JACKSONVILLE, NC – Aiden McConnaughey scored his first career victory during an entertaining Spring Duel at New River All-American Speedway on Saturday night.
McConnaughey, 17, from Jacksonville, North Carolina, started his racing career last summer at New River in a Legend Car and quickly picked up speed throughout the season, scoring multiple podium finishes. During Saturday’s Legends feature, McConnaughey was able to storm past Phoenyx Kimball with just five laps remaining to take the lead and the win.
“I can’t even begin to put into words how it feels, man,” McConnaughey said in victory lane. “We needed this one. Willie Ridenhour from Three Sixteen Motorsports does everything to bring us a bad fast race car every week. I’ve thrown it away the past couple races, tore up two really good race cars. We needed this one and I can’t thank my family and friends enough. This is crazy.”
Kimball, 15, from Raleigh, North Carolina, led most of the race but ended up settling for a runner-up finish, her best career result in a Legend Car – a discipline she has grasped quickly with three podiums at New River in the division.
“As the races go on, I get better and better,” Kimball said. “Led every lap until about three laps to go and my arms gave out a little bit. I’d like to thank my team, sponsors, and fans.”
Chris Burns finished in third place in the Legend Car. Burns, however, would go on to sweep in the Super Truck division.
“Great truck man,” Burns stated. “Thing was on a rail there pretty good. I really wish this truck class would take off here. Awesome racecars. Wish these guys would come and put on a show for the fans but we try to do what we can with what we’ve got.”
Kinston, North Carolina driver Gator Williams scored his first New River All-American Speedway victory, and his second career win, in the Charger division on Saturday, holding off a challenge from Tyler Chapman and, later, Mike Jones.
“This feels just as good as the first win,” Williams said. “I don’t know what happened to Tyler. I was enjoying that run. I hate to see that he spun. I don’t know what happened there but I’m glad to see him back on the podium. Good race.”
Chapman had been running in second when he spun coming out of turn two after having to check up to avoid running into Williams, who is a teammate out of the Wendell Davis stable. Chapman would go on to win the second feature race.
In other divisions: Delaney Gray drove from worst to first to win in the Bandolero feature; Defending Grand National Super Series champion A.J. Henriksen swept the series’ doubleheader; Andrew Jackson took home the victory in the Bomber division, and Corey Lucas held off a late charge from Josh Eubanks to win in Champ Kart competition.
New River All-American Speedway returns to action on Saturday, April 15 with a Late Model doubleheader, plus Mini Cups, Bombers, Champ Karts, and Mini Stocks.
New River All-American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about New River All-American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “New River Speedway” on Facebook, follow @newriverswy on Twitter, or follow the track on Instagram.
