Elkins Speedway Banquet Celebrates the 2005 Racing Season         

                                                              Images of Champions

By Bob Reed

Elkins, WV. 12/3/2005. The annual banquet celebrating the racing season at the Elkins Speedway was held at the Elk Country Club, Elkins, WV Saturday night December 3d.

D.J Miller one of the owners in his opening remarks thanked all of the participants, fans, workers and sponsors for their efforts during the past season. He also brought up some somber news by announcing that the track was for lease. He stated that they were actively looking for someone to take over daily operation of the track for 2006. He also made the remark that if this was not possible that the owners were going to again promote it themselves in 2006. Further news on this development will be forthcoming.

The next item on the agenda was the presenting of trophies and awards to the top ten in each of the 6 classes run on a weekly basis at the track. Gary Dalton was the Budweiser LM champion, Dusty Hamrick the J&M Grafix SL Champion, Ray Perkins the Miller’s Used Cars AMRA Modified Champion, Randy Bohan the Pure Stock Champion, Don Pifer the Four Cylinder Champion, and Beau Newlon the Mini Wedge Champion. Four Cylinder Champion Don Pifer was not in attendance to accept his trophy.

Also Kevin Keene of the SL class was given a trophy for the Most Improved Driver while Jacob Hawkins of the AMRA modified class was given a trophy for being the Rookie of the Year.

Since no promoter has been named for 2006 schedule, rules or classes were not announced.

Robbie Scott wins the Forest Festival LM Race at the Elkins Speedway

By Bob Reed

Kerens, WV.  9/17/2005.  Robbie Scott, Shinnston, WV driving the Scott & Son #18 Dodge powered Rocket led all 30 laps of the Forest Festival LM race at the Elkins Speedway for his first ever Forest Festival win.  This was also Scott’s 3d win of the year at the Speedway.

Scott when asked how after the 3 hour delay for the lighting problem he had gotten his car so good he stated:  “We have been coming here so long that we just know what to do with the car.  The car sat on jack stands all during the delay and they got it ready.  He thanked all of his crew, his dad, the fans and especially his wife for the help given him.  He also stated that the track although it was one groove tonight was still smooth and in good shape.”

On the first attempt at a start outside polesitter Steve Wilmoth got the jump on polesitter Scott but this was negated when several cars got together in turn 4 with Bill Weese ending up sitting crossways of the track.  On this yellow Jerrod Hawkins was the first casualty as he retired to the pits.

On the second start Scott never gave Wilmoth a chance and just took off, leaving Wilmoth and the rest of the field in his dust.  Scott increased his lead every lap and by lap 12 was lapping cars.  The race had no more cautions as Scott lapped up through the 9^th place car in 30 laps of a dominating performance.

Paul Wilmoth made an early move from his 10^th place starting spot as he moved into 6^th spot behind Chuck Harper on lap 6 but could never make another pass and finished 6^th.  By lap 15 13^th starting Gary Dalton had worked himself to 8^th but never passed another car and finished 8^th and was the last car on the lead lap at the finish.

At the finish Scott was still pulling away and led Steve Wilmoth by a half track with many lapped cars between them.  Wilmoth was closely followed by Billy Holbert who had his best run of the year in 3d, Tim Senic 4^th and Harper 5^th.  Heats to Scott and Steve Wilmoth. 

Notes:  19 cars started the feature with 13 running after 30 laps.  Only 1 caution and that was on the 1^st attempt at a start.  Hard charger was Gary Dalton who started 13^th and finished 8^th, a gain of 5 spots.

Notes:  Scott’s #18 Rocket is powered by a Gary Stanton Dodge and is sponsored by   Amos Paving, Banshee Graphics, Walt’s Inc, Advance Auto Parts of Shinnston, Bell Racing Products, Hoosier and Rocket Chassis.

Notes:  Charlie George was out for the first time this year in his own car.  It is a Denny Chamberlain car from last year.  He just changed the advertising on it and left everything else the same including the number.

John Tallman driving the Tommy Pennington owned Cropper powered #37 Rocket won his 5^th J&M Grafix SL feature of the year when he passed leader Chad Justice on lap 14 and led the final 7 laps.

Tallman started on the pole but outside polesitter Justice took the lead at the drop of the green and at times led by a half straight while Tallman dropped back to 4^th behind Justice, Brad Harris and Dusty Hamrick.  Finally on lap 10 Tallman started running the extreme top of the track and the car took off.  He began picking off the cars in front of him and on lap 14 passed Justice for the lead that he never gave up.

The move he put on Justice was a thing of beauty as Justice was also running the high line and had held Tallman up for a couple laps until he dove under Justice in turn 1 & 2 on lap 13 which made Justice move down just a bit on the track to protect his lead.  This then gave Tallman the room he needed on the top and the next turn he just motored by Justice on the top and never looked back.

Justice ended up spinning on lap 17 when something happened to the car and it was towed off with engine problems.  His car spewed radiator liquid all over the track when it came to a stop.

At the finish Tallman had a half straight lead over Dusty Hamrick in 2d with Brad Harris 3d, Ron Parrish 4^th and Donnie Dotson from the rear on lap 3 in 5^th.  Heats to Tallman, Justice and Hamrick.

Notes:  16 cars started the feature with 11 running after 20 laps.  5 cautions slowed the action.  New cars tonight were the 25 of Justice, the 8 of Andy Spooner, the 64 of Chad Lovelace and the 93Taz of Bobby Marrietta.  Hard charger was Mike Jackson who started 13^th and finished 7^th, a gain of 6 spots.

Notes:  Lovelace had the throttle stick on his car on the first lap of his heat.  He lost it in turn 4, came back across the track and was clipped by Kevin Keene.  This sent him into the front straight wall almost head on and then he turned around and he hit the wall another glancing blow.  When track personnel arrived on the scene he was out cold and the red flag was thrown.   The EMT’s finally got him out of the car but did not transport him.  I spoke with his mother later and she told me that he had a huge headache and was sore but otherwise was ok.  In fact his mother stated that he carried out his plan of proposing to his girlfriend.

Congratulations!!

