Henriksen Sweeps Sophia In Two Nailbiting Finishes

In a day plagued with significant heat, Mother Nature once again reared its ugly face after a handful of early practice sessions. But through the standing water and steady humidity, the Caraway Speedway track crew persevered just in time for the GNSS crews to make their last minute adjustments and practice runs in anticipation of qualifying. Rookie Mason Walters put the field on notice after he took the #23 D2 Motorsports hot rod to the top of the board for his first ChaLew Performance Pole Award. Unfortunately for him, that meant he’d be on the tail end of the top 6 invert, putting Bob Schacht on the pole for twin 50 lapper #1.

While Schacht would lead the field to green, it wouldn’t take long for trouble to strike as he and Jamie Mosley collided in between turns one and two, sending Schacht around. This opened the door for outside polesitter Chris Burns to control the race in the early stages. Despite the invert, rookie Walters was on a rail for race one, making his presence known up front along with AJ Henriksen and teammate Jeremy Mayfield. Mechanical gremlins struck Burns after halfway, forcing the coastal Carolina driver out of the race with only 12 to go. Back up front, the battle was furious between Henriksen and Walters, with Mayfield in the shadows ready to strike as well. Walters captured the lead for a handful of laps, but the ECC Motorsports machine of Henriksen was just too strong as the points leader takes his second career Caraway Speedway win. Although Walters came up just short of the victory, his run from 6th to 2nd was enough to earn himself the Howe Racing Enterprises Hard Charger Award for race one, just ahead of his teammate Jeremy Mayfield, who finishes 3rd for another great points effort.

Mopar Mafia driver Bobby East won the luck of the draw for the second twin 50, putting himself in prime position for his first career GNSS triumph. For returning racer Larry Wilcox, it was a night to forget as his recognizable white #66 went up in smoke early after issues had already plagued his vehicle in race one. This caused a lengthy caution period, setting up a monster restart from Jeremy Mayfield who ripped through the pack en route to the top spot. As has been the case all year, AJ Henriksen joined him in lockstep, mirroring his every move and providing a great duel for the fans. While the laps wound down, Mayfield’s car built more loose, allowing Henriksen to make a daring late race maneuver inside of Mayfield to motor ahead for the Sophia sweep and the Howe Racing Enterprises Hard Charger Award for race two. Mayfield hangs onto his ill handling car for 2nd while Jamie Mosley records a career best finish in 3rd.

When asked if they’re already thinking about the championship, both Henriksen and Mayfield gave a resounding yes, ensuring that the battles are only going to get fiercer and better from here. With the next race being at a wild card like Tri-County, there’s no telling who lady luck will shine on come race time.

Caraway Twin 50 #1 Results:

1. #46 – AJ Henriksen
2. #23 – Mason Walters
3. #19 – Jeremy Mayfield
4. #11 – Jamie Mosley
5. #75 – Bob Schacht
6. #42 – Bobby East
7. #62 – Dave Hutchinson
8. #18 – Chris Burns
9. #54 – Isaiah Hogan
10. #66 – Larry Wilcox

Caraway Twin 50 #2 Results:

1. #46 – AJ Henriksen
2. #19 – Jeremy Mayfield
3. #11 – Jamie Mosley
4. #23 – Mason Walters
5. #42 – Bobby East
6. #18 – Chris Burns
7. #62 – Dave Hutchinson
8. #75 – Bob Schacht
9. #54 – Isaiah Hogan
10. #66 – Larry Wilcox