‘Tarheel Tune-Up’ win locks Payne into finale

By Travis Dockery

Digital Media Director 

  • Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress David Payne rips up the clay in Brasstown on his way to his second consecutive “Tarheel Tune-Up” victory.
    Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress David Payne rips up the clay in Brasstown on his way to his second consecutive “Tarheel Tune-Up” victory.

    On Friday, Sept. 24 Tri County Racetrack in Brasstown opened its gates for “Tarheel Tune-Up,” a preview to the track’s season ender. Along with a $2,000-to-win Super Late Model race, all other divisions were in action.

    Members of the Murphy Mafia swept the top three qualifying positions for the Super Late Model main event. Jamie Oliver topped the charts to earn the pole position with Shawn Chastain and David Payne clocking in close behind. When the green flag flew, Chastain used his outside front row starting spot to grab an early lead. As the field entered turn three, Payne got a run on the low line and found himself trying to shoot through a gap between Chastain and Oliver as the trio exited turn four. The open space narrowed and the nose of Payne’s No. 8 made contact with both Oliver and Chastain at the flag stand to complete lap one.

    Chastain was able to hang on to the lead until the speedsters made their way into turn three, where he slowed and pulled to the high side with a flat right rear tire. At the same time, Payne snuck past Oliver on the low side which gave him the lead when the caution flew for Chastain. Chastain’s crew was able to get the tire changed during the courtesy laps and returned to the race at the tail end of the field.

    Payne led the pack under the flag stand when the green flag again flew. His Captial chassis was on a rail and managed to pull away. After working his way back into the top three, Chastain found himself in a battle with Warne’s Danny Ledford for second. The pair battled lap after lap with Ledford cruising on the cushion and Chastain hugging the bottom. With the checkered flag waving, Payne crossed the stripe to get the win and Ledford managed to hold off Chastain for the runner-up spot.

    “I know it wasn’t a big field, but it was a strong field,” said Payne in victory lane. “We kind of missed it in qualifying and when I saw that hole open up between Shawn and Jamie, that was my chance.” Not only did the win put $2,000 in Payne’s pocket, it also locked him into the $10,000 to win Tarheel 50.

    Other winners:

    Limited Late Models: Danny Ledford

    Modified Street: Ricky Smith

    Street Stock: Lynn Burchfield

    602 Beginner: Dylan Beaver

    Pony: Marty King

    Front Wheel Drive: Josh Deese

    Tri County will end its season Thursday, Oct. 7 with the annual “Tarheel 50”. This year’s race is a part of the FloRacing/Castrol Oil Late Model Night in America series. Tri County’s own Jonathan Davenport currently leads the standings by 81 points over NASCAR superstar Kyle Larson. Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing starting at 7:30 p.m.