Brandon Overton and Mike Marlar scored victories over the weekend in World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series action in Tennessee.
Overton went to victory lane at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tennessee, on Saturday night, while Marler took the win on Sunday night at Wheel, Tennessee’s Duck River Raceway Park.
On Saturday, Brandon Sheppard jumped to the lead early, pacing the field for the first 19 laps, until Overton made the move to take the lead. By lap 30, the Evans, Georgia driver was able to create nearly a three second lead over Sheppard and the rest of the field.
From there, Overton went on to score the victory.
“I knew Sheppard had that thing rolling there at the beginning and I was just trying not to burn my tires up,” said Overton. “I waited until an opportunity came right there in lap traffic. I knew we had a good car I just didn’t want to abuse it early. I’ve lost too many of them that way and you know it kind of gets old.”
Chris Madden finished in second, with Zebulon, Georgia’s Shane Clanton in third, Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Georgia in fourth and Sheppard in fifth.
On Sunday night, Tennessee native Mike Marlar drove to a home state victory at Duck River Raceway Park.
It marked Marlar’s second career series victory, and gave him a $10,000 payday.
“I love racing with the World of Outlaws,” said Marlar. “I don’t get to do it a lot but when they come to Tennessee or sometimes I will venture out and go racing with them. They are an awesome group of guys to race with… It’s fun to go racing at a top level like this.”
Brandon Sheppard was able to gain an early lead over the field stretching the distance to 1.589 seconds by lap 15. The action ensued for second between Marlar and Moran until Moran got a right rear flat sending him to the pits on lap 23.
The caution for Moran allowed for the field to reset ultimately shutting the door on Sheppard’s lead. Using his knowledge of the track to his advantage, Marlar began trying different lines to close the gap. On lap 35, he made the pass for the win.
Sheppard finished in second, with Rick Eckert, Overton and Steve Francis rounding out the top five.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series returns to action for three nights of racing in Ohio, starting at Atomic Speedway on May 26, then moving to Wayne County Speedway on May 27 and Tyler County Speedway on May 28.
For more information, visit WoOLMS.com.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series
Smoky Mountain Speedway – Maryville, TN
Race Results – May 13, 2017
1. 116- Brandon Overton
2. 44- Chris Madden
3. 25- Shane Clanton
4. 101- Casey Roberts
5. 1- Brandon Sheppard
6. 7- Rick Eckert
7. 49- Jonathan Davenport
8. 99jr- Frank Heckenast, Jr.
9. 91 -Tyler Erb
10. 18- Eric Wells
11. 1*- Chub Frank
12. 50- Shanon Buckingham
13. 9- Devin Moran
14. 14m- Morgan Bagley
15. 31- Skip Arp
16. 15- Steve Francis
17. 2c- Joey Coulter
18. 93- Donald Bradsher
19. 21- Robby Moses
20. 201- Billy Ogle, Jr.
21. 97- Bobby Giffin
22. 7M- Donald McIntosh
23. 3s- Brian Shirley
24. 17M- Dale McDowell
25. 4T- Tommy Kerr
World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series
Duck River Raceway Park – Wheel, TN
Race Results – May 14, 2017
1. 157- Mike Marlar
2. 1- Brandon Sheppard
3. 7- Rick Eckert
4. 116- Brandon Overton
5. 15- Steve Francis
6. 91- Tyler Erb
7. 3s- Brian Shirley
8. 25- Shane Clanton
9. 99jr- Frank Heckenast, Jr.
10. 2c- Joey Coulter
11. 44- Chris Madden
12. 1*- Chub Frank
13. 98- Eric Hickerson
14. 9- Devin Moran
15. 18- Eric Wells
16. 14m- Morgan Bagley
17. 93- Donald Bradsher
18. 17r- Brad Skinner
19. 69*- Carder Miller
20. 18s- David Seibers
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/5/537812/overton-marlar-take-woo-lms-victories-in-tennessee