SOPHIA – There was a different driver in a certain Late Models car but a familiar name behind the wheel when Caraway Speedway’s points season opened Sunday. It began the 57th season at the track.
Third-generation driver Trevor Ward guided a car owned by former track champion Jay Hedgecock to the victory in the 60-lap race.
Ward led for about the last 40 laps after getting around pole sitter Coy Beard, the 2020 champion who finished as the runner-up. Tony Black was third, and reigning track champion Blaise Brinkley took fourth ahead of Daniel Schadt in the nine-car field.
On the Modifieds, the winner was Josh Lowder, who ended up ahead of Carson Loftin, Lee Jeffreys and Paul Hartwig Jr.
In Mini Stocks, Chuck Wall prevailed after trading the lead with Tyler Bush during a riveting span. Adam Thomas ended up in third.
Enoch McNeil claimed the season-opening triumph in the Challenger class, topping a field of 17 entrants. Toby Layne was second and Jacob Brooks placed third.
There were also 17 cars in the UCARs event, with Josh Phillips finishing first ahead of Daniel Hughes, Steven Collins, Cory Rose and Troy Ring.
The Legends victory went to Landon Lewis ahead of Daniel Wilk.
Bryson Brinkley, a younger brother of Blaise Brinkley and son of multi-time track champion Brad Brinkley, was the Bandoleros winner, speeding ahead of Phoenyx Kimball, a Raleigh girl, and Bobby Gossett.
This week, the racing shifts to the normal slot on Saturday night. The main event is a 99-lap feature as the SMART Modified Tour visits.
