Jamie Perry held back a late charge to win the Crate LM feature
The huge crowd that was on hand to watch the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at the Boyd’s Speedway on Friday night was also treated to action in the Crate Late Model and Sportsman classes as well. Jamie Perry came away with the $1,500 first prize after the Crate Late Model feature while Josh Beagan took the honors in the Sportsman division.
Perry led the way in Crate Late Model qualifying when he posted a time of 14.616 seconds around the third-mile oval located just south of Chattanooga, Tenn. With no heat races to be contested for the 19 car field, the starting lineup was set entirely from time-trial results. That placed Cory Hedgecock on the outside of the front row with Jason Welshan, John Ownbey, Greg Martin, Jake Teague, Bobby Richey, Jr., Chip Brindle, Larry Higgins and Andy Picklesimer in the top-10 of the grid for the main event.
Perry went to the lead immediately at the start of the 25-lap feature with Hedgecock, Welshan, Ownbey and Martin following. After only a couple of green flag laps, the leader had pulled out to a lead of several car lengths while the other top-5 runners were embroiled in a tight contest for positions.
As the field spread out in a race that would ultimately run caution free, the most intense battle within the top-10 was that between Martin and Brindle for sixth as Perry continued to maintain his advantage over the rest of the pack. However, slower traffic would ultimately bring the front runners back together for an intense battle for the checkered flag.
With less than ten lap remaining, Hedgecock and Welshan closed in on Perry as all three worked their way around slower machines. As the race neared its conclusion, Hedgecock drew to the rear spoiler of Perry’s ride and attempted to get around by using both the inside and outside lanes of the track. However, Perry was up to the challenge and crossed the finish line just ahead of Hedgecock to score the victory. Welshan, Ownbey, Teague, Martin, Brindle, Picklesimer, Richey and Higgins rounded out the top-10.
In other action, Josh Beagan took the $500 win in the Sportsman feature ahead of Josh Walker and Beau Bice.
Josh Beagan
