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Capitalizing on the misfortune of front row starters Jensen Ford and Dale McDowell, Colbert, Ga. native Kenny Collins assumed the point on the sixth circuit and proved to be the class of the field in capturing the $4,053 top prize Tuesday, July 27 at Tri County Racetrack. Collins, who started third on the feature grid after clicking off the second quickest lap in Group A during qualifying, pulled away following a lap 33 restart to claim his first career Schaeffer's Oil Southern Nationals triumph by a wide margin of 5.010 seconds. Collins also became the sixth different winner so far on the miniseries in the six events that have escaped the wrath of Mother Nature and now finds himself solidly in the championship hunt.
Point leader Donald McIntosh, who was once again behind the wheel of a #4T machine usually driven by Blount Motorsports teammate Tommy Kerr, advanced from his fifth starting spot to finish a strong runner-up behind Collins. Leading Dirt Draft Rookie of the Year contender Cody Overton pressured McIntosh throughout the 40-lap affair, but settled for a third place podium performance after starting seventh at the Brasstown Bullring. Local favorites Shawn Chastain and David Payne rounded out the top five of the entertaining contest.
Both front row starters unfortunately ran into issues early in the headliner and fell out of contention for the win. Polesitter and new track record holder Jensen Ford spun in between turns three and four on the second attempted start of the race and was forced to restart from the tail of the field. The Johnson City, Tenn. driver wound up finishing the last car on the lead lap in the tenth position.
Outside polesitter Dale McDowell then jumped out to the early race lead, but got hung up briefly with the lapped car of Craig Greer on the sixth lap and the caution flag flew before the two were separated. With McDowell not stopping on the racetrack, the blend-in rule came into effect and series officials placed the Chickamauga, Ga. Hall of Famer starting eighth on the restart. He was ultimately able to battle back to contend for a top five showing,eventually crossing the finish line in the sixth spot.
“This is my favorite racetrack and man it feels good to win one of these races,” quoted a jubilant Collins following the event. “We’ve spent a lot of money through the years trying to race these Super Late Models and anyone in the pit area can win one of these things. It’s so hard to reach victory lane and I can’t thank my family, crew, and sponsors enough for all of their help and support." Collins became the 43rd different driver to win on the miniseries tour, which celebrates its 17th year of existence in 2021.
Other winners:
Modified Street: Bobby Elkins
Street Stock: Lynn Burchfield
Pony: Marty King
602 Beiginner: Dylan Beaver
Front Wheel Drive: Shannon Jones
Next up for Tri County Racetrack is an event on Friday, Aug. 6 which will include a visit from the Southern Modified Mini Series along with other weekly divisions.