David Crabtree led all the way
With just three races remaining in the 2019 season for the Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series that tour headed for the I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, Tenn. for a $4,000-to-win showdown. It was the first visit of the season to the third-mile clay oval once known as Murphy Speedway for this series. And at the end of the night it would be David Crabtree who would go away from the track as the celebrated victor.
David Breazeale entered the night as the Southern All Stars points leader ahead of Zach Leonhardi, Billy Franklin, Riley Hickman and Mark Dodson. Three drivers(Michael Page, Ashton Winger and Joseph Joiner) led the series going into the night in number of wins with two triumphs each. 
These updates are brought to you by Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tenn. The next event coming to SMS will be the Southern All Stars sanctioned ‘King of the Mountain Classic’ on September 28th.
Click the play button below to hear our pre-race interview with National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame member Ronnie Johnson.
A total of 30 cars signed in for competition. The top-5 from each of two qualifying groups were locked into the main event.
David Crabtree was fastest in Group A qualifying and overall with a lap of 12.232 seconds around the third-mile clay oval. That time bettered the efforts of Trevor Sise, Riley Hickman, Bobby Giffin and Shawn Chastain.
Matt Henderson proved to be fastest in Group B time-trials with a time of 12.375 seconds to beat out Kyle Courtney, Patrick Duggan, Jordan Rodabaugh and David Webb.
Cory Hedgecock won first of two B-main races ahead of Kurt English, Jason Manley, David Breazeale, Caleb Ashby and Andy Picklesimer. Those six cars transferred to the feature.
Cameron Marlar won the second preliminary race of the evening by beating out Robby Moses, Ronnie Johnson, Mark Dodson, Ryan Tims and Dusty Carver.
Feature Notes:
Feature Lineup- 1. David Crabtree, 2. Matt Henderson, 3. Trevor Sise, 4. Kyle Courtney, 5. Riley Hickman, 6. Patrick Duggan, 7. Bobby Giffin, 8. Jordan Rodabaugh, 9. Shawn Chastain, 10. David Webb, 11. Cory Hedgecock, 12. Cameron Marlar, 13. Kurt English, 14. Robby Moses, 15. Jason Manley, 16. Ronnie Johnson, 17. David Breazeale, 18. Mark Dodson, 19. Caleb Ashby, 20. Ryan Tims, 21. Andy Picklesimer, 22. Dusty Carver, 23. Zach Leonhardi
At the start of the 40-lap feature Crabtree jumped immediately to the race lead with Henderson, Sise, Hickman and Courtney trailing. It did not take long for the No. c5 machine to exert its dominance as the pole sitter pulled ahead by almost the length of a straightaway by the fourth lap.
Ronnie Johnson(6D) and Cory Hedgecock
However, traffic soon played a role as Crabtree found himself racing among slower cars by the seventh circuit. That brief holdup allowed Henderson and Sise to close the gap and apply pressure to the leader.
A string of caution flags between laps 9 and 15 brought numerous opportunities for Crabtree’s pursuers to take shots at the front runner but he was able to maintain his spot at the top of the leader board despite the interruptions.
On a lap 13 restart Sise was able to move around Henderson to claim the runner-up position.
Matt Henderson(00) and Trevor Sise racing for second
During the race’s second half Crabtree again built a sizable advantage only to have it eaten into as a result of slower traffic in his path. Although Sise and Henderson once again erased the lead margin, neither was able to make a move that would secure them the lead of the race.
At the end, it was Crabtree who sailed under the checkered flag to score the victory.
***Trevor Sise was disqualified from his second place finish for using unapproved tires***
Feature Finish: 1. David Crabtree, 2. Matt Henderson, 3. Riley Hickman, 4. Kyle Courtney, 5. David Webb, 6. Ronnie Johnson, 7. Cory Hedgecock, 8. Jordan Rodabaugh, 9. Patrick Duggan, 10. Kurt English, 11. Robby Moses, 12. Bobby Giffin, 13. David Breazeale, 14. Ryan Tims, 15. Dusty Carver, 16. Andy Picklesimer, 17. Caleb Ashby, 18. Cameron Marlar, 19. Jason Manley, 20. Shawn Chastain, 21. Mark Dodson, 22. John Ownbey, 23. Zach Leonhardi, 24. Trevor Sise
Click the play button below to hear our post-race interview with feature winner David Crabtree.
Crabtree and crew celebrate their victory
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