After missing the first events of the season while recovering from surgery Clyde Overholt made up for lost time by scoring his third Sportsman win in a row. In time trials Overholt was quickest among fifteen entries with a lap of 12.059 seconds. Anthony Burchett of Harrogate, in his first start of the season, would qualify second and start on the pole of the feature after the invert draw.
Using the outside starting spot to his advantage Overholt would lead the field down the back stretch pursued by Burchett and Cody Smith of Barbourville, KY. By lap eight Overholt caught the tail of the field as Burchett closed the gap. Weaving his way through the lap traffic Overholt would lead every lap of the feature for the win in the Overholt Racing & Fabrication, Noah’s Wholesale, Baker’s Tree Service, Petty’s Wrecker Service sponsored, Eagle Race Engine powered Rayburn Race car.
Sportsman
1. 4 Clyde Overholt
2. 18 Anthony Burchett
3. 1 David Clark
4. 11 Cody Smith
5. 50M Jonathan Miracle
6. 53 Floyd Branham
7. 28 Randy Davis
8. 3 Michael Boyd
9. 50 Rick Welch
10. 24 Andy Wilder
11. 79 Josh Sneed
12. K5 Nick Kniat
13. 54 Mitchell Burke
14. 15 Wade Howerton
15. 00 Chris Raines
16. 12 Jason Long
Shaking off the bad luck bug that had plagued him for over a month, Newport’s Wayne James returned to form to notch his second Open Wheel Modifed win of the year. James would record the quickest time in qualifying with points leader Billy Palmer of Hardin Valley turning in the second fastest time.
Drawing a two on the invert draw James started the feature on the outside of the front row with Palmer starting on the pole. With the wave of the green flag the duo would make it a drag race for the lead down the back stretch. James would slip into the lead coming out of turn four as Palmer had his hands full holding off Don Adams of Lindon, Ky for the second spot. By the fifth circuit James pulled out to over a six car length over Palmer. The action would slow on lap thirteen as Josh Lee of Corbin, in his first ever start at Tazewell Speedway, looped his car in turn four. On the restart Adams amped up the pressure on Palmer. Three laps later Adams used a slide job in turn four to move into second. With the laps winding down James put the elbows up and held off Adams for his second win of the year in the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen, Steve’s Heating & Air, West Haven Speed Equipment, Accurate Heat & Air and Lane’s Market sponsored Performance Race Chassis.
Open Wheel Modified
1. 4 Wayne James
2. 90 Don Adams
3. 36 Billy Palmer
4. 0 Terry James
5. 00 Jeff Akard
6. J4 Tyler James
7. 16 Josh Lee
8. 14 Austin Atkins
Michael Woods of Morristown scored his first Super Stock win after taking over the lead in the feature on lap seven. Gary Blanken set quick time in qualifying and was on his way to an apparent easy win before losing a driveshaft. Woods would take over and lead the rest of the way in the Woods Lawn Care, Precision Collision, Rickett Sheet Metal, We’s Garage, Miley Automotive, Hopson Racing Fabrication sponsored Rump Shaker Race Car with power from a Myer’s Race Engine.
Super Stock
1. 66 Michael Woods
2. 83 Cody Thompson
3. 20 Scottie Atkins
4. 5 Gary Blanken
5. 55 Brad Sturgill
Chuck McMahan of Dandridge notched his third win of the season in the Jim Ford Automotive, Lowe’s Auto Parts, Original Mr. Freezo Ford Mustang. It wasn’t easy as Danny Pennington pressured McMahan in the early laps of the feature before dropping out with problems.
4 Cylinder
1. 99 Chuck McMahan
2. B7 Bubby Braden
3. 1 Mark Wallace
4. 22 Chris Reichert
5. 17 Danny Pennington
6. 72 Rufus Collett
John Stevens of Wallins Creek, Ky continued his domination of the Classic Car scoring his eighth win of the season in the Red Eyes Racing, VFW #1178, Hensley Trucking sponsored sedan.. Stevens took the lead away from Josh Chesney of Maynardville on the back stretch of the first lap. Third generation racer Rocky Estes Jr. of Knoxville kept close to Stevens back bumper for most of the race yet couldn’t make a clean pass.
Classic Cars
1. 7 John Stevens
2. 17 Rocky Estes Jr.
3. 5 Hayston Collett
4. 11 Tim Stevens
5. 27 Quincy Arnwine
6. XXX Matt Tharp
7. 2 Brandon Muncey
8. 777 Josh Chesney
