Tazewell Speedway hosted the World of Outlaws Late Models Series on Saturday night for a big $10,000-to-win special event. But at the same time, the track’s support classes were in action on Gary Hall’s high banked speed plant.
Clyde Overholt moved from the Modified Street class to the Late Model bodied Sportsman division in 2014 and is making the most of the change. The veteran racer started on the outside of the front row and took the lead early over the 15 car field in the 20-lap feature. However, he was pursued intensely throughout the full distance of the race.
Pole Sitter Jordan Horton shadowed Overholt at virtually every turn. But as the race neared its conclusion and the leaders found themselves in traffic, the heat was turned up that much more.
Overholt was able to hold off the determined Horton at the finish line. Anthony Burchett and Justin Beeler followed the leading duo.
But the race was not over just because the competitors took the checkered flag. Horton issued a protest against Overholt, so the results will remain unofficial until that dispute is settled.
*Overholt was disqualified, making Horton the winner.
Jordan Horton
But all was not lost for the Horton family.
The Sneedville clan’s patriarch, Tony Horton, started from the 3rd position in the Modified Street feature event but passed outside front row starter Dakota Knuckles with six of the 20 laps remaining and drove on to the victory ahead of Knuckles and Justin James.
Tony Horton
Mod Street pole winner Robbie Buchanan experienced trouble early on and dropped out of the race, spoiling a tight battle among the top-3 runners.
In the Classic division, Joe Keck started from the pole position but was unable to complete the distance. Matt Tharpe went to the front of the field and held off a race long challenge from Philip Thompson to score the win. Bart Baxter and Joel Wolfenbarger followed.
Four Cylinder class fan favorite Kurt Owens started from the rear of the pack in his familiar 7up machine, but he did not stay there long. The veteran driver picked off competitor after competitor until he found himself locked in a close battle with pole sitter Randy Dyke late in the going.
Owens muscled his way around to take the top spot while Dyke was sent limping to the pit area with a flat tire. Owens went on to win ahead of Chuck McMahan, Jeromy Collins and Chris Reichert.
After the cars had crossed the finish line, Dyke came alongside to offer a “congratulatory” bump to the popular winner.
