FULL HOUSE – Tri-County Speedway Season Opener Featuring SAPS Debut

We’ve tried to point out to anyone that would listen that we’ve entered a new era of stock car racing and it’s starting to be self evident to anyone truly paying attention to the sport. And the evidence can truly be found at the sport’s base, short track nation. We’ve also been adamant in pointing out that in any new era it’s those who are aware of the changes and learn to adapt that will find the most success. While it is extremely important to take lessons from the past and remember how and where the sport of stock car racing emerged in it’s beginnings, it’s also important to use those lessons moving forward when a new era emerges. Those who understand this and play their cards accordingly will not only stay in the game, they’ll grow their hand even while those who don’t fold and count their losses. It’s true what they say, you must never lose sight of the big picture.

When we started Short Track Report, we did so fully understanding short track racing was entering a new era and that the future talent of the sport of stock car racing was right in front of us at the beginning of their careers racing at short tracks across the central east coast. That’s also becoming self evident as some of those names are already making their way to the highest ranks of the sport in NASCAR’s premier series. And in good part because of the challenging and diverse short tracks across our region. One of those tracks in particular caught our attention and became the very first track we contacted about our media coverage. As we also like to point out, we feel very fortunate to be in a region filled with extremely historic short tracks. Not only as sports media but as devoted fans as well. We are especially aware of how important all of these amazing tracks are to this region. But we contacted Tri-County Speedway first because of the immensely complicated and risky task they set before them. Reviving a short track on the verge of being left for dead in the most competitive of environments was not going to be a walk in the park by any means. But over the past few years we’ve watched them find success by following through on the commitments, and most importantly, their vision.

While we remain dedicated to covering the entire region and beyond, Tri-County Speedway is listed as the Official Home Track Of Short Track Report and for good reason. It is not only surviving but thriving, and the evidence can in many ways be seen in it’s continually growing car counts. And as the showcase short track now starts it’s 2025 season, it added to it’s season opening roster the debut of a new tour that we feel will be another amazing addition to the region, not just for the exciting racing we’re convinced it will add to the region, but in the driver opportunity and development it will produce. The South Atlantic Pro Late Model Series we predict will become an integral part in developing the young stars of tomorrow. As we arrived at the first event of the season and the very first South Atlantic Pro Late Model Series feature ever, we found the infield packed with haulers, race teams, and drivers, from around the region and beyond. A full house if you will. Winners and losers you ask? How did it all play out? Let’s take a closer look at all of the action from the 2025 season opener at Tri-County Speedway.

CROWN VIC FEATURE

The #222 of Michael Waldrop will start on the pole for the season opening Crown Vic race while #55 Rick Kelley and #22H Jacob Hickman round out the top three. Waldrop gets the jump but on the move early is the #12 of defending champion Kyle Dubeau who makes it three wide to take second! Hickman settles in third as Dubeau looks under Waldrop. Waldrop puts up a fantastic fight on the outside but it’s not enough as Dubeau takes the lead, opening the second place door for Hickman in the process. None of that matters to Dubeau however as he’ll pick up the victory ahead of a hard charging Hickman and Kelley, who gets by an ailing Waldrop in the late going.

FRONT WHEEL DRIVE FEATURE

Dalton Willard in the #15 has the privilege of leading off the Front Wheel Drive race with the #1 of Dana Maxwell and #2 Skyler Brown in tow for the start. It’s a very messy start as Willard doesn’t get going, causing a frenzy along with a caution for the jumble. We’ll rerack them and try again, this time with Willard again not getting a good launch. Like a rocket through the field, #46X Brandon Collins knifes his way through all the way to the lead in the stackup, bringing along Stone and Jeff Linkous in the #54VA. Willard’s night goes from bad to worse as he comes to a halt in between turns three and four, drawing the yellow. After the choose, Collins continues to be the head man in charge alongside Stone and Brown, who moves to third on the outside. Stone gives Collins a run for his money at the line, executing a near perfect restart. But Collins bides his time and regains control of the race. Linkous is fast on the short run and makes a run for second, but he and Stone make big contact, vaulting Brown to second while Stone falls to third. And Stone slows, causing a caution! Linkous makes his way to pit road for a quick repair while Collins remains first, Brown second, and Maxwell now to third. Even after a pit stop, Linkous is still lightning fast, retaking third on the restart while Collins takes the always quick #46X back to Tri-County victory lane. Brown crosses the line second followed by Linkous.

