Cherokee Speedway
Madden wins at Cherokee for third straight
From series reports
Several youngsters joined Madden in victory lane. (George "Big Mack" Missita)
GAFFNEY, S.C. (Aug. 17) — Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C., led all 40 laps of the Pop Pursley Memorial at Cherokee Speedway to earn $5,000 and his third consecutive victory on the O'Reilly Southern All Star East circuit. Madden, who set fast time a day earlier before rain pushed the event to Sunday, survived challenges from hometown driver Dennis Franklin amid traffic and survived on his four original tires on a day when flats knocked several drivers from contention.
"We really didn’t run the car hard trying to be easy on the tires," Madden said. "But with five (laps) to go we were ready to run a little harder, but I couldn’t get going because of all the cautions."
Petey Ivey of Union, S.C., finished second after overtaking Randle Chupp of Troutman, N.C., heading for the white flag. Chupp spun early but rallied back into contention when several drivers, including Franklin, were forced to pit for tire changes. John Pursley of Clover, S.C., the son of the race's namesake, finished fourth followed by Randy Weaver of Crossville, Tenn.
Notes: Madden’s Kelly Hamrick-owned Bloomquist Race Car has a Cornett Thunder engine with sponsorship from Hamrick’s Family Clothing, Century Plastics, Freeman Plumbing, Henderson Amusement, Xtreme Custom’s and Cycles and Swiftco Supply. ... Madden won the previous series event at Cherokee on Aug. 8. ... Before the race, the field rolled in missing-man formation, allowing John Pursley to have the front row alone to honor of his late father. ... Rain hit the track during Saturday's second consolation race, forcing the postponement. ... Furman Parton and Steve Blackburn were among drivers who didn't return Sunday. ... Up next for the Southern All Star East competitors is a rugged four-race Labor Day weekend Aug. 29-Sept 1. Action starts at Lavonia (Ga.) Speedway for $3,000-to-win, moves to Hartwell (Ga.) Speedway for $4,000-to-win, returns to Cherokee for $10,000-to-win and wraps up at Travelers Rest (S.C.) Speedway for $3,000-to-win.
O'Reilly SAS East @ Cherokee: (1) Chris Madden, (2) Petey Ivey, (3) Randle Chupp, (4) John Pursley, (5) Randy Weaver, (6) Casey Roberts, (7) Dennis Franklin, (8) Jonathan Davenport, (9) Ricky Weeks, (10) Johnny Pursley, (11) Trey Baucom, (12) Monk Gulledge, (13) Jeff Smith, (14) Keith Stone, (15) Mike Duvall, (16) Chris Ferguson, (17) Kelly Thacker, (18) Chad Paxton, (19) Chris Hargett, (20) Anthony Sanders. Fast qualifier: Madden, 15.429 seconds. Consolation race winners: Smith, Johnny Pursley.
