“Lear Prevails to Score Coveted Win in Winchester Opener”

“Hardy Over Franklin in RUSH Crate Thriller”

By Doug Watson

    Winchester, VA 3/11/23- On a blustery and cold afternoon in Virginia, Severna Park Md’s Kyle Lear took top honors in the season opening 25-lap Limited Late Model feature at Winchester Speedway. The win for Lear, worth $1200, came steering his Ray Cicarelli owned Rocket no.49 in what would be the 17th consecutive season Kyle has posted at least one win since his first ever victory back in 2007.
    Pole sitter Kyle Hardy took off at the drop of the green and appeared poised for his second win of the afternoon as his Harry Shipe owned Rocket no.00 was dialed in to the slick track surface. With just four laps from victory Hardy tangled with the lapped car of Danny Garrett sending Garrett to the pits and Hardy to the tail of the field. Gerald Davis was the new leader and on the re-start went into turn one, but his car quit causing a pileup that included Austin Stover, Derick Quade and Shaun Wetzel. The altered line up for the ensuing re-start found Kyle Lear on the pole and he would eventually pace the final four circuits to post the win over Kyle Hardy who came from the rear of the field. “As bad as we were today I was hoping for a top-five, but to come out with a win, we got lucky today.” Lear stated in victory lane. “We still have some work to do to get this car better, but this is a great way to start the season.” Shaun Wetzel, Austin Stover and Justin Dillman completed the top five with heats going to Hardy and Davis.
    In the companion 20-lap RUSH Crate Late Model main, Kyle Hardy drove to the $1000 win aboard his family owned Rocket no.99. Mike Franklin darted from the pole to the lead at the drop of the green flag with Hardy in tow. The duo put on a spirited battle before Hardy and Franklin made contact on the 14th lap going into turn three with Hardy emerging with the race lead. Hardy would then run off over the final six laps to preserve the win. “It’s always nice to get a win early in the season.” Hardy said post race. “Mike was committed to the bottom so I had to try the outside and it worked in our favor today.” Megan Mann, Mike Walls and Ed Pope Jr. rounded out the top five. Heats went to Hardy, Franklin and Mann.
  To round out the program, defending track champion Jason Wilkins scored a flag to flag victory in the 15-lap Hobby Stock feature.

Limited Late Model feature finish 
Kyle Lear, Kyle Hardy, Shaun Wetzel, Justin Dillman, Austin Stover, Gerald Davis, Derick Quade, Justin Fulton, Danny Garrett, Branson Woodward 

RUSH Crate Late Model feature finish 
Kyle Hardy, Mike Franklin, Megan Mann, Mike Walls, Ed Pope Jr, Jeremiah Marshall, Keith Walls, Trevor Collins, Travis Campbell, Ben Scott, Davin Kaiser, Gregory Carrico, Tyler Hoy, Charles Smith, Braeson Fulton, Travis Justice, Scott Sweeney Jr, Trae Armel DNS-Codey Breeden 

Hobby Stock feature finish 
Jason Wilkins, Sam Hoffman, Dalton Dillman, Greg Morgan