Notes:  During the 1^st heat a wire shorted out in a light above the flagstand that resulted in a red flag.  After almost a 3 hour delay to try and repair the light system this heat was resumed.  All the lights were not operable for the rest of the night.  None of the front straight lighting and the lights on the inside of both the turns were on the rest of the night.  The Junior Volunteer Fire Department brought their rescue equipment in and helped light up turns 1 & 2.  The track was a little dim but the night’s program was finished.

Dave Defibaugh won his 6^th Miller’s Used Cars AMRA Modified Feature of the year by leading all 15 laps from the outside pole.

Dave got the jump on polesitter Brent Trimble and never looked back.  He had a comfortable lead throughout with the 6 cautions the only thing that slowed him down.  At the finish Dave led Trimble, Vic Vandergrift, Dale Keplinger and Phil Jeffries.  Heats to Dave and Trimble.

Notes:  18 cars in the pits with 17 starting the feature.  Only Lou Ansel failed to make the feature.  6 cautions.  Hard charger was Louie Krushansky who started 15^th and finished 6^th, a gain of 9 spots.

Notes:  New cars were the 9a of Lou Ansel and the 66 of 14 year old Matt Cosner who has won 2 features this year.  Brent Trimble was driving the ‘Throwin Dirt’ #15 House Car normally driving by Kenny Rogers.

Kris Southern won his 2d PS feature of the year.  This one was a big one as it was worth $500.  Thirteenth starting Southern took the lead on lap 18 when race long leader Chad Green retired to the pits.  Southern then held off veteran Jim Byers for the win.  Byers hung on for 2d followed by Spec Yokum, Pat Frazier and newcomer Marshall Coleman.  Heats to Punky Conrad, Green and Randy Bohan while Anthony Arbogast won the consi.

Notes:  33 cars ran heats with 24 starting the feature.  Only 11 were running after 20 laps. 7 cautions slowed the action.  Hard charger was Nelson Bise Jr who started 23d and finished 7^th, a gain of 16 spots.

Notes:  New cars were Chris Matthews #3, Tom Newman #38, Bo Karwatski #32, Charlie McClair #05, Dave Loudin #5, Marshall Coleman #40 and Justin Arbogast #01 while Punky Conrad was driving the #02 normally driven by Kelly Cooper and Terry Conrad was driving the #21 normally driven by Dave Swecker.

Mike Murphy won his 2d 4 Cyl feature of the year as he passed leader Mike Simpson on lap 1 and led the final 11 laps.  The 4^th starting Murphy jumped to 2d on the first lap and when Simpson suffered transmission problems going down the back straight on lap 2 he passed him and never looked back.  Murphy held off Ken Roback in the middle laps until Roback suffered problems and dropped out on lap 8.  Mike Lewis then caught and in the final 2 laps and was on Murphy’s rear bumper but could never make the pass.  Murphy edged Lewis at the line with Tom Simpson holding on for 3d, 10^th starting Chris Waugh 4^th and Tom Simpson 5^th.   Heats to Dave Mullenax and T. Simpson.

 Notes:  19 cars started the feature with 15 running after 12 laps.  Only 3 cautions.  The hard charger was Larry Hoover who started 19^th and finished 9^th, a gain of 10 spots.  The 08 of Steve Maxwell was the only new car.  Mike Lewis was driving the #98 usually driven by son Aaron Wells while Hayward Baker was driving the 22L normally driving by Lewis.

D.J. Coleman won his 6^th Mini Wedge Feature of the year as he bested Brandon Fluharty, Beau Newlon, Lindsay Smarr and J.R. Kelly.  Heats to Coleman and Carl Kelly.

This was the final race of 2005 at the speedway.  The next scheduled event is the annual Banquet on December 3d at the Elks Country Club that is just outside of Elkins towards Beverly on the 5 lanes.  For further information and/or tickets call Connie or Rose @ 304-636-4534.

 SUMMARY

BUDWEISER LM

Feature – Robbie Scott, Steve Wilmoth, Billy Holbert, Tim Senic, Chuck Harper, Paul Wilmoth Jr, Mike Benedum, Gary Dalton, Bob Gordon, Kevin Hamrick, Joe Loudin, Richard Frazier, Skip Hare, Butch McGill, Danny Mitchell, Shawn Poling, Bill Weese, Charlie George, Jerrod Hawkins.

Ht 1 – Scott, Holbert, Gordon, Poling, Hamrick, P. Wilmoth, Mitchell, Weese, Frazier, Hare.

Ht 2 – S. Wilmoth, Senic, Harper, Benedum, George, McGill, Dalton, Hawkins, Loudin.

J&M GRAFIX SL

Feature – John Tallman, Dusty Hamrick, Brad Harris, Ron Parrish, Donnie Dotson, Kevin Keene, Mike Jackson, Tracy Sampson, L.P. Roy, Bobby Marrietta, Stanley Spooner, Ron Clevenger, Chad Justice, Andy Spooner, Dave Robinson, Troy Frazier.   DNS – Jason Crites, Wade Sigler, Chad Lovelace, Eric Hudkins.

Ht 1 – Tallman, Sampson, Parrish, A. Spooner, Crites, Marrietta, Frazier.

Ht 2 – Justice, Harris, Clevenger, Robinson, Sigler, Roy, Hudkins.

Ht 3 – Hamrick, Keene, Dotson, S. Spooner, Jackson, Lovelace.

MILLER’S USED CARS AMRA MODIFIEDS

Feature – Dave Defibaugh, Brent Trimble, Vic Vandergrift, Dale Keplinger, Phil Jeffries, Louie Krushansky, Shawn Davis, Jason Defibaugh, Cliff Cochran, Jacob Hawkins, Ray Perkins, Sam Henderson, Doug Thompson, Delmas Whiteman, Andre Layfield, Matt Cosner, Tom Harris.  DNS – Lou Ansel.

Ht 1 – Trimble, Vandergrift, Cochran, J. Defibaugh, Harris, Henderson, Whiteman.

Ht 2 – D. Defibaugh, Jeffries, Davis, Hawkins, Cosner, Ansel.

