Benedum Banks $10,053 for Ray Varner Ford 53 Victory; Loudy Wins Southern Nationals Championship

(July 26, 2025) The 21st edition of the Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco concluded on Saturday night at Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, Tennessee and it was Mike Benedum who emerged victorious after a wild ‘Ray Varner Ford 53!’ Mike was fast right off the trailer at the high-banked oval and earned Fast Time honors during FK Rod Ends qualifying prior to picking up the victory in the first heat race of the evening. After starting the main event from the pole position, Mike inherited the point on a lap seventeen restart when leader Dale McDowell broke a J-bar and dropped a driveshaft - also collecting second-running Jimmy Owens who rolled over in the incident. (MRM Racing Photo)

Once out front, the Salem, West Virginia native never looked back in leading the remainder of the 53-lap series finale to pocket the $10,053 first place prize money. Finishing a close second - only 0.794 of a second back - was seventh-starting Kaede Loudy. With other title contenders Garrett Smith and Jimmy Owens encountering trouble during the caution-filled race, Kaede capitalized on their misfortune and his runner-up performance locked up both Championship and Rookie of the Year honors for the young Rogersville, Tennessee ace. | full story

Sam Seawright Secures Second Career Southern Nationals Series Win at North Georgia Speedway

(July 25, 2025) Sam Seawright celebrated in Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco victory lane for the second time in his career on Friday night at North Georgia Speedway! After timing in second quickest in FK Rod Ends qualifying, Sam won his heat race to earn the outside of the front row for the start of the 53-lap headliner. The Fort Payne, Alabama ace then worked his way past racelong leader Dale McDowell on lap 29 and led the remainder of the distance at the Chatsworth, Georgia oval to secure the $10,053 first place prize money.

It wasn’t easy for Seawright in the waning laps; however, as red-hot Zack Mitchell got things wound up on the high side of the racetrack and ultimately finished a mere 0.229 of a second behind at the unfurling of the checkered flag. Polesitter Dale McDowell, who led the first 28 circuits, rounded out the podium in third. Seventh-starting Tucker Anderson advanced past a trio of racecars to place fourth, while eleventh-starting Booger Brooks blasted past six competitors to earn the final spot inside of the top five. | full story

Zack Mitchell Masterful at Sugar Creek Raceway for Second Straight Southern Nationals Win

(July 24, 2025) For the second straight Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco event, it was the Zack Mitchell show out front on Thursday night at Sugar Creek Raceway in Blue Ridge, Georgia! Zack laid down the quickest lap in FK Rod Ends qualifying, which earned him an extra $200.00 courtesy of Hayesville Trailer Sales and CM Truck Beds, and later started the 40-lap main event from the pole position. The Enoree, South Carolina ace then survived a rash of caution flags and a green-white-checkered finish to lead every circuit en route to capturing his fourth career tour victory.

At the stripe, Zack was 0.808 of a second ahead of runner-up Casey Roberts to secure the $7,753 payday, which included an extra $200.00 courtesy of Hughes Home Improvement. Casey, who flipped his familiar #101 machine on Tuesday at Toccoa Raceway, wheeled a Gus Simpson-owned #11 car at Sugar Creek Raceway and advanced past a trio of competitors to the second place performance. Eighth-starting Tucker Anderson picked off five racecars during the 40-lapper to round out the podium in third. | full story

Zack Mitchell Motors to Third Career Southern Nationals Victory Tuesday at Toccoa

(July 22, 2025) Zack Mitchell, of Enoree, South Carolina, laid claim to his third career Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco victory on Tuesday night at Toccoa Raceway! Zack, who was quickest overall in MRP Fantasy Racing Hot Laps, knocked down the fastest lap in Group B during FK Rod Ends qualifying to earn the outside of the front row for the 40-lap feature event. He then got the jump at the drop of the green flag and paced the field for the entire distance to capture his second series win at the storied Toccoa, Georgia facility.

