Side-by-side racing was the norm in the Kevin Powell Motorsports 100 at Bowman Gray
Cooler temperatures meant a fast track at Bowman Gray Stadium and around 12,000 saw one of the best Modified races in a long time on Saturday night.
The Kevin Powell Motorsports 100 had just about everything, and that included plenty of side-by-side racing that was pure.
"The outside groove was there all night," said winner Danny Bohn, who used the outside to his advantage and held off a hard-charging Junior Snow.
There are plenty of keyboard warriors who sometimes criticize the lack of racing with more Demolition Derby than anything. But the Modified race had plenty of good racing, and a big pile-up that involved Mike Speeney and Slate Myers among others late in the race.
On lap 85, it was Speeney who got into Myers, who was having one of his best races of his young career, that caused a big pile-up. Myers calmly walked to Speeney's car during the caution laps, and they had a short conversation.
Back in the pits, Myers wanted to go confront Speeney again, but Myers' father, Burt, had a better idea.
"I just told Slate you don't go confront a man in his pit," Burt said. "It is what it is, and I'll have to look at the replay."
Burt and Snow both took the Fan's Challenge starting in the rear of the field after qualifying in the top four. Since they both finished in the top four, they get to split $3,000.
Snow was encouraged by his car in the two races that have been run this season.
"We had a fast one again tonight and I was there on Danny's bumper, but I wasn't going to do dump him," Snow said. "We just came up short, but it was a hell of a race."
Bohn won for the 20th time at the stadium and backed up what he's been doing on the SMART Modified Tour having won three out of six races on that tour.
"It was just a good night," Bohn said. "The right front strut rod is completely broke so that's why we were a little off at the end, but it was hell of a race car we have, and we love coming here and winning."
Myers said early this season there's been a battle of attrition.
"I hope it calms down and I knew we were fighting a battle from the back of the field, but I thought we could get back to the top four," Myers said. "You can see the front bumper, but we survived and it was a heck of a race car."
As for what happened with his son and Speeney, Myers said he'll look at the replay.
"I could see Slate out there on the track going over to him and he told him you dumped me," Burt said. "What I'm hearing is he dumped him and he tried to dump me, but it will eventually come to a head."
Burt also said that he's won a lot of championships and races, but he vowed not to do any more points racing.
"I'm coming here to win races," he said. "It doesn't matter if I have to prove a point and not finish and that's what I'll do. If it doesn't cool down, that's what's going to happen.
"The guys that have raced here their whole lives deserve that respect and you can't drive through people. And if it keeps happening, it's going to come to a head."
Gregg family is on roll
After winning on opening night in the Sportsman Division, Nate Gregg showed off his fast race car again, winning the first 20-lapper on Saturday night.
"That's two for two," Gregg said in victory lane. "I'm starting to do better than dad (Billy) in the Sportsman."
Nate did his traditionally two donuts during his victory lap, which does cause plenty of stress on those expensive tires.
Billy, who is also the car owner, didn't mind. "When you win it, doesn't matter," Billy said.
Nate started on the second row and quickly got into the lead and through four cautions never wavered.
"We've got a rocket ship right now and I can't thank my crew enough for how this thing is running," Nate said.
Justin Taylor was second with Zack Ore third and Billy Gregg was fourth.
Billy followed up his son's win with his own victory.
"Father and son both winning on the same night," Billy said. "That's just special."
Billy joked with Chris Carter in victory lane that it might be his last win. But the way he's got his three cars running this season, that include Bryan Sykes Jr., they have found something.
Brad Lewis wins Street Stock race
Picking up his 11th career win, Brad Lewis dedicated it to his late mom, who died on Jan. 31. As he pointed to the section she used to sit in near turn three, he fought back tears.
"This is my biggest win," he said. "It was just hard racing, and I saw an opening and took it."
Late in the race, Lewis grabbed the lead and despite two cautions held on for the 20-lap win. The final caution came with two laps to go and after the final restart, he held off Chase Murphy.
Kyler Staley started 10th and did a nice job of getting through traffic to pick up a third-place finish.
"I got into racing because of my mom, so this was for her," Lewis said.
Christian Joyce led for the early part of the race until he got into Connor Keaton on lap 12 and Keaton took the lead. Lewis then eventually took the lead from Keaton.
"I just drove up under him, and it was hard racing and that was fun," Lewis said.
Emilee Lewis paying tribute
The Lewis family and Robbie Brewer and his family continue to be close, especially in light of Brewer's death last season during a race.
Emilee has changed numbers for this season in the Street Stock and is sporting No. 68. Brad Lewis said it's a tribute to what Robbie meant to his family.
"She also wanted his name to stay on her car," Brad said.
On the right side of the hood is Robbie Brewer's signature.
"Emilee wants to keep No. 68 forever, so that's going to be her number for as long as she wants to drive," Brad said.
Next week's races
The Street Stock takes center stage this Saturday with its longest race of the season at 50 laps. For this race, the drivers will qualify for position and have a restart cone.
The Modified Division will have two 25-lap races, and the Sportsman Division will have two 20-lap races. There will also be two Stadium Stock races of 15 laps each provided there are more than 26 cars entered.
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