By Gary Daughtrey

Special to the News-Herald

In his final tune-up before the July 26 Hampton Heat 200, Matt Waltz notched his seventh and eighth wins by sweeping the twin 75s in the late-model stock cars class, the featured events of Saturday evening’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program at Langley Speedway.

Waltz was the pole-sitter for the opener, at 89.266 mph, but he gave way to Greg Edwards on the start. Edwards led the first 58 circuits. On lap 59, Waltz took the lead with an outside pass and then survived a late restart on the way to the win.

At the finish, Waltz won by four lengths over Edwards. Langley newcomer Garrett Campbell was third, followed by Matt Bowling and Brenden “Butterbean” Queen.

By virtue of his win in the first race, Waltz earned the pole position for the nightcap. Buoyed by his success on the high side, he chose the outside lane for the start. As the second race got under way, Waltz powered ahead of Edwards off Turn 2 to take the lead.

Edwards kept it close for the first half of the event, occasionally poking a fender to the inside of the leader. Waltz remained committed to the high lane, though, and gradually began to ease away, while Edwards slipped into a second-place tussle with Campbell.

By the end of the caution-free run, Waltz had extended his winning margin to almost a full straightaway over Edwards. Campbell posted his second third-place outing of the night, followed by Bowling and Tyler Ankrum.

On July 26, these late-model stock cars competitors will be joined by a number of drivers from other tracks around the state for the annual “Hampton Heat 200,” which pays the winner $10,000. Thirty or more entries are expected.

Hampton Heat is the second event in the “Virginia Triple Crown” along with special events at South Boston Speedway and Martinsville Speedway. The finisher with the highest points total from the three events will win $5,000, to be awarded at the season-ending “Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 300” at Martinsville Speedway in October.