DEFENDING CHAMP HEADY SCORES FIRST SMART WIN OF 2023 IN HICKORY HUNDRED
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hickory, NC (April 17, 2023) - The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines domination as “supremacy or preeminence over another.” After Saturday (April 15) at Hickory Motor Speedway (NC), a picture of Caleb Heady should be posted with that definition. The Shelbyville, KY driver had supremacy over the entire 29-car field for the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic in the Hickory Hundred.
Heady, the defending series champion, led all 100-laps (Jostens Lap Leader of the Race) of the SMART Modified show at Hickory Motor Speedway to pick up his first win of the season and his third SMART Mod triumph of his career.
The victory for the driver of the Tommy Baldwin Racing 7ny comes after a string of unfortunate circumstances to open the 2023 campaign. “It sucked to have two poles before this race and not have anything to show for it,” admitted Heady in the Pace-O-Matic Victory Lane.
“We got a hundred laps led, a victory and the SMARTY trophy (presented by Bankers Life and made by Jostens) coming back to Kentucky, so we have something now.
“Tommy Baldwin Racing gave me a bad fast car and this is one of the places you want to win. To be able to check this one off my box is frickin’ awesome. Just lookin’ at this place, you can feel the history. And thinking about everyone who has won before me makes it pretty cool to get one here.”
Despite the fact that Heady led every lap, the Hickory Hundred was an exhilarating event in front of a packed house at Hickory Motor Speedway. In fact, in the final 25-laps of the race, the 20 year-old driver had to hold off 15 year-old rookie Carson Loftin for the victory.
“I gotta give it to Carson; he killed it. He had me on my toes all night,” said Heady. “I kept on looking up and I expected to see Burt or someone else behind me. I kept seeing this red car and I said ‘Oh my gosh, he’s still here with us.’ Huge props to him; they killed it tonight.”
“I thought we had a shot, but I didn’t want to win it by doing something stupid,” said the rookie Loftin, who drives the number-23 Modified. “Tommy and his guy’s do such a great job and Caleb is a wheelman. When you go to the racetrack you know you have to beat the 7ny.
“My guys gave me a real rocket ship tonight,” added Loftin, who is also the recipient of the Carolina Drilling Blast To the Front Award for being the highest finishing driver who has not yet won a Tour-Type Modified Series race. “We’ve had some tough luck so far, but hopefully we can build some momentum and get a few wins now.”
Hickory, NC (April 17, 2023) - The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines domination as “supremacy or preeminence over another.” After Saturday (April 15) at Hickory Motor Speedway (NC), a picture of Caleb Heady should be posted with that definition. The Shelbyville, KY driver had supremacy over the entire 29-car field for the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic in the Hickory Hundred.
Heady, the defending series champion, led all 100-laps (Jostens Lap Leader of the Race) of the SMART Modified show at Hickory Motor Speedway to pick up his first win of the season and his third SMART Mod triumph of his career.
The victory for the driver of the Tommy Baldwin Racing 7ny comes after a string of unfortunate circumstances to open the 2023 campaign. “It sucked to have two poles before this race and not have anything to show for it,” admitted Heady in the Pace-O-Matic Victory Lane.
“We got a hundred laps led, a victory and the SMARTY trophy (presented by Bankers Life and made by Jostens) coming back to Kentucky, so we have something now.
“Tommy Baldwin Racing gave me a bad fast car and this is one of the places you want to win. To be able to check this one off my box is frickin’ awesome. Just lookin’ at this place, you can feel the history. And thinking about everyone who has won before me makes it pretty cool to get one here.”
Despite the fact that Heady led every lap, the Hickory Hundred was an exhilarating event in front of a packed house at Hickory Motor Speedway. In fact, in the final 25-laps of the race, the 20 year-old driver had to hold off 15 year-old rookie Carson Loftin for the victory.
“I gotta give it to Carson; he killed it. He had me on my toes all night,” said Heady. “I kept on looking up and I expected to see Burt or someone else behind me. I kept seeing this red car and I said ‘Oh my gosh, he’s still here with us.’ Huge props to him; they killed it tonight.”
“I thought we had a shot, but I didn’t want to win it by doing something stupid,” said the rookie Loftin, who drives the number-23 Modified. “Tommy and his guy’s do such a great job and Caleb is a wheelman. When you go to the racetrack you know you have to beat the 7ny.
“My guys gave me a real rocket ship tonight,” added Loftin, who is also the recipient of the Carolina Drilling Blast To the Front Award for being the highest finishing driver who has not yet won a Tour-Type Modified Series race. “We’ve had some tough luck so far, but hopefully we can build some momentum and get a few wins now.”
Heady was joined in victory lane by legendary racer Dink Widenhouse and his famous B-29 Modified Coupe. Dink was one of the most successful racers at Hickory Motor Speedway in the 1950s.
