RISING – Tri-County 400 Featuring The Grand National Super Series

There are moments in sports where the stars will line up just perfect. It’s when the magic happens. Those moments are not just reflections of the present that allow them to happen, they are also defining moments that have an impact going forward into the future. What cannot be forgotten however is the steps taken in the time beforehand that truly led to that special moment. There is a tremendous amount of time and effort that goes into competing on any level of competition, and ever more so to compete at the highest level. You also have to have a great place to compete. That place will draw stiff competition for you however. A group of teams and drivers that will and have put in a tremendous amount of time and effort to prove they can beat you. And in racing, after all that’s in place, and you’ve done all the testing you are allowed…it lands right in your drivers hands. In short track racing, if you want to run good, or better yet, win…you better have a tough pilot who not only knows how to get the most out of what they’re given, but knows how to play a great chess game when it comes down to the final stages. The Tri-County 400 this past Saturday night was an amazing example of what short track racing is supposed to be. It was also an example of what happens when a number of individuals get the chance to have a special moment and then rising to the occasion.

VINTAGE FEATURE

Usual Street Stock competitor Cody DeMarmels brings his father Tom’s fan favorite rat rod inspired # 0 machine and puts on a clinic, collecting another family Vintage trophy for the case back at home.

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE FEATURE

Current points leader Jason Garwood in the # 46 crosses the line first, but after a technical inspection infraction is found, # 2 Skyler Brown is given the win, the first ever for the driver out of Marion, North Carolina.

MINI STOCK FEATURE

With a handful of new and returning faces, the Mini Stock race is one of fierce competition. But in the end, it’s the # 98 of Jimmy Crigger who gets the job done over the # 11 of Robert Trivette.

RENEGADE FEATURE

Always putting on a show for the fans, # 9 Klint Townsend, # 16 Steve Smart, and # 28 Gary Ledbetter Jr make it a three way race for the top spot. Townsend goes high and low in his pursuit of Ledbetter Jr, but will ultimately finish third due to a tire issue as the Cale Yarborough inspired # 28 heads to victory lane ahead of Smart and a three wheeled Townsend.

STREET STOCK FEATURE

In one of the coolest moments of the year, father and son duo Johnny Reynolds and John Reynolds lead the Street Stock charge, netting them their first ever 1 and 2 finish. Huge points implications take place also as Kevin Eby in the # 03 blows an engine, only completing 11 laps to finish 10th.

HONEY HUSH BOUTIQUE OUTLAW FEATURE

If anybody knows how to get around Tri-County, it’s Lee Tissot. He’ll take the # 27 machine to a hard fought victory over second place # 7 Andrew Patterson and points leader # 15 Sheflon Clay in third.

LIMITED LATE MODEL FEATURE

Tri-County’s Limited Late Models are known for putting on a show, and tonight is no different. # 25R Taylor Reimer and # 1 Zack Franks have a lengthy battle for the lead before experienced dirt racer Reimer takes control. But a slew of late race cautions gives Matt Leicht in the # 55 multiple shots at the top spot. Reimer stays cool under pressure though and notches the victory for Lee Faulk Racing And Development.

LATE MODEL STOCK FEATURE

Austin McDaniel in the # 12M is your fast qualifier, but the redraw favors Max Reaves in the # 18R as he’ll head the tight pack for the majority of the 75 lap feature. Shades of Limited Late Model deja vu occur late in the run as Mitch Walker in the # 15 has a tire issue, bringing the yellow out. That allows McDaniel to get a massive restart en route to a huge win for his team. # 7 Tristan McKee outlasts Reaves in a barnburner for second position.

GRAND NATIONAL SUPER SERIES FEATURE 1

Hot in the middle of a winning streak, # 97 Jason Kitzmiller lays down a lap of 16.297 seconds, winning the ChaLew Performance pole award for the first 50 lap event. # 1 Shotime Mike draws the first chip though, meaning he’ll lead the field to green. It doesn’t take long for Kitzmiller to show his muscle, wheeling the # 97 Frank Kimmel crew chiefed machine to yet another victory, his third in a row at Tri-County. Substituting for Donnie Doster is Landon Huffman in the # 57 as he finishes 2nd.