At the checkers, Zack was a commanding 7.238 seconds ahead of his nearest competition to bag the $7,553 first place prize money. Finishing in the runner-up spot was sixth-starting Garrett Smith, while polesitter Jimmy Owens ran second early in the contest before rounding out the podium in third. Kenny Collins turned in another strong performance with the series in picking off four competitors en route to a fourth place showing. Series regular Mike Benedum blasted past eight racecars to nab a fifth place effort - his best run so far on the tour this year. | full story

Garrett Smith Records First Career Southern Nationals Series Victory in Rebel Yell at Screven

(July 19, 2025) Spring Nationals Champion Garrett Smith finally broke through on Saturday night to capture his first career Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco victory at Screven Motor Speedway during the annual Rebel Yell! Garrett clicked off the fastest lap in Group A during FK Rod Ends qualifying prior to securing a win in his heat race. After starting the 53-lap headliner from the pole position, the Madison, Georgia ace took control at the drop of the green flag and paced the field throughout the entirety of the contest. (Anthony Neff Photo)

At the checkered flag, Garrett was celebrating a $10,053 triumph over runner-up Zack Mitchell, who started fourth on the grid and finished 2.817 seconds back at the finish. Fourteenth-starting Kenny Collins improved eleven positions to not only round out the podium in third, but to also collect the Knowles Race Parts and Bodies Hard Charger Award. Casey Roberts, who ran as high as second, finished in the fourth spot, while Steven Roberts claimed the final position inside of the top five. | full story

Cory Hedgecock Hustles to Second Southern Nationals Series Win of the Week at Swainsboro Raceway

(July 18, 2025) For the second time this week, Cory Hedgecock celebrated in victory lane with the Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco on Friday night at Swainsboro Raceway! Cory clicked off the fastest lap overall during FK Rod Ends qualifying at the Swainsboro, Georgia oval to earn the pole position for the 40-lap main event. The Loudon, Tennessee ace then got the jump at the drop of the green flag and held the point throughout the caution-free contest. (Anthony Neff Photo)

At the checkers, Cory was 1.805 seconds ahead of his nearest competition to secure the $7,553 winner’s check at the Peach State venue. Finishing behind Hedgecock at the stripe was sixth-starting Ashton Winger, who had won the previous night at Senoia Raceway. Dalton Cook turned in another strong performance with the series to land on the podium in third. Wil Herrington, who ran as high as second in the race, wound up fourth at the finish, while Austin Yarbrough claimed the final position inside of the top five. | full story

Ashton Winger Outduels Sam Seawright to Win Third Roscoe Smith Classic Title

(July 17, 2025) Similar to Cory Hedgecock on Tuesday at I-75 Raceway, Ashton Winger defended his home turf against the Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco competitors on Thursday night at Senoia Raceway to capture his third career ‘Roscoe Smith Classic’ title! Ashton knocked down the quickest lap in Group B during FK Rod Ends qualifying and later started the 44-lap headliner from the outside of the front row. After pacing the field for the first 27 circuits, third-starting Sam Seawright blasted past the #12 machine to grab the point on lap 28. (Anthony Neff Photo)

Seawright then appeared to be in control and possibly heading to victory lane at the Senoia, Georgia oval before Winger dive bombed back into the lead amid lapped traffic on lap 41. The Hampton, Georgia ace then led the final four laps to emerge victorious in the exciting back-and-forth battle with Seawright to bag the $7,544 winner’s check. The victory was Ashton’s second career Southern Nationals Series win - both coming at Senoia Raceway. | full story

Cory Hedgecock Defends Home Turf Once Again; Wins with Southern Nationals at I-75 Raceway

(July 15, 2025) Cory Hedgecock recorded his sixth career Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco victory on Tuesday night at the nearby I-75 Raceway! Cory clicked off the second quickest time in Group B during FK Rod Ends qualifying and later started the 40-lap feature event from the outside of the second row. The Loudon, Tennessee ace survived a multi-car tangle on the initial start of the race that also collected Jensen Ford, got his spot back for the subsequent restart, and proved to have the car to beat at what he deems his home track.

After polesitter Garrett Smith paced the field for the first circuit, outside polesitter Chris Madden took command to lead laps two through six. Hedgecock then got things wound up following a lap six restart and blasted past Madden to grab the point on lap seven. From there, the #23V controlled the top spot for the remainder of the distance to reach the checkered flag first and Cory claimed the $7,553 payday for his third series win at the Sweetwater, Tennessee oval. | full story

Chris Madden Goes Back-to-Back with Southern Nationals in Winning Scott Sexton Memorial

(July 14, 2025) In a terrific race on Monday night at Volunteer Speedway, Chris Madden, of Gray Court, South Carolina, went back-to-back with the Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco in winning the annual ‘Scott Sexton Memorial!’ Chris knocked down the fastest lap overall during FK Rod Ends qualifying to earn the pole position for the 52-lap headliner, but it was outside polesitter Garrett Smith that got the jump at the drop of the green flag. In front of a great crowd at the Bulls Gap, Tennessee venue, Garrett led the first 37 circuits with Madden riding close behind in the second spot. (MRM Racing Photo)

