By Cannon Crompton
sports@cherokeescout.com
Local drivers spent their Labor Day at Tri-County Racetrack in Brasstown.
They hosted the C.T. Barnett memorial race on Sept. 1 where local multiple local drivers won their division.
A race was scheduled for Saturday night but it was cancelled due to inclement weather.
Labor Day race:
The Sept. 1 race in Brasstown was held in memory of C.T. Barnett. Barnett has a deep connection to racing in western North Carolina. His grandson is Jamie Oliver, who is co-leasing Tri-County Racetrack and races in the No. 38 car.
His sons Glenn and Joe Barnett also race. Glenn drives the No. 34 car and Joe drives the No. 37 car.
His great grandson-in-law is Charles Devine, who drives No. 14 car and his great-great nephew-in-law is Dylan Beaver who drives the No. 117 car.
During the national anthem Barnett’s racing relatives drove around the track. Glenn Barnett in the No. 34 car, proudly held the American flag while going around the track. Before the cars hit the track, kids got to race their bikes around the track.
With $3,000 to win in the limited late models classification, David Payne of Hiwassee Dam earned the win. Payne qualified in second place and worked his way up to win the race.
Barrett Lowe of Fletcher started in first but finished in second place. Shawn Chastain of Murphy finished in third place and Dante Curtis of Murphy came in fourth. Jamie Oliver qualified in third place, but finished the race in sixth place.
In the 602 crate late model race, Jody Wilson of Blue Ridge, Ga., came in first place. In second place was Sylvan Schuette of Blairsville, Ga. Dylan Beaver of Murphy finished in third place after starting in fourth. Cooper Twiggs of Murphy came in fourth place after starting in 11th.
In the 604 crate late model race, Griffin Smith of Eatonton, Ga., came in first place. Jacob Parr’s of Epworth, Ga., took second and Seth Wimpey of Blue Ridge, Ga., third.
In the open wheel modified race, Gabe Wilson of Waynesville grabbed first, Carl Richards of White, Ga., second and Bronson Newton of Murphy came in third.
Charles Devine of Murphy earned the win in the street stocks race. In second place was Roger Beaver of Murphy and in third was Matt Whitener of Canton.
In the front wheel drive race, Christopher Kane of Murphy got the win. In second place was Phillip Hall of Andrews and in third was Johnathon Evans of Sweetwater, Tenn.
In the Crown Vic race, Charlie Meinders of Liberty, S.C. got the win. In second place was Zack Meinders of Liberty, S.C. and Cheyenne McIntosh of Fletcher took third..
Up next
Drivers will return to Brasstown on Saturday, Sept. 20 with $1,000 on the line in the Crown Vic and open wheel classifications. The night of racing will also include all weekly divisions.