Story & photo by Phillip Prichard:
Chris Madden took the lead from Eric Wells on lap 22 to claim the $10,000 payday in the final night of the 13th Annual Spring Thaw at Volunteer Speedway which was sanctioned by the Old Man’s Garage Spring Nationals by Schaeffer’s Oil. Madden claimed the $10,000 payday for the impressive victory.
Scott Bloomquist had a hard-fought battle with eventual winner Chris Madden the night before for second spot and the top three including Eric Wells had a dog fight for the lead during the race’s midpoint. Bloomquist would go around Wells for second spot on the 29th lap but never could overtake Madden for the lead. Bloomquist drove the Hawkeye Trucking, Ole Smoky sponsored Roush Yates Bloomquist Team Zero car to the weekend’s second-straight podium finish. Wells drove to third while driving the Schaeffer’s Oil, Allstar Performance, Convenient Lube sponsored Roush Yates powered Bllomquist Team Zero Race Car. Completing the top-five were Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, TN and Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN.
Three caution flags slowed the main event. The first caution flag was for Dustin Linville on lap nine trying to exit the track off of turn four. Jimmy Owens, who was trying to get underneath the lapped car of Linville, made hard contact with Linville putting severe damage on the Club 29 Car of Owens and knocking him out of contention for the second straight weekend victory. The second yellow was on lap-11 as a track officials had to be tended to for medical reasons after being struck by flying debris. The final yellow was on lap 46 as David Payne slowed at the top of turn four.
The Old Man’s Garage Spring Nationals Series by Schaeffer’s Oil will be back in action on March 28 at Tri-County Race Track in Brasstown, NC paying $4,000 to win followed by a visit to Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, TN on March 29 paying $6,000 to win.
Top Ten Finishers in the Old Man’s Garage Spring Nationals Series by Schaeffer’s Oil
Smoky Mountain Speedway-Maryville, TN on Saturday Night March 15, 2014
Super Late Model Feature Finish:
1. Chris Madden-Gray Court, SC
2. Scott Bloomquist-Mooresburg, TN
3. Eric Wells-Hazard, KY
4. Billy Ogle Jr.-Knoxville, TN
5. Mike Marlar-Winfield, TN
6. Donald McIntosh-Dawsonville, GA
7. Casey Roberts-Toccoa, GA
8. Stacy Boles-Clinton, TN
9. Tommy Kerr-Maryville, TN
10. Chad Ogle-Sevierville, TN
On Friday night, Chris Madden rode his recent hot streak into the ultra-fast Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tennessee for the start of the 13th Annual ‘Spring Thaw. The Spring Nationals tour presided over the Volunteer Speedway season opening event, which drew 34 competitors locked and loaded for the $4,000 payday. Madden clicked off the fastest lap overall during the qualifying session, which locked him into the pole position for the start of the 40-lapper. The Gray Court, South Carolina star then battled a tight Team Zero racecar to a strong runner-up effort behind only feature winner Jimmy Owens.
Madden’s victory was his third straight Saturday Night victory coming after the Bama Bash and the Tennessee Tip-Off Classic. Madden also became the 11th different winner in the 11 Spring Nationals Series events contested since March 2013, there hasn’t been a repeat winner since the tour’s inception. Chris Madden, also, won the second race of the ‘Super Bowl of Racing’ nightcap at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Georgia on 7 February.