Ht 3 – Keplinger, Thompson, Perkins, Layfield, Krushansky, Vandergrift.

SS

Feature – Kris Southern, Jim Byers, Spec Yokum, Pat Frazier, Marshall Coleman, Bo Karwatske, Nelson Bise Jr, Terry Conrad, Anthony Arbogast, Lynn Moore, Chris Matthews, Chad Green, Tom Newman, Dave Loudin, Punky Conrad, John Jarvis, Randy Bohan, Rick Isner, Ricky Vest, Rusty Ball, Mike O’Brien, Todd Collett, Charlie McClain, Robert Isner.

Ht 1 – P. Conrad, Frazier, Karwatske, Byers, Southern, R. Vest, Matthews, Justin Arbogast, T. Conrad, Josh Sigler.

Ht 2 – Green, Yokum, Loudin, Coleman, O’Brien, Rick Isner, Moore, Robert Isner, A. Arbogast, Michael Vandevender, Bise.

Ht 3 – Bohan, McClain, Collett, Jarvis, Newman, Ball, Bobby Martin, Brandon Kerr, Chris Lothes, Frank Wine, Randy Arbogast.

Consi – A. Arbogast, Moore, T. Conrad, Robert Isner, Bise, Matthews, Vandevender, J. Arbogast, Lothes, Kerr.  DNS – Martin, K. Vest, Wine, Sigler, R. Arbogast.

4 Cyl

Feature – Mike Murphy, Mike Lewis, Mike Simpson, Chris Waugh, Tom Simpson, Dave Gabbert, Gary Lester, Don Pifer, Larry Hoover, Daniel Simpson, Bob Moore, Rick Kesner, Dave Mullenax, Nancy Simpson, Hayward Baker, Josh Simpson, Kenny Roback, Jessie Pifer, Steve Maxwell.

Ht 1 – Mullenax, Roback, T. Simpson, Moore, Baker, D. Pifer, Maxwell, D. Simpson, Kesner, Hoover.

Ht 2 – M. Simpson, Murphy, Lewis, Gabbert, Waugh, J. Pifer, Lester, N. Simpson, J. Simpson.

MINI WEDGE

Feature – D.J. Ccrawford, Brandon Fluharty, Beau Newlon, Lindsay Smarr, J.R. Kelly, Kodi Tingler, Carl Kelly, Garrett Paugh, Ryan Watson, Megan Davis, Matt Chenoweth, James Childers, Lantz Elbon.

Ht 1 – Crawford, Newlon, Tingler, Smarr,  Elbon, Davis, Watson.

Heavy Rains force cancellation of racing scheduled for Friday night August 26th

By Bob Reed

Kerens, WV. 8/26/2005. rains all day Friday in the area forced cancellation of the final race of the 2005 season at the Elkins Speedway.

The next scheduled race was the Forest Festival Race on Saturday September 17th. THIS IS NOW A DOUBLE POINTS RACE FOR ALL CLASSES!!!!! The LM class also pays $1500 to the winner.

Gates will open on the 17th at 4PM with hot laps at 6:30PM. Note this is an hour earlier than usual.

Also the banquet this year will be on the 12th of November at the Elks Country Club, just outside Elkins. Call 304-636-4534 or 8661 for directions and info.

Also check out our website @ www.elkinsmotorspeedway.com.   
 

Elkins Speedway Cancels Friday Nights Racing

By Bob Reed

Kerens, WV. 8/19/2005. Rain in the area and forecast for more forced promoters at the Elkins Speedway to cancel Friday night's racing program.

Join us next week for the last race of the regular season with gates opening at 5 PM and racing at 8 PM. Regular racing in all classes.

Also don't forget the Forest Festival Races scheduled for Saturday September 17th.

Other events on the schedule are the annual Banquet which is scheduled this year for November 12th at the Elks Country Club just outside of Elkins. For tickets and further information call 304-636-8661 or 304-636-4534.

Check our website @ www.elkinsmotorspeedway.com.   
 

                                                    Paul Wilmoth Jr wins 2d LM feature in a row at the Elkins Speedway

By Bob Reed

Kerens, WV.  8/12/2005.  From the pole Paul Wilmoth Jr, the ‘Gambler’, Clarksburg, driving the Gary Midcap owned #B1 Chevrolet powered Rocket led all 35 laps of the Elkins Fordland Late Model Special for his 2d win in a row and 4th of the year at the Elkins Speedway.  The win was worth $1500.

On the first attempt at a start outside polesitter Chuck Harper in an attempt to keep pace with Wilmoth going thru turns 1 & 2 got too high, slid off the top bringing out the caution and was sent to the rear for the restart.

This moved Mike Benedum to the outside pole but the restart was the same as Wilmoth got another good start and led Benedum by several car lengths down the back straight on the first lap.  Wilmoth increased his lead to almost a straight as Benedum and Booper Bare were fighting for 2d while Tim Senic and Steve Wilmoth were fighting for 4^th and 5th.  Wilmoth began lapping cars on lap 9 with Bare finally getting around Benedum on lap 13.

Bare cut slightly into Wilmoth’s lead several times as the lapped traffic at times was 2 & 3 deep but Wilmoth deftly steered through them and always kept 1 or 2 cars between himself and Bare.  Finally on lap 15 the 2d caution flew that put Bare on Wilmoth’s rear bumper.

No problem!  When the green flew Wilmoth motored off to a 2/3 straight lead over Bare with Benedum in 3d, Senic 4^th and Steve Wilmoth 5^th.  At this point outside polesitter Chuck Harper who had gone to the tail on lap1 was running 11^th.  Wilmoth cruised on the top cushion until lap 24 when he again caught the rear of the field and began lapping cars.  Bare closed the gap but when he had to lap the same cars the lead increased. 

Again just as Wilmoth got heavily into lapped traffic the caution flew on lap 26 for a slowing Bobby Hill.  Again when the green flew Wilmoth jumped to his big lead and cruised across the line with a ¾ straight lead over Bare with Senic 3d, Benedum  4^th and Steve Wilmoth 5^th.    The only change in the top 5 in the final 20 laps came on lap 17 when Senic got by Benedum for 3d.  Heats to Wilmoth, Harper and Benedum.

