{"id":23164,"date":"2016-04-11T16:09:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T16:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/karnac.com\/flanews\/?p=23164"},"modified":"2016-04-11T16:09:19","modified_gmt":"2016-04-11T16:09:19","slug":"hedgecock-sweeps-nesmith-late-model-season-opener-at-home-track","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/karnac.com\/flanews\/front-page-news\/hedgecock-sweeps-nesmith-late-model-season-opener-at-home-track\/","title":{"rendered":"HEDGECOCK SWEEPS NeSMITH LATE MODEL SEASON OPENER AT HOME TRACK"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"hedgecockVLi75040816\"SWEETWATER, TN \u2013 Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, TN swept the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series season opener on Friday night at I-75 Raceway driving the Eagle Racing Engines Rocket. Hedgecock was the fast qualifier with a new track record, and then led all 40 lap of the main event to capture his first career NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series victory.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt feels good to finally win one of these NeSmith Late Model races and to do it here close to home is even more special,\u201d Hedgecock said. \u201cWe\u2019ve led a lot of laps in these races, but we could never get the win. This is how you like to win races by setting fast time and then leading all of the laps.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley Hickman of Cleveland, TN finished second in the Hickman Manufacturing CVR, and John Ownbey of Cleveland, TN took the third spot in the Sam\u2019s Restaurant Equipment Special. Richie Stephens of Smith Station, AL was the Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Race after a fourth-place effort driving the K&J Trucking Special.<\/p>\n

Chase Edge of LaFayette, AL drove the Edge\u2019s Gas Company Special to a fifth-place finish, and Scott Dedwylder of Vossburg, MS was sixth in the Scott\u2019s Body Shop Special. Donald McIntosh of Dawsonville, GA finished seventh in the Billy Kennedy CVR, and Brandon Williams of Crossville, TN took the eighth spot in the Autozone CVR.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Shaw of Millport, AL started 21st in the Summit Resources Trak-Star and finished ninth to earn the Beyea Headers Hard Charger of the Race Award. Jason Manley of Loudon, TN rounded out the Top 10 in the Mighty Muffler and Brake CVR.<\/p>\n

The top nine qualifiers broke the track record of 13.552 seconds set last season by Matt Henderson of Loudon, TN. Hedgecock took Fast Time honors with a lap around I-75 Raceway in 13.302 seconds for a new track record. In other preliminary action, the two ten-lap B-Main Races were won by Anthony White of Clinton, TN in the Stone Plus Special and Williams.<\/p>\n

Hedgecock took the lead at the drop of the green flag followed by Hickman, Henderson, Edge and Ownbey. On lap two, Henderson tried to drive his Rebel Diesel Duayne Hommel Tribute Rocket to the inside of Hickman to challenge for the second spot in turn three. The two cars got together and spun, triggering a multi-car pile-up and bringing out the first of five caution flags.<\/p>\n

Henderson was ticketed with the caution flag and had to go to the rear of the field for the Dixie-Style Double-File Restart. The field went back to green flag action, but not for long, as the defending and three-time NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, TN cut down a left-rear tire on lap four.<\/p>\n

On the restart, Adam Gauldin of Talladega, AL spun his Adam Gauldin Racing GRT out of the eighth spot in turn two. Michael Blount of Sumrall, MS cut down a left-front tire on lap five to bring out the fourth caution flag. Hedgecock had Hickman, Edge, Ownbey, Stephens, Dedwylder, Ross White of Knoxville, TN in the R.T. Clapp Professional Car Care Special, Williams, McIntosh and Shaw doubled up behind him for the restart.<\/p>\n

When the green flag came back out, Edge, Ownbey and Stephens broke out three wide in turn two to battle for the third spot. By the time they got back to the start\/finish line, Stephens held the third spot with Ownbey in fourth, and Edge fell back to the fifth spot.<\/p>\n

Hedgecock reached the cars on the tail of the lead lap by the 12th lap, and Hickman began to chip away at the leader’s 12 car-length advantage. With Hickman on his rear bumper, Hedgecock got a break when the fifth and final caution flag came out on lap 27 with Gauldin stalled on the high side of turn two.<\/p>\n

Track conditions led NeSmith Late Model officials to call for a single-file restart with Hedgecock leading Hickman, Stephens, Ownbey, Edge, Dedwylder, McIntosh, Williams, Shaw and Manley. On the restart, Ownbey got to the inside of Stephens in turn three, and he then drove under the Rocketman coming off the fourth turn to take the third spot.<\/p>\n

Hedgecock once again encountered lapped traffic on lap 35 and Hickman closed in and looked like he was going to make it a hard fought battle to the checkered flag. Hedgecock was up to the challenge, as he was able to put a lapped car between himself and Hickman with three laps to go. That move sealed the deal for Hedgecock as he took the checkered flag with a 1.532 second margin of victory.<\/p>\n

The NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series returns to I-75 Raceway on Saturday night for Round 2 of the 2016 season with a $2,500-to-win 50-lap main event.<\/p>\n

For more information and rules about the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, visit the series web site at www.nesmithracing.com, or visit the series on Facebook at NeSmith Racing. Becoming a fan of the NeSmith Racing Facebook page will make you eligible for special prizes that will be given away each month. You can follow us on Twitter @NeSmithRacing.<\/p>\n

OFFICIAL RESULTS OF ROUND 1 AT I-75 RACEWAY IN SWEETWATER, TN ON 4\/8\/16:<\/p>\n

POS STRT CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN LAPS $ WON
\n1. 1 23 Cory Hedgecock Loudon, TN 40 $2,000
\n2. 2 R1 Riley Hickman Cleveland, TN 40 $1,000
\n3. 7 J0 John Ownbey Cleveland, TN 40 $700
\n4. 3 00 Richie Stephens (R) Smith Station, AL 40 $550
\n5. 4 18 Chase Edge LaFayette, AL 40 $500
\n6. 10 33 Scott Dedwylder Vossburg, MS 40 $425
\n7. 13 K37 Donald McIntosh Dawsonville, GA 40 $375
\n8. 12 95 Brandon Williams (R) Crossville, TN 40 $350
\n9. 21 1s Jeremy Shaw Millport, AL 40 $325
\n10. 8 32 Jason Manley Loudon, TN 40 $300
\n11. 5 H2 Matt Henderson Loudon, TN 40 $275
\n12. 23 25 Justin McRee Woodstock, AL 40 $250
\n13. 20 32h Greg Huskey Knoxville, TN 40 $225
\n14. 22 19 Marcus Minga Shannon, MS 40 $200
\n15. 14 15 Jason Britton (R) Alexander City, AL 39 $175
\n16. 19 00m Ruben Mayfield Lenoir City, TN 39 $150
\n17. 24 121 Michael Blount Sumrall, MS 38 $140
\n18. 17 5 Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN 38 $125
\n19. 15 30 Ryan King Seymour, TN 37 $125
\n20. 6 0 Ross White Knoxville, TN 25 $125
\n21. 9 17 Adam Gauldin (R) Talladega, AL 25 $125
\n22. 16 22 Will Roland (Y) Jasper, GA 3 $125
\n23. 18 10 Matthew Turner Dawsonville, GA 3 $125
\n24. 11 2x Anthony White Clinton, TN 1 $125<\/p>\n

ENTRIES: 27
\nFAST QUALIFIER: Hedgecock, 13.302 Seconds (New Track Record)
\nPROVISIONALS: McRee and Blount
\nLEAD CHANGES: None
\nLAPS LED: Hedgecock, 1-40
\nBEYEA HEADERS HARD CHARGER OF THE RACE: Shaw (started 21st and finished 9th)
\nSUNOCO YOUNG GUN OF THE RACE: Roland
\nCRUISE WITH THE CHAMPIONS ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Stephens
\nCAUTIONS: 5
\nMARGIN OF VICTORY: 1.532 Seconds
\nTIME OF THE RACE: 39 Minutes and 47.668 Seconds
\nNEXT RACE: April 9, I-75 Raceway, Sweetwater, TN, 50-laps $2,500-to-win<\/p>\n

QUALIFYING (Top 10 Transfer To Main Event):<\/p>\n

POS CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN CHASSIS 1ST LAP 2ND LAP TIME
\n1 23 Cory Hedgecock Loudon, TN Rocket 13.524 13.302 13.302
\n2 R1 Riley Hickman Cleveland, TN CVR 13.388 13.376 13.376
\n3 00 Richie Stephens – R Smith Station, AL Scorpion 13.400 13.602 13.400
\n4 18 Chase Edge LaFayette, AL Mastersbilt 13.418 13.504 13.418
\n5 H2 Matt Henderson Loudon, TN Rocket 13.439 13.620 13.439
\n6 0 Ross White Knoxville, TN Mastersbilt 13.575 13.487 13.487
\n7 J0 John Ownbey Cleveland, TN Longhorn 13.523 13.493 13.493
\n8 32 Jason Manley Loudon, TN CVR 13.550 13.510 13.510
\n9 17 Adam Gauldin \u2013 R Talladega, AL GRT 13.520 13.534 13.520
\n10 33 Scott Dedwylder Vossburg, MS Capital 13.560 13.558 13.558
\n11 2x Anthony White Clinton, TN Longhorn 13.576 13.606 13.576
\n12 95 Brandon Williams – R Crossville, TN CVR 13.783 13.580 13.580
\n13 00m Rubin Mayfield Lenoir City, TN CVR 13.598 13.849 13.598
\n14 19 Marcus Minga Shannon, MS Rocket 13.823 13.638 13.638
\n15 37k Donald McIntosh Dawsonville, GA CVR 13.954 13.649 13.649
\n16 15 Jason Britton \u2013 R Alexander City, AL Pierce 13.855 13.700 13.700
\n17 9 Heath Hindman Signal Mountain, TN Mastersbilt 13.774 13.794 13.774
\n18 22 Will Roland \u2013 Y Jasper, GA Warrior 13.799 14.050 13.799
\n19 30 Ryan King Seymour, TN Stinger 13.825 13.937 13.825
\n20 10 Matthew Turner Dawsonville, GA Turner 14.457 13.833 13.833
\n21 5 Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN Trak-Star 14.635 13.851 13.851
\n22 32h Greg Huskey Knoxville, TN Pierce 13.882 14.235 13.882
\n23 24 Barry Goodman Spring City, TN Rocket 13.914 14.268 13.914
\n24 29 Rusty Ballenger Sevierville, TN Mastersbilt 14.053 13.944 13.944
\n25 25 Justin McRee Woodstock, AL HRRC 14.147 13.948 13.948
\n26 121 Michael Blount Sumrall, MS HRRC 14.198 14.734 14.198
\n27 1s Jeremy Shaw Millport, AL Trak-Star 14.287 14.459 14.287<\/p>\n

