RURAL RETREAT, Va. – The Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Sunoco Race Fuels began its 2019 season on Saturday at Wythe Raceway.
Brandon Overton was dominant in the season-opening event, leading all 53 laps of the feature and claiming a $10,000 payday in the process.
The win by Overton was his 11th career Southern Nationals victory, aboard the Rumrunner Racing-owned, Molecule Sports, Simpson Race Products, Schaeffer Oil Products, Race Fan, Penske Shocks, C and H Paving, Willy’s Carbs sponsored No. 2 Rocket Chassis, Cornett Race Engines-powered entry.
Overton jumped to the early race lead, with Michael Brown, Vic Hill, Dale McDowell, and Ross Bailes giving chase. Overton set a rapid pace out front and started working slower traffic on lap seven and he pulled away from the field.
McDowell drove past Hill for third on lap 12, before the action was slowed by a caution on lap 16 for Christian Hanger, who had rolled to a stop. Second-place running Brown pulled pitside during the caution and was done for the night.
The restart saw Overton pull away, while Kyle Strickler went from seventh to third on the restart and Donald McIntosh went to fourth on lap 17, before Michael Page mounted a charge and took fifth on lap 19.
Overton worked his magic in traffic at this point, and by the time Cla Knight slowed in turn four to draw the caution flag on lap 38, only nine drivers remained on the lead lap.
The restart saw third-place running McIntosh have a flat right-rear tire and pit before returning to action. The final halt to the action came on lap 40, when Michael Page contacted the guardrail in turn one. The end result would be a red flag as Page’s contact would damage a section of guardrail that had to be repaired.
The final restart saw Overton maintain the lead over the final laps and secure the win, with McDowell finishing second and Kyle Hardy claiming the third position.
McIntosh and 15th-starting Tanner English completed the top five.
The remainder of the top ten was Dennis Franklin, Jake Knowles, Benji Hicks, Brandon Kinzer and Anthony Sanders.
The finish:
1. Brandon Overton-Evans, Ga.
2. Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, Ga.
3. Kyle Hardy-Stephens City, Va.
4. Donald McIntosh-Dawsonville, Ga.
5. Tanner English-Benton, Ky.
6. Dennis Franklin-Gaffney, S.C.
7. Jake Knowles-Rome, Ga.
8. Benji Hicks-Mount Airy, N.C.
9. Brandon Kinzer-Lexington, Ky.
10. Anthony Sanders-Spartanburg, S.C.
11. Daulton Wilson-Fayetteville, N.C.
12. Dustin Mitchell-Selma, N.C.
13. Cla Knight-North Augusta, S.C.
14. Jeff Neubert-Rockford, Tenn.
15. Michael Page-Douglasville, Ga.
16. Vic Hill-Mosheim, Tenn.
17. Matthew Nance-Ronda, N.C.
18. Corey Gordon-Charlotte, N.C.
19. Travis Greer-Marion, Va.
20. Kyle Strickler-Mooresville, N.C.
21. Aaron Ridley-Chatsworth, Ga.
22. Chris Blackwell-Grays Creek, N.C.
23. Johnny Pursley-Clover, S.C.
24. Ross Bailes-Clover, S.C.
25. Michael Brown-Lancaster, S.C.
26. Christian Hanger-Winchester, Tenn.
27. Jason Miller-Berryville, Va.
28. Tyler Clem-Ocala, Fla. (Did Not Start)
29. Austin Horton-Newnan, Ga. (Did Not Start)
30. Chris Ferguson-Mount Holly, N.C.(Did Not Start)