LOCUST GROVE, Ark. — Not so fast. Just when it looked as though Chris Madden’s three-race win streak might come to an end, the Gray Court, S.C., driver had an answer. Madden recovered from a lead-losing bobble on lap 20 of Thursday’s 30-lap Topless 100 preliminary feature to regain the lead on lap 22 and pull away for his fourth straight win overall and third straight Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory.

Madden topped runner-up Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga., by 1.378 seconds to win the $5,000 prelim. After starting fifth, Madden’s car owner and a teammate Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., improved two spots to complete the podium. Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., finished fourth after starting 10th and fourth-starting Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., rounded out the top five.

Drivers will use points accumulated from their combined finishes in Thursday and Friday preliminaries to determine the feature lineup and the consolation lineups for Saturday’s 25th Topless 100 at the 3/8-mile Mooney Starr-owned oval just west of Batesville.

Now enjoying a four-race win streak — a streak that includes a pair of Crown Jewel triumphs and $115,000 in winnings — since joining Scott Bloomquist Racing, Madden said he remains focused on keeping the streak alive. But while trying to stay perfect, a bobble entering turn one nearly cost him on Thursday.

“I went down there and was just trying to be too perfect and shut down early and tried to run through the holes straight, bottomed out and just got in a shove and just run across the racetrack and couldn’t get it back,” Madden explained. “Brandon made a perfect corner that corner as was able to get by me.”

Starting outside the front row alongside polesitter Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., Madden grabbed the lead with a big run from the middle turns one and two and paced the field from the opening green. He had to muster a little extra, however, when Overton slipped by.

“I gathered it up and got a good run off of (turn) two over there and was able to stay to his quarterpanel,” said Madden. “When we went into (turns) three and four there, maybe a lap later or so, he bobbled and did the same thing and I had a good corner and I was able to get back by home. So, it worked out for us. Thank goodness we get another win, ‘cause it worked out for us.”

Overton started third and fell in line behind Madden and Marlar in the opening laps. He took advantage of a Marlar miscue on a lap-19 restart to move into second and quickly began to pressure Madden, taking the lead away just beyond the halfway mark. His time at the front was short-lived, however, as he made the same mistake Madden did.

“I just bottomed out. I tried to straighten up my entry just one time and the thing went bouncing up the racetrack … pretty much the same thing that happened to Chris,” said Overton. “Once it gets to bouncing you can’t stop it. Then you go back in there the next time and you ass-jack it to get it bent and the wheels spin. So anyway, I’ll take second. The way we’ve been doing, we definitely gained on it. The car’s definitely better from week to week, so I’m proud of that.

“Chris probably has the best car in the country right now, so to run second to him and then Scott (Bloomquist) run third. That’s pretty damn cool for me. The racetrack was cool. I know it was rough, but you really didn’t know who was gonna win and you know maybe if he’d hit it wrong again, maybe I could have snuck back in there.”

After advancing two positions, Bloomquist managed a third-place finish, but was hesitant when asked by DirtonDirt.com pit reporter Ben Shelton after the race if he thought he had enough to challenge the winner had he been able to get to Madden’s rear deck.

“It’d been hard to say. Chris did make a mistake there. Anything’s possible,” said Bloomquist, who continues to recover from injuries suffering in a March motorcycle accident. “I could go in on the bottom and rotate the bottom. The car was real maneuverable. It’s hard to say. I probably have a little bit of reserve right now. I don’t want to get out and hang myself out and end up causing an accident. We’re getting our reflexes and our speed back in our leg. It won’t be much longer.”

