Griffitts wins again at Wythe Raceway

(Rural Retreat) The scorching temperatures that have swept through Virginia the last couple of weeks did not deter race fans from witnessing the first ever Virginia State Championship for FASTRAK Late Models at the famed high banks of Wythe Raceway. Near 100 degree heat and nearly 100 cars greeted race fans as they entered the grounds of one of the premier dirt track racing facilities in the nation.
Friday, July 23rd, was the running of the 1st leg of the two race State Championship series. Blake Bentley, Duncan, SC, won the opening nights affair at Rolling Thunder Raceway and entered the 2nd nights events with a slim points lead in the championship series. 36 of the nations finest late models drivers took to the track to try to lock themselves into the nights Virginia State Championship event through a two lap qualifying format. Brandon Umberger, Rural Retreat claimed the pole position by being the fast qualifier with a time of 18.421, while Shannon Buckingham, Morristown, TN., was second quick with a time of 18.553 around the half mile clay oval.
While the FASTRAK Late Models were the featured attraction for the night, plenty of other action was on schedule for the multitude of fans in the stands. First up was the R&C Towing and Auto Repair Super Streets. Joe Bonham, Sugar Grove and Michael Deskins, Tazewell, led the field to the green with Bonham quickly gaining and early advantage. Third place starter Keith Griffitts, Sugar Grove, moved into second place and set his sights on the leader Bonham. All eyes were seemingly on Mike Keith, Rural Retreat, who after problems with a slipping clutch during qualifying, had to start at the rear of the pack. While Griffitts worked around Bonham for the lead, Keith moved into fourth and was applying heavy pressure to third place running Deskins. As the laps wound down, the car of  Bonham apparently lost its handle and both Deskins and Keith were able to get by on the final lap.  Griffitts went on to a popular win, while Deskins, Keith, Bonham, and Duke Bare, Meadowview completed the top five.
Next up was the FASTRAK Late Models, Umberger and Buckingham appeared eager to get the event underway and after a stirring four wide salute to the fans, they did just that. Buckingham used the outside groove to power his way into the lead in turn one, and for several laps it appeared as though he was going to cruise to the victory. A caution flag bunched the field up and gave Umberger the break he was looking for as he powered to the front on the restart. Just like Buckingham had done earlier, Umberger quickly opened up a sizable lead and it now seemed like it was his race. But once again a caution flew and on this final restart it was Buckingham that gained the advantage  on what was to be the final lead change of the race. While Buckingham and Umberger waged their private war at the front, the cars of Rambo Franklin, Gaffney, SC., Kenny Peeples, JR. Rural Retreat, David Smith, Inman, SC., Ryan Atkins, Mt. Airy, NC., Matt Long, Concord, NC., Jensen Ford, Piney Flats, TN., Chris Steele, York, SC., and Dan Bruer, Troutman, NC., waged an intense battle for positions three through ten. While all eyes was watching this battle for position back in the field, Buckingham cruised for the $3,000 payday. Umberger held on for second ahead of, Franklin, Ford, and Smith. The rest of the top ten ended up being, Peeples, Steele, Bruer, Long and Atkins. Smith’s fifth place finish gave him enough points to become the first ever FASTRAK Virginia State Champion.
Perhaps the race of the night was the Pro Mini feature, which was next to hit the track. Everett Cox, Austinville, set quick time in qualifying allowing to sit on the pole for the nights main event. Easily the most dominate driver and car so far this season has been the #8 machine of Jason Powers of Marion. While Powers has had the car to beat, its been his patience that has lead him to a season best six wins. The drop of the green flag saw Cox taking an immediate advantage with Powers settling in for second. Behind the leaders an incredible display of racing ability was put on by the cars of, Tim Taylor, Fries, Gary Rudolph, Fries, Doug Monday, Max Meadows, Travis Harden, Marion, and JR Davis, Crockett. Cox continued to lead out front , but was being pressured each lap by the ever present Powers. Powers made his move coming out of turn two as he pointed his mount under Cox and powered past the early leader into turn three. Once out front Powers easily outdistanced the field on his way to his seventh win on the season and fourth consecutive main event win. Cox fell into the clutches of the rest of the pack and the race really began to get exciting. Taylor running third, went to the outside of Cox to seemingly take second, but Cox wasn’t finished quite yet and battled back on the inside. The two cars made slight contact several times and fourth and fifth place running Monday, and Rudolph waited for a mistake in front of them. The mistake never came as all four drivers finished door to door and bumper to bumper at the finish line. Cox was able to beat Taylor to the line for second with Taylor, Monday and Rudolph completing the top five. Taylor now holds a nine point lead over Monday for the season points title, but Powers now sits third just 12 points back and Harden is just 13 back in fourth.
The UCAR main events have been full of excitement lately. Near record car counts and door to door racing in making this one the “must watch” events at Wythe Raceway. Josh Forest, Mt. Airy, NC., set quick time and thus sat on the pole for the feature event. Forest wasted no time and quickly moved out to an impressive lead over second place running Danny Bland, Glade Spring. Dillon Huffman, Sugar Grove, Clark Cooper, Rural Retreat, Pie Short, Abingdon, and Dustin Dowell, Sugar Grove battled hard to gain positions on the track, but nobody had anything for Forest, out front. Rookie of the Year candidate Ronnie Mathena, Marion, had his best showing to date, as he and Justin Edwards, Sugar Grove got by Short in the closing laps to gain some much need points. Forest went on to his second win of the season while Bland garnered his second consecutive second place finish. Huffman finished third and moved to within just 6 points of point leader Short, who finished 8th. Cooper was fourth and Dowell rounded out the top five.
The UCARII class which is used for beginner drivers to gain valuable experience behind the wheel, took to the track and point leader Ashley Umberger, Rural Retreat, moved to the front. Hunter Reedy, Marion would pressure Umberger, but would later get passed by a fast charging Anissa Widner, Abingdon. Umberger would go onto to claim the victory with Widner, Reedy,  Julianna Cooper, Charlotte, NC.,  Jonathan Keller, Marion, Raymond McQuire, Marion and Chris Conway, Marion completing the running order.
Afull card of weekly racing entertainment is planned for July 31st, with the Berglund Performance Parts Late Models, R&C Towing Super Streets, Open Wheel Modifieds, Pro Minis, UCAR and UCARII scheduled to be in competition. Then on Aug. 7th, the first ever co-sanctioned super late model event will take place. The Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series will tem with the Volunteer Series  for this $5,000 to win event. More information on these and other upcoming Wythe Racewayevents can be found at www.WytheRaceWay.com
Wythe Raceway is located off I-81 exit 60 in beautiful Wythe County Virginia. Gates open at 5 with racing action beginning at 8 pm.