Chris “Smokey” Madden Collects First Series Win of 2018 at Smoky Mountain Speedway
Maryville, TN- April 27, 2018- Chris “Smokey” Madden swept the evening at Smoky Mountain Speedway for the first of two nights for the 5th annual Tennessee Tipoff. The driver of the Barry Wright Race Cars House Car claimed the PFC Fast Time award, his heat win and led all 50 laps of the Craftsman Club Feature.
“We’ve had a great racecar all night ever since we unloaded,” said Madden in Victory Lane. “We were off just a little when we hot lapped, then we tuned up and man, we got this thing dialed right up where it needs to be.”
Madden has been on the brink of collecting his first win of the season every time he has hit the track. The Gray Court, SC driver has finished on the podium during all five races so far this season, including two second-place finishes at Volusia Speedway Park and a pair of third place, finishes last weekend at Whynot Motorsports Park. With the addition of this win, Madden now sits on top of the Series point standings.
“I told my guys if we just keep clicking off top two or three, you know, we could have run second both nights last week but we were going for the win and that’s what happens. It pays off in the long run and we got us a win tonight.I’d like to thank God for what he does for me and ask everyone to pray for Timothy [Culp]. I don’t know what happened to him but we don’t want to see nobody get hurt.”
The first caution of the race was on lap two when Culp slowed on the backstretch. He was hit with some debris from the track causing him to be sidelined for the rest of the evening. The 2018 rookie of the year contender was cleared by the medical staff in the ambulance at the track and states that he’s doing OK.
There was a total of three cautions during the 50-lap event. The second caution was on lap three as the defending Series Champion Brandon Sheppard slowed due to mechanical issues between turns one and two. He was running fourth at the time but was forced to retire from the race. The third caution occurred on lap 33 for debris on the track.
Although there were three separate cautions which regrouped the field, Madden was never seriously challenged for the lead. At the half-way point, he had created more than five seconds between him and the rest of the field.
The 2015 World of Outlaws Champion Shane Clanton finished second. The Georgia Bulldog commandeered the position from 2017 Rookie of the Year, and pole-sitter of the race, Devin Moran on lap 19.
“Maybe we can make our car a little better and steal some secrets from [Madden] or something,” said Clanton. “Right now, he’s pretty tough. He should have won last week because he had the best car at the end of the race but we just snuck by him (for second) and we almost won last week. Overall, a good car. This capital car is pretty good right now so hopefully we can just maintain what we’re doing and just keep running one [or] two.”
Clanton is currently fourth in the point standings with his best finishes being at the Series’ last two races where he has finished second.
Moran collected his first top-five finish of the season on Friday at Smoky Mountain Speedway.
“Obviously, we wanted to go out there and win but Chris and Barry [Wright] and them guys did a great job. They were a rocket ship tonight. Shane got by us for second but we were trying to hold him off. After the start of the season, it feels like a win for us. Man, we have been struggling with the Outlaws. To get a run like this to get us back up there in the points a little bit. We’ll just try to put it together a little better and try again tomorrow night.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series returns to Smoky Mountain Speedway’s 4/10-mile high-banked red clay oval tomorrow night for the final evening of the 5th annual Tennessee Tipoff.
