Duck River Raceway Park
McCreadie gets $4,000 Spring Nationals victory
Tim McCreadie (39) battles leader Shane Clanton (25) early at Duck River. (photobyconnie.com)
WHEEL, Tenn. (May 10) — Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., became the seventh winner in seven series races Thursday at Duck River Raceway Park in grabbing a $4,000 victory on the first-year Spring Nationals.
McCreadie, who finished third in World of Outlaws Late Model Series action at Duck River on April 28, led the final 24 laps after Shane Clanton departed before a lap-16 restart with flat tire. | Video | Slideshow
McCreadie led the rest of the 40-lapper in his lone start on the series, taking the checkers ahead of Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., winner of the Spring Nationals opener eight weeks earlier at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn. Polesitter and fast qualifier Ryan Gifford of Winchester, Tenn., McDowell’s Team Dillon mate, was third at Duck River with Stacy Boles of Clinton, Tenn., and Michael Chilton of Salvisa, Ky., rounding out the top five.
The top two drivers in series points — Steve Casebolt of Richmond, Ind., and Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, Tenn. — struggled in prelims and started together on the 11th row using provisional starting spots.
Ogle picked up key spots late to finish sixth while Casebolt ended up ninth after drawing one of the race’s five cautions. Other yellow flags appeared for Mark Fields (twice), Cale Finley and a lap-16 tangle on the backstretch triggered by Brad Skinner and Terry English that came just before the departure of Clanton, who started outside the front row and led 15 of the first 16 laps. McCreadie edged ahead to lead lap 13 before Clanton regained the point and led three more laps.
Notes: McCreadie’s Warrior Race Car is sponsored by Sweeteners Plus, Four Star Transmissions and Keizer Aluminum Wheels. ... The series is promoted by long-time North Carolina racer Ray Cook. ... Ten drivers completed 40 laps. ... David Payne of Murphy, N.C., rallied from 17th to eighth. ... Among drivers missing feature lineup: Josh Putnam, David Siebers, Vic Hill, Tony Morris, Tim Fuller, Dillan White, Kayne Hickman, Victor Lee, Dylan Ames and Brandon Kinzer. ... Ames lost the 15th quick time trial in the first group when he weighed in light. ... Spring Nationals competitors head to Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Ga., on Saturday. ... Ray Cook-promoted tour wraps up May 17 at Boyd's Speedway after Friday’s scheduled event was postponed because of flooding at the Ringgold, Ga., track this week.
Spring Nationals @ Duck River: (1) Tim McCreadie, (2) Dale McDowell, (3) Ryan Gifford, (4) Stacy Boles, (5) Michael Chilton, (6) Billy Ogle Jr., (7) Riley Hickman, (8) David Payne, (9) Steve Casebolt, (10) Jason Welshan, (11) Ryan King, (12) Josh Collins, (13) Mark Fields, (14) Cale Finley, (15) George Mashburn, (16) Scott Cook, (17) Terry English, (18) Daniel Miller, (19) Caleb Ashby, (20) Tanner English, (21) Shane Clanton, (22) Rusty Schlenk, (23) Brad Skinner, (24) Jay Brinkley. Fast qualifier (among 44 cars): Gifford, 12.404 seconds. Consolation race winners: Hickman, Ashby, Terry English, Brinkley. Last-chance winner: King. Provisional starters: Casebolt, Ogle, Collins.
Correction: Fixes lap leaders.