Notes:  This race featured the appearance of Nextel Cup Star Kenny Schrader driving one of Chuck Harper’s Rayburn racecars.  Schrader started on the tail of the 2d heat and finished 4^th.  He started 11^th in the feature and ran 9^th.  Because of a rain delay at the airport in New York he didn’t arrive at the track until just before hot laps.  After hot laps he signed autographs for the large crowd until feature time.  Because of time restraints he left right after the feature was over.

Notes:  Wilmoth’s #B1 is sponsored by Adkins Lumber Products, 3M Welding & Repairs, NAPA Auto & Truck Parts and Hoosier.  This was Wilmoth’s 3d win in the Gary Midcap owned car at the Elkins Speedway.

Notes:  Nineteen cars started the feature with 14 running after 35 laps.  Only 3 cautions slowed the action.  Hard charger was Duke Pratt who started 16^th and finished 12^th, a gain of 4 spots.

Notes:  Duke Pratt was out for the first time this year. He told me that he has been working out of state.  Mike Simpson ran LM for the first time this year.

Dusty Hamrick, Clarksburg, won his 3d J&M Grafix SL Feature of the year and first since winning 2 in a row in late May.

From the pole Nick Corley led the first 9 laps until going high coming off turn 2.  Outside polesitter Billy Brown, Hamrick and John Tallman all got by.  Brown led lap 10 and then Hamrick got by him the next lap and led the final 10 laps for his 3d win of the year.  Hamrick was never challenged over the final laps but both Corley and Brown dropped back through the field.  Corley ended up 10^th while Brown did salvage 5^th.  Hamrick had a comfortable lead at the line over 12^th starting and last week’s winner Kevin Keene, Tallman, Brad Harris and Brown.  Heats to Corley and Brown.

Notes:  14 cars started the feature with 12 running after 20 laps.  Only 3 cautions.  Hard charger was Keene who started 12^th and finished 2d a gain of 10 spots.

Notes:  Nick Corley won his first ever heat race.  Billy Brown won his first heat race of the year.  Billy Beachler was driving an ex-Mike Benedum car, numbered 8.

Dave Defibaugh won his 5^th Miller’s Used Cars AMRA Modified feature of the year by passing leader Louie Krushansky on lap 4 and leading the final 12 laps for the win.

On the first two attempts at a start of this feature outside polesitter Andre Layfield got the jump on polesitter Krushansky but both times his lead was negated by a yellow flag.  The first yellow eliminated Jason Defibaugh and Delmas Whiteman while the 2d took out Jim Kyle.

On the third start wily ‘Lucky Louie’ Krushansky got the jump with Layfield 2d, Defibaugh 3d, Shawn Davis 4^th and Ray Perkins 5^th.  The next lap Defibaugh got by Layfield and began working on Krushansky.  For 3 laps he was under Krushansky in every turn and each lap gained a little.  Finally on lap 4 coming off the 4^th turn he got the lead and never looked back.  Krushansky and Layfield followed him to the line while Perkins got by Davis on lap 5.  Davis held on for 5^th at the finish.  Heats to Krushansky and Layfield.

Notes:  14 cars started the feature with 9 running after 15 laps.  Only 2 cautions with both on the first lap.  Hard charger was Phil Jeffries who started 10^th and finished 7^th, a gain of 3 spots.

Anthony Arbogast won his 2d PS feature in a row and 5^th of the year.  Arbogast assumed the lead when leader Chad Green dropped out on lap 6 with heating problems.  Arbogast held off Nelson Bise Jr who was trying for his ever win.  Bise came in a close 2d followed by Spec Yokum, Randy Bohan and Tom Harris.  Heats to Bise, Green and Yokum.

Notes:  23 cars in the pits with 21 starting the feature.  Only 11 running after 12 laps.  4 cautions slowed the action.  Hard charger was Tracy Cooper who started 21^st and finished 8^th, a gain of 13 spots.

Notes:  Bobby Martin made his first appearance of the year.

Another familiar face in 4 Cyl as ‘Crazy Dave’ Gabbert came back from vacation and continued his dominance when he won his 7^th feature of the year.

From the outside pole Gabbert got the jump on polesitter Mike Murphy and led every lap for the win.  Only after an early restart when Gabbert got high coming off turn 4 and Murphy got under him with the two making contact was his lead in jeopardy.  After the two touched Gabbert drove off and was never again challenged.  Murphy stayed in 2d with Tom Simpson 3d, Don Pifer 4^th and Gary Lester 5^th.  Heats to Murphy and Gabbert.

Notes:  16 cars started the feature with 11 running after 12 laps.  Only 3 cautions.  Hard charger was Chris Waugh who started 15^th and finished 6^th, a gain of 9 spots.

Beau Newlon won his 2d Mini Wedge Feature in a row and 2d of the year as he bested Carl Kelly, Brandon Fluharty, J.R. Kelly and Ryan Watson.  Heats to Newlon and Zak Kimbrew.

Next Friday night August 19^th is a PS Special with regular racing in all other classes.  For further details check our website @ www.elkinsmotorspeedway.com.

SUMMARY

BUDWEISER LM

ELKINS FORDLAND LM FEATURE -  Paul Wilmoth Jr, Booper Bare, Tim Senic, Mike Benedum, Steve Wilmoth, Butch McGill, Gary Dalton, Chuck Harper, Kenny Schrader, Billy Holbert, Joe Loudin, Duke Pratt, John Parsons, Richard Frazier, Bobby Hill, Skip Hare, Kevin Hamrick, Mike Simpson, Shawn Poling.

Ht 1 – P. Wilmoth, Bare, Dalton, Loudin, Poling, Parsons, Hare.

Ht 2 – Harper, Senic, Holbert, Schrader, Frazier, Pratt.

Ht 3 – Benedum, S. Wilmoth, McGill, Hamrick, Simpson, Hill.

J&M GRAFIX SL

Feature – Dusty Hamrick, Kevin Keene, John Tallman, Brad Harris, Billy Brown, Tracy Sampson, Billy Beachler, Mike Jackson, Brian Buckler, Nick Corley, L.P. Roy, Donnie Lewis, Wyatt Pifer, Troy Frazier.

