Brandon Overton was recently named as the permanent replacement for Randy Weaver
The Southern Nationals Bonus Series concluded its 2016 season on Saturday night at Boyd’s Speedway with a $10,000-to-win feature race that saw Brandon Overton claim the race win on a chilly night in Ringgold, GA. At the same time, Donald McIntosh wrapped up the overall season title for the circuit and collected a check for $5,053 for his efforts.
Chase Junghans got things started in a fast way on Friday night when he set the quick time in qualifying with a lap of 14.509 seconds around the third-mile oval.
Donald McIntosh earned the pole for the main event by winning Friday’s first heat race while Jimmy Owens, Chris Madden and Brandon Overton secured starting positions within the first two rows by also scoring heat race victories. Owens was driving the No. A19 car owned by Richard Austin while Overton piloted the No. 116 as its new permanent driver following the retirement of Randy Weaver.
David Breazeale and Jason Welshan made their way into the feature by winning the two consolation races held on Saturday night prior to the main event.
McIntosh bolted to the early lead when the green flag waved over the 60-lap feature race with Madden, Owens, Overton and Dale McDowell trailing close behind. It was Madden who let it be known early that he would be a serious threat for the win as he hounded McIntosh during the initial laps until finally grabbing the lead on the fourth circuit.
At the same time Madden was moving to the top spot, Overton began to assert himself by taking the third position away from Owens. Soon afterward, McDowell would also take advantage of Owens and swipe the fourth spot away from the former Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion.
After taking the lead, Madden looked as if he might cruise away from the pack until he began to encounter slower traffic on lap 10. While the leader was being held up, his pursuers were waging battles of the their own. Overton was able to get around McIntosh in traffic on lap 13 to secure the runner-up spot and then set his sights on Madden’s No. 44 machine.
Ultimately, Overton drew to the rear spoiler of Madden’s ride and began to apply heavy pressure. Finally, Overton swept to the lead on lap 20.
A lap 25 caution gave the front runners a reprieve from lapped traffic and allowed for some to make moves on the ensuing restart. Jason Hiett would be one of those who would move forward once the green flag waved again as he jumped from 7th to 5th on the first lap back at full speed. But no one could get by Overton as he bolted away to a lead of several car lengths.
Three more cautions would slow the race pace, the most significant of which occurring on lap 36 when the car driven by outside front row starter Owens slowed on the track.
After taking the lead, Overton was only briefly challenged by Madden but no serious threat to wrest the lead away from the Georgia native was ever mounted. Instead, Madden and McIntosh were left to battle for the second spot over the final laps.
Brandon Overton earned $10,000 for his Gobbler victory
Feature Finish: 1. Brandon Overton, 2. Chris Madden, 3. Donald McIntosh, 4. Dale McDowell, 5. Jason Hiett, 6. Chase Junghans, 7. David Payne, 8. Jason Welshan, 9. Cody King, 10. Austin Smith, 11. Derek Ellis, 12. Jason Croft, 13. Will Roland, 14. Austin Arnold, 15. Stacy Boles, 16. Ryan King, 17. Riley Hickman, 18. Jamie Perry, 19. Jimmy Owens, 20. Casey Roberts, 21. David Breazeale, 22. Frank Ingram, 23. Doug Smith, 24. Skip Arp
Driver Donald McIntosh and crew chief David Bryant celebrate their Southern Nationals Bonus Series title
