The Super Saturday competition continued to heat up at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on Saturday with a loaded Thunder and NASCAR Nite program. The Sport Series had the largest field of the night with 31, but the Wildcats were a close second with 20 drivers taking the green.
The Wildcats competition kicked off with two 10-lap qualifying heats. Cole Watson took off with the early lead in the first heat. Adam Lovejoy was also on the move early, advancing to third over Kaleb Bean on lap 2.
Joe Morse made way to Cole Watson’s door on lap 4, challenging for the lead as Adam Lovejoy waited in the wings, ready to strike. Cole Watson briefly pulled away with the advantage, but Morse was back at it with just two laps to go.
Adam Lovejoy pushed the envelope with one lap to go, taking his competitors 3-wide for the lead before taking over the top spot. Kaleb Bean also snuck onto the podium on the final lap, overtaking Cole Watson for third as Adam Lovejoy captured the heat victory.
The outside line stoved up on the initial start of the second and final qualifying heat, allowing Dan Bernier to take off with the early lead. Lewis Anderson made his way to Bernier’s inside door on lap 2, challenging for the top spot. The two drivers battled it out for a couple of laps before Anderson pulled ahead with the advantage on lap 4.
Chaz Briggs was on the move in the second half of the heat, advancing into the runner-up spot over Dan Bernier on lap 6. He was all over Lewis Anderson for the lead with one lap to go, but Anderson was able to hold him off, capturing his first heat victory of the 2021 season. Shawn McKeage rounded out the top 3.
Once the field was set, Adam Lovejoy took off with the early lead in the 30-lap feature. Chaz Briggs was on the move once again, all over Lewis Anderson for the runner-up spot on lap 2. The two drivers battled it out for a couple of laps until Anderson succumbed to Briggs on lap 4.
Kaleb Bean was coming through the field early, advancing to fourth over Joe Morse on lap 5 as Shawn McKeage followed in succession. Bean continued his pursuit in the coming laps, challenging Anderson for third on lap 8 as Travis Lovejoy rode their coattails.
Ryan Lund cut a right front tire down on lap 9, sending him into the backstretch wall. While battling for position with Travis Lovejoy, Lewis Anderson also took a spin. These two incidents led to the first caution of the feature.
The initial restart was called off by race control, but Chaz Briggs was all over Adam Lovejoy for the top spot on the restart. Travis Lovejoy joined the battle on lap 12 and advanced into the runner-up spot over Chaz Briggs the following lap.
A brotherly battle for the lead ensued after Travis Lovejoy took over second and he trumped his big brother for the spot just two laps later.
Chaz Briggs made his way back to Adam Lovejoy’s outside on lap 20, challenging for the runner-up spot. Lovejoy held the slight advantage as Wade Kennedy joined the battle, riding their coattails. Briggs wasn’t giving up, powering back to Adam Lovejoy’s door with just 5 laps to go. The two drivers battled door to door for a handful of laps until Briggs took over the spot on lap 28.
Travis Lovejoy held off his competitors to the finish, capturing the heat victory. Chaz Briggs, Adam Lovejoy, Wade Kennedy and Dan McKeage, Jr. followed, rounding out the top five.
Following post-race technical inspection, Lovejoy was stripped of his win and Chaz Briggs was deemed the official winner. The win is Briggs’ second of the 2021 season.
The Wildcats division remains highly competitive and we continue to see new faces in Victory Lane. Which driver will be next to take the throne? Only time will tell!
Beech Ridge will be taking a break from Super Saturday competition this coming Saturday, but will return on Saturday, July 24th. The racing action kicks off at 4:00 pm.
Continue chasing the checkered and support your local short tracks. I hope to see you soon!
Cover photo credit: Jamie Williams & Chris Allen – Finish Line Photography
My thoughts are with John Peters and the entire Peters family at this time. Keep fighting, Greg. We love you. #racingforGNG
