The Renegades of Dirt Modified Tour was back in action Saturday night with one of the more prestigious modified events in the region. The 8th Annual “Let It Ride 55” paying $3,555 to the winner witnessed thirty four cars sign in for racing at the Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, WV. ‘The Bullring’ was blessed with seventy degrees and sunny skies for the highly anticipated return of the Renegades of Dirt.

When racing action got underway it was a familiar face leading the way in Dickson Racing Shocks qualifying with Saxton, PA’s Michael Altobelli earning the evenings fast time, leading way to four preliminary heat races with the Renegades which were won by Nick Hoffman, Rich Michael Jr., Michael Altobelli and Rick Aukland. Last chance qualifiers were won by Carl McKinney and Kenny Johnson. Series provisionals were awarded to Bud Watson and Justin Hart.

Rick Aukland and Travis Dickson would lead the twenty four car field of the Easts biggest modified stars around the high banks of the ‘Bullring’ as the calm before the storm of a ‘wild’ Let It Ride 55. Aukland would jump out to the early lead after a caution on the first lap when Kyle Bond would spin Nick Hoffman in turn four. Hoffman for the second straight night was unable to continue due to damage received. Then heartbreak would happen for the race leader on lap #6 as Auklands machine slowed to a stop in turn number one. On the restart Michael Altobelli would grab the point over Dickson with action heating up throughout the field. Three and four wide racing would ensue behind the leader with Rich Michael, Jesse Wisecarver, Dickson, and Dennis Lunger all battling under a blanket.

Nearing the halfway mark Keystone State racer Dennis Lunger was making his hard charge to the front reeling in the 95 of Altobelli. As Lunger began applying pressure for the lead more heartbreak would happen as Lunger lost a drive shaft in turn #3 rolling his #71 to a halt. Additionally, Kenny Johnson was living up to his ‘Worth The Price Of Admission’ nickname rim riding the top to rally from 18th to 4th late in the race before tailing off after making contact with the wall to finish 8th. Following the theme more heartache almost happened when Justin Harts machine lost power and pulled toward the infield nearby the leader of Altobelli. The two made slight contact with Altobelli suffering nose damage. Thankfully for Altobelli the damage wasn’t enough to stop the Saxton, PA driver from leading the remaining laps in route to the weekend sweep.

For the eighth straight year a new winner emerged with the ‘Let It Ride 55’ as Michael Altobelli piloting the Harding owned, Dans Auto Body, Penske Racing Shocks, Hoosier Tire #95 returned to Renegades of Dirt OTP Industrial Solutions victory lane. One night after his first win on the tour Altobelli up’d the anti with a dominating performance in the ‘Let It Ride 55’ to earn his biggest career racing victory in front of another massive crowd for the Renegades of Dirt. Meanwhile, Mitch Thomas the 13 year old racer out of Oakland, MD was putting together a young career run coming home 2nd from his 10th starting spot in one of the biggest events in the East. Jesse Wisecarver, Travis Dickson, and Brayden Berry would round out the top five. Berry of West Portsmouth, OH continues his impressive run of consistent finishes with the Renegades of Dirt as a full timer for the first time in 2019 at just 16 years old.

FULL EVENT RESULTS:

SATURDAY APRIL 6TH, 2019

Tyler County Speedway

Let It Ride 55 – 34 Cars

Dickson Racing Shocks QUALIFYING

Fast Time Group A: Michael Altobelli

Fast Time Group B: Nick Hoffman

Sunoco Race Fuels HEAT #1

1) Nick Hoffman

2) Jesse Wisecarver

3) Dennis Lunger

4) Brayden Berry

5) Lance Elson

6) Carl McKinney

7) Kurt Rogers

8) Doug Carson

Arizona Sport Shirts HEAT #2

1) Rich Michael Jr

2) Travis Dickson

3) Mitch Thomas

4) Christian Thomas

5) Drake Troutman

6) Codi Brightwell

7) Scott Peltz

8) Matt Yost

Impact Race Gear HEAT #3

1) Michael Altobelli

2) Seth Daniels

3) Daniel Hill

4) Michael McGee

5) Kenny Johnson

6) Rick Hulson

7) Justin Hart

8) Pete Caplinger

9) Larry Yanero

FloRacing.TV HEAT #4

1) Rick Aukland

2) Kyle Bond

3) Chad Smith

4) Shawn Jett

5) Mark Dickson

6) Chad Roush

7) Bud Watson

8) Cody Henthorn

OTP Industrial Solutions A-Main: (30 Laps) [Points Earned]

1) Mike Altobelli – Saxton, PA – 100

2) Mitch Thomas – Oakland, MD – 98

3) Jesse Wisecarver – Zanesville, OH – 96

4) Travis Dickson – Gallipolis, OH – 94

5) Brayden Berry – West Portsmouth, OH – 92

6) Rich Michael Jr. – Ischua, NY – 90

7) Seth Daniels – Jackson, OH – 88

8) Kenny Johnson – Parkersburg, WV – 86

9) Codi Brightwell – Middlebourne, WV – 84

10) Michael McGee – Warsaw, NY – 82

11) Carl McKinney – Mars, PA – 80

12) Shawn Jett – Salem, WV – 78

13) Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 76

14) Daniel Hill – Morgantown, WV – 74

15) Justin Hart – Moundsville, WV – 70

16) Mark Dickson – Gallipolis, OH – 68

17) Dennis Lunger – Albiene, PA – 66

18) Kyle Bond – Coolville, OH – 64

19) Bud Watson – Hubbard, OH – 62

20) Chad Roush – Reedsville, OH – 60

21) Rick Aukland – Zanesville, OH – 58

22) Lance Elson – Wellsburg, WV – 56

23) Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 54

24) Chad Smith – Sardis, OH – 52

(All DNS will receive 50 points)

Next up for the Renegades of Dirt Modified Tour is an inaugural trip to a pair of Pennsylvania state race tracks. On Friday May 17th the tour visits Bedford Fairgrounds Speedway for night #1 of the Penndemonium 99 weekend paying $2,000 to win. On Saturday May 18th the tour visits Dog Hollow Speedway in Barnesboro, PA for the final night of the weekend paying $2,000 to win. Stops number four and five for the most wanted modifieds in motorsports. Michael Altobelli currently leads the Renegade of Dirt championship standings.

Saddle up and hang on as the worlds most wanted Modifieds are riding into your town! It’s time to drop the green and light the pyrotechnics for a high stakes shootout at the East’s baddest Bullrings! Our high horsepower outlaws of open wheel put it all on the line for your viewing pleasure and the lucrative title as the true, Renegade of Dirt! For more information regarding the Renegades of Dirt Modified Tour visit the Renegades of Dirt online at www.renegadesofdirt.com. You can also call Renegade Offices anytime for further information @ 304.771.5051. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rodconnect or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/renegadesofdirt.