BRASSTOWN, N.C. – Shane Clanton raced to a $4,000 victory during Thursday’s Schaeffer Oil Tar Heel Invitational at Tri-County Race Track.
Clanton rocketed into the lead at the start of the 40-lap feature with Donald McIntosh in tow. Clanton reached the tail of the field by lap eight at the quarter-mile dirt track and before long McIntosh, Hudson O’Neal and fast qualifier Kyle Hardy began to close the gap on the leader.
The first caution waved on lap 23, clearing the way for Clanton when the race resumed. However, McIntosh continued to apply pressure and even briefly took the lead on the 31st lap, but a caution for tangle involving O’Neal, Hardy and David Payne reset the field to the last completed lap and put Clanton back in front.
That ended up being exactly what Clanton needed as the Georgia driver never gave up the lead again to earn the $4,000 prize over McIntosh in second.
David Payne came home third, followed by Casey Roberts and Brandon Overton.
A number of sponsors stepped up in the lead-up to Thursday’s race to offer a $25,500 bonus to any driver starting in the first two rows who opted to instead start at the tail of the field and still win the race.
Michael Chilton took the challenge, but was unable to complete the run through the field and finished ninth. He still earned an extra $2,200 for his efforts.
The finish:
Shane Clanton, Donald McIntosh, David Payne, Casey Roberts, Brandon Overton, Tyler Erb, Kenny Collins, Shanon Buckingham, Michael Chilton, Ashton Winger, Tyler Millwood, Cody King, Pearson Lee Williams, Hudson O’Neal, Kyle Hardy, Jamie Oliver, Joe Denby, Shawn Chastain, Cla Knight, Jadon Frame.