HAMPTON, VA :: The lights at Langley Speedway were on once again to welcome the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Late Model Series for Twin 75s on the flat banked, newly repaved race track. Going into tonight’s event was a stellar field of 21 hot rods looking to knock off three-time track champion CE Falk from a relatively easy two wins so far in 2013 and to chip away at his current points lead. Falk has certainly had his way with the competition at Langley Speedway in recent years and shows to be on top of his game in 2013 as well. Others are showing speed too like track qualifying record holder Nick Smith and Matt Waltz who sports pole awards from the recent weeks.

However, this is short track racing, pole awards are sweet, but winning is better and it also pays! So who will step it up at Langley Speedway and host the trophy in Victory Lane? On a chilly, cloudy race day, lots of speed from the field during practice as many teams running 75 to 200 lap tires were posting some very impressive lap times. Guys like Dean Shiflett, Duane Shreeves and CE Falk were all rocket fast in practice. Making his first ever start in a Late Model was the 2012 Drive for Diversity standout Dylan Smith. But during practice his engine would let go and Dylan Smith’s first ever Late Model start will have to wait.

Dylan Smith would have been the first ever African-American competitor in a Late Model to take on the historic 4/10s mile at Langley Speedway. Dylan Smith now has plans to return May 18th and compete for a win against the tracks best competitors. Qualifying came next with Matt Waltz showing the fastest lap at 15.501 claiming his second pole of 2013. Dude Gibbs had a fast lap as well and would start P2 alongside of Waltz. Dean Shiflett, Greg Edwards and Casey Wyatt laid down fast laps to make up the top 5 in the grid. CE Falk would not fare as well in his qualifying run getting super loose in turns 3 and 4 for the 19th spot in the grid.

The green flag waved and not a single lap went in the books before Nick Smith, Danny Edwards Jr and Gary Weeks, in his first start of 2013,  were knocked out of contention. On the ensuing restart, the caution came out again knocking out Brandon Brown from competition. So, without a single lap recorded on two separate starts, four carswere  out of competition and many more with damage. When the green flag wavedm Matt Waltz would take the early lead but then Dean Shiflett would take the spot from Waltz with just a few laps into the race. After leading several laps, Shiflett gave way to the faster piece of Matt Waltz who from there never looked back.

Matt Waltz would go on to win his first ever NWAAS Late Model race while Greg Edwards finished strong in second. CE Falk, as expected, blitzed through the field to finish third and excellent finishes for Dean Shiflett along with Duane Shreeves to round out the top five. The second twin 75 lap feature would begin much like the first. As the green flag waved, so did the yellow as Danny Edwards Jr would slam the turn one wall to bring on the caution. Danny, fortunately, was okay but after extensive efforts by his race team to repair his car from the first race, his night and now his car was done before it even began.

Green flag came out once again andm immediately, Matt Waltz checked out. CE Falk would give chase but the closest Falk would get to the bumper of Matt Waltz would be the two cautions in the race when Jeff Oakley and Gary Weeks engines went up in a bloom of smoke. Greg Edwards, who had to start the race in the rear because of exhaust issues, had made up the ground and found himself battling for the second spot with CE Falk on lap 51. Side by side, the two would battle, but Falk would get position with the help of some contact that sent Edwards up the hill sideways. A few laps later, Edwards had to retire from competition from a reported broken hub.

But on this night, the twin 75s, the trophies and Victory Lane belonged to Matt Waltz. CE Falk would finish in second with Dean Shiflett continuing his best night in some time in third. Duane Shreeves with yet another top five finish brings it home fourth and Dude Gibbs follows up a great qualifying run with a top 5 finish.

NASCAR Whelen All American Series Late Model race action returns to Langley Speedway next Saturday, May 11th, this time for a 125 lap feature race.