Austin Hubbard played a waiting game for 45 laps before rising to win the big 82nd anniversary event at Bedford Friday night. It was the third career Bedford triumph, all coming in special events, but his first in over five years at the track. It was worth $8300 to the Delaware racer. In other action, big 2018 winners Mike Altobelli and Josh Frankenberry won the accompanying EMod and Pure Stock events.
After the pill draw for the lineup, Alex Ferree and Nathan Lasalle brought the Late Model field to the green. Ferree shot ahead at the start and immediately displayed dominance over the field. Ross Robinson got by Lasalle for second on lap 4 and sixth starter Austin Hubbard followed him by into third on lap 5. Huibbard got by Robinson on lap 7 and the group ran in that order at the front until one of the most bizarre events in Bedford History occurred on lap 11.
On that lap, with the field in full action, the front stretch lights went dark, forcing an immediate 22 minute red flag to secure the problem. During the delay, quite a few racers pitted and went to the rear, but the order at the front remained the same.
On the restart, Ferree again ran off from his chasers, Jeff Rine joined that group as he got by Robinson on lap 13 for third. A few more cautions slowed the field, but Ferree ran off from the second place battlers each time opening up large leads.
While the action at the front stabilized, all eyes were on B feature winner Jared Miley, who was sliding thru the field from 21st starting position. He made it to seventh by lap 30 and jumped into a great battle with Robinson and Walker Arthur.
The complexion of the event totally changed after a lap 44 caution for a slowing Andy Fries. On the restart, Ferree again shot ahead but suffered a flat tire on the back stretch. Hubbard, in tire saving mode for the duration , shot by for the lead and ultimate win by holding off Rine for the last five laps. Tyler Bare was third, ahead of Robinson, Walker Arthur, Miley, Steve Casebolt, Andy Haus and Dylan Yoder.
Hubbard was the fast qualifier. Ferree, Lasalle, Darryl Hills and Robinson won the heats, Miley took the 19 car B feature. Chuck Clise was the high point man promoters addition to the event.
The Emod dominator of 2018 did it again as Mike Altobelli raced to yet another win. He shot from fifth to first on the chaotic opening lap, then ran off from the field for the 18 lap duration. Jamie Kohan arrived in second early anmd held off a late charge from Drake Troutman to secure that finishing spot. Troutman, Brian Duffy and Ray Ciccarelli completed the top five. Altobelli and Duffy won the heats.
James Foor was the early Pure Stock leader. He held off the 8 car mob at the front as Dalton Ritchey, Barry Weyandt ad eventually Josh Frankenberry all camped out on his bumper. Frankenberry emerged from the crowd taking second on lap 7. He scooted by Foor on lap 10 and held that spot to the finish.
Foor ran the race of his Bedford career, holding off Barry Weyandt to secure second at the line, Ritchey and Shawn Shoemaker completed the top five. Ritchey and Frankenberry won the heats.
LATE MODELS 50 LAP ANNIVERSARY EVENT 1 Austin Hubbard, Jeff Rine, Tyler Bare, Ross Robinson, Walker Arthur, Jared Miley, Steve Casebolt, Andy Haus, Dylan Yoder, Darryl Hills, Gene Knaub, Bryan Bernheisel, Chuck Clise, Nathan Lasalle, Andy Fries, Alex Ferree, Kyle Hardy, Matt Parks, Tyler Horst, Ralph Morgan, Colby Frye, Jamie Lathroum, Dave Troutman, Matt Cosner, DJ Troutman, DNS Allen Brannon, Matt Sponaugle, Dan Stone, Austin Berry, Chub Frank, Tim Wilson, Dave Stamm, Jayme Beck, Wayne Johnson, Reese Massiello, Robbie Black, Mike Lupfer, Dale Hollidge, Chad McClellan
EMOD 18 LAPS 1 Mike Altobelli Jr, Jamie Kohan, Drake Troutman, Brian Duffy, Ray Ciccerelli, Ryan Peer, Bruce Dreistadt, Justin Milburn, Mike Meck, Sam Reeder
PURE STOCK 15 LAP 1 Josh Frankenberry, James Foor, Barry Weyandt, Dalton Ritchey, Shawn Shoemaker, Nick Bechtell, Dakota Foor, Denny Pittman, Erik Weyandt, Kyle Weyandt, Laura Chamberlain, Kevin Weyandt, DJ Donivan, Charlie Clise, Darren Howsare, Tim Brown, Nathan Gilliland, DNS Brad Nesline, Travis Group.
