Austin Horton waves to the crowd at Dixie Speedway.
What won the race: Austin Horton of Newnan, Ga., rolled around Aaron Ridley on the seventh lap, then repelled a late charge from Casey Roberts on Saturday at Dixie Speedway for his first career Ultimate Southeast Series victory. Horton's $4,000 victory comes seven days after his $5,300 Schaeffer's Southern Nationals victory at Dixie's sister track, Rome Speedway.
Quotable: “We gambled on tires,” Horton said. “I was about the only one who went on the right rear tire that we did and I was just hoping it was gonna pay off. It didn’t feel that good early so I was just trying to make it do what it’d do. I’m glad I got to the lead when I did. The flagman did a good job throwing that move over flag, but the lapped cars wasn’t looking at ‘em.”
Key notes: Horton notched his seventh Late Model victory and third in a row of 2019. ... Runner-up Casey Roberts finished 0.506 seconds behind at the finish. ... A dozen drivers completed 40 laps. ... Horton is the 10th winner in 11 series races (Ross Bailes is the tour's lone repeat winner). ... Michael Page didn't complete a lap.
On the move: Anthony Sanders of Spartenburg, S.C., started 21st and finished ninth.
Winner's sponsors: Horton's Woody Wood-owned Rocket Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engine and sponsored by Franklin Enterprises, Super K Express, Vapes Gone Wild, Orr's Towing, Clint Smith Racing, GW Performance, Horton's Inc., Gary's Pulp and Logging, Hoosier Tire South and Integra Shocks.
Points chase: Entering the event, Zack Mitchell (293 points) led Daulton Wilson (232), Anthony Sanders (195), Jeff Smith (172) and Dennis Franklin (162).
Current weather: Clear, 77°F
Car count: 31
Fast qualifier: Aaron Ridley
Time: 15.492 seconds
Heat race winners:
Consolation race winners: Austin Smith, Dalton Polston, ,
Provisional starters: Doug Sanders, Scott Hall, ,
Next series race: August 2, Lavonia Speedway (Lavonia, GA) $4,141