5/13/2024
Meridian Speedway
Weaver Gets Back to Winning Ways on Ladies Night
The sun was out, and the stands were packed at Meridian Speedway on Saturday, May 11, as the quarter-mile asphalt oval hosted ATS Inland Ladies Night presented by RC Willey. The Zamp NASCAR Latemodels, NASCAR Modifieds, Domino’s Legends, Idaho CDL Training Street Stocks, Trammel Construction Stingers, and Speedway Bandoleros provided a night full of spectacular short track racing as they did battle for the night’s Magic Services, Perfect Plumbing, Heating, and Air trophies.
The Zamp NASCAR Latemodels brought eleven cars to their 40-lap ATS Inland Ladies Night presented by RC Willey feature. On the break Neil Wassmuth charged to the top spot in his Neil Alan Fine Jewelry racer, but soon found himself under attack from Andrew Palmer and Melissa Weaver.
Palmer piloted his Bobby’s Transmission machine up front with Weaver’s Marv’s Tire Service, Sonic Crush entry in his tire tracks. A pair of early caution flags allowed quick-qualifier Johvan Dillon to race his way into the lead battle. Dillon hooked the inside line to pass Weaver but faced stiffer competition from Palmer.
Dillon hunted high and low for a place to make his move, but Palmer fought hard to stay in control of the race. With a dozen laps left the two leaders made contact in turn four, which allowed Weaver to grab the high line and rocket to the top spot. But Palmer battled back, and for a handful of laps Weaver and Palmer raced door-to-door for the lead.
The race was decided as the leaders roared into a swarm of lapped traffic. Weaver navigated her way through the knot of cars best to take the lead outright, while Palmer was hemmed in by a back marker and Dillon found himself spun into the infield.
Weaver won the race’s final restart and pulled ahead of point leader Daniel Johnson to take sole possession of the top spot. This dropped Johnson into the clutches of Palmer, who surged into the runner-up spot. But Palmer had nothing for Weaver, who scored the most popular victory of ATS Inland Ladies Night presented by RC Willey.
NASCAR Modified points leader Brendon Fries tallied his second feature victory Saturday night at the wheel of his ATS Inland, Guild Mortgage modified. Josh Jackson finished in the runner-up spot, followed by Rusty Houpt, Nick Durbin, and Caity Miller.
Austin Murphy and Courtney Weller dueled wheel-to-wheel for the Domino’s Legends win Saturday. Murphy put his Phoenix Fire Games, Bryant Ideas machine up front for good with a wild three-wide pass in lapped traffic. Defending division champion Leon Tridle III crossed the finish line second ahead of Weller, Canyon Ashley, and Dylan Wardle.
Kendra Occhipinti and Scott Groom battled hard to take home the night’s Idaho CDL Training Street Stock victory. Occhipinti put her Marv’s Tire Service, Sonic Crush machine up front early, but Groom’s Specialty Stainless Installations, BBG Racing mount was strong, and the Nampa, Idaho racer motored to the top spot at the race’s halfway point. Andrew Palmer wheeled his Bobby’s Transmission racer to Groom’s rear bumper but didn’t have enough to take the lead from Groom, who sped across the line to collect the night’s Magic Services, Perfect Plumbing, Heating, and Air trophy first. Occhipinti came home third.
Makayla Trafford outdueled Trammel Construction Stinger rival Ryat Gorringe to park her machine in the Caleb’s Chop Shop Winner’s Circle.
Bristol Monroe turned in the most dominating performance of ATS Inland Ladies Night presented by RC Willey as she lapped the Speedway Bandolero field in her Torch Towing, Wood Shapes, Inc. entry on the way to the victory.
The action continues this Saturday night, May 18, at Meridian Speedway with the Project Filter Twin 25’s. The hard-charging NASCAR Trucks return to the quarter-mile, alongside the Boise Bath and Kitchen Company Mini Stocks, Speedway Midgets, Idaho Asphalt Services Hornets, and Firehouse Pub and Grill Bombers. General admission to a full night of racing thrills is just $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and military members, $8 for kids 7-11, and free for kids 6 and under. Gates open at 4:45 p.m. Saturday with racing at 6:30 p.m. Purchase your advance tickets now at www.meridianspeedway.com and text ‘meridianspeed’ to 84483 to receive exclusive updates from our text club. We’ll see you under the big, yellow water tower this Saturday, May 18, for the Project Filter Twin 25’s at your NASCAR Home Track, Meridian Speedway.
Submitted By: Tyler Schild