By Gary Daughtrey

Special to the News-Herald

Greg Edwards kicked off the defense of his track title in rousing style, scoring a dominating victory in the 100-lap late-model stock cars race, the featured event of Saturday’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program at Langley Speedway.

Tommy Lemons Jr. was the pole-sitter for his first Langley appearance, at 89.722 mph. Edwards lined up on the outside of Row 1.

The first two tries at a start went awry and on the third attempt, Edwards quickly grabbed the upper hand on Lemons and hauled the field into Turn 1. Lemons’ promising Langley debut came to an abrupt halt on Lap 8, when Justin S. Carroll lost an engine and oiled down Turns 3 and 4. Lemons got caught up in the fluid and plastered the wall in Turn 3.
After an extended red-flag period for cleanup, the race resumed with Edwards and Nick Smith in the top two spots. Back under green, Edwards began to ease away, while Tyler Hughes moved up to challenge Smith for second. Hughes grabbed the position on Lap 12.

The remainder of the event was caution-free and by the finish, Edwards’ winning margin had swelled to better than a full straightaway over Hughes.

Michael Hardin bypassed Smith on lap 89 and came home third. Smith and Connor Hall were fourth and fifth, respectively.