Ultimate Motorsports Park
Peacock tops Friendship field, wins NDRA Finals
ELKIN, N.C. (Oct. 10) — Outside front-row starter Hunter Peacock of Gray, Ga., led the last half of the 40-lap feature at Friendship Motor Speedway for a victory in the first round of the NDRA Finals for Crate Late Models. Peacock, 19, earned $2,500 for the victory.
Fast qualifier Jimmy Watson of Ararat, N.C., started on the pole and led early while Peacock, and Donald Bradsher of Burlington, N.C. Near the race's midpoint, Peacock dove under Watson exiting turn two to grab a lead he'd never give up. Bradsher dropped Watson to third while Noel Tucker of Pilot Mountain, N.C., broke into the top five by lap 30.
Peacock wrapped up the victory ahead of Bradsher and Tucker while Timbo Mangum of Lancaster, S.C., and Winky McGee of Pilot Mountain rounded out the top five. Watson faded to finish eighth while track champion Kent Peckham of Statesville, N.C., finished 12th. Matt Long of Concord, N.C., rallied from 23rd to ninth for hard charger honors and $100 from Elkin Quick Lube.
The second round of the NDRA Finals are scheduled for Nov. 14 at Lancaster Motor Speedway.
NDRA Finals: (1) Hunter Peacock, (2) Donald Bradsher, (3) Noel Tucker, (4) Timbo Mangum, (5) Winky McGee, (6) Keith Holder, (7) Jason Pack, (8) Mitchell Coble, (9) Matt Long, (10) Royce Bray, (11) Justin Hudspeth, (12) Kent Peckham, (13) Tony Hicks, (14) Chris Hargett, (15) Brandon Anderson, (16) Brandy Baker, (17) Gary Puckett, (18) Jimmy Watson, (19) Chris Cheek, (20) Jason Walls, (21) John Eller, (22) Chase McCormick, (23) Ryan Atkins, (24) Steve Banall. Fast qualifier (among 36 cars): Watson.