10/25/2025
Tri-County Speedway
UES 365
It was championship night for many of the divisions at Tri-County this past Saturday night. Temperatures were cold but some tempers were hot by the end of the night. Remember racing requires passion and that was on full display. The children also had fun trick or treating with the race car drivers at Tri-County before the race.
The Crown Vic Series led off the night. Shane Lisk, #13, led qualifying earlier in the evening with a lap time of 20.221, 71.213 mph. The top five were inverted for the start of the race which placed Kyle Dubeau, #12, at the head of the field. The original start was called off because Jacob Hickman, #22, jumped the start. Once the race started, TJ Gibson, #06, spun on lap 1 to bring out the first of 3 cautions. On the restart, multiple cars spun, again on lap 1, in turn 2. It involved the cars of Lisk, Jon Morton, #76, Gibson, and Austin Simmons, #7. The race was red flagged on lap 5 with a moment of silence in memory of John Clark. Once the race restarted only 1 more yellow waved. This was on lap 17 for Hickman spinning on the backstretch. Dubeau took home the win. He was followed in second by Dominic Morlando, #013, and Simmons came home third.
Klint Townsend, #9, was fastest in qualifying for the Renegade Series with a speed of 18.635, 77.273 mph. The top 5 were inverted once again. This allowed Michael Waldrop, #22, to start in front. No yellows were displayed during the race. Townsend overcame the invert and won the event. Gary Ledbetter, #28, was second and was followed in third by Gary Aldrich, #34.
The South Atlantic Pro Series was third on the docket. Mason Walters, #61, set the bar in qualifying with a lap of 15.144, 95.087 mph. There was a competition caution on lap 40. The next caution was on lap 51 when Mandi Lee, #41, spun out. The third and final caution was on lap 72 when Joshua Horniman, #43, spun on the backstretch. Max Reaves, #18, took home the trophy for the win. Brett Suggs, #03, was second and Martin Nesbitt, #92, was third. Mason Walters, #61, won the South Atlantic Pro Series Championship for the 2025 sesaon.
Race 4 of the night was the Carolina Mini Stocks. Isaac Harris, #59, had to start fifth because of the invert. However, he was still the fast man in qualifying. His lap time was 17.676, 81.466 mph. The invert placed Zack Franks, #23, on the point for the start of the race. Harris overcame the invert and won the caution free event. Terry Torrence, #50, was second. Jamison Whittington, #61, placed third.
The Late Model race that would decide the track champion rolled off as the 5th race of the night. Thomas Beane staked his claim for a shot at the championship when he qualified on the pole. His speed was 15.390, 93.567 mph. Beane led the first 65 laps. Max Reaves, #18, got into the side of Beane going into turn 1 on lap 65 for the only caution of the race. Beane hit the turn 1 wall rear end first as a result of the contact. The damage was too severe for Beane to continue the race. Reaves came to the pits with a flat left rear. Graham Hollar,#25, gave it his best shot for a chance at the title, and won the race. Landon Huffman, #75, came home second. That was good enough to win the Late Model Title for 2025. Reaves recovered and came home third.
The Outlaw Division had their race to decide their own champion next. Tyler Church, #1X, was the pole sitter, with a time of 15.345, 93.841 mph. The top 5 were inverted. This placed Dakota Slagle, #13, on the point. Slagle caused the first caution on lap 34 when he spun on the front stretch. Scott Bumgarner, #9, brought out yellow #2 on lap 40. This was a result when Bumgarner also spun on the front stretch. Church was the night’s winner of the event. David Messer, #26, was in second and Martin Nesbitt, #92, was in third. Nesbitt’s finish was good enough to declare him the Outlaw Division Champion for 2025.
The Street Stock Division then had their turn on the track. The invert of the top 5 qualifiers allowed Terrence Tucker, #42, to bring the field to green. But it was Mike Hatton, #12, who won the pole with a speed of 16.779, 85.821 mph. Lap 28 saw the first caution fly. Jonathan Goodwin, #34, spun out in turn 4. Goodwin spun once again in turn 4 on the next lap. After the race’s restart for yellow #2, Mark Goin’s #16 displayed a lot of smoke going into turn one. A brief red flag was displayed. There was no oil, just water. Apparently Goin must have blown a head gasket, but the water dried quickly. Hatton won the race. Tucker took second place and Gary Ledbetter, #28, took third. Donnie Greene passed away last week. He was the 1st Street Stock Champion ever at Tri-County Speedway.
The night’s finale was the Limited Late Model Division. Brett Suggs, #75, led all qualifiers with a lap time of 15.731, 91.538 mph. Once again the top 5 were inverted. This placed Ashley Huffman, #28, on the pole. No caution disrupted the race. Walter Jenkins IV, #1, claimed the win. William Aldred, #9, was second. He was followed by Chase Pollard, #98, in third. Hudson Sharpe, #15, won the Limited Title by 2 points at the end of the night.
Prayers go out to the Eric Wallace family. He had to load up and go home Saturday night. He received word his home was on fire and had to leave for that reason. Drivers went through the stands with their helmets and collected donations from the fans to help Eric in this terrible time.
There was a lot of excitement at Tri-County tonight. Championship titles were determined for several divisions. The last regular race for the 2025 season will be next Saturday night Nov. 1st. Don’t miss the finale for several divisions. Also come hungry and enjoy the best track food around!
Article Credit: Debbie Setzer
Submitted By: Chris Lesondak