Notes: Madden’s third consecutive Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory is the 12th series triumph of his career and first-ever at Batesville Motor Speedway. His best Topless 100 finish was fourth in 2013. … Polesitter Mike Marlar was running second on a mid-race restart but slipped high and lost nearly 10 positions. He finished eighth. … The race was co-sanctioned with the Comp Cams Super Dirt Series. CCSDS points leader Tony Jackson Jr. of Lebanon, Mo., finished 10th, tops among Comp Cams tour regulars. … Eighteen of the 24 starters finished all 30 circuits. … The race’s lone caution came on lap 19 for Timothy Culp’s flat tire. … During the lap 19 caution, Tyler Erb gave up the fifth spot due to his engine’s faulty crank trigger. … Kyle Beard of Trumman, Ark., scratched from his consolation race after discovering a  water pump problem on his engine.

Preliminary results and notes

Feature lineup

Row 1: Mike Marlar, Chris Madden
Row 2: Brandon Overton, Jonathan Davenport
Row 3: Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson Jr.
Row 4: Tyler Erb, Josh Richards
Row 5: Timothy Culp, Jimmy Owens
Row 6: Neil Baggett, Hudson O’Neal
Row 7: B.J. Robinson, Billy Moyer
Row 8: Logan Martin, Billy Moyer Jr.
Row 9: Devin Moran, Tony Jackson Jr.
Row 10: Michael Norris, Austin Rettig
Row 11: Mason Oberkramer, Tim McCreadie
Row 12: Shannon Babb, Jack Sullivan

Pre-feature notes

Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., won the first heat to earn the pole for the 30-lap main event. “It was little bit of a wild heat race. The track is patchy and really fast right now. … But yeah, we have a good starting spot for the feature,” said Marlar. … Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga., didn’t mind the hooked up racing surface as he outran fellow throttle stomper Tyler Erb of New Waverly, Texas, to win the second heat. “As slick as everything’s been the last couple of weeks, it’s kinda fun,” said Overton. … Chris Madden’s impressive win in the third heat was perhaps more impressive knowing that the Gray Court, S.C., driver didn’t have his Scott Bloomquist Racing mount 100 percent to his liking. “We made just a little small adjustment before the heat race. Man this thing responds so well to adjustments. It responded, but a little too much, so well go back a little bit,” said Madden. … Without having to worry about passing points, Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., was the fourth heat winner. He said the track was still very fast. “It’s just really aggressive right now,” said Davenport of the track surface. … Jared Landers of Batesville, Ark., was slated to make his season debut in a Richard Haven-backed machine, but didn’t qualify or start his heat at the Haven Motorsports team put finishing touches on their Longhorn Chassis. Landers said he could possible have been ready for a consolation, but opted to go back over the car before hitting the track. He hopes to compete in Friday’s program.

Consolation results

First consolation (top four transfer): Devin Moran, Michael Norris, Mason Oberkramer, Shannon Babb, Kyle Bronson, Jon Mitchell, Zach McMillan, Morgan Bagley, David Payne, Nathan Brown, Chad Mallett, Raymond Merrill, Robert Baker, Brad Couch. Scratched: Kyle Beard.

Second consolation (top four transfer): Tony Jackson Jr., Austin Rettig, Tim McCreadie, Jack Sullivan, Johnny Scott, Brian Rickman, Shanon Buckingham, Wendell Wallace, Stormy Scott, Gavin Landers, Hunter Rasdon, Robbie Stuart. Scratched: Jake Davis, Jared Landers, Scott Crigler.

Consolation lineups

(12 laps, top four transfer)
First consolation
Row 1: Raymond Merrill, Devin Moran
Row 2: Kyle Beard, Mason Oberkramer
Row 3: Michael Norris, Kyle Bronson
Row 4: Robert Baker, Shannon Babb
Row 5: Zach McMillan, Jon Mitchell
Row 6: David Payne, Brad Couch
Row 7: Nathan Brown, Morgan Bagley
Row 8: Chad Mallett
Second consolation
Row 1: Tony Jackson Jr., Austin Rettig
Row 2: Jack Sullivan, Tim McCreadie
Row 3: Brian Rickman, Johnny Scott
Row 4: Wendell Wallace, Shanon Buckingham
Row 5: Hunter Rasdon, Gavin Landers
Row 6: Scott Crigler, Robbie Stuart
Row 7: Stormy Scott, Jake Davis
Row 8: Gavin Landers

Heat race results

First heat (top four transfer): Mike Marlar, Scott Bloomquist, Timothy Culp, B.J. Robinson, Raymond Merrill, Kyle Beard, Michael Norris, Robert Baker, Zach McMillan, David Payne, Nathan Brown, Chad Mallett.

