Josh Berry Finds Way To LM Victory Lane At Hickory

Josh Berry celebrates in victory lane after scoring Saturday night’s Late Model feature victory at Hickory Motor Speedway. Photo by Sherri Stearns

Josh Berry found his way to victory lane in the third round of the Paramount KIA Big-10 Racing Challenge with a Late Model Stock win Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway in Newton, NC.

William Byron posted the fastest qualifying speed providing him the opportunity to lead the 21-car Late Model field to the green flag. Byron remained out front until Ashley Huffman challenged for the lead, taking over the position on lap 14.

Huffman’s run in the top spot didn’t last long, as he pulled into the pits on lap 21 following a caution period when the machine of Landon Huffman expired. As green flag racing resumed, Berry shot to the front. A long green-flag run ensued allowing Berry to pace the field and drive to the win. Dillon Bassett finished in second, with Byron in third, Austin McDaniel in fourth and Doug Barnes in fifth.

Travis Byrd led the Limited Late Model field to the green flag for the division’s 35-lap event, but relinquished the top spot on the first lap when Monty Cox vaulted to the lead. Cox would pace the field leaving Byrd, Dexter Canipe, Jr. and Taylor Stricklin to battle for position. Canipe, Jr. was running in the second position when he experienced an issue that would bring his car into the pits, allowing Byrd to settle into second and Stricklin into third. Cox picked up the victory with Byrd in second, Stricklin in third, Jeremy Pelfrey in fourth and Trent Barnes in fifth.

Kevin Townsend earned the pole position for the 30-lap Street Stock race, went on to survive multiple restarts and led every lap on his way to victory lane. While Townsend remained out front, Larry Mosher, Kevin Eby and Chase Pollard all battled for a spot within the top three. Marshall Sutton also worked his way into the mix following a lap 14 restart and settled into the top three by lap 20. Mosher went on to finish in the second position, Sutton third, Pollard fourth and Eby fifth.

Carroll McKinney brought the WrenchRags Renegades field to the green flag for their 20-lap event and held onto the top spot until lap 18 when his car came to a crawl on the backstretch. Kenneth Roberts had worked his way into the top three early in the race and was running second when McKinney slowed, allowing him the opportunity to grab the lead and the checkered flag. Darren Dickinson, Shawn Hayes, McKinney and Dustin Walker rounded out the top five.

Hunter Moody led the Allison Legacy Series field to the green flag for the 35-lap race. It didn’t take long for the caution-flag to wave as Daniel Bedford and Tyler Farris connected and headed hard into the outside wall of turn one. Moody remained out front during the caution filled event and fought off several challenges by Devin O’Connell, until the final lap when O’Connell edged out Moody for the win. Moody finished in second, with Ian Isringhausen in third, Jantzen Stirewalt in fourth and Jake Ruggles in fifth.

Hickory Motor Speedway is back in action on Saturday, May 3. For more info, visit hickorymotorspeedway.com.

Hickory Motor Speedway – Newton, NC
Race Results – April 26, 2014