By Chris Tilley – Series Publicist
BRASSTOWN, NORTH CAROLINA (May 27, 2014) – Mike Marlar needed one turn to make his move and take the big pay check. The Winfield, Tenn. driver earned $5,000 for his final turn, last-lap pass on Terry English of Benton, Ky. during Sunday Night’s Southern Nationals Bonus Race #3 at Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, Tenn.
Marlar made the ten hour pull from the Show Me 100 at Wheatland, Mo. to compete at Duck River and capture his first Southern Nationals Bonus Race of the season and become the third different winner in three events as Jason Hiett of Oxford, Ala. and Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga. have both visited victory lane already this season. Marlar drove the Ronnie Delk-owned, R&S Trading, Delk Equipment and VP Fuels sponsored Cornett Racing Engines powered Rocket Chassis to the win.
Eric Hickerson of Linden, Tenn. and English brought the field of 22 to life at Duck River for the start of the 50-lap main with English jumping to the point early on the outside line. English would lead all but one lap in the main event as fourth-starting Marlar would make his move on the inside of English coming off of turn four to slip past the Western Kentucky veteran racer for the win. Marlar narrowly edged out English with just a 00.248 second margin at the line ahead of Josh Putnam of Florence, Ala., who came from the 13th spot in the thrilling event. 10th starting Riley Hickman of Chattanooga, Tenn. finished fourth while Dane Dacus of Lakeland, Tenn. finished fifth.
Thirty-four cars entered at Duck River and Terry English set fast time in FK Rod Ends Time Trials with a 12.804 second lap. Heat winners were Scott Cook and Hickman while Austin Smith won the Last Chance race.
The Southern Nationals Bonus Race Round # 4 was rained out at Tri-County Race Track in Brasstown, N.C. on Monday Night May 26th and the event will be made up on Friday Night July 4th paying $3,000-to-win / $300-to-start as part of a double-header weekend now with Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway on Saturday Night July 5th paying $5,000-to-win / $450-to-start. Armbands and ticket stubs for the Tri-County event can be used for either the NeSmith Touring Series race at Tri-County on June 6th or the make-up date of July 4th.
Twenty-one cars entered at Tri-County before the rains came. Those in attendance were Ronnie Payne, Randy Nichols, Ronnie Johnson, Rodney Weeks, Jake Knowles, George Mashburn, Kenny Collins, Brent Dixon, David Payne, Tyler Millwood, Charlie Parker, Austin Smith, Andy Standridge, Glenn Barnett, Johnny Chastain, Wesley English, Cody Ballard, Jamie Oliver, Riley Hickman, Shawn Chastain and Casey Roberts.
Further information on the Southern Nationals Bonus Races can be viewed online at www.southernnationalsseries.com.
Official Summary of Results
Southern Nationals Bonus Race
Round #3 of 2014 Season
Duck River Raceway Park-Wheel, Tenn.
Sunday Night, May 25, 2014
Feature Finish:
1. Mike Marlar-Winfield, Tenn.
2. Terry English-Benton, Ky.
3. Josh Putnam-Florence, Ala.
4. Riley Hickman-Chattanooga, Tenn.
5. Dane Dacus-Lakeland, Tenn.
6. Todd Morrow-East Ridge, Tenn.
7. Brandon Kinzer-Allen, Ky.
8. Anthony Burroughs-Minden, La.
9. Eric Hickerson-Linden, Tenn.
10. Scott Cook-Shelbyville, Tenn.
11. Mark Fields-Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
12. Austin Smith-Cedartown, Ga.
13. Dylan Ames-Harvest, Ala.
14. David Brannon-Elora, Tenn.
15. Kenny Collins-Colbert, Ga.
16. Ronny Lee Hollingsworth-Northport, Ala.
17. Daniel Miller-Shelbyville, Tenn.
18. Brad Skinner-Spring Hill, Tenn.
19. Caleb Ashby-Cunningham, Tenn.
20. Tanner English-Benton, Ky.
21. David Earl Gentry-Murfreesboro, Tenn.
22. Jay Brinkley-Shelbyville, Tenn.
Race Statistics
Entries: 34
FK Rod Ends Fast Qualifier: Terry English-12.804 seconds
Heat Race Finishes/10 Laps/Top-5 Transfer
Heat-1 Finish: Scott Cook, Brandon Kinzer, Josh Putnam, David Earl Gentry, Caleb Ashby, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, David Seibers, Richard Smith, Wesley Shelton, Clint Nichols, Justin Taylor, Scott Shelton.
Heat-2 Finish: Riley Hickman, Todd Morrow, Daniel Miller, Dylan Ames, Jay Brinkley, Austin Smith, David Brannon, Andy Picklesimer, Mark Fields, Cody Ballard, Mark Dowdy, Derrick White, Richard Frost.
Last Chance Race Finish (12 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Austin Smith, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Mark Fields, David Brannon, Clint Nichols, Justin Taylor, Derrick White, Richard Smith, Richard Frost, Cody Ballard, Andy Picklesimer, Wesley Shelton, David Seibers, Mark Dowdy.
Series Provisionals: None
Lap Leaders: English (1-49), Marlar (50)
Lead Changes: One
Cautions: Five (laps 13, 15, 21, 30, 31)
Red Flags: None
Time of Race: 24 minutes, 34 seconds
Margin of Victory: 00.248 seconds