____________________________________________

Leicht Wins at Tri-County

By Pat Simmons

Hudson, NC (May 6, 2005) - Arden’s Kevin Leicht was in the right place at the right time as the checkered flag flew on lap 68, along with the ninth caution of the race, after a spin by Jason Grant and Nick Waycaster with seven laps remaining in the event.  Curfew forced the end of the race. The win was not at all easy for the 17 year-old, as he had to battle with the veterans and had some quick lessons in fender rubbing to get there. The motto “Where Action is the Attraction” was proven as the fans were treated to some of the best racing they have seen in a while.

The caution filled race began with Jimmy Doyle and Leicht sharing the front row after pole sitter Rock Harris started in the sixth starting spot after being inverted by the roll of the dice.

At the drop of the green, Doyle found a burst of speed to grab the top spot but on lap three Rock Harris would spin in turn four to bring out the first caution.  On the restart Junior Franks made a dash to second with Leicht on his bumper and the pair put on a great show for the fans as Leicht was not satisfied being third and would battle most of the event with Franks, who also has his hands full with Dexter Canipe, Jr. The second caution flew over the 18 car field on lap 20 when Bill Cassavaugh tangled in turn 2.  As the green flag flew once more, Roger Powell was able to get a jump on Dexter Canipe, Jr. and Franks but before a lap could be completed Stan Robinson spun on the front stretch resulting in caution number three. On the next restart Canipe was able to get past Franks for fourth while trailing Doyle, Leicht and Powell.

Then more jockeying for position began and on lap 27 as Powell passed Doyle and two laps later Canipe passed Powell for the lead and Powell, having problems came to a stop on the track for the fourth caution and was finished for the night.

As the race resumed, Robinson spun in turn two on lap 35, bringing out the caution for the fifth time.  Less than ten laps later, Dennis Queen would end up facing the wrong direction, which once again, brought out the yellow flag.

Canipe was still in the lead being trailed by Franks, Leicht and Grant and on lap 62 Franks made a move to take the lead and then spun in turns three and four after being tagged by Canipe.  Franks was put back out front and on lap 64, after the restart Leicht made a bold move to get by Franks and then Franks spun in turn four and had to pit.

Leicht was able to hold to the lead in his Yarborough Motorsports Ford and when the final caution flew, on lap 68 for the Grant/ Waycaster spin, he was still at the front of the pack, having never dropped beyond the third spot all night.  With the curfew being enforced there was no time left to complete the last seven laps.

With Leicht taking the win, Canipe was second with Doyle third, Gant fourth and Waycaster came back for fifth.  John Reynolds, Jr. was sixth, 15 year-old Matt Leicht seventh, Donnie Buckner eighth, Kyle Broadbent  ninth and Bill Cassavaugh tenth.

The Pepsi Super Stocks feature began with Brian Stahl on the front row with Jared Broadbent on the outside, but at the outcome of the race Marshall Sutton would be celebrating in victory lane while Stahl and Broadbent were in the pits shaking their heads.

As the green came out Broadbent was out front, but a massive pile-up in turns three and four involving John Clark, Kevin Dill, Jim Ledden and Jon Waterhouse would bring out the first caution before a lap was complete and then on the restart Dill, Chuck Suddreth and Broadbent crashed on the front stretch. This put Kaleb Pressley out front with Mark Livingston second and as the field came back to racing speed Livingston was able to motor by  Pressley for the lead, but before the lap could be completed Suddreth once again spun on the front stretch for yet another caution.  On lap five Scott Franklin powered by Livingston to take the lead.  Broadbent and Clark tangled on lap six slowly the field once more.

Franklin was sitting out front with Russell Goforth hot on his bumper, but Monty Cox was knocking on the door for second and was able to move up there by lap ten.

Jim Ledden spun in turn two on lap 15 and then Suddreth then spun again on the back straight.  The division then completed one more lap and Pressley and Livingston tangled in turn two battling for  fourth place.

On the next restart Marshall Sutton got sideways but was able to hold onto his car while Franklin and Clark would spin in turn four.  Sutton was making a move for the lead which paid off in the in with a win.

On lap 22 Whistle Burrow’s engine let go, leaving a large oil slick as he spun, bringing out a red flag for clean-up.

As the race resumed Cox stalled on the front stretch for the final caution and this event was also shortened due to time concerns.

Sutton made his first trip of the season to victory lane with Goforth posting second, Mark Livingston third, Dill returned for fourth and Clark was fifth.

The Hudson Superette Street Stocks were no less exciting but were able to complete their event with less cautions.  Josh Burchette started seventh and worked his way through the field for the win.

Mike Hatton started from the pole but mechanical problems would force him to the pits.  Kevin Hensley started on the outside of the front row and was able to take the lead at the drop of the green, but on lap six Burchette came knocking.  Bobby Sutton followed Burchette for second and on lap 15 Terrance Tucker and David Manis were battling hard for tenth and would get together on the front straight, sending Tucker hard into the first turn wall.

As Burchette claimed first, Sutton was second with Kevin Eby third, Ernie Harris fourth and Jamey Mitchum fifth.

Reigning champion Scott Whittington started from the pole in the Mini Stock shootout, but Doug Setzer was at the top of his game as he took the win with teammate Arnold Propst earning second.  Dennis Trivette was third, Hank Hefner fourth, and Jason Cochran fifth.

The Fast and Furious lived up to their name as Stephen Clippard took the green flag from the pole but had to battle with Jeff Poston.  Meanwhile, David Hasson was on his way to shake up the front and on lap five was on the point. Hasson took the lead on and never looked back, taking the win.  Rookie Brandon Houck was second with Poston third, Clippard fourth and Jon Ebeling fifth.

The Tri-County Minis event went to Scott Hunter with Jeff Banks second, and Ryan Carson third.

Results of the Ford Focus Midget event was not made available at press time.

____________________________________________