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Jacob Hawkins Steals the Show at the 29th Annual Topless 50; Becomes 3 Time Topless 50 Winner

The Tyler County Speedway would be blessed by the ‘racing’ gods with a picture perfect night of weather and an even better night of exciting racing action. On the docket was the 2nd oldest topless late model race in America, the 29th Annual Topless 50 for the Stutler Motorsports Super Late Models presented by Pioneer Family Preowned Autos of Williamstown. A packed house of eager fans would see a strong field of 132 race cars pack into the ‘Bullring’ featuring a stout field of 26 ULMS Super Lates ready for the Topless challenge.

While the Topless 50 notoriously never disappoints, the 29th edition was one for the ages. Race fans were treated to something special Saturday Night at the ‘Bullring’ as Fairmont, WV’s Jacob Hawkins would parlay his skills to his 3rd Topless 50 title in thrilling fashion. Ryan Montgomery would lay down quick time with heat race wins going to Montgomery, Steve Weigle and Ryan Payne with Brian Baumberger notching the B-Main during preliminary action. As the field would roar out of the Shreff’s Hometown BBQ Turn 4 Start Zone and take flagman Matt Amick’s green flag it would be North Carolina invader Jeff Smith in his first ever appearance at Tyler County setting the early pace. A charging Jacob Hawkins would vault into the runner up position poised for the top spot when disaster would strike on lap 19. A multi car pileup among lap cars would see Hawkins have to get on the binders to avoid contact and per ULMS rules and the no-stop rule, would send all stopped cars to the tail including the 2nd running Hawkins. With 31 laps remaining and Jeff Smith still holding the point, all eyes were glued on Hawkins as the driver of the CJJ Motorsports entry would begin his quest back to the front. Hawkins was working the racey ‘Bullring’ surface and dispatching quality racers high and low as he continued his ‘man on a mission’ march. Now up to the fourth position, a late race caution would bunch the field back up for a seven lap shootout. At this point it was still Smith at the helm with 8th starting Tyler Emory applying pressure to the leader but it was Hawkins who would now vault quickly into the runner up position. Hawkins impeccable run around the speedway’s top shelf would make the winning pass on the high side with just two laps remaining to a standing ovation from the hometown crowd. A run for the ages, as Hawkins would lay claim to his third Topless 50 title aboard the CJJ Motorsports/ J&J Farms/ Middletown Homes/ Hawkins Towing Rocket Chassis. It was heartbreak city for Jeff Smith as the NC racer was very impressive in his maiden voyage around the ‘Bullring’ but would settle for the bridesmaid spot followed by 8th starting Tyler Emory, 14th starting Michael Lake and Kyle Thomas.

Different car different class same result for multi-time and division track champion Shawn Jett as the Pennsboro driver would debut a Sam Irvin owned UMP Modified and park it in the EQT Victory Lane. Jett would pilot the WV Land Works/ Slicks Car Wash/ Doll Brothers Fabrications/ J&M Oil & Gas/ Jenkins Auto Parts/ Tye Twarog Performance Parts Pierce Platinum to the win over a stacked UMP Modified division. Trailing Jett to the pay window was the defending Topless 50 winner Drake Troutman, defending track champion Chad Smith, Jesse Wisecarver and Kenny Johnson.

Middlebourne, WV’s Brandon Weigle would shake his early season gremlins to notch his first victory of the season in the J&R Excavating RUSH Late Model division. The super smooth driver of the Titan Energy Solutions/ Weigle Farms/ Landon Hall Construction/ D&S Automotive Rocket XR 1 would hold off Kyle Thomas, defending track champion Donnie Dotson, Ryan Hare and George Casto III.

Marietta, Ohio’s Lance Weppler would pick up his second feature win of the season in a very entertaining Middlebourne Galaxy Food Center Sportmod A-Main. Former hotmod racer Jeff Gorrell would vault off the front row aboard the RX1 and look poised to pick up his first Sportmod feature but Weppler would pressure throughout and eventually overtake Gorrell in lapped traffic to secure the point. Once out front Weppler aboard the Woods Heating & AC/ Magic Bean Books/ Auto Plus/ Kryptonite Race Cars would finish ahead of Gorrell, Kendall Hodge, Justin Robinson and Dwight Henry.

The Probst strangle hold on the J&L Collison Center EDGE Hotmod EQT Victory Lane would continue but this time it was son Eddie Probst of New Martinsville picking up his first win of the season aboard the Jim Dudley owned #33Jr. Following Probst across the stripe was a ‘fast’ Santino Loretta who keeps getting closer to that first ‘Bullring’ feature win, Brian Probst, Kevin Dotson and young Carson Thomas with his first top five finish. Probst pilots the Dudley Motorsports/ Jenkins Auto Parts/ Letter Rip Graphics/ Miller Equipment & Machine/ Zach Yost/ Hardrock Powder Coating/ The Refuge Church/ Carson Motorsports Throwin’ Dirt machine.

