Story and photos by Phillip Prichard:
Corey Hedgecock won the 4th Annual Hangover Race at 411 Speedway in Seymour, Tennessee on New Year’s Day.
Hedgecock piloted the #23 Limited Late Model to a commanding victory in the 35 lap feature. Hedgecock started on the pole, where he won the qualifying with a lap of 13.927. Josh Henry, # B00 and Jason Cardwell, #11 started on the second row by winning their heat races. 17 cars were on hand for the feature.
Hedgecock and Manley battled on the first few laps, Manley, #32 fell back to fourth after the leaders contacted each other. The first twelve laps had three cautions. On lap 4, John Driskill, #D00 spun, on Lap 5, Manley spun in turn 3 after being bumped by another car, then he was hit William Overby, #7. The final caution occurred on Lap 12.
After the caution Jensen Ford battled Hedgecock for the top spot but Hedgecock pulled away. Josh Henry, Rusty Ballenger and Ross White battled for position.
At the checkered flag, Hedgecock captured the $1500 victory, Jensen Ford, #24 was second, Ross White, #1 was third, Rusty Ballenger, #29 was fourth and Josh Henry, #B00 was fifth.
Cory Hedgecock was the 7th different winner of the 7th Annual Steel Head National which was the 2013 final season race at 411 Speedway. Hedgecock accumulated twelve wins in 2013 season in the Limited Late Model and Crate Late model series at mainly 411 Speedway, Smoky Mountain Speedway and Volunteer Speedway.
When the 21 year old Hedgecock is not driving a race car, he works for his grandfather, Mike Hedgecock, who owns Eagles Racing Engines, which builds engines for both oval track and drag racing.
The support class winners were: Michael Courtney (Mini Stock), Jeff McLemore (Street Stock), Robbie Comer (Thunder & Lightning), and Wayne Rader (Sportsman).
411 Speedway’s next racing event will be the 2nd Annual Sweetheart 52 on Saturday February 15th. In action will be Mini Stock, Street Stock, Thunder & Lightning, Sportsman, and Limited Late Model.
