By Chris Tilley, Series P.R. Coordinator
RINGGOLD, GA (November 14, 2015)-Chris Madden captured his second Southern Nationals Bonus Series victory of the season on Saturday Night in an epic battle with Dale McDowell to take the $5,000 prize in the Turkey Throwdown race.
Madden rolled into victory lane for his third career Southern Nationals Bonus Series win while driving the Clements Racing Engines powered, Century Plastics, Crowder Trucking, Cushman Paint & Body, Modern Images, Allstar Performance, Crescent Moon Homes LLC., Stroble Mini Storage, Penske Racing Shocks, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Worley Monument and Henderson Amusement sponsored Longhorn Chassis.
Polesitter Madden and McDowell brought the field to life for the start of the 50-lapper with Madden to the early lead. Madden would be in command early on until lapped traffic on lap 13 would bunch up the leaders and give room for McDowell to close the gap and set up a battle that will go down in 2015 history as one of the most exciting races in the Southeast. “That was a great race right there between me and Dale,” winner Chris Madden said. Five official lead changes between Madden and McDowell took place but more lead changes than that occurred on the race track between the two as they battled for the $5,000 top prize.
One caution flag slowed the event on lap 28 as Jake Knowles slowed on the back chute. He re-fired and was able to go pit-side before the restart.
The final event of the season for the Southern Nationals Bonus Series will be on Friday and Saturday Night November 20 and 21 at Cleveland (Tenn.) Speedway paying $10,000-to-win for the 27th annual Gobbler 50.
Official Summary of Results
Feature Results of “Turkey Throwdown” at Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, GA on November 14, 2015:
1. Chris Madden-Gray Court, S.C.
2. Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, Ga.
3. Jimmy Owens-Newport, Tenn.
4. Jason Hiett-Oxford, Ala.
5. Shane Clanton-Zebulon, Ga.
6. Chase Junghans-Manhattan, Kan.
7. Jason Croft-Woodstock, Ga.
8. Billy Ogle Jr.-Knoxville, Tenn.
9. Ray Cook-Brasstown, N.C.
10. Stacy Boles-Clinton, Tenn.
11. Donald McIntosh-Dawsonville, Ga.
12. Riley Hickman-Cleveland, Tenn.
13. Tyler Millwood-Kingston, Ga.
14. Dylan Ames-Harvest, Ala.
15. David Payne-Murphy, N.C.
16. Bob Gardner-Washington, Ill.
17. Derek Ellis-Chatsworth, Ga.
18. Ashton Winger-Senoia, Ga.
19. Tommy Bailey-Corbin, Ky.
20. Jake Knowles-Tyrone, Ga.
21. Jordy Nipper-Gray, Ga.
22. Ronnie Payne-Murphy, N.C.
Time of Race: 15 minutes, 28 seconds
Margin of Victory: 03.529 seconds
Yellow Flags: One (lap 28)
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: Madden (1-15), McDowell (16-18), Madden (19-23), McDowell (24-28), Madden (29-50)
Entries: 44
FK Rod Ends Overall Fast Time: Chris Madden-14.047 seconds
Highest Finishing CT525 Engine ($200): None
Highest Finishing Steel Head/SPEC Engine ($200): None
Provisional Starters: Ronnie Payne, Ashton Winger
Dash Finish: Chris Madden, Dale McDowell, Jason Hiett, Jimmy Owens
Last Chance Heat One Finish (8 laps, top-4 transfer): Jason Croft, Stacy Boles, David Payne, Jake Knowles, Austin Horton, Jason Welshan, Jamie Perry, Ronnie Payne, Clint Nichols, Steve Smith.
Last Chance Heat Two Finish (8 laps, top-4 transfer): Shane Clanton, Dylan Ames, Tyler Millwood, Jordy Nipper, T.J. Reaid, Jacob Grizzle, Skip Arp, Tommy Taylor, Jim Harrah.
Last Chance Heat Three Finish (8 laps, top-4 transfer): Chase Junghans, Donald McIntosh, Billy Ogle Jr., Tommy Bailey, Ashton Winger, Eric Grainger, Jay Scott, David Doherty, T.J. Brittain, Jody Summerville, Dennis Barton.
Last Chance Heat Four Finish (8 laps, top-4 transfer): Ray Cook, Riley Hickman, Bob Gardner, Derek Ellis, Jadon Frame, Ellery Leake, Tony Morris, Ross White, Levi Ashby, Charles Zimmerman.
Current Southern Nationals Bonus Series Points (after Nov. 14, 2015)
1. David Payne-1,960
2. Tommy Bailey-1,454
3. Michael Chilton-1,114
4. Austin Smith-890
5. Justin Rattliff-766
6. Billy Ogle Jr.-752
7. Victor Lee-750
8. Ronnie Payne-723
9. Ashton Winger-702
10. Jerry Rutherford-587