This past Saturday, Beech Ridge Motor Speedway hosted week #2 of their season opening open competition events. The event featured both Thunder and NASCAR Nite divisions, beginning with the Beetle Bugs division.
Butch Keene held the early lead in the 25-lap feature, but Ed Johnson was quick to steal it away. Dustin Salley was also on the move early, making a bold move for the runner-up spot on lap 7 as he took it 3-wide with the leaders. While still battling for position on lap 8, Salley went off-track in turn 8, losing a handful of positions as the field remained green.
Adam Warnock, returning to competition in week 2, was all over Darryl Quinlan’s back bumper for third on lap 12. He was at his door just two laps later, taking over the spot. Dustin Salley was on the road to recovery in the closing laps, battling Derek McKeen for fourth. McKeen bobbled on lap 23, allowing Salley to take over the position.
Butch Keene began to close in on Ed Johnson in the closing laps, but Johnson was able to hold him off, capturing the feature victory. Adam Warnock, Dustin Salley and Derek McKeen rounded out the top five.
Ed Johnson was able to climb out of his car on the front stretch after his victory, nabbing a post-race interview with Charlie Sanborn. Traditionally, Thunder drivers are not interviewed until championship night. Beech Ridge is turning a new leaf this season, interviewing the winner of (1) Thunder division per week. Ed Johnson cited the moment as one of the “coolest moments” in his racing career, thanking his family, friends and crew for their hard work and endless support.
The Mad Bomber Junior Varsity division took to the track next for their 25-lap feature. Last week’s winner, Josh Hodgdon, faced troubles early, taking a spin on the back stretch before the initial start of the race.
Jonathan King took off with the early lead in the #7 machine once the field got rolling. Taylor Graffam was also on the move early, advancing to third over Seth Drown on lap 2. David Roberts took a spin on lap 4, leading to the first caution of the evening. Josh Hodgdon began making quick work on the field in the early laps of the race, but retired to the pits after the first yellow, never to return to the track.
Taylor Graffam briefly fell back to fourth before overtaking third from Danny Wescott on lap 10. She found her way to the inside of Joey Israelson just two laps later, claiming the runner-up spot. Graffam had tracked down Jonathan King by lap 15, all over his back bumper for the lead. The two drivers were door-to-door the following lap, battling for the top spot.
Graffam made a bold crossover move on lap 20, diving to King’s inside. The two drivers went 3-wide with a lap car on lap 22, swapping the lead back and forth before Graffam pulled away with the advantage in the final turn. Graffam crossed the checkered, scoring her first career victory in the Mad Bomber Junior Varsity division and later celebrated with her friends and family in the pit area. Jonathan King and Joey Israelson rounded out the top 3.
The Mighty Trucks took to the track following the NASCAR Nite heats, continuing the competition with another 25-lap feature. Brad Weismann held onto the early lead, but Dave Lamson was quick to steal it away. Keith Petrin, returning to competition, was on the move early, advancing to third on lap 3.
Jeff Gillette, Sr. went heavy sideways on the backstretch on lap 10, allowing Derrick Drown to pull up alongside his door for fourth. The two drivers battled it out for a couple of laps before Gillette pulled away once again on lap 13.
Keith Petrin began reeling in Brad Weismann in the closing laps and was at his back bumper by lap 24. Weismann was able to hold him off, securing the runner-up spot as Dave Lamson pulled away with the feature victory. Derrick Drown and Jeff Gillette, Sr. rounded out the top five.
The Mad Bombers rounded out the Thunder competition with their 25-lap feature event. The feature began with melee as the leader went spinning in turn 1 on the initial lap, but the field remained green as Brandon Johnson took over the top spot.
Week 1 winner, Drew Morse, was on the move early, challenging Richard Bourgeois for the runner-up spot on lap 6. Morse went sideways all the way through turn 4 on lap 6, but managed to hold onto it. Morse even managed to advance position, nabbing the runner-up spot on lap 7.
Brandon Johnson was on a rail the entire race, following in his father’s footsteps as he secured the feature victory. This was the second time in two years that the father-son duo scored victories on the same night of competition. Drew Morse and Richard Bourgeois rounded out the top 3.
The Thunder program was filled with excitement yet again in week 2 at Beech Ridge. Drivers like Taylor Graffam continue to grow better and better each week. Butch Keene and other new additions to Beech Ridge are finding their footing and showing their strengths as well in their respected divisions. It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out over the course of the 2021 season.
Catch the next round of Thunder competition next Saturday, May 15th. The racing action begins at 4:00pm. Kids of ALL AGES are now allowed in the pits and grandstand admission is still just $12 for adults and FREE for kids 12 and under.
Continue chasing the checkered and support your local short track. I hope to see you soon!
