Williams Picks Up First AAS Victory Since 2019 in Wartburg Battle
Twenty-nine cars signed in for AAS competition in All-Star Wars at Wartburg Speedway. The biggest field of competitors we've ever had on hand for our yearly Wartburg event. As always the track was in perfect shape for an excellent race.
The Groom-To-Be Zach Sise set a stellar fast time at a 13.161 picking up the award from BHR Fabrication. Drew Kennedy took the second fastest time a 13.202 and Hayden Cardwell went third overall as the last car on the track with a time of 13.220. Brandon Williams would grab the fourth fastest time of the evening at a 13.245 and the always consistent Booger Brooks went fifth fastest at a time of 13.280.
The Race Track Connection Dash was one for the ages. Drew Kennedy would win handily, but the rest of the competitors in the dash traded sliders through the whole event. Zach Sise would cross the line second with Brandon Williams taking third. Dirt2Media Heat Race One would be won by Jesse Lowe over points leader Josh Dietz and Brandon Miller. Outside Groove Heat Two produced a side-by-side battle for the lead all the way through with pole sitter Bradley Lewelling leading all but the last lap as Jason Cardwell would pass him for the win and Lewelling would cross second with Greg Martin taking third. The other Sise brother, Trevor would have a solid FMS Rapid Graphix Heat Three as he took the victory over Sylvan Schuette and Seth Wimpey.
With the field set except the ATC Bolts and Fasteners B-Main, it was the final preliminary event of the night. William Blankenship ran away and hid in the event to become the night's B-Main Bolt Bandit. Austin Breedlove would have a strong run to finish second with the Tennessee Tornado Brodie Sharp finishing third.
With the field set for All-Star Wars, Drew Kennedy took off early and looked like he was going to be hard to guard. Until about lap ten he was out front and that's when Brandon Williams started running him down and by lap fifteen he was there. On lap twenty of the night Brandon would take the lead. Drew continued hot in pursuit. In the meantime as they were catching lapped traffic Hayden Cardwell found the outside and was launching himself of the corners, like something you'd see in a video game! He fought his way up to third in this process before he got a little to high, rode the wall a touch, and landed only losing one spot. After one lap he went back up to the top to continue the chase. While working the lapped car of Chesney while Kennedy was running second, Chesney would go around and bring out the caution. This bunched everyone back up to give them a run at Williams. Even after a couple more cautions, Brandon would not be denied and took the win, his first on the tour since 2019 and is now within one point of the points lead! Jason Cardwell, showed home track advantage as he ran to a second place finish. Mr. Consistent Booger Brooks took third with Drew Kennedy finishing fourth. Hayden Cardwell would end up fifth after his wild wall ride and Greg Martin took sixth in his first start with the series of 2023. Zach Sise, Seth Wimpey, Philip Thompson, and Jesse Lowe would round out the top ten.
We'd like to thank Raymond and Libby Shepard, as well as, the whole Wartburg crew for the great hospitality! We'd also like to thank all the racers, teams, and fans for coming out and supporting the event!
We'd also like to thank all the partners who make it possible: Dirt2Media, PPM Racing Products, Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet, Chevrolet Performance: Vehicles, Parts, Racing, Pro Fabrication "Official Header of the AAS," Mahle, Super Clean "Official Cleaner of the AAS," Outside Groove, FMS Rapid Graphix, Race Track Connection, Beckley Motor Speedway, O'Reilly Auto Parts "Official Auto Parts Store of the AAS," Smash-It by BWR, American Racer, Wieland "Official Aluminum of the AAS," BHR Fabrication and Double Nickle Race Cars, Fast Lane Fabrication, Warrior Race Cars, WV Fireworks Outlet, TNT Race Cars, KRC Power Steering, Peeping Dragon Photography, Terror Race Cars, ATC Bolts and Fasteners, PopBit, MD3, Hyperco, and Fast Fab.