AMRA Wraps Up Exciting 2015 Season

Matt Chalfant

As the 2015 racing season winds down throughout the Ohio Valley, the American Motor Racing Association (AMRA) is wrapping up another exciting year of racing action for the 20 plus year old sanctioning body. In a season that saw the AMRA unveil a new and quickly successful class to the region with the AMRA Sport Mods, plus a new and exciting partnership with McDonalds Tri-State as the new title sponsor for the AMRA Super Late Model series, 2015 was a season of growth and movement toward the future for the AMRA. On track excitement at the numerous AMRA sanctioned tracks was at an all-time high throughout the season, as multiple National Point battles proved intense through the late summer months. With record car counts and many of the region’s top dirt racing drivers and teams battling at various exciting dirt racing venues, 2015 was a busy and action packed season for the AMRA officials, teams and tracks.

The Legendary Hilltop Speedway in Marietta Ohio saw its most successful season in 2015 since reopening the 50 plus year old facility in 2012. Track officials made the decision to pick up the AMRA Sport Mods on a full time basis in 2015 which helped the class grow into a competitive field full of drivers and teams featuring a wide range of experience and age. Hilltop also played host to many of the AMRA’s best every week in both the AMRA Late Models and Modifieds classes. AMRA Modified Champion Jesse Wisecarver was Legendary Hilltop’s winningest driver picking up an impressive 11 feature wins including the Inaugural OGVC Freedom 30. As for the AMRA Late Models, Tyler Carpenter took home 7 feature wins, propelling him to a track championship and in the process, a second career AMRA national championship. As a testament to the strength of the AMRA cars in attendance at Hilltop, 2015 was the 3rd year in a row, a Leg. Hilltop track champion was also an AMRA National Champion in the same season. Hilltop looks forward to 2016 and their continued partnership with the AMRA.

In 2015 under the leadership of Freddie Carpenter, the Skyline Speedway in Stewart Ohio brought dirt racing action back to Friday night’s at 3/8 mile action track. With the facility facing damages following a mid-spring storm, Carpenter and the track staff worked to reopen the facility and did just that in late June. The track played host to weekly racing in the AMRA Late Models, AMRA Modifieds plus the AMRA Sport Mods on a part time basis, along with multiple other classes. 2015 AMRA Late Model Champion Tyler Carpenter picked up 3 feature victories on his way to his second consecutive AMRA Championship including the popular Sarah Bond Memorial, while Tyler’s father and Promoter/Driver Freddie Carpenter also claimed 3 feature victories. With the tracks always popular Harvest 50 event scheduled for October 2-3rd, the track staff is preparing to crown their season champs while closing out the tracks 50th anniversary season in a big way with the 2 day show highlighted by a Saturday night, 50 lap $3,000 to win, Late Model special!

The Atomic Speedway just outside of Chillicothe Ohio in the town of Waverly was once again one of the busiest tracks across the Ohio Valley region running a number of special events at the track billed as “Ohio’s fastest 3/8 mile track”. Running the AMRA Late Models and Modifieds on a regular basis plus a wide variety of special events including multiple tour stops by Tony Stewart’s UNOH All-Star Sprints, BOSS Non Wing Sprints plus stops by the Lucas Oil Late Models and World of Outlaw Late Models. With notable names such as Dale Blaney, Delmas Conley and 6 time AMRA Champion Kenny Johnson all claiming multiple victories at the historic track in 2015, the competition was as fierce as ever. Hot shoes Rod Conley and Greggie Oliver both claimed the AMRA sanctioned track championships in the Late Models and Modifieds classes. Promoter Brad McCown announced in the late summer months that in 2016, Atomic will pay $1,000 to win for the AMRA Modifieds on a regular basis and McCown has also decided to add the fast growing AMRA Sport Mods to the tracks regular classes in 2016

The Ohio Valley Speedway just outside Parkersburg West Virginia played host to another exciting season of Saturday night racing excitement in 2015. In a season that saw the track add new additional seating, plus run a variety of special events, “The Valley” was a busy track throughout the summer months. Despite being plagued with numerous rainouts in June and July, the action stayed intense all season long and in the process, the track saw some of the region’s top teams claim victory at the track including AMRA Modified National Champion Jesse Wisecarver and Harold Redman Jr, Freddie Carpenter and Kyle Thomas who all scored victories at the track. With the track points ending in late August, veteran Ed Shuman claimed the AMRA Late Model track championship while young gun Tyler Evans of Mineral Well West Virginia, claimed the AMRA Modified track championship.