Second heat (top four transfer): Brandon Overton, Tyler Erb, Neil Baggett, Logan Martin, Devin Moran, Mason Oberkramer, Kyle Bronson, Shannon Babb, Jon Mitchell, Brad Couch, Morgan Bagley.

Third heat (top four transfer): Chris Madden, Earl Pearson Jr., Jimmy Owens, Billy Moyer, Tony Jackson Jr., Jack Sullivan, Brian Rickman, Wendell Wallace, Hunter Rasdon, Scott Crigler, Stormy Scott.

Fourth heat (top four transfer): Jonathan Davenport, Josh Richard, Hudson O’Neal, Billy Moyer Jr., Austin Rettig, Tim McCreadie, Johnny Scott, Shanon Buckingham, Gavin Landers, Robbie Stuart.

Heat race lineups

(10 laps; top four transfer)
First heat
Row 1: Mike Marlar, Timothy Culp
Row 2: Scott Bloomquist, B.J. Robinson
Row 3: Kyle Beard, Raymond Merrill
Row 4: Robert Baker, Chad Mallett
Row 5: Michael Norris, Zach McMillan
Row 6: David Payne, Nathan Brown
Second heat
Row 1: Tyler Erb, Brandon Overton
Row 2: Neil Baggett, Devin Moran
Row 3: Logan Martin, Mason Overkramer
Row 4: Kyle Bronson, Jon Mitchell
Row 5: Shannon Babb, Brad Couch
Row 6: Morgan Bagley
Third heat
Row 1: Chris Madden, Earl Pearson Jr.
Row 2: Billy Moyer, Jimmy Owens
Row 3: Tony Jackson Jr., Jack Sullivan
Row 4: Wendell Wallace, Stormy Scott
Row 5: Hunter Rasdon, Brian Rickman
Row 6: Scott Crigler, Jared Landers
Fourth heat
Row 1: Jonathan Davenport, Josh Richards
Row 2: Hudson O’Neal, Billy Moyer Jr.
Row 3: Austin Rettig, Robbie Stuart
Row 4: Tim McCreadie, Johnny Scott
Row 5: Gavin Landers, Shannon Babb
Row 6: Jake Davis

Pre-race notes

Entering the weekend on a three-race win streak that includes a pair of Crown Jewel victories and $110,000 in earnings, Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., said there’s no additional pressure. “It makes it easier to me,” said Madden. “You just keep going and keep digging.” … Devin Moran of Dresden, Ohio, is among drivers making their first Topless 100 appearance. Believe it or not, Moran’s hall-of-fame father Donnie never made a Topless 100 start in his driving career either. … Like Moran, Michael Norris of Sarver, Pa., who is subbing for Don O’Neal who’s out recovering from knee surgery, is making his first trip to Batesville also. … Johnny Scott of Las Cruces, N.M., will be aboard the family’s No. 1st this weekend as a teammate to his brother Stormy. … A year after following the Mississippi State Championship Challenge Series exclusively Neil Baggett of Columbus, Miss., has stretched his legs a bit and traveled some in 2019. “(Our schedule) is just hit or miss,” said Baggett as he finished up preparations on his car in the Batesville pit area. “It’s good to get away from home every once in awhile.” … Hall of Famer Jerry Inmon of Bruce, Miss., is in the stands Thursday taking in prelim action. “I still try to get to a couple (races) when I can,” said Inmon, who never made a Topless 100 start.

