NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Despite Mother Nature forcing a weather delay which moved two features into Sunday afternoon, fans at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway were treated to an exciting weekend of grassroots racing during the Stars, Stripes & Speed – Celebrating America’s 250 event featuring eight divisions of competition.
Saturday night’s racing opened on the quarter-mile with one of the closest finishes of the season. The CP Race Wear Bandoleros put on an incredible show as Tate Brewer of Big Cove, Alabama, and Jordan Bauer exchanged the lead repeatedly over the closing five laps. At the checkered flag, Brewer edged Bauer by just .052 seconds in a thrilling photo finish. Carter Clapp, Elliott Klein and championship leader Lucas Harrison completed the top five.
The Pest Doctor Front Runners followed with another dominant performance by Brett Lee. The Smyrna, Tennessee driver jumped to the lead at the drop of the green flag and was never seriously challenged as he collected another feature victory. Kevin Furness finished a season-best second ahead of Jason Wilkerson, Paul Cummings Sr., and Ray Gann.
Former NASCAR Cup Series driver Casey Atwood reminded everyone why he remains one of the premier talents at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway during the Pro/Masters Legends feature. Racing at his home track, Atwood controlled the 20-lap event from the front to score the victory over Oliver Cordell, Dylan Fetcho, Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Rollins.
The Pure Stock feature saw Phillip McCord lead the opening laps before Matt Barnes powered to the front on lap four. Barnes held off Chase Cohron before a passing shower ended the race after 15 of the scheduled 20 laps. Robert Forsythe finished third followed by McCord and Willie Coats.
The Semi-Pro/Young Lion Legends produced another entertaining feature as Dylan Faulkner took over the lead on lap five and successfully navigated several caution-filled restarts to claim the victory. Galen Clark crossed the stripe second ahead of Landon Thrasher, Bradley Swift and Nash Poynter.
The final quarter-mile race belonged to the Limited Late Models, where Dylan Jones led early before intense racing changed the complexion of the event. Contact between Jones and Carl Porter Sr. while battling for the lead sent both drivers to the rear, handing the top spot to Robby Taylor with Nicholas Formosa giving chase. Following another restart, Taylor spun while racing for the lead, collecting Johnathan Dishman. As the caution flew, heavy rains moved over the speedway, forcing officials to call the race after 14 laps. Nicholas Formosa was declared the winner over Jeff Belt, Dishman, Michael Pannell and Dwayne Hudson.
With persistent rain ending Saturday night’s action, the remaining Street Stock and Nashville Pro Late Model features were postponed until Sunday afternoon.
Sunday’s racing resumed with an exciting Street Stock feature. Top qualifier Ayden Oliver methodically worked his way through the field, climbing to third by lap three, second on lap seven, and taking the lead on lap eight with an aggressive move in his black and orange No. 33 machine. Once out front, Oliver drove away to score a convincing victory. Michael Pannell finished second, while Sam McCord, Gus Moody and Tanner Arms rounded out the top five.
The weekend concluded with a thrilling Stars, Stripes & Speed 100 for the Nashville Pro Late Models. Rookie Conner Popplewell impressed by leading the opening 13 laps before Corey Deuser took command on lap 14. As Deuser built a comfortable advantage, Aidan Potter methodically worked his way into contention, passing Chase Johnson for second before tracking down and eventually passing Deuser on lap 61 after an outstanding side-by-side battle. Following a restart on lap 67, defending series champion Hunter Wright charged forward and took the lead on lap 74. Potter’s impressive run ended dramatically on lap 85 when an apparent tire or mechanical failure sent his car spinning hard into the outside retaining wall. The caution set up a 15-lap sprint to the finish, but Wright remained flawless through multiple late restarts to score his first Nashville Pro Late Model victory of the season. Deuser finished second ahead of Chase Johnson, Davey Coble and Brett Robinson.
Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway returns to action Saturday, July 11 with the North-South Super Late Model Challenge 100 for the ASA Southern Super Series. The Modifieds of Mayhem plus Street Stocks and all of the favorites on the ¼-mile will race.
For schedules, tickets and additional information, visit NashvilleFairgroundsSpeedway.Racing.
Feature Winners
- CP Race Wear Bandoleros – Tate Brewer
- Pest Doctor Front Runners – Brett Lee
- Pro/Masters Legends – Casey Atwood
- Pure Stocks – Matt Barnes
- Semi-Pro/Young Lion Legends – Dylan Faulkner
- Limited Late Models – Nicholas Formosa
- Street Stocks – Ayden Oliver
- Nashville Pro Late Models – Hunter Wright