Carson Kvapil (left) took the win in the Late Model Stock feature, while Mike Hopkins (right) was victorious in the Pro Late Model feature for the CARS Racing Tour Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway. Photos: CARS Racing Tour/Twitter
Carson Kvapil and Mike Hopkins scored victories on a night that saw the largest field ever assembled in the history of the CARS Racing Tour at North Carolina’s Hickory Motor Speedway.
Kvapil was the winner by inches over Connor Hall in the Late Model Stock feature, while Hopkins spun to the win in the Pro Late Model feature at the historic 3/8-mile layout.
In the Late Model Stock feature, Kvapil saw his advantage gradually erased by Hall over the closing laps of the 150 lap feature. Hall managed to reach Kvapil’s bumper in turn 3 on the final lap, and nudged him out of the groove, but the Kvapil edged Hall in the ensuing photo finish.
Kvapil described the closing moments of the LMSC Tour feature as nerve-wracking but rewarding.
“I knew (Hall was) close and we were matching (on lap times),” Kvapil said. “One mistake from me and he’d be right there, so I was trying to be consistent. I started to come off the bottom with about five to go and I was driving as hard as I could. He tried to give himself a shot to win it at the end, but all in all, it was a good race.”
Hall’s second place run came after he grinded his way through the field from a ninth place starting position. He was conservative with his tires and believed his car was just as strong as Kvapil’s, but ultimately ran out of time before making the move he wanted.
“We started further back in the field than we wanted and had a loose car,” Hall said. “I thought we managed enough tire and were very equal with (Kvapil) during the last few laps. Right at the end, I was able to force the issue and catch him, but everything kind of worked against me. It’s always harder being the chaser compared to being the leader.”
In the Pro Late Model feature, Mike Hopkins spun off the front nose of Brent Crews at the checkered flag to score the victory in the 100-lap event.
Hopkins admitted to being anxious knowing he would have to settle the race over a green-white-checkered finish, but he was not going to give Crews or Connor Zilisch any breathing room during those two laps.
“I just kept digging,” Hopkins said. “I’ve never gotten one (at Hickory) and I wanted it bad. I didn’t want to see that (late caution) but I can’t thank these Port City (Racecars) guys enough. I also can’t thank the fans (enough because) that was a show at the end.”
Both divisions of the CARS Tour will get some rest before heading to Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, North Carolina on Friday, May 5. For more information, visit CARSRacingTour.com.
CARS Racing Tour
Hickory Motor Speedway – Newton, NC
Tuff Shed 250 – April 22, 2023
Late Model Stock Cars
1. Carson Kvapil
2. Connor Hall
3. Kaden Honeycutt
4. Chad McCumbee
5. Deac McCaskill
6. Jacob Heafner
7. Brenden Queen
8. Mason Diaz
9. Connor Zilisch
10. William Sawalich
11. Ryan Millington
12. Conner Jones
13. Cody Kelley
14. Brandon Pierce
15. Charlie Watson
16. Andrew Grady
17. Chase Burrow
18. Dylon Wilson
19. Colby Howard
20. Landon Huffman
21. Isabella Robusto
22. Zack Miracle
23. Cameron Bolin
24. Carson Brown
25. Mini Tyrrell
26. Ronnie Bassett, Jr.
27. Layne Riggs
28. Riley Gentry
29. Lanie Buice
30. Bobby McCarty
31. Kade Brown
32. Ashton Higgins
Pro Late Models
1. Mike Hopkins
2. Brent Crews
3. Connor Zilisch
4. Matt Craig
5. Dawson Sutton
6. Katie Hettinger
7. Luke Baldwin
8. Ashton Higgins
9. Gavan Boschele
10. Tristan McKee
11. Caden Kvapil
12. Lee Tissot
13. Brett Suggs
14. Joshua Horniman
15. Luke Morey
16. Rusty Skewes
17. Jadyn Daniels
18. Dylan Garner
19. Isabella Robusto
20. Austin MacDonald
21. Nick Loden
22. Michael Lichtfeld
23. Justin Whitaker
24. Jeff Batten
25. George Phillips
26. Kyle Campbell
27. Hudson Canipe
28. Logan Jones
29. Zac Fowler
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