Chris Madden scored the win on his home track
Two things that can be counted on whenever a big race is held at the Cherokee Speedway as it’s almost certain that tire wear will play a role and Chris Madden will be in contention for the win. In Sunday’s Southern All Stars-sanctioned March Madness event, both of those things proved to be true. Madden benefitted from a late-race flat tire on leader Chris Ferguson’s car to score the victory on what amounts to his home track.
The race was somewhat similar to last November’s Blue-Gray 100 when Madden made his tires last to the end as he beat out Brandon Overton.
The Rocket Chassis driver from Gray Court, SC earned $10,000 for his efforts. This event at the Gaffney, South Carolina track served as the 4th annual Ginger Owens Memorial.
A total of 23 cars were signed in for competition.
Group A Qualifying Results: 1. Chris Ferguson(15.359), 2. Chris Madden, 3. Austin Kirkpatrick, 4. Kyle Strickler, 5. Carder Miller, 6. Benji Hicks, 7. Kenny Collins, 8. Corey Gordon, 9. David Duke, 10. Jay Sessoms, 11. Daulton Wilson, 12. Matt Dooley
Group B Qualifying Results: 1. Jonathan Davenport(15.620), 2. Mike Marlar, 3. Brandon Overton, 4. Carson Ferguson, 5. Trent Ivey, 6. Ben Watkins, 7. Ross Bailes, 8. Dennis Franklin, 9. Cody Overton, 10. Bryson Harper, 11. Tim Vance
Heat 1 Finish: 1. Chris Ferguson, 2. Carder Miller, 3. Daulton Wilson, 4. David Duke, 5. Austin Kirkpatrick, 6. Kenny Collins
Heat 2 Finish: 1. Jonathan Davenport, 2. Brandon Overton, 3. Ross Bailes, 4. Trent Ivey, 5. Cody Overton, 6. Tim Vance
Heat 3 Finish: 1. Chris Madden, 2. Kyle Strickler, 3. Benji Hicks, 4. Matt Dooley, 5. Corey Gordon, 6. Jay Sessoms
Heat 4 Finish: 1. Mike Marlar, 2. Carson Ferguson, 3. Ben Watkins, 4. Dennis Franklin, 5. Bryson Harper
Feature Account: At the start of the 50-lap feature it was Chris Ferguson who went to the early lead with Madden, Brandon Overton, Marlar and Davenport in his tire tracks. By lap 5, the top-4 machines had built some separation over their pursuers with Ferguson having to keep the bottom line covered as Madden sought to get underneath.
On the 8th lap the front runners began to encounter slower traffic which served to keep everyone bunched together as no one wanted to give up the bottom line.
A lap 12 caution provided the leaders with a break from the slower cars. On the restart, Strickler and Miller engaged in a fight for sixth with Strickler emerging from that battle with the spot. Shortly afterwards, Madden closed in on the rear spoiler of Ferguson to apply pressure. Further back, Davenport was working to keep Strickler behind as they wrestled for the fifth position.
Again, the top-4 of Ferguson, Madden, Overton and Marlar ran in tight formation as traffic again came into play. But once more, A yellow flag gave the leaders a reprieve from slower cars.
Ferguson continued to lead as the race moved into its second half. The No. 22 machine was able to hold his place even after multiple restarts that were brought about by cautions for flat tires.
On a lap 42 restart, Overton made a move on the outside and briefly moved ahead of Madden but the move was negated when a caution flag waved.
Disaster struck for the race leader on lap 48 when Ferguson slowed with a flat tire. That misfortune handed Madden the race lead.
On the restart with two laps remaining, Overton made a strong move on the outside for the race lead but Madden moved up the track on the back stretch to slam the door. Then, just as Madden was about to take the white flag, Strickler spun to bring out another caution.
On that restart, Overton again made a move on the outside but then slowed suddenly as the No. 76 suffered a flat right front while, at the same time, brother Cody Overton had a flat right rear.
On the final restart, Madden was able to keep Marlar in arrears as he sailed to the race win.
Feature Finish: 1. Chris Madden, 2. Mike Marlar, 3. Jonathan Davenport, 4. Daulton Wilson, 5. Carson Ferguson, 6. Austin Kirkpatrick, 7. Trent Ivey, 8. Ben Watkins, 9. Ross Bailes, 10. Bryson Harper, 11. Brandon Overton, 12. Chris Ferguson, 13. Kyle Strickler, 14. Cody Overton, 15. Matt Dooley, 16. Tim Vance, 17. Benji Hicks, 18. Carder Miller, 19. Corey Gordon, 20. Kenny Collins, 21. Dennis Franklin, 22. Jay Sessoms, 23. David Duke
Brandon Overton stays hot with Tennessee Top-Off win at Smoky Mountain
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