Bryan Hulbert – FAIRBURY, Neb. (August 19, 2023) Three drivers added their names to the list of winners with the Dirt2Media National Open Wheel 600 Series presented by Hi-Plains Building Division Saturday night at Jefferson County Speedway, as Elijah Gile, Gaige Weldon, and Cale Lagroon went to Victory Lane.
Jumping to the lead from the start in A-Class, Elijah Gile held point until traffic at the race’s mid-point. Chased by Friday night’s winner, Jett Hays, the No. 11j shot to the lead on Lap 17. Looking to be on his way to a weekend sweep, mechanical issues struck on Lap 22, sidelining Hays and advancing Gile back to the top spot. Brant Woods, from tenth, ended up second, with Gaige Weldon third from ninth. Dominic White advanced seven spots to fourth, with Kaden Weger in fifth.
Chasing Jett Hays the opening 22 laps, traffic bit the No. 11j hard. Racing to the top on the first turn, Hays nearly went end over end off the right rear of Tyler Hendrickson. Able to somehow avoid catastrophe, it was just enough to cost him the lead and allow Gaige Weldon his first career NOW600 victory. Elijah Gile crossed third, with Rider McCutcheon fourth. Up eight spots, Jackson Kounkel was steady around the hub to grab fifth.
Leading laps, but never the last one, that changed for Cale Lagroon as the No. 24c led start-to-finish in the Restricted feature. Rolling up from fifth, Friday night’s winner, Hank Soares, made it to second, with Ollie Geiger up six spots to third. Braxton Weger crossed fourth, with Cash Lacombe in fifth.
Saturday’s F-Town Tooleys Showdown at Jefferson County Speedway brought 111 entries, including the Mod Lites and Sportsman divisions.
The 2023 season marks the 11th year of competition for the National Open Wheel 600 Series. Anchored by the Dirt2Media NOW600 National Championship, the NOW600 Series comprises several regional tours and sanctioned racetracks. The NOW600 National Championship features three divisions of 600cc micro sprints at each event: Stock Non-Wing, Winged A-Class, and Restricted ‘A’ Class.
Live online coverage of NOW600 National competition and select weekly and regional events can be found on http://www.dirt2media.com for $32.99 a month. Races can be viewed on all major web browsers, Smart TVs, Gaming Consoles, Fire TV, iOS app, and Chromecast.
To keep up on everything happening with the National Open Wheel 600 Series, from the National Tour to Regional and Weekly racing lineups, log onto http://www.now600series.com and make sure to follow the tour on Facebook and Twitter (@NOW600Series).
National Open Wheel 600 Series
