4/11/2022
Meridian Speedway
Thrills, Chills Reign on Season Opener Saturday
Racing returned to the Treasure Valley on Saturday, April 9, as Meridian Speedway hosted the ATS Inland Season Opener. The Bud Light NASCAR Modifieds headlined a full night of action-packed racing on the famed quarter-mile oval, alongside the Pepsi Sprintcars, Project Filter Pro-4s, Touchdown Automotive Street Stocks, and Big Daddy’s Barbecue Hornets.
The Bud Light NASCAR Modifieds, Meridian Speedway’s premier racing division, battled their way thought two 25-lap features Saturday. Tommy Harrod, at the controls of his PBT Auto Sales, YMC, Inc. machine, looked to have the first feature well in hand until a mechanical failure sent the Caldwell, Idaho driver spinning down the back straightaway on lap eleven.
This left the field in the hands of Brian Hyde and Neal Latham for the restart. Latham overpowered Hyde to put his Impact Motorz, Conrad and Bischoff modified out front, then held off a furious charge from Meridian, Idaho’s Joe Daily to take the first Trammel Construction Feature Flag of the season.
Mayhem reigned early in the Big Daddy’s Barbecue Hornet ranks as eight cars were swept up in a first lap, first turn melee. With the swarm thinned, racing resumed, and former division champion Tommy Harrod charged to the top spot. A late caution flag brought Cody Garrett into the lead battle, but Harrod held on for the ATS Inland Season Opener victory.
Jordan Harris and his Allan Marsh RV and Marine Center, H&H Auto racer powered past Twin Falls, Idaho‘s Andrew Prince to take home the season’s first Project Filter Pro-4 victory.
Pepsi Sprintcar competitor Kate Jackson controlled the first open-wheel feature of the season for 22 of the race’s 25 laps in her Giesler’s Auto Repair, Mulder’s Auto Machine sprinter. But Ryan Newman, behind the wheel of his Lifecare Center of Treasure Valley, Ashley Heating and Air entry dove low with three laps to go and sped to the lead and the division’s first feature victory of the season.
Fifteen Touchdown Automotive Street Stocks kicked off their 2022 campaign with a 25-lap rumble in the Concrete Jungle. The action started just feet beyond the start-finish line as Kyle Latham and Troy Evans tangled and spun into turn one. No hard contact was made and a full restart ensued.
Skip Taylor got a good jump and took over the lead from his second-row starting spot and pulled away from the pack as heavy hitters Josh Fanopoulos, Troy Evans, and Pat Tully raced their way forward. With a handful of laps left, Tully and Fanopoulos arrived on Taylor’s rear bumper. But the battle for second allowed Taylor to pull away, and the Melba, Idaho racer piloted his S&T, Bell’s Automotive machine into the Caleb’s Chop Shop Winner’s Circle.
Bud Light NASCAR Modified racer Darrell Dolling found the handle on his Idaho Grading, Row Landscape entry and shot around Rus Ward to the early lead. But all was not well up front, as flash of flame erupted from behind the Kuna, Idaho driver’s right front tire. As Dolling slowed runner up Brendon Fries hopped over his right rear tire and pounded the front stretch wall.
With the two leaders sidelined, the race was turned over to Ward and Josh Jackson for the restart. Jackson motored past Ward and never looked back as he drove his Lesterjette Painting, Jackson Excavation modified to the Caleb’s Chop Shop Winner’s Circle.
The thrills and spills continue this Saturday, April 16, as the Speed Tour Sprint Car Season Opener takes to the quarter-mile asphalt oval. The Speed Tour Sprint Cars, Zamp Pro-Late Models, Boise Bath and Kitchen Company Mini Stocks, Domino’s Legends, and Firehouse Pub and Grill Bombers are set to do battle in the Concrete Jungle for their The Ranch in Caldwell Feature Flags. General admission is just $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and military members, $8 for kids 7-11, and free for kids 6 and under. Gates open at 4:45 p.m. Saturday with qualifying at 6 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m. Skip the line at the gate and purchase your advance tickets online at www.meridianspeedway.com. We’ll see you this Saturday, April 16, for the Speed Tour Sprint Car Season Opener under the big yellow water tower at your NASCAR Home Track, Meridian Speedway.
Submitted By: Tyler Schild