HAMPTON, VA :: Racing all across the region was cancelled Saturdaynight thanks in part to rainy weather but one track decided to take a chance on it anyways in Langley Speedway. As fortunes would have it, sixteen Late Models teams took a chance on it too with Rev Racing standouts Paige Decker, Devon Amos and K&N Pro Series East regular Mackena Bell were on hand for the 100 lap feature. After a dominating performance in the season opener, Greg Edwards was looking to deliver a bit more of what he showed just two weeks earlier. As for the rest of the Late Model Langley Speedway regulars, it was time to turn it on this week.

Nick Smith who has been a tear at qualifying since last season started at the P1 spot in the season opener and likewise, would start there again this week as his fast lap at 15.847 sec proved to be the best. Greg Edwards was just four thousandths of a tick slower but worthy to start next to Smith in row one. Matt Waltz was fast as usual starting third but taking cheers from fellow race teams was the father son team of Terry Carroll and Justin Carroll who would start fourth and fifth respectively. Little is it known in Late Model racing whether for one father and son team to compete against each other but two? At Langley Speedway there is as Rick Gdovic and son Brandon Gdovic were also on hand in Late Model action.

Green flag would wave and Nick Smith would lead the 15 car field into turn one minus Mackena Bell who broke a motor in practice. Matt Waltz clued himself to the rear bumper of the leader going by Greg Edwards to take the two spot in the grid. Backing off now, Waltz would pace the leader for the next few circuits before sneaking underneath on lap five of the event taking the lead. That allowed Greg Edwards to follow along and the battle for second ensued. But on lap 8 of the event, the races first caution came as Rodney Boyd, Devon Amos and Jeremy Grogg were all involved. Boyd and Grogg would retire from the event from the damages to their cars.

Back to the green and Waltz took the point but on back in the field and things started to get dicey. Lots of contact and the races second caution waved as Terry Carroll, Connor Hall, Rick Gdovic and Justin Carroll involved. Rick Gdovic would get the worst of this deal and was forced to withdraw from competition. Back underway once again and Matt Waltz wasted no time securing the point. After a brief battle from Greg Edwards, realizing the time was too early; Edwards wisely backed off and settled into Waltz’s line with Nick Smith in tow. Back in fifth was the spot being challenged as Brandon Gdovic had it and Casey Wyatt wanted it.

Clean side by side racing with very little contact if any as the two battled and traded the spot several times before Wyatt had used up his right rear giving Brandon Gdovic the spot.  On up front with the leaders, Edwards was able to close in on Waltz as lap traffic became a factor at the halfway point in the race. Once cleared, the leader was able to build up a lead that had Greg Edwards in need of a caution, however, that caution never came. Matt Waltz simply would have this night his way as his ride proved to be much like Greg Edwards was in the season opener. By the time the checkers flew, Waltz’s lead was a near straightaway with just 4 cars on the lead lap.

With two races complete, Matt Waltz is back on top sharing the points lead with Greg Edwards. Nick Smith went on to finish third in the event wondering what’s going on with his car in race trim. Mark Wertz was solid all night, making gains finishing fourth with Brandon Gdovic completing the five best. Langley Speedway will take a weekend off for the racing at RIR then picks back up on May 3rd when the NWAAS Late Models have twin 75’s on the schedule.

Results:

1 #2 Matt Waltz
2 #97 Greg Edwards
3 #11 Nick Smith
4 #55 Mark Wertz
5 #46 Brandon Gdovic
6 #92 Casey Wyatt
7 #56 Danny Edwards Jr
8 #91 Justin Carroll
9 #2a Paige Decker
10 #77 Connor Hall
11 #6 Devon Amos
12 #90 Terry Carroll
13 #9 Rodney Boyd
14 #64 Rick Gdovic
15 #83 Jeremy Grogg