Lavonia Speedway
Hickman rules Lavonia, bags first Ultimate win
By Joshua Joiner
DirtonDirt.com staff writer
Riley Hickman earned $5,000 for his first Ultimate Series victory. (Shea Humphries)
LAVONIA, Ga. (March 10) — Riley Hickman of Ooltewah, Tenn., turned Sunday’s Late Model Mania main event into a Sunday drive at Lavonia Speedway with a dominating flag-to-flag victory in the 3/8-mile oval’s first race since 2010.
The second-starting Hickman got the jump on polesitter Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., on the start of the 50-lap Ultimate Super Late Model Series event and cruised on the locked-down daytime surface. He crossed the finish line more with more than a straightaway advantage ahead of Madden and Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., in earning a $5,000 payday for his first-ever Ultimate Series victory. | Video | Slideshow
“Chris and Mike, they race nationally all the time. They’re the best in the business and it means a lot to come over here and run with them,” said Hickman, the defending Southern Regional Racing Series champion who’s looking to travel more broadly this season. “I haven’t been here before, so it means a lot coming here for the first time and taking home a win.”
Madden settled for second after turning back constant pressure from Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., throughout the race. Marlar took multiple looks under Madden but couldn’t find a way around. He settled for third ahead of home-state drivers Clint Smith of Senoia and Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville.
Madden congratulated Hickman during post-race interviews, but he let it be known that he doesn't support series rules that allow cars powered by a spec engine like Hickman’s to run at less weight with a larger spoiler.
“I’ve always said that we’re Super Late Model racing, and that ain’t Super Late Model racing,” said Madden, who leads the Ultimate tour’s all-time wins list with six-career series victories. “We had a little different tire combination than the rest of ‘em. I know we was probably holding Mike up a little bit, but that’s racing.”
Marlar appeared to have a faster car than Madden, but with Madden making smooth laps, he never had an opportunity to make the pass for a chance to run down Hickman.
Malar’s best chance to get by Madden came on the lap-15 restart. Taking advantage of the double-file formation, Marlar jumped ahead of Madden down the front straightaway, but he handed the spot back by sliding high in turn two.
“Sunday day racing, it’s hard to race in dry, sunny conditions,” said Marlar, who earned his second top-three finish of the weekend after scoring a runner-up finish in Saturday night’s Shamrock event at Cleveland (Tenn.) Speedway. “We was a little contained, but that’s how it goes some days.”
Hickman cruised as the first 15 laps ran caution free, opening more than a straightaway advantage before Josh Henry's broken rear end caused the race’s first caution. The only other caution appeared on lap 16 when Tom Maddox and Brett Miller spun in turn four.
Notes: Hickman drives a MasterSbilt Race Car powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine with sponsorship from Hickman Manufacturing, MRC Racing Components, American Billet, Tucker Mobile Home Service, VP Racing Fuels, Allstar Graphics and RH Designs. ... Parker Herring of Hartwell, Ga., won the $3,000 Fastrak Crate Late Model feature while Kenny Collins of Colbert, Ga., claimed the $2,000 Southeastern Late Model Sportsman Series race. ... After sitting idle for more than two years, Lavonia’s reopening event drew a near-capacity crowd to the historic race facility. The track reopened under new promoters Stan Lester and Max King and will host weekly Friday night action along with a number of special events this season. Lavonia’s next Late Model special is a visit by the World of Outlaws Late Model Series scheduled for May 4. ... The Ultimate Series returns to action April 6 with a $4,000-to-win event at North Georgia Speedway in Chatsworth, Ga.
Late Model Mania (Ultimate): (1) Riley Hickman, (2) Chris Madden, (3) Mike Marlar, (4) Clint Smith, (5) Jonathan Davenport, (6) Logan Yates, (7) Casey Roberts, (8) Dean Bowan, (9) Tony Knowles, (10) Larry Timms, (11) Zack Mitchell, (12) Billy Ruston, (13) Jeff Smith, (14) Brett Miller, (15) Chad Stapleton, (16) Casey Barrow, (17) Frank Coates, (18) Tom Maddow, (19) Josh Henry, (20) Chris McKeeha. Fast qualifier: Madden, 16.832 seconds. Consolation winners: Roberts, Yates.
Late Model Mania (Fastrak): (1) Parker Herring, (2) Brent Dixon, (3) David McCoy, (4) Chris Cantrell, (5) Lee Cooper, (6) David Smith, (7) Dale Timms, (8) Jensen Ford, (9) Ron Parker, (9) Frankie Beard, (10) Jordan Dill, (12) Cla Knight, (13) Vince Fanello, (14) Colby Cannon, (15) Teddy Tate, (16) Jimmy Ivester, (17) Wendell Chavous, (18) Royce Bray, (19) Nathan Bray, (20) Tim Byrd, (21) Chris Chandler, (22) Keith Freeman, (23) Colton Flinner, (24) Drew Benfield. Editor's note: Herring on March 11 was stripped of the victory when his engine was declared illegal; Dixon was awarded the victory. Additionally, Fastrak fixed a scoring error and placed Jordan Dill in 10th.
Late Model Mania (Southeastern Sportsman): (1) Kenny Collins, (2) Ethan Hunter, (3) Josh Henry, (4) Anthony Craft, (5) David McCoy, (6) Randy Dillard, (7) Lee Callenbach, (8) Chad Puckett, (9) Chris Nickerson, (10) Scott Frady, (11) Jimmy Ivester, (12) Gus Simpson, (13) Brant Carey, (14) Steve Richardson, (15) J.R. Headen, (16) Bobby Sexton, (17) Chris Ausburn, (18) Bubba Russell, (19) Wesley English, (20) Jimmy Johnson.
