
July 26
Tazewell Speedway,
Tazewell, TN
Sanction: Schaeffer's Southern Nationals (Ray Varner Ford 53) - $10,053
Information provided by: Series and track reports (last updated July 27, 6:10 pm)
Benedum captures finale at Taz; Loudy nabs title
Ray Varner Ford 53
- Mike Benedum
- Kaede Loudy
- Beckham Malone
- Josh Sneed
- Jeff Neubert
- Jody Horton
- Dakota Smith
- Dale McDowell
- Jimmy Owens
- Zack Mitchell
- Camaron Marlar
- Dillon Daves
- Jensen Ford
- Kenny Collins
- Garrett Smith
- Josh Henry
- David Payne
- David Crabtree
Mike Benedum (25) heads for his first Southern Nationals victory.
What won the race: Inheriting the lead after Dale McDowell and Jimmy Owens were eliminated in a lap-17 rollover crash, pole-starting Mike Benedum of Salem, W.Va., led the final 37 laps to win Saturday's $10,053 Ray Varner Ford 53 at Tazewell Speedway. Benedum held off Kaede Loudy by 0.794 of a second for his first career Schaeffer's Southern Nationals victory in the season finale. Loudy was crowned the series champ.
Quotable: “I love Tazewell. (The track) was so rough there that I decided that I’d roll the outside and I’m sure glad I did because I would’ve been right in the middle of that (lap-17 rollover crash),” Benedum said. “I hate it for them guys, I wanted to beat them fair and square, I didn’t want them to wreck. But, I thought we had a pretty good hot rod anyway because I was holding on there.”
Key notes: Benedum, who slipped as low as fifth on lap 12, notched his third career special event triumph and his first since a $5,000 unsanctioned victory July 21, 2018, at Elkins Raceway in Kerens, W.Va. ... It's the most lucrative payday of Benedum's career, surpassing the $7,000 he earned in June 2018 in ULMS action at Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, W.Va. ... Kaede Loudy held second after the lap-17 restart, but never seriously challenged Benedum for the lead. Loudy's runner-up result is his best series finish and his second top-five this season (fifth place July 12 at Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Va.); he earned the 2025 series championship and rookie of the year honors. ... The race was slowed by 10 incidents, most notably when Dale McDowell broke a J-bar on a lap-17 restart attempt while leading, slowing in turn one, leaving Jimmy Owens, Camaron Marlar and Zack Mitchell piling in. The ensuing contact lifted Owens's car upside down, landing on his roof among the mangled pile of sheetmetal; all drivers were OK and Owens retired. ... The crash eliminated the race's first three leaders (Marlar 1-7, Owens 8-13, McDowell 14-16); they were scored eighth, ninth and 11th in the final rundown, with Mitchell 10th. ... Title contender Garrett Smith also broke a J-bar and slowed from second on lap 14. He was credited with 15th. ... Josh Sneed initially held third on the lap-17 restart, before teenager Beckham Malone sped by. They finished third and fourth, both more than a lap behind the leaders. ... Malone was involved in a lap-19 skirmish when Dakota Smith appeared to lose control, slamming into Malone's left side as they entered turn three, causing both of them to spin. Smith's car erupted into flames, drawing the night's second lengthy red flag. He was OK, though it took track officials several minutes to extinguish the fire. ... The 53-lap season finale lasted just shy of one hour, with four starters running at the checkers. ... Forrest Trent and Steve Smith each scratched after broken driveshafts in heats.
On the move: Josh Sneed of Knoxville, Tenn., started 17th and finished fourth.
Winner's sponsors: Benedum’s Team Zero Race Car is sponsored by BSI Well Service, Clarksburg Mack Sales & Service, Black Rock Enterprises LLC, Burlile Fuels, Shane McDowell Racing, Chris Ferguson at Victory Seats and Slicker Graphics.
Points chase: Final: 1. Kaede Loudy (1,694); T2. Garrett Smith (1,688); T2. Jimmy Owens (1,688); 3. 4. Mike Benedum (1,660); 5. Beckham Malone (1,616).
Current weather: Clear, 79°F
Car count: 20
Fast qualifier: Mike Benedum
Time: 11.265 seconds
Polesitter: Mike Benedum
Heat race winners: Mike Benedum, Camaron Marlar, Garrett Smith
Next series race: October 9, Beckley Motor Speedway (Beckley, WV) $4,053
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.