Cory Hedgecock claimed the Topless Outlaws win at Smoky Mountain
Race tracks were finally allowed to re-open around Tennessee this weekend which cleared the way for the Topless Outlaws Late Model Dirt Series to pay a visit to Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, TN. At the end of the night, it was Cory Hedgecock who dominated the event as he drove to victory just as he did frequently last season to claim the $3,000 first prize.
The top-3 from each qualifying group would go to a redraw that would set the first three rows on the starting grid for the feature race. Those who were 4th – 6th in each group would be locked into positions 7-12 on the starting grid for the feature.
Jordan Rodabaugh proved to be fastest in Group A qualifying and overall with a lap of 16.358 seconds around the 4/10 mile clay oval beating out Jason Manley, Austin Neely, Chase King, Bobby Giffin and Jed Emert.
Kyle Courtney was quickest in Group B time-trials with an effort of 16.381 seconds topping Cory Hedgecock, Jesse Lowe, Mack McCarter, Dillon Brown and Ryan King.
The redraw placed Hedgecock on the pole with Lowe, Courtney, Neely, Rodabaugh and Manley lining up in order behind him.
There were no preliminary races as all cars entered were allowed to start the feature.
At the start of the 40-lap feature it was Hedgecock who took the early lead with Courtney, Lowe, Neely and Manley in his tire tracks. Neely went by Lowe to claim third on the second circuit and Manley grabbed fourth away from Lowe one lap later.
Jesse Lowe(5J) and Jason Manley fight for position
Neely then continued to climb as he moved around Courtney for second on lap 4 as Hedgecock began to pull away from his pursuers. Courtney then regained the runner-up position from Neely on lap 5.
Manley took third away from Neely on a lap 7 restart as Rodabaugh then moved into the top-5. And the No. 66 car wasn’t finished there, taking fourth from Neely on lap 8.
Chase King entered the top-5 on lap 10 when he moved around Neely.
Disaster struck the third running Manley on lap 15 when his car slowed and he pulled off the track with mechanical issues. At the same time, King got by Lowe to advance to third in the running order.
Chase King(44) finished second while Ryan King(30) retired from the event early
King advanced to second when he moved passed Courtney and a lap 18 restart. Further back, Lowe and Neely battled as they exchanged the fourth spot multiple times.
As the laps clicked away, Hedgecock maintained his lead over the field and eventually drove under the checkered flag to earn the victory.
Feature Finish: 1. Cory Hedgecock, 2. Chase King, 3. Kyle Courtney, 4. Jesse Lowe, 5. Austin Neely, 6. Jordan Rodabaugh, 7. Bobby Giffin, 8. Dillon Brown, 9. Kenny Collins, 10. Ronnie Johnson, 11. Aaron Guinn, 12. Jed Emert, 13. Derick Quade, 14. Mike Price, 15. Sammie Russell, 16. Kip Cochran, 17. Jason Manley, 18. Eddie King, Jr. 19. Mack McCarter, 20. David Crabtree, 21. Ryan King, 22. Robbie Emory, 23. Drew Kennedy
