Lee Scores Late Model Victory At Hickory Motor Speedway

Shane Lee grabbed his first victory of the year at Hickory Motor Speedway in Saturday night’s 50 lap Late Model feature. Photo by Sherri Stearns

NEWTON, NC – Shane Lee drove to victory lane Saturday night after leading all 50 laps in the Late Model feature at historic Hickory Motor Speedway in Newton, NC.

William Byron picked up the pole position for the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Bojangles’ Late Models feature event. Byron’s time in the lead was short lived as Shane Lee took over the top spot on the first lap. As the race progressed and the field stretched out, Byron remained close to the back bumper of Lee looking for the opportunity to resume the position out front. Lee survived two restarts following caution periods on his way to earning the win. Byron settled for second, while Payton Ryan finished third, with Austin McDaniel fourth and Matt Piercy in fifth.

Mark Johnson earned the pole position for the Gold King Limited Late Model feature, and went on to win the 35 lap caution-free event. As Johnson paced the field, the competition battled for positions behind him. Johnson drove to the win, followed by Taylor Stricklin in second, Casey Pierce in third, Dylon Wilson in fourth and Trent Barnes in fifth.

Wayne Edwards earned the pole position for the 30-lap Street Stock event, but was penalized and sent to the back of the field after officials felt he had jumped the start twice on the way to taking the green flag. By default, Kevin Townsend was moved to the front of the pack and took the initial green flag from the first position, but fell back to second on the first lap after Chase Pollard took over the top spot. Pollard remained out front until a late-race caution stacked up the field, allowing Kevin Eby to move to the front of the field and pick up the win. Townsend make a last-lap move that moved him to second. Pollard finished third, with Marshall Sutton in fourth and Edwards in fifth.

Lee Queen took the green flag from the pole position for the 35-lap Super Truck race but surrendered the top spot on lap five when Sheflon Clay pulled into the lead. The first and only caution of the race waved on lap 11 when Spencer Boyd came to a stop on the track coming out of turn four. Under caution, Boyd was pushed into the pits for his team to assess the issue and he returned to the track before the field returned to green. Boyd worked his way through the pack and moved into the lead with three laps remaining. Boyd went on to pick up victory, with Sheflon Clay, Queen, Whitney Lail and Tyler Dayton rounding out the top five.

Chase Pollard brought the field to green for the 25-lap event for the 4-Cylinders. As soon as the green flag waved, Matt Elledge shot to the lead and began to drive away from the field leaving the competition to battle for second. Pollard quickly fell back in the running order and pulled into the pits on lap 4. Elledge went on to lead all 25 laps of the caution free event to score the victory. Dennis Trivette came home in second, with Eddie Gilbert in third, Curtis Pardue in fourth and Rodney Trivette in fifth.

Charlie Neil led his WrenchRags Renegades competitors to the green flag before going on to lead all 20 laps of the event. Several drivers jockeyed for position throughout the event, but it was Kenneth Roberts, Greg Austin, Blake Walker and Shawn Hayes who completed the top five.

Robert Hampeman started the 25-lap Bench-Built Transmissions Sportsmen Racing Classics race from the pole position and quickly pulled away from the competition. The first and only caution was displayed on lap five when Larry Benz and Bill Webb made contact going into turn two. As green-flag racing resumed, Hampeman once again pulled out to a sizeable lead over the field and went on to pick up the win. Bob Park finished in second, with Dennis Hinkle third, Benz fourth and Bill Powell in fifth.

Hickory Motor Speedway – Netwon, NC
Race Results – Aug. 2, 2014