Jon McKennedy (left) and car owner Tommy Baldwin celebrate their second victory of the weekend after picking up the Southern Modified Racing Series season opener at Caraway Speedway on Sunday March 18, 2018. Brad Newman Photo

March 18th marked the Season Opener for the Southern Modified Racing Series. Caraway Speedway had a full schedule of events for Sunday. Races in the Modifieds, Super Late Models, and a few other classes. Jon McKennedy grabbed the Jeff Day sponsored pole award in the Modifieds and Tate Fogleman in the PASS Supers.

Matt Craig led from green-to-checkered in the PASS event without much contest. There was a late race debris caution but that was not enough for Brandon Setzer to catch up as Craig made quick work of him and sealed his third win in a row at Caraway. Setzer would finish second and Moore third.

The Limited Late Model field was absolutely blistered by Josh Lowder as he put over a straightaway on the field in only forty laps. Jimmy Wallace came home second and Tommy Neal third.

The SMRS event was led to the green by Jon McKennedy in his Tommy Baldwin #7NY. Gerstner kept Jon in his sights all race long but could never quite make a move on him as McKennedy brought home the win leading all ninety-nine laps. Gerstner would finish second and Burt Myers third.

The 602 Super Limiteds put on a great show between Ryan Robertson and Rock Harris. Eventually, Rock got back around Ryan for the lead and won this event. Robertson would finish second and Matt Henley came home a very strong third place.

The 602 Modifieds put on arguably the best show of the afternoon with only six cars entered. Dean Lowder and Robbie Brewer exchanged blows multiple times for the lead. Brewer got into Lowder’s’ left rear nerfbar going into Turn One turning he and a couple others. Dean would march his way back through the field with Brewer right alongside. Brewer would pass him late in the going to win this event. Lowder would finish second and Josh Nichols third. 3

The Southern Modified Racing Series heads to Concord Speedway next weekend, March 24th.