Brandon Williams took the win in the Crate Late Model class
Along with a Southern Nationals Bonus race won by Chris Madden, Boyd’s Speedway staged racing in four other classes as part of its Turkey Throwdown season finale on Saturday night. As part of that show, Brandon Williams won a thrilling Crate Late Model feature in a photo finish after a last lap pass.
Randy Weaver crew member Grant Pearl led the way in qualifying for this class as he posted a lap of 14.162 seconds around the third-mile clay oval. He was followed by Anthiny White, Williams, Jerry Coffman, Eddie King, Jr., Cory Hedgecock, Booger Brooks, Bobby Richey, Jr., John Ownbey and Greg Huskey.
Andy Picklesimer and Jacob Grizzle won the two consolation races to earn their way into the feature event.
The start of the 20-lap feature proved to be just as thrilling as the finish when Williams and Pearl got together on the first lap. That, in turn, allowed White to charge into the lead as the other two drivers fought to regain control of their machines.
However, White’s time at the front of the pack would be short-lived as he and Williams came in contact with each other just one lap later. As those two cars banged off of each other down the back stretch, Pearl shot by on the outside to take command of the event.
White fell back into a battle for third with Coffman and Hedgecock as a result of that contact. Meanwhile, Williams hounded Pearl for the top spot as the two raced among slower cars throughout the race.
Lap 9 of the event featured a scary moment when driver Forrest Trent had his car roll over violently as part of a three car incident in turn one. Williams was reported to be uninjured by the track announcer.
As the race moved toward its conclusion, Williams continued to pressure Pearl while Coffman, Hedgecock and White remained embroiled in their battle for third.
As the white flag waved over the field, Williams was poised to make his move. He moved his No. 95 machine to the high side of the track through turns 1 & 2 of the speedway and was able to draw alongside as the pair roared down the back stretch. The race continued side-by-side through turns 3 & 4. As they came to the flagstand, Williams just edged ahead to score the $1,500 victory.
Williams and Pearl were followed to the finish line by Coffman, Hedgecock, White, Ownbey and Richey.
Williams in the Boyd’s Speedway Victory Lane
In other racing action at Boyd’s on Saturday night, B.J. Wilson beat out Josh Beagan and Jake Caldwell to earn the win in the A-Hobby feature while Booger Brooks took the win in the B-Hobby class.
