Tyler Millwood drove the Spring Nationals win in Rome
The Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series contested its second event of a three-race weekend on Sunday night at Rome Speedway. When the dust had settled, it was Tyler Millwood who took advantage when others faltered then left the Rome, GA track as the victor. The Cedartown, GA driver earned $4,053 for his win in a race shown live by FloRacing.com.
A total of 23 cars were signed in for competition.
Dale McDowell was quickest in Group A qualifying after he toured the half-mile clay oval in 14.213 seconds to beat out Ahnna Parkhurst, Jason Croft, Stacy Boles, and Jordy Nipper.
Austin Horton topped Group B time-trials with a lap of 14.114 seconds topping Randy Weaver, Donald McIntosh, and Joey Armistead.
The top-5 from each qualifying group were locked into the feature.
Todd Morrow won the first B-main ahead of Dalton Polston, J.R. Moseley, and Oreo Thomas.
Dalton Cook outran Jeff Neubert, Gary McPherson, and Johnny Cloer in the second B-main.
At the start of the 40-lap feature it was McDowell who quickly bolted to the lead with Horton, Millwood and Croft trailing. The No. 17m car began to pull away from the field very early on while further back Croft and Millwood fought over the third position.
McIntosh moved to fifth in the early going as Horton closed back in on McDowell when slower traffic came into play.
A lap 9 caution for the spinning car of Tim Rucker changed the tone of the race. As the cars circulated around the track under yellow flag conditions the leading machine of McDowell pulled into the pit area with a flat right rear tire.
At that point, Horton assumed the race lead with Millwood, Croft, Weaver and McIntosh trailing. When green flag action resumed, McIntosh took fourth away from Weaver on lap 16 as Horton pulled away from the pack. However, a caution for Dalton Cook regrouped the field.
As the race entered its second half, McIntosh continued his climb as he took third from Croft, as again, Horton drove away from the competition. At the same, McDowell was beginning to recover as he had moved back eighth in the running order.
Another key moment inn the race occurred on lap 30 when Horton suddenly slowed and pulled off the track with mechanical issues. That handed the lead to Millwood who then pulled well ahead of the battle for second among McIntosh, Croft and Weaver.
Over the closing laps Millwood clinched the victory as he maintained a comfortable advantage over his pursuers.
Feature Finish: 1. Tyler Millwood, 2. Donald McIntosh, 3. Jason Croft, 4. Randy Weaver, 5. Dale McDowell, 6. Jordy Nipper, 7. Ahnna Parkhurst, 8. Joey Armistead, 9. Oreo Thomas, 10. Dolton Polston, 11. David Payne, 12. J.R. Moseley, 13. Stacy Boles, 14. Jeff Neubert, 15. Gary McPherson, 16. Austin Horton, 17. Todd Morrow, 18. Dalton Cook, 19. Teddy Snow, 20. Johnny Cloer, 21. D.J. Hayes, 22. Tim Rucker
