4/17/2023
Tyler County Speedway
DANIEL HILL WINS THRILLER IN 13TH ANNUAL PAT HERRICK MEMORIAL
The Tyler County Speedway would swing the gates open for race #2 of the 2023 season and dodge a few raindrops along the way to present another excellent night of short track racing excitement. On the jam-packed card was the prestigious 13th Annual Pat Herrick Memorial featuring a visit by the Steel Block Late Model Series. Another strong field of 120 plus participants would cram into the pit area with Daniel Hill, Michael Duritsky Jr., Jeff Fornash, Lance Weppler, Brian Probst, Travis Corbin, Erickson Smith and Bryson Long all picking up trips to the EQT Victory Lane.
The highlight of the night would be the Steel Block Late Models as 15 strong would roll into America’s Baddest Bullring with all eyes on the prize that was the 13th Annual Pat Herrick Memorial. An outstanding feature event that would go caution free as the top five would slice and dice around the well-manicured ‘Bullring’. At the checkers however it was 3rd generation Tyler County Speedway standout Daniel Hill of Morgantown, WV holding off a valiant effort by Corey Delancey by a mere ½ car length at the stripe in thrilling fashion to secure the win. Hill would pilot the Dave Groves owned GRS 1/ Jack’s Recycling/ Vandergrift Auto/ PWB Handmade/ GRS Garage/ Rocket XR-1 to the EQT Victory Lane ahead of Delancey who would come up just short followed by defending Steel Block Late Model Champion Zach Milbee, the nights fast qualifier Cole Perine and Derek Rogers would round out the top five.
Going back to back in the J&R Excavating RUSH Late Model division was Pennsylvanian Michael Duritsky. After rallying from the 9th slot last week it would be much easier this week as the wheelman from PA would vault from the front row and set his Rocket XR 1 on ‘go’ enroute to the win. Following Duritsky was a game Kyle Thomas who would pressure Duritsky throughout the event with multiple peeks underneath the leader but couldn’t muster the pass and would settle for runner-up laurels. Finishing in the third position was veteran Donnie Dotson, a rapidly improving George Casto III and Hayden Jacobs would round out the top five.
Former track champion, Jeff Fornash of Salem, WV would park the Stutler Motorsports/ Kryptonite Race Cars #99 entry into the EQT Victory Lane in the Jenkins Auto Parts UMP Modified division on Saturday Night. Fornash, no stranger to the Tyler County Speedway Victory Circle, even though it had been a few years since the popular racer last picked up a feature win was set on a rail this week and would not be denied. Chasing Fornash across the line was Kenny Johnson, Kurt Rogers, Danny Thomas and Jamie McCloud.
It was déjà vu for New Martinsville, WV’s Brian Probst as the defending track champion in the J&L Collision Center EDGE Hotmod would hit the redraw for the second week in a row landing the champion on the front row. Once out front, Probst would pilot the Jim Dudley owned Dudley Motorsports/ Jenkins Auto Parts/ LetterRip Graphics/ Miller Equipment & Machine/ Zach Yost/ Hardrock Powder Coating/ The Refuge Church/ Carson Motorsports Lightning Chassis to the victory. Following Probst across the stripe was young Santino Loretta, Tom Sigler, Tim Spencer and Eddie Probst.
Another strong field of 28 Middlebourne Galaxy Food Center Sportmods would hit the highbanks with Marietta, Ohio’s Lance Weppler outlasting the stacked field to take the win. Following Weppler was Tyler Spencer, Kendall Hodge, Dwight Henry, and Wayne Francis. Weppler wheels the Woods Heating & AC/ Magic Bean Books/ Auto Plus/ Kryptonite Race Car.
A scant field of 8 mighty Dual Threat Sports Cards SCDRA 4 Cylinders would see Colliers, WV Travis Corbin notch his first win of the season aboard the BJP Racing #2A Cavalier. Trailing Corbin to the pay window was Noah Bubeck, Mitch Eddy, Ronald Johnson III and Jakob Chipps.
