Hedgecock took the lead on lap 26 then went on to claim $3500
In honor of racer Craig Reece, who died earlier this year, Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, GA put $3,500 on the line for the Crate Late Model division on Saturday night. In the end, it was Cory Hedgecock who scored the big payday in front of a crowded grandstand. The win comes just one week after the Loudon, Tenn. driver earned a NeSmith Late Model Series trophy in Talladega, Ala.
Hedgecock got the night started in a fast way when bested the field of 47 drivers in time-trials. The No. 23 machine toured the third-mile clay oval in 14.432 seconds. Jeff Smith, Jason Hiett and Ronnie Johnson joined the fast qualifier in being locked into a dash race that would set the first two rows for the feature race.
Hedgecock garnered the pole for the main event by beating Smith, Johnson and Hiett to the finish in the dash race.
Jimmy Elliott cruised to the checkered flag to take the win in the first heat race of night over Philip Thompson and Todd Morrow while Chip Brindle scored the win in a hard fought second preliminary over Jason Welshan and William Thomas.
John Ownbey beat back challenges from Rusty Ballenger and Anthony White to win the third heat race just before Jesse Lowe conquered the field in the final heat ahead of Ethan Hunter and Jake Knowles.
At the start of the 35-lap main event, Smith took the early lead with Hedgecock, Hiett, Johnson and Elliott just behind. Hiett quickly sought to move forward as he employed the high line on the track to pull alongside Hedgecock as the two battled for the runner-up position just behind the front runner. However, Hiett was never able to complete the pass as Hedgecock eventually broke away and sought to track Smith down.
Cars running in the top-10 briefly strung out as the early laps clicked off. However, slower traffic brought the pack back together after 10 laps had been logged.
The first of two caution flags waved on lap 11 for debris on the track, which gave the lead cars a break from the lapped machines. On the ensuing restart, it was Hiett who again looked to make a move as he steered his No. A19 car to the topside of the track in a bold effort to seize the race lead. Smith was able to hold off the challenge, leaving Hiett to battle side-by-side with Hedgecock before Hedgecock also pulled ahead of Hiett.
Further back, Elliott moved into the top-5 on that lap 11 restart. He then moved around Johnson to grab fourth and Hiett to capture third.
The final caution flag of the night waved on lap 19 to set up the final sprint to the finish line.
After hounding Smith for several laps, Hedgecock finally muscled his way by the early leader on lap 26. From that point, the young driver pulled away to eventually claim the win.
Hedgecock in Victory Lane at Boyd’s
Feature Finish: 1. Cory Hedgecock, 2. Jeff Smith, 3. Ronnie Johnson, 4. Jimmy Elliott, 5. John Ownbey, 6. Rusty Ballenger, 7. Jason Hiett, 8. Jake, Knowles, 9. Jesse Lowe, 10. Chip Brindle, 11. William Thomas, 12. Ethan Hunter, 13. Todd Morrow, 14. Cruz Skinner, 15. Jason Deal, 16. Kasey Hall, 17. Pierce McCarter, 18. Marty Lunsford, 19. Wayne Harbin, 20. Anthony White, 21. Ross White, 22. Jason Trammell, 23. Philip Thompson, 24. Jason Welshan
