One of the keys to finding Victory Lane during a World of Outlaws Late Model race is taking advantage when the opportunity comes.
Chris Madden seized his moment Saturday night during the Billy Vacek Memorial at Port Royal Speedway to claim his second win in a row at the Pennsylvania track.
With 22 laps to go, race leader Brandon Overton made a mistake in traffic, allowing Madden to dive underneath him and steal the lead.
Prior to that, Overton had opened a full straightaway lead over Madden 15 laps into the race before he caught the back of the field. That’s when Madden started to reel him in and plan his attack.
“Leading in lap traffic is tough when it’s one lane,” Madden said. “(Overton) took a shot at a lap car and tried to move to the outside of it in (turn) 1 and 2, and I was able to fill the hole.”
After Madden made his move, Overton wasn’t ready to relinquish the lead just yet. The two raced side-by-side into turn 3 and Overton tried to dive under Madden but couldn’t make the move stick. He ended up sideways in the corner, costing him a shot at Victory Lane.
The Evans, Georgia driver finished fourth, frustrated about what happened.
“I was just trying too hard,” Overton said. “As long as (the lap cars) entered wider than me I’d be fine, but one time they entered a little lower and a little slower. I had to get on the brakes, and I shattered the tires and slid up the hill.
“I was too close to (the lap cars). I probably shouldn’t have been that close to them. I probably should’ve just laid back a couple of car-lengths.”
Madden’s win completes a weekend sweep at Port Royal, that sees him walk away with more than $25,000 in winnings. It’s also his third straight win, and fourth of 2021, bringing Madden to 32 career World of Outlaws Morton Buildings wins overall.
Rick Eckert finished second, with Dan Stone third, with Overton fourth and Ryan Gustin fifth.
Three-time and defending champion Brandon Sheppard finished 14th. His point lead is now down to 26 points over Madden.
The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models travel to the Hoosier State, stopping at Circle City Raceway, June 4, and Plymouth Speedway, June 5.
For more information, visit WorldofOutlaws.com.
WoO Morton Buildings Late Model Series
Port Royal Speedway – Port Royal, PA
Billy Vacek Memorial – May 22, 2021
1. 44-Chris Madden
2. 0E-Rick Eckert
3. 2-Dan Stone
4. 76-Brandon Overton
5. 19R-Ryan Gustin
6. 7R-Ross Robinson
7. 16-Tyler Bruening
8. 22-Chris Ferguson
9. 66C-Matt Cosner
10. 22S-Gregg Satterlee
11. 4-Gary Stuhler
12. 7-Ricky Weiss
13. 97-Cade Dillard
14. 1-Brandon Sheppard
15. 45-Kyle Hardy
16. 8-Kyle Strickler
17. 28-Dennis Erb
18. 9-Hayes Mattern
19. B1-Brent Larson
20. 43A-Tyler Bare
21. 99B-Boom Briggs
22. 48-Colton Flinner
23. 24-Dylan Yoder
24. D19-Dillon Stake
25. 55L-Donald Lingo
http://accesswdun.com/article/2021/5/1007930/madden-claims-second-straight-woo-lms-port-royal-win