7/30/2019
Magic Valley Speedway
Huge crowd and a large field on a warm summer night…………
By: DJ Everett
Warm but pleasant temperatures graced Magic Valley Speedway on Peterson Brothers Construction/Elite Restoration Night. A huge crowd filled the stands on what was a great night of racing.
A season high 16 Bud modifieds filled the pits as they rolled out for the first of two 50 lap main events. As the green flag dropped, local favorite Casey Pehrson moved to the front quickly and was starting to separate himself from the field but the heavy hitters were moving to the front. Points leader, Zach Webster was the next to assume the lead and by this time Lynn Hardy, Eric Rhead, and Zach Telford was able to get through the traffic and start battling at the front. The Hammer, Lynn Hardy, was now on the rear bumper of Webster. As the two grinded it out for the top spot, Hardy was able to get out in front. Webster tried his best to hang with Hardy but at the checkers, Lynn Hardy picked up his 7th win of 2019.
The Quale’s Electronics Jr. Stingers was next for their main event and when the green flag flew, a lot of jockeying for position happened right away throughout the field. Payton Weller would eventually move into the top spot and hold that position until Brayden Sweatfield was able to break free from the traffic and run down Weller. The rest of the race would feature these two drivers trading paint for the top spot and at times sending Weller for a spin as a result of that contact. Sweatfield would have to restart at the back of the pack both times with Weller keeping her top spot but in the end, Payton Weller would pick up her first career Jr. Stinger win. A very popular win for the young lady.
A good field of Denny’s Minis rolled out for their main event of the evening. The field would include a few visiting drivers such as 2018 Rocky Mountain Raceways mini stock champion Justin Carson, Jerry McKean, and a return behind wheel of the Little Rebel, Manda Haye as she saw action for the first time in a few years. As the green flag flew, Chad Everett jumped out to the early lead as Jeremia Eden and Jerry McKean started a battle that would last all race long behind Everett. While that was happening, Justin Carson from the back of the pack was picking them off one at a time and soon was able to get by race leader Chad Everett. Everett would remain in striking distance but Carson was able to pick up his first main event win of the year over Chad Everett.
The Project Filter Bombers were up next as Brandon Adams was able to get out in front at the drop of the green. He would hold that lead as long as he could while his car was skating up the track and at times touching the frontstretch and backstretch walls. Craig McCann was able to get by to grab the lead and points leader, Danny Gilliam, was able to follow through into second spot. The next three quarters of the race would see Gilliam on McCann’s rear bumper looking for a way around. That would not happen as McCann was able to win his 4th race of the year.
The Bud modifieds would come out onto the track for their second 50 lap main event of the night. The green flag flew and Shawn Lester would jump out in front and hold the lead for a few laps. Modified legend, Shelby Strobel, would be next to lead the field getting by Lester. A great battle for the top spot between Stroebel and Eric Rhead would ensue as they ran side by side for a few laps. Rhead would eventually get by Stroebel but yellow flags started plaguing the race. Donovan Barr would spin and collect Casey Pehrson, Lynn Hardy, and Zach Telford. All would be able to drive away except for Pehrson. Shawn Lester would bring out a couple of cautions as he found turn 1 being his nemesis spinning his car both times. Zach Webster would find the restarts to his liking as he was able to pick up a spot or two on each restart. Webster was able to grab the lead away from Rhead on one of those restarts. The final restart saw Webster clear Rhead’s car and pull away all the way to the checkers adding to his win total and also stretching out his points lead.
The final main event saw the Sawtooth Auto Sales Hornets tackle a very demanding road course that featured many right and left hand turns. First half of the year Jr Stinger champion, Zach Rydalch, would grab the lead with Chad Everett on his rear bumper. The two would remain that way until Rydalch’s car died with two laps to go. That gave the victory to Everett who has visited victory many times so far in 2019.
This coming Saturday night, August 3rd, will be Magic Valley Electric night. The return of the always exciting Northwest Tour Truck Series and ISRL sprint cars highlight the card along with the Denny’s Minis, Cactus Pete’s Streets, Sawtooth Auto Sales Hornets, and the Quale’s Electronics Jr Stingers. It’s a full night of racing and you will want to get out to the track early to beat the huge crowd that is expected!! Gates open at 5pm and Nascar Racing starts at 7pm!! We will see you at the valley’s speed palace, Magic Valley Speedway!!