This race season at Langley Speedway marks 65 years of racing at the flat banked oval located in Hampton, Virginia, a race facility fully supported by its city council and the over 4,500 that walked through its gates.
Opening night at Langley Speedway in 2015 was not to be denied considering a hectic off season as some tracks experience a time or two. Highlighting the six division race card was the NWAAS Late Models and the return of its 2014 track champion Greg Edwards. Edwards, who now has four track championships under his belt, comes in the season as motivated and driven as ever to defend his title. Also returning this year in a new ride was veteran racer Nick Smith who knows his way around the track every bit as good as the current champion. Casey Wyatt also returns and has all intentions of making his mark in the 2015 season. Add Mark Wertz in the mix with some new additions to his ride and Brenden Queen to the fold. Opening day sometimes can preview of what’s to come and who had better get it figured out quick.
Qualifying is always key around Langley Speedway and making his first ever appearance was Tommy Lemons Jr. After pacing the days practice sessions on top of the leaderboard, Lemons was able to carry that speed into qualifying winning the pole with a lap at 15.849 sec or 89.722 mph. Greg Edwards had a great lap of his own but was a mere forty eight thousandths of a second off but guaranteed a spot on the front row. Mark Wertz, Conner Hall and Danny Edwards Jr made up the five best clocking in just a bit more of a tenth separating the lap time from the leader. Other notables was Nick Smith who was the last of the sub-16 second lap club starting sixth, newcomers Tyler Hughes eighth and also making his first trip to Langley Speedway was Justin Carroll from Caraway Speedway starting eleventh in the eighteen car field.
Green flag waved for the first time in the 2015 season and before the field could clear the third turn, the caution waved as Robert Bruce is pointed the wrong way from a spin. Quickly, racing was back to green and quickly back under caution as the third turn becomes a challenge showing Robert Bruce, Cameron Bowen and Langley Speedways youngest female Late Model racer Macy Causey all involved. Once cleared, the field was back under green and Lemons was slow to get going giving way to Greg Edwards for the lead. On back, the jockeying for positions was in full swing eventually showing Lemons, Wertz, Smith and Hall as the top five.
Lap seven went up on the board when suddenly Justin S Carroll went around from his motor trying coming apart. Oil was all over the track when the leaders got there sending the leader Edwards up the hill and fortunately saving it. But second place Lemons would not be as fortunate as he went around and slammed the turn three wall in one of the most violent hits we’ve seen in some time. Also showing damage was Danny Edwards Jr who go on to continue, but for Mark Wertz, the news wasn’t so good showing a flat rear tire and damage to the rear end of his car was force to retire early as well.
After a lengthy caution and the extensive clean-up operations, green flag racing once again flew over the raceway with Greg Edwards showing the way. The misfortunes of some can be moments of opportunity for others as newcomers Tyler Hughes and Justin T Carroll broke into the top five and give chase to the leader. Nick Smith made the most of his shot earning the second spot on the grid and would soon begin his assault.
Several laps in to this green flag run would see Michael Hardin and Casey Wyatt joining the mix for the five best on the track as well. For the moment, the eyes were on Tyler Hughes as he cleared Smith for the second spot and clicking lap times faster than the leader. As Hughes was able to rundown Edwards, the closest he was able to get to the bumper was two lengths when Edwards decided it was go time as the halfway point in the race was near.
Several more laps into this run and the leader Greg Edwards was in full dominate mode. Hughes needed a caution if he was going to have a chance to win but, on back, things were getting good for Michael Hardin. In a brief battle for the three spot, Smith made sure Hardin deserved it as the battle was decided with Hardin in favor. Back up front, Greg Edwards was spot on in this feature and basically unchallenged in his first victory of the early 2015 season. Tyler Hughes was dominant by his own right, finishing second. Michael Hardin with his best finish at Langley Speedway finished third, Nick Smith has the fourth spot and Connor Hall, in an eventful night finished, fifth.
Race action resumes for the NWAAS Late Models on April 18th when twin 65s are on the schedule.
POSTRACE VIDEO INTERVIEWS: Greg Edwards | Tyler Hughes | Michael Hardin
