5/18/2025
Lake View Motor Speedway
Batten Bests Field in JD Pridgen Memorial At Lake View
LAKE VIEW, SC (May 17) – Rocky Mount, NC’s Michael Batten held off a determined Shaun Harrel to win Saturday night’s JD Pridgen Memorial Late Model race at Lake View Motor Speedway.
In qualifying, Batten just edged out Michael Marlowe to win the pole position with a lap of 17.046 second. At the start, Batten gained the advantage over Marlowe and Steve Blackburn. The first caution of the race waved on lap six for a spin by Chance Mincey in turn four. Marlowe was able to keep pace with Batten following the restart but would fall out of contention when his car went up in smoke with a mechanical problem on lap 13. Defending track champion Shaun Harrell methodically closed the gap on Batten in the waning laps but would fall short at the finish line by a car length. Following them to the checkered flag were Colton Stanley, Blackburn, and Johnny Pridgen. Rounding out the top 10 were Raymond Brown, Steven Thompkins, Mincey, Marlowe, and Case Daniels.
JJ Williams led a strong field of Northeast Sportsman Modifieds from the drop of the green flag to the checkered flag for his first career victory. The race was slowed on lap 14 for a spin on the backstretch by Terry Knoblock. On the restart, Mike Bowman tried to thread the needle between Williams and Zack Cox. Bowman and Cox made contact sending Bowman spinning right into the path of fast qualifier, Jeff Tiley. Following Williams to the checkered were Cox, Kyle Whitney, Bowman, and Tim Clemons.
Terry Caples grabbed the lead at the start from pole sitter, Robbie Turner, and was never headed as he took his second Heritage Signs Street Stock win of the season. The action started early when Ryan Touchberry, Joey Wilkes, and Mikey Coursey entered the third turn going three abreast. All three spun and collected Josh Herring. The final caution of the race waved on lap six for a solo spin by Kyle Rowell exiting turn four. Following Caples and Turner at the finish were Cameron Norris, IV, Mike Manes, and Touchberry.
Michael Butler led flag-to flag as he fended off challenges from Chucky Nicholson and Jason Floyd to score his second Fred’s Tire & Auto Stock V8 win of the year. Rookie Justin Parker struggled throughout the race being collected in two spins not of his own making. Parker spun on lap 11 in turn two after contact from Chip Fenoff. Then, was collected again two laps later when Chris Gerald spun in turn four. Following the trio of Butler, Floyd, and Nicholson to the finish line were Fenoff and Boo Hickman.
Ryan Shabram prevailed in a spirited race for his first INEX Legends win of the year at Lake View. Tristan Stephenson pressured Shabram throughout the race with both spinning in turn two with nine laps to go. Jeremiyah Bowling assumed the lead at that point but would fall out of the race with a broken driveshaft with three laps to go. Shabram held off Stephenson for the win over Josh Sanoske, Chad Groves, and Austin Neighbors.
Christopher Baker made his first Lake View start count, leading every lap for the Crown Vic win over AJ Huffman, Eugene Vaughn, Richard Seals, and Sean Coombs.
The Bell & Bell Vintage Modifieds put on one of the best races of the night with Nathan Swann taking the overall win over Wes Horrell and Michael Fulwood.
The next event at Lake View Motor Speedway will be Pop Hahn’s Open Wheel Madness on Saturday night, June 14th. The Carolina Sprint Tour will be in action, along with Northeast Sportsman Modifieds, 602 Modifieds, American Racer 525 Modifieds, INEX Legends, Carolina Mod Lites, and the Juicebox Racers. For more information, please “Like” Lake View Motor Speedway on Facebook, follow @LakeViewDirt on X or by visiting lakeviewmotorspeedway.com.
Submitted By: Lisa Clemons