MINI STOCK FEATURE

Commanding the beginning of the Mini Stock duel will be the #28 of Dennis Trivette accompanied by the #61 of Jamison Whittington and the #16 of Mini Stock veteran Michael Tucker. Whittington fires off with intensity and takes the lead ahead of a hard charging #1 Shane Canipe and Trivette, who falls to third. You can throw a blanket over the top 5 with Trivette challenging for 2nd but it’ll be interrupted by a spin from #50 Terry Torrence in turn one. Whittington remains your leader, #59 Isaac Harris leapfrogs to second as a result of the choose, and Canipe rounds out the top three. It’s a heated battle for the point with Harris coming out on top ahead of Whittington. Trivette won’t give up the ghost by any means, again getting by Canipe. He’ll bring Allison Houston in the #29 with him, but now he has an issue! Trivette’s night will end prematurely while Houston moves into second by Whittington. All eyes are on Harris though, cruising away with the victory in front of Houston and Whittington.

RENEGADE FEATURE

#1.5 Shawn Thomson leads the Renegade charge followed by #34 Gary Aldrich and #21 Nathan Pate. Thomson clears into one with Pate sliding into second. Gary Ledbetter Jr in the #28 jumps to third as Pate will steal the top spot away. But not for long as Ledbetter Jr takes his Cale Yarborough inspired machine to the front. 2024 champion #9 Klint Townsend shows his muscle in third, but #24 Mike Shelton has a little bigger muscle, wheeling into third. He won’t stop there either, now disposing of Pate for second. And Pate is down pit road up in smoke! His night is over and so is Thomson’s, who’s stopped #1.5 in turn two will bring out a late race caution. Ledbetter Jr will have his hands full on the restart with Shelton right in sight along with # 7 Jackson Sparks in third. Shelton sticks it on the outside, but Ledbetter Jr’s extensive experience is on display, using the inside to ultimately pull away with the victory. Shelton gets a great second place finish accompanied by Sparks in third.

STREET STOCK FEATURE

Former Front Wheel Drive champion James Powell in the #27 will lead the field to green alongside Renegade winner #8 Gary Ledbetter Jr and the #51 of Josh Sams who rounds out the top three. Powell doesn’t get the start he wants, falling to fifth as Ledbetter Jr picks up the pieces. Through the shuffle, #14 Davey Smart picks up second ahead of Sams who remains in third. Ledbetter Jr is able to gap the field just a bit as Sams now takes second from Smart. But Sams finds trouble, spinning in turn four! He’s able to drive away as we’ll have a restart seeing Ledbetter Jr, Smart, and 2024 Street Stock champion Mike Hatton in the #12 as your top three. Ledbetter Jr and Smart are deadlocked for the lead before Ledbetter Jr finally sneaks ahead, but he’ll have to do it again as #54 Thomas Lee, #54M Marvin Miller, and #33 Dustin Atkins have a dust up in turns three and four. It’ll be a quick caution however with Ledbetter Jr, Smart, and Hatton still your top three competitors. Ledbetter Jr has an easier time this restart, immediately clearing for the top spot as #03 Kevin Eby breaks into the top three. That spot is still under fire though, now being taken over by a reemerging Sams. Before you know it, he’s on the bumper of Smart and makes it around, albeit with a little contact. He’ll have a shot at the lead as Hatton crashes out of two. Smart leapfrogs Sams on the choose, but that doesn’t change the fact that Ledbetter Jr will still lead. And he’ll keep that lead all the way to checkered as he survives the late race restart and takes the victory. Sams makes it back to second while Smart survives for third.

LIMITED LATE MODEL FEATURE

Grandson of Harry Gant, Chase Pollard in the #98 starts on point for the always exciting Limited Late Model division followed by defending Limited champion #59 Austin Harris and #32 Dalton Ledbetter. Harris is able to put that hot rod out front after a short battle up front while they nearly go three wide for second on the start! The #10 of Graham Hildebran spins into the turn three outside wall however and we’re under caution early. Harris, Pollard, and #18 Casey Pierce are your top three for the restart as Harris gets a phenomenal launch into one. Behind, Pollard gets loose, giving Pierce second while Ledbetter forces himself into third. It’s a mad dash behind Harris, with Ledbetter motoring into second and bringing along Tri-County veteran #14 Don Carlton with him. Carlton now wants second, peeking to the left side of Ledbetter. The pass won’t happen quite yet as Terri Crider in the #27 will spin in almost the exact same spot as Hildebran. Harris, Ledbetter, and Carlton will be the lead battle on the restart as Harris gets up through the gears just right and remains your leader. Meanwhile, Ledbetter and Carlton pick up right where they left off. Carlton, this time on the outside, takes possession of second and sets his sights on Harris. But there’s big trouble behind as Pollard’s axle breaks out of turn four, sending him for a wild ride into the outside wall! Thankfully, he climbs out of his battered machine under his own power as the field will rest under the red flag.

