The Renegades of Dirt Modifieds were in action Saturday at the beautiful Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat.
Much hype foreshadowed this event as the tour took to Fred Brown’s 1/2 mile high banked dirt oval for the first time as well as an inaugural trek into the state of Virginia for the “Beasts of the East.” A gorgeous day for racing action and the scenic mountains of Virginia made the perfect backdrop to showcase 25 of the Eastern United States best who converged from nine states to do battle for a lucrative Renegade of Dirt victory.
When on track activities got underway, race fans of the Wythe Raceway got their first dose of the 700 horsepower open style dirt modified as Iscuha, New York’s Rich Michael Jr. turned in the evening’s quick time at an 18.70. RMJ then drew an invert four pill for the heat race lineups. In Heat #1, Rich Michael Jr. would again headline the show.
An early lap two caution for a spinning RMJ delegated him to the tail, but he wasn’t about to be done. Going to the top shelf, RMJ would put his #17x from last to first when the checkered waved in a great eight lap heat race of action.
In Heat Race #2, it was fourth starting Taylor Cook of Stanley, N.C., who would roll around the low side of the speedway to grab the point on lap six in route to the heat win. Furthermore, in Heat #3 it was once again fourth place starting Travis Dickson of Gallipolis, Ohio, who would earn the triumph in another excellent preliminary heat race. In a great gesture by track staff they chose to increase the starting field to 25 (from its originally planned 20) to accommodate the entire field and for go a B-Main to set the stage for the main event ahead.
The famous Renegades of Dirt four wide formation would get the Wythe crowd on its feet early but that was just the start of the standing ovations during the events A-Main. When the feature took the green, it was Taylor Cook and Rich Michael who would battle side by side for the lead as the two crossed the line neck and neck through the first few laps until Michael grabbed the advantage before a lap 5 caution for a slowing Evan Taylor in turn four. Action resumed with RMJ once again out in front and Cook in tow.
On lap #13 Rich would push high in turn two and wrestle the wall giving the lead to Cook but quickly RMJ closed the gap and the two continued to battle side by side with Strickler now working on their rear bumpers. The trio then would run three wide for the race lead at the midway mark until a lap 23 caution. The crowd arose as they witnessed lap after lap of unbelievable racing action. But that was just the beginning. When the field once again received the green, Strickler would advance along the inside of Michael in turn one and two as the pair would go side by side once more at the line.
As the laps wound down the action really heated up as the duo traded slide jobs, each making aggressive attempts to take the race lead. The intense showdown between tour regulars would continue to build as they reached the white flag. Meanwhile the entire field stayed closely together each battling for valuable points positions.
The large crowd on hand once more rose to its feet as the top three ran door to door through one and two as they powered down the back stretch Taylor Cook used the high side to get a run on Rich for the lead as they battled hard for the win in three and four. The top three then all made contact as RMJ, Strickler, and Cook exit out of four rubbing sheet metal in a virtually dead lock drag race to the finish.
With the crowd going wild, it was Kyle Strickler who would get the run out of four and the win by just .100 seconds over Rich Michael and by just .200 seconds over third finishing Taylor Cook. Cook and RMJ each finished the final trip down the front stretch to the line on flats as a result of the turn four contact which helped propel Strickler to his 7th Renegade of Dirt Modified Tour presented by Arizona Sport Shirts win of the season.
The race would witness social media buzz as many talked about it being “one for the ages” and/or “one of the best all-time” at the prestigious ½ mile venue. The Mooresville, N.C., native, Strickler, increased his tour point lead to now 28 points over Michael with the $2000 A-Main win.
Impressive runs by Travis Dickson and Derrick Ramey would see them round out the event’s top five. Tyler Nicely rallied from 24th to finish 7th to pick up the hard charger award after an early exit in the heat race. The Owensboro, Ky., driver was forced to a backup car but put on a show coming through the field in the main event. Jon Sluka also fought early setup issues in the night to turn in an impressive 23rd to 14th place run. Mike Conkle also advanced from 20th to 13th in the 30 lap main event.
