Heath Causey Wins the “David “Lightning” Saunders Memorial”
Allen Vance, Kevin Orlando, Daniel Hughes & Jon Morton Visit “Victory Lane”; Barry Hines Claimed the Any Car Enduro
(Sophia, NC): Heath Causey made a visit to Caraway Speedway on Saturday night and took home the $3,000.00 that included a 1k bonus from TCPS Construction. The event honored David “Lightning” Saunders who was a long-time race crew chief before becoming an official at South Boston in 2009. David joined the Caraway Speedway team in 2013. He became the CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Technical Director 2018. Saunders passed away from a heart attack in November of 2019, at Caraway Speedway.
Causey set fast time in qualifying but redrew the five pill that put him alongside Jason York, the winner of the last Late Model race on April 29th.
Jamie York took command for the first 21 laps before his dad moved to the point for a 57 lap stint while Brian Rose, Chase Murphy and Causey jockeyed for track position. It appeared Causey was saving a bit and after the scheduled “competition caution” moved to the point on lap 80. He held of the challenges of York to take the win. Rose wrestled the third spot away from Jamie York while Murphy held on for fifth. Toby Layne finished sixth with Jeffery Wood in seventh. Layne was piloting the car owned by Ed Cox, a long time supporter of Caraway Speedway and racing in general, who is recovering from a fall at home a couple of weeks ago. Caraway Speedway “Wall of Fame” member, Ronald Fox, was handling the “Crew Chief” duties for Layne and Dante Curtis. Rose and Layne took home an extra $200.00 in bonus cash posted by HRH Farms.
The Late Models return for a 50 lapper on June 3rd for “Fan Appreciation Night at the track along with racing in all other divisions plus Legends, Bandoleros, Allison Legacy Cars and the Grand National Super Series and bike races for the kids.
Allen Vance turned the table on Brody Buggins who bested Vance in the last event for the Challengers on April 29th. Blake Shupe and D.J. Dean had their turn at the point with Shupe in front for the first ten laps until contact from Dean sent Shupe spinning. Dean led the next several laps before being overtaken by Vance who led the rest of the way. Duggins finished second followed by Matthew Smith, Dean, Dante Curtis, Shupe, Brian Melville, Josh Williams, Caleb Allred and Luke Travis. The finishing order for the Challenger feature is unofficial pending inspection of Duggins engine.
Kevin Orland made the most of his return to Caraway Speedway, claiming the win in the 35 lap feature for the 602 Modifieds. Orlando muscled his way past fast qualifier, Justice Calabro on lap 25 and never looks\d back. Calabro finished second ahead of Mitchell Wright, Dean Lowder, Jacob creed and Jaxson Casper. The 602 Mods return on June 17th.
Daniel Hughes survived a post-race protest to take the win in the UCAR feature. Ron Mock finished second with Josh Phillips, Jason Richmond and Justin Smith rounding out the top five. Smith also survived an engine protest and thanked the protester for giving him some extra funding to take his wife out for Mother’s Day. Barry Hines finished sixth ahead of Steven Collins, Steven Hendrick, Mason Vance, Titi Clapp, “Wild Bill”, Gary Dillard, Reid Faulkner and Blair Patterson. Justin Smith and Ron Mock won qualifying heats for the UCARs.
Jon Morton bested Steven Collins in the “Bootlegger” 10 lapper with Robbie Perkins, Bentley Black and Jaclyn Morton rounding out the top five.
Barry Hines took home a cool $1,000.00 by winning the 50 lap, Any Car Enduro.
Caraway Speedway takes a “Spring Break” next week followed by the return of the popular 336 Meets Spectator Drags on May 27th.
Local racing returns in full force on June 3rd with “Fan Appreciation Night” featuring $8.00 admission for everyone. On-track action includes racing for the Late Models, Challengers, Mini Stocks, UCARs, the INEX Legends Cars and Bandoleros along with the first of two 2023 appearances for the popular Allison Legacy Series and “twin” features for the Grand National Super Series. The GNSS features earlier versions of “Cup” and “ProCup” cars. Winston Cup winner, Jeremy Mayfield, is expected to compete in the event. The event also features “Bike” races for the kids as well as rides in the f\races cars.
For more information on the 2023 Caraway Speedway schedule, check us out at www.carawayspeedway.com or on face book at Caraway Speedway or call the speedway at 336-629-5803 and someone will return your call. If you can’t make it to the track, you can catch the action at carawayspeedway.tv.
Sources: Randy Myers/Caraway Speedway PR