Time trial results (unofficial)

Driver (car no.), hometown, time
Group A
Mike Marlar (157), Winfield, Tenn., 13.445
Tyler Erb (1), New Waverly, Texas, 13.505
Timothy Culp (C8), Prattsville, Ark., 13.536
Brandon Overton (2), Evans, Ga., 13.731
Scott Bloomquist (0), Mooresburg, Tenn., 13.740
Neil Baggett (21xxx), Columbus, Miss., 13.762
B.J. Robinson (1), Haughton, La., 13.837
Devin Moran (1), Dresden, Ohio, 13.839
Kyle Beard (86), Trumann, Ark., 13.916
Logan Martin (36), West Plains, Mo., 14.008
Raymond Merrill (12m), Sallisaw, Okla., 14.056
Mason Oberkramer (93), Broseley, Mo., 14.087
Robert Baker (71M), Bryant, Ark., 14.140
Kyle Bronson (40B), Brandon, Fla., 14.144
Chad Mallett (92m), Greenbrier, Ark., 14.181
Jon Mitchell (5), Texarkana, Texas, 14.187
Michael Norris (5), Sarver, Pa., 14.220
Shannon Babb (18), Moweaqua, Ill., 14.294
Zach McMillan (14), Gladewater, Texas, 14.437
Brad Couch (5L), Bossier City, La., 14.674
David Payne (7), Cabbott, Ark., 14.739
Morgan Bagley (14m), Longview, Texas, 15.106
Nathan Brown (3N), Marion, Ark., 15.393
Group B
Chris Madden (0M), Gray Court, S.C., 13.346
Jonathan Davenport (49), Blairsville, Ga., 13.673
Earl Pearson Jr. (1), Jacksonville, Fla., 13.676
Josh Richards (14), Shinnston, W.Va., 13.701
Billy Moyer (21), Batesville, Ark., 13.701
Jimmy Owens (20), Newport, Tenn., 13.710
Billy Moyer Jr. (21jr), Batesville, Ark., 13.712
Tony Jackson Jr. (56), Lebanon, Mo., 13.773
Austin Rettig (94), Sikeston, Mo., 13.808
Jack Sullivan (18X), Greenbrier, Ark., 13.809
Robbie Stuart (6R), DeRidder, La., 13.820
Wendell Wallace (GRT1), Batesville, Ark., 13.830
Hudson O’Neal (71), Martinsville, Ind., 13.919
Tim McCreadie (39), Watertown, N.Y., 13.929
Stormy Scott (2), Las Cruces, N.M., 13.943
Johnny Scott (1st), Las Cruces, N.M., 14.004
Hunter Rasdon (R5), Jonesboro, Ark., 14.083
Gavin Landers (77), Batesville, Ark., 14.157
Brian Rickman (90), Columbus, Miss., 14.269
Shanon Buckingham (50), Morristown, Tenn., 14.287
Scott Crigler (12), Alton, Mo., 14.303
Jared Landers (777), Batesville, Ark., no time
Jake Davis (7D), Hackett, Ark., no time

Pre-race setup

Batesville Motor Speedway hosts the 25th running of the Comp Cams Topless 100 presented by Nutrien Ag Solutions, the crown-jewel event at Mooney Starr’s 3/8-mile oval that began in 1993.

Action kicks off Thursday with a $5,000-to-win Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series prelim feature. The full program includes hot laps, time trials, heats, consolations and a 30-lap feature. Drivers accumulate points from Thursday and Friday preliminary features, which will be used to set feature and consolation lineups for Saturday’s $40,000-to-win program.

Thursday’s action also includes a $1,000-to-win program for unsanctioned open-wheel modifieds on the undercard.

Thursday's schedule

3 p.m. - Pit gates open
5 p.m. - Grandstand gates open
7 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting
7:30 p.m. - Competition
-Hot laps
-Late Model time trials
-Late Model heats (10 laps)
-Late Model consolations (15 laps)
-Late Model feature (40 laps)
-Complete show for modifieds