First and foremost, I would like to send my thoughts and prayers out to the family and friends as well as everyone who was involved on this journey with her. As the sweet 10 year old Emma Edwards lost her battle with leukemia earlier this week. Over the past year Emma has won over the hearts of millions and has inspired many.
Now let’s go racing as it is the Truliant Federal Credit Union Night of Destruction presented by Q104.1.
Another week in the books at the Madhouse as the countdown is down to just five weeks left in the 2023 season as the championship battles are heating up.
The Q104.1 Stadium Stock Series would kick the night off as Brandon Brendle would grab an early lead and not look back as he built a big lead and cruised on an easy victory.
It would give Brendle his third win of the season.
A.J. Sanders finished second, Chuck Wall was third, Stephen Sanders was fourth with Isaac Harris finishing fifth.
With this win it puts Brendle 14 points behind points leader A.J. Sanders.
Next up would be the first of two 20 lappers in the McDowell Heating & Air Sportsman Series, as father and son started one-two with son Nate Gregg getting past father Billy for the lead in the turn.
Nate Gregg would go on to dominate the race holding off Riley Neal for his first victory in the Sportsman Series. Followed by Michael Adams third, Amber Lynn fourth, and Chase Robertson rounding out the top five.
“Man, it feels great, but at the end of the day, this one’s for Emma,” Nate Gregg said.
Now time for some Modified racing as the first of two twin 25’s kicked off.
Jason Myers qualified for the first race at 13.554 seconds and would sit on the pole along side John Holleman IV.
Just as the race was about to go green flag, Jason’s brother, Burt, would make contact with Brandon Ward after a jam up upfront, causing Burt Myers to the pits and never return to the race, hurting his championship chances. Myers held a 1 point lead over Chris Fleming coming into the race.
Jason Myers would go on to dominate the race holding off Holleman IV, Lee Jeffreys third, followed by Tim Brown and Randy Butner. Jason and his father, Gary, were tied with 38 Modified wins coming into the night. Jason eclipsed that by one win Saturday night. Between Burt, Jason, and Gary Myers, they now have a total of 205 wins.
After Nate Gregg’s win earlier in the night he would pull the number 8 out of the bag in the “Madhouse Scramble.”
After the invert, Billy Gregg would sit on the pole once again. Gregg and Zack Ore would make contact giving the lead to “Tiger” Tommy Neal with Amber Lynn behind him and Riley Neal third.
However, on lap 9, the race changed drastically as Tommy Neal, who was in the lead at the moment, would get bumped by Lynn leading to the top three being taken out as Lynn’s night would be over due to retaliation. Both Neal’s would return to action.
While all that happened Ore would be able to take the lead. But on lap 16, just before the yellow flew, Robertson slid by to take the lead from Ore. Chase Robertson would go on to win for the third time this season adding to his points lead. He’s currently 10 points ahead of Zack Ore and 13 ahead of Riley Neal.
Zack Ore would finishrunner-up, followed by Sterling Plemmons, Michael Adams, and Nate Gregg.
Chris Fleming who has been so consistent all season, continued his winning ways in the second twin 25 with this third win of the season.
Showstopper dominated holding off runner-up Brandon Ward, Randy Butner, Tim Brown, and Lee Jeffreys.
Burt Myers did race in the second 25-lap race, but he was in his backup car.
Tim Brown would overtake the points lead with 459 points with Fleming three points behind and Burt Myers tumbling to third place now 16 points behind after being ahead by 1 point over Fleming.
Street Stock would take the track next as the Austin Jones (grandson of Peewee Jone) picked up his second win of the season Saturday night in the 20-lap race in Law Offices of John Barrow Street Stock Series.
Zack Staley finished second but once again refused post race inspection leading to him being disqualified, that would give Cale Martin runner-up, followed by Donnie Martin, Nick Wall, and Christian Joyce.
The second Stadium Stock race was scheduled for 15 laps, but it was stopped after seven laps because of rain and the 15-minute time limit. Andrew Mason would grab the win, Tyler Bush was runner-up, followed by Dean Lowder.
Make sure you check let next Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium as it’ll be the FOX8 WGHP 100, a 100-lap race in the Brad’s Golf Cars Modified Series. There will be a full-field draw for starting position. However, the top four qualifiers have the option to automatically go to the back of the field with the chance of winning all or a portion of $9,000 Fans’ Challenge if any or all of the top four qualifying drivers who elect to go to the rear finish in the top four. In addition to the Fans’ Challenge there will be a double-file restart with a cone.
Also on the schedule will be double points in all series, with twin 20-lap races in the McDowell Heating & Air Sportsman Series, a 20-lap race in the Law Offices of John Barrow Street Series, and one or two 15-lap races in the Q104.1 Stadium Stock Series.
Gates open at 6 pm on Saturday night, and the first race is at 8pm. Adult admission for Saturday is just $12. For children 6-11, it’s only $2 and children under 5 are free.
Starting this year, you are able to get your tickets online to beat the lines at the gates.
If you can’t be here to witness all the action, make sure you check out FloRacing for the live streamed action!
