Ricky Weiss took the lead on lap 23
Ricky Weiss turned in two strong performances with the Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Series this weekend leading into that tour’s weekend finale at the Tazewell Speedway on Saturday evening. The native of Canada made a strong move in the middle portion of the main event that gave him the lead and he never looked back from there.
The Sniper Chassis driver from Headingly, Manitoba collected $5,000 for his efforts on the high-banked third-mile facility located in Tazewell, Tennessee.
A total of 16 cars were signed in for competition.
Qualifying Results:
Group A- 1. Dakotah Knuckles (11.008), 2. Austin Neely, 3. Michael Chilton, 4. Stacy Boles, 5. Terry Wolfenbarger
Group B- 1. Ricky Weiss(10.866), 2. Eli Beets, 3. Jason Trammell, 4. Vic Hill, 5. Matt Tharp
Heat Race Results: 1. Joseph Joiner, 2. Bryan Shockley, 3. Steve Smith, 4.Ryan Winchester
Feature Re-cap: A big moment in this race occurred on the first attempt to start the 40-lap feature when pole sitter Knuckles lost his brakes going into turn three before a lap had been completed and tagged the outside wall. Bryan Shockley was also collected in the mishap. The damage to both cars was extensive enough to end their respective efforts.
When the race fully got underway, it was Neely who grabbed the early lead with Weiss, Chilton, Beets and Hill in his wake. A lap 5 yellow flag for debris restacked the field.
Troy Eads lost a left rear wheel on lap 8 to bring out another caution. On that ensuing restart, Chilton jumped up to second while Hill made his way to fourth. Hill would then be faced with the challenge of holding back Beets as the two cars wrestled over the position.
Terry Wolfenbarger’s car gave off heavy smoke to bring out another caution on lap 16. Just after that restart, Neely continued to lead while Chilton, Weiss and Hill made up the remainder of a four-car train. Shortly thereafter, Weiss took to the high side of the track and found speed.
On lap 22, the No. 7w machine passed by Chilton for second. One lap later, Weiss would storm to the lead of the race with a pass of Neely. It was at that point when Neely and Chilton engaged in a fierce fight for the runner-up spot.
Ricky Weiss and crew in victory lane
On lap 31 just as series officials had called for a yellow flag for debris, contact between Chilton and Neely sent Neely spinning into the inside wall. Hill also caught a piece of the incident but was able to continue.
Neely climbed from his car while it was still on track and was immediately disqualified by officials.
Weiss controlled the pace over the final 9 laps and ultimately sailed under the checkered flag to score the win.
Feature Finish: 1. Ricky Weiss, 2. Michael Chilton, 3. Vic Hill, 4. Eli Beets, 5. Matt Tharp, 6. Stacy Boles, 7. Steve Smith, 8. Terry Wolfenbarger, 9. Holt, 10. Ryan Winchester, 11. Troy Eads, 12. Joseph Joiner, 13. Dakotah Knuckles, 14. Bryan Shockley, 15. Jason Trammell, 16. Austin Neely(DQ)
Please consider also reading:
Donald McIntosh storms to Boyd’s victory lane in return to racing
Respond to this post on Twitter by following @RichardAllenIDR and @MichaelRMoats or by liking the InsideDirtRacing.com Facebook page.
Also, NASCAR and pavement racing fans can check out InsideCircleTrack.