On the 38th lap, “Smokey” pounced and grabbed the point away from Smith’s #10 machine. Chris then held off late-race charges by brothers Mike Marlar and Camaron Marlar to bag the $7,552 winner’s check. Seventh-starting Mike Marlar temporarily took the lead with a lap 40 slider, but finished 1.308 seconds behind at the unfurling of the checkered lag. Camaron Marlar earned Hard Charger honors for the evening with his sterling 15th-to-3rd place run, while Jimmy Owens took over the Southern Nationals point lead with his strong fourth place effort. Sam Seawright got by early leader Garrett Smith late in the distance to claim the final spot inside of the top five. | full story

Chris Madden Dominates at Wythe Raceway for 30th Career Southern Nationals Victory

(July 12, 2025) Five-time Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco Champion Chris Madden was dominant on Saturday evening at Wythe Raceway to record his 30th career tour victory! Aboard a #44 Kale Green Motorsports entry, Chris swept the night at the monster 1/2-mile speedplant, as he laid down the quickest lap in MRP Fantasy League Hot Laps and later set a New Track Record in FK Rod Ends qualifying following a 2.5 hour rain delay. After starting the 40-lap feature from the outside of the front row, “Smokey” set the pace throughout the entire distance and ultimately took the checkered flag over five seconds ahead of his nearest competition.

The $10,053 triumph late Saturday night marked Chris’ fifth career series win at the sprawling Rural Retreat, Virginia oval. Finishing 5.309 seconds back in the runner-up spot was tenth-starting Chris Ferguson, who exited the weekend as the Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series point leader. Polesitter Garrett Smith ran second through much of the main event before rounding out the podium in third. Jimmy Owens moved up a spot to finish fourth in the final rundown, while Kaede Loudy placed fifth at the checkers after running as high as third. | full story

Ross Bailes Wins Southern Nationals Series Opener at Beckley for $10,053 Payday

(July 11, 2025) The Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco kicked off the 2025 edition of the tour on Friday night in front of a great crowd at Beckley Motor Speedway and Ross Bailes, of Clover, South Carolina, secured the $10,053 first place prize money! Ross knocked down the sixth fastest time overall during the qualifying session prior to claiming a victory in the third heat race of the evening. After rolling off from the inside of the second row in the 53-lap feature, Ross came out on top of a spirited, three-car battle for the lead around the halfway mark and raced to his third career Southern Nationals triumph.

Youngster Luke Morey led the first 25 circuits from the outside of the front row before Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series Champion Garrett Smith took command to lead laps 26-28. Ross Bailes then made the winning pass on lap 29 and held off a hard charging Chris Ferguson, of Mount Holly, North Carolina, in the waning laps to win by 0.521 of a second at the checkered flag. | full story

21st Annual Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series Goes July 11-26 with $310,000+ Up for Grabs

(July 9, 2025) The 21st edition of the Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco is about ready to get underway! The barnstorming Southeastern tour has eleven race dates scheduled in a matter of only sixteen days. Action officially kicks off on Friday, July 11 at Beckley Motor Speedway in Mount Hope, West Virginia and concludes for the 21st straight season at Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, Tennessee on Saturday, July 26.

Including those bookend stops, the tour will snake through the states of West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia to sanction events at Beckley Motor Speedway, Wythe Raceway, Volunteer Speedway, I-75 Raceway, Senoia Raceway, Swainsboro Raceway, Screven Motor Speedway, Toccoa Raceway, Sugar Creek Raceway, North Georgia Speedway, and Tazewell Speedway. The series welcomes back ten venues from the 2024 season while Sugar Creek Raceway is the lone new addition to this year’s schedule.

The 2025 Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series schedule features the $7,544 to win ‘Roscoe Smith Classic’ at Senoia Raceway, the $7,552 to win ‘Scott Sexton Memorial’ at Volunteer Speedway, four $7,533 to win programs, and five $10,053 to win showdowns including the 26th Annual ‘Rebel Yell’ at Screven Motor Speedway, the ‘Young Memorial’ at North Georgia Speedway, and the season-ending ‘Ray Varner Ford 53’ at Tazewell Speedway. | full story