Cherokee Speedway
Madden rules Cherokee for $7,000 Lucas victory
By James Essex
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Chris Madden leads all 35 laps at Cherokee. (davidallio.com/speed/speed.htm)
GAFFNEY, S.C. (June 19) — Winning at the track where he's most dominant, Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., led all 35 laps of the 11th annual Grassy Smith Memorial at Cherokee Speedway for his second career victory on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The 34-year-old Madden, who started outside the front row, earned $7,000 in becoming the 16th winner in 20 series races.
Sixth-starting Dale McDowell of Rossville, Ga., finished second at the 3/8-mile oval followed by Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., Jeff Cooke of Spartanburg, S.C., and series points leader Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn.
Fast qualifier Chris Ferguson started alongside Madden at the outset, but Ferguson fell back when he jumped the turn-three cushion on the opening lap. Petey Ivey of Union, S.C., moved into second followed by McDowell, Owens and Cook.
After a lap-two caution for Ricky Weeks of Rutherfordton, N.C., Ivey retired pitside, and on the ensuing restart Ferguson's flat right-front tire triggered a pileup that brought out another yellow. The cars of hometown driver Dennis Franklin and John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va., suffered the most damage in the accident.
Madden finally got a chance to get rolling on the next start with McDowell and Owens in pursuit. By the halfway point, Madden was building a big lead, but his pursuers cut into that as the leader entered lapped traffic.
The top three went nose-to-tail through the traffic with Madden feeling some pressure before a lap-33 caution appeared when fourth-running Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., slowed with a right-rear tire. With clear track on the restart, Madden cruised the final two laps for the victory on the Southern Sizzler Tour.
Notes: Madden drives a Bloomquist Race Car with a Cornett Engine and sponsorship from Century Plastics, Freeman Plumbing, Xtreme Custom and Cycles, Swiftco, Cushman Paint and Body, Allstar Performance, Henderson Amusement, Hamrick's of Gaffney and Renntech Graphics. ... His previous Lucas Oil Series victory came June 14, 2008, at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala. ... Steve Casebolt of Richmond, Ind., made a 22nd-to-10th run to earn the PBM-Erson Cams Hard Charger honors. ... Lucas Oil competitors wrap up the Southern Sizzler Tour with Saturday's $10,000-to-win event at Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
Grassy Smith Memorial: (1) Chris Madden, (2) Dale McDowell, (3) Jimmy Owens, (4) Jeff Cooke, (5) Scott Bloomquist, (6) Jeff Smith, (7) Brad Neat, (8) Brent Dixon, (9) Furman Parton, (10) Steve Casebolt, (11) Don O'Neal, (12) Dan Schlieper, (13) Ray Cook, (14) Jonathan Davenport, (15) Johnny Pursley, (16) David Breazeale, (17) John Blankenship, (18) Earl Pearson Jr., (19) Freddy Smith, (20) Ed Basey, (21) Chris Ferguson, (22) Josh McGuire, (23) Petey Ivey, (24) Dennis Franklin, (25) Ricky Weeks. Fast qualifier (among 31 cars): Ferguson, 15.415 seconds. Heat race winners: Ferguson, Madden, Owens. Consolation winner: Breazeale. Provisional starters: Cook, McGuire.