Ht 1 – Corley, Roy, Hamrick, Beachler, Buckler, Sampson, Pifer.

Ht 2 – Brown, Tallman, Harris, Lewis, Jackson, Keene, Frazier.

MILLER’S  USED CARS AMRA MODIFIEDS

Feature – David Defibaugh, Louie Krushansky, Andre Layfield, Ray Perkins, Shawn Davis, Jacob Hawkins, Phil Jeffries, Sam Henderson, Sparky Davisson, Tom Marlette, Jim Kyle, Jason Defibaugh, Delmas Whiteman, Ricky Vest.

Ht 1 – Krushansky, D. Defibaugh, J. Defibaugh, Hawkins, Vest, Jeffries, Davisson.

Ht 2 – Layfield, Davis, Perkins, Henderson, Whiteman, Kyle, Marlette.

PS

Feature – Anthony Arbogast, Nelson Bise Jr, Spec Yokum, Randy Bohan, Tom Harris, John Maxwell, Bobby Martin, Tracy Cooper, Randy Arbogast, Lynn Moore, Brandon Kerr, Rusty Ball, Michael O’Brien, Dusty Swecker, Chad Green, Robert Isner, Nathan Yokum, Todd Collett, Jason Frazier, Jimmy Croston, Kris Southern, Jeff Hess, Pat Frazier.

Ht 1 – Bice, O’Brien, J. Frazier, Bohan, Croston, Maxwell.  DNS – Hess, P. Frazier.

Ht 2 – Green, Ball, A. Arbogast, R. Arbogast, Martin, Moore, Southern.  DNS – Cooper.

Ht 3 – S. Yokum, Collett, Harris, Isner, N. Yokum, Kerr, Swecker.

4 CYL

Feature – Dave Gabbert, Mike Murphy, Tom Simpson, Don Pifer, Gary Lester, Chris Waugh, Dave Mullenax, Daniel Simpson, Bob Moore, Rick Kesner, Aaron Wells, Josh Simpson, Larry Hoover, Jessie Pifer, Arlie Sigley, Joe Mullenax.

Ht 1 – Murphy, T. Simpson, D. Mullenax, Moore, Lester, Kesner, Hoover, Waugh.

Ht 2 – Gabbert, D. Pifer, Wells, J. Pifer, D. Simpson, J. Simpson, Sigley.  DNS – J. Mullenax.

MINI WEDGE

Feature – Beau Newlon, Carl Kelly, Brandon Fluharty, J.R. Kelly, Ryan Watson, Kodi Tingler, Matt Chenoweth, Lantz Elbon, Zak Kimbrew.

Ht 1 – Newlon, C. Kelly, J.R. Kelly, Tingler, Elbon.

Ht 2 – Kimbrew, Chenoweth, Fluharty, Watson.

Paul Wilmoth Jr wins third LM feature of the year at the Elkins Speedway

By Bob Reed

Kerens, WV.  8/5/2005.  From the pole Paul Wilmoth Jr, ‘The Gambler’, Clarksburg, WV driving the Gary Midcap owned #B1 Rocket led all 25 laps of the Budweiser LM feature for his 3d win of the year at the Elkins Speedway.

Wilmoth stated after the race that the car was good all night and the only problem he had  was with lapped traffic.  He was asked why he changed his line after one restart and Wilmoth replied:  “I was running other places on the track just in case I needed to run there later.”

From the pole Wilmoth got the jump on outside polesitter Kevin Hamrick and never looked back.  He built up leads of almost a straight as only 4 cautions slowed him down.  The 2d caution on lap 15 came just as he was lapping Richard Frazier.  Coming off turn 2 Frazier started to come down towards the bottom and realized that Wilmoth was there.  Frazier almost spun and collected John Parsons who stopped bringing out the caution.  When the green came out again Wilmoth never encountered lapped traffic over the final 10 laps.  Butch McGill who ran 2d the entire distance stayed within 4 or 5 car lengths over the final laps but was never close enough to challenge for the lead.  Billy Holbert ran 3d for the first 9 laps until Gary Dalton got by and then ran 4^th until lap 21 when he dropped out with mechanical problems, ending his best run of the year. At the checkered Wilmoth led McGill, Dalton, Tim Senic and Hamrick.  Heats to Paul Wilmoth and Hamrick.

Notes:  Wilmoth’s #B1 is sponsored by Adkins Lumber Products, 3M Welding & Repairs, NAPA Auto & Truck Parts and Hoosier.  This was Wilmoth’s 2d win in the Gary Midcap owned car at the Elkins Speedway.

Notes:  Wilmoth did all of his heavy work in the first heat as he passed both Gary Dalton and Butch McGill.  After starting 3d Wilmoth used the bottom to get by Dalton on lap 4 for 2d.  Then after a caution for a spin by Richard Frazier put him on leader McGill’s rear bumper, Wilmoth used the extreme top cushion to pass McGill on lap 8 for the win and the pole in the feature.

Notes:  Last week’s winner Steve Wilmoth had ignition problems, slowed on lap 6 in turn 2 and collected Bobby Hill who ran over the front end of the S1.  After going to the pits for repairs and returning on the rear, Steve came back to finish 8^th.  Hill retired to the pits with much body damage.

Notes:  14 cars started the feature with 10 running after 25 laps.  Hard Charger was Richard Frazier who started 13^th and finished 7^th, a gain of 6 spots.  Jim Pyles made his first visit of the year.  Kevin Hamrick enjoyed his first heat win of the year when he won the 2d heat.

Kevin Keene won his 2d J&M Grafix SL feature of the year.  At the drop of the green polesitter Dusty Hamrick jumped to the lead over outside polesitter Keene and led the first 10 laps by up to a straight when on lap 11 he suddenly retired to the pits giving the lead to Keene who had a half straight lead over Brad Harris at that time.  Keene continued to maintain his lead and led Harris comfortably at the checkered.  Harris came in 2d for his best finish of the year with last week’s winner John Tallman 3d, Billy Brown 4^th and Mike Jackson with his best finish of the year 5^th.  Heats to Hamrick and Keene.

