ONA, WV-One of the storylines heading into the 2021 season is the number of drivers who have switched classes. Nine familiar drivers at Ona Speedway will be driving in new classes in 2021, throwing another exciting twist in what is set to be an incredible season of racing. Here is a look at the familiar races that will contest the 2021 season in new classes.
Thomas Bailey
Thomas Bailey was the winningest driver at Ona Speedway in 2020. In an impressive feat that may never be seen again in a season, Bailey won every single Crazy Compact race that he entered, claiming him the 2020 track championship. Late last fall at one of the Thursday practice nights, Bailey unloaded a Legends Car that he had just purchased and made laps. The Salt Rock, WV turned quick laps from the start in the Legends Car. Bailey never entered the Legends Car in a race last fall, but is set to do a full season in the class this year. He is also registered to compete in the Crazy Compact division in 2021.
J. R. Webb
Scott Depot, WV’s J. R. Webb has been a veteran of the Modified division at Ona for many years. Towards the end of the 2020 season, Webb purchased a Street Stock and debuted it on Friday, September 11th in the biggest Street Stock race of the season during the Mountaineer 100 weekend. In an impressive feat, Webb drove the Street Stock he named “Ol’ Bill” to victory lane in his very first Street Stock race by outdueling veteran Street Stock drivers Brett Carey and Kenny Chapman. He followed that up with a second place finish on October 3rd.
Webb spoke numerous times last fall about the Street Stock races being some the most fun he has had in a race car. During the offseason, Webb made the decision to sell his Modified and focus solely on the Street Stock for 2021. Webb will be running a full Street Stock campaign at Ona this season with plans to also run several CRA Street Stock races.
Joe Workman
Joe Workman has been one of the most accomplished racers over the years in the Contempo Trophy & Awards U Car division. Following a successful 2020 campaign that saw him reach victory lane twice in the U Cars, Workman will be competing in the Legends Car class in 2021. The addition of Workman to the Legends Cars throws another veteran driver on top of an already stacked roster in the class. The Milton, WV driver will also be competing in the Contempo Trophy & Award U Car division on a limited basis with plans to compete in the “Freedom Used Autos Fly by 40” VORES Compact Touring Series event at Ona on August 21st.
Evan Proctor
South Charleston, WV’s Evan Proctor impressed in his rookie season last year in the Crazy Compact division. The 19 year old rookie was fast from the first lap he took in his Crazy Compact and finished the season 5th in points. Last fall Proctor purchased a Legends Car and ran the final two races of the season in the class. In 2021, Proctor will run a full schedule doing double duty competing in the Legends Car and Crazy Compact divisions.
Tommy Rowe
Millwood, WV’s Tommy Rowe became a familiar name at the track last year with his story of going from racing on NASCAR Heat to racing Legends Cars. Rowe had an impressive rookie season with several top 5 finishes and a 5th place finish in the point standings. Rowe entered his racing career with a long term plan to progress into faster cars as he gained experience. As part of this progression, Rowe has purchased a Street Stock and will contest a full season in the class in 2021.
Corey Steinbrecher
Corey Steinbrecher was impressive from the start last season, winning in his very first race out in the Classic Car division. Steinbrecher raced the famous #14 Rick Keaton owned Classic Car to one win, several top 5’s, and a 5th place points finish last season. Steinbrecher has added to the enormous growth of the Legends Car division and purchased a Legends Car to compete full time in 2021. The Barboursville, WV driver is also registered to compete in the Classic Car division in 2021.
Lexi Jividen
2020 was a great year for second generation driver Lexi Jividen. She graduated college from Marshall University and had a strong season in the Crazy Compact division with several top 5 finishes and a 6th place points finish. She also picked up a feature win in 2020 as a crew member for her father Chris Jividen. The Fraziers Bottom, WV driver will carry the speed she had in 2020 in the Crazy Compact division to the Contempo Trophy & Awards U Car division in 2021.
Josh Ferrell
Hurricane, WV’s Josh Ferrell has been a fast competitor in the Contempo Trophy & Award U Car division. He was only able to compete in two races in 2020 but posted a season best 7th place finish. Ferrell is adding his name to what is going to be a fun and competitive Street Stock class and will compete in a Street Stock in 2021.
John Morton
Milton, WV’s John Morton is an Ona Speedway veteran who has competed in several different classes. While Morton did not compete in 2020, he is back in 2021 and will contest a full season in the Late Model division.
The 2021 season get’s underway on Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st with the “2nd Annual Cabin Fever Bash.” Friday’s racing card will feature Sport Mods, Street Stocks, Classic Cars, and Contempo Trophy & Awards U Cars. Saturday’s racing card will feature the Midwest Modifieds Tour for a 50 lap special, Late Models, Legends Car Pro, Legends Car Semi-Pro, and Crazy Compacts. General admission is only $10 on Friday and $15 on Saturday. Pit passes will be $30 for each day. Before the opening race weekend, there will be two preseason Test N ‘Tune’s on Saturday, April 17th and Saturday, April 24th. Pit passes for Test N’ Tune are only $5 while the cost to practice a car is $20.