The 4/10th mile Princeton Speedway in Princeton West Virginia showcased the true reach of the AMRA banner as the southern West Virginia track attracted some of the AMRA’s top teams in 2015. Running AMRA Modifieds as a part of their weekly Saturday night show and AMRA Super Late Models on a once a month basis, plus other regular classes, the speedway saw appearances by some of the region’s best at the unique D-shaped oval. The tracks unique characteristics and fan friendly layout, drew notable names such as Bill Pritchard Jr, Steve Stover, Harold Redman Jr and 2 time AMRA Late Model champion Tyler Carpenter throughout the 2015 season. The sole AMRA track championship would belong to Jason Cochran of Flat Top WV who claimed the track championship for the AMRA Modifieds. In an effort to expose drivers and teams to tracks outside their local areas, Princeton Speedway and Legendary Hilltop Speedway in Marietta Ohio partnered on various AMRA Late Model events, offering different cash incentives to the drivers who raced at both venues which was claimed on multiple occasions. The Bishop family and all the track staff look forward to 2016 as the venue continues to grow and attract new drivers and fans all season long and plan to hold another highly popular WV Dirt Cup for AMRA Late Models in 2016.

The I-77 Speedway in Fairplanes West Virginia was once again a busy Saturday night track just off of the bustling Interstate 77. Drawing cars from both north and south, I-77 continued to showcase the high level of talent across the AMRA banner. Each season at I-77 is clearly highlighted by the Labor Day weekend, Hillbilly 100 but the months of racing that lead up to the event are just as full of racing action and also feature many top regional racing teams. Bill Pritchard Jr, Robert Garnes and both Larry and Kyle Bond were constant threats to win at the 3/8 mile track in the AMRA Modifieds while Travis Brookover and Tyler Carpenter had an intense point battle for in the AMRA Late Model track championship. Carpenter would go on to outduel Brookover to claim the championship. Bill Pritchard Jr would score a Modified track championship over the likes of Rick Venham Jr, Robert Garnes and James Dennis to cap off another year of AMRA racing at the track.

Lizard Creek Speedway in Hanover West Virginia, formerly known as “Thunder Mountain Speedway” reopened midway through the 2015 season. Following an ambitious reworking of the track and facility improvements, the track brought the roar of engines back to the town of Hanover. Running the AMRA Modifieds on a full time basis, along with a mix of other classes, Thunder Creek made steady growth in 2015. The venue also expanded their weekly track activities with the addition of ATV drag races as the track staff begins to grab their footing in the dirt racing world. David Godfrey and Tate Hughes were consistently two threats to win in the Modified class and while car counts did not rival other AMRA tracks, the racing was still very competitive and close in all classes. The track looks to be making plans for the 2016 season as they plan to resume their popular ATV drag races in the spring months and information on the 2016 season will be released when determined.

The AMRA officials wish to thank all of the great teams, track staff members and fans who came out and supported racing throughout the region. AMRA officials look forward to celebrating the 2015 season with all involved at the 2015 banquet which information on will be announced at a later date and are excited to continue forward in 2016!

Octane Race Products is the AMRA Modified sponsor, while McDonald’s of the Tri-State is the title sponsor for the Late Models. Other fine sponsors of the AMRA Modified series are Dave Poske’s Performance Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire/Hoosier Tire Ohio Valley, AERO Racing Wheels, 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 Fleet 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 and McDonald’s of the Tri-State is the official sponsor of the all new 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.