3/7/2021
Southern All Stars
Overton outshines All Stars at Cherokee
The Southern All Stars Super Late Model Series began it’s 38th season of dirt track racing for the 19th Annual March Madness at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC. 40 drivers signed in for the 60 lap event. (Kevin Ritchie photo)
Brandon Overton from Evans, GA set fast time in group 1 qualifying and also overall fast time for the Sunoco Race Fuels / Knowles Racecar and Parts Quick Time Award. Zack Mitchell from Enoree SC was quickest in group 2.
Hoosier Tires four heat races were 8 laps each with the top 4 transferring to the A-main.
Two 10 lap B-mains would move the top 3 drivers to the A-main.
2 provisionals would make up the 24 car field.
Heat 1: 1. Brandon Overton 2. Jimmy Owens 3. Tim McCreadie 4. Kyle Bronson
Heat 2: 1. Zack Mitchell 2. Stewart Friesen 3. Tyler Erb 4. Bryson Harper
Heat 3: 1. Jonathan Davenport 2. Josh Richards 3. Trant Ivey 4. Austin Franklin
Heat 4: 1. Kyle Strickler 2. Peyton Freeman 3. Dillon Brown 4. Billy Franklin
B-Main 1: 1. Ross Bails 2. Dustin Mitchell 3. Daulton Wilson
B-Main 2: 1. Ryan Gustin 2. Mike Rouse 3. Hudson Oneal
Provisionals: Mark Dodson Jay Scott
Brandon Overton led flag to flag in the 60 lap main event. Mitchell, Davenport and Owens would stay in his tracks for the first part of the race.
As the field was approaching the half way mark, the car of Dustin Mitchell slowed on the track to bring out the 1st caution for mechanical problems.
At the crossed flags, Overton was still leading but Davenport was now 2nd with Mitchell 3rd and Owens still 4th. With 7 laps remaining, Owens slipped around Mitchell to pick up 3rd.
With 56 of the 60 laps completed, Bryson Harper brought out the final caution with a flat tire to bunch up the field for a 3 lap shootout. Davenport on the restart could not overtake Overton and “Big Sexy” wins the 19th Annual March Madness.
March Madness Official Finish (Pending tire test)
- Brandon Overton 2. Jonathan Davenport 3. Jimmy Owens 4. Zack Mitchell 5. Stewart Friesen 6. Trent Ivey 7. Payton Freeman 8. Kyle Strickler 9. Josh Richards 10. Ryan Gustin 11. Dillon Brown 12. Tim McCreadie 13. Ross Bailes 14. Hudson Oneal 15. Kyle Bronson 16. Tyler Erb 17. Daulton Wilson 18. Billy Franklin 19. Bryson Harper 20. Austin Franklin 21. Dustin Mitchell 22. Mike Rouse 23. Jay Scott 24. Mark Dodson
DNS: Michael Brown, Dalton Poston, Austin Kirkpatrick, Jeff Smith, Tim Vance, Casey Turman, Chris Blackwell, Josh Richeson, Adam Yarbrough, Johnny Pursley, Jr, Chris Ferguson, Robbie Stuart, David Breazeale, Parker Martin, Justin Hudspeth and Dennis “Rambo” Franklin
Sunoco Fuels / Knowles Racecar Parts fastest Qualifier : Brandon Overton
BrakeOmeter 4th place finisher: Zack Mitchell
PPM Parts Hard Charger: Ryan Gustin
March Madness Tidbits
2020 Champion Billy Franklin has some company this year on the circuit as his nephew, Austin Franklin is competing for the Cruise with the Champions / Dirt on Dirt Rookie of the Year for 2021. Also joining Austin is Payton Freeman and Casey Turman.
Mark “Hollywood” Dodson made the trip from Caledonia, MS to Gaffney for his 4th March Madness. Mark, also know as the “One Man Band” as he travels to the races as driver, crew chief, pit crew and boss is once again ready to start his 4th full season with the series.
Payton Freeman leads the Rookie of the Year points after March Madness. Points are determined by the car count for each event. Sunday, there were 40 cars entered. The top finished receives 40 points, Austin Franklin was the next finisher and receives 39 points and Casey Turman receives 38 points.
2021 Southern All Stars Points:
- Brandon Overton (100) 2. Jonathan Davenport (96) 3. Jimmy Owens (94) 4. Zack Mitchell (92) 5. Stewart Friesen (90) 6. Trent Ivey (88) 7. Payton Freeman (86) 8. Kyle Strickler (84) 9. Josh Richards (82) 10. Ryan Gustin (80)
2021 Cruise with the Champions / Dirt on Dirt Rookie of the Year:
- Payton Freeman (40) 2. Austin Franklin (39) 3. Casey Turman (38)
Upcoming events for the Southern All Stars:
March 12 Southern Raceway - Spring Break Bash at the Beach - Milton, FL - $3,000.00
March 13 Southern Raceway – Spring Break Bash at the Beach – Milton, FL - $5,000.00
March 27 Tri-County Speedway – Battle in the Swamp – Flomaton, AL - $4,000.00
April 3 – Patriot Park Raceway – Icebreaker 50 – Dublin, GA - $4,000.00
2020 Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series Sponsors:
*Hoosier Racing Tire “The Official Race Tire” of the Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series *Patriot Sports “The Official Merchandise Vendor” of the Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series Sunoco Race Fuel “The Official Racing Fuel” of the Southern All Star Dirt Racing SeriesMaxFab Presenting Sponsor, Rugged Radios Official Communications of the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series 2020 Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series Marketing Partners Include: AR Bodies, Brodix Cylinder Heads, , COR Suspensions, Cruise with the Champions, DirtonDirt.com, H3 Performance Graphics, Integra Racing Shocks, , MSR Mafia Web Design and Service, PPM Racing Products, RockAuto.com, 36 Racing & Fabrication, BrakeOMeter; Dirt Car Lift, Knowles Race Parts, Racing Junk Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series – 132 Jetplex Lane Madison, AL 35758
Article Credit: Photo by Kevin Ritchie