B-MAINS (10 Laps \u2013 Top 6 Transfer To Main Event):<\/p>\n

1ST B-MAIN: 1. A. White; 2. McIntosh; 3. King; 4. Johnson; 5. Mayfield; 6. Shaw; 7. Goodman; 8. Hindman; 9. McRee.<\/p>\n

2ND B-MAIN: 1. Williams (R); 2. Britton (R); 3. Roland (Y); 4. Turner; 5. Huskey; 6. Minga; 7. Blount; 8. Ballenger.<\/p>\n

NeSMITH CHEVROLET DIRT LATE MODEL SERIES POINT STANDINGS THROUGH 4\/8\/16:<\/p>\n

1. 23 Cory Hedgecock \u2013 100
\n2. R1 Riley Hickman \u2013 96
\n3. J0 John Ownbey \u2013 94
\n4. 00 Richie Stephens (R) \u2013 92
\n5. 18 Chase Edge \u2013 90
\n6. 33 Scott Dedwylder \u2013 88
\n7. K37 Donald McIntosh \u2013 86
\n8. 95 Brandon Williams (R) \u2013 84
\n9. 1s Jeremy Shaw \u2013 82
\n10. 32 Jason Manley \u2013 80
\n11. H2 Matt Henderson \u2013 78
\n12. 25 Justin McRee \u2013 76
\n13. 32h Greg Huskey \u2013 74
\n14. 19 Marcus Minga \u2013 72
\n15. 15 Jason Britton (R) \u2013 70
\n16. 00m Ruben Mayfield \u2013 68
\n17. 121 Michael Blount \u2013 66
\n18. 5 Ronnie Johnson \u2013 64
\n19. 30 Ryan King \u2013 62
\n20. 0 Ross White – 60<\/p>\n

R \u2013 Denotes Cruise With The Champions Rookie of the Year Candidate<\/p>\n

Y \u2013 Denotes Sunoco Young Guns Challenge Series Driver
\nNeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC of Claxton, GA is the Title Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. NeSmith Chevrolet, Buick, GMC is the nation\u2019s number one GM Powertrain and Performance Dealer six years running, with free delivery anywhere in the Southeast. Chevrolet Performance Parts is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. Hoosier Racing Tire is the Official Tire Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. RockAuto.com is an Official Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. Beyea Headers is the NeSmith Late Model Hard Charger Sponsor. Sunoco Race Fuels is the Official Race Fuel of the NeSmith Late Models. Panama City Cycles is the Official ATV Provider of the NeSmith Late Models. AR Bodies is an Associate Sponsor of the NeSmith Late Models. NeSmith Late Model Contingency Sponsors for 2016 are CrateInsider.Com, Integra Racing Shocks, Image Screen Printing, and Gresham Race Parts. 201 Chassis Sponsors are Trak-Star Race Cars, Warrior Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, and CVR Race Cars.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SWEETWATER, TN \u2013 Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, TN swept the NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series season opener on Friday night at I-75 Raceway driving […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"publish_to_discourse":"","publish_post_category":"","wpdc_auto_publish_overridden":"","wpdc_topic_tags":"","wpdc_pin_topic":"","wpdc_pin_until":"","discourse_post_id":"","discourse_permalink":"","wpdc_publishing_response":"","wpdc_publishing_error":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,73],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-front-page-news","category-nesmith-chevrolet-dirt-late-model-series"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/karnac.com\/flanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/karnac.com\/flanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/karnac.com\/flanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/karnac.com\/flanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/karnac.com\/flanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23164"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/karnac.com\/flanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23164\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23167,"href":"https:\/\/karnac.com\/flanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23164\/revisions\/23167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/karnac.com\/flanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/karnac.com\/flanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/karnac.com\/flanews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}