The temperature and the racing action were both red hot at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on Saturday as the 2021 season rolled on with a jam-packed Super Saturday program.
The Thunder divisions kicked off the night with four 25-lap feature races. The Beetle Bugs kicked off the program with the first feature race.
Butch Keene took off with the early lead in the feature while Corey Roussel quickly made his way into the runner-up spot. Last week’s winner, Dustin Salley, faced trouble early as he went hard into the turn 2 dirt on lap 2. Salley held onto the #18 machine as the field remained green, but fell to the back of the pack following the incident.
Ed Johnson was hungry for a top spot on the podium, all over Corey Roussel for second on lap 10. Dustin Salley was also on the rebound mid-race, breaking the top 5 on lap 13.
Dustin Salley continued his pursuit to the front just two laps later, challenging Derek McKeen for fourth. The two drivers made contact on lap 16 and Salley ultimately took over the position while McKeen began to descend through the field.
Salley was all over Ed Johnson for third in the closing laps of the feature. Johnson was able to hold him off, rounding out the podium as Butch Keene and Corey Roussel crossed the finish line in front of him.
The victory marked Keene’s first win of the 2021 season and his first feature victory ever at the track. The driver celebrated his win with his teammate, Dustin Salley, and his family following the victory.
The Mad Bomber JV division took to the track next for their 25-lap feature race. Joey Israelson took off with the early lead over Ryan Stuart. Josh Hodgdon was also on the move early, advancing into the runner-up spot on lap 3 after gaining two positions over Ryan Stuart and Taylor Graffam.
Alex Smith and others bobbled in turn 4 on lap 2, resulting in a pileup at the tail-end of the field. The incident resulted in the first caution of the feature.
Joey Israelson took off with the lead once again on the restart, but trouble was brewing behind the leaders once again as Alex Wilson took a spin in turn 4. The field remained green until the caution came out once again on lap 7.
Race leaders, Joey Israelson and Josh Hodgdon, collided under the yellow, making hard contact in turn 1. Both drivers headed to the pits under the caution, yet Israelson was the only driver that returned to the track for the green flag.
After the initial restart was called off by race control, Taylor Graffam and Tyler Lerman squared up for the top spot once the field went green. Brandon Williams was riding their heels, ready to strike. Williams found his window of opportunity on lap 10 as he advanced into the runner-up spot over Tyler Lerman.
After his previous struggles, Alex Smith fought his way back to the podium on lap 12. Brandon Williams continued his pursuit to the top on lap 13, going head to head with Taylor Graffam for the lead. Daniel Wescott pulled off-track and came to a stop at the pit entrance on lap 16, resulting in a late-race yellow.
Brandon Williams took off with the lead on the restart while Taylor Graffam and Tyler Lerman battled it out for the runner-up spot behind him. Alex Smith split the two drivers, taking over third as Tyler Lerman began to lose ground.
Alex Smith made his way back to Taylor Graffam’s door on lap 21, challenging for the runner-up spot. The two drivers briefly went door to door until Smith pulled ahead with the advantage the following lap.
Brandon Williams was able to hold off Alex Smith in the closing laps of the feature, scoring his fourth regular season victory in the division. Taylor Graffam, Alex Wilson and Joey Israelson rounded out the top five.
Following NASCAR Nite qualifying, the Mighty Trucks entered the track for their 25-lap feature. John Curtis took off with the early lead, but Derrick Drown was in hot pursuit of the leader. Drown made his way to Curtis’ door on lap 8, challenging for the top spot while rookie, Trace Ayers, waited in the wings.
After battling it out for a couple of laps, Derrick Drown took over the top spot on lap 11. Jeff Gillette, Sr. was also on the move mid-race, advancing to third over Trace Ayers on lap 12. He continued his pursuit the following lap, stealing the runner-up spot away from John Curtis.
Matt Merrill was hungry for a spot on the podium in the closing laps, making his way to third over John Curtis on lap 17. Keith Petrin also posed a challenge for John Curtis on lap 19, going head to head with the driver for fourth before taking over the spot on lap 21.
Derrick Drown was off and away in the closing laps of the feature, sailing into his second feature victory in the division as Jeff Gillette, Sr., Matt Merrill, Keith Petrin and Jeff Gillette, Jr. rounded out the top five.
The Mad Bomber Varsity division capped off the Thunder program with a final 25-lap feature. Mike Roe took off with the early lead in the feature. Richard Bourgeois-Lang went off-track on lap 2 in turn 1, but managed to hold onto it as the field remained green.
Brandon Johnson made his way to Paul Lund’s inside door on lap 3, challenging for the runner-up spot. Lund briefly pulled away, but Johnson was back to force the issue on lap 6. Lund persevered once again, pulling away from Johnson and later stealing the lead away from Mike Roe on lap 11.
After battling for position with Rob Caron, Phil Webber took a spin on the backstretch on lap 14. The incident resulted in a late-race caution.
Paul Lund took off with the lead once again on the restart. Rob Caron took a spin in turn 1 following the restart, but the field remained green as he was able to get rolling. After a strong showing all day, Dean Hansom made the dreaded right-hand turn to the pits on lap 18.
Brandon Johnson was gaining ground to Paul Lund in the closing laps, but the #55 machine got bent out of shape on the front stretch on lap 22, resulting in the driver losing time to the #22.
Lund was able to hold off Johnson to the finish, scooping up the feature victory. Mike Roe, Richard Bourgeois-Lang and Phil Webber rounded out the top five.
While Brandon Williams continued to dominate in his division and other drivers collected repeat wins, Butch Keene was able to break the mold on Saturday and pick up his first feature victory of the season. With 4 weeks remaining in the season, who will be the next driver to follow in his footsteps? Stay tuned to find out!
The Super Saturday racing action continues on at Beech Ridge next Saturday, August 21st. The track will be hosting the Whelen Modified Tour, which will be. a must-see event! 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: Bryan Conover
