Brandon Overton now drives the famed No. 116
By Michael Despain
UNION, Ky. – Apr. 15, 2017 – The Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals presented by Sunoco Race Fuels and Tennessee RV would visit Florence Speedway on Saturday evening and Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga. would sweep the Kentucky weekend visit by claiming the $5,000 first place prize at the ½ mile Northern Kentucky oval behind the wheel of the Crossfit Overton/A.F. Stone Professional Medical Services/Mission Transport/Stone Land Clearing and Excavating sponsored #116 Longhorn by Weaver, Andy Durham Race Engines powered machine.
Overton would take the lead at the drop of the green flag, with Eric Wells giving chase, only to have the first caution of the event wave on lap 2 when Ricky Weiss would spin his machine in turn two. The restart would see Overton maintain the lead over Wells until the front duo started working slower traffic on lap 7. Wells would make his move one lap later and grab the race lead on lap 8 and Devin Moran would get in the mix and take second on lap 10 to shuffle Overton back to third. Moran would quickly close in on Wells and snatch the lead away on lap 13 as Overton and Mike Marlar battled directly behind this battle for the third position.
Overton and Marlar would work past Wells on lap 15, with Overton winning the battle for second from on lap 16. Overton was not done yet at that point as he would retake the lead in the event on lap 17 as the front four worked in heavy traffic. Moran and Marlar would race hard for the second position, with Marlar taking the position from Moran on lap 24. Marlar would set his sights on Overton for the lead and would deliver a slidejob in turn two on lap 33, but Overton would drive back under Marlar and retake the lead in turn three.
The final caution of the event would fly on lap 35 when Colin Green looped his machine in turn four to tighten the field back up one final time. The restart would see Marlar use the slidejob pass once again in turn two, but Overton would again work back by Marlar and maintain the lead as the pair exited turn four. Overton would pull away a bit by lap 40, but Marlar would regroup and make a run back at Overton again as the leader got into lapped traffic on lap 44. Overton would jump the cushion in turn four on lap 46 and Marlar would close in and take a look for the lead, but could not make the move. However, Overton would again jump the cushion as the field was set to see the white flag and give Marlar one final chance to make a move. Overton would not get rattled and drove a near-perfect final lap to claim the win, with Marlar second and Moran claiming the final podium position with a third place finish.
Eric Wells and Michael Chilton would complete the top five finishers at the checkered flag. The remainder of the top ten would be Shanon Buckingham, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Donald McIntosh, Jesse Lay, and Jason Jameson.
The Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals by Sunoco and Tennessee RV will return to action then on April 21st at Crossville Speedway in Crossville, Tenn. paying $4,000-to-win and Saturday April 22nd for the Scott Sexton Memorial at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn. paying $10,052-to-win.
Further information on the Spring Nationals, Southern Nationals and Southern Nationals Bonus Series can be obtained by calling Promoter Ray Cook at (828) 360-5353 or Series P.R. Coordinator Chris Tilley at (606) 219-1723 or visit the official website located at www.SouthernNationalsSeries.com .
Official Summary of Results
Feature Results of “Spring Nationals” at Florence Speedway in Union, Ky. on April 15, 2017:
1. Brandon Overton-Evans, Ga.
2. Mike Marlar-Winfield, Tenn.
3. Devin Moran-Dresden, Ohio
4. Eric Wells-Hazard, Ky.
5. Michael Chilton-Salvisa, Ky.
6. Shanon Buckingham-Morristown, Tenn.
7. Eddie Carrier Jr.-Salt Rock, W.V.
8. Donald McIntosh-Dawsonville, Ga.
9. Jesse James Lay-Walton, Ky.
10. Jason Jameson-Lawrenceburg, Ind.
11. Kyle Hardy-Stevens City, Va.
12. Jason Croft-Woodstock, Ga.
13. Trevor Landrum-Erlanger, Ky.
14. Robby Moses-Maryville, Tenn.
15. John Whitney Jr.-Blanchester, Ohio
16. Colin Green-Walton, Ky.
17. Brandon Kinzer-Lexington, Ky.
18. Adam Bowman-Seymour, Ind.
19. Cody Mahoney-Hanover, Ind.
20. Devin Gilpin-Columbus, Ind.
21. Steve Casebolt-Richmond, Ind.
22. Austyn Mills-Cincinnati, Ohio
23. Steve Landrum-Erlanger, Ky.
24. Ricky Weiss-Headingly, Manitoba, Canada
25. John Gill-Mitchell, Ind.
Time of Race: 27 minutes, 45 seconds
Margin of Victory: 01.040 seconds
Yellow Flags: Two (laps 2, 35)
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: Overton (1-7), Wells (8-12), Moran (13-16), Overton (17-50)
Entries: 33
Overall Fast Time: Eric Wells (Group A) 16.605 seconds
Keyser Manufacturing 11th Place Award: Kyle Hardy
Highest Finishing CT525 Engine ($200): None
Highest Finishing Steel Head/SPEC Engine ($200): None
Provisional Starters: Robby Moses, Adam Bowman, John Whitney Jr. (track)
Dash Finish: Brandon Overton, Eric Wells, Devin Moran, Shanon Buckingham
Heat-One Finish: Eddie Carrier Jr., Michael Chilton, Donald McIntosh, Steve Landrum, Robby Hensley, Colin Green, Michael Hensley.
Heat-Two Finish: Devin Gilpin, Trevor Landrum, Austin Mills, John Gill, Bill Blair Jr., Nick Signorelli, Roger Williams.
Heat-Three Finish: Mike Marlar, Cody Mahoney, Jason Jameson, Brandon Kinzer, Jason Croft, Mike Meyers, John Whitney Jr.
Heat-Four Finish: Jesse James Lay, Kyle Hardy, Steve Casebolt, Ricky Weiss, Robby Moses, James Williamson, Adam Bowman.
Consolation Race Finish: Jason Croft, Colin Green, Adam Bowman, Robby Hensley, Robby Moses, James Williamson, John Whitney Jr., Mike Meyers, Michael Hensley, Nick Signorelli, Curt Addison (DNS), Roger Williams (DNS), Bill Blair Jr. (DNS).
Current Spring Nationals Series Points (after April 15th)
1. Brandon Overton-786
2. Donald McIntosh-762
3. Michael Chilton-740
4. Shanon Buckingham-698
5. Ricky Weiss-694
6. Robby Moses-656
7. Mike Marlar-580
8. Jason Croft-488
9. Dale McDowell-390
10. Michael Page-384
10. Casey Roberts-384
