MIDDLEBOURNE -- The Tyler County Speedway was blessed by the ‘racing’ gods with a picture-perfect weather and an even better night of exciting racing action Saturday, May 6. On the docket was the 2nd oldest topless late model race in America, the 29th Annual Topless 50 for the Stutler Motorsports Super Late Models presented by Pioneer Family Preowned Autos of Williamstown. A packed house of eager fans witnessed a strong field of 132 race cars pack into the Bullring featuring a stout field of 26 ULMS Super Lates ready for the Topless challenge.

While the Topless 50 notoriously never disappoints, the 29th edition was one for the ages! Race fans were treated to something special Saturday night at the Bullring as Fairmont, WV’s Jacob Hawkins parlayed his skills to his 3rd Topless 50 title in thrilling fashion. Ryan Montgomery laid down quick time with heat race wins going to Montgomery, Steve Weigle and Ryan Payne with Brian Baumberger notching the B-Main during preliminary action. As the field roared out of the Shreff’s Hometown BBQ Turn 4 Start Zone and tookflagman Matt Amick’s green flag, it was North Carolina invader Jeff Smith in his first-ever appearance at Tyler County setting the early pace.

Disaster strikes on lap 19 with multi-car pileup

A hard-charging Jacob Hawkins vaulted into the runner up position poised for the top spot when disaster struck on lap 19. A multi-car pileup among lap cars saw Hawkins have to get on the binders to avoid contact and, per ULMS rules and the no-stop rule, sent all stopped cars to the tail -- including the 2nd-running Hawkins. With 31 laps remaining and Jeff Smith still holding the point, all eyes were glued on Hawkins as the driver of the CJJ Motorsports entry began his quest back to the front. Hawkins was working the racey Bullring surface and dispatching quality racers high and low as he continued his man-on-a-mission march. Now up to the fourth position, a late race caution bunched the field back up for a seven-lap shootout. At this point it was still Smith at the helm with 8th-starting Tyler Emory applying pressure to the leader but it was Hawkins who now vaulted quickly into the runner-up position. Hawkins' impeccable run around the speedway’s top shelf made the winning pass on the high side with just two laps remaining to a standing ovation from the hometown crowd. A run for the ages, as Hawkins claimed his third Topless 50 title aboard the CJJ Motorsports/ J&J Farms/ Middletown Homes/ Hawkins Towing Rocket Chassis. It was heartbreak city for Jeff Smith as the NC racer was very impressive in his maiden voyage around the Bullring but settled for the bridesmaid spot followed by 8th starting Tyler Emory, 14th starting Michael Lake and Kyle Thomas.

Different car, different class, same result for multi-time and division track champion Shawn Jett as the Pennsboro driver debuted a Sam Irvin-owned UMP Modified and parked it in the EQT Victory Lane. Jett piloted the WV Land Works/ Slicks Car Wash/ Doll Brothers Fabrications/ J&M Oil & Gas/ Jenkins Auto Parts/ Tye Twarog Performance Parts Pierce Platinum to the win over a stacked UMP Modified division. Trailing Jett to the pay window were the defending Topless 50 winner Drake Troutman, defending track champion Chad Smith, Jesse Wisecarver and Kenny Johnson.

Middlebourne, WV’s Brandon Weigle shook off his early season gremlins to notch his first victory of the season in the J&R Excavating RUSH Late Model division. The super smooth driver of the Titan Energy Solutions/ Weigle Farms/ Landon Hall Construction/ D&S Automotive Rocket XR 1 held off Kyle Thomas, defending track champion Donnie Dotson, Ryan Hare and George Casto III.

Marietta, Ohio’s Lance Weppler picked up his second feature win of the season in a very entertaining Middlebourne Galaxy Food Center Sportmod A-Main. Former hotmod racer Jeff Gorrell vaulted off the front row aboard the RX1 and looked poised to pick up his first Sportmod feature but Weppler pressured throughout and eventually overtook Gorrell in lapped traffic to secure the point. Once out front Weppler, aboard the Woods Heating & AC/ Magic Bean Books/ Auto Plus/ Kryptonite Race Cars, finished ahead of Gorrell, Kendall Hodge, Justin Robinson and Dwight Henry.

