As part of the 31st annual Ice Bowl at the Talladega Short Track there was racing for the Crate Racin’ USA 604 Crate Late Models and the Talladega Sportsman(Limited Late Models) classes along with the headline Super Late Model division. Two drivers from east Tennessee claimed those feature wins at the Eastaboga, Alabama facility.
Cory Hedgecock was the Crate Late Model winner at the Ice Bowl
Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, Tennessee was the victor in the Crate Racin’ USA Crate Late Model feature as he drove his Black Diamond Race Car to victory and claimed a first place prize of $3,000 and the unique trophy that comes with a win in this event.
Qualifying and heat races were completed on Friday with the B-mains and features for all classes taking place on Saturday.
The field was broken into four groups for qualifying.
Chase Walls was fastest in Group A qualifying with a lap of 15.079 seconds around the third mile clay oval to beat out Sawyer Crigler and Tim Clark while Ty Giles paced Group B time-trials with a time of 14.949 seconds to better the efforts of Jadon Frame and Rodgerock Dykes.
Cory Hedgecock toured the track in 14.194 seconds topping Tyler Wood and Austin Horton in Group C qualifying then Jake Knowles was quickest in Group D with a time of 14.434 seconds besting Josh Adkins and Braxtin Barber.
Sawyer Crigler took the first heat race ahead of Chase walls, John Ownbey and Jamie Buford before Ty Giles won out in the second heat over Jody Knowles, Rodgerick Dykes and Adam Ray.
It was Cory Hedgecock who was flagged as the winner of the third heat outrunning Tyler Wood, Booger Brooks and Austin Horton while Jake Knowles triumphed in the fourth and final heat ahead of Josh Adkins, Braxtin Barber and Michael Page.
Oakley Johns and Tim Clark won the two B-main races used to set the remainder of the starting lineup for the main event.
Hedgecock took the lead as the drop of the green flag in the 40-lap feature and showed the way over the entire race distance. The biggest challenge the No. 23 car faced throughout the night was slower traffic and a determined challenge from Jake Knowles.
Each time Hedgecock found himself caught up in slower traffic, he was given a reprieve by caution flags that brought about restarts. Ultimately, Hedgecock would sail under the checkered flag to claim the win.
Feature Finish: 1. Cory Hedgecock, 2. Jake Knowles, 3. Josh Adkins, 4. Jody Knowles, 5. Austin Horton, 6. Booger Brooks, 7. Ty Ciles, 8. Jason Welshan, 9. Oakley Johns, 10. Jamie Buford, 11. Jake Rainey, 12. T.J. Britain, 13. Braxtin Barber, 14. Cody Ballard, 15. Tyler Wood, 16. Rodgerick Dykes, 17. Chase Walls, 18. John Ownbey, 19. Adam Ray, 20. Jake Traylor, 21. Sawyer Crigler, 23. Tim Clark, 24. Brian Smith
Mike Weeks earned a feature win at Talladega
Mike Weeks of Friendsville, Tennessee proved to be victorious in the Talladega Sportsman(Limited Late Model) division. The veteran driver wheeled his Rocket Chassis to the win and claimed $2,500 for his efforts.
Oreo Thomas led time-trials by setting a fast time of 14.753 seconds to beat out Tod Hernandez, Jordan Judge, Randy Rifford, Mike Weeks, Oliver Gentry, Matthew Knight and Bailey Williams.
Mike Weeks took the first heat race by outperforming Brad Berry, Ruben Mayfield and Jason Partin just before Tod Hernandez bested Oliver Gentry, Brandon Brown and Matt Steward in the second preliminary.
Josh Walker was the victor in the third heat ahead of Jordan Judge, Matt Jackson and Matt Shockley while Randy Rifford outran Bailey Williams, Chris Fennell and Kyle Clifton in the fourth and final heat.
Jeff Helms and Mario Gresham were victorious in the two B-main races used to complete the starting grid for the feature.
Weeks was dominant in the 30-lap feature as he led all the way and was never really challenged. After having to maneuver through slower traffic and manage several restarts, the No. 22 machine drove under the checkered flag to score the win.
Feature Finish: 1. Mike Weeks, 2. Josh Walker, 3. Kyle Clifton, 4. Matt Steward, 5. Chris Fennell, 6. Jeff Helms, 7. Jason Morris, 8. Matt Jackson, 9. Joe Hillman, 10. Parrish Duncan, 11. Jason Partin, 12. Jordan Judge, 13. Tod Hernandez, 14. Oliver Gentry, 15. Brad Berry, 16. Randy Rifford, 17. Brandon Brown, 18. Ruben Mayfield, 19. Mario Gresham, 20. Brock Lowe, 21. Zach Shannon, 22. Destin Mince, 23. Brian Williams, 24. Matt Shockley
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