Ross White took command on lap 12
Along with the Ultimate Super Late Model Series race held on Memorial Day evening at the Volunteer Speedway the track also played host to a Crate Late Model feature race that paid $1,500-to-win. After multiple incidents, some that involved high emotions, the race was shortened from its scheduled 30-lap distance by five laps. In the end, Ross White came away the winner and the collector of the payout.
Anthony White proved to be fastest in qualifying for this division when led the field of 28 cars with a time of 13.120 seconds around the 4/10 mile clay oval. Cory Hedgecock, Ross White, Tim Byrd, Rusty Ballenger, Greg Martin, Philip Thompson, Bryson Dennis, Todd Morrow and Jordon Horton rounded out the top-10 in what would prove to be the starting lineup as heat races were pushed aside due to time constraints.
After one failed attempt to get the race started, Anthony White went to the early lead when the green flag waved with Hedgecock, Ross White, Byrd and Ballenger in tow. Ballenger moved forward quickly as he passed by Byrd to take fourth on the second lap while Thompson and Martin battled side-by-side for sixth just behind.
Following a lap 3 restart, Byrd moved back around Ballenger to reclaim fourth while Martin also moved forward by claiming fifth. Those moves opened the door for Thompson and Horton to also slide passed Ballenger for sixth and seventh respectively.
Meanwhile at the front of the pack Anthony White and Hedgecock had broken away and were involved in an intense battle for the lead. At one point they even split a slower car as White went high and Hedgecock went low looking for an advantage. On lap 12 the two had clear track in front of them and Hedgecock made his move. Coming off of turn two he moved alongside and the cars came together. Then, almost looking like they were actually stuck together they slid down the track and made contact with the inside wall.
After a few moments of people frantically running through the infield and security being called to the scene, Hedgecock came to the pit area to change a flat tire while White retired from the race.
Ross White inherited the lead a a result of the calamity with Horton, Byrd, Morrow, Ballenger and Thompson trailing.
One lap after the restart, a spin involving John Blankenship and Gary Crittenden brought out another caution. On that restart the cars driven by Byrd and Horton came together as they raced for the runner-up spot. Similar to the previous incident, both spun to the inside of the backstretch. After both re-fired there was more bumping that took place before both eventually came to the infield and more running by the masses and security calling took place.
After all of this action, track officials opted to shorten the race to 25 laps. Ross White proved to be unstoppable as he cruised to the victory. Todd Morrow and Philip Thompson moved forward late to claim the second and third positions. Rusty Ballenger, Tim Maupin, Josh Henry, Cory Hedgecock, Jason Manley, Bryson Dennis and Ahnna Parkhurst rounded out the top-10 finishers.
