Photo Credit: Allison Campbell, Kara C’s Photography
Payton Johnson, Carson McKee, Jackson Darnell Carson Kvapil and Karter Beattie scored big in Sunday’s second annual Ed Watkins Marine Weekend of Speed at Mountain Creek Speedway. The race also marked the halfway point of the season for the speedway by the creek. As temperatures were starting to rise, so was the action on the track.
Carson McKee started fourth at the drop of the green in the Cadet A-main and survived a few caution flags to take down his second win of the season over Delaney Gray, Brylon Earnhardt, Caden Outz and Hunter Morgan. Jackson Darnell, son of former NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series driver, Erik Darnell had a flawless day being the fastest qualifier, winning his heat and dominating the Beginner Box stock A-main for his very first win at Mountain Creek. Darnell was followed across the line by Will Spencer and Stetson Swink. Tanner Tucker, who took the Back Row Challenge to win an additional $300 rose as high as second until fading. He finished fourth with Nolan Fohr, fifth.
Payton Johnson made the momentum work at exactly the right moment to win the Box Stock A-main. Race leader, Gavin Marlin and Jayden Cordell made contact fighting for the lead with a lap and a half to go breaking their momentum allowing Johnson to go from third to first. Cordell was second with Marlin, third. Zoey Smith and Chase DeMarco rounded out the top five. Karter Beattie was the winner in the Intermediate division over Owin Halpain.
Carson Kvapil started on the outside pole and ran the high side for twenty laps to win the Yamaha 450 Outlaw A-main. Fast qualifier, Michael Hubert chipped away at Kvapil’s but not even a late race caution could keep Kvapil from victory lane. Hubert was second with Dylan Beard, third. Tyler Conover and Sam Miller completed the top five.
The next race for outlaw karts will be July, 10th. When the track isn’t racing, it’s busy Monday through Friday with testing and practice sessions for everything from flat karts to national midgets. The track will also be available for testing and practice days throughout the year. Those wishing to reserve rental or testing days can contact Jason Queen at (828)413-6890 for details and availability.