Nevada Speedway opens 55th season with a bang, father-son duo fly the checkers

Brayton Skaggs (second, from left) and friends are all smiles in victory lane Saturday night.

Submitted photo

Local race fans were delighted to witness an action-packed night of racing Saturday, as Historic Nevada Speedway kicked off its 55th season with a bang.

A grand total of 60 racers across seven divisions showcased their skills under the bright lights, with the ultimate goal of flying the checkers.

Fort Scott, Kansas natives Rusty and Brayton Skaggs stole the show, with the father-son duo blazing to first-place finishes in the Midwest and A-mod divisions.

Flanked by family and friends, Rusty Skaggs celebrates his A-Mod triumph in victory lane.

Submitted photo

Mini Stocks

Two drivers comprised the field in the Mini Stock division. This, however, did little stop Sheldon’s Mike Baxter and the high-profile Andy Claiborne from putting on a show.

Baxter, representing Vernon County, emerged victorious from the rugged side-by-side battle.

Pure Stocks

Nevada’s Matthew Hendren seized an early lead in the Pure Stock feature, and never looked back en route to a familiar place — victory lane.

John Shaver netted his best career finish, as the Lamar product placed runner-up to Hendren.

Meanwhile, Norman Mackey of Fort Scott, zoomed into third. In his battle with Mackey for the top three position, Nevada’s Raymond Estes was relegated to fourth.

Fellow Nevadan Jerry Wheeler rounded out the feature event with a respectable top five finish.

Street Stocks

The Street Stock division first-place hardware is headed south on Interstate 49, after being collected by Joplin’s John Coats.

Coats worked hard for the victory, holding off Shawn Hendren. The hometown Hendren still sparkled, cruising into the runner-up spot.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Willard of Pleasanton, Kansas, opened the season with a solid third-place showing. Coasting into fourth-place, was Tyler Roberts, while Osawatomite’s Billy Shadden notched a season-opening top five finish.

Midwest Mods

Making his debt appearance in the always exciting Midwest Mod division, Brayton Skaggs would go on to fly the checkers.

In a fierce battle for runner-up, Liberal’s Broc Rose edged past Devin Crockett to secure the second-place photo finish.

After Crockett in the third position, Nevada’s Steve Arduser maneuvered up several spots from his original starting position, for a fourth-place finish. Another local driver, Billy Schlobohm, sped into fifth-place.

B-Mods

Although, he didn’t conclude the 2017 season with the highest total of first-place victories, defending track champion Matt Rose picked up right where he left off last season, as the Liberal native once again conquered the dirt oval.

After Rose, Fort Scott’s Jerry Morgan slid into second, while Adrian’s Alan Ferguson was forced to settle for third.

Ethan Lamons of Savonburg move up in the field to net the fourth-place finish, while Justin Amick of Osceola, placed fifth.

A-Mods

Shortly after his son, Brayton, captured the Midwest Mod feature, Fort Scotian Rusty Skaggs also went on to park his ride in victory.

Skaggs skillful driving enabled him to navigate the field, as he held off Nevada’s Jon Sheets to fly the checkers.

Sheets, who slotted into runner-up, was trailed by Joplin’s Kyle Thomson (third-place); Lucas Dobbs of El Dorado Springs (fourth-place); and Chanute’s Paden Phillips (fifth).

Late Models

The taste of victory lane was sweet for Craig “Woody” Wood, as the speedster claimed his first career Late Model feature victory.

Steven Francis Jr. captured the runner-up finish, while Frontenac’s Mike Bitner took third; and Dale Douty, fourth.

— UP NEXT —

Racing action returns to Nevada Speedway on Saturday, with the green flag dropping at 7 p.m. sharp.

Note: Nevada Speedway affiliate Jerry Davis contributed to this report.