Notes:  Only 11 cars started the feature and 9 were running after 20 laps.  Only 1 caution.  Hard charger was Mike Jackson who started 11^th and finished 5^th, a gain of 6 spots.

Phil Jeffries, Montrose, won his first Miller’s Used Cars AMRA Modified feature of the year and first feature in many years by leading all 15 laps to best Shawn Davis, Andre Layfield, Jason Defibaugh and Jacob Hawkins.  Heats to Brent Trimble and Jeffries.

Notes:  Last week’s winner Dave Defibaugh was involved in a first lap crash in his heat and retired to the pits.  He started 14^th in the feature and advanced to finish 7^th.  Polesitter Brent Trimble was running 2d and was challenging Jeffries for the lead when he spun off the top of turn 1 on lap10.  Third running Louie Krushansky was put on the tail for spinning Trimble and Trimble retired to the pits.  Krushansky recovered for a 9^th place finish.

17 cars started the feature and 14 were running after 15 laps.  Only 3 cautions.  Hard Charger was Shawn Davis who started 9^th and finished 2d, a gain of 7 spots.  Ron Bartholow Jr was out for the first time this year.

Notes:  Phil Jeffries win was his first win in several years.  I asked him when the last one was and he couldn’t remember the year.  He had been retired for several years so it has to be at least 10 years or more.

Anthony Arbogast won his 4^th PS feature of the year as he lead all 12 laps from the outside pole.  Polesitter Pat Frazier was a distant 2d with last week’s winner Kris Southern a close 3d, Rusty Ball 4^th and Nelson Bise Jr 5^th.  Heats to Pat Frazier and Anthony Arbogast.

Notes:  All of the action in PS took place in the first heat as Chad Green took the lead from the outside pole and then pulled off on lap 3 with a hot engine.  Tim Moore driving bother Lynn’s #72 then took the lead but on lap the yellow came out which bunched up the field.  On the restart 2d place Randy Bohan tried a pass on the bottom coming off turn 2 and the 2 got together.  They went off the back straight and into the tires in front of the pits.  Moore ended up on top of the tires while Bohan was under him and also into the tires.  Both cars were towed off and done for the night.

Notes:  21 cars in the pits tonight.  Only 14 started the feature after all the carnage in the heats.  11 were running after 12 laps.  Only 2 cautions slowed Arbogast.  Hard Charger was Nelson Bise Jr who started 9^th and finished 5^th, a gain of 4 spots.  Pat Frazier won his first heat race of the year.  One new car the #32 of Bo Korwatske

The 4 Cyl Special was won by Mike Murphy who passed leader Terry Styer on lap 18 and led the final 3 laps for his first ever win at the Elkins Speedway.

Styer started on the pole and led the first 17 laps while Murphy started 13th and worked his way up through the field until lap 15 when he got to 2d.  He then began making runs on Styer and finally got a run on lap 18 and made the pass on the top coming off turn 2 and led going down the back stretch.  He then began increasing his lead and lead by 6 or 8 car lengths at the checkered.  Styer held on to 2d with 12^th starting Chris Waugh a close 3d, Mike Lewis 4^th and 18^th starting Ronnie Cooper 5^th.  Heats to Styer, Tom Simpson and Scott Willis.

Notes:  20 cars in the pits with 18 starting the feature.  12 were running after 20 laps.  Only 5 cautions.  Hard charger was Ronnie Cooper who started 18^th and finished 5^th, a gain of 13 spots.

Notes:  Tom Simpson who won the 2d heat and was scheduled to start outside pole scratched from the feature.  New cars were Terry Styer, Scott Willis and Jake Tasker.  Ronnie Cooper was in the pits for the first time this year.

Beau Newlon won his first Mini Wedge feature of the year as he beat last week’s winner Carl Kelly, Anastasia Jones, J. R. Kelly and Zak Kimbrew.  Heats to Kimbrew and Newlon.

Next Friday night August 12^th is the Elkins Fordland LM Special paying $1500 to the winner.  Also tonight is the make-up appearance of Nextel Cup star Kenny Schrader.  For details check out our website @www.elkinsmotorspeedway.com.

SUMMARY

BUDWEISER LM

Feature – Paul Wilmoth Jr, Butch McGill, Gary Dalton, Tim Senic, Kevin Hamrick, Joe Loudin, Richard Frazier, Steve Wilmoth, Jim Pyle, Shawn Poling, Billy Holbert, John Parsons, Skip Hare, Bobby Hill.

Ht 1 – P. Wilmoth, McGill, Dalton, Holbert, Loudin, Pyle, Frazier.

Ht 2 – Hamrick, Hill, Senic, S. Wilmoth, Poling, Parsons.

J&M GRAFIX SL

Feature – Kevin Keene, Brad Harris, John Tallman, Billy Brown, Mike Jackson, Tracy Sampson, Donnie Lewis, Wyatt Pifer, L.P. Roy, Nick Corley, Dusty Hamrick.

Ht 1 – Hamrick, Harris, Tallman, Sampson, Roy, Jackson.

Ht 2 – Keene, Brown, Lewis, Corley, Pifer.

MILLER’S USED CARS AMRA MODIFIEDS

Feature – Phil Jeffries, Shawn Davis, Andre Layfield, Jason Defibaugh, Jacob Hawkins, Vic Vandergrift, Dave Defibaugh, Doug Thompson, Louie Krushansky, Steve Wilmoth, Chuck Woodrum, Delmas Whiteman, Ray Perkins, Brent Trimble, Sam Henderson, Tom Harris, Ron Bartholow Jr.

Ht 1 – Trimble, Krushansky, Vandergrift, Layfield, Davis, J. Defibaugh, Wilmoth, Baltholow, Harris.

Ht 2 – Jeffries, Perkins, Whiteman, Henderson, Hawkins, Thompson, D. Defibaugh.  DNS – Woodrum.