After an extensive cleanup, Harris takes the outside for the restart alongside Carlton who’s followed by Ledbetter. The fans are on their feet as Harris and Carlton engage in a classic Tri-County battle up front. Harris takes advantage of Carlton breaking loose and clears while Ledbetter and Pierce are having their own slugfest for third. Back up front, Carlton again dives to the inside for the lead. Harris sticks like a thorn in Carlton’s side but Carlton will pick him out and throw him to the wayside, putting the #14 in the lead. Now Ledbetter spins on the frontstretch after contact with the #9 of Vincent Arthur! #15 Hudson Sharp, #42 Owen Wilson, and the #33 of Coleman Chapman all pile in hard! To everybody’s relief, all drivers are okay but their cars are far from it as we’re once again under red conditions. For the restart, Carlton will now be joined by Pierce on the front row as Harris stays on the outside second row. Carlton makes easy work on the restart as Harris retakes second from Pierce. Carlton creates some breathing room as Pierce begins to show his long run speed. He’ll shuck to the inside of Harris, but Harris will slam the door. Pierce tries again and makes it work this time around. Victory lane however will be hosting Don Carlton who takes the competitive win ahead of Pierce and Harris. But in post-race inspection, Carlton is found to be non-compliant with the rules, giving Pierce the victory.

LATE MODEL STOCK FEATURE

Tri-County fan favorite #11 Dillon Houser will start first for the 2025 Late Model Stock season opener, #25 Graham Hollar in his first full time Late Model Stock season will start second, and veteran #15 Mitch Walker will start third. Young flagman Travis Louk looks over the fantastic field, likes what he sees, and we’re green for 75 laps! Houser gets a fantastic jolt, but it’s a little too good as we’ll try it again. This time around is better as Hollar will snatch the lead away from Houser. But Houser gives Hollar a healthy dose of bumper to grab it back! Hollar falls to third, opening the door for the #75 of Landon Huffman. Huffman gets his nose under Houser and will take the point. Houser now has to deal with Hollar once more, as Hollar gets around him and brings along the #12 of Austin McDaniel. The first caution of the race will fly for the #7 machine of Jeff Sparks stopping in turn one. Huffman takes the inside for the restart accompanied by Hollar and McDaniel as McDaniel gets shot out like a rocket for second. There’s more trouble behind though as the #40 of Taylor Satterfield gets pinched out of two, causing a stackup with #18 Alex Meggs and #12 Annabeth Crum getting the worst of it. We’ll come to a rest under the red once again tonight as Tri-County’s track crew will go to work on the backstretch. Hollar will come down pit road to fix up a problem as after all is said and done, Huffman is still your leader on the choose joined by McDaniel and a quiet Walker in third. McDaniel gets the best of Huffman on this restart as he’ll clear for the lead. McDaniel is strong, but not strong enough to keep Huffman behind as the #75 begins to try to find a way around.

As we’ve seen at Tri-County so many times, Huffman gets under McDaniel and the top two are in a dead heat for the lead. McDaniel will get a short reprieve as Walker is right there in the shadows of the top two. Huffman now goes back to the inside but it doesn’t matter as Houser spins out of two. For the restart, #01 Thomas Beane moves to the outside on the second row behind leader McDaniel as we’re set for another showdown for the top spot. McDaniel gets the jump on the outside and clears quickly while Beane and Walker battle tooth and nail for third. Walker will get the momentum on the bottom and stays third as the first place battle is heating back up. To the inside goes Huffman and again lap after lap, the top two find themselves side by side multiple times. South Carolina wheelman Riley Gentry in the #09 will spin in turn two now, setting up a nail-biting conclusion to this one. McDaniel and Huffman are door to door for the lead, with neither one giving an inch! Just as McDaniel clears, Huffman dives down again! The fans are on their feet as they’re side by side coming to the white! And Huffman takes McDaniel a little high! Huffman rockets off the corner and is clear with the lead and the eventual checkered flag! McDaniel settles for second with Walker completing the top three. What a battle!

