Last year's hottest racer Jimmy Owens (#20) of Newport, Tn., picked up an elusive 2021 victory Saturday night at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville as the Spring Nationals series invaded the XL 3/8's mile clay oval.
The $10,053 victory came ahead of Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga., whom like Owens, isn't having a great season like 2020 was last year.
Points leader Dale McDowell of Chickamauga was third overall, with Mike Marlar of West Tennessee and Donald McIntosh of Dawsonville rounding out the top five finishers.
Jonathan Davenport (#49) of Blairsville, Ga. swept the weekend events at Batesville Motor Speedway in Arkansas with the Comp Cams series. The sweep worth $17,000 Friday and Saturday keeps JD in the #1 spot in the nation for Super Late Model racers in 2021. Home track racing icon Billy Moyer Sr. was fourth Saturday night.
Wisconsin hosted its first World of Outlaws Late Model Series races of the season this weekend. Chris Madden (#44) of South Carolina won the $22,000 finale Saturday night. Points leader Brandon Shepard of Illinois was third after winning Friday night's preliminary $10,000 feature.
Meanwhile, back in and around the Tennessee Valley, Mack McCarter of Seymour won the Crate Late Model feature on the undercard at Smoky Mountain Speedway. At nearby Sweetwater's I-75 Raceway, local racer Matt Henderdon won the Limited Late Model feature. Baily Caldwell (#07B) of Knoxville won the $1,500 Red Clay series 602/Sportsman race. At North Georgia Speedway in Dalton/Chatsworth, Booger Brooks of Chattanooga beat two time Dirt Track World Champion Ronnie Johnson, also of the Scenic City. Young Gun Jake Green (#41) of Lafayette won Sportsman and home track racer Colten Jackson beat Cleveland's Michael Evans in Crate Late Model competition. At Mountain View Raceway in Dayton/Spring City, Jeremy Hicks (#3) of Charleston was victorious, while at Fort Payne Motor Speedway in Northeast Alabama, Soddy Daisy's Jordan Rodabaugh won the Super Late Model feature.
Next Friday, May 14, the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model series invades Gatlinburg/Seymour as the 411 Motor Speedway hosts the $12,000 to win Super Late Models for the "Tennessee Action Track 50" race. The MavTVplus.com website will broadcast the event live on the internet for subscribers. Racing is set to start at 7 p.m. More details for the event Friday can be obtained at 411motorspeedway.net or on their Facebook page.