One for the Record Books at Natural Bridge Speedway

It was a sports writer’s dream come true at Natural Bridge Speedway Saturday night as there was no shortage of headlining stories to follow throughout the night.  Dirt track fans were treated to an action packed night that saw a veteran racer win at Natural Bridge for the first time in over forty years, a sportsman driver honor his late mother with a victory on Mother’s Day weekend, and a late model driver win for the first time ever on a dirt track. 

The first feature of the night will be one dirt track fans will not soon forget.  In recent years, the street stock division has been dominated by the rising stars of dirt track racing but on this night an old timer would make his way back to victory lane for the first time since 1969.  Lester Lyons, who’s racing career spans some five decades, started on the outside pole and led every lap of the 25-lap feature event.  Lyons was challenged throughout the event by David Brogan, who was making his first start of the season, but Lyons would not be denied in his quest to return to victory lane.  Though Lyons picked up a victory last season at Eastside Speedway, the historic win was his first at Natural Bridge Speedway in forty-one years.  The top five finishers were Lyons, Brogan, Charles Wyant, Scottie Hostetter, and Tom Guthrie.  Lyons’ win also puts him atop the points standings in the street stock division. 

The top two drivers in the sportsman division point standings once again found themselves battling for the win.  Third starting Eric Groah quickly flexed his muscle and took command of the race in the opening laps of the sportsman feature.  Last week’s winner, Clifton Mays, started ninth but quickly moved into the runner-up spot.   A determined Groah fought off handling problems late in the race to hang onto the lead and cruise to victory over Mays, Toby Stalnaker, Keith Nelson, and Robert Steen.  It was an emotional Mother’s Day weekend victory for Groah who lost his mother 7 months to the day Saturday night.  Mays has just a three point lead over Groah in the point standings. 

If there was ever any doubt about the loyalty of the fans at Natural Bridge Speedway, those doubts were laid to rest Saturday night.  On an unseasonably cool night, fans endured an hour long delay in the racing program when a fuse blew on a main transformer at the track.  Repairs were made and the late models took to the track for their feature event. 

Walker Arthur, of Forest, was the fastest qualifier in hot lap qualifying.  Arthur then drew a three for the inversion.  The inversion put Philip Woods on the pole for the feature event and he took full advantage of the prime starting position.  Woods jumped to the lead at the drop of the green flag and never looked back.  Arthur kept his mount within striking distance but Woods never faltered.  The win was Woods first career victory on dirt.  Following Woods and Arthur across the finish line were J.R. Overstreet, David Bennett, and David Keith.  Defending track champion Ricky Knight continues to lead the late model standings.

Fifteen was the number of the night in the pure stock division.  Fifteen drivers took the green flag for the feature and at the end of the night it was car number fifteen in victory lane.  Ronnie Martin, Jr. not only picked up his first win of the season but he also took over the point lead for the pure stocks.  Justin Williams, who entered the night riding a two race win streak and an 11 point lead over Howard Hall in the standings, broke an axle coming off turn two on the opening lap and was forced to retire from the event.  Hall also experience problems during the feature and finished deep in the field.  This set the stage for Martin to have the perfect night and he would not disappoint. Todd Garrett would stay within a car length or two during the feature but could never seriously challenge Martin for the lead.  The final rundown was Martin, Garrett, Lee Brooks, Ricky Mayberry, and Will Slagle.   

The all-American cars rounded out the night’s racing program.  Jeremy Pooley, who started deep in the field, survived the caution filled event to claim his second victory of the young season.  Brian Newton, who started outside the top ten, chased Pooley throughout the 20-lap feature but never could mount a charge to overtake Pooley.  The top five were Pooley, Newton, Ryan Kassab, Dustin Ferguson, and Matt Breeden.  Pooley’s win tightens the point battle at the top of pure stock division. 

The spotlight will shine on the sportsman division next Saturday night at Natural Bridge Speedway.  Sportsman drivers will compete in a 50-lap, $500 to win feature event.  The late models, street stocks, pure stocks, and all-American cars will also be on hand competing in regular feature events.  Gates will open at 4 p.m., driver’s meeting at 6 p.m., with on track activities beginning at 6:15 p.m.