DRAKE TROUTMAN TAKES MARK BALZANO MEMORIAL WIN FOR $10,000 PAYDAY!
MINERAL WELLS, WV — A great crowd, a stacked field of competitors, and one of the great names in Ohio Valley racing came together Sunday night at West Virginia Motor Speedway for the running of the Mark Balzano Memorial, sanctioned by the Valvoline American Iron-Man Series.
A total of 41 Super Late Models from seven states filled the pit area in pursuit of the $10,000 top prize, while 20 Pro Late Models and 20 Sport Mods added to an action-packed evening honoring the legacy of Mark Balzano and the famed Balzano racing family.
When the 40-lap Super Late Model feature went green, Drake Troutman of Hyndman, Pennsylvania quickly established himself as the class of the field aboard the GR Smith Motorsports No. 22 machine. Fresh off an overnight twelve-plus hour haul from Wisconsin, Troutman showed no signs of fatigue as he masterfully rim-rode the brand-new short track configuration to perfection.
Leading all 40 circuits, Troutman navigated traffic flawlessly while keeping challengers at bay to secure the prestigious Mark Balzano Memorial victory and the $10,000 payday on May 3rd.
An emotional Troutman celebrated the win in Jan Dils Attorneys at Law Victory Lane.
“We got a really good car. I gotta give a huge shoutout to my boys, we drove 12 hours from Wisconsin last night and I think it just goes to show you how much of a team we got,” said Troutman. “To come here after driving all night long and everyone was up driving all night. My team works their butt off. I am just happy we could get them one.”
Seventeen-year-old Luke Morey, now of Denver, North Carolina, delivered one of the most impressive drives of the night. Patient through the opening stages, Morey surged late in the event to capture the runner-up position.
Meanwhile, Freddie Carpenter put the high side to work throughout the feature, charging to a strong third-place finish to complete the podium. RJ Conley of Wheelersburg, OH would be the events hard charger, moving from his 20th starting spot inside the top 10 to finish 9th on the night.
One of the race’s biggest storylines came from Dresden, Ohio’s Devin Moran, who stormed from the 11th starting spot to fourth. Moran and Tyler Carpenter thrilled fans with a race-long duel through the field that featured multiple sliders, crossover moves, and side-by-side battles as the two drivers sliced their way toward the front. Damage to Carpenters ride would eventually relegate him to 10th.
In Pro Late Model competition, hometown standout Brandon Francis of Parkersburg, West Virginia captured his first Pro Late victory of the 2026 season in the family-owned No. 5 machine. Francis held off a talented field in an impressive performance that further cemented his early-season momentum.
Francis would double down later in the evening by claiming the Sport Mod feature as well, marking his second Sport Mod victory of the year at WVMS and making him a back-to-back winner after previously scoring the win during the Grassroots Race Revival event.
As the new era of West Virginia Motor Speedway continues to take shape, the early-season action has already showcased thrilling racing, packed fields, and renewed excitement surrounding “The Speedplant.” The highly popular Hunt The Front Series will make their maiden voyage to West Virginia for a three day swing that gets started at Elkins Raceway on May 22nd. Tyler County Speedway will host the series on May 23rd with WVMS rounding out the Memorial Day Weekend on Sunday May 24th for $15,000 to win with the ‘Mountaineer Nationals’.
MARK BALZANO MEMORIAL RESULTS:
Super Late Model: 1) Drake Troutman, 2) Luke Morey, 3) Freddie Carpenter, 4) Devin Moran, 5) Ryan Montgomery, 6) Carson Ferguson, 7) Justin Cooper, 8) Levi Yetter, 9) RJ Conley, 10) Tyler Carpenter, 11) Miles Cook, 12) Corey Conley, 13) Rod Conley, 14) Todd Brennan, 15) Travis Carr, 16) Colten Burdette, 17) Ryan Markham, 18) Seth Daniels, 19) Benji Hicks, 20) Zack Dohm, 21) Henry Hornsby III, 22) Kyle Hardy, 23) Caiden Black, 24) Mason Zeigler, 25) KC Burdette.
Pro Late Model: 1) Brandon Francis, 2) Kolbe Kimbrew, 3) William Rose, 4) Greg Carrico, 5) Luke Hyre, 6) Ben Gable, 7) Brian Nethers, 8) Logan Reed, 9) Lauren Longbreak, 10) Brandon Adkins, 11) Chandi Currence, 12) Collin Holmes, 13) Jarrett Spencer, 14) Scott Smith, 15) Noah Whited, 16) Mike Shaffer, 17) Mack Brookover, 18) Chris Robertson, 19) Jacob Rucker, 20) David Young.
Sport Mod: 1) Brandon Francis, 2) TJ Arnold, 3) Isaac Dennis, 4) Kendall Hodge, 5) Brian Clegg, 6) Josh Gibson, 7) JC Casto, 8) Jerrad Willis, 9) Nathan Drake, 10) Corey Delancey, 11) Drayden Rose, 12) Zach Hurley, 13) TJ Roush, 14) Kam Gibson, 15) Patrick Murphy, 16) Ryan Cobb, 17) Fred Perry, 18) Kearstyn Johnson, 19) Kasey Rankin.
West Virginia Motor Speedway
Since its grand opening in 1984, West Virginia Motor Speedway has been a cornerstone of dirt track racing, hosting some of the sport’s most prestigious events and showcasing the best in motorsport talent. Nestled in the picturesque mountains of Mineral Wells, WV, the track offers breathtaking views and a unique racing atmosphere. The new 3/8 mile clay oval will enhance this legacy and usher in a new era of racing excitement. For continued updates, follow West Virginia Motor Speedway on social media or visit www.wvspeedway.com
Contact:
West Virginia Motor Speedway
Phone: 304-771-5051
Email: visitwvms@gmail.com
Website: www.WVMotorSpeedway.com
Socials: @VisitWVMS
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