Cory Hedgecock’s No. 23
Along with the NeSmith Dirt Late Model Series event held at I-75 Raceway on Saturday night, the Sweetwater, Tenn. facility also hosted racing in the Limited Late Model division. Cory Hedgecock once again proved to have the winning formula in this class on an east Tennessee track as he picked up the $1,000 first prize.
I-75 Limited Late Model points leader Ruben Mayfield led the field of 12 cars in qualifying as he posted a lap of 13.604 seconds around the 3/8 mile oval. Ross White, Justin Summers, Hedgecock, Anthony White and Jason Manley followed the pace setter in time-trials.
There were no heat races for this division as the feature lineup was set via qualifying.
At the start of the 25-lap feature Anthony White moved up quickly and immediately set his sights on the front runners. Just after the completion of the first lap, the No. 2x machine moved to the top spot by working his way under Mayfield in turn two. At the same time, seventh starting Brad Coffey followed White on his march forward and seized the runner-up position.
Meanwhile, Hedgecock was also on the move as he grabbed third place from Mayfield and then went after Coffey. By lap 7, the No. 23 car drove by Coffey to claim second.
On the eleventh circuit, Hedgecock pulled right onto the rear spoiler of White as the two leaders worked around slower cars. By lap 14, Hedgecock could not be held back any longer as he went to the lead.
The race’s only caution flag waved on lap 16, but it was not enough to aid Hedgecock’s pursuers. The Loudon, Tenn. driver pulled away to claim the victory in front of an excellent crowd assembled at the track.
Feature Finish: 1. Cory Hedgecock, 2. Anthony White, 3. Brad Coffey, 4. Ruben Mayfield, 5. Jason Manley, 6. Brian Courtney, 7. Danny Yoder, 8. Jeremy Hicks, 9. Jim Johnson, 10. Randy Holden, 11. Ross White, 12. Jordan Rodabaugh
