9/7/2024
Tri-County Speedway
The Tri-County Speedway 400
On Saturday night September 7th there were 10 races plus a school bus race for all the race fans
to enjoy at Tri County Speedway!
The bus race was a 5 lap event. The drivers were John Gray, Caldwell County bus driver of the
year, and Patrick Daugherty, another bus driver in the county. Gray won the race, but it was rather
obvious the governors were still in place on both buses. Just less, however, on Gray’s bus. But it was all
in fun. The children who stayed until the end of the night were given bus rides around the track
afterwards.
The first official race of the night was the Grand National Super Series. Jason Kitzmiller, #97,
qualified on the pole with a lap of 16.297, 88.359 mph. Mike K, #1, however, was recipient of the invert.
He started from the pole. The race ran without incident except for the competition caution on lap 20.
Kitzmiller won the 50 lap event. Landon Huffman, #57, was second. He was followed by Mike K in third.
Race #2 of the night was the Carolina Vintage Series. Tom Demarmels, #0, had a hot lap of
16.802, 85.704 mph. This race also ran caution free. Demarmels claimed the win and Kevin Bumgarner,
#47, was in second. Bob Hapeman, #8, was third.
The Outlaw Division was the third event of the night. David Messer, #26, was fastest in
qualifying with a speed of 15.782, 91.243 mph. The invert drawn before the race placed Lee Tissot, #27,
on the pole for the start of the race. This was the third race in a row which ran caution free. Tissot held
on to his starting spot and claimed the win. Andrew Patterson, #27, placed second and Sheflon Clay,
#15, came home third.
Race #4 of the night was the Carolina Mini Stock Series. Tim Canipe, #10, won the pole with a
lap time of 17.885, 80.514 mph. The invert put Roger Nance, #50N, on the inside front row. The race’s
only caution was on lap 2 when Jamison Whittington, #61, slowed on the track. No further incidents
occurred to bring out the caution. James Crigger, #98, took home the trophy of the night. Robert
Trivette, #11, was second. He was followed by Robert Arch, #18, in third.
Race 5 was the Late Model Race. Austin McDaniel, #12M, had a lap time of 15.602, 92.295 mph
in qualifying. This made him fast man of the night. The invert handed Max Reaves, #18R, the coveted
inside front row spot for the start of the race. Once again, caution flags were at a minimum. The only 1
was displayed on lap 62 when Mitch Walker, #15, cut down a tire. When racing resumed, McDaniels
showed why he was fastest of the night and claimed the win. He was followed by Tristen McKee, #7, in
second. Reaves took the third position.
One caution was all that was displayed in the 6th race of the night. In the Renegades Division
Klint Townsend, #9, set the bar in qualifying with a lap time of 19.490, 73.884 mph. An invert of the top
5 placed Shawn Thompson, #1.5, on the pole. Thompson was the only one to bring out a caution on lap
5 when he spun on the backstretch. Gary Ledbetter, #28, won the race. Carl Smart, #16, placed second.
Townsend ran the last lap with a flat tire and come home third.
Race 7 was the Asphalt Street Stocks. Jeff Melton, #60, qualified with a lap of 17.328, 83.102
mph to claim the top spot. An invert of the top 4 allowed Davey Smart, #14, to see the green first.
Jonathan Goodwin, #5J, spun and hit the turn 3 inside wall on lap 7 to bring out caution #1. Kevin Eby,
#03, had an engine to blow on lap 11 to bring out the red flag for track cleanup. Johnny Reynolds, #55,
went on to win the race. He was followed by John Reynolds, #55R, in second. This was the first time
father son win. Boo Carlisle, #00, was third.
Race 8 was the Limited Late Model Division. Matt Leicht, #55, set the pace in qualifying with a
time of 16.135, 89.246 mph. Archie Adams, #17, was the lucky recipient of the invert and started from
the pole. Adam Johnson, #13, brought out the first caution on lap 40 when he spun and hit the wall in
turn 3. The second caution was displayed on lap 42 when Rich Hudson, #8, hit the turn 2 wall. The last
caution for the evening was on lap 4 when Owen Wilson, #42, appeared to have an engine let go on the
front stretch. Taylor Reimer, #25R, won the race. She was followed by Leicht in second and Zack Franks,
#1, was in third.
Race #9 was the second race of the Grand National Super Series. Jeremy Mayfield, #21, started
from the P1 position. Other than a competition caution on lap 20 the race ran caution free. Landon
Huffman, #57, took the checkered flag for the event. He was followed by AJ Henriksen, #0, in second.
Mayfield took third.
The last event of the night was the Front Wheel Drive Series. Jason Garwood, #46, was fastest
in qualifying with a lap time of 19.278, 74.696 mph. The invert awarded Dana Maxwell, #5, with the
pole. It was another caution free event. Garwood came back to win the race. Skylar Brown, #2, was
second. Mahlon Borkholder, #19, was third. After inspection Garwood was disqualified for an unapproved part and Skylar Brown got his first win of the season.
Race fans had a full night of racing with ten races on the schedule at Tri County Speedway. We
hope everyone enjoyed the events of the night. Our next race will be Saturday, September 28th . Hope
to see you there!
Article Credit: Debbie Setzer
Submitted By: Chris Lesondak