SOUTH ATLANTIC PRO LATE MODEL SERIES UNIFIED ELECTRICAL SERVICES 75

With a blistering time of 14.996 seconds, #6 Evan McKnight takes the pole for the inaugural South Atlantic Pro race with Setzer Racing And Development teammate #61 Mason Walters starting second, 2024 zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Model champion #4 Kaden Honeycutt third, #7 Tyler Church fourth, and #03 Kyle Campbell fifth. Louk gives the pack a good gaze, approves the formation, and we are green for the first time ever in the South Atlantic Pro Series! McKnight gets a great jump and will lead early as Church takes third away from Honeycutt. Right when I say that, Honeycutt tries to cross over Church’s machine and makes it work after multiple laps of battle. That leaves Church in the clutches of Campbell, who will take advantage and grab fourth. The fall continues for Church who loses the top five to #15 Sheflon Clay. It’s the Setzer Racing show up front with Walters mirroring McKnight’s every move. But we’ve got trouble out of turn two! #27 Lee Tissot spins with the #51 of Limited Late Model standout Austin Harris and #92 Martin Nesbitt both tangling trying to avoid. For the restart, McKnight takes the outside with teammate Walters going down low on the front row. Honeycutt, Campbell, and #71 Tyler Lupton will complete the top five after the choose. McKnight is fast on the outside, but Walters is even faster on the inside, taking the lead for the first time tonight. Campbell wheels his way around Honeycutt with authority while Clay will retake the fifth spot.

The struggle for third isn’t letting up any time soon as Honeycutt will again break back into the top three. That’s not enough for Honeycutt, now putting his right front under McKnight. McKnight sticks like velcro on the outside as he and Honeycutt duel hard for second. The Hettinger Racing machine of Honeycutt will finally clear as will Campbell behind. Meanwhile, Walters has made himself a very comfortable lead, but it’ll be erased as Lupton spins into three! The choose will shuffle the field one more time as Walters lines up first, Honeycutt second, McKnight third, Campbell fourth, and #74 Ryan Moore fifth. Who will walk out of Tri-County the first ever SAPS winner? Walters gets an amazing restart as Honeycutt and Campbell again battle hard for second! McKnight falls to fourth while Tissot makes a great comeback in fifth. Honeycutt mounts one last charge, but it won’t be enough as Mason Walters makes history, becoming the first SAPS winner in history! Honeycutt will stay in second, Campbell rides to third, McKnight hangs on for fourth, and Tissot rounds out the top five.

MY TAKE

Tri-County Speedway’s 2025 season opener was a night filled with great racing action. Kyle Dubeau had ’em covered in the Crown Vics. Brandon Collins put on a clinic in the Front Wheel Drive division. Isaac Harris wheeled it home in the Mini Stocks, and Gary Ledbetter Jr put on a show taking both the Renegade and Street Stock wins. Don Carlton took the “Missile” to victory lane with an outstanding and determined performance from the veteran in a Limited Late Model race that saw drivers making the statement that they are extremely serious about being competitive this season on a run for a championship in that division. The race of the night for the Tri-County Speedway locals however had to be the battle between Landon Huffman and Austin McDaniel. While the rest of the field were on their heals, notably Mitch Walker and Graham Hollar, the battle up front was intense from start to finish. In the end Landon Huffman sealed the victory, but if this is an indication of how competitive Austin McDaniel is going to be all year, he will be a definite threat for this year’s Late Model Stock title. I honestly have to say that race between those two drivers was one of the very best battles I’ve seen, and I’m telling you folks, that’s saying something. Definitely a race to remember.

If you’ve not heard of the South Atlantic Pro Late Model Series and you’re serious about short track racing, it’s time to give this tour a look. The series debuted with a great car count from some serious names in the sport. Setzer Racing and Development, Hettinger Racing, Rick Ware Racing, and AK Performance among others had cars competing in the series debut with some of the best young Pro Late Model drivers in the region and beyond. But what’s more important is the professionalism the series brought to the table. From featuring live and on demand streaming from Pit Row TV, one of the best racing streaming services in the country, to securing Unified Electrical Services sponsorship for the 75 lap tour debut that paid $3,000 to win, the series is making a serious statement about it’s viability in the sport. All of this and the attention to detail one wants to see in a serious touring series all adds up to one thing, great short track racing. It’s going to be interesting, fun, and most likely extremely exciting to see where this tour goes into the future. 16 year old Mason Walters driving the Setzer Racing And Development #61 is South Atlantic Pro Late Model’s very first event winner after taking the Unified Electrical Services 75 over a charging NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competitor Kaden Honeycutt in the Hettinger Racing #4, leaving us excited for the tour’s next event at Orange County Speedway. And so until next time, as always, we can’t wait to See You At The Track!

(Race write ups by Joshua Weatherman. Intro and My Take written by Billy Weatherman. Copyright 2025 SHORT TRACK REPORT)