ONA, WV-Following an exciting opening weekend of races, the Ona Speedway near Huntington, WV will return to action on Saturday, May 15th for K&J Demolition & Excavation Night. Here is your event preview:
Keaton’s Collision Center Late Model Preview
Jake Keaton set himself as the early season man to beat in the Late Model division. Keaton came out the first race of the season and set a new qualifying record for Late Models under the current rules package and track surface age and led every lap of the 30 lap feature, claiming the feature win. Keaton, who had much success at Ona in the mid 2000’s, took some years off from racing at the track to race Dirt Late Models and Modifieds. Since his return to Ona late last season, he has already picked up 2 Late Model wins. Jerick Johnson wasn’t far behind Keaton though while Brad Coons and Jacob Bell stole the show with their intense battle for third. Bell, who’s first season in a Late Model was cut short last year, showed early on that he will be a contender in the class this season. It will be exciting to see who gets checkered flag #2 on the season in the class on Saturday, May 15th.
McCam Builders Modifieds Preview
K&J Demolition & Excavation Night will be the first points race of the season for the Modifieds. The Midwest Modifieds Tour event back on May 1st was a non-points race as the tour has a slightly different rules package, mainly being a different tire. In that event, Greg Chandler battled Andy Booten for the majority of the race to be the highest finishing Ona Speedway regular. Jamie Womack was the top Ona Speedway regular in qualifying before being taken out on a lap one crash. The Modified division looks to have some of the stiffest competition this season in many years with Jake Keaton, Jason Garrett, Hubie Hatfield, Scott Martin, and Wes Smith all joining the class this season to battle familiar faces such as Chandler, Booten, Womack, Artis, Cooper, Powers, and others. The coveted first checkered flag of the season will be on the line on Saturday, May 15th.
Greg Chandler Frame & Body Sport Mods Preview
The season for the Sport Mod division started strong on April 30th with a car count that tied the highest car count of the season in 2020 and a thrilling race between Rick Sibila and Marty Powers. Sibila, the Ohio traveler, took the win while Powers was close behind in second. Based on what we saw in the first race, it looks like Powers, Chad Bailey, and Rick Watson will be in a three car battle all season long for race wins while Chris Smith and Jacob Parsons look to build speed. Chris Bishop will look to join the class soon as the track anticipates car count numbers to rise in this class. With last year’s track champion Powers finishing higher than any of the regular drivers battling for a track championship, the field will be looking to not allow Powers to jump out to a points lead after K&J Demolition & Excavation Night.
Rocky Top’s Pizza Street Stocks Preview
Street Stocks at Ona Speedway never disappoint. After another thrilling feature event on April 30th, the action is expected to be wide open again on K&J Demolition & Excavation Night. This season already has a feel of one with several different winners in this class. Clinton Thompson earned the the first checkered flag while Clark Perry and James Jones were right on his tail. J. R. Webb was fast and led several laps before his night ended early with a flat tire. Chris Jividen will look to debut his new car on May 15th and continue his all star lineup in his tan colored #96 car. Veteran Kenny Chapman who missed the April 30th race is expected to be back in attendance on May 15th. One thing is for sure, the battle will be intense and likely come down to the last lap for who takes the feature win on K&J Demolition & Excavation Night.
McCam Builders Classic Cars Preview
Youngster Will Hass quickly set himself as the man to beat early on in the Classic Cars. Hass dominated, leading every lap and winning by almost 8 seconds. The two Cooper racing machines of Brad Cooper and Tyler Brown were down on power for the first race and look to have their normal engines back on May 15th while Kenny McCallister and Cam McKinney will also look to challenge Hass. Alive Deal, Jeff Taylor, and the new owner of the #66 car weren’t able to make it to the April 30th even with it being a Friday night race, but will look to throw their name in the hat on K&J Demolition & Excavation Night for what should be another great race in this popular class amongst the fans.
Contempo Trophy & Awards U Car Preview
For the second straight season, Tim Cassidy won the Yes Chevrolet/Yes Ford Cabin Fever Bash to start the season in the Contempo Trophy & Awards U Car division. Last season, Cassidy went winless the rest of the year but will look to keep his winning streak alive on May 15th. Veteran driver Keith Watson had a tough start to his campaign for an 11th Ona Speedway track title as he did not finish the race on April 30th due to mechanical problems. Watson will look to rebound on May 15th. With a strong second place finish, David Adkins looks to put his name in the hat as a championship contender this season. With a large field and tough competition, the U Cars will likely put on one of the more exciting races on K&J Demolition & Excavation Night.
Chandler Auto Performance Crazy Compact Preview
Thomas Bailey quickly put himself as the man to beat once again in the Crazy Compacts with a big last to first win on May 1st. 21 year old Kassidee Bush looks to put herself as a top contender as she matched Bailey’s fastest lap during the race and started her year with a strong 3rd place finish. Her mother Donna Bush finished second and will likely challenge Bailey this year as will the brother’s Dustin and Dillon Higginbotham who both debuted new cars last Saturday. Stacie Watson and Preston Hysell were both fast in the class last year but did not finish the race as a result of being involved in the lap one crash. The action should once again be crazy with the Crazy Compacts on K&J Demolition & Excavation Night.
Thursday Practice
The track will be open on Thursday, May 13th for an open practice night from 5:00 pm until dark. Pit passes are only $5 while the cost to practice a race car is only $20.
Times and Admission Prices
Pit gates will open on May 15th at 1:00 pm with practice from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. Qualifying will take place at 5:00 pm with racing at 6:00 pm. General admission gates will open at 4:00 pm.
General admission is only $10 for ages 15 and up, $5 for ages 11-14, and free for ages 10 and under. Pit passes are $30 for ages 15 and up, $15 for ages 11-14, and free for ages 10 and under.
For more information visit www.onaspeedway.com
