TCS Media
MIDDLEBOURNE, WV (May 4) - A perfect evening for racing welcomed eager race fans to the 19th Annual Topless 50 where it was a familiar face sitting in victory lane as young Jacob Hawkins would repeat his performance from a year ago in capturing consecutive Topless 50 wins. The win would not be easy as Hawkins ferociously worked from his 5th starting spot to hound early race leader Keith Barbara until he made his move as a spirited battle ensued as the lead duo came upon heavy lapped traffic. The Fairmont, West Virginia driver would eventually pull away aboard the St. Henry’s Nightclub/Melvins Transmission sponsored 2OH Rocket. Hawkins joins Paul Wilmoth, Butch McGill and Chuck Harper as multi win victors in the Topless 50. Seventh starting Mike Benedum would eventually grab the bridesmaid spot, followed by a nice run from Pennsylvanian Jared Miley who would march from 13th on the grid to grab third at the line, with 14th starter Derek Doll and Corey Conley rounding out the top five. Picking up heat race wins were Barbara, Wilmoth and Shane Hitt.
A stout field of Two Brothers Motorports EDGE Modifieds would take to the Bullring with teammates and fellow Renegade of Dirt Mod pilots Tanner Wilson and Nathan Loney taking the top two spots. The pair of would go door to door midway through the race as the lead duo would go back and forth with young Tanner Wilson of Zanesville, OH eventually picking up his first ever Tyler County Speedway win. Loney would finish second, followed by ‘bullring’ veteran Bird Wilson, Jess Hartman and Junior Nolan.
Kyle Thomas would three peat in the Peoples Bank FASTRAK Late Model division as the Pennsboro, WV hotshoe has been unstoppable at the bullring so far in 2013. An early race melee that claimed five cars would pave the way for another Thomas rout as he was unchallenged to remain perfect on the season. A hotly contested battle for positions 2nd thru 5th would see Michael Griffin edge Danny Thomas while Brandon McGrady edged Joel Prosser by a nose at the stripe to claim the 4th position.
In the Chris Metz State Farm Insurance ModLites it was perennial and defending track champ Brandon Fluharty of New Martinsville, WV vaulting from his 6th place starting position to grab his 1st win of the season. Fluharty pilots the Main St. Salon, C.S. Loy Construction, Bridgeport Tool, Raptor Chassis #25. Completing the top five were Matt Ward, Ryan Baker, Jim Ruckman, and Randy Kerns.
Middlebourne, WV’s Travis Thomas would lay claim to his second consecutive Hotmod win aboard the familiar #18. Thomas would hold off a charging Tom Sigler, Chris Thomas, Brad Dickson and Lou Ennis across the stripe as Thomas appears poised for another run at the EDGE Hotmod National Championship.
A stong field of 19 youngsters kicked off the evening in the MWRA Mini Wedges with the “Little Ice Man” Jacob Ice going back to back as he held off Kaitlyn Frazier, Georgie Tennant, Alec Frazier and Kylie Cross.
Next Saturday Night, May 11th the Bullring will sit idle but will roar back on the 18th with the Jackpot 100 and Let It Ride Qualifiers, plus provisional spots will be up for grabs in all other classes as well for the big Memorial Weekend event. Plus its Late Model driver appreciation night as all Super Late Model racers will receive a free pass courtesy of Hometown Racing. Plus it’s Candy Rush for the Kids!
J & R Excavating Super Late Models presented by Midcap Land & Timber 19th Annual Topless 50: Jacob Hawkins, Mike Benedum, Jared Miley, Derek Doll, Corey Conley, Sonny Conley, John Garvin, Keith Barbara, Steve Weigle, Dusty Hamrick, LC Powers, Scott Irvin, Butch McGill, Donnie Dotson, Mike Basich, Paul Wilmoth, John Mollick, Shane Hitt, Kyle Bates
J & R Excavating Super Late Models presented by Midcap Land & Timber 19th Annual Topless 50: Jacob Hawkins, Mike Benedum, Jared Miley, Derek Doll, Corey Conley, Sonny Conley, John Garvin, Keith Barbara, Steve Weigle, Dusty Hamrick, LC Powers, Scott Irvin, Butch McGill, Donnie Dotson, Mike Basich, Paul Wilmoth, John Mollick, Shane Hitt, Kyle Bates
Peoples Bank FASTRAK Late Models: Kyle Thomas, Michael Griffin, Danny Thomas, Brandon McGrady, Joel Prosser, Brian Baumberger, Joe Bowie, Tracy Sampson, Kris Southern, Shawn Jett, Travis Brown, Mike Thorne, Chad Green, Bill Shaffer, Nico Dabecco
Chris Metz State Farm Insurance ModLites: Brandon Fluharty, Matt Ward, Ryan Baker, Jim Ruckman, Randy Kerns, Tony Cavicchia, Troy Collins, Mitch Ward, Glenn Teter, Ryan Saffell, Beau Newlon, Jeff Fornash, Steve Weekley, Josh Baldwin, Tom Keplinger
HotMods: Travis Thomas, Tom Sigler, Chris Thomas, Brad Dickson, Lou Ennis, Chad Smith, Cody Brightwell, Bobby Kimball, Stevi Magyar, Jay Smarr, Josh Sigler, Chris Ice, Brandon Weigle, Jennifer Chicklo, Curtis Watson, Codi Eaton, Kenny Isner, Allen Moore, CJ Dotson
Mini Wedges: Jacob Ice, Kaitlyn Frazier, Georgie Tennant, Alec Frazier, Kylie Cross, John Nichols, Mackenzie Perine, Wayne McGilton, Caleb Nolan, Levi Nolan, 34J, Harley Rush, Madison Hamilton, Gage Stalder, Garrett Jones, PJ Wright, Brady Reed, Roo Roo Dotson, Elizabeth Conley
