The past 2 shows at Hilltop have been beyond awesome. The July 2nd King Of The Hill event packed the pits and the grandstands with the best in the area. 39 Super Late Models would take to the track to chase that $5000 winners check. Nearly the same number of Modifieds rolled into the pits to chase a $1000 payout to their winner and both divisions put on one hell of a show. That young fella from West Virgina, Tyler Carpenter would be crowned "King Of The Hill" by putting on a clinic on smooooooth clean racing the entire 40 laps. Congrats young man on a well deserved win!
This weekend we'd see 2 drivers pick up their very first feature wins and both races were action packed right up to the checkers. In the Late Models Vic Hottinger has been quietly sneaking to the front in recent weeks, and this week he would have quite a challenge. Mike Lonas and Corey Conley would battle door to door for the lead for the first half of the race. Just as soon as they finally settled into single file with Lonas leading, Hottinger put himself between the two seasoned veterans. It was as if he could smell that sweet smell of his first win as he set sail for the top spot. Lonas gave him a good clean battle but just couldn't retake the lead. Hats off to entire Hottinger team for proving they can run with the best around.
In the Street Stocks the 45 car of Bob Chilcote has been thrilling the crowd with his left front tire in the air most of the way around Hilltop. Saturday night he might have overworked the left front a little too much with those hard landings. Through the final laps that wheel was barely attached to the car and pointing everywhere but straight but lucky for Bob he rarely uses that wheel any way. He pointed the rest of the car where he needed it to go to pick up his very first feature win in wild fashion.
The recent action on "The Hill" was plenty to keep our spirits high at least until next week, but this morning we all got some devastating news. One of the most important pieces of the puzzle that has made Hilltop Speedway what it is today lost her life this morning in a tragic accident. Tracey Wardell not only played a huge role in reviving the track when it was struggling, she did it while always wearing that infectious smile. The entire Wardell family have always made folks like me feel like family just because that's the kind of great people they are. I suppose that's why the news hit me so damn hard. Those who know me know that I'm never left speechless, but I was today. Lucky for us the rest of the Wardell family are also known for their own infectious smiles and I just know we'll see them prove it in due time. Until then, please keep them in your prayers and
PLEASE visit this webpage to help if you can. This great family will truly appreciate any help they can get in this time of need.