Even more photos -- mostly candids and some racing -- are here.

The Probst stranglehold on the J&L Collison Center EDGE Hotmod EQT Victory Lane continued -- but this time it was son Eddie Probst of New Martinsville picking up his first win of the season aboard the Jim Dudley-owned #33Jr. Following Probst across the stripe were a ‘fast’ Santino Loretta, who keeps getting closer to that first Bullring feature win, Brian Probst, Kevin Dotson and young Carson Thomas with his first top-five finish. Probst pilots the Dudley Motorsports/ Jenkins Auto Parts/ Letter Rip Graphics/ Miller Equipment & Machine/ Zach Yost/ Hardrock Powder Coating/ The Refuge Church/ Carson Motorsports Throwin’ Dirt machine.

A wild battle ensued between Coolville, Ohio’s Jacob McDaniels and Collier, WV’s Travis Corbin in the Dual Threat Sports Card SCDRA main event. The duo put on a show throughout with McDaniel eventually wresting the lead from previous feature winner Corbin. The defending Tyler County Speedway SCDRA track champion McDaniel grabbed his second trip to the EQT Victory Lane aboard the McWilson Performance/ Mister Bee/ Kuya Union Coffee #22MWP. Following McDaniel were a charging Noah Swank, Travis Corbin, Mitch Eddy and Tim Harlan.

In the Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Mini Wedge division, Rowen Brightwell garnered his first-ever feature win over Logan Perine and Kameron Zegarsky in the Junior division along with Cruz Thomas capturing his second of the season ahead of Bryson Long and Jacob Miller. The Senior class saw Jake Casto pick up his first win of the year over Bryson Roberts and Peyton Baker. Thanks to Hart Motorsports for presenting the trophies.

Be sure to join them once again at America’s Baddest Bullring Saturday night, May 13, as it’s all about the Moms, in honor of Mother’s Day as they present the "Real Housewives of the Bullring" Night featuring the $700 to win Tammy Clegg Tribute for Hotmods, Pit Tour for the Kids plus all other classes in action along with the "50 Shades of Clay" Twin 50 Lap Enduros for the guys and the gals! You won’t want to miss another exciting night at Tyler County Speedway.

Tyler County Speedway Feature Results, Saturday, May 6

29th Annual Topless 50 ULMS Late Models presented by Pioneer Family Preowned Autos of Williamstown Feature: Jacob Hawkins, Jeff Smith, Tyler Emory, Michael Lake, Kyle Thomas, Ryan Montgomery, Dylan Cecce, Rod Conley, Tyler Riggs, Cody Rogers, Logan Zarin, Daryl Charlier, Mike Benedum, Braeden Dillinger, Brian Baumberger, Steve Weigle, Josh Baldwin, Jon Lee, Ryan Payne, Dave Stamm. DNQ: Del Rougeaux, RJ Dallappe, Todd English, Nick Corbitt, Preston Bier, Dylan Lewis, Travis Brown.

Jenkins Auto Parts UMP Modified Feature: Shawn Jett, Drake Troutman, Chad Smith, Jesse Wisecarver, Kenny Johnson, Lance Elson, Jeff Fornash, Steven Dotson, Brian Clegg, Ryan Jones, Cody Brightwell, Casey Ash, Danny Thomas, Mitch Ward, Daniel Eddy, Gerald Deitch, Zack Robinson, Justin Hart, Andy Taylor, Travis Thomas, Kurt Rogers, James Schnegg.

J&R Excavating RUSH Late Model Feature: Brandon Weigle, Kyle Thomas, Donnie Dotson, Ryan Hare, George Casto III, AJ Spagnuolo, Allen Clark, Jarrett Spencer, Logan Reed.

