BULLS GAP, Tenn. — Updates and results from Saturday’s The Gauntlet finale at Volunteer Speedway, highlighted by a 60-lap, $30,000-to-win feature for unsanctioned Super Late Models (results unofficial):
Feature lineup
(60 laps)
Row 1: Chris Ferguson, Jonathan Davenport
Row 2: Garrett Smith, Ricky Thornton Jr.
Row 3: Michael Leach, Chris Madden
Row 4: Devin Moran, Mike Marlar
Row 5: Carson Ferguson, Brandon Overton
Row 6: Zack Mitchell, Kyle Strickler
Row 7: Sam Seawright, Jake O'Neil
Row 8: Dale McDowell, Cory Hedgecock
Row 9: Benji Hicks, Forrest Trent
Row 10: Kaede Loudy, Jeremy Steele
Row 11: Alex Vance, Luke Morey
Row 12: Eli Johnson, Jordon Horton
Row 13: Todd Morrow, Jimmy Owens
Heat race recap
Chris Ferguson led all 10 laps from the pole in winning the night’s first heat race by 1.466 seconds over second-starting Michael Leach, who trailed Ferguson the entire way. … Second-starting Garrett Smith fired off from the outside front row and led all 10 laps to win the second heat by 1.345 seconds over Devin Moran. The pole-starting Moran slipped back by Dale McDowell on a lap-five restart, allowing Zack Mitchell to follow Moran by McDowell for third, relegating McDowell to finish fourth. The night’s lone caution flew on the fifth lap for debris after Eli Johnson made contact with the turn-four retaining wall; Johnson continued to finish sixth missing a part of his right-rear quarter panel and rear spoiler. … Jonathan Davenport dominated the third heat race, leading the entire distance and winning by 2.533 seconds over second-starting Chris Madden, who overcame earlier wall contact in time trials to finish second. … Polesitter Ricky Thornton Jr. cruised to win the fourth and final heat race, taking the checkers 2.998 seconds ahead of Mike Marlar, who overcame a three-wide battle on the opening lap and trailed Thornton all 10 laps.
Heat race results
(10 laps; all transfer)
First heat: Chris Ferguson, Michael Leach, Carson Ferguson, Sam Seawright, Benji Hicks, Alex Vance, Todd Morrow.
Second heat: Garrett Smith, Devin Moran, Zack Mitchell, Dale McDowell, Kaede Loudy, Eli Johnson.
Third heat: Jonathan Davenport, Chris Madden, Brandon Overton, Jake O'Neil, Forrest Trent, Luke Morey, Jimmy Owens.
Fourth heat: Ricky Thornton Jr., Mike Marlar, Kyle Strickler, Cory Hedgecock, Jeremy Steele, Jordon Horton.
Time Trials
Group A
Driver (car no.), hometown, time (unofficial)
1. Chris Ferguson (22), Mount Holly, N.C., 12.678
2. Devin Moran (99), Dresden, Ohio, 12.712
3. Michael Leach (09), Sun River, Mont., 12.747
4. Garrett Smith (10), Madison, Ga., 12.780
5. Carson Ferguson (93), Lincolnton, N.C., 12.789
6. Zack Mitchell (57m), Enoree, S.C., 12.791
7. Benji Hicks (55), Mount Airy, N.C., 12.820
8. Dale McDowell (17m), Chickamauga, Ga., 12.852
9. Sam Seawright (16), Rainsville, Ala., 12.940
10. Eli Johnson (55e), Clewiston, Fla., 13.221
11. Todd Morrow (T1), Penton, Ala., 13.224
12. Kaede Loudy (126), Rogersville, Tenn., 13.389
13. Alex Vance (95), Waynesville, N.C., 13.585
Group B
1. Jonathan Davenport (49), Blairsville, Ga., 12.550
2. Ricky Thornton Jr. (20rt), Chandler, Ariz., 12.637
3. Chris Madden (44), Gray Court, S.C., 12.744
4. Mike Marlar (157), Winfield, Tenn., 12.886
5. Jake O’Neil (0), Tucson, Ariz., 12.902
6. Kyle Strickler (8), Mooresville, N.C., 12.905
7. Brandon Overton (76), Evans, Ga., 12.933
8. Jeremy Steele (79), York, S.C., 12.992
9. Luke Morey (49m), Zeeland, Mich., 12.993
10. Cory Hedgecock (23v), Loudon, Tenn., 12.993
11. Forrest Trent (101), Morristown, Tenn., 13.020
12. Jordon Horton (27), Sneedville, Tenn., 13.086
13. Jimmy Owens (20), Newport, Tenn., 13.125
Saturday’s schedule
(All times local)
3 p.m. - Pits open
4 p.m. - Grandstands open
6 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting
6:30 p.m. - On-track activity
- Super Late Model hot laps
- Sportsman group qualifying
- Super Late Model time trials (2 laps)
Opening ceremonies
- Super Late Model heats (10 laps)
Intermission/track prep
- Super Late Model feature (60 laps)
- Sportsman feature (20 laps)
