The Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Winter Series rolled into the Volunteer Speedway to contest the second event in its inaugural season. Ultimately, it would be Chris Madden who would remain hot by sailing under the checkered flag to score the $5,000 victory at the Bulls Gap, TN facility.
The victory marked the second triumph in as many attempts on this series for the Gray Court, SC driver as he won the series opener last month at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC.
Chris Madden led the way in qualifying with a lap of 13.016 around the 4/10 mile clay oval as he topped Shanon Buckingham, Robby Moses, Zack Mitchell, Michael Chilton and Kyle Strickler.
The top-2 from each heat race earned a place in the redraw which served to set the first – rows of the feature starting grid.
Chris Madden won the first heat race of the day ahead of Zack Mitchell, Logan Roberson, Ryan King and Pearson Lee Williams while Michael Chilton took the second preliminary by beating out Shanon Buckingham, Cory Hedgecock, Chris Ferguson and Donald McIntosh.
Kyle Strickler was the victor in the third and final heat of the day ahead of Robby Moses, Brandon Overton, Trent Ivey and Jeff Smith.
The redraw placed Stickler on the pole with Moses, Buckingham, Mitchell, Chilton and Madden filling in the remaining spots in the top-6 on the feature starting grid.
At the start of the 40-lap feature it was Strickler who bolted to the early lead with Moses, Buckingham, Mitchell and Madden trailing. Both Buckingham and Madden attempted to move forward in the early laps but unable to make their passes stick.
However, the lead cars quickly began to encounter slower traffic which then provided opportunities for passing. Madden moved around Mitchell to take fourth on lap 8 as the top-5 cars ran in tight formation among the slower machines.
Brandon Overton (76) and Chris Ferguson (22) battle.
A lap 15 caution would slow the pace of the race but would also open the door for making moves on the restart. When the green flag was shown to the field Buckingham charged by teammate Moses to take the runner-up spot while Madden made his way around Moses to get third.
A second yellow flag waved just one lap later. On this ensuing restart Madden grabbed second away from Buckingham as Mitchell and Overton engaged each other in a battle at the back of the top-5.
Soon afterward, Mitchell and Ferguson resumed a slide job swapping battle they had initially started a few weeks ago at Screven Motor Speedway as they fought over the sixth position. That battle would last for several laps, eventually being joined by Overton and McIntosh.
On lap 22 the sixth starting Madden finally worked his way into position and passed by Strickler to gain the top spot. As the war was waged in his wake for spots within the top-5. Despite working his way through slower traffic, the No. 0M Sweet-Bloomquist car was able to pull away from his pursuers.
Chris Madden (0M) battles Kyle Strickler (8) for the lead.
Over the closing laps no one could mount a serious challenge as Madden charged to victory.
Feature Finish: 1. Chris Madden, 2. Kyle Strickler, 3. Brandon Overton, 4. Shanon Buckingham, 5. Chris Ferguson, 6. Donald McIntosh, 7. Logan Roberson, 8. Robby Moses, 9. Cory Hedgecock, 10. Pearson Lee Williams, 11. David Webb, 12. Jeff Smith, 13. Steve Smith, 14. Tim Vance, 15. Aaron Guinn, 16. Tommy Bailey, 17. Michael Chilton, 18. Jordan Rodabaugh, 19. Will Harris, 20. Trent Ivey, 21. Ryan King, 22. Danial Dial
*According to scoring from DIRTcar, Zack Mitchell was disqualified.
Chris Ferguson (22) takes 4th from Zack Mitchell (57).
Chris Madden and crew celebrate their win.
