PELETIER, NC - The start of the 2024 Racing Season at Carteret Speedway kicked off Saturday, April 6th with the Jump Start 2024 presented by The Islander Hotel & Resort. A fantastic crowd was greeted by sunny but slightly breezy conditions. The Pre-Race festivities got underway with NC LT Governor and candidate for Governor, Mark Robinson giving the invocation and speaking to the crowd about his love for NC. The Knights of Solomon Traveling Mason Lodge, The American Post 46 from Morehead City and the Veterans Coalition of the Crystal Coast presented the flag and Mrs. Dolly Witt provided the National Anthem. Once the ceremonies concluded & the track cleared, it was time to Go Racin’!
In the first event of the day, Gator Williams won a Charger/Street Stock combo race. Tyler Smith was the Street Stock winner and Curtis Lanier finished 3rd.
In the first of two Mini Stock events, Zac Reimer edged out Travis Miller to take the win. Landon Strickland in his first Mini Stock race had a great showing and rounded out the top three.
Next up the Mini Cups took to the track and Michael Bivens picked up where he left off in 2023 with a victory. Michael’s buddy, Keagan Abrams was second and third was Ms. Dee Dee White who had a fabulous night.
Scotty Benford had a dominant 2023 racing season and that continued into the 2024 season as he defeated Shane Irving, who was back behind the wheel after some time off. Third place went to Austin Eckert, who was running his first race at Carteret Speedway. The race was marred by one accident of note as Ferrari George hit the inside wall while battling for second. Fortunately, George was fine, but the car took on some substantial damage after hitting the inside wall before turn one.
In the first of two Bomber features, Hunter Brown showed that his sister wasn’t the only one in the family with racin’ talent as he took the win over Charlie Mercer and very excited Justin Roundtree.
In the second Mini Stock feature, Travis Miller was able to hold off a hard chargin’ Trace Raynor and there was another impressive performance by Landon Strickland who came in third.
The U Car race was won by a very busy Curtis Lanier who actually raced in three divisions over the day. In her first race in a U Car, Haley Brown finished a close second and Logan McCallister rounded out the podium in third.
The Legends came back for race two and again it was all Scotty B., who took the win over Brenton Irving and Austin Eckert finished third.
To conclude the night of racing, it was the Bombers! Again it was Hunter Brown who found his way to victory lane, second was Charlie Mercer and third was Brady Price.
Next race will be Saturday, April the 20th, for a 5pm green flag as John the Greek Restaurant Equipment & Bogue Sound Distillery present the Spring Showdown. Fan Gates open at 3pm, Driver Meet n’ Greet is at 4pm and Green Flag drops at 5pm. Advance tickets and all the details can be found at carteretspeedway.com!