Middlebourne Galaxy Food Center Sportmod Feature: Lance Weppler, Jeff Gorrell, Kendall Hodge, Justin Robinson, Dwight Henry, Sonny Leek, Levi Nolan, Ron Pickens, Sonny Conley, Tyler Spencer, Zack Barr, Wesley Reed, Josalyn Hibbard, Andy Green, Wayne Francis, Al Smith, Danny Thomas. DQ: Brandon Davis. DNQ: Brad Lucas, Russell Murphy, Jacob Wheeler, Mike Mason, Allen Clark, Jimbo Wheeler.

J&L Collison Center EDGE Hotmod Feature: Eddie Probst, Santino Loretta, Brian Probst, Kevin Dotson, Carson Thomas, Steve Magyar, Tom Sigler, Jamie Thomas, Natalie Hibbard, Tripp Perine, Gavin Dennis, Tim Spencer, CJ Dotson, Josh Sigler, Jason Todd, Makenzie Dotson, Joey Price, Ed Ackerman, Lou Ennis. DNS: Mickey Thorpe, Nik Keller, Mike Harter.

Dual Threat Sports Cards SCDRA 4 Cylinder Feature: Jacob McDaniel, Noah Swank, Travis Corbin, Mitch Eddy, Tim Harlan, Jakob Chipps, Ronald Johnson, Noah Bubeck, Robert Frohnapfel. DNS: Dan Moss.

Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Junior Mini Wedge Feature #1: Rowan Brightwell, Logan Perine, Kameron Zegarsky, Eli Smith, Peyton Gibson, Coen Thomas, Josh Baldwin. Trophies by Hart Motorsports

Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Junior Mini Wedge Feature #2: Cruz Thomas, Bryson Long, Jacob Miller, Colten Long, Karter Perine, Brentley Carson. Trophies by Hart Motorsports

Hino Motors Manufacturing USA Senior Mini Wedge Feature: Jake Casto, Bryson Roberts, Peyton Baker, Leah Brightwell, Kyndi Glover, Carter Robinson, Erickson Smith. Trophies by Hart Motorsports

TYLER COUNTY SPEEDWAY
Since 1974, the Tyler County Speedway has hosted some of the biggest motorsports events in the region. Under the management of Hometown Racing Association, the ‘Bullring’ operates weekly April through September featuring several special events. Tyler County Speedway is located 3.5 miles South of Middlebourne, WV, on State Route 18 at the Tyler County Fairgrounds.

WEEKLY DIVISIONS
Super Late Models, UMP Modifieds, RUSH Late Models, Sportmods, Hotmods, SCDRA 4 Cylinders, MWRA Mini Wedges.

LIL BUCKAROO BIRTHDAY BASH
Want something different for a birthday party? Looking for an exciting and affordable way to celebrate a birthday? America’s Baddest Bullring has you covered! Celebrate that Lil’ Buckaroo’s special day by booking your Bullring Birthday Bash today! Give Lorie a shout at 304-758-2879, send a text to 304-771-3129 or email her at [email protected] for more information.

2023 MARKETING PARTNERS
Stutler Motorsports Body Shop, EQT Corporation, J&R Excavating, Midcap Land and Timber, McClinton Chevrolet Mitsubishi, Jenkins Auto Parts, Hino Motors Manufacturing USA, Middlebourne Galaxy Food Center, Long Reach Federal Credit Union, J&L Collision Center, Pioneer Family Pre-Owned Williamstown, Schreff's Hometown BBQ, Dave Poske Performance Parts, Octane Race Products, Hoosier Racing Tire, Bridgeport Equipment, Middletown Homes, Pepsi, Impact Race Gear, Dual Threat Sport Cards, Rocket Chassis, The INNformer, Lite Rock 93R & Classic Rock 92.3 WXCR.

MEDIA LINKS & CONTACT
Phone: Office 304-771-5661
Raceday at 304-758-2660
tylercountyspeedwayonline.com
shopbullringgear.com
facebook.com/thebullringwv
twitter.com/The_Bullring
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