UNION, Ky. (Aug. 8) — Fresh off his USA Nationals triumph, Chris Madden’s hot streak continued Thursday at Florence Speedway with a $10,000 victory in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned North-South Shootout.

Inheriting the lead on lap 43 of 50 when race leader Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., spun after making contact with a lapped car, the Gray Court, S.C., driver led the remaining distance, outrunning last year’s Shootout winner Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., for his first-ever victory at the northern Kentucky oval.

“The first 20 laps or so, we were just kind of hanging in there,” Madden said. “But after lap 29, we started rolling pretty good. I feel like me and Jimmy (Owens) were probably the class of the field there. When we had about 10 to go, I started reeling him back in. I had closed in on him pretty tight right there, so I got to see all of it happen and take place.

“The lapped car kind of got loose there and Jimmy I think was going to steer under him and he got loose and got sideways and hit the guy and spun out. But we had a great race car the last 15 laps of the race, so we definitely got something to build on for the 100-lapper.”

Outside polesitter Zack Dohm of Cross Lanes, W.Va., shot to the front of the field at the drop of the green flag, maintaining his lead through a string of early cautions. Running a close second to Dohm, Owens slid ahead in turns three and four to assume the point on lap 16. Madden would then move into second on a lap-25 restart, closing the gap between himself and Owens when disaster struck for the No. 20 car with less than 10 laps remaining in the distance.

Madden held a comfortable lead through the final circuits, despite McCreadie’s attempts to charge the high side of the racetrack. In just his third start since partnering with Hall of Famer Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., Madden scored his second victory, increasing his winner’s earnings to $65,000 in less than a week’s time.

“It’s just like being back in a pair of the best shoes you ever had,” Madden said. “You just put them on and wear them. That’s where you need to be at. I never missed a beat when I got right back in them. Scott’s definitely improved them a lot. He’s got a heck of a race car right now.”

Sixth-starting McCreadie finished runner-up, with Dohm settling for a third-place finish after leading the first 15 circuits. Eighth-starting Stormy Scott of Las Cruces, N.M., ran fourth, with seventh-starting Kent Robinson of Bloomington, Ind., rounding out the top five.

The 2017 Sunoco North-South 100 winner, McCreadie tried to take his No. 39 machine to the top side just as he had en route to his former Florence glory. But he just wasn’t able to rekindle that same magic on Thursday night.

“I was going to give it a shot,” McCreadie said. “You should be able to make something work up there. I’m windy. The RPM range is really windy there and it doesn’t hook. It’s where you get up there and it takes me so long to wait on it. I needed to be able to go in there and be on the deck and throwing mud in the air but I just couldn’t do it. So we’ve just got to try to work a little harder. But we’ll take a second.”

A third-place finish was bittersweet for Dohm, who’s podium finish marked a career-best in Lucas Oil Series action. But in the early running, the West Virginia driver said he felt like he had the car to beat.

“I’m happy,” Dohm said. “It’s definitely the best run I’ve ever had with the Lucas guys. Before that it was fifth in the (DTWC) last year. That’s cool. We just keep getting better and better and better. Maybe one day we’ll win one. I thought there for a minute we were going to be real good. The first couple of laps, it was awesome. But I think we tightened up too much or the slicker it got we weren’t steering real good. I don’t know what to do to fix it to be honest.”

Notes: The first yellow flag waved on lap 10 when Kyle Strickler slowed on the backstretch. … A red flag fell on lap 11 for a backstretch tangle involving Scott James, Jesse Lay and Jeff Alsip. … Frank Heckenast Jr. slowed on the frontstretch to draw a caution on lap 12. … A yellow flew on lap 25 when fifth-running Bobby Pierce came to a stop in the bottom of turn one. … Sixth-running Devin Moran slowed with suspension damage to draw a caution on lap 29.