Caleb Heady also won an assortment of extra awards for his performance, including being the Bell Helmets Stage Winner (at Lap 30), the Banker’s Life Halfway Leader and the MJ Printing & Graphics Fastest Lap of the Race, with a time of 14.625 on lap 57. Burt Myers continues to lead the Pace-O-Matic Point Standings. The Citrusafe Grill Cleaners number-1 Modified finished in third place, for the third time in the first four races of 2023. Myers did not lead a lap for the first time this season, but did move from his 10th place starting spot to finish on the podium in victory lane. The Pace-O-Matic Hard Charger of the Race is John Smith of Mount Airy, NC. “The Mayberry Bullet” made his first SMART start of the year count in a big way, by advancing 13 positions, from 19th to finish sixth in his Racing College of Virginia number-07nc Modified. |
Jonathan Brown, from Winston-Salem, NC, rebounded from mechanical issues in the most recent race to finish a strong fourth in the Ameri-Fast Supply number-24 car.
Ryan Newman, in the Pace-O-Matic / Aggressive Hydraulics number-39 machine, returned to SMART Tour competition to finish fifth. His Sadler/Stanley Racing teammate, Bobby Labonte, finished seventh in his Pace-O-Matic / Cookout number-18 Modified.
Rounding out the top-10 finishers were Brandon Ward (8th), Gary Putnam (9th) and Pace-O-Matic Pole Award winner at Hickory, Spencer Davis (10th).
The Pace-O-Matic Hard Luck award recipient is Jason Myers. The Walnut Cove, NC driver was in the top-10 before becoming an innocent victim of a late-race accident.
The Oval Marketing Free Tire Drawing goes to Jimmy Wallace in number-21 Tutterow Racing ride.
Next up for the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic is the Kenny Minter Classic at Franklin County Speedway in Callaway, VA on Friday, May 26. For more information, please visit fcspeedway.com.
For the full SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic schedule, plus driver profiles and other information, please visit the series website at www.smartmodtour.com, and be sure to follow the series on social media (Facebook: SMART Modified Tour| Twitter: @SMARTMods_ | IG: @smartmods_).
By Bob Dillner - Twitter: @ShortTrackLife_ Media Group
SMART Modified Tour
The SMART Modified Tour captures the essence of one of the most legendary forms of racing in America, pavement Modifieds. Born in 1988, these ground-pounding, 600-horsepower missiles are a must-see for any racing fan.
In 2020, Chris Williams brought SMART Modifieds back to prominence after a brief hiatus. Due to the overwhelming popularity from its fan base, a four-race schedule in its initial year has given birth to an adventurous 14-race schedule in 2023.
This year will mark the third full-season of SMART Modified Tour racing. Many of Modified racing’s best drivers, from all over the country, will compete with the series, which visits 13 different racetracks in three different states in the Mid-Atlantic - North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
SMART Modifieds compete on grueling asphalt oval short tracks, embedded in quaint local communities, each spring, summer and fall.
Pace-O-Matic
Pace-O-Matic develops, produces, and licenses fun and entertainment in the form of skill games in various states, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Kentucky, Illinois and Texas, among others. Since its founding in 2000, the organization has built a talented leadership team and a culture defined by integrity, innovation, and compliance. Learn more at www.paceomatic.com.
SMART Modified Tour Race #4
Official Race Results for the Hickory Hundred - 4/15/2023
Hickory Motor Speedway - Hickory, NC - 0.363 mile
Race Length: 100L - 36.3 M - 58.41 KM
Finish - Start - Car - Driver
P1 - P2 - 7NY - Caleb Heady
P2 - P5 - 23 - Carson Loftin
P3 - P10 - 1 - Burt Myers
P4 - P6 - 24 - Jonathan Brown
P5 - P4 - 39 - Ryan Newman
P6 - P19 - 07NC - John Smith
P7 - P15 - 18VA - Bobby Labonte
P8 - P13 - 2 - Brandon Ward
P9 - P20 - 77 - Gary Putnam
P10 - P29 - 29 - Spencer Davis
P11 - P3 - 02 - Joey Coulter
P12 - P16 - 48 - Jonny Kay
P13 - P9 - 15 - Brian Loftin
P14 - P12 - 4 - Jason Myers
P15 - P7 - 14 - Bobby Measmer Jr.
P16 - P1 - 11 - Michael Ritch
P17 - P18 - 18 - Daniel Yates
P18 - P24 - 07N - Riley Neal
P19 - P17 - 07VA - Dennis Holdren
P20 - P11 - 55 - Jeremy Gerstner
P21 - P23 - 12 - Cody Norman
P22 - P25 - 22 - Jason Tutterow
P23 - P14 - 5 - Tom Buzze
P24 - P8 - 25 - Tim Brown
P25 - P21 - 2PA - Jake Crum
P26 - P27 - 8NY - Wes Gilbert
P27 - P22 - 21 - Jimmy Wallace
P28 - P28 - 75 - Jason Poole
P29 - P26 - 01 - Brian Weber
Time of Race: 0h:51:58
Margin of Victory: 0.292 seconds
Lap Leaders: Heady 100
Pace-O-Matic Pole Award: Spencer Davis - 14.363 seconds
Bell Helmets Stage Winner: Caleb Heady
Jostens Lap Leader: Caleb Heady
Bankers Life Halfway Leader: Caleb Heady
Pace-O-Matic Hard Charger Award: John Smith +13 Positions
Carolina Drilling Blast to the Front: Carson Loftin
MJ Printing & Graphics Fastest Lap: Caleb Heady (14.625 - Lap 57)
Pace-O-Matic Hard Luck Award: Jason Myers
Oval Marketing Free Tire Drawing: Jimmy Wallace
Ryan Newman, in the Pace-O-Matic / Aggressive Hydraulics number-39 machine, returned to SMART Tour competition to finish fifth. His Sadler/Stanley Racing teammate, Bobby Labonte, finished seventh in his Pace-O-Matic / Cookout number-18 Modified.
