Chris Madden (44) and Ross Bailes (58) battled early in the race before Bailes found trouble
The Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals pressed on with a feature race at series promoter Ray Cook’s own Tri-County Race Track. In the ninth of what is scheduled to be twelve events, Chris Madden earned his third victory of the series and received the spoils that came with it. The Gray Courth, SC driver accumulated $3,500 for the win in a race shown live by DirtonDirt.com.
The top-5 from each qualifying group would be locked into the feature.
Ross Bailes proved to be fastest in Group A qualifying with a lap of 12.767 around the quarter-mile beating out Brandon Overton, Chris Madden, Donald McIntosh and Pearson Lee Williams.
The fastest in Group B time-trials was David Payne who posted a time of 13.181 seconds to top Tyler Millwood, Kenny Collins, Jamie Oliver and Mark Whitener.
Shawn Chastain won the first B-main over Payton Freeman, Kurt English and Joe Denby.
Brent Dixon took the second B-main ahead of Jake Knowles, Jadon Frame and Dalton Polston.
When the green flag waved over the 35-lap feature it was Bailes who went to the early lead with Overton, Payne, Millwood and Madden following. Madden wasted no time making a move as he moved around Millwood for fourth on the second circuit. Then Madden would continue his climb by grabbing third away from Payne on lap 3 just before a yellow flag waved for the slowing car of Danny Ledford.
By lap 5 the top-3 of Bailes, Overton and Madden separated themselves from the pack and began to engage in a fierce battle. On lap 11 the No. 44 of Madden got around Overton for the runner-up position as the leaders worked through slower traffic.
A dramatic turn of events took place on lap 14 when the leading car of Bailes tangled with the slower car of Joe Denby which resulted in the Bailes machine actually climbing on top of the Denby car. McIntosh was also collected in the melee receiving significant damage to the nose of his car.
That incident elevated Madden and Overton to the top-2 spots. Bailes was able to return to the fray after the mishap.
When the race returned to green it was Madden who began to inch away from Overton. Further back, the defending winner of this race Jake Knowles made his way up to fifth from his 17th starting position.
A lap 26 caution was not enough for the competition as Madden maintained his lead over the closing laps and drove under the checkered flag for the victory.
Feature Finish: 1. Chris Madden, 2. Brandon Overton, 3. David Payne, 4. Tyler Millwood, 5. Jake Knowles, 6. Brent Dixon, 7. Payton Freeman, 8. Ross Bailes, 9. Pearson Lee Williams, 10. Dalton Polston, 11. Joe Denby, 12. Jamie Oliver, 13. Jadon Frame, 14. Kurt English, 15. Craig Greer, 16. Donald McIntosh, 17. Mark Whitener, 18. Shawn Chastain, 19. Danny Ledford, 20. John Baker, 21. Chuck Southard, 22. Kenny Collins