Preliminary reports:

Feature lineup

Row 1: Chris Madden, Zack Dohm
Row 2: Frank Heckenast Jr., Michael Norris
Row 3: Jimmy Owens, Tim McCreadie
Row 4: Kent Robinson, Stormy Scott
Row 5: Mike Benedum, Billy Green
Row 6: Brandon Overton, Jonathan Davenport
Row 7: Kyle Strickler, Bobby Pierce
Row 8: Jesse Lay, Devin Moran
Row 9: Scott James, Dale McDowell
Row 10: Ricky Weiss, Victor Lee
Row 11: Josh Richards, Shanon Buckingham
Row 12: Tyler Erb, Earl Pearson Jr.
Row 13: Hudson O’Neal, Kyle Bronson
Row 14: Jeff Alsip

Consolation results

First consolation finish (top two transfer): Ricky Weiss, Josh Richards, Tyler Erb, Trevor Landrum, Mike Marlar, Robby Hensley, Jason Miller, Earl Pearson Jr., Jason Jameson, Austin Burns, Steve Casebolt, Kevin Weaver, Roger Williams, Austin Rettig, Nick Hoffman.

Second consolation finish (top two transfer): Victor Lee, Shanon Buckingham, Hudson O’Neal, Devin Gilpin, Josh Rice, Johnny Scott, Billy Moyer Jr., Greg Johnson, David Webb, Paul Stubber, Mike Provenzano, Scott Bloomquist, Donald McIntosh, Kyle Bronson, Joey Moriarty, Todd Brennan.

Consolation lineups

(12 laps; top two transfer)
First consolation
Row 1: Mike Marlar, Austin Rettig
Row 2: Josh Richards, Ricky Weiss
Row 3: Jason Miller, Trevor Landrum
Row 4: Nick Hoffman, Earl Pearson Jr.
Row 5: Tyler Erb, Robby Hensley
Row 6: Jeff Alsip, Jason Jameson
Row 7: Austin Burns, Roger Williams
Row 8: Kevin Weaver, Steve Casebolt
Row 9: Chad Stapleton
Second consolation
Row 1: Victor Lee, Shanon Buckingham
Row 2: Hudson O’Neal, Devin Gilpin
Row 3: Kyle Bronson, Donald McIntosh
Row 4: Josh Rice, Johnny Scott
Row 5: Zak Blackwood, Joey Moriarty
Row 6: Billy Moyer Jr., Greg Johnson
Row 7: Paul Stubber, Todd Brennan
Row 8: David Webb, Scott Bloomquist
Row 9: Mike Provenzano

Rain delay

Light rain started falling shortly after the first modified heat race took the green flag, with cars sent back to the pits around 9:25 p.m. The rain is expected to move out quickly and racing will resume soon after.

Heat race results

First heat finish (top three transfer): Chris Madden, Kent Robinson, Kyle Strickler, Mike Marlar, Ricky Weiss, Nick Hoffman, Robby Hensley, Austin Burns. Scratched: Chad Stapleton.

Second heat finish (top three transfer): Frank Heckenast Jr., Mike Benedum, Jesse Lay, Austin Rettig, Jason Miller, Earl Pearson Jr., Jeff Alsip, Roger Williams, Steve Casebolt.

Third heat finish (top three transfer): Jimmy Owens, Brandon Overton, Scott James, Josh Richards, Trevor Landrum, Tyler Erb, Jason Jameson, Kevin Weaver.

Fourth heat finish (top three transfer): Zack Dohm, Stormy Scott, Bobby Pierce, Victor Lee, Devin Gilpin, Josh Rice, Joey Moriarty, Paul Stubber, Scott Bloomquist.

Fifth heat finish (top three transfer): Michael Norris, Billy Green, Devin Moran, Shanon Buckingham, Kyle Bronson, Johnny Scott, Billy Moyer Jr., Todd Brennan, Mike Provenzano.

Sixth heat finish (top three transfer): Tim McCreadie, Jonathan Davenport, Dale McDowell, Hudson O’Neal, Donald McIntosh, Zak Blackwood, Greg Johnson, David Webb.

