LOCUST GROVE, Ark. — Chris Madden continued his recent hot streak by winning Thursday night’s opener at Batesville Motor Speedway.
The win marks his third consecutive trip to victory lane in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series competition. Madden survived a battle with Brandon Overton to score the victory on night one of the COMP Cams Topless 100 – Presented by Nutrien Ag Solutions.
Madden was unchallenged other than when he slid up the track after a lap 19 restart and Overton forged ahead on lap 21. Overton slid up the track a lap later which allowed Madden to get back by him and go on for the victory, his 11th career Lucas Oil Late Model Late Model Dirt Series win.
Madden; the 44-year-old South Carolina native; started alongside polesitter Mike Marlar on the front row for the 30-lap main event. Madden bolted to the lead at the drop of the green with Marlar going to the second position.
Those two were joined by Overton and Davenport in lapped traffic as a four-car battle for the race lead was developing until a caution for fifth-place running Tyler Erb slowed the field.
After losing the lead for just one lap, Madden managed to regain his momentum and powered his way to the victory. Overton crossed the finish line in second with Madden’s teammate, Scott Bloomquist finishing in third. Jimmy Owens and Jonathan Davenport completed the top five.
“We were bottoming out getting into one. We shoved the nose across the center, and we got hung up in the fluff,” Madden said.. “It opened the door for Brandon. We gathered it back together and made a good corner in three and four. Right now going through the race I am wondering what we are hurting in this race and what we need to maintenance the car for tomorrow night’s race. We don’t want something to bite us that we overlooked tonight for Saturday’s big race.”
Overton, who was seeking his fifth Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory was in the hunt the entire race.
“As soon as he [Madden] pushed up the race track we were able to get by him,” Overton said. “Then I went down there and did the same thing. I just got a little choppy and if you let it roll in there it would sit down for a little bit. Chris has the best car in the country right now so congratulations to him.”
Bloomquist ended up on the podium after starting in fifth.
“Definitely this car is on track now. We can race now. I felt like we were holding our own out there. We might have to tweak it little bit more. We have got a different car under me now. It is great to see Chris winning. It’s great to know our cars are good right now. We just have to keep working hard and we will be fine.”
The finish:
Chris Madden, Brandon Overton, Scott Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, Jonathan Davenport, Josh Richards, Hudson O’Neal, Mike Marlar, Earl Pearson Jr., Tony Jackson Jr., Devin Moran, Billy Moyer, Neil Baggett, Tim McCreadie, Billy Moyer Jr., Michael Norris, Austin Rettig, Jack Sullivan, B.J. Robinson, Timothy Culp, Tyler Erb, Logan Martin, Shannon Babb, Mason Oberkramer.