Legendary Hilltop Returns To Friday Nights

By Matt Chalfant

For the third time in the 2015, over a thousand fans and some of the region’s top dirt racing teams filled the Legendary Hilltop Speedway for a night of racing on the ¼ mile track. With the weather cooperating on a Friday afternoon for the first time in over five weeks in the Marietta area, the staff at the Legendary Hilltop Speedway was able to work through some morning precipitation and return racing to Friday nights at “The Top”. The return of racing to Friday nights was highlighted by a $600 to win AMRA Sport Mod special to showcase this new and exciting class to the area, as well as a full field of AMRA Late Models, Modifieds and Legendary Hilltop classes.

Chris Garnes would continue to his domination at Legendary Hilltop by kicking off the AMRA Late Model portion of the night by setting fast time over Dan Morrison.

Garnes would show no sign of weakness as he would jump to the lead in heat race number one and pace the field throughout the race. Despite attempts to close the gap by veteran Andy Bond, Garnes would take the heat win over Bond and Ed Shuman.

Dan Morrison would lead the field to the green in heat race number two as Bryan Casey would steal the lead away after a battle with Morrison. Once in the lead Bryan Casey would out pace Morrison who would exchange positions with Tyler Carpenter in an intense battle for the 2nd spot until the final corner where Morrison broke and Carpenter would go on to take second to Casey.

Heat race number three, Travis Brookover would steal the lead from Kevin Smith and continue to lead the way over the field. Smith would settle in second and go on to fend off charges by second year driver Dylan Bledsoe as Brookover would pull away and take the heat race win.

The Final AMRA Late Model heat race would see Mark Sturgill walk away from the field early in his first race at Legendary Hilltop in 2015, as battles would continue throughout the pack. Young Jason Gillian would return from his previous week’s mechanical issues to make multiple bids for second, only to be held off by Bub Crum, as Sturgill would race on to pick up his first heat win at the track.

Consi race number one for the Late Models would see Dan Morrison after making repairs, outpace the field by nearly half a lap and take the win over Oscar McCown. In consi number two, Greg Mitchell would grab the consi win over Tony Roush.

The 25 lap AMRA Late Model feature would not disappoint as Chris Garnes would lead the field of 18 cars to the green in what became a very fast paced and physical battle throughout the pack. As Garnes paced the field, Travis Brookover would move to second over Bryan Casey before his race ended early due to damage. Following a caution, Tyler Carpenter would make a charge for the lead as he and Garnes would race door to door for a number laps but Garnes would prove strong as he would keep his #42 machine in top spot. As the race reached its final stages, veteran Andy Bond would race his way into the mix as he would ride in the third spot but neither he nor Carpenter could chase the leader down as Garnes would take his 2nd feature win at “The Top” in as many weeks.

The AMRA Modified’s night was kicked off by long time area veteran Larry Bond setting the fast time for the always strong field of modifieds at the Marietta Ohio track.

Larry Bond would see the field to the green in heat race number one, which would prove to be a race that would see Tom Sigler take the lead over Bond and lead the field to the checkered over Bond and Frankie Hall.

Heat race number two would be a preview of what was to come later in the evening as Andy Bond would take the lead and outpace Rick Venham and former AMRA Modified champ Roy Roush to capture the heat race win and secure the outside pole position in the night’s feature.

Another continuation of the Bond family’s success at Legendary Hilltop would continue as Kyle Bond would capture the heat win in an impressive battle over 2015 AMRA Modified Champion Kenny Johnson and Nick Corbitt who was returning after a major wreck the prior week. In the consi race for the modifies, Tommy Powell would capture the win as he and Bill Jenne along with Robert Huffman would all race their way into the night’s feature.

The AMRA Modified Feature race would go late into the night but would prove well worth the wait for those in attendance. Tom Sigler would take the field into the first turn as Andy Bond would steal the lead using his always exciting outside line. Andy Bond’s lead would not go uncontested for long as Larry Bond would chase Andy down and the two would have a great battle over the early and middle portions of the race over Rick Venham Jr and Kenny Johnson. Following a caution that would include Sigler, Frankie Hall and Roy Roush among others, the race would go green until a scary moment occurred as Hilltop regular Bill Jenne rolled on the front stretch halting the racing until repairs to the track could be made. As the race reached its closing laps, Andy Bond’s momentum would prove tough and he would fend off Larry’s attempts for the lead to capture the AMRA Modified feature win!

The $600 to win AMRA Sport Mod night was kicked off in heat race number one, as 2014 track champion Darin Clark would win his heat race over previous week’s winner Zack Perine and Martin Lamm.

Heat race number two for the sport mods would see Gary Gould continued his strong runs at Legendary Hilltop over young Cole Perine who made numerous attempts to take the lead.

In the AMRA Sport Mod feature, Darin Clark would lead the field to the green as Gary Gould would take the lead and pace the field early. As Clark would settle in third, Gould and Zack Perine would battle door to door throughout the middle stages of the race, even exchanging leads at different points as they battled lap track. A huge turning point in the race occurred when Perine and Gould made contact in turn 3 turning both cars. Perine would be credited with the caution and Gould would keep his lead, but upon the restart, Gould would have a flat tire and Darin Clark would go on to capture the win holding off Booger Garnes and young and exciting Cole Perine. Unfortunately, Clark would experience issues in post-race tech and the win would be later awarded to Booger Garnes, which is his 2nd feature win of 2015 in this new class.

Legendary Hilltop’s Street Stocks feature would be a special race as local favorite Mike Martin would win his 100th career feature race in his long and successful career. Hilltop’s “6 and Under Class” would continue their exciting races as Tommy Adkins would steal a win from Sam Dickel and Denzil Barker Jr as contact would be made on the final turn of the final lap amongst the top running cars, given fans another exciting race at “The Top”

Legendary Hilltop will continue their 2015 racing season this Friday, April 24th with a regular night of racing at the always exciting ¼ mile track outside of Marietta Ohio.

Octane Race Products is the AMRA Modified sponsor, while McDonald’s is the title sponsor for the Late Models. Other fine sponsors of the AMRA Modified series are Dave Poske’s Performance Parts, Wrisco Industries, Hoosier Racing Tire/Hoosier Tire Ohio Valley, AERO Racing Wheels, Kryptonite Race Cars, Two-Brothers Racing, Lincoln Welders & Lincoln Electric, AR Bodies, Hypercoils, Bazell Race Fuels, Alky Racing Alcohol and Sunoco Race Fuels, Impact Racing, RCI, OTR Filters, MSD Ignition, Wilwood Brakes, Kluhsman Racing Components (KRC), Evans Vinyl Signs, Winters Performance Products, Bilstein Shocks, AFCO, PST Drive Shafts, Schoenfeld, and Killer Bee Race Bodies. MSD Ignition is the Official Sponsor of the MSD Ironman Award!

MSD Ignition is the official Ignition of the AMRA. Hall’s Auto Repair and Feet Services is the official sponsor of the AMRA Modified Rookie of the Year! AR Bodies is the official sponsor of the AMRA Late Model Rookie of the Year! McDonald’s is the official sponsor of the all new AMRA Sport Mod Rookie of the Year! Join the AMRA now!-America’s Open Wheeled Modified’s Most Competitive Series!

Drivers and Fans can seek updates on www.amramodified.com or the AMRA Facebook page. The AMRA wishes to thank to all of the racers and promoters who have supported and participated in the past and to those continuing to support and participate in the AMRA. For more information about the AMRA, Visit amramodified.com or visit their facebook page.