PS

Feature – Anthony Arbogast, Pat Frazier, Kris Southern, Rusty Ball, Nelson Bise Jr, Bo Korwatske, John Jarvis, Mike Frazier, Mike O’Brien, Mike Vandevender, Dusty Swecker, Brandon Kerr, Kenny Vest, Ricky Vest.  DNS – Jason Frazier, Tim Moore, Randy Bohan, Randy Arbogast, Robert Isner, Chad Green, Todd Collett.

Ht 1 – P. Frazier, Southern, Korwatske, Swecker, J. Frazier, Moore, Bohan, R. Arbogast, Vandevender, Green, Collett.

Ht 2 – A. Arbogast, Ball, K. Vest, Jarvis, Bise, Kerr, O’Brien, M. Frazier, Isner, R. Vest.

4 Cyl

Feature – Mike Murphy, Terry Styer, Chris Waugh, Mike Lewis, Ronnie Cooper, Jessie Pifer, Gary Lester, Scott Willis, Dave Mullenax, Aaron Wells, Don Pifer, Joe Mullenax, Josh Keplinger, Jake Tasker, Arlie Sigley, Daniel Simpson, Larry Hoover, Nancy Simpson.  DNS – Tom Simpson, Rick Kesner.

Ht 1 – Styer, Sigley, D. Simpson, J. Mullenax, Waugh, J. Pifer, Cooper.

Ht 2 – T. Simpson, D. Pifer, Keplinger, N. Simpson, Murphy, Tasker.  DNS - Kesner.

Ht 3 – Willis, Lewis, Lester, Hoover, D. Mullenax, Wells.

Mini Wedge

Feature – Beau Newlon, Carl Kelly, Anastasia Jones, J.R. Kelly, Zak Kimbrew, Kodi Tingler, Lindsey Smarr, Lantz Elbon.

Ht 1 – Kimbrew, Jones, Smarr, Elbon.

                                            Steve Wilmoth wins first ever LM feature at the Elkins Speedway

By Bob Reed

Kerens, WV.  7/29/2005.  Friday night Steve Wilmoth passed early leader Tim Senic on lap 11 and led the final 15 laps for his first ever Budwieiser LM win at the Elkins Speedway.

Polesitter Senic took the initial lead at the drop of the green followed by 3d starting Steve Wilmoth, outside polesitter Mike Benedum, 4^th starting Butch McGill and 5^th starting Paul Wilmoth. 

On lap 5 just after Paul Wilmoth had been passed by Bobby Hill for 5^th he broke a rearend coming off turn 4 and his driveshaft came out and landed in the middle of the track which brought out the first caution.  After the restart the top 5 remained the same until lap 10 when Richard Frazier went off turn 2 bringing out another caution.

On the restart Steve Wilmoth changed his line and began working Senic on the top.  For two laps the two ran side by side with Wilmoth gaining every turn until coming off turn 2 on lap 10 he got a big advantage and took the lead that he never relinquished.

He increased his lead through the middle stages of the race to 6 or 8 car lengths with Senic in 2d and Benedum in 3d.  While the leaders were fighting much more action was taking place in the back as both 12^th starting Gary Dalton and 13^th starting Chuck Harper were putting on quite a show racing each other while moving through the field.  Dalton led Harper for the first 9 laps until Harper got by in traffic.  They then ran nose to tail for the next 10 laps until Harper got by both Hill and McGill to finish 4^th while Dalton finally got by Hill on lap 24 to finish 6^th.

In the final 2 laps Senic seemed to get new energy and began to pressure Wilmoth on the bottom.  He got up beside Wilmoth several times and almost made a pass on the last lap as they were side by side at the checkered with Senic’s nose up to the numbers on the side of Wilmoth’s car.  Close!!!  Wilmoth won with Senic a very close 2d, Benedum 3d, Harper 4^th and McGill 5^th.  Heats to Senic and Benedum.

Notes:  15 cars in the pits with 14 starting the feature.  10 were running after 25 laps.  Only 3 cautions slowed the action.  Hard charger was Chuck Harper who started 13^th and finished 4^th, a gain of 9 spots.  Harper was involved in a first lap wreck in his heat and he went to the pits that resulted in his starting at the rear of the feature.  Dalton dropped out of his heat that sent him to the rear of the feature.

Notes:  Joe Loudin is now running LM since he installed an aluminum motor in his #5.  The car Harper was driving this week was new and he initiated it in the wreck on the first lap of his heat. 

From the pole John Tallman led all 20 laps of the J&M Grafix SL Feature for his 2d win in a row and 4^th of the year at the Elkins Speedway.

Tallman was not challenged until the final 2 laps when 5^th starting Dusty Hamrick came on strong by running the high side.  From the 1^st lap until lap 15 when he finally got around Kevin Keene Hamrick ran 3d and was no challenge to Tallman.  But as soon as he got around Keene he started closing the gap between himself and Tallman and in 3 laps got up on Tallman’s rear bumper but could not make a challenge for the lead and settled for 2d at the checkered.  Keene held on for 3d with 11^th starting Nick Corley 4^th and L.P. Roy 5^th.  Heats to Tallman and Brad Harris.

Notes:  12 cars in the pits with 11 starting the feature.  8 were running after 20 laps.  Only 1 caution on lap 1 slowed the action.  Hard charger was Corley who started 11^th and finished 4^th, a gain of 7 spots.  This was Corley’s best run of the year.

Dave Defibaugh passed leader Louie Krushansky on lap 5 and led the final 11 laps for his 2d Miller’s Used Cars AMRA Modified feature win in a row and 4^th of the year at the Speedway.

Outside polesitter Krushansky got the jump on polesitter Ray Perkins on the initial green and started stretching his lead but 4^th starting Dave Defibaugh had other ideas as he jumped to 3d on lap 1 and passed Perkins for 2d the next lap.  Almost immediately he closed the gap up to Krushansky and the next lap made the pass and drove off.  Krushansky lost 2d on lap 5 as Perkins got by and then dropped to 4^th on the last lap as Phil Jeffries powered by on the top coming off turn 4 at the flag.  Jason Defibaugh who was out for the first time in several weeks finished 5^th.  Heats to Perkins and Krushansky.

