By Chase Vaden
A rarity for this season, we had back-to-back rainless weeks for racing at Bowman Gray Stadium. With temperatures in the mid-70s around race time, it was perfect weather for fans to enjoy their Saturday night at the Madhouse.
The night began with a the first of two McDowell Heating and Air Stadium Stock Series races. Billy Cameron Jr., driver of the #76 machine, ran away from the rest of the field leading every lap on his way to the checkered flag.
The ensuing Yates Grading and Paving Sportsman Series race held another dominant performance from the driver on the pole. As Tommy Neal led the entire 100 lap race from start to finish a few weeks ago, his nephew, Kevin Neal, did the exact same thing in the first of two sportsman races on the evening.
As the green flag dropped Neal jumped out to a commanding lead with uncle Tommy trailing in 2nd. As the 20-lap race neared the end Tommy Neal was bumped from 2nd back to fourth by Michael Adams.
On a restart with only a few laps remaining, Kevin Neal knew he had to pounce on the best opportunity he’s had all season to get in victory lane. Neal beamed off of turn four and never looked back for his first win at the madhouse in five years.
Heading into the night Burt Myers had not won the pole nor a race yet this season. Burt changed all that by qualifying on the pole for the first of two 50-lap Brad’s Golf Cars Modified Series races on the night with a fast lap of 13.270 seconds.
After the top six qualifiers redrew their spots, Burt started the race 3rd with Lee Jeffreys starting on the pole.
Jeffreys jumped out to the lead with Burt Myers trailing closely behind. On lap 33 Jason Myers, who was in 4th at the time, was pinched between Tim Brown and John Smith between turns one and two forcing him to abruptly spin out and causing a caution.
On the following double file restart with the cone, Burt Myers overtook Jeffreys for the lead. Myers didn’t give any quarter for the remaining laps and drove away with his first victory on the season.
The second Sportsman Series race of the night was up next with John Holleman IV starting on the pole position with Kevin Neal, the winner of the first race, drawing the 16th position in the madhouse scramble.
Zach Clifton overtook the lead from Holleman on lap 16 forcing him to the outside. Holleman, however, never backed down and continued his pursuit for the win on the outside. A minor slip up from Clifton gave the lead back to Holleman on lap 17. Clifton fell back a few spots and eventually got tangled with Michael Tilley coming out of turn four and collided into the guardrail on lap 18.
John Holleman IV capped off the victory with a flash of his Superman shirt hidden under his racing suit during his post-race celebration on the roof of his car.
The second Modified race of the night began with the #79 machine, driven by James Civali, going up in flames in the pits while the cars were lining up. Civali was going to start on the pole after the madhouse scramble.
However, just as the rest of the field was preparing to start the race, Civali darted out of the pits shaking off the powder from the fire extinguishers to start on the pole.
Coming off of a restart on lap 7 Civali spun out giving Dean Ward the lead. As the race continued, Ward collided with the slower William Smith, attempting to lap him, while heading into turn one.
Ward’s misfortune gave John Smith, the Mayberry Bullet, the lead. Smith’s road from there was not easy as he had to survive multiple onslaughts by the Myers brothers on restarts to eventually claim the checkered flag.
Next up on the madhouse platter was some action from the Q104.1 New Country Street Stock Series. The race quickly became a simple race for survival as multiple collisions forced the race to be cut short. Fletcher Whaley stood as the head survivor claiming the win.
P-Nut Vernon arose victorious in the second Stadium Stock Series event of the night.
The night was capped off by a skid race victory from a guy who is used to driving on only two wheels, NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Driver Matt Smith. Smith slithered his way between the spun out cars and grabbed the checkered flag as the nights’ time limit expired at 11:30 p.m.
The madness continues this Saturday, June 25, with Midway Mobile Storage Night featuring Twin 25-lap Modified races; 60-lap Sportsman race, along with racing in Street Stock, and Stadium Stock divisions.