Renegade Modified Results; Kyle Strickler, Rich Michael, Taylor Cook, Travis Dickson, Derrick Ramey, Shon Flanary, Tyler Nicely, Jonathon Taylor, Robbie Evans, Evan Taylor, Mark Dickson, Ryan Ayers, Mike Conkle, Jon Sluka, Matt Emmerling, Robert Poole, Troy Loomis, Brett Hamilton, Tyler Evans, Patrick Lyon, Kevin Miller, Will Ferguson, Billy Workman, and Matt Stover.
Rural Retreat racers won three divisions Saturday night. Mike Keith held off Randy Taylor, Chilhowie, and Michael Deskins, Tazewell, to win the R & C Super Street race. This was Keith’s third win of the season. Steele Scott got win number two by keeping Dennis Jones, Galax, at bay in the Pro Mini division. The two were never separated more than 10 feet during the race. Danny Tate won an action filled UCAR race with Marion’s Justin Fariss in second. Another Rural Retreat driver, Dakota Armstrong, was third.
Atkins own Michael Davis, former Wythe Raceway Track Champion, and Justin Blevins, Marion, were in a near photo finish with Davis winning by inches. Ryan Brewer, Rural Retreat, finished on the lead duos bumpers for a season best third.
The 12-16 age drivers in the Ucar2 saw Jake Phipps get win number over Daniel Tate, Rural Retreat, and Cody Rhymer, Bristol, Tenn., in third. Ashlin Childress, Speedwell, made her debut in racing but suffered a mechanical failure at the start.
This Saturday night will feature the annual KID GOLD RUSH. Over 10,000 coins will be dumped on the track and then four age groups; up to 3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12 will GO for the GOLD. R & C Super Street, Wythe Eye Modifieds, Pro Mini, Late Models and UCARS will be racing. Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7:30 p.m.
Results from June 14 —
Pro Mini
1. Steele Scott, Rural Retreat
2. Dennis Jones, Galax
3. Travis Harden, Marion
4. JR Davis, Crockett
5. Ethan Atwell, Atkins
6. Justin Fariss, Marion
7. Keith Hart, Wilksboro, NC
R & C Super Street
1. Mike Keith, Rural Retreat
2. Randy Taylor, Chilhowie
3. Michael Deskins, Tazewell
4. Keith Griffitts, Sugar Grove
5. Andy Patterson, Marion
6. Joe Bonham, Sugar Grove
7. Wade Price, Rural Retreat
8. Sam Compton, Sugar Grove
9. Dustin Dowell, SugarGrove
10. Jerry Dillow, Bluewell, WV
11. Eric Watson, Wytheville
12. Jerry Childress, Wytheville
13. Jerry McClure, Chilhowie
14. Ronnie Bowling, Princeton WV
15. Everett Cox, Austinville
UCar
1. Danny Tate, Rural Retreat
2. Justin Fariss, Marion
3. Dakota Wilson, Rural Retreat
4. Trevor Armstrong, Marion
5. Ricky Ward, Marion
6. Kayla Dowell, Atkins
7. Donald Wilson, Rural Retreat
8. Michael Yates, North Tazewell
9. Tamara Armstrong, Marion
10. James Graybeal, Rural Retreat
11. Travis Quesenberry, Speedwell
12. Brandon Hale, Swords Creek
13. Randy Stroupe, Wytheville
14. John Greybeal, Rural Retreat
15. Junior Hall, Marion
16. Meranda Hall, Marion
17. Daniel Wright, Rural Retreat
18. Kimberly Duncan, Rural Retreat
UCAR 2
1. Jake Phipps, Chilhowie
2. Daniel Tate, Rural Retreat
3. Cody Rhymer, Bristol, TN
4. Ashlin Childress, Speedwell
Wythe Eye Modified
1. Michael Davis, Atkins
2. Justin Blevins, Marion
3. Ryan Brewer, Rural Retreat
4. Brandon Bentley, Wytheville
5. Jason Powers, Marion
6. Duane Dunford, Austinville
7. Roger Richards
8. Lori Dusky, Rural Retreat
9. Morgan Widener, Marion
10. Will Ferguson, Wytheville