A huge field of Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Mini Wedges would kick off the evening activities. In the Junior division it was the L6 of Bryson Long holding off Cruz Thomas and Logan Perine to earn the trip to the EQT Victory Lane. In the Senior class it was Erickson Smith picking up the feature win ahead of Jake Casto and Kaden Sexton.
The Tyler County Speedway will sit idle next Saturday Night in support of the West Virginia Motor Speedway McClinton Chevrolet ‘Fill the Hill’ event. But not to fret as the ‘Bullring’ will host a ‘SUNDAY FUNDAY’ event the following day on Sunday, April 23rd featuring an afternoon of fun. A car show and driver ‘Meet & Greet’ will take place from 1pm-3pm with all kinds of activities including a delicious Fish Fry, Cornhole Tournament, DJ Entertainment, Kids Games and then an open Test N’ Tune on the track from 3pm-5pm followed by the ‘This Suds 4 U’ $500 to win Enduro Race. Come on out and enjoy a fun day for all!
Tyler County Speedway, Saturday Night, April 15 Results:
13th Annual Pat Herrick Memorial featuring the Steel Block Late Model Series Feature: Daniel Hill, Corey Delancey, Zach Milbee, Cole Perine, Derek Rogers, Lucas McDonald, Travis Carr, Jason Brennan, Matt Melvin, Ricky Conley, Kelby Abels, Ted Johnson Jr., Jim Morey, Michael McGinnis
J&R Excavating RUSH Late Model Feature: Michael Duritsky Jr., Kyle Thomas, Donnie Dotson, George Casto, Hayden Jacobs, Brandon Weigle, Luke Hyre, Ryan Hare, Logan Reed, Dalton Goode, Cole Petrelle, Nick Corbitt
Jenkins Auto Parts UMP Modified Feature: Jeff Fornash, Kenny Johnson, Kurt Rogers, Danny Thomas, Jamie McCloud, Brian Clegg, Travis Thomas, Zack Robinson, Justin Hart, James Schnegg, Steven Dotson, Josh Farmer, Chad Smith, Mitch Ward, DNS Andy Taylor, Mickey Thorpe
Middlebourne Galaxy Food Center Sportmod Feature: Lance Weppler, Tyler Spencer, Kendall Hodge, Dwight Henry, Wayne Francis, Allen Clark, Sonny Conley, Levi Nolan, Brandon Davis, Randy Bise, Nic Green, Justin Robinson, Josalyn Hibbard, Zack Barr, Mike Mason, Ron Pickens, Tommy Powell, DQ TJ Arnold, DNQ; Al Smith, Mike Todd, Andy Green, Jimbo Wheeler, Russell Murphy, Jacob Wheeler, Jeff Gorrell, Josh Yost, Makinsie Thomas, Brad Lucas
J&L Collision Center EDGE Hotmod Feature: Brian Probst, Santino Loretta, Tom Sigler, Tim Spencer, Eddie Probst, Kevin Dotson, Crash Craddock, Carson Thomas, Makenzie Dotson, CJ Dotson, Josh Sigler, Lou Ennis, Roger Hull, Michael Thomas, Mike Harter, Steve Magyar, Tripp Perine, Daniel Muldrew, DNQ; Joey Price, Gavin Dennis, Edward Ackerman, Zoey Henline, Jason Todd
Dual Threat Sports Card SCDRA 4 Cylinder Feature: Travis Corbin, Noah Bubeck, Mitch Eddy, Ronald Johnson III, Jakob Chipps, Jacob McDaniel, DNS Timothy Harlan, Bobby Rymer
Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Senior Mini Wedge Feature: Erickson Smith, Jake Casto, Kaden Sexton, Bryson Roberts, Leah Brightwell, DNS Kyndi Glover, Kolby Sullivan Trophies provided by Fluharty Family
Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Junior Mini Wedge Feature: Bryson Long, Cruz Thomas, Logan Perine, Peyton Gibson, Owen Sobota, Coen Thomas, Rowen Brightwell, Aly Leek, Kameron Zegarsky, Karter Perine, Colten Long, Kylee Thomas, Brentley Carson Trophies provided by Fluharty Family
Submitted By: Dan Patterson
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