RPW Exclusive: TJ Smith Takes Hustling The Highway Series Stop At Thunder Mountain
Column By: JOSEPH PHILLIPS / RPW – CENTER LISLE, NY – This past Saturday night saw the first race of the 2025 Hustle the Highway Series as it kicked off at Thunder Mountain Speedway and the racers put on a hell of a show for all in attendance.
This series, like others, was delayed numerous times by the incessant rain that has dominated the northeast weather.
Nearly 30 600cc Modifieds (29 to be exact) took the green for the feature. In contrast to the DIRTcar Sportsman main event on Saturday, the race moved along with very few cautions. Many were due to cars having mechanical issues.
A couple of cars did break down on the infield and the caution was thrown to safely move them off the racing surface as they weren’t completely out of harms way.
The Thunder Mountain racing surface was smooth but went dry slick for feature time. Many of the drivers tried various grooves but returned to the bottom quickly.
The winner in the 20-lap feature was TJ Smith.
“Thats the name of the game here,” Smith said. “The closest to the tires (on the lower groove in infield) wins.”
The next race for the series will take place at Brookfield Speedway in Brookfield NY on Sunday, May 25th. The officials at the Madison County Fairgrounds facility have done an extensive track remodel and the series race should be excellent there.
Notes…
Friday, April 18th’s 600cc Mod winner, Ali Scutt, was on hand. Scutt mentioned that she had to thank her Mom and Dad for all they do to allow her to race. The 2025 season is her eighth year racing 600cc’s and she’s not sure if she will stay in this class or look for opportunities to move up.
Scutt’s lucky streak ended on this night as she experienced mechanical issues in her heat race and failed to finish. She did start the feature, however, tagging on at the back, trying to gain some points, before dropping out and finishing 27th.
First-year driver, actually first time ever driver, Marty Eaves was on hand for his maiden voyage and he was pleased with the night.
“I’d never even driven a race car before,” Eaves said. “I drove this one around the yard when I bought it but didn’t get it out of first gear.”
Eaves finished 24 out of the 28 starters. For a ‘true’ rookie, that’s pretty good.
Also getting his first start was Liam Zacharias in the #71 Speed And Design car. The young Zacharias was the only starter for the rookie heat race and ran consistent and smooth laps.
In the feature , Liam was also consistent and started dicing with the other cars. Though he dropped out of the event in the later stages, he should certainly be proud of his efforts.
Incidentally, Liam’s the son of long-time Modified racer Jimmy Zacharias. The color scheme on his 600cc Modified is modeled after his dad’s and sure is a looker.
Series founder Doug Windhausen was racing this night, primarily for home track points, and came home with a fine runner-up spot. At the other Hustle events, he has no plans on racing so he can concentrate on tech and officiating.
The Hustle the Highway series opener for 2025 was an all-around great day. The weather was sunny and the crowds were huge. Best of all , the competition was amazing.
For affordable racing, the 600cc Modifieds certainly deserve a traveling series like Hustle the Highway!
HUSTLE THE HIGHWAY SERIES 600 MODIFIEDS (20-LAPS): 1 TJ Smith 2 Doug Windhausen 3 Jame Randall 4 Jake Waibel 5 Tom Donahue 6 Anthony Desimone 7 Tommy Paige 8 Tyler Talada 9 Bumps Scutt 10 Owen Mossow 11 Harold Oliver 12 Charles Lohmeyer 13 Dustin Jordan 14 Ajay Tuttle 15 Sam Hubbard 16 Cameron Searls 17 John Hoover 18 Leon Poirier 19 Chelsie Beebe 20 Logan Ladue 21 Kyle Percy 22 James Deisz 23 Nick Johnson 24 Marty Eaves 25 Liam Zacharias 26 Adam Doll 27 Ali Scutt 28 Brenden Johnson 29 Justin Ladue DNS Casey Doll
