Berry Scores Back-to-Back Late Model Wins At Hickory

Josh Berry sweeps under the checkered flag to score his second straight and third overall Late Model victory at Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday night. Photo by Sherri Stearns

Josh Berry doubled up on Saturday night, as he picked up his second straight Bojangles’ Late Model victory at the legendary Hickory Motor Speedway in Newton, NC.

Shane Lee started the 50 lap Late Model feature from the pole, but received pressure from Landon Huffman during the early laps and relinquished the top spot within the first five circuits. Landon Huffman would then be overtaken by Ashley Huffman.

Multiple lead changes took place throughout the first half of the race, Berry settled into the top spot on lap 22, leaving the remainder of the field to battle for position. As the race progressed, William Byron moved into the second position while Austin McDaniel worked his way from the back of the pack into the top five. Berry survived multiple caution periods on his way to victory lane, leaving Byron to settle for second, with McDaniel in third, Ashley Huffman in fourth and Chandler LeVan in fifth.

Seasoned Hickory Motor Speedway driver Dexter Canipe, Jr. earned the pole for the Gold King Limited Late Model race and went on to lead all 35 laps of the event, leaving the rest of the competition to battle for position behind him. Jeremy Pelfrey stayed close to the back of Canipe, Jr. in the second position for the race, leaving an exciting battle for third. Ross Dalton had taken over the position on lap five, but slowly slipped back in the field as Trent Barnes settled into third with just over 15 laps to go. Taylor Stricklin and Casey Pierce followed behind Barnes with less than 10 laps remaining and settled into position where they would all finish the race.

Kevin Townsend brought the Street Stock field to the green flag for the start of their 30 lap feature and went on to pace the field for the caution-free event. Marshall Sutton would challenge Townsend for the position during the first few laps, but Townsend pulled away as the competition would string out single file. Sutton would come home in second, with Kevin Eby in third, Jonathon Smith in fourth and Larry Mosher in fifth.

Landon Huffman brought the Super Truck field to the green flag for their 35-lap event and remained out front until lap 11 when Spencer Boyd moved to the point. Huffman settled into second, and began to receive pressure from Lee Queen, who took over the position. The first caution of the night waved on lap 20 when Whitney Lail came to a stop in turn four. Boyd went on to pick up the checkered flag and was followed to the line by Queen in second, Tal Davidson in third, Huffman in fourth and Keith Norville in fifth.

Don Fenn paced the field for the first 24 laps of the Bench-Built Sportsmen Racing Classics 25-lap feature before going for a spin in turn two on the final lap. Bob Park worked his way into the second position prior to lap 20, after starting fourth, and began to pressure Fenn for the lead. The two made contact heading out of turn one on the final lap, which resulted in a spin for Fenn and Park going to vicotry lane. Robert Hapeman, Todd Bradburry, Larry Benz and Bill Webb rounded out the top five.

Action returns to Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 10, with the Bojangles’ Late Models, Gold King Limited Late Models, Street Stocks, WrenchRags Renegades and 4-Cylinders.

For more information, visit hickorymotorspeedway.com.

Hickory Motor Speedway – Newton, NC
Race Results (Unofficial) – May 3, 2014