Cory Hedgecock led all 40 laps at 411
The Topless Outlaws Dirt Late Model Series invaded 411 Motor Speedway on Saturday evening to contest an event for Limited Late Model machines. At the end of the night it was Cory Hedgecock who earned the victory by topping one of the sport’s all-time legends. The Loudon, TN driver left the Seymour, TN facility with a $2,500 payout.
The field was divided into two groups for qualifying with everyone earning a starting position in the feature due to the fact that 24 cars were on hand.
Cory Hedgecock led the way in Group A qualifying and overall with a lap of 15.033 seconds around the 3/8 mile clay oval to beat out Ronnie Johnson, Skip Arp, John Ownbey, Zach Sise and Ryan King.
Chase King was fastest in Group B time-trials by posting a time of 15.165 seconds to top Jed Emert, Rusty Ballenger, Kyle Courtney, Bobby Giffin and Drew Kennedy.
At the start of the 40-lap feature it was Hedgecock who jumped to the early lead ahead of Chase King, Emert, Johnson and Ballenger. Johnson challenged Emert for third on lap 5 but a caution one lap later slowed the pace.
Ronnie Johnson (6) and Jed Emert (51) on the opening lap.
Hedgecock continued to lead when the went back to green flag conditions with Johnson moving to third and Courtney assuming the fifth spot in the order.
The race’s second yellow flag waved on lap 12. The ensuing restart allowed Johnson to take second and set off in pursuit of Hedgecock until another caution came out when top-5 running Courtney slowed with a flat tire.
Once the race restarted on lap 14 the top-2 of Hedgecock and Johnson began to separate from the pack as they looked to settle the issue among themselves. Johnson kept pace with Hedgecock for several laps as the two found themselves racing among slower traffic.
Hedgecock began to slip away as the laps clicked away. However, Johnson was able to close back in with just three laps remaining. But Hedgecock was up to the challenge as he cruised under the checkered flag to collect the win.
Feature Finish: 1. Cory Hedgecock, 2. Ronnie Johnson, 3. Chase King, 4. Rusty Ballenger, 5. John Ownbey, 6. Skip Arp, 7. Jed Emert, 8. Zach Sise, 9. Layne Clifton, 10. Bobby Giffin, 11. Kyle Courtney, 12. Brad Seagle, 13. Ellery Leake, 14. Bradley Lewelling, 15. Mitchell Burke, 16. Pierce McCarter, 17. Austin Neely, 18. Addison Cardwell, 19. Drew Kennedy, 20. Clyde Overholt, 21. Mike Weeks, 22. Eddie King Jr., 23. Joe Bray, 24. Ryan King, 25. Bill Norwood
John Ownby (0) battles Skip Arp (31).
Chase King (44) and Ronnie Johnson (6) race for second.
