Jeff Smith crosses the finish line first at Lakeview.
What won the race: Inheriting the point on lap 27 when previous leaders each had separate race-ending trouble, fourth-starting Jeff Smith of Dallas N.C., went on to capture Saturday's 40-lap Back to School special at Lake View Motor Speedway. Smith earned $5,000 for his first win of the season and his second career Ultimate Southeast Series triumph.
Key notes: Christian Thomas, the winner of May's $5,000 series stop at Lake View, led laps 3-24 before drawing the race's sixth caution on lap 25 and pulling off. ... Series points leader Anthony Sanders led twice for four laps (1-2, 25-26) before he sustained race-ending trouble on lap 32 while running second to Smith. ... Third-starting Cla Knight moved into second on lap 32 and trailed Smith for the final eight laps, finishing 2.578 seconds back. ... Seventh-starting Willie Millken also took advantage of Sanders' lap-32 misfortune and completed the podium. ... Johnny Pridgen advanced six positions and finished sixth. ... Daniel Adam gained four spots and finished seventh. ... Dennis Franklin and Doug Sanders tangled while battling for fifth on lap 10, ending both of their nights. ... Saturday's 40-lap feature was slowed by seven cautions and lasted 28 minutes, with eight running at the finish. ... Brian Strickland, Corey Gordon and Daniel Tucker all scratched from the feature lineup.
On the move: David Yandle of Monroe, N.C., started 13th and finished fifth.
Winner's sponsors: Smith’s Eddie Waddell Motorsports Longhorn Chassis carries sponsorship from Clarke’s Flooring, Langley Collision Center, Smokin’ Mountain Boys Barbeque, Banks Brokerage, Thomas Clarke Performance, JS Racing, Menscer Motorsports, Keyser Manufacturing, Hoosier Racing Tire, FK Rod Ends, WP Racing Shocks, Superior Pools, Bilstein Shocks, Dirt Diva and Dirt Wrap.
Points chase: After Lake View: 1. Anthony Sanders (258); 2. Dennis Franklin (245); 3. Willie Milliken (243); 4. Christian Thomas (219); 5. Ben Watkins (198).
Current weather: Clear, 88°F
Car count: 17
Fast qualifier: Christian Thomas
Time: 16.172 seconds
Polesitter: Christian Thomas
Next series race: August 19, Rome Speedway (Rome, GA) $5,000