Rounding out the top-10 finishers were Brandon Ward (8th), Gary Putnam (9th) and Pace-O-Matic Pole Award winner at Hickory, Spencer Davis (10th).
The Pace-O-Matic Hard Luck award recipient is Jason Myers. The Walnut Cove, NC driver was in the top-10 before becoming an innocent victim of a late-race accident.
The Oval Marketing Free Tire Drawing goes to Jimmy Wallace in number-21 Tutterow Racing ride.
Next up for the SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic is the Kenny Minter Classic at Franklin County Speedway in Callaway, VA on Friday, May 26. For more information, please visit fcspeedway.com.
For the full SMART Modified Tour powered by Pace-O-Matic schedule, plus driver profiles and other information, please visit the series website at www.smartmodtour.com, and be sure to follow the series on social media (Facebook: SMART Modified Tour| Twitter: @SMARTMods_ | IG: @smartmods_).
By Bob Dillner - Twitter: @ShortTrackLife_ Media Group
SMART Modified Tour
The SMART Modified Tour captures the essence of one of the most legendary forms of racing in America, pavement Modifieds. Born in 1988, these ground-pounding, 600-horsepower missiles are a must-see for any racing fan.
In 2020, Chris Williams brought SMART Modifieds back to prominence after a brief hiatus. Due to the overwhelming popularity from its fan base, a four-race schedule in its initial year has given birth to an adventurous 14-race schedule in 2023.
This year will mark the third full-season of SMART Modified Tour racing. Many of Modified racing’s best drivers, from all over the country, will compete with the series, which visits 13 different racetracks in three different states in the Mid-Atlantic - North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
SMART Modifieds compete on grueling asphalt oval short tracks, embedded in quaint local communities, each spring, summer and fall.
Pace-O-Matic
Pace-O-Matic develops, produces, and licenses fun and entertainment in the form of skill games in various states, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Kentucky, Illinois and Texas, among others. Since its founding in 2000, the organization has built a talented leadership team and a culture defined by integrity, innovation, and compliance. Learn more at www.paceomatic.com.
SMART Modified Tour Race #4
Official Race Results for the Hickory Hundred - 4/15/2023
Hickory Motor Speedway - Hickory, NC - 0.363 mile
Race Length: 100L - 36.3 M - 58.41 KM
Finish - Start - Car - Driver
P1 - P2 - 7NY - Caleb Heady
P2 - P5 - 23 - Carson Loftin
P3 - P10 - 1 - Burt Myers
P4 - P6 - 24 - Jonathan Brown
P5 - P4 - 39 - Ryan Newman
P6 - P19 - 07NC - John Smith
P7 - P15 - 18VA - Bobby Labonte
P8 - P13 - 2 - Brandon Ward
P9 - P20 - 77 - Gary Putnam
P10 - P29 - 29 - Spencer Davis
P11 - P3 - 02 - Joey Coulter
P12 - P16 - 48 - Jonny Kay
P13 - P9 - 15 - Brian Loftin
P14 - P12 - 4 - Jason Myers
P15 - P7 - 14 - Bobby Measmer Jr.
P16 - P1 - 11 - Michael Ritch
P17 - P18 - 18 - Daniel Yates
P18 - P24 - 07N - Riley Neal
P19 - P17 - 07VA - Dennis Holdren
P20 - P11 - 55 - Jeremy Gerstner
P21 - P23 - 12 - Cody Norman
P22 - P25 - 22 - Jason Tutterow
P23 - P14 - 5 - Tom Buzze
P24 - P8 - 25 - Tim Brown
P25 - P21 - 2PA - Jake Crum
P26 - P27 - 8NY - Wes Gilbert
P27 - P22 - 21 - Jimmy Wallace
P28 - P28 - 75 - Jason Poole
P29 - P26 - 01 - Brian Weber
Time of Race: 0h:51:58
Margin of Victory: 0.292 seconds
Lap Leaders: Heady 100
Pace-O-Matic Pole Award: Spencer Davis - 14.363 seconds
Bell Helmets Stage Winner: Caleb Heady
Jostens Lap Leader: Caleb Heady
Bankers Life Halfway Leader: Caleb Heady
Pace-O-Matic Hard Charger Award: John Smith +13 Positions
Carolina Drilling Blast to the Front: Carson Loftin
MJ Printing & Graphics Fastest Lap: Caleb Heady (14.625 - Lap 57)
Pace-O-Matic Hard Luck Award: Jason Myers
Oval Marketing Free Tire Drawing: Jimmy Wallace