After a rainout last night and some people working furiously on the track today, night one of the Ryan Bard Memorial has been completed. The sport modified race featured 21 cars taking the green flag. Everything looked good until lap 2 when someone tangled with the 2nd place car of Luke McCormick. Both cars spun and triggered a 12 car pile up at the flag stand. Four cars left the track with only one of them returning (minus a lot of sheet metal). On the restart Jordan Eddleman continued to lead with McCormick in 2nd but as the cars came out of turn 2, the Brian Carey car came in contact with McCormick. McCormick spun and brought out the yellow. As it turned out, McCormick's car wasn't getting up to speed due to a throttle problem. He was done on lap 3. After that the cars managed several green flag laps but found out that being in position #1 or #2 was not lucky. Brandon Tenski was running in 2nd when mechancal woes sent him to the pits. Next, the leader, Eddleman blew a motor and caught fire which was soon extinguished. He was done. Then Shane Helton took over the top spot for one lap as something on his car broke...he was done. From lap 19 on, Brian Carey ran in front with his son, Killian Carey right behind him. Running in 3rd was Ryan Henley with Dakota Kibel 4th. In fifth was Roger Cordary. Sixth on down were: JC Yates, Dillon Terry, Darrell Cordary, Christina Gallegos, Bill Ferguson, Robert Gallegos, Rex Higgins (spun out of 5th on the last lap), 13 thru 21st were DNFs: Shane Helton, Jordan Eddleman, Brandon Tenski, Marshall Moody, Luke McCormick, Juanita Faddis, Joey Klemish, John Young and RL Henley.
The winner had a surprise as $500 was added to the top spot. Brian Carey pocketed $1000 for the win. Tomorrow night will also pay $1000 for the top spot. Nobody was injured in the crashes tonight in any of the classes.

The IMCA modified race featured drivers competing in the Border States Racing Series. Aaron Spangler of Dove Creek, Co. took the win coming off turn 4 on the final lap. Ricky Alvarado and Spangler ran the last two laps side by side until turn 4 when Alvarado went too wide and Spangler sailed on the checkers. Several crashes cost some drivers a chance at the win. Many cars lost parts off their cars creating yellow flag conditions and placing them in the back of the pack. One of which was leading at the time...Regan Tafoya. Finishing 3rd behind Spangler and Alvarado was Phoenix, Az. driver Garrett Funk. A good run by Allen Bradley put him in 4th and Regan Tafoya worked from the back to 5th. 6th on down were: Ed Mangum, Enos Ruble, Nick Herrera, Dakota Berry, Jody Cornell, Michael Higgins, Shane Devilbiss, Charlie Felker, Chase Ruble, Ryan Spangler, Derreck Rhoden, and Eddie Farley. 12th thru 19 were DNFs.

The IMCA stock car feature was the good door to door racing you would expect to see at Aztec Speedway. A familiar car and driver were in the winner's circle after a 20 lap feature. Kenny Hendershot moved up from his 10th starting position to take the win away from 2nd place finisher, Stephan Carey. Jeramey Bradley ran a super good race finishing in 3rd spot. In fourth was Danny Stevenson and fifth went to Frankie Hendershot. Sixth on down were: Traci Jennings, Larry Bradley, Richard Trujillo, Josh Turnbull, Jerald Wright, Tony Hill and Michael Farley. Four cars DNF with Ron Brewer a DNS. Earlier in a heat race, Kenny Hendershot put his car way up on two wheels in turn 4 and SAVED IT!! I believe you can check this out on YouTube. An incar camera behind the #7 caught the action.

The hobby stock feature saw Freddy Brooks win again in his double zero. Jordan Hockinhull and Paul Dorsett ran several laps side by side with Hockinhull taking 2nd and Dorsett 3rd. In 4th was Jason Dugans driving Randy Dorsett's #13. Luke Klemm was 5th, Kelly Klemm 6th and Brooklynne Kibel 7th.

The sport compacts saw a new face in the winner's circle...young Joseph Lopez. 2nd went to Austin Maxwell with 3rd going to Josh Smith in a squeaker over Ranai Toler. Michael Cody DNS.

During intermission a Dash for Cash for six sport modifieds was won by Brian Carey. He pocketed $200 for his win in this 6 lap race.

Heat race winners in the sport modifieds were: Joey Klemish, Jordan Eddleman, Rex Higgins, and Brandon Tenski. The modified heat race winners were: Regan Tafoya, Eddie Farley, and Rick Alvarado. Fast time went to Alvarado as he turned a lap in 15.976 seconds...74.362 MPH average.

Part 2 of the 7th annual Ryan Bard Memorial will be tomorrow, Sunday, at 6pm. I'll see you there.