GRAND NATIONAL SUPER SERIES FEATURE 2

Points leader # 21 Jeremy Mayfield starts on point for race 2, but soon has to deal with three fast cars right on his rear bumper. Huffman, Kitzmiller, and the # 0 Scott Bloomquist tribute machine of AJ Henriksen all go to war for who challenges Mayfield, with Huffman and Kitzmiller gaining the upper hand. They trade blows multiple times with Landon Huffman in only his second ever start getting the huge win ahead of Henriksen.

MY TAKE

If you’ve paid attention there’s no secret that Landon Huffman has had his struggles recently, but in the midst of that he’s found ways to win. And it seems that at the most unexpected times. This past Saturday, he got a chance to run his first Grand National Super Series races for driver/owner Bob Schacht as the regular driver of the # 57, Donnie Doster, had a leg injury that saw him miss both races in a tight owner’s title race. After practicing the car, which he described feeling like, “A 900 horsepower brick…”, Huffman was unsure how his twin 50 Grand National Super Series debut was going to go. What transpired was a second place finish and a win. That’s on a tour that includes successful ARCA drivers and a former Cup Series star who also knows how to make his way to victory lane. Jeremy Mayfield, Bob Schacht, AJ Henriksen, Jason Kitzmiller, and the other great veterans that make up the Grand National Super Series field are going to give you a great competitive race. But Huffman, in a car he wasn’t quite comfortable in, heavy on the horsepower as it is heavy in weight, was able to overcome all that was against him and rise to the occasion. Proving that given a car that can win, in any series, he will indeed go out and contend for that win. An instant threat and an opportunist. In other words, I promise you…what Huffman did was absolutely impressive. There’s no other way to put it. That win is one he should remember for a long time. A defining win if there ever was one.

Austin McDaniel, if anyone had a doubt, also proved that he can perform under pressure and give you a statement making win. He definitely rose to the occasion, as remember, Tri-County Speedway is a track curing to perfection, already revealing it’s previous 3 wide nature. And speaking of rising…Taylor Reimer is proving to be an outstanding young talent. Driving for Lee Faulk Racing And Development, a organization known for building young talent and becoming instrumental in the growth of a group of competitive young female drivers, Taylor Reimer confirmed on Saturday once again that she has indeed learned the path to victory lane. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise now, but it also proves that Faulk and his team help build versatility into their driver development, and more proof of that is the fact that recently, Reimer and previous Lee Faulk Racing And Development driver Isabella Robusto both finished in the top 5 at Illinois State Fairgrounds in an ARCA race, with Isabella one spot away from the win in 2nd and Reimer lurking in the shadows in 3rd. Veteran Lee Tissot rose to the occasion once again in the Outlaws as did Renegade driver Gary Ledbetter Jr in the # 28. In an emotional win, Johnny Reynolds did what any family racer would want to do, beat his dad John Reynolds who crossed the line in second, giving the team the one two finish in the Street Stock Feature. Jimmy Crigger rose to the top of the Mini Stock division in a win over a talent heavy field of racers and Skyler Brown, for the first time ever, rises to the top and gets his very first Front Wheel Drive win in a night he probably won’t soon forget. We also can’t help but mention Cody DeMarmels and his drool-inducing Vintage machine making it to Tri-County victory lane yet again.

What’s clear, is honestly, we saw one of the most exciting and eventful nights of racing we’ve ever covered. Full of big wins on a night of firsts for the track with the most teams coming to race than on any other night since Tri-County Speedway’s reopening. I can personally tell you, there were indeed more cars there than I’ve ever seen. But what’s more, I’ve hardly ever seen as much indication that the work the Higgins family have done is paying off. When great drivers come, you know. The track is one of the best in the region. A perfect scenario when you have a group of extremely talented drivers going head to head and door handle to door handle to see who’s best. And finally, Landon Huffman’s win was indeed a big one. Maybe bigger than even he realizes. The Grand National Super Series is for real. All you have to do is look at the driver entry list to fully understand. For Huffman to win like that in their element in his second try was a little eye opening for even us. The atmosphere in the infield from the drivers and teams at this event was intense, leaving us to look forward to the final events of the season when the champions will be crowned. So as always, until next time, we’ll See You At The Track! If it was half as good as what we saw here on Saturday, it’s going to be a great night!