7/9/2025
Magic Valley Speedway
Gibson, Dillon Duel for Freedom 50 Win
Magic Valley Speedway got a jump start on Independence Day Thursday, July 3, as the third-mile oval hosted the Fireworks Spectacular and Hornet Meltdown. The NASCAR Trucks, Western Mountain Inc. NASCAR Latemodels, Project Filter Mini Modifieds, Speedway Midgets, and Fast Lane Automotive Hornets invaded the high banks in search of the night’s YMC Mechanical trophies.
Fifteen Western Mountain Inc. NASCAR Latemodels celebrated their freedom with a fifty-lap feature. Scott Murri grabbed the early lead as contact sent polesitter Matt Egley spinning in front of the field. No significant damage was done as the field scattered and all fifteen racers took the green flag on the restart.
After just two laps Murri conceded the top spot to Scott Gilligan and faded back through the pack. On the move forward was Johvan Dillon, who charged all the way from his twelfth place starting position to the lead after just fifteen laps.
While Dillon was fast, Nick Gibson was faster, and just after the race’s halfway point Gibson lit the wick on his machine and took over the runner up spot. Gibson gained on Dillon lap after lap until a caution flag flew and brought Gibson even with the leader.
On the drop of the green flag Gibson blasted by Dillon on the high side to take the lead. This dropped Dillon into a dogfight with Andrew Palmer. Dillon held onto the runner up spot and regained his rhythm to catch Gibson. A late restart allowed Dillon one last swing at Gibson, but try as he might there was no way around the winning car of Gibson.
Neil Boyle outgunned Jesse James Lawson and Jeff Wade to win the night’s NASCAR Truck feature.
Brady Ransom blasted through the Speedway Midget ranks to score his first division victory of the season. Dan Arriola finished second ahead of Casey Heesch and Keith Green.
The Project Filter Mini Modifieds fell to the Project Filter Pro-4 of Sam Harris. Mike Gill brought his machine home in second place ahead of Zaine Newberry.
Nineteen Fast Lane Automotive Hornets took the green flag on a physical feature race. When the smoke cleared the checkered flag fell over Dusty Sterner. Brayden Sweatfield came home in second place with Zach Rydalch third.
Thursday night’s on-track action concluded with a wild No Prep, Gut-and-Go Freedom Enduro. Over twenty cars took the green flag and stormed here, there, and everywhere around the third-mile. The checkered flag flew after 51 laps due to inclement weather and saw Jon Spencer pilot his machine to victory.
Mother Nature held off just long enough for the night to wrap up with two fiery displays. The first was thanks to Jeff Atamian’s jet dragster The Beast which turned its afterburner on a Ford Ranger and reduced it to a mound of molten metal in a matter of minutes. Finally, the night closed with a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the skies over the third-mile.
Magic Valley Speedway’s fortieth season of competition continues this Saturday, July 12, with the Western Mountain Inc. Big Wheel Races for Kids. The Southern Idaho Mini Stocks take on the third-mile as they battle to qualify for the Olga's California Dream 100, while the Pepsi Sprintcars, McDonald's Street Stocks, Snake River Legends, Budweiser Thunderdogs, and Speedway Bandoleros battle to close out the first half of the Magic Valley Speedway season strong.
General admission to the Western Mountain Inc. Big Wheel Races for Kids is just $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and military members, $8 for kids 7-11, and free for kids 6 and under. Gates open at 4:45 p.m. Saturday with the first green flag waved at 6:30 p.m. The night's Big Wheel races will take place at intermission between heat races and main events. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.magicvalleyspeedway.com while they last. We'll see you on the high banks this Saturday, July 12, for the Western Mountain Inc. Big Wheel Races for Kids at Idaho's fastest NASCAR Home Track, Magic Valley Speedway.
Submitted By: Tyler Schild
