5/22/2019
Magic Valley Speedway
First responders take center stage and a driver gets sweet revenge at MVS
May 11th, 2019
By DJ Everett
The feel of summer is starting to take effect as temperatures were in the high 70’s with sunny skies shining over the Nascar Home Tracks 1/3 mile oval. First, we recognized our first responders during opening ceremonies with Magic Valley Paramedics, Marky’s Super Tow, and Twin Falls Fire Department Engine #3 lining the frontstretch and a surprise visit from Air St. Luke’s landing their helicopter on the backstretch.
It was time to go main event racing with the Extreme Staffing Double Deckers up first. It was the team of Anthony Quintana and Jason Quale out to the early lead over the team of Chad Everett and Zach Rydalch. The two teams would run first and second in tight formation throughout the entire main event and in the end Quintana and Quale were able to edge out Everett and Rydalch in a close finish.
The Quale’s Electronics Jr Stingers were up next as it’s been the Brayden Sweatfield and Zach Rydalch show so far in 2019. At the drop of the green, the number 12 of Adam Johnson jumped out front but Sweatfield and Rydalch were snaking their way through the field from the back of the pack. After a few laps, the duo of Sweatfield and Rydalch were able to get by Johnson finding themselves running first and second. The lapping process began as the two split the lapped machine of Kristopher McKean and Rydalch found himself as the leader but Sweatfield wasn’t done yet. Another encounter in lapped traffic saw the two this time on top of Adam Johnson attempting to put him a lap down. In the process of that happening the two cars of Rydalch and Sweatfield made contact on the frontstretch resulting in Rydalch spinning to the grass with just two laps to go. The two were sent to the back of the pack and Kaili McKean found herself as the beneficiary and was able to drive it to the checkered flag for her first Jr Stinger main event win of the year.
The Denny’s Minis made their way to the track for their main event of the night. Blackfoot Idaho driver Hannah Hatch was the pole sitter and led the field at the green. Chad Everett and Jeremia Eden weren’t too far off of her rear bumper. Eden was able to eventually get by Everett for second as the two began to close in on leader Hatch. On the final lap, Eden and Everett were side by side and were also right in the tire tracks of Hatch. The three rounded turn 4 and headed for the checkers and Hatch was able to edge out Eden and Everett at the line allowing her to pick up her very first main event win at the 1/3 mile Nascar Home Tracks oval. A feat that her sister Katie was able to do just two weeks ago.
In the Cactus Pete’s Streets the #5 of Joshua Cuff led the first couple of laps. The #18 of Mitch Pehrson jumped to the high side of Cuff and after a little contact in turns 1 and 2 between the two, Pehrson was able to grab the lead. Pehrson led the next couple of laps but the #9 of Ryan Walker, who is riding a 3 race win streak, was able to get by Pehrson for the lead. Walker started to stretch it out over Pehrson but a spinning Mike Miller in turn 2 brought out the caution. On the restart, Pehrson did all he could to stay with Walker but Walker was able to drive off into the sunset and pick up his fourth win in a row.
The Project Filter Bombers made an appearance on the racetrack for their main event. With the absence of Danny Gilliam, who has won the first two main events of the season, this meant that someone was going to get their first main event win of the season. Beverly Meyers was able to lead the first two laps but a fast closing Craig McCann was able to wrestle the lead away on lap 3. Nick Coates and Ike Miller were able to follow through and then the battle was on between the three of them. They drove in tight formation for the rest of the main event with Coates giving McCann a couple of jabs in an attempt to grab the lead. In the end, Craig McCann was able to fend off Coates and Miller and drive it to victory with a flat left rear tire.
The final main event of the night brought out the very exciting Magic Valley Pipe Midgets. Thirteen midgets took the green and Hunter Stanley jumped out in front. For the next few laps, the top 8 were side by side in a tight pack where you could throw blanket on top of all of them. Quick qualifier Kylie Ith was able to drive past Stanley for the lead and then the caution flew because of a meeting between Tim Fahrner and Justin Jensen in turn 3. On the restart leader Ith was able to get the jump on the field and started checked out. Behind Ith the torrid battles continued between Chaz Groat, Hunter Stanley, Anthony Quintana, and Sid McElreath. A quick spin by Stanley in turn 2 brought out the caution one more time. A final restart saw Ith say goodbye to the rest of the field and by checkers end, she had a full straightaway lead over her closest competitor. This was Ith’s first career midget main event win as this was also sweet revenge for her since she found the wall hard in turn 2 a couple of weeks ago.
Next Saturday night, May 18th is Denny’s Grand Slam night featuring the opening race of the Northwest Tour Trucks, Project Filter Bombers, Sawtooth Auto Sales Hornets, Jr Late Models, and double main events for the Bud Modifieds. Gates open at 5pm, McDonald’s qualifying at 5:30pm, and Nascar racing at 6pm. We will see you next week at the Magic Valley’s World Center of Speed, Magic Valley Speedway!!
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