Alex Yontz Wins $10,000 at Rusty Harpe Memorial Firecracker 200

Alex Yontz has had some good memories this season at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, North Carolina.  In May, Yontz won the Late Model Stock race just days after his older brother Donald passed away.  His return trip to Caraway on Wednesday, July 1st, found him going from the rear of the field to the winner’s circle in the Rusty Harpe Memorial Firecracker 200.

“It was an awesome feeling to win the race,” said Yontz.  “Rusty was friend to all us Late Model drivers and it was cool to win something like this. The race was stopped a bit for rain and when we did get back on the track, my car was better then it was before.  I took the lead with 15 to go and we went on to win.”

Yontz started shotgun on the field after it was found that his car was too low in qualifying.  This is not the first time that the car Yontz was driving has had a tech issue at Caraway as a victory was taken from him earlier in the season.  Therefore, when Yontz won the race, officials told him to go right to tech.  He was told to get out of the car, where a law enforcement officer patted him down looking for traction control, which they did not find.

“We have some really good equipment that we are driving with William Barber this year,” said Yontz.  “After the race they wouldn’t let anyone within six feet of the car.  They searched the car and me. They were looking all over. I had to take my shoes off and everything.”

After a few minutes, the track officials did discover something in Yontz’s pocket. 

“They asked if I had anything in my pockets and I said yeah,” laughed Yontz.  “I took out the bible verse that my mom had given me before the race. I gave it to him and let him read it right in front of everyone.”

Yontz stayed positive about the situation as officials took sheet metal off the car and continued to look for something that would prove to be illegal.   In the end, Yontz had his trademark smile on his face along with the trophy from Caraway, along with $10,000.

Yontz will be back at Caraway Speedway on Saturday, July 18th, for another 200 lap Late Model Stock event.

Alex Yontz in the 98. (Late Model Digest Photo)