Ferguson, Fowler, Heckman, Dejong Tops at Bristol

When it was announced back in January that Bristol Motor Speedway would be turned temporarily into a dirt racing palace, we made the decision to take the twelve hour journey in hopes of witnessing a true event. Spectators would only be allowed on the final two nights of the week long extravaganza which would showcase eight divisions of race cars. There were a host of reasons not to make the trip, not the least of which would be the potential for inclement March weather in the foothills of eastern Tennessee. But with Barry Braun, Mike Van Genderen and their team running the show, we felt like we had a good chance of witnessing top notch racing. It was a massive undertaking to cover the .533 mile high banked asphalt surface with enough red dirt, over 23,000 cubic yards– on top of a two inch sawdust base – to build a satisfactory surface and in addition the banking was cut down to accommodate the various classes of cars which would be competing in two rounds of qualifying heats and features, with a combined point system setting the stage for the big weekend paydays.

Before registration was closed for all but the super late models, more than 1300 drivers had entered to compete for a share of a purse that would top half a million dollars. But as the race days approached the weather forecast went from bad to worse, with rain forecast for nearly every day. As a result, many teams canceled their entry, with the car count closer to 800 by opening day. Still persistent showers forced the promotion team to make several adjustments to the schedule, and when heavy rain completely wiped out Thursday racing, many of the qualifying events had to be scrapped, with points earned in the first round of heats and features used to set lineups for the B and A features on Friday and Saturday. This of course left many competitors who had issues with their opening round unhappy, and it was even worse for the 4 cylinder hornets who would now not be on the track until Saturday morning. It was an unfortunate but unavoidable circumstance as promoters wanted to make sure the headline event – the super late model show – was able to run, and the track was also operating under a curfew.

Thankfully, after early drizzle on Friday, the weather cleared enough that racing would start on time in front of a well chilled, socially distanced crowd. Four divisions of cars took to the oval on this night, with the super late models running the first of two complete shows, featuring a $10,000 to win twenty five lap feature. With fifty one 602 late models still around, their final night would consist of a pair of B mains and a twenty lap feature paying $5,000 to win. Modifieds and sport mods would each compete in four B mains and features paying $7,500 for the mods and $5,000 for the sport mods to end their week.

The super late models boasted a strong field of drivers with NASCAR drivers Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott among the fifty five entries. In fact, Larson set quick overall time with a lap of 15.460 seconds, while also capturing the third heat. Other heat race winners included Chris Ferguson, Jonathon Davenport, and Brandon Overton. David Payne and Busch picked up the two B main checkers. It was Ferguson who sat on the polefor the feature, and he was the class of the field, outrunning Larson through the first set of turns then leading the distance for the win. Davenport was able to get by Larson on lap two, but could not run down the leader. Larson retook the spot from the Delaware restart just before halfway, the second and final caution of the race. Davenport came home third, followed by Scott Bloomquist and Chris Madden. Michael Rouse ran sixth in front of Boom Briggs, Adam Yarbrough, Jason Riggs, and Michael Chilton. Ricky Thornton Jr. was marching to the front after starting in row eight before a flat tire sent him pitside.

Sixteen year old Maguire Dejong from Montezuma, Iowa was a part of his high school state championship basketball team two weeks ago, then quickly left for Bristol to compete in his sport mod. After capturing a feature win in preliminary night racing, he backed it up with a $5,000 victory on Friday. Brady Bjella stalked the youngster throughout, settling for second. Jared Boumeester, Zack Tate, and western Iowa hot shoe Josh Most completed the top five. Carthage, Illinois newly wed Austen Becerra came home in sixth.

Kyle Heckman made the long haul from Bakersfield, California pay off with the IMCA type modified win. After his victory lane interview it was announced that he had failed post race tech, but someone spoke too soon, because a second trip through tech confirmed that he was indeed a legal winner. Cory Davis was runner up, trailed by double duty Ricky Thornton Jr., J D Auringer in the Timmy Current #12T, and one of my favorite racing names, Clay Money.

The 602 late models wrapped up the night, and while we witnessed several spectacular crashes throughout the night, the carnage in this class was massive. An eleven car pile up just past the halfway mark of the twenty lapper sent many of the super chilled spectators scurrying for the warmth of their cars or campers, and left about three undamaged race cars on the track. As the amazingly efficient wrecker crew, and I mean that sincerely, cleaned up the mess, a few of those involved limped back to the track to gain a few spots in the running order. Eventually nine of the twenty four starters took the checkers. Cass Fowler from Ackworth, Georgia was dominate in taking the win ahead of Dustin Diem, Kevin Powell, Hayden Swaney, and James Maurice.

With the sun finally shining, we will be back at it tonight, with super late models vying for a $50,000 top prize in what will now be a forty lap feature. Open modifieds will be running for a cool $10,000, while 604 late models, stock cars , and hornets will round out the show.