RPW Exclusive: Rain Halts Rockfish Speedway, Sweatman Sweeps Despite Washout
Column By: CHARLES WISLER / RPW – RAEFORD, NC – Saturday night at Rockfish Speedway saw a promising evening of dirt track racing cut short by persistent rain, yet not before some exciting finishes. Despite another great car count, Mother Nature ultimately forced officials to call the night early.
The evening featured Round 2 for the Winged Jr Sprints, and a robust field of 17 600 Winged Sprint Cars registered to compete, showcasing the continued improving popularity of the speedway.
In the highly anticipated Rockfish Jr Sprint class, the race delivered a thrilling finish. “Last lap fireworks” saw the top two cars make contact, creating an opening that Liam Poston skillfully exploited to grab his first feature win at Rockfish for the 2025 season.
Earlier in the evening, Wesley Sweatman showcased his prowess in the 270’s/Restricted 600’s class, capturing the win despite constant pressure from Brexton Busch.
However, the weather soon took a turn. Mother Nature decided to drop rain near the end of the Winged Jr Sprints race, forcing track officials to call that race early. Giselle Hicks was awarded the win in this shortened event, with Aliya Snyder and Barrett Bressler taking second and third place, respectively.
The rain gave way to clear skies after almost 45 minutes of downpours, and track officials worked tirelessly to re-prep the surface, aiming to get in the Carolina Mod Lites and the 600 Sprint Car features. Hope was high as the Mod Lites were called to staging, but just as they prepared to hit the track, Mother Nature unleashed another burst of rain. This second wave proved to be the final straw, forcing the track to call the night’s events entirely.
With the features for the Mod Lites and 600 Winged Sprint Cars cancelled, the final standings for these divisions were determined by their qualifying positions. This unique turn of events led to a remarkable clean sweep for Wesley Sweatman, who was awarded wins in both the 270’s/Restricted 600’s class and the 600’s class. Troy Van Allen of Bounty Hunter Racing was declared the winner in the Carolina Mod Lites division based on his qualifying performance.
While the rain put an early end to a promising night of racing, the strong car count and the exciting moments that did unfold served as a reminder of the competitive spirit and dedication of the drivers and teams at Rockfish Speedway. Fans will undoubtedly be looking forward to clearer skies and a full night of action at the next event in 2 weeks time, June 21.
