Special recognition due

Two young men deserve special recognition following the Feature Fest, Sunday, May 21.

One is recently graduated senior Ryan Hare, a 17-year-old Crate Late Model driver from Elkins. He sponsored the trophies for the youth races that day. As he posted on his Facebook page: "Sponsored the mini wedge trophies this weekend, It’s always a great night giving back to the class that we started out in! Congrats to all these drivers! 🏁🏆
📸: Zach Yost Racing Photography"

That's a young man who gives us hope for the future of America ... as does the second young man who has been flagging on the backstretch at the track for some time now. Talk about persistence to put in the time to learn a task because we all know there's a learning curve, some steeper than others, for most anything one can accomplish in life -- from cooking to writing to taking pictures to driving a car [let alone a race car!] to working the flag stand.

Tyler County Speedway shared on social media: "Had a special guest helping us out this weekend at America's Baddest Bullring.....young Declan Carpenter would twirl the sticks like a pro alongside Flagman Matt Amick! Declan is a natural and the future of flagging looks bright! Well done! Special thanks to our awesome Flagman, Matt for his mentoring throughout the evening!
#americasbaddestbullring
#nextgeneration"

Yes, those fine folks at the track gave Declan of Buckhannon the experience of a lifetime Sunday. Here's the backstory: Recently, Tanya Rene Colvin posted a video of him flagging on the backstretch ... and a mere few weeks later, he's on the flagstand ... because he is good! Dad Patrick Carpenter posted on Facebook: "Declan got the chance to help out on the flag stand last night and even got to officiate two full races on his own. He went on the track for redraws and greeted the drivers in victory lane. Big thanks to Tyler County Speedway and Matt Amick for giving him the opportunity. And thanks to Tanya Rene Colvin for posting the original video of him flagging on the backstretch."

One of the races he officiated was the J&R Excavating RUSH Late Model Feature and you can see him waving the checkers to Brandon Weigle.

These are just two examples of our next generation who instill hope America as we know it will not cease to be. -– Debbie Browning

For more on Feature Fest at The Bullring Sunday, May 21:

Candids and action from Feature Fest -- 05.21.2023 photo gallery is here.

The story with May 21 results is here. That's also where photos of all of the winners are.