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Leicht Takes First Win of the Season at TCMS

by Pat Simmons

Hudson, North Carolina (March 27, 2004) - Racing action was abundant for a large crowd of race fans Friday night at Tri-County Motor Speedway for the first race of the season.

Young Kevin Leicht went down in the history book as the winner of the first Late Model race of 2004, but the win did not come easy for  Leicht after starting eleventh on the field. He had to contend with traffic and a lack of cautions for the 100-lap CarsPlus event.

Josh Goble came out strong for the first qualifying run and set a blistering pace for the pole, but Rock Harris was quickest at the drop of the green, taking the lead.  Goble made several attempts to get by Harris, even taking a shot at his rear bumper a time or two trying to get Harris squirrely to get by.  All was to no avail. 

As Leicht came through the field he sent Goble back to third and on lap 57 Harris fell to second and this is how they crossed the line on the final lap.  Nick Waycaster was fourth, Jay Gerst was fifth,Chase Pistone was sixth and John Reynolds, Jr. was seventh.  Andy Loden was eighth, Jacky Workman ninth and Brian Pedrick completed the top ten.  

In the Super Sport feature Mark Livingston picked up his first pole with Monty Cox sharing the front row and when the flag dropped Cox was quick out of the box and grabbed the lead with Livingston settling into second for the remainder of the event.  Jeff Hagaman finished the race in third with Kevin Dill fourth and Donnie Buckner in fifth. 

In the Mini Stock feature Randy Canipe posted the fastest qualifying time for the pole with Hank Hefner sharing the front row and Canipe was first in line at the green with Hefner following behind. A.J.Sanders was on teh move and was past Hefner by lap  five and on his way to battle with Canipe. The two fought door-to-door for much of the event and on lap 15 Sanders got the upper hand, sailing by  Canipe to go on for the win.  Canipe had to settle for second with Hefner coming back to take third after spinning on the back straight on lap 22.  Tim Canipe was fourth and Rickie Dennie fifth.

In an emotional victory, Jesse LeFevers claimed his first win in the Street Stock ranks. LeFevers was the polesitter and led flag-to-flag with David Smith following in second until mechanical problems forced him to the pits. Marshall Sutton moved up to finish second with Kevin Eby third, Josh Burchette fourth and Mike Newton fifth.

In the new Fast and Furious division Worley Robbins earned the first victory in the division after Adam Hatton, who had the early lead,  had tire and wheel problems.  Stephen Clippard was second with  Hatton third.

Next Friday night TCMS will host the USAC Ford Focus Midgets with regular racing in all other divisions.  Anyone with a ticket stub from this past Friday night can present it at the gate for a discount on admission.  Adults will be admitted for $5 with the ticket. Teens and seniors $3 and Youth will be admitted free as will the 8 and under crowd.

For more information check with the TCMS web site or call 726-6600.

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