Notes:  This feature ran flag to flag with no cautions.  Only 10 cars tonight with 9 running after 15 laps.  Hard Charger was Dave Defibaugh as he advanced 3 spots from 3d to the win.

Notes:  Steve Wilmoth was again in the #64 of Tom Marlette.

Kris Southern won his first ever PS feature by passing leader Randy Bohan coming off turn 4 on the last lap.  Earlier Southern won his first heat ever so this was a night of firsts for him.

Bohan from the outside pole led polesitter Southern and 3d starting Anthony Arbogast for the first 14 ¾ laps but couldn’t hold off Southern’s charge on the top coming for the flag and lost his 2d feature in the last 2 week’s in the same way.

Bohan told me after the race that because of all the oil which had been dropped in the top groove when Kenny Vest had blown a transmission on lap 10 that he didn’t think that anyone could get a bite up that high coming off turn 4 so he left the top open.  This is just where Southern went as he took a chance and got just enough traction to just barely nip Bohan at the line for the win.

Southern won with Bohan 2d, Anthony Arbogast 3d, Mike O’Brien 4^th and John Maxwell 5^th.  Heats to Southern, Bohan and A. Arbogast.

Notes:  23 cars in the pits with 21 starting the feature.  Only 11 running after 12 laps.  6 cautions slowed the action.  Hard Charger was Mike Vandevender who started scratch on the field (21^st) and finished 6^th, a gain of 15 spots.

Notes:  The red flag came out during a yellow flag on lap 10 when the transmission of Kenny Vest exploded on the back straight causing the rescue squad to go to the aid of Vest.  He was alright but it looked scary for a few moments.

Crazy Dave Gabbert won his 5^th 4Cyl Feature in a row and 6^th of the year as he led all 12 laps for the win.  Don Pifer was a distant 2d followed by Gary Lester, Mike Murphy and Mike Lewis.  Heats to D. Pifer and Gabbert.

Notes:  17 cars in the pits with 16 starting the feature.  13 were running after 12 laps.  Only one caution and it was on lap 1.

Carl Kelly won his 3d Mini Wedge feature of the year when D.J. Crawford was disqualified for illegal fuel.  Carl was followed by brother J.R, Zak Kimbrew, Kodi Tingler and Beau Newlon.  Heats to Crawford and Carl Kelly.

Notes:  Carl Kelly is back driving after being out several weeks with a broken hand.  This inactivity cost him big time in the points race.

Next week is as 4 Cyl Special with regular racing in all other classes.  For further information check our website @ www.elkinsmotorspeedway.com

SUMMARY

BUDWEISER LM

Feature – Steve Wilmoth, Tim Senic, Mike Benedum, Chuck Harper, Butch McGill, Gary Dalton, Bobby Hill, Shawn Poling, Skip Hare, John Parsons, Joe Loudin, Richard Frazier, Paul Wilmoth Jr, Brad Hudson.  DNS – Billy Holbert.

Ht 1 – Senic, S. Wilmoth, Loudin, Hill, Hare, Parsons, Dalton, Poling.

Ht 2 – Benedum, McGill, P. Wilmoth, Hudson, Holbert, Frazier, Harper.

J&M GRAFIX SL

Feature – John Tallman, Dusty Hamrick, Kevin Keene, Nick Corley, L.P. Roy, Brad Harris, Donnie Lewis, Billy Brown, Dave Robinson, Tracy Sampson, Wyatt Pifer.  DNS – Jim McCloud.

Ht 1 – Tallman, Keene, Hamrick, Roy, Robinson, Corley.

Ht 2 – Harris, Sampson, Lewis, Brown, Pifer.  DNS – McCloud.

MILLER’S USED CARS AMRA MODIFIEDS

Feature – Dave Defibaugh, Ray Perkins, Phil Jeffries, Louie Krushansky, Jason Defibaugh, Steve Wilmoth, Sparky Davidson, Sam Henderson, Delmas Whiteman, Roger Coffman.

Ht 1 – Perkins, J. Defibaugh, Wilmoth, Davidson, Coffman.

Ht 2 – Krushansky, D. Defibaugh, Jeffries, Henderson, Whiteman.

PS

Feature – Kris Southern, Randy Bohan, Anthony Arbogast, Mike O’Brien, John Maxwell, Mike Vandevender, Tom Harris, Rusty Ball, Branden Kerr, Nathan Yokum, Lynn Moore, Kenny Vest, J.R. Bise, Pat Frazier, Randy Arbogast, Tom Simpson, Mike Baldwin, Dusty Swecker, Robert Isner, Chad Green, Tracie Cooper.  DNS – Spec Yokum, Todd Collett.

Ht 1 – Southern, Bise, Moore, Harris, Simpson, Swecker, Vest, Cooper.

Ht 2 – Bohan, Frazier, O’Brien, Maxwell, Isner, N. Yokum, Kerr, Vandevender.

Ht 3 – A. Arbogast, Green, Ball, R. Arbogast, Baldwin, S. Yokum, Collett.

4 Cyl

Feature – Dave Gabbert, Don Pifer, Gary Lester, Mike Murphy, Mike Lewis, Larry Hoover, Chris Waugh, Daniel Simpson, Arlie Sigley, Jessie Pifer, Rick Kesner, Terry Shreve, Aaron Wells, Dave Mullenax, Joe Mullenax, Josh Keplinger.  DNS – Wayne Collett.

Ht 1 – D. Pifer, Lewis, Murphy, J. Pifer, Simpson, J. Mullenax, Sigley, Collett.

Ht 2 – Gabbert, Lester, Waugh, Hoover, D. Mullenax, Wells, Kesner, Shreve, Keplinger.

Mini Wedges

Feature – Carl Kelly, J.R. Kelly, Zak Kimbrew, Kodi Tingler, Beau Newlon, Matthew Chenoweth, Lindsey Smarr, Ryan Watson.  DQ – D.J. Crawford, Garrett Paugh, Megan Davis.

Ht 1 – Crawford, C. Kelly, Newlon, Paugh, Watson, Davis.

Ht 2 – J.R. Kelly, Tingler, Kimbrew, Chenoweth, Smarr.