Layfield is ‘BOSS’ in Pittsburgh; rain takes Elkins

HE IS THE BOSS! Andre Layfield, of Grafton, traveled to Pittsburgh Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 23, and won the Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series Race.

Well fellow dirt eaters, Mother Nature said she had enough racing and turned on the water Friday night. Just as opening ceremonies were going on the light drizzle began. It quickly increased, and eventually forced officials to halt activities at Elkins. Meanwhile, back here, Fairmont suffered the same fate. But, clear skies greeted fans and drivers Saturday at Tyler County.

The Super Late Models were in the spotlight with the 24th-annual Earl Hill Memorial with $4,000 to win. Jared Miley, Freddie Carpenter, Corey Conley and Donnie Moran scored the prelims. Derek Doll snared the consy. Then, at the drop of the green, Miley shot to the point, with Conley, Chris Garnes, Carpenter and Danny Mitchell in tow.

Miley dominated the field, catching the backmarkers by lap 10. The first stoppage came on lap 17, when Keith Barbara got into Charlie Maloney, sending Maloney around in turn four. Miley, C. Conley, Garnes, Carpenter and Sonny Conley were now running in the top five.

Butch McGill made his presence known, as he took fifth on lap 20. Miley continued to leave lapped cars in his wake. On lap 31, while trying the high side, Miley skated through turn four, but thought better of the next go round. The yellow fell again on lap 42, when Doll slowed. After the final circuits were counted, Miley added his second polka dotted hat to the collection. It was only the second time a driver has won the event in back-to-back years. Mike Benedum wore the polka dotted hat in 2006 and 2007.

Along with Miley, C. Conley, Garnes, Carpenter and McGill completed the top five.

Tyler County Speedway and Elkins Raceway have joined forces for the “Double Down”  Bonus, where any crate Late Model driver able to win back-to-back races, scores an additional $50. It rolls over each week that no one is able to claim it, and this Saturday it sat at $550. Kyle Thomas scored the win at Elkins on June 15, and since Elkins rained out June 22, he was still the driver eligible. Derek Rogers took command at the green, with Thomas hot on his tail. Thomas turned up the heat, as he was a man on a mission. Thomas pulled door-to-door with Rogers on lap five, then motored his way around Rogers on the next circuit, and he never looked back. Thomas claimed the win, and the bonus. Rogers had to settle for second as Daniel Hill, Mike Thorne and Brian Baumberger filled out the top five.

It was Thomas’ third trip to victory lane.

In the Modifieds, Travis Dickson withstood some heat from dad, Mark, Mike Wilson and Tommy Powell, but basically let all the drama unfold behind him. Travis piloted the #16 to his third checkerboard of the season. The war for second raged the entire distance, as M. Dickson, Wilson and Powell battled three wide for second, until the restart of lap 17, when M. Dickson pulled off with mechanical problems. When the checkers fell, Wilson, Powell, Jacob Hawkins and Chris Basich would cross the stripe, finishing second through fifth.

Kenny Isner used his pole starting spot to out-drag Travis Thomas to turn one for the front slot at the start of the Hot Mod feature.

The front duo fought tooth-and-nail circuit after circuit until lap nine, when Thomas nudged Isner in turn three looping Isner. Thomas was delegated to the tail, and Isner was given back the lead. Isner would drive on to claim his third win. Codi Eaton finished second, with Lou Ennis third, while Thomas climbed back to fourth, and Mike Conkle was fifth.

In the Mod Lites, Brandon Fluharty grabbed the lead at the outset only to have James Watson take it on lap two. Fluharty retook the spot on lap four, then he fended off Watson, and a late rally from Jeff  Fornash to notch his fourth straight checkers, with Fornash, J. Watson, Zack Watson and Mitch Ward filling out the top five.

The Four Cylinders were again following Donnie Wamsley for the eighth straight week, while Justin Freeland, Rickie Wright, Zack Jones and Mike Harter completed the top five.

Zack Carr made his first visit count in the Mini Wedges, as he took the “A” feature, running ahead of Trey Watson, Shayla Griffey, Kaitlyn Frazier and Wesley Baker. In the “B” feature, P. J. “Buckwheat” Wright took the checkers, as Tiffany Jackson, Brett Coberly, Hayden Jacobs and Kylie Cross crossed second through fifth.

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Local Drivers

Josh Coffman finished seventh in his heat and did not start the consy at Tyler in the Super late Models.

Andre Layfield finished third in his heat and fourth in the feature at Skyline Speedway on Friday night. On Saturday night, “Dr. Dre” did a little better. He took the wing off and traveled to Pittsburgh Motor Speedway. He scored not only the heat, but the BOSS (Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series) finale as well!

Brent Trimble had a rough night at Roaring Knob. While running under caution, he was hit from behind, which resulted in enough damage to end his evening.

Zak Kimbrew arrived at Tyler County with a new car, and he finished fourth in his heat, before being caught in a wreck in the Mod Lite feature. With severe front-end damage, his night ended in 19th place.

Chad Green did not run, after Elkins was rained out.

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This week there will be regular racing at all three tracks. But, both Elkins and Tyler County, will have fireworks displays, as well.

As always, stuff can be sent to wv-dirttrackin@hotmail.com, or wvdirttrackin@aol.com.

Until it’s time again to smell alcohol an eat dirt, have a good one.