Landon Huffman Wins Big At Hickory Motor Speedway

Landon Huffman won his first Late Model race in the 50 lap feature at Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday night. Photo by Sherri Stearns

NEWTON, NC – Fans and competitors gathered for an action packed night of short-track racing Saturday night and watched as Landon Huffman pulled into Victory Lane following an excitement filled 50-lap NASCAR Whelen All American Bojangles’ Late Model feature event at Hickory Motor Speedway in Newton, NC.

Josh Berry demonstrated speed during qualifying and picked up the pole for the 50-lap Bojangles’ Late Model feature event. The JR Motorsports driver pulled away during the early laps, leaving a tight battle between Shane Lee and Ashley Huffman for second. After the two drivers made contact, Lee lost momentum and slipped back in the field. Huffman went on to challenge Berry for the lead until connecting with the turn-four wall following a restart on lap 39 after the first caution.

On the ensuing restart, Chandler LeVan made contact with Berry, sending Berry for a spin and both drivers to the back of the field for the following restart. Landon Huffman was scored in the first-place position when the pack returned to green-flag racing and survived multiple restarts on his way to victory lane. Doug Barnes finished in second, with William Byron in third, Brayton Hews in fourth and Lee in fifth.

Casey Pierce earned the pole position for the 35-lap Gold King Limited Late Model race, but was quickly taken out of contention when he and Trent Barnes connected coming out of turn four on the second lap. Pierce lost momentum from the contact and a subsequent flat tire allowed Barnes to take over the lead. Barnes time in the top spot was short lived, as Monty Cox settled into the lead with five laps complete. As the laps ticked away, Cox and Dylan Wilson created a sizable lead over the field until the caution flag was displayed on lap 22. Cox remained out front during the restart, but Wilson challenged for the top spot as the race progressed. The two took turns running out front during the final laps, with Wilson coming out with the victory and Cox settling for second. Travis Byrd finished in third, with Taylor Stricklin in fourth and Charlie Watson in fifth.

Kevin Townsend started the 30-lap Street Stock event from the front of the field, and quickly began pulling away from his competition during the early laps. Kevin Eby remained close to Townsend’s bumper, battling for the opportunity to move out front. Townsend managed to maintain his spot out front during multiple restarts early in the race, yet continued to receive challenges from Eby throughout the event. Townsend and Eby maintained a close battle during the closing laps, but Townsend held on to the top position on his way to victory lane, forcing Eby to settle for second. Marshall Sutton came home in third, with Jonathon Smith in fourth and Cody DeMarmels in fifth.

Kenneth Roberts took the green flag from the pole position in the WrenchRags Renegades race, but relinquished the top position to Carroll McKinney on the first lap. The 20-lap feature was caution filled, allowing Roberts the opportunity to move back out front during the final laps, bringing Blake Walker along to settle into second. As Roberts led the field out of turn four coming to the checkered flag, Walker and McKinney tangled in the turn sending both cars spinning, providing Dustin Walker the opportunity to pick up a second-place finish. Kyle Divanna, Darrin Dickinson and Shore rounded out the top five.

Chase Pollard led the 4-Cylinder field to the green flag, but Matt Elledge quickly jumped out front and settled into the top position by the time the field cleared turn two on the first lap of the 25-lap race. Elledge created a sizable lead over the competition and looked like he was in position to pick up the win, until sliding in oil and making contact with Dennis Trivette heading into turn four with only eight laps remaining. Pollard restarted in the lead and went on to collect the win. Eddie Gilbert finished in second, with Rob Lewis in third, Robert Trivette in fourth and Curtis Pardue in fifth.

Bill Webb led the Bench-Built Sportsmen Racing Classics to the green flag for a 25-lap event, but quickly slipped back to the second position after Robert Hapeman took over the top spot before the completion of the first lap. As the race progressed and the field strung out to single-file racing, Webb stayed close to the bumper of Hapeman looking for an opportunity to regain the lead. Hapeman would hold on to the lead and be the first to take the checkered flag, leaving Webb to settle for a second-place finish. Bob Park finished in third, with Larry Benz in fourth and Shane Brafford finished in fifth.

The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series returns Saturday, with action from the Bojangles’ Late Models, the Gold King Limited Late Models, Street Stocks, 4-Cylinders and the Super Trucks. The night of racing will conclude with a benefit concert for the The Children’s Miracle Network featuring Throw Down Jones and TNT.

A Hickory Motor Speedway Legend On-Track Autograph Session with special guests Harry Gant, Bobby Allison and Ned Jarrett will begin at 6 p.m. with feature racing action scheduled to take place at 7 p.m.

For more info, visit hickorymotorspeedway.com.

Hickory Motor Speedway – Hickory, NC
Race Results – May 31, 2014