Tri-County Speedway ends season

Nov. 4—The racing season came to a close at Tri-County Speedway on Oct. 28.

It was a strong finish, with 105 cars showing up to see the curtain come down on the 2023 season.

In the Pro 4 Division, Curtis Pardue (17) led all qualifiers with a lap of 17.092. The top three qualifiers were inverted for the start of the race, and that resulted in Rodney Trivette (6) leading the field to the green.

One caution came during the race on lap five when Robbie Trivette (11) slowed to a stop on the backstretch. Pardue overcame the invert and claimed the win, followed by Dennis Trivette (57) in second and Rodney Trivette in third.

In the Vintage Division, Bob Haybmen (8) was fastest in qualifying with a lap of 16.577. The race was caution-free, and Cody DeMarmels (0) led from start to finish, followed by Kevin Bumgarner (47) in second, and Haybmen finished third.

In the Outlaw Division, Tyler Church (1x) claimed the pole at 15.579; however, the car failed the pre-race inspection. Martin Nesbitt (92) was given the pole.

The top three starting spots were inverted, and Jake Waltman (6) led the field to the green flag. LeapFrog put up a $100.00 bonus for the winner, and Coomer's Well and Pump added another $100.00 bonus for the Hard Charger award.

Tim Dale (5) brought out the caution on lap 42 when he spun. The second caution came on lap 46 when Ruben Caceres (77) hit the wall on the front stretch. Martin Nesbitt (92) took the win with Dakota Slagle (13) in second, and Church finished third. Zack Hill won the $100.00 Hard Charger award.

In the Renegade Division, Klint Townsend (9) took the pole at 19.379, but the top three qualifiers were inverted, and Steve Guthrie (32G) led the field to the flag at the start. The caution-free event was won by Dalton Ledbetter (32), with Townsend finishing second and Steve Smart (16) finishing third.

The Front Wheel Drive Division was the fifth event of the night, and James Powell (27) was the top qualifier with a time of 19.115.

The top seven cars were inverted, and Brayden Powers led the field to start the event. Caution slowed the field on lap one when Dalton Willard (42) slowed to a stop on the track. Willard again brought out the caution when he stopped in turn three.

Powell won the race, with Jason Garwood (46) finishing second and Jackie Stone (17) in third.

In the Late Model Division, Blake Lothian (59) won qualifying with a lap of 15.694 but then failed the prerace inspection and started from the back of the field.

Ryan Joyner was the new pole-sitter, but after the first six cars were inverted, Brody Monohan led the field to the green flag.

LeapFrog again offered a $100.00 bonus to the winner, and Jeff's Auto Sales offered a $500.00 bonus to the driver who would start tenth and come back and win the race. The first caution came on lap 28 when Tasha Kummer (35) spun in turn 3.

Caution number two came on lap 44 when Brody Monohan (35M) spun out in turn four. The biggest incident of the night was on the final lap of the race when Late Model Track Champion Thomas Beane (28) was leading, and Mike Bumgarner (97) made contact in the backstretch, sending both into the outside wall, collecting Mitch Walker (15) as he careened back into the racing groove.

Riley Gentry collected the win, with Jadon Cretacci (75) finishing second and Dean Thompson (5) in third.

In the Limited Late Model Division, Trey Canipe (5) won the pole with a lap of 15.952, and after the first three cars were inverted, Landon Huffman started out front.

Caution one came on the first lap when Derek Lane (28) was putting down a trail of smoke. The second caution flew on lap eight as Kristen Wallace (12W) spun to avoid a slower car, and the third caution came on lap 16 when Taylor Reimer (12R) spun in turn 3.

On lap 18, Wallace and Rich Hudson (8) got together, and the final caution came when Graham Hildebran (2) had an engine expire. Austin Harris (59) won the race, with Huffman second, and Canipe finished third. Terry Crider won the $100.00 bonus for being the Hard Charger of the race.

In the Street Stock Division, Marlin Yoder (08) took the pole with a lap of 16.891. The first four cars were inverted, and Johnny Reynolds led them to the green flag. Yellow came out on lap when Chris Tunnel (6) and Marvin Miller (1) got together in turn two.

The second caution came on lap 17 as Davey Smart (14) slowed on the track. A five-car incident brought out the final caution when Miller, J.D. Smith (28), and Kyle Boice (73) had an incident in turn two.

Kayla Eby (3) and James Powell (27) tried to get through a hole that wasn't there. Yoder took the checkered flag, followed by Johnny Reynolds (55) and Mike Hatton (12).

The Tri-County Speedway banquet will occur on Jan. 6, 2024, at the Hub in Hudson. Please check the speedway's website or Facebook page for the time and cost of the banquet.