After racing a 71-lap feature just two weeks ago, the Wildcats division was slated for another big event this past Saturday, the coveted Wildcat 50. Last week, we were able to see a new face in Beech Ridge Victory Lane in Joe Morse. On Saturday, Tiger Colby was notably absent from the field, but Dave Cameron was in the field. Could someone else knock the #28 off of the top of the podium?
Cole Watson took off with the early lead in the first Wildcats heat, but Dave Cameron was quick to jump to his outside, challenging him for the top spot. Kaleb Bean got loose on the backstretch on lap 1, allowing Joe Morse to power around him for third place. Dave Cameron finally broke free of Cole Watson on lap 5, pulling into the top spot. Dan Bean was on the move late-race, challenging Joe Morse for third on lap 10. Dave Cameron took home the heat victory, followed by Cole Watson and Joe Morse, who held off Dan Bean for third.
Ed Connolly powered into the early lead in the second Wildcats heat. Jason Gammon, making his 2019 debut in a Wildcat, was quick to power into the runner-up spot. Birthday boy, Nate Leavitt, was all over Gammon for the runner-up spot on lap 6. He made his way to Gammon’s inside on lap 7, clearing him the following lap. By lap 11, he was all over Ed Connolly for the lead. Ed Connolly was able to get the edge coming to the finish line, taking home the heat victory over Nate Leavitt. Jason Gammon rounded out the top 3.
The initial start of the 50-lap Wildcats feature was a bit messy, with both Skip Tripp and Mark Grantham going around and causing the first caution of the feature.
Dave Cameron pulled away with the early lead in the feature. Wade Kennedy was on the move early, breaking the top five on lap 6. Nate Leavitt was also red-hot, challenging Ed Connolly for the runner-up spot on lap 11 and clearing him the following lap. Wade Kennedy was still digging, advancing to third on lap 27. After winning the feature race last week, Joe Morse faced troubles in week 8, making contact with the turn 2 wall on lap 27, leading to another caution.
Wade Kennedy advanced to the runner-up spot over Nate Leavitt on the restart, then setting his sights on the leader. Dan Bean was also on the move during the second half of the feature, advancing to fourth on lap 34.
Nate Leavitt, Dave Cameron and Wade Kennedy spearheaded a 3-way battle for the lead on lap 38. The drivers were 3-wide for the top spot coming into turn 2. Nate Leavitt and Dave Cameron made heavy contact during the interaction, allowing Wade Kennedy to fly away with the lead. Dave Cameron went up in smoke on lap 44 and Mike Roe also went around that lap, leading to a late-race caution.
Wade Kennedy pulled away with the lead on the restart and went on to capture his first career feature victory in the Wildcats division. Nate Leavitt, Dan Bean, Cole Watson and Ed Connolly rounded out the top 5.
On Monday, it was revealed that the top 2 finishers had failed post-race technical inspection on Saturday, resulting in both drivers being disqualified from the race. As a result of this, Dan Bean was awarded with the victory. After the shakeup, Cole Watson, Ed Connolly, Joe Morse and Jason Gammon rounded out the top five.
This week, we were able to witness yet another results shakeup, which is the second time this has happened in two weeks at the track. Dominance was shown in the early weeks of the season, but the past two weeks proves just how much talent is in the division. With 13 weeks still remaining in the season, there is plenty of time to see more Wildcats drivers making their mark at the top of the podium.
Check out my full Sport Series recap here and my full Pro Series recap here.
The speedway will attempt to start the Thursday Night Thunder season (again!) this coming Thursday, June 27th. The racing action begins at 7:00 pm, adult admission is only $7 and kids 12 and under get in free!
NASCAR Nite is back to its regular programming next Saturday, June 29th. The racing action begins at 7:00 pm, adult admission is only $12 and kids 12 and under get in free!
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