Opening night doesnt disappoint at Bowman Gray Stadium
Opening night was a big hit at Bowman Gray Stadium.
With a near-capacity crowd of 14,000 turning out for the start of the 77th season, the four races had just about everything.
Winners were Tim Brown (Modified), Nate Gregg (Sportsman), Christian Joyce (Street Stock) and Luke Smith (Stadium Stock).
While the prices for adult admission for this season had increased from $12 to $15 there was no difference in turnout. If anything, because of the outstanding weather, Saturday night's crowd was bigger than last year's opening night.
"It's just cool to win on opening night like this," said Brown, who won his 106th career race and got to pay tribute to 92-year-old sponsor Bruce Hayes of Hayes Jewelers.
Brown's paint scheme on his new car was the Hayes Jewelers' blue color that he used to have. With Hayes in attendance, it was a perfect ending.
"We don't know how long Bruce will be around, but to see him and his son, Zack, and their family it was a special night," Brown said. "I'm going to remember this night and this win forever."
Saturday's Race Results
Sportsman Division
Pos.;Driver;Laps
1;Nate Gregg;40
2;Billy Gregg;40
3;Ryan Robertson;40
4;Chase Robertson;40
5;Bryan Sykes Jr.;40
6;Justin Taylor;40
7;Mitch Gales;40
8;Ollie Ferguson;40
9;AJ Bernys;40
10;T. Dawson;40
11;Terry Smith;40
12;Tommy Neal;40
13;Sterling Plemmons;39
14;Chris Massie;36
15;Jim Shoaf;33
16;Michael Adams;19
17;Austin Taylor;19
18;Austin Jones;19
19;Kirk Sheets;12
20;Chris Taylor;10
21;Jonathan Simacek;2
Hayes Jewelers 200
Modified Division
Pos.;Driver;Laps
1;Tim Brown;204
2;John Holleman IV;204
3;Brandon Ward;204
4;Junior Snow;204
5;Jeremy Gerstner;204
6;Andrew Harrah;204
7;Danny Propst;204
8;Mike Speeney;204
9;Trey Hutchens;204
10;Burt Myers;204
11;John Smith;204
12;Jason Myers;204
13;Randy Butner;204
14;Riley Neal;204
15;Lee Jeffreys;204
16;Daniel Beeson;204
17;Jordan Fleming;203
18;Kyle Southern;200
19;Slate Myers;197
20;Danny Bohn;183
21;Jonathan Brown;183
22;Ethan Truell;101
23;Mason Lawson;95
24;Dean Ward;40
25;Chris Fleming;16
26;Brandon Butner;5
Street Stock
Pos.;Driver;No.
1.;Christian Joyce;1
2.;Brad Lewis;16
3.;Connor Keaton;5
4.;Donnie Martin;00
5.;Kyler Staley;7
6.;Brandon Brown;9
7.;Craig Hartless;10
8.;Wes Glascoe;21
9.;Kevin Gilbert;13
10.;Bryant Robertson;72
11.;Zac Cogar;30
12.;Emilee Lewis;68
13.;Jayden Cordell;98
14.;Bryan Sykes Sr.;25
15.;Matt Prevette;37
16.;Brian Shupe;88
17.;Justin Cummings;97
18.;Spencer Martin;57
19.;Ty Whaley;19
20.; Andy Avery;35
Stadium Stock
Pos.;Driver;Car No.
1.;Luke Smith;80
2.;Brad Michalowski;60
3.;Zak Taylor;88
4.;Carson Reed;2
5.;Fuzzy Dinkles;02
6.;Blaze Sanders;44
7.;Chris Allison;7
8.;James Allison;71
9.;Ricky Wall;64
10.;Tim Giesen;66
11.;Jayden Andrews;8
12.;Christian Bowens;29
13.;Adam 'P-Nut' Baker;22
14.;Tyler Rose;12
15.;Andrew Cates;51
16.;Grayson Lee;03
17.;Brandon Vaughn;14
18.;Michael Cates;83
19.;Stephen Sanders;16
20.;AJ Sanders;24
21.;Austin Cates;27
22.;Levi Holt;95
23.;Chuck Wall;81
24.;Brandon Brendle;43
25.;Billy Andrews;18
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