By Michael Despain
Southern Nationals Bonus Series
MARYVILLE, TN (August 17, 2014)- The Southern Nationals Bonus Series would roll into Smoky Mountain Speedway for its sixth event of the season on Saturday and Chris Madden of Gray Court, SC would pick up the win in the 10th Annual CT Promotions Ironman Classic presented by Stanley Best Heating and Air. It would be Madden’s first triumph in the event and his third overall at the Maryville, TN speedplant for the 2014 race season.
Madden’s victory, which was worth $5,010, made him the seventh different to win the event, which was being contested for the first time ever in the state of Tennessee. Madden’s winning performance came aboard his familiar Century Plastics/Henderson Amusements/Hamrick’s of Gaffney/Cushman Paint and Body/Penske Shocks sponsored #44 Bloomquist Race Car powered by a Clements Race Engine.
Madden and Eric Jacobsen would bring the 21 car starting field to the green flag, with Madden winning the duel with Jacobsen for the top spot exiting turn two. The action would slow one circuit later when Brian Smith made contact with the outside retaining wall in turn one and would see his night be finished. The restart would see Madden again roll away from the field, with Stacy Boles, Skip Arp, Jacobsen, and Randy Weaver giving chase. Madden would stretch his lead out a bit until the caution flew again on lap 7 for Sammie Russell’s stopped mount on the topside of turn four, with second place running Boles also pulling to the infield with mechanical issues, ending his night.
Madden again quickly motored away from the field on the restart, with Arp now in second, followed by Jacobsen, Weaver, and Ray Cook. Madden would start the process of carefully working slower traffic by lap 13 and would have a comfortable lead when the third caution of the race appeared on lap 20 for Gabe Wilson’s slowed machine in turn two. This restart would see Madden again scoot away from the pack, while Skip Arp would start to get pressure from Randy Weaver for the second position. As that pair battled, Madden would lengthen his lead further until the final caution of the event flew on lap 27 when fifth place running Jacobsen would slow on the backchute, ending his night. The restart would again see Arp and Weaver resume their battle for second behind leader Madden, with Weaver finally working past Arp for the runner-up spot on lap 34.
Weaver would reel in Madden in a charge to the lead, but would see his efforts come up short and Madden would see the checkered flag first in the 40 lap contest, with Weaver settling for second, while Arp, Cook, and Tony Knowles would complete the top five. The remainder of the top ten would be Tommy Kerr, Vic Hill, Chad Ogle, Jeff Wolfenbarger, and Billy Ogle, Jr.
Brian Smith of Gray, KY captured the $250 highest-finishing Kentucky driver. Smith started tenth in the A-Main but a wreck knocked him out of contention early in the 40-lapper.
Further information on the Southern Nationals can be obtained by visiting www.SouthernNationalsSeries.com .
Official Summary of Results
Southern Nationals Bonus Series Race # 6
Smoky Mountain Speedway-Maryville, TN
Saturday Night August 16, 2014
A-Main Finish:
1. Chris Madden (Gray Court, SC)
2. Randy Weaver (Crossville, TN)
3. Skip Arp (Georgetown, TN)
4. Ray Cook (Brasstown, NC)
5. Tony Knowles (Newnan, GA)
6. Tommy Kerr (Maryville, TN)
7. Vic Hill (Mosheim, TN)
8. Chad Ogle (Sevierville, TN)
9. Jeff Wolfenbarger (Clinton, TN)
10. Billy Ogle, Jr. (Knoxville, TN)
11. Robby Moses (Friendsville, TN)
12. Eric Jacobsen (Rio Del Mar, CA)
13. Austin Smith (Cedartown, GA)
14. Gabe Wilson (Waynesville, NC)
15. Mark Vineyard (Powell, TN)
16. James Kelso (Maryville, TN)
17. Stacy Boles (Clinton, TN)
18. Sammie Russell (Madisonville, TN)
19. Hunter Best (Maryville, TN)
20. Brian Smith (Gray, KY)
21. David Crabtree (Maryville, TN)
Yellow Flags: 4 (Lap 2, 7, 20, 27)
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: 1 (Chris Madden 1-40)
Provisional Starters: None
Entries: 21
FK Rod Ends Fastest Qualifier: Chris Madden 15.235
PPM Racing Products Hard Charger Award: Billy Ogle Jr. (advanced 9 positions) ($100 product certificate)
Double H Race Fabrications Middleman Award: Robby Moses ($50 product certificate)