Michael Chilton drove Chicky Barton’s regular ride to a win at Smoky Mountain
In a deal put together earlier this week, Michael Chilton subbed for Chicky Barton in the No. 144 car in the Southern All Stars WIMZ Rockin’ With the Stars/Hall of Fame event and scored a $5,000 victory in the borrowed ride. Barton was unable to drive due to recovery related to a recent knee surgery while Chilton’s regular car is suffering through some engine issues. After a phone call between the two drivers, the arrangement was made and the race was on.
Eric Wells led the way in Group A qualifying by turning a lap of 15.678 seconds around the 4/10 mile clay oval. That effort beat out Cory Hedgecock, Shanon Buckingham, Jay Scott and Bobby Giffin.
Ross Bailes set the fast time in Group B qualifying and overall as he clocked in at 15.619 seconds in a G.R. Smith owned car to better the times of Dakotah Knuckles, Chilton, Casey Roberts and Robby Moses.
There were no heat races or B-mains as the starting lineup for the main event was determined solely by time-trials.
With a full moon overhead, the remainder of the night would play out like a horror movie for some as disaster struck multiple times throughout the evening. The craziness began even before the cars took the green flag as Roberts, who had been slated to start the race from the fourth row, was a no-show on the starting grid due to transmission troubles.
The strange developments continued just after the initial waving of the green flag to start the 40-lap feature when Bailes suffered mechanical trouble that ultimately caused him to spin on the front straightaway. The overall fast qualifier and outside front row started had his night to end before even completing a lap.
When the race finally got going it was Wells who jumped to the early lead with Knuckles, Hedgecock, Chilton and Buckingham following in his tire tracks. Hedgecock slipped by Knuckles to claim second as the cars completed the first circuit while Chilton also moved around Knuckles to take third soon afterward.
Cory Hedgecock(9) and Dakotah Knuckles battle early in the race.
A lap 12 caution for a spin by Lamar Winkle actually proved detrimental for the leaders as well. As the cars circulated around the track under yellow flag conditions, Wells pulled off the track from the lead to the attention of his crew. After a look under the hood, it was determined that the No. 18 machine was done for the night. Hedgecock also began to show signs of trouble as he car signs of smoke which led series officials to stop the car and look to find the source. Hedgecock was ultimately allowed to rejoin at the front of the field,
On the ensuing restart Knuckles charged to the lead while Tommy Kerr entered the top-5 fray as well. Knuckles began to pull away as Hedgecock, Chilton and Buckingham fought over positions 2-4. However, a lap 18 caution would again slow the furious pace.
On the lap 18 restart Hedgecock’s smoking car finally gave way. And during a lap 20 caution, the lead machine of Knuckles would pull into the pit area and retire for the night. This handed the lead to Chilton with with Buckingham, Kerr, Robby Moses and Southern All Stars points leader Jay Scott trailing.
Robby Moses(21) and Jay Scott fight for position
From that point, Chilton proved to be dominant as he pulled away from his pursuers. With no other caution to give the pack an opportunity to catch up the No. 144 only needed to avoid entanglements with slower cars as he eventually sailed to victory.
Feature Finish: 1. Michael Chilton, 2. Shanon Buckingham, 3. Tommy Kerr, 4. Jay Scott, 5. Robby Moses, 6. Bobby Giffin, 7. Dusty Carver, 8. Ray McElhiney, 9. Eric Hickerson, 10. Dakotah Knuckles, 11. Cory Hedgecock, 12. Lamar Winkle, 13. Eric Wells, 14. Steve Smith, 15. Craig Greer, 16. David Crabtree, 17. Ross Bailes, 18. Jensen Ford, 19. Mark Dodson, 20. Jimmy McNamara
Chilton in victory lane
