What A Show! Loney Wins UMP Modifieds; Woodard and Conover Split Eldora Stock Races

Nathon Loney won the UMP Modified race, while Earnie Woodard and Jordan Conover split the Eldora Stock Car events on an evening that saw some fantastic racing on Aaron’s Family Fireworks Night at Eldora Speedway.

Cars were three and four wide for most of the night that kept the large crowd on their feet at the historic half-mile clay oval.

Woodard, from Georgetown, Kentucky, moved past early leader Jeremey Creech with six laps to go and went on the win the first A-Feature of the Eldora Stock cars. Despite a late restart with two laps to go, he held on for the victory.

It was his first victory at Eldora since 2011.

“I was looking at the trophies this morning and it’s been five years and a week since I won here,” said Woodard. “We built a new car and this is my fifth or sixth time in it. The engine was great, too. The car feels good.”

Paul Pardo, from New Paris, Ohio, finished second after starting eighth. Conover was third, while Rob Trent and Creech rounded out the top-five. Conover and Trent are from the state of Ohio, while Creech hails from Richmond, Indiana.

In the second A-Main, the lead lap cars were inverted, which meant Woodard started 18th in the 24 car field. And the start was crazy as Eddie Shaner, who started ninth, took the lead at the end of the second lap as the faster cars attempted to make their way to the front. Several cars went four abreast to gain position.

Andy Goode, from Greenville, Ohio, then took the lead midway, but was passed by Conover who started back in 16th. With three laps to go, Conover, Frank Paladino and Donnie Jeschke were three wide all going for the lead.

But Conover was able to hold them off as Paladino, who started 12th, finished second, while Jeschke finished third. Chris Douglas, from Lima Ohio, was fourth, while Trent was fifth.

It was Conover’s first ever win at Eldora.

“I can’t believe it right now,” said Conover. “It’s been a goal for four years to be on this stage. We’ve had bad luck and then worse luck. We have a new car and in our third race, we’re up here now. I kept one eye behind me and one eye ten cars ahead of me and we were able to get it done.”

The biggest wreck of the night occurred midway through the race and involved Jeff Matheny, Jarrod Klay and Pardo as they all collided on the backstretch. All were uninjured.

Loney started second in the UMP Modified A-Main and battling Brian Post side-by-side most of the way to secure the win. Loney, from Danville, Ohio, scored his first win at Eldora Speedway.

“It’s crazy man,” Loney said. “It’s every man’s dream to win here and it happened. I’ve only been racing seven years now and now I can quit racing. I’m happy.”

Post, from Spencerville, Ohio was second, while Pennsylvania’s Jonathan Taylor was third after starting ninth.  Zach Schroeder, from Leipsic, Ohio, was fourth, while Jeff Koz, who started 17th, finished fifth.

The night ended with the largest fireworks show in Eldora history, which received an enthusiastic ovation from the large crowd on hand.

The racing continues on Sunday, May 29 with the Miller Lite presents the Johnny Appleseed Classic, featuring the Sunoco American Late Models, NRA Sprint Invaders, DIRTcar UMP Modifieds & Eldora Stocks.

The gates open at 3:30 p.m. (EDT) with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, at www.eldoraspeedway.com or by calling (937) 338-3815.

Eldora Speedway PR