Abbreviated Results from Smoky Mountain Speedway April 27, 2018:
Craftsman Club Feature (50 Laps): 1. 44-Chris Madden [2][$10,000]; 2. 25-Shane Clanton [4][$5,000]; 3. 9-Devin Moran [1][$3,000]; 4. 101-Casey Roberts [9][$2,500]; 5. 50-Shanon Buckingham [8][$2,000]; 6. 97-Michael Chilton [10][$1,700]; 7. 91-Tyler Erb [11][$1,400]; 8. 116-Brandon Overton [19][$1,300]; 9. 157-Mike Marlar [6][$1,200]; 10. 22-Chris Ferguson [5][$1,100]; 11. 18c-Chase Junghans [16][$1,050]; 12. 7-Rick Eckert [12][$1,000]; 13. 54-David Breazeale [15][$950]; 14. 1x-Chub Frank [22][$900]; 15. 21k-Dakotah Knuckles [20][$850]; 16. 11B-Stacy Boles [17][$800]; 17. 14m-Morgan Bagley [21][$770]; 18. 17M-Dale McDowell [7][$750]; 19. 4T-Tommy Kerr [18][$730]; 20. 6-Blake Spencer [24][$700]; 21. 1v-Vic Hill [14][$700]; 22. 1-Brandon Sheppard [3][$700]; 23. B1-Brent Larson [13][$700]; 24. C8-Timothy Culp [23][$700]
Hard Charger Award: 116-Brandon Overton[+11]
Qualifying: 1. 44-Chris Madden, 16.104; 2. 1-Brandon Sheppard, 16.166; 3. 22-Chris Ferguson, 16.36; 4. 17M-Dale McDowell, 16.392; 5. 157-Mike Marlar, 16.435; 6. 9-Devin Moran, 16.448; 7. 97-Michael Chilton, 16.46; 8. 50-Shanon Buckingham, 16.471; 9. 101-Casey Roberts, 16.472; 10. 25-Shane Clanton, 16.474; 11. 1v-Vic Hill, 16.529; 12. 54-David Breazeale, 16.54; 13. 18c-Chase Junghans, 16.557; 14. 91-Tyler Erb, 16.595; 15. 7-Rick Eckert, 16.597; 16. C8-Timothy Culp, 16.621; 17. 21k-Dakotah Knuckles, 16.7; 18. 4T-Tommy Kerr, 16.763; 19. 116-Brandon Overton, 16.77; 20. 11B-Stacy Boles, 16.823; 21. 1x-Chub Frank, 16.862; 22. B1-Brent Larson, 17.085; 23. 21-Robby Moses, 17.129; 24. 201-Billy Ogle, 17.138; 25. 14m-Morgan Bagley, 17.468; 26. 6-Blake Spencer, 17.522; 27. 69-Carder Miller, 17.54
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel) and DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, MSD, Penske Shocks, PFC Brakes (Fast Time Award), QA1, QuarterMaster, and Wrisco (Exclusive Racing Aluminum); along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Capital Race Cars, Integra Shocks, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, N.C., is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts all World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.
Sources: World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series PR
04/27/18- Smoky Mountain Speedway
Maryville, TN- April 27, 2018- Chris “Smokey” Madden swept the evening at Smoky Mountain Speedway for the first of two nights for the 5th annual Tennessee Tipoff. The driver of the Barry Wright Race Cars House Car claimed the PFC Brakes Fast Time award, his heat win and led all 50 laps of the Craftsman Club Feature.
Craftsman Club Feature (50 Laps): 1. 44-Chris Madden [2][$10,000]; 2. 25-Shane Clanton [4][$5,000]; 3. 9-Devin Moran [1][$3,000]; 4. 101-Casey Roberts [9][$2,500]; 5. 50-Shanon Buckingham [8][$2,000]; 6. 97-Michael Chilton [10][$1,700]; 7. 91-Tyler Erb [11][$1,400]; 8. 116-Brandon Overton [19][$1,300]; 9. 157-Mike Marlar [6][$1,200]; 10. 22-Chris Ferguson [5][$1,100]; 11. 18c-Chase Junghans [16][$1,050]; 12. 7-Rick Eckert [12][$1,000]; 13. 54-David Breazeale [15][$950]; 14. 1x-Chub Frank [22][$900]; 15. 21k-Dakotah Knuckles [20][$850]; 16. 11B-Stacy Boles [17][$800]; 17. 14m-Morgan Bagley [21][$770]; 18. 17M-Dale McDowell [7][$750]; 19. 4T-Tommy Kerr [18][$730]; 20. 6-Blake Spencer [24][$700]; 21. 1v-Vic Hill [14][$700]; 22. 1-Brandon Sheppard [3][$700]; 23. B1-Brent Larson [13][$700]; 24. C8-Timothy Culp [23][$700]
