4/29/2024
Magic Valley Speedway
Lockwood, Nelson Go Wheel-to-Wheel in Thrilling Opener
The 2024 Magic Valley Speedway season took the green flag Saturday, April 27, as the high banked, third-mile oval hosted the Season Opener. The Speed Tour Sprint Cars powered by Pit Stop USA headlined the festivities alongside the Western Mountain Inc. NASCAR Latemodels, Magic Valley Speedway Midgets, McDonald’s Street Stocks, Pepsi Mini Stocks, Budweiser Bombers, and Speedway Bandoleros.
Cory Lockwood and Colton Nelson dueled for the Speed Tour Sprint Cars powered by Pit Stop USA victory Saturday. Mike Anderson used his outside front row stating spot to move his Bender Electric, Elda Property Management sprinter to the lead, as Lockwood and Nelson battled their way through traffic. Anderson suffered a near miss when Mel Andrus came to grief at the end of the frontstretch and dumped fluid in the racing groove. Anderson spun to avoid Andrus and was successful. But as he lined up for the restart, Anderson’s right front wheel assembly broke free and he was forced to retire from the race. This left Lockwood in control of the restart.
Lockwood was quick off the blocks and piloted his Stinker, Eloy and Son Landscaping sprinter to the lead with Nelson’s PBT Auto Sales, YMC machine in hot pursuit. Another spin brought out the yellow flag a few laps later and set up one last restart. This time Nelson was ready, and he blasted into turn one even with Lockwood, then rolled around the outside to take the lead and the win. Lockwood came home second with Rob Grice third.
Action started early in the Western Mountain Inc. NASCAR Latemodel feature as front row starters Shawn Lester and Doyal Moen made contact as they came to the green flag. Once the green flag flew Josh Fanopoulos and Andrew Palmer sped into first and second place respectively while Lester and Moen fought over third. Palmer wheeled his Bobby’s Transmission entry hard to catch Fanopoulos, but his bid would come up short as Fanopoulos dashed across the finish line first.
It was a successful night for Fanopoulos, who also raced his way to the McDonald’s Street Stock feature victory ahead of Mitch Pehrson and his Idaho Powder Coating, Praxair mount.
Lucky 13 Racing teammates Devin Westover and Chuck Groat brought their Idaho Powder Coating, Grip Suspension racers home one-two in the Magic Valley Speedway Midget feature, followed by Cheyenne Merril in her Powder Extreme Coatings, Genesis Racing Shocks entry.
Don Trafford outran Drew Crenshaw and Jordan Carpenter to take the night’s Pepsi Mini Stock victory in his Quick Dry, Advanced Synthetic Lubricants machine.
The Budweiser Bombers saw Corbin Black beat Daniel Beem to the line for the victory.
Tayton Monroe hooked the high line and rocketed around pack to the Speedway Bandolero victory. Bristol Monroe brought her Torch Towing, Kids Choice machine home second with defending division champion Mason Martin’s The TI Company, TRQ Concrete entry third.
The Magic Valley Speedway season shifts into high gear this Saturday, May 4, as Pepsi Ladies Night takes over the third-mile. All ladies get in the grandstands free Saturday night to see the NASCAR Trucks, Western Mountain Inc NASCAR Latemodels, McDonald’s Street Stocks, Project Filter Mini Modifieds, Budweiser Bombers and Hornets chase the night’s Highline Powersports trophies. For all others, general admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and military members, $8 for kids 7-11, and free for kids 6 and under. Gates open at 4:45 p.m. with racing action at 6:30 p.m. Log on to www.magicvalleyspeedway.com to stay up to speed on all the latest news and notes from around the high banks, and make sure to text ‘magicspeed’ to 84483 to sign up for exclusive updates via our text club. We’ll see you one mile West of the airport for Pepsi Ladies Night this Saturday, May 4, at Idaho’s fastest NASCAR Home Track, Meridian Speedway.
Submitted By: Tyler Schild