Heat race lineups

(10 laps; top three transfer)
First heat
Row 1: Chris Madden, Kent Robinson
Row 2: Mike Marlar, Ricky Weiss
Row 3: Kyle Strickler, Chad Stapleton
Row 4: Nick Hoffman, Robby Hensley
Row 5: Austin Burns
Second heat
Row 1: Mike Benedum, Frank Heckenast Jr.
Row 2: Jesse Lay, Earl Pearson Jr.
Row 3: Steve Casebolt, Jason Miller
Row 4: Austin Rettig, Roger Williams
Row 5: Jeff Alsip
Third heat
Row 1: Brandon Overton, Scott James
Row 2: Jimmy Owens, Jason Jameson
Row 3: Tyler Erb, Josh Richards
Row 4: Kevin Weaver, Trevor Landrum
Fourth heat
Row 1: Devin Gilpin, Zack Dohm
Row 2: Victor Lee, Paul Stubber
Row 3: Scott Bloomquist, Stormy Scott
Row 4: Joey Moriarty, Bobby Pierce
Row 5: Josh Rice
Fifth heat
Row 1: Billy Green, Michael Norris
Row 2: Shanon Buckingham, Billy Moyer Jr.
Row 3: Kyle Bronson, Devin Moran
Row 4: Johnny Scott, Todd Brennan
Row 5: Mike Provenzano
Sixth heat
Row 1: Tim McCreadie, Donald McIntosh
Row 2: Jonathan Davenport, David Webb
Row 3: Hudson O’Neal, Dale McDowell
Row 4: Zak Blackwood, Greg Johnson

Qualifying

Tripping the clock with a time of 15.471 seconds, Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., was Thursday’s overall fast qualifier at Florence. He’ll start on the pole of the evening’s first heat race. Clocking fast time in his respective time trial group, Devin Gilpin of Columbus, Ind., will start on the pole of the fourth heat race. Other heat race polesitters will be Mike Benedum of Salem, W.Va., Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga., Billy Green of Walton, Ky., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y.

Pre-race notes

Fresh off his first crown jewel victory in Cedar Lake Speedway’s USA Nationals, Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., has joined the field for Florence’s North-South 100 weekend. Madden last qualified for the North-South in 2011, finishing 21st. Piloting a Bloomquist entry for the third time this season, Madden’s feeling confident heading into Thursday’s show. “We’re just happy to be back to all the big shows, all the crown jewels,” Madden said. “We’ve been in the car twice and had had a chance to win two crown jewels in a row. A second and a first, not bad.” … Among the 2019 National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame class, Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, Ill., is on hand at Florence. Weaver’s lone North-South 100 start came back in 1995, where he won his heat race and finished ninth in the 100-lap feature. “Florence is always a real tough racetrack for us,” Weaver said. “You’ve really got to be on your game to run good here. The track’s changed from the last time I was here.”    … Like Madden, Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., enters the North-South 100 weekend fresh off a $10,000 Schaeffer’s MARS Racing Series victory at Brownstown Speedway. Marlar’s career-best third-place finish in North-South action came back in 2015. … Mike Benedum of Salem, W.Va., is wheeling an Eric Hudkins-owned entry this weekend. Jacob Hawkins of Fairmont, W.Va., most recently piloted Hudkins's No. 8 machine. … Making his first-ever Late Model start at Eldora Speedway’s Dream XV, Johnny Scott of Las Cruces, N.M., will climb back behind the wheel Thursday night for the first time since June. … With his father John Provenzano among Hall of Fame inductees, Mike Provenzano of Marseilles, Ill., makes his first-ever appearance at Florence this weekend.  … Trevor Landrum of Florence, Ky., top’s the northern Kentucky oval’s weekly points standings. ... Sidelined with a leg injury since June, Clint Bowyer Racing pilot Don O'Neal of Martinsville, Ind., said Thursday that he expects to return to action for the Aug. 30 Lucas Oil Series event at Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, Ky. ... Recent Florence weekly feature winner Kody Evans of Camden, Ohio, is in the pits but will not race until Friday.

Pre-race setup

For the third straight season, Florence Speedway kicks off its Sunoco North-South 100 weekend with the North-South Shootout. The complete Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series program pays $10,000-to-win.

Previous North-South Shootout winners include Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., and Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn. Lucas Oil Series points leader Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., was the winner of the June 29 Ralph Latham Memorial at Florence.

