Hedgecock Wins Wild Southern Nationals Race At I-75

Cory Hedgecock celebrates in victory lane after winning Tuesday night’s Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals race at I-75 Raceway. Photo: Rick Neff

For the second time in the first four races, Cory Hedgecock inherited the lead on Tuesday night and seized the opportunity to land in victory lane in Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series competition at I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, Tennessee.

The Loudon, Tennessee racer was running a close third in the 40-lap feature when leaders Mack McCarter and Ashton Winger made contact coming off of turn two on lap 25. The incident sent Winger’s machine into a series of violent flips off the backstretch, but fortunately Winger emerged unscathed from the scary wreck.

Following an on-track fracas during the red flag period and McCarter retiring pit side shortly thereafter, Hedgecock emerged from the wild scene leading the race. Once out front, he held the point the rest of the way to capture the win and the $4,053 paycheck.

“Man, I guarantee me winning wasn’t the most exciting part of that race,” Hedgecock said after recording his fifth career series victory. “To take advantage of what was unfolding – I’m just glad we can take the win. We will take them however we can get them.

“I hate that Winger got tore up there. I love that dude and I love that family, so I’m hoping he’s OK. Man, just an awesome car again. We were fast in qualifying and I was able to take advantage of it in the feature.”

Sam Seawright finished in second, with Jensen Ford in third, Will Roland in fourth, and Zack Mitchell in fifth.

Camaron Marlar, Carson Ferguson, Kenny Collins, Chase Oliver, and Dalton Cook rounded out the top 10.

Per series owner and race director Ray Cook, two members of Winger’s team have been reprimanded for their involvement in the on-track altercation during the red flag and will not be allowed in the infield pit area at the next two series races. They will also be placed on probation for the remainder of the season.

Aside from the red flag situation that halted the action on lap 25, the race was slowed by five additional yellow flags. The first came on lap five for an incident involving John Henderson and Bobby Giffin. Clay Coghlan then spun in front of the leaders on lap 16 before a botched restart on that same lap saw Will Roland and Camaron Marlar get hooked together.

Third running Tyler Millwood then spun out of contention on lap 18 to draw a yellow, while the final caution came working lap 36 for Austin Kirkpatrick who slowed with a flat right front tire. Twelve of the 22 cars that started the A-Main were around at the waving of the checkered flag.

After a day off on Wednesday, the Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series returns to action on Thursday, July 21 with a stop at Georgia’s Senoia Raceway. For more information, visit SouthernNationalsSeries.com.

Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals
I-75 Raceway – Sweetwater, TN
Round 4 – July 19, 2022

1. (2) Cory Hedgecock $4,053
2. (7) Sam Seawright $2,000
3. (9) Jensen Ford $1,400
4. (4) Will Roland $1,000
5. (12) Zack Mitchell $800
6. (16) Camaron Marlar $700
7. (14) Carson Ferguson $600
8. (11) Kenny Collins $550
9. (13) Chase Oliver $525
10. (18) Dalton Cook $500
11. (10) Brenden Smith $480
12. (19) Clay Coghlan $470
13. (17) Austin Kirkpatrick $460
14. (1) Mack McCarter $450
15. (3) Ashton Winger $440
16. (15) Brandon Williams $430
17. (6) Tyler Millwood $420
18. (20) Parker Martin $410
19. (8) John Henderson $400
20. (5) Bobby Giffin $400
21. (22) Michael Page $400
22. (21) Heath Hindman $400