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Michael Moats
MARYVILLE, Tenn. (April 16) - After engine problems prevented Jimmy Owens from making the field at the Commonwealth 100, Owens and crew sprinted back to Tennessee for Saturday night's Southern All-Stars event at Smoky Mountain Speedway. The trip turned out to be worth $5,000.
Event Photos - SAS at Smoky Mountain Speedway
Twenty-seven drivers were on hand at the 4/10-mile track located outside of Maryville. Owens started the night by blistering the track record with a time of 15.187 seconds. That topped the old record set by Ivedent Lloyd by almost 1/2-second.
The race started with Owens actually giving chase to outside pole sitter Chad Ogle. Ogle used the high side to vault to the lead and began to put distance on Owens. As Ogle reached the tail of the field, Owens reeled in Ogle. Owens would begin to pressure Ogle for the lead until a caution on lap 11 slowed the field.
On the restart, Ogle again shot out to a sizeable lead over Owens. As the track dried out, Ogle's tires began to fade and Owens chased down Ogle. On lap 21, Owens passed Ogle for the lead. A few laps later Ogle lost more spots as Ray Cook and William Thomas each got around Ogle.
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