A wild battle would ensue between Coolville, Ohio’s Jacob McDaniels and Collier, WV’s Travis Corbin in the Dual Threat Sports Card SCDRA main event. The duo would put on a show throughout with McDaniel eventually wrestling the lead away from the previous feature winner Corbin. The defending Tyler County Speedway SCDRA track champion McDaniel would grab his second trip to the EQT Victory Lane aboard the McWilson Performance/ Mister Bee/ Kuya Union Coffee #22MWP. Following McDaniel was a charging Noah Swank, Travis Corbin, Mitch Eddy and Tim Harlan.

In the Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Mini Wedge division it was Rowen Brightwell garnering his first ever feature win over Logan Perine and Kameron Zegarsky in the Junior division along with Cruz Thomas capturing his second of the season ahead of Bryson Long and Jacob Miller. The Senior class would see Jake Casto pick up his first win of the year over Bryson Roberts and Peyton Baker. Thanks to Hart Motorsports for presenting the trophies.

Be sure to join us once again at America’s Baddest Bullring next Saturday Night, May 13th as it’s all about the ‘moms’ in honor of Mother’s Day as we present the Real Housewives of the Bullring Night featuring the $700 to win Tammy Clegg Tribute for Hotmods, Pit Tour for the Kids plus all other classes in action along with the ’50 Shades of Clay’ Twin 50 Lap Enduros for the guys and the gals! You won’t want to miss another exciting night at Tyler County Speedway.

Tyler County Speedway Feature Results, Saturday, May 6th

29th Annual Topless 50 ULMS Late Models presented by Pioneer Family Preowned Autos of Williamstown Feature: Jacob Hawkins, Jeff Smith, Tyler Emory, Michael Lake, Kyle Thomas, Ryan Montgomery, Dylan Cecce, Rod Conley, Tyler Riggs, Cody Rogers, Logan Zarin, Daryl Charlier, Mike Benedum, Braeden Dillinger, Brian Baumberger, Steve Weigle, Josh Baldwin, Jon Lee, Ryan Payne, Dave Stamm, DNQ Del Rougeaux, RJ Dallappe, Todd English, Nick Corbitt, Preston Bier, Dylan Lewis, Travis Brown

Jenkins Auto Parts UMP Modified Feature: Shawn Jett, Drake Troutman, Chad Smith, Jesse Wisecarver, Kenny Johnson, Lance Elson, Jeff Fornash, Steven Dotson, Brian Clegg, Ryan Jones, Cody Brightwell, Casey Ash, Danny Thomas, Mitch Ward, Daniel Eddy, Gerald Deitch, Zack Robinson, Justin Hart, Andy Taylor, Travis Thomas, Kurt Rogers, James Schnegg

J&R Excavating RUSH Late Model Feature: Brandon Weigle, Kyle Thomas, Donnie Dotson, Ryan Hare, George Casto III, AJ Spagnuolo, Allen Clark, Jarrett Spencer, Logan Reed

Middlebourne Galaxy Food Center Sportmod Feature: Lance Weppler, Jeff Gorrell, Kendall Hodge, Justin Robinson, Dwight Henry, Sonny Leek, Levi Nolan, Ron Pickens, Sonny Conley, Tyler Spencer, Zack Barr, Wesley Reed, Josalyn Hibbard, Andy Green, Wayne Francis, Al Smith, Danny Thomas, DQ Brandon Davis, DNQ Brad Lucas, Russell Murphy, Jacob Wheeler, Mike Mason, Allen Clark, Jimbo Wheeler

J&L Collison Center EDGE Hotmod Feature: Eddie Probst, Santino Loretta, Brian Probst, Kevin Dotson, Carson Thomas, Steve Magyar, Tom Sigler, Jamie Thomas, Natalie Hibbard, Tripp Perine, Gavin Dennis, Tim Spencer, CJ Dotson, Josh Sigler, Jason Todd, Makenzie Dotson, Joey Price, Ed Ackerman, Lou Ennis, DNS Mickey Thorpe, Nik Keller, Mike Harter

Dual Threat Sports Cards SCDRA 4 Cylinder Feature: Jacob McDaniel, Noah Swank, Travis Corbin, Mitch Eddy, Tim Harlan, Jakob Chipps, Ronald Johnson, Noah Bubeck, Robert Frohnapfel, DNS Dan Moss

Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Junior Mini Wedge Feature #1: Rowan Brightwell, Logan Perine, Kameron Zegarsky, Eli Smith, Peyton Gibson, Coen Thomas, Josh Baldwin Trophies by Hart Motorsports

Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Junior Mini Wedge Feature #2: Cruz Thomas, Bryson Long, Jacob Miller, Colten Long, Karter Perine, Brentley Carson Trophies by Hart Motorsports

Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Senior Mini Wedge Feature: Jake Casto, Bryson Roberts, Peyton Baker, Leah Brightwell, Kyndi Glover, Carter Robinson, Erickson Smith Trophies by Hart Motorsports

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