Dominion Raceway in Thornburg opened its season Saturday night with seven divisions in action but only two of those divisions saw last years points champion return to defend their title.
Doug Barnes took the checkered flag in the Geico of Fredericksburg Late Model class after starting fourth. John Goin took the early lead from pole sitter Cole Bruce, but after a few cautions, Barnes was able to put his machine out front after 27 laps and was never challenged after that. Conner Jones came home second and Goin third.
The Trucking Thunder Virginia Racer Late models had several new drivers in the class and will probably have a new champion as last years points winner, Zack Lightfoot, has moved on to run Late models full time elsewhere. Ryan Matthews, in his first race in the class, started fourth and took the checkered flag to win the feature and put himself in the early points lead. Richard Storm got caught up in an incident early, but was able to battle back for a second place finish and new comer to the class Mike Ganoe came home third.
The Alcova Mortgage Dominion Stocks was one of two classes that saw the returning points champion, Gary Burke, start the defense of his title. Burke started on the pole for the feature but ended up going to the back midway through and was able to battle back for a fourth place finish. Dan Rogers got his first win of the year with Richard Powers coming home second and fastest qualifier Bobby Curtis came home Third.
The Alcova Mortgage Modified class will have a different look to it this yeae as Chris and Jimmy Humblet, winners of four of the last five championships, will not be back this year on a regular basis leaving the door open for a new champion. Adam Medek put himself in victory lane to start the 2021 modified campaign. Mike Rudy, last years runner up to C. Hublet, came home second and Eric Fowlkes, the only driver to win the points race not named Hubmlet, rounded out the top three.
Alex Ayers stated his title defense in the Alcova Mortgage Any Car division with a victory. Ayers beat out Cameron Ruggles last year by a mere four points to take the championship. Ruggles came home fourth Saturday night with Michael Frayser coming home second and Dustin Cosby third.
Two other division in action Saturday night were the Absolutely Amish Structures Any Car division that saw C.J Terczak, a rookie in the division, get his first win in the four cylinder class and Cam Hensley picked up the win in the eight cylinder class. Johnny Shonk held off Tyler Warriner to win the Mini Cup Feature
Saturday the 10th will see twin 60 lap features for the Geico of Fredericksburg Late Model division, 30 laps for the Dominion Stocks, 25 each for the UCARS and INEX Legends, 20 laps for the Any Cars, and 15 for the INEX bandos. Gates open at 5 and racing begin at 7 pm.