Thursday’s program will include time trials, heat races, consolations and the 50-lap main event. The show precedes Friday’s double round of heat race preliminaries and Saturday’s $50,000-to-win weekend finale. Modifieds will also be in action.

Time trial results

Driver (car no.), hometown
Group A
Chris Madden (0m), Gray Court, S.C., 15.471
Mike Benedum (8), Salem, W.Va., 15.595
Brandon Overton (2), Evans, Ga., 15.756
Kent Robinson (7R), Bloomington, Ind., 15.758
Frank Heckenast Jr. (99jr), Frankfort, Ill., 15.767
Scott James (83), Bright, Ind., 15.812
Mike Marlar (157), Winfield, Tenn., 15.856
Jesse Lay (33), Walton, Ky., 15.860
Jimmy Owens (20), Newport, Tenn., 15.902
Ricky Weiss (7W), Headingley, Manitoba, 15.926
Earl Pearson Jr. (1), Jacksonville, Fla., 15.942
Jason Jameson (12), Lawrenceburg, Ind., 15.949
Kyle Strickler (8), Mooresville, N.C., 16.005
Steve Casebolt (C9), Richmond, Ind., 16.010
Tyler Erb (1), New Waverly, Texas, 16.064
Chad Stapleton (32), Edinburgh, Ind., 16.071
Jason Miller (94), Winchester, Va., 16.074
Josh Richards (14), Shinnston, W.Va., 16.113
Nick Hoffman (2), Mooresville, N.C., 16.203
Austin Rettig (94), Sikeston, Mo., 16.252
Kevin Weaver (B12), Gibson City, Ill., 16.254
Robby Hensley (21H), Walton, Ky., 16.296
Roger Williams (12), Walton, Ky., 16.302
Trevor Landrum (18), Florence, Ky., 16.320
Austin Burns (22B), Morgantown, Ind., 16.598
Jeff Alsip (78), Independence, Ky., 16.616
Group B
Devin Gilpin (1G), Columbus, Ind., 15.865
Billy Green (49G), Walton, Ky., 15.865
Tim McCreadie (39), Watertown, N.Y., 15.901
Zack Dohm (17), Cross Lanes, W.Va., 15.916
Michael Norris (5), Sarver, Pa., 15.949
Donald McIntosh (7), Dawsonville, Ga., 15.958
Victor Lee (1X), Danville, Ky., 15.967
Shanon Buckingham (50), Morristown, Tenn., 15.993
Jonathan Davenport (49), Blairsville, Ga., 16.041
Paul Stubber (31aus), Bunbury, Australia, 16.041
Billy Moyer Jr. (21jr), Batesville, Ark., 16.061
David Webb (13W), Nicholasville, Ky., 16.068
Scott Bloomquist (0), Mooresburg, Tenn., 16.091
Kyle Bronson (40B), Brandon, Fla., 16.106
Hudson O’Neal (71), Martinsville, Ind., 16.117
Stormy Scott (2), Las Cruces, N.M., 16.125
Devin Moran (1), Dresden, Ohio, 16.197
Dale McDowell (17m), Chickamauga, Ga., 16.234
Joey Moriarty (51), Phoenix, Ariz., 16.241
Johnny Scott (1st), Las Cruces, N.M., 16.276
Zak Blackwood (93), Columbus, Ind., 16.300
Bobby Pierce (32), Oakwood, Ill., 16.301
Todd Brennan (30), Zanesville, Ohio, 16.357
Greg Johnson (17J), Bedford, Ind., 16.508
Josh Rice (11), Verona, Ky., 16.594
Mike Provenzano (m27), Marseilles, Ill., 18.301

Thursday’s schedule

Drivers meeting: 6 p.m.
Hot laps/time trials: 6:30 p.m.
- Late Model hot laps
- Modified hot laps
- Late Model time trials (2 laps)
Opening ceremonies
- Late Model heat races (10 laps)
- Modified heat races (8 laps)
- Late Model consolations (12 laps)
- Modified consolations (10 laps)
Intermission
- Late Model feature (50 laps)
- Modified feature (20 laps)