BULLS GAP, Tenn. – Chris Madden played his cards perfectly on Saturday night to win the inaugural running of the Grinch 40 for the Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series at Tennessee’s Volunteer Speedway.
Madden moved around Kyle Strickler to take the lead on lap 23 around the Bulls Gap, Tennessee 4/10-mile, and went on to score the victory and the $5,000 winner’s payday.
The Gray Court, South Carolina speedster was quickest in hot laps, fastest in qualifying and won his heat race. After redrawing the sixth starting spot, Madden began his charge to the front patiently, moving to third by lap 15. But after a restart on lap 17, he closed on leader Strickler’s rear bumper just three laps later.
“I think (Strickler) was just a little bit free and we were able to maneuver a little bit better than he was,” Madden said. “We had a good racecar tonight, and Strickler did too. He hasn’t been in a Late Model that long, but he did a great job.”
Madden made the move to take the lead coming out of turn four to complete lap 22. When Strickler got caught up behind lap traffic, Madden was able to pull away for the victory.
“A 40-lap Feature kind of worries me a little bit to start sixth, that’s not real long,” Madden said. “Fortunately, we had a couple of cautions work our way and our car was good enough that we could maneuver around (in traffic). We had an awesome racecar tonight.”
Brandon Overton finished in third, with Shanon Buckingham in fourth and Chris Ferguson in fifth.
Donald McIntosh, Logan Roberson, Robby Moses, Cory Hedgecock and Pearson Williams rounded out the top ten.
The Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series heads to the Peach State for a stop at Georgia’s Lavonia Speedway on December 15. For more information, visit Xtremedirtcar.com.
Drydene Xtreme DIRTcar Series
Volunteer Speedway – Bulls Gap, TN
Grinch 40 – December 7, 2019
1. 0M-Chris Madden
2. 8-Kyle Strickler
3. 76-Brandon Overton
4. 50-Shannon Buckingham
5. 22-Chris Ferguson
6. 7M-Donald McIntosh
7. 17-Logan Roberson
8. 21M-Robby Moses
9. 23-Cory Hedgecock
10. 2W-Pearson Williams
11. 13W-David Webb
12. 70-Jeff Smith
13. 3-Steve Smith
14. 17V-Tim Vance
15. 97G-Aaron Guinn
16. 11-Tommy Bailey
17. 97-Michael Chilton
18. 66-Jordan Rodabaugh
19. 21-Will Harris
20. 88-Trent Ivey
21. 1G-Ryan King
22. 19-Daniel Dial
23. 57M-Zack Mitchell
