This past Saturday, Beech Ridge Motor Speedway hosted week #3 of their 2021 season. The Wildcats division were the highlight division of the night on week 2, with Joe Morse picking up the feature victory. They were second on the NASCAR Nite agenda on Saturday, with a 50-lap main feature following the exciting 75-lap Pro Series event.
Ryan Phillips took off with the early lead in the first 12-lap qualifying heat. Rob Herrick was on the move early, at Phillips’ door challenging for the top spot on lap 3. As the leaders battled it out, Lyman McKeage was on the move behind them, challenging Dave Cameron for third on lap 8 and overtaking the spot the following lap. Rob Herrick was closing in on Ryan Phillips in the closing laps but Phillips was able to fend him off, securing the heat victory. Lyman McKeage rounded out the top 3.
Cole Watson took off with the early lead in the second and final Wildcats heat. Lewis Anderson was on the move early, advancing to third over Dan Bernier on lap 4. While battling for position, Joe Morse and Jason Gammon made contact on lap 5, resulting in Morse making hard contact with the turn 4 wall. The incident led to a caution and Morse exited his car under yellow, displaying his displeasure toward Gammon as he approached his car in the infield. Morse’s #61 machine was towed off-track following the incident.
Jared Kimball took a spin in turn 1 on the restart, resulting in another caution. Tempers were still flaring in the division as Kimball displayed his frustrations following the spin, doing a couple of loops around turn 1 before rejoining the pack at the tail-end of the field.
Cole Watson took off with the lead once again on the restart. Dan Bernier and Jacob Vaughn went head to head for third on the final lap of the heat, with Vaughn beating Bernier to the line as Cole Watson and Lewis Anderson captured the top 2 spots.
18 drivers took to the track for the 50-lap main event. Ryan Phillips and Rob Herrick battled it out for the early lead as Lyman McKeage quickly advanced to third over Lewis Anderson. Jared Kimball’s troubles continued on lap 5 as he took a spin on the front stretch. The incident led to the first caution of the feature.
Ryan Phillips and Rob Herrick continued to duke it out for the top spot on the restart. Lewis Anderson and Lyman McKeage made hard contact while battling for position on lap 7. The incident led to yet another early-race caution.
Ryan Phillips maintained a slight advantage over Rob Herrick on the restart. Dave Cameron’s early-season woes continued as he came to a slow on the backstretch on lap 14, resulting in a quick caution as he was able to re-fire the #28 machine and rejoin the field. After running at the front of the pack all day, Jason Gammon took the right-hand turn to the pits under caution.
Joe Morse took a spin on lap 17 in turn 3, causing the field to scatter. Dave Cameron, Mark Grantham and Jared Kimball all wound up in the dirt trying to avoid Morse as the yellow flag waved once again.
Ryan Phillips maintained his advantage over Rob Herrick on the restart as Jacob Vaughn overtook Chaz Briggs for third behind them. After starting at the back of the pack and missing both practice and his heat due to baseball double-duty, Dan McKeage, Jr. made his way through the field, breaking the top five.
Lyman McKeage had a right rear tire go down on lap 25, causing him to go for a spin in turn 1. The incident led to a mid-race caution.
Ryan Phillips pulled ahead with the lead once again on the restart as Jacob Vaughn and Rob Herrick battled it out for the runner-up spot behind him. Vaughn took over the spot, then setting his sights on Phillips at the top of the leaderboard.
Dan McKeage, Jr. continued his pursuit to the front on lap 30, overtaking Chaz Briggs for fourth. McKeage was at Rob Herrick’s door the following lap, presenting a challenge for third. McKeage finally took over the spot on lap 35 and began reeling in Jacob Vaughn. McKeage was all over Vaughn for the runner-up spot with just 10 laps to go. He made his way to Vaughn’s door on lap 41, taking over the spot just two laps later.
McKeage was in hot pursuit of the leader in the closing laps and pulled to Ryan Phillips door on lap 48, challenging for the lead with just two laps to go. Phillips maintained strong, beating McKeage to the line by a mere margin of victory. What was the margin, one may ask? .078 seconds. Jacob Vaughn, Rob Herrick and Chaz Briggs rounded out the top five.
The Wildcats division remains highly competitive with every passing weekend. Much like the Pro Series, we have seen three different Wildcats drivers in Victory Lane in 2021. Experienced drivers like Ryan Phillips and Rob Herrick continue to show their strength every week while drivers like Dan McKeage, Jr. and Shawn McKeage continue to grow and wow the fans as they improve and compete respectfully amongst their seasoned competitors.
It will be interesting watching the season unfold in the Wildcats division.
The wild racing action continues this coming Saturday, May 22nd. The racing action kicks off at 4:00 pm. Kids of ALL AGES are now allowed into the pits. Grandstand admission is still just $12 for adults and FREE for kids 12 and under.
Continue chasing the checkered and support your local short tracks. I hope to see you soon!
