Beard captures Caraway exhibition event

Coy Beard enjoys a nice start to racing in 2024. (Courtesy photo)

SOPHIA – Coy Beard was the Late Models winner in Caraway Speedway’s “winter heat” to open the year of racing at the stock-car track.

The “winter heat” serves as an appetizer as sort of an exhibition card for the season to come.

Beard claimed the 75-lap event from the pole position. Austin Somero placed second, followed by Carter Russo, Tristan McKee and Annabeth Crum. Heath Causey was the second-best qualifier, but dropped out of the race early with car troubles.

In Pro Late Models, Aiden King ended up the winner after Max Reeves ran first for a long stretch. Carson Ware was the runner-up.

The 602 Modifieds race was won by Kevin Orlando, with Billy Gregg the runner-up followed by Dean Lowder, Mitchell Wright and Slate Myers.

For Street Stocks, Jeff Sparks topped the field in the 40-lap event, followed by Mike Cooper, Stephen Sharpe, Larry Isenhower and Joey Staley.

The Challengers race also was 40 laps, with Brody Duggins the winner in front of Landon Huffman. The next three were Matthew Smith, Enoch McNiel and Michael O’Brien.

In UCARs, reigning track champion Daniel Hughes passed Tommy Raino and went on to win the 20-lap race. They were followed by Tito Clapp, Mason Vance and Allen Gauldin.

The Bootleggers victory went to John Morton, while John Turner was the runner-up, followed by Wade Turner, Jaclyn Morton and Kaleb Brown.

The season kicks into gear next month with a season-opening weekend March 9-10.