JACKSONVILLE, NC – Aaron Layden saved his best for last in the Champ Kart portion of Saturday night’s Summer Classic at New River All-American Speedway.
After surrendering the lead to teammate Josh Eubanks in the closing laps, Layden was able to bypass him heading into turn one on the final lap to take the victory – his fourth of the season. While already locked into the playoffs, the win solidified Layden as one of the top championship threats after the division’s richest race of the season.
“I knew that [Eubanks] would get back and protect the bottom going into three and four, so if I didn’t shoot it then and take the chance, it wouldn’t happen,” Layden said. “That was good, clean racing with Josh and he pushed me, I pushed him, and we raced each other clean.”
The 20-lap race, which paid $500 to the winner, ran wire-to-wire without a caution.
Jacksonville’s Aiden McConnaughey held off Brenton Irving in a spectacular Legend Car feature to score his second career Legend Car win one year after making his first career start at the 4/10-mile track. With the victory locking him into the playoffs, McConnaughey is now ready to set his sights on the championship and a likely showdown with Carson Haislip.
“I’m confident but I’m not quite at that stage yet,” McConnaughey said in victory lane. “Brenton’s a fantastic driver. I had fun battling with him on those starts and restarts. I was a little bummed when I saw the yellow with three to go and knew I’d have to fend him off one more time. Just really fun racing him. Good vibes here tonight.”
Kevin Wrenn passed Haley Brown for the lead in the midway stages of the 25-lap Swansboro Liquidations Bomber feature and drove away from the field to score his third victory in the last four races. Hunter Brown finished in the runner-up spot while Haley Brown came in third.
Cornell Williams picked up the victory in U-CAR competition while Haiden Masterson-Thomas finished second after a physical battle with Curtis Lanier, who ended up sidelined after the two drivers made contact. Ronnie Ray “Buckshot” Jones swept in the Charger division, collecting a bounty that was placed on Tyler Chapman, while Landon Burbage scored his fourth win of the season in the Bandolero division.
New River All-American Speedway returns to action on Saturday, July 29, 2023 with the All-American Showdown featuring the USAC Eastern Midgets and Southern Ground Pounders Vintage Racing Club.
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.
Results for 7/15/2023 at New River All-American Speedway – Jacksonville, NC
Swansboro Liquidations Bombers | 25 Laps | 00:09:03.416
1. 41-Kevin Wrenn; 2. 11-Timothy Brown; 3. 5-Haley Brown; 4. 4-Chad Cunningham; 5. 77-Richard Smith; 6. 83-Robert Drum; 7. 66-Ronnie Kropp; 8. 79-Dominic Baez; 9. 97-Justin Brooks; 10. 34-Michael Withrow
Legends | 25 Laps | 00:05:10.080
1. 71-Aiden McConnaughey; 2. B1-Brenton Irving; 3. 46-Kaleb Bradley; 4. 14-Mike Ridenour; 5. 99-Carsyn Gillikin; 6. (DNF) 13-Dj Murphy
Bandoleros | 15 Laps | 00:03:40.000
1. 3-Landon Burbage; 2. 12-Eli Russell; 3. 41-Mandi Lee
Champ Kart | 20 Laps | 00:07:09.000
1. 2-Aaron Layden; 2. 28E-Josh Eubanks; 3. 28-Corey Lucas; 4. 20-Herbert Keaton; 5. 10-Ashley Keaton; 6. 01T-Jacob Tingen; 7. 13-Miles Rochelle; 8. 27-Josh Pearson; 9. 85-Jonah Lind; 10. 30-Martin Grasso; 11. 18-Keith Webb; 12. 1-Daniel Baker; 13. 7X-Tripp Dail; 14. 127-jimmie whitehurst; 15. 8-Carlton Sullivan
Chargers – Race 1 | 20 Laps | 00:06:03.000
1. 4-Ronnie Jones; 2. 41M-Michael O’Brien; 3. 51-Tyler Chapman; 4. 6-Mike Jones; 5. 71-Gator Williams; 6. 41-Austin Ferrell; 7. 18-Matthew Gurganus; 8. 13-Jacob Bradley
Chargers – Race 2 | 20 Laps | 00:06:09.185
1. 4-Ronnie Jones; 2. 41M-Michael O’Brien; 3. 51-Tyler Chapman; 4. 6-Mike Jones; 5. 71-Gator Williams; 6. 18-Matthew Gurganus; 7. 41-Austin Ferrell; 8. 13-Jacob Bradley
U-CAR | 15 Laps | 00:04:59.064
1. 03-Cornell Williams; 2. 22-Haiden masterson Thomas; 3. (DNF) 2-Curtis Lanier
