July 24
Rome Speedway,
Rome, GA
Sanction: Schaeffer's Southern Nationals - $5,300
Information provided by: Series reports (last updated July 26, 9:55 am)
McDowell captures Southern Nationals at Rome
- Dale McDowell
- Frank Ingram
- Casey Roberts
- Vic Hill
- Donald McIntosh
- Ricky Weiss
- Luther Jenkins
- Jason Croft
- Tyler Millwood
- Shanon Buckingham
- Austin Horton
- Craig Vosbergen
- Devin Gilpin
- Cody King
- Stacy Boles
- Ivedent Lloyd Jr.
- Gavin Landers
- Robby Moses
- T.J. Reaid
- Jason Hiett
- David Doherty
- Tom Maddox
Dale McDowell shares a laugh with Rome owner Mickey Swims.
What won the race: Polesitter Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., became the season's first two-time winner on the Schaeffer Oil Southern Nationals in leading all 53 laps Sunday at Rome Speedway. McDowell earned $5,300, taking the checkers by 1.560 seconds over Frank Ingram for his third straight victory since debuting a new race car.
Quotable: "I swear I think it's been working out better with me not fooling with the car," McDowell said in victory lane with a laugh. "But Shane (McDowell) and Ryan (Gifford) and Jesse (Kerns), they all work hard on the car ... put a lot of effort toward it. And Shane busted his tail. Really, the credit goes to those guys. It's making it a lot of fun for me."
Key notes: McDowell, who also won the series opener at Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Va., repelled challenges from Frank Ingram in traffic. ... Ingram, like McDowell, piloted a Sweet-Bloomquist chassis. ... Points leader Devin Gilpin slowed with a flat tire in the second half of the race; he ended up 13th. ... Four yellows in all slowed the action; Craig Vosbergen drew a lap-17 yellow and Tom Maddox brought out a lap-21 caution flag. ... Jason Hiett debuted a new Capital Race Car. ... The series takes Monday off before heading into its final week.
On the move: Ricky Weiss of Headingley, Manitoba, started 21st and finished sixth.
Winner's sponsors: McDowell's Team Dillon Racing Sweet-Bloomquist Chassis is sponsored by ECR Engines, Clements Racing Engines, Boydbilt Fabrication, Bad Boy Off Road, University of Northwestern Ohio, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Cometic Gaskets, Keyser Manufacturing, and Mark IV ATVs.
Points chase: Leaving Rome, Devin Gilpin of Columbus, Ind., has 1,011 points to lead Shanon Buckingham (1,007) and Ricky Weiss (997).
Car count: 27
Fast qualifier: Dale McDowell
Time: 13.605 seconds
Polesitter: Dale McDowell
Heat race winners: Craig Vosbergen, Jason Croft
Provisional starters: Shanon Buckingham, Stacy Boles
Next series race: July 26, Boyd's Speedway (Ringgold, GA) $3,500
Editor's note: Corrects lap count to 53 sted 35.