"Hardy's Lucrative Weekend Sweep Concludes With Spence Memorial Victory Saturday at Winchester"

"Brannon Scores in RUSH LM's, Ott Legends Star, Jenkins in Semi Lates, Carrico Banks LM Cash Dash"

By Doug Watson

Winchester Va, 6/20/26- Winchester's Kyle Hardy put an exclamation mark on his weekend Late Model double as he was triumphant in the 40-lap "Jimmy Spence Memorial" Saturday at Winchester Speedway. The win for Hardy, Steering his Mike and Becky Hurley owned Rocket Chassis No.99, was worth a hefty $6091 payday and his 7th overall victory of the season at the Virginia bull ring. Hardy got things started on Friday as he took the $5200 to win "Red French Memorial" at West Virginia's Elkins Speedway for a weekend take of nearly $12,000 in purse and bonus money.
A solid qualifying effort earned Hardy the pole for the start of the Late Model event and again he would put it to good use as he was the class of the field eventually pacing all 40 circuits. as Hardy set the pace, Jimmy Jesmer Jr slid into the runner-up spot after a late race caution but was no match for Hardy, but he would settle for his career best Winchester Late Model feature finish. "It's such an honor to win this race." Hardy stated post race. "I remember sitting up in the grandstands when I was a kid watching guys like Jimmy Spence race and to win here tonight is really special with all the hard work JT (Spence) and Jimmy (McFarland) and all the families that make this race what it is." The only real scare Hardy faced during the event was lapped cars during the middle stages of the feature. "Yeah the lapped cars we're kind of hairy tonight and I tried to pass them as soon as I got to them because the track started to take rubber and I didn't wanna take any chances tearing up the car." Kyle was quick to praise those who aided in his winning drive. "Mike and Becky Hurley give us what we need to win and they are great owners because they have so much going on owning two race tracks and then allow me the opportunity to drive their car and win races." Runner-up Jimmy Jesmer Jr shocked, even himself, with his sterling performance. "This is only the second time I have raced this year and to come here and run second to Kyle Hardy, I couldn't be happier." Jimmy explained. "I don't have any sponsors and everything I have comes out of my own pocket, but I finally have some decent equipment and this just gives me some momentum moving forward." Devin Brannon was solid in third, Kenny Moreland, in his 2026 debut, came from 10th to take fourth with Jakob Piper completing the top five. Heats for the 28 entries went to Kyle Hardy, Brad Omps, Devin Brannon and Jakob Piper with Wesley Bonebrake taking the consolation.
Devin Brannon continued his winning ways as he scored his 3rd win in a row and 6th of the season in the companion 20 lap RUSH Late Model feature. Brannon stormed into the lead on the first lap and was never challenged as he would easily take the win in his Provinzino Chassis No.137. "We threw a few more things at the car during the week and it just seems to get better each race. A big thanks to my mom and dad and all of our sponsors for their support." Kristopher Hutton, Davin Kaiser, Brayden Armel and Scott Sweeney Jr would round out the top five. Heats went to Brannon and Bubby Tharp Jr.
A special 6-lap dash was also on tap for the Late Models as six cars were selected randomly to run the event that found Greg Carrico scoring the $1091 win. "I've won a lot of heat races here, but we've never been up here on the front stretch and I have to thank Mike and Becky Hurley for the opportunity to drive their car." Keith Koontz, Codey Breeden, Kenny Moreland, Brandon Bard and Levi Crowl also participated.
In other Spence Memorial action, Jeremy Ott scored his second Winchester win of the season in the 15-lap East Coast Legends feature over Alex McCollum, Logan Jones, Bill Diehl and Shaun Abney. In the 15-lap Semi Late main BJ Jenkins drove to his 3rd win of the season. Brian Luttrell, Sam Hoffman, Walter Crouch and Allen Brannon trailed at the finish.

Late Models (40-laps)
Kyle Hardy, Jimmy Jesmer Jr, Devin Brannon, Kenny Moreland, Jakob Piper, Derick Quade, Brad Omps, Levi Crowl, Greg Carrico, Codey Breeden, Michael Carter, Mike Franklin, TJ DeHaven, Craig Parrill, Brandon Bard, Gary Stuhler, Chuckie Johnson, Keith Koontz, Wesley Bonebrake, Scott Sweeney, Randy Burkholder, Tyler Horst, Mike Steck, Jonathan DeHaven DNQ- Justin Dillman, Jayce Piper, Jordan Malanowski, John Davidson

RUSH Late Models (20-laps)
Devin Brannon, Kristopher Hutton, Davin Kaiser, Brayden Armel, Scott Sweeney Jr, Branson Woodward, Brayden Carter, Jacob Whitt, Steven Powell, Marty Pownall, Trae Sutphin, Tommy Shingleton, Jim Pownall, Bubby Tharp Jr, Nick DiBella

East Coast Legends (20-laps)
Jeremy Ott, Alex McCollum, Logan Jones, Bill Diehl, Shaun Abney, Mike Mohleski, Kelby Friese, Moses Goetz, KJ Massey, Kirk Martin, Connor Tracy, Rick Hartwig, Ben Morrow, Blake Nalley, Cameron See, Hunter McElroy, Mason Tracy, Ryan Walls Jr, Brad Kelley, Jeremy Hahn, Scott Spidle, Owen Wagaman, Bill Funk, Matt Grebe, Justin Wagaman

Semi Lates (15-laps)
BJ Jenkins Jr, Brian Luttrell, Sam Hoffman, Walter Crouch, Allen Brannon, Rob Nichols, Justin Holmes, Brady Holmes, Bubba Sealock, Andy Adkins, Gary Frye Jr, Dave Rutherford Jr, Andrew Kerr, Ricky Potter, Delmar Grady