Volunteer Speedway
Hill's demise lifts Chad Ogle to SRRS victory
By Robert Walden
Volunteer Speedway
Chad Ogle got a hug from his daughter in victory lane. (mrmracing.net)
BULLS GAP, Tenn. (June 22) — Inheriting the lead when race-dominating Vic Hill broke onlap 34, Chad Ogle of Sevierville, Tenn., led the rest of the Summer Shootout 40 to capture the first-ever Southern Regional Racing Series event at Volunteer Speedway. | Slideshow
The fourth-starting Ogle earned $3,000 for his first SRRS victory in taking the victory over Scott James of Lawrenceburg, Ind. Polesitter Ryan King of Seymour, Tenn., was third followed by Mark Vineyard of Powell, Tenn., and Bryan Hendrix of Knoxville, Tenn., in the caution-free event after it took four times to get the race started. Hill, of Mosheim, Tenn., ended up 11th in the 16-car field after breaking the rear-end quick-change gear cover.
“Hey, tonight definitely proved that it’s never over until the checkered flag waves,” said the smiling 37-year-old Ogle in victory lane. “Some people will say, ‘Oh, you got lucky to win’ and I’ll admit we caught a lucky break. Because there’s no doubt about it, Vic had the race won if not for the rear-end trouble sidelining him.
“But I believe we were due to have some good luck on our side. Dating back to the end of last season we had our engine blow, and we’re just a family-owned race team and losing our motor definitely set us back financially over the off-season. We didn’t even get to start racing this year until a little over a month ago.”
At the outset of the 40-lapper, Hill powered into the lead over King and served notice to his fellow competitors the race would be for second on back. At the halfway point, Hill had a full-straightaway advantage over King and Ogle.
Ogle got around King and moved into second on lap 23 racing off the fourth turn, but Hill was far ahead before his demise. With the laps winding down, Scott James passed King for the runner-up position. But there would be no catching Ogle.
Notes: Ogle’s CVR Race Car is powered by a Custom Race Engine and sponsored by ELC & Company/Geo Services, Geotechnical & Materials Engineers, Ole Smoky Moonshine, Brooks Malone, J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment, Hoosier Racing Tire, Ohlins Shocks and Matlock Decals. ... Jerry Broyles won the night’s Crate Late Model feature. ... Josh Putnam was the first casualty of the race on the first lap when the screws came out of the rotor button. ... Travis Greer spun on the third attempted start, but the race went caution-free thereafter. ... Next up for SRRS competitors is five races over seven days starting June 27 at Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, Tenn. (Additional info from Connie Putnam)
Summer Shootout 40: (1) Chad Ogle, (2) Scott James, (3) Ryan King, (4) Mark Vineyard, (5) Bryan Hendrix, (6) Stacy Boles, (7) Jamie Oliver, (8) Josh Henry, (9) Jason Welshan, (10) Jeff Neubert, (11) Vic Hill, (12) Travis Greer, (13) Stanley Donahoo, (14) Mike Luna, (15) Gabe Wilson, (16) Josh Putnam. Fast qualifier (among 16 cars): Hill, 12.542 seconds.
