Sam Archer drove to his first win of the season in Friday night’s 20-lap limited late model feature at Potomac Speedway. The win for Archer, steering his family-owned Rocket No.36, would be his fourth career division win and first since the 2022 season.
Jeremy Pilkerton and Kyle Hardy both took off at the start and were waging hand-to-hand combat for the lead until fate stepped in on the 10th lap. Coming off the second turn, the duo made contact that saw Pilkerton spin to the infield, which in turn sent both drivers to the rear of the field. Archer was running third at the time and capitalized on the opportunity and would eventually pace the remaining 10 circuits to post the victory. “We threw everything we had at our old car and finally decided to get a new one, and we’ve run pretty well so far with it,” Archer stated in Victory Lane. “I can’t remember the last time we won down here, and it feels pretty good to finally get one again.”
Brandon Long came home second, Greg Carrico took third, with DJ Garrett in a career-best fourth-place finish, with early leader Pilkerton completing the top five. Heats went to Carrico and Joey Love.
Ed Pope Jr. started on the pole and drove the race of his career to collect his first-ever division win and overall 36th career track score in the 20-lap Crate Late Model main. Eventual runner-up Greg Carrico hounded Pope for the duration but would have to settle for runner-up money. “I can’t believe we won, we’ve been trying so hard and it’s been lots of work.” The happy winner stated in his post-race interview. “We hooked up with Kyle Lear about two years ago, and last year, we finally found something at the end of the year, and now it’s carrying into this year, and he’s just one of many that got us here tonight.” Defending track champion Ben Scott was third, Jacob Whitt took fourth, with 10th-starting Jarrett Edwards completing the top five. Heats went to Ben Scott and Greg Carrico.
In support class action, Wyatt Hanson scored his 10th career win in the 15 Lap Street stock feature, Mikey Latham posted his 29th career win in the 15 lap hobby stock feature, with defending track champion Faith Lacey scoring her third career Potomac win in the 15 lap U-Car contest.
Limited Late Models (20 laps)
Sam Archer, Brandon Long, Greg Carrico, DJ Garrett, Jeremy Pilkerton, Kyle Hardy, Deuce Wright, Jason Penn, Austin Lathroum, Joey Love DNS-Kenny Moreland
Crate Late Models (20 laps)
Ed Pope Jr, Greg Carrico, Ben Scott, Jacob Whitt, Jarrett Edwards, Mike Raleigh, Scooter Tippett, Scott Sweeney Jr, Garret Donnell, Chase Hardy, John Davis, Josh Dotson, Roy Deese Jr, Chuck Bowie DNS-Nick Love
Street Stocks (15 laps)
Wyatt Hanson, Deuce Wright, Mason Hanson, John Cobb, Dylan Alton, Ricky Edmonds, Greg Morgan, Dalton Tankersley, Steve Hilgenberg, Johnny Burch, Scott Wilson, Savannah Windsor, Matt Tarbox, Scotty Nelson, Ray Reed DNS-Jonny Oliver
Hobby Stocks (15 Laps)
Mikey Latham, Billy Crouse, Mason Hanson, Colin Long, Ralph Price, Connor Cheseldine Eric Hanson, James Rainey, Richie Gibson, Ken Ellis, Robert Martin, Tommy Dennison DNS-Michael Knight
U Car (15 laps)
Faith Lacey, Travis Dye, Brooke Bowles, Thomas Windsor, Richard Inscoe, Rebecca Stone, Joey Suite, Nikolas Webster, Garrett Cobb, Pat Stone, Kevin Lacey, Serenity Schwartz, Ryan Martin, Georgia Burch, Keith Brown, Stephen Suite