Hard Charger Award: 116-Brandon Overton[+11]
Qualifying: 1. 44-Chris Madden, 16.104; 2. 1-Brandon Sheppard, 16.166; 3. 22-Chris Ferguson, 16.36; 4. 17M-Dale McDowell, 16.392; 5. 157-Mike Marlar, 16.435; 6. 9-Devin Moran, 16.448; 7. 97-Michael Chilton, 16.46; 8. 50-Shanon Buckingham, 16.471; 9. 101-Casey Roberts, 16.472; 10. 25-Shane Clanton, 16.474; 11. 1v-Vic Hill, 16.529; 12. 54-David Breazeale, 16.54; 13. 18c-Chase Junghans, 16.557; 14. 91-Tyler Erb, 16.595; 15. 7-Rick Eckert, 16.597; 16. C8-Timothy Culp, 16.621; 17. 21k-Dakotah Knuckles, 16.7; 18. 4T-Tommy Kerr, 16.763; 19. 116-Brandon Overton, 16.77; 20. 11B-Stacy Boles, 16.823; 21. 1x-Chub Frank, 16.862; 22. B1-Brent Larson, 17.085; 23. 21-Robby Moses, 17.129; 24. 201-Billy Ogle, 17.138; 25. 14m-Morgan Bagley, 17.468; 26. 6-Blake Spencer, 17.522; 27. 69-Carder Miller, 17.54
Heat #1 (10 Laps) – Top 6 Transfer: 1. 44-Chris Madden [1]; 2. 25-Shane Clanton [4]; 3. 17M-Dale McDowell [2]; 4. 97-Michael Chilton [3]; 5. B1-Brent Larson [8]; 6. 18c-Chase Junghans [5]; 7. 116-Brandon Overton [7]; 8. 14m-Morgan Bagley [9]; 9. C8-Timothy Culp [6]
Heat #2 (10 Laps) – Top 6 Transfer: 1. 1-Brandon Sheppard [1]; 2. 157-Mike Marlar [2]; 3. 50-Shanon Buckingham [3]; 4. 91-Tyler Erb [5]; 5. 1v-Vic Hill [4]; 6. 11B-Stacy Boles [7]; 7. 21k-Dakotah Knuckles [6]; 8. 6-Blake Spencer [9]; 9. 21-Robby Moses [8]
Heat #3 (10 Laps) – Top 6 Transfer: 1. 9-Devin Moran [2]; 2. 22-Chris Ferguson [1]; 3. 101-Casey Roberts [3]; 4. 7-Rick Eckert [5]; 5. 54-David Breazeale [4]; 6. 4T-Tommy Kerr [6]; 7. 1x-Chub Frank [7]; 8. 201-Billy Ogle [8]; 9. 69-Carder Miller [9]
Last Chance Showdown 1 (10 Laps) – Top 4 Transfer: 1. 116-Brandon Overton [1][-]; 2. 21k-Dakotah Knuckles [2][-]; 3. 14m-Morgan Bagley [4][-]; 4. 1x-Chub Frank [3][-]; 5. 201-Billy Ogle [6][$110]; 6. C8-Timothy Culp [7][]; 7. 6-Blake Spencer [5][]; 8. 69-Carder Miller [9][$110]; 9. 21-Robby Moses [8][]
World of Outlaws Point Standings (Top 25):
Pos. Car Driver Total Diff Wins Top 5’s Top 10’s Entered Started Earnings
1 44 Chris Madden 730 0 1 5 5 5 5 $32,000
2 1 Brandon Sheppard 692 -38 2 4 4 5 5 $34,100
3 157 Mike Marlar 686 -44 0 3 4 5 5 $13,260
4 25 Shane Clanton 674 -56 0 3 4 5 5 $19,850
5 7 Rick Eckert 668 -62 0 1 3 5 5 $13,550
6 18c Chase Junghans 656 -74 0 1 3 5 5 $9,470
7 116 Brandon Overton 646 -84 0 0 3 5 5 $7,810
8 1x Chub Frank 628 -102 0 1 2 5 5 $9,800
9 14m Morgan Bagley 616 -114 0 0 2 5 5 $6,160
10 91 Tyler Erb 614 -116 0 0 2 5 5 $7,300
11 9 Devin Moran 610 -120 0 1 2 5 5 $10,400
12 B1 Brent Larson *R 592 -138 0 0 1 5 5 $5,540
13 54 David Breazeale *R 586 -144 0 0 0 5 5 $5,500
14 21jr Billy Moyer Jr 573 -157 1 1 2 5 4 $13,610
15 22 Chris Ferguson *R 570 -160 0 0 1 5 5 $5,255
16 C8 Timothy Culp *R 540 -190 0 0 0 5 5 $4,720
17 6 Blake Spencer 482 -248 0 0 0 5 3 $1,250
18 CJ1 Rusty Schlenk 428 -302 0 0 0 4 4 $3,080
19 17M Dale McDowell 408 -322 1 2 2 3 3 $15,360
20 99B Boom Briggs 408 -322 0 0 0 4 2 $1,400
21 14z Zack McMillan 382 -348 0 0 1 4 1 $1,700
22 0 Scott Bloomquist 290 -440 1 2 2 2 2 $13,500
23 1r Josh Richards 286 -444 0 2 2 2 2 $9,050
24 39 Tim McCreadie 286 -444 1 1 2 2 2 $14,300
25 49 Jonathan Davenport 284 -446 0 2 2 2 2 $7,400