver, was the top qualifier and started in the front spot, but he withstood several restarts to claim the victory.

Boo Boo Dalton of Liberty was the runner-up, followed by Buddy Isles, Justin Hicks and Jamie York.

In Modifieds, Josh Lowder was the wire-to-wire winner in the 35-lap race. Billy Gregg was the runner-up, followed by Mitchell Wright, Jaxson Casper and Justice Calabro.

In Mini Stocks, A.J. Sanders prevailed in the 12-driver field across 40 laps. Fast qualifier Chuck Wall was the runner-up, with Johnny Baker, Luke Smith and Bryson Pickard comprising the next three spots.

In Challengers, Alex Stoltz stormed from the rear to capture the checkered flag. Tony Black was second and Allen Vance took third ahead of Josh Williams and Blake Sharpe.

In UCARs, Daniel Hughes posted the victory ahead of Steven Collins, Justin Smith, Ron Mock and Josh Phillips completed the top five. Blair Patterson and Smith won UCARs heat races.

John Morton topped the field again in the Bootlegger feature over Robbie Perkins and Bentley Black.

In Southern Ground Pounders, Dennis Weaver was first across the line followed by Bobby Griffin.

The next regular racing card at the speedway is set for April 29.

Jason York after April 1 2023 win at Caraway

York, Dalton split wins in Late Models

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Jason York holds the checkered flag after winning one of the Late Models features Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. (Courtesy photo)

SOPHIA – Two-time Caraway Speedway champion Jason York of Reidsville led the entire race to win the first of two 35-lap features in the Late Models division Saturday night at the track.

York was the fastest qualifier.

Boo Boo Dalton of Liberty ended up the sixth-place spot in the first Late Models feature, but he was in first place in the division’s second race. York was second in that race.

Dalton was the second-fastest qualifier and won the division’s first race of the year.

Brian Rose was second in the first feature and third in the second race.

In Modifieds, Mitchell Wright was the winner of the first 20-lapper and Billy Gregg gained the checkered flag in the second feature.

In Challengers, Enoch McNeill won both 20-lap races. Kyler Kepley led for 14 laps in the second race, but McNeill eventually moved up from the sixth position.

In Legends cars, London McKenzie prevailed in the first 25-lap competition.

In UCARs, Daniel Hughes and Steven Collins were winners of 10-lap features. Collins was runner-up in the division’s first race of the night.

In the 10-lap Bootleggers, Jon Morton won a pair of races. There were two 10-lap events in Caraway Stocks, with Tommy Raino winning both of those.

In Bandoleros, Bryson Brinkley was the winner across 20 laps.

The next night of racing in regular division at the speedway comes April 15. Plus, Southern Ground Pounders also will be part of the card.

Caraway driver Cory Rose

York nabs Late Models win in Caraway winter event

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Cory Rose was pumped up after winning Saturday’s Challengers race at Caraway Speedway. (Courtesy photo)

SOPHIA – Jason York pulled into the front spot when two other drivers couldn’t stay clear of trouble and he won the Late Models feature in Caraway Speedway’s Winter Heat on Saturday.

Coy Beard and Gary Causey were the front runners, but with two laps to go in the 75-lap race they bumped into each other and York emerged in the lead. York had the fastest qualifying time.

Chase Murphy was second, followed by Mason Ludwig, Lanie Bruce and Daniel Roberts.

The race event was postponed from late November because of weather concerns, turning it from a season-ending card to a kickoff for 2023 competition. Then it had been slated for Sunday, but was moved up a day because of rain in the forecast at the back end of the weekend.

In Challengers, Cory Rose was the winner in the 40-lap race, with Enoch McNeill in second and Tyler Johnson claiming third.

In Mini Stocks, A.J. Sanders was the winner in the 10-car field. Jonathan Brown was the runner-up as a fill-in for Adam Thomas. Chuck Wall had the best qualifying time, but engine troubles doomed him in the race.

There were 13 entrants in UCARs, with 2022 track champion Daniel Hughes capturing the victory in the 20-lap race. Fast qualifying Justin Smith placed second, with Ron Mock, Steven Collins and Jeremy Kidd rounding out the top five.

In Street Stocks, Brewster Baker was the winner. Kyle Lynch was next, followed by Mike Cooper, Larry Isenhour and Steven Sharp.

The official start of the track’s 2023 season comes March 12 with the Dogwood 250.