‘The Mailman’ Delivers, Picking up 10K Payday
5 min read
Stephen Wingate Photo
Dirt track fans filled the stands and hillside on Friday night to watch some of the best late model drivers around battle it out for their 40-lap, $10,000 to win, Jeff Norris Memorial.
A field of twenty-nine Holmes Tire late models entered the pits for their chance at a $10,000 to win, paying tribute to the man who brought Hilltop Speedway back to life, Jeff Norris. Starting off the night’s events, overall fast qualifier was Zach Dohm with a time of 14.291. Heat race wins would go to Greg Oakes, Josh Rice and Doug Dodd while Devin Moran would claim the dash win. Ryan Missler would pick up the last chance race.
With the stout field lined up and ready for 40-laps of action, the green was out. Taking the early lead, pole sitter, Moran, over Freddie Carpenter and Jacob Hawkins. Moran at the front of the field would start to navigate his way through lap traffic at lap fifteen. Meanwhile, Josh Rice, would begin to work his way through the field, driving into the top five by lap twenty. Moran continuing his dominance at the front of the field as JR Gentry and Freddie Carpenter continued to battle for second. However, troubles for Gentry as he would slow coming down the backstretch, followed by being hit by Dave Hess in turn three, who unfortunately had nowhere to go, bringing out the caution and sending both drivers pit side. With a mere eight laps to go, Moran would set the pace to the green, where he would once again secure the top spot. However, Rice continuing to work his way through the field would drive his way to second with six to go. Down to the final five laps, Rice faster each lap, would close the gap on Moran. White flag, Rice would make one last attempt to drive around Moran. However, he would be unable to do so as ‘The Mailman’ would deliver, leading green to checker to pick up the Jeff Norris Memorial and a $10,000 payday. Rice would finish second followed by Freddie Carpenter, Zack Dohm and Greg Oakes.
Lance Elson would set fast time in the Evan’s Elite Paving modified division with a time of 15.915. DJ Cline would pick up the single heat race win with Kyle Moore picking up the dash. With the field set, Moore would jump out front, however, pressured early by ‘The Outlaw’ Jesse WIsecarver. Side by side, the front runners would go lap after lap. Coming into lap eight, Moore, by a bumper at the flag stand. Caution, twelve down, would single file the field back to the green. Wisecarver, would again challenge Moore for the top spot. However, Moore would defend his position picking up the feature win. Robin Duston, Mark Baier and Lance Elson would round out the top five.
Next out were the CPR mini stocks, where Dakota Graciani and Kenny Long would each pick up a heat race win. A three-way battle for the lead would ensue as the green dropped for their 12-lap feature event. Long would edge out to secure the lead as Doug Hensel and Ryan Carter continued to challenge one another for second. Four laps down, Hensel would secure second with his sights set of Long. Side by side off turn four, nine laps down, Long would manage a nose at the line. Hensel, undeterred would continue to challenge Long. Driving his way into one and two, around Long down the backstretch, to take the top spot with ten laps in the books. Two laps remain, Hensel would maintain is position at the front of the field to pick up the feature win. Second went to Long followed by Ryan Carter, Brad Hensel, and Travis Gamble.
Rounding out the night’s racing events were the Snyder Hot Shot Truck and Trailer modlites. Heat race winners, Darryl Hoon and Justin Pierce would make up the front row for their 12-lap feature. With the drop of the green, third place, Jimmy Smith would make his way to the front of the field, securing the lead with one lap down. Smith out front, would leave Hoon and Pierce to battle it out for second. Four laps down, Pierce would make his way around Hoon to claim second, looking to make his way to the front. However, with five laps in, Smith would begin to navigate his way through lap traffic, providing a sizeable lead over the field. A late race caution with two to go, would single file the field to the green, white, checker finish. After continuing to fend off Pierce, Smith would pick up the night’s feature event. Third went to Darrick Hubbard, fourth Darrell Hoon and fifth Clint Snyder.
Hilltop Speedway
May 20, 2022
Holmes Tire Late Models
Fast Qualifier- Zach Dohm 14.291
Heat- G. Oakes, R. Markham, D. Smith, R. Missler, J. Godsey, R. Conley, C. Workman, R. Sounders
Heat- J. Rice, Z. Hill, T. Baker, V. Hottinger, C. Black, R. Mardis, K. Davis, J. Bradford
Heat- D. Dodd, D. Hess Jr, C. Delancy, T. Carpenter, G. Lee, M. Caskey, D. Mayer
Dash- D. Moran, J. Hawkins, C. Conley, F. Carpenter, Z. Dohm, JR Gentry
Consi- R. Missler, V. Hottinger, G. Lee, J. Godsey, C. Black, R. Conley, R. Mardis, C. Workman, D. Mayer, K. Davis, J. Bradford, M. Caskey, R. Souders, T. Carpenter
Feature- Devin Moran, Josh Rice, Freddie Carpenter, Zach Dohm, Greg Oakes, Corey Conley, Jacob Hawkins, Ryan Missler, Zach Hill, Corey DeLancey, Ryan Markham, George Lee, Dustin Smith, Doug Dodd, Thomas Baker, Vic Hottinger, David Hess Jr, JR Gentry
Evan’s Elite Paving Modifieds
Fast Qualifier- Lance Elson 15.915
Heat- DJ Cline, R. Schmitt, BJ Cannon, D. Hubbard, S. Wolford, J. Humphrey, J. Disbennett, D. Powell
Dash- K. Moore, R. Duston, J. Wisecarver, M. Baier, B. Mellor
Feature- Kyle Moore, Jesse Wisecarver, Robin Duston, DJ Cline, Mark Baier, Lance Elson, Darrick Hubbard, Ronnie Schmitt, John Disbennett, Steve Wolford, Dwayne Powell, Jimmy Humphrey, BJ Cannon
CPR Mini Stocks
Heat- D. Graciani, K. Thomason, Z. Hershey, J. Ramirez, T. Gamble, B. Hensel
Heat- K. Long, R. Carter, D. Hensel, D. Dawson, K. Dewitt DNS-W. Staley
Feature- Doug Hensel, Kenny Long, Ryan Carter, Brad Hensel, Travis Gamble, David Dawson, Dakota Graciani, Kaden Dewitt, Keira Thomason DNS- Zack Hershey, Josh Ramirez, Wes Staley
Synder Hot Shot Truck and Trailer Modlites
Heat- D. Hoon, C. Hubbard, C. Snyder, L. Lewis, N. Large, M. Sibila, J. Large, J. Wood
Heat- J. Pierce, J. Smith, D. Hubbard Jr., D. Kolanski, D. Hannay, R. Klein, T. Hare, M. Amass, T. Winterringer
Feature- Jimmy Smith, Justin Pierce, Darrick Hubbard, Darrell Hoon, Clint Snyder, Dustin Kolanski, Drew Hannay, Logan Lewis, Travis Winterringer, Nick Large, Ryan Klein, Carson Hubbard, Mike Amass, Mark Sibila, Justin Zarnosky, John Large, Travis Hare, Johnny Wood
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