By Gary Daughtrey

Special to the News-Herald

After several tantalizing near misses in the season’s first eight races, Nick Smith finally cashed in on Saturday, posting his first two victories with a sweep of the Twin 75s for the Late Model Stock Cars class, the headlining events of Langley Speedway’s weekly NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program.

Matt Waltz bagged the pole for the opener, at 91.078 mph, and paced the first nine circuits. Smith, who started fifth, advanced to the runner-up spot on Lap 7, then grabbed the top spot three laps later. Waltz stayed within striking distance of Smith for the remainder of the race, sneaking an occasional peek to the inside of the leader.

Things got physical in the last couple of circuits as Waltz tried to force his way underneath Smith. Smith held on, though, winning by a car-length over Waltz. C.E. Falk recovered from a flat tire on Lap 8 to take third, followed by Greg Edwards and Mark Wertz.

In the nightcap, Smith emerged from a mid-race tussle with Falk and motored to a convincing victory.

Smith started on the pole and led the first 27 laps with Falk in tow. On Lap 28, one lap after a restart, Falk pushed his machine to the front for the first time. Smith shadowed Falk until Lap 37 when he ducked under the No. 40 machine in Turn 4, retaking the lead on the next circuit.

By the finish, Smith had extended his winning margin to a full straightaway over Falk, who nipped Waltz by a couple feet for second. Dude Gibbs and Jeff Oakley were third and fourth, respectively in the final running order.

Connor Hall notched his fourth straight victory in the 25-lap INEX Legends race, scuffling past Spencer Saunders to take the lead for good on Lap 19. Saunders spun and dropped to fourth in the exchange, but rebounded to take second.

Steve Keesee and Chris Hildebrand were third and fourth. Tommy Jackson Jr. was fifth to the line, but failed to clear the post-race inspection. Joe White moved up to fifth in the official rundown.