Randy Weaver and friends celebrate his win at Smoky Mountain.
Both Randy Weaver and Chris Madden have enjoyed their fair share of success this season, so it seemed appropriate that the two drivers would battle it out for the title of ‘King of the Mountain’ on Saturday night in a Southern All Stars sanctioned event at the Smoky Mountain Speedway. And battle it out they did.
The veteran drivers staged one of the best duels of the season as they fought for the $5,000 first prize in the season finale on the historic track located just outside of Maryville, Tenn.
The Southern All Stars divided the field into two groups for qualifying with the top-4 drivers from each group being locked into the feature without having to heat race. Madden, Weaver, Skip Arp and Jason Welshan were the top-4 in Group 1 while Jeff Wolfenbarger, Casey Roberts, Skylar Marlar and Terry Wolfenbarger were the leaders of Group 2 time trials.
Chad Ogle and Tommy Kerr won the two heat races used to set the remainder of the field for the feature.
At the start of the 40-lap main event, it was Madden who went to the early lead with Weaver right in his tire tracks. Meanwhile, Jeff Wolfenbarger and Roberts engaged in a side-by-side battle for the 3rd spot that would go on for several laps before it was decided in Roberts’ favor.
In a race that ran caution free for its full distance, Weaver constantly stalked Madden as those two cars separated themselves from the raging battle behind them. On multiple occasions the Crossville, Tenn. resident dove inside or sailed outside of the Gray Court, SC inhabitant. And for most of the way, Madden was able to keep Weaver behind him.
As the top-2 fought for the lead, Roberts emerged as the clear holder of the 3rd spot while just behind him, Wolfenbarger had his hands full trying to hold back Kerr, Welshan, Marlar, Donald McIntosh, Ray Cook and Cory Hedgecock as those drivers ran in tight formation while they waged war for positions 4-10.
On lap 30, Weaver made a strong bid for the lead when he went under Madden in turn two and appeared to have the #44 car cleared as they reached the back stretch. However, Madden fought back and reassumed the top spot as the duo roared through turns three and four. So, Weaver continued to stalk.
Weaver dives low to take the lead away from Madden on lap 37.
Finally, with just three laps remaining, Weaver made another bid for the lead when he went low and drove deep into turn three. The move stuck and the #116 car emerged from turn four as the clear front runner. From that point, Weaver pulled away by a few car lengths as he made his way to the checkered flag.
Feature finish: 1. Randy Weaver, 2. Chris Madden, 3, Casey Roberts, 4. Tommy Kerr, 5. Donald McIntosh, 6. Jason Welshan, 7. Ray Cook, 8. Cory Hedgecock, 9. Chris Wilson, 10. Jeff Wolfenbarger.
