Payne best of the Outlaws

By Travis Dockery

Digital Media Manager

  • Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress “The Coach” David Payne pilots his Capital racecar around Tri County Racetrack during practice. Payne would go on to win the $2,000 top prize in the night’s main event.
    Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress “The Coach” David Payne pilots his Capital racecar around Tri County Racetrack during practice. Payne would go on to win the $2,000 top prize in the night’s main event.

    A near standing room only crowd gathered in Brasstown Friday, July 2 to see race car drivers from multiple states compete at Tri County Racetrack. As part of the track’s Independence Day celebration, the Blue Ridge Outlaw Late Models made their annual stop at the Tiger Pit for the main event of the evening.

    After setting quick time in time trials, Warne’s Danny Ledford led the top six qualifiers to the green in the dash. The finishing order would set the top six starting positions in the feature race. After a great start on the outside of the front row, Murphy’s David Payne won the eight-lap shoot out to earn the number one starting spot and lane choice.

    As the 19-car field made their pace laps, Payne chose the outside, forcing Ledford to bottom. The green flag waved and the Outlaws rocketed around the quarter-mile bullring. As the field started to spread out, Payne, Ledford and Jamie Oliver thrilled the fans with a three-car breakaway for the lead.

    The local trio zigged and zagged through slower traffic, separated by only limited space and dust. After action slowed due to a two-car accident, the field doubled up to take the green. As the pack entered turn one, Kip Cochran made contact with Matthew Nance, which sent Nance spinning from his fourth place position and caused a massive pileup in the middle of turns one and two.

    A victim of that melee was the third place car of Jamie Oliver. Oliver suffered damage and was relegated to a 12th place finish. 

    Upon return to full throttle, Ledford was able to stay within striking distance of Payne, but needed “The Coach” to make a mistake in order to wrestle away the top spot. Payne didn’t give Ledford that opportunity and crossed under the checkered flag to secure the victory. Ledford settled for second and Levi Hicks recovered from an early spin for a solid third place finish.

    Other winners:

    Crate Late Model: Jason Deal

    Modified Street: Bobby Elkins

    Street Stock: Lynn Burchfield

    602 Rookie: Dillon Beaver

    Kajun Mini Stocks: Tim Ladd

    Front Wheel Drive: Shannon Jones