When it comes to dirt track racing, nothing is more challenging than a dry-slick track. Perhaps, that’s why so many racers flocked to Fairgrounds Speedway on July 19 and July 20 to put on an exciting show.
Across all the classes and in all the heats, the racing was exciting and competitive. In the Sport Compact A-Main on Friday night, lone racer Josh Smith finished first while looking much improved from his debut race in Cortez last month.
In Friday night’s Hobby Stock A-Main, Rhett Proctor bested Cortez driver Jim Griffin in what turned out to be a competitive race.
Friday night’s Sportmod A-Main had Jordan Eddleman coming out on top while Richard Trujillo came away victorious in the Stock class.
Opening up Saturday’s racing, Zane Devilbiss took first in what was supposed to be Friday night’s modified A-Main that was delayed for bad weather. Demonstrating an uncanny ability to pilot his car around the Fairgrounds Speedway track, Devilbiss provided fans an up-close look at the difficulties associated with a dry-slick track.
“The Cortez track is so slick,” said Devilbiss. “It forces you to feather the gas going around turns. Drivers have to balance throttle with brake. It’s tough, but it makes for fun racing.”
Following the modified racers, Rhett Proctor came away victorious in the Hobby Stock class.
Jordan Eddleman finished first in the Sportmod class after taking the lead for good on lap 7 of the race.
To win the race however, Eddleman had to hold off a hard-charging Julie Boettler who has vast experience on the slick track at Fairgrounds Motor Speedway.
“I’ve been racing at Fairgrounds Speedway for six or seven years,” said Julie Boettler. “The track hasn’t been as slick (Saturday night) as usual, but the racing has still been challenging. I just try to charge drive hard and win.”
In Saturday night’s Stock A-Main, Rex Higgins added another win to his impressive career total after some impressive driving. After trading paint with then leader Steffan Carey with five laps to go, Higgins pulled off an impressive pass two laps later to take the lead. Once ahead, he did not relinquish the lead.
Concluding the evening, Zane Devilbiss again showed why he is won of the best, winning the A-Main in the Modified class.
Taking every turn with pinpoint accuracy, Devilbiss opened up a huge lead before being reined in by a caution flag midway through the race. Following the restart, Devilbiss again pulled away and won easily.
Overall, last weekend’s races at Fairgrounds Motor Speedway, as usual, provided a thrill for fans and drivers alike.
Those interested in watching drivers conquer the slick track at Fairgrounds Motor Speedway will have an opportunity on August 23 and August 24. Don’t miss the excitement.