Volunteer Speedway
New car carries modified grad to Volunteer victory
By Robert Walden
Volunteer SpeedwayBULLS GAP, Tenn. (Sept. 1) — Chad Ogle of Sevierville began the 2007 racing season at Volunteer Speedway by reeling off four consecutive modified feature wins. But when the class was eliminated because of a declining car count, he decided he'd stick around at his home track and join the Late Model division.
Ogle, who briefly ran a Late Model in 2001, and his family-owned race team built a new Late Model and didn't take long getting up to speed.
Making his Volunteer debut in the car, Ogle grabbed the lead on the opening lap and cruised to a flag-to-flage victory on A&L RV Sales Night at the Races.
“To win our first night out is just awesome, because you never know how a new race car is going to run,” said Ogle after climbing from his car in victory lane. “We were really fortunate to have everything work out well for us, because the car was good from the drop of the green to the waving of the checkered flag. I just couldn’t have asked for a better driving car.
“Being this is our first time racing this new car, I believe getting out to the early lead really helped to build my confidence … and the more laps we ran the more comfortable I felt in the car. To be able to come out here and beat (Scott) Sexton, (Kerry) Jones, Herman (Goddard) and everybody, man, this is awesome.”
Mike Smith earned the pole for the 35-lap feature with Ogle alongside. Smith looped his mount on the first start and Ogle took command, leading all the way with Sexton and Jones chasing him to the checkered flag.
“You know, I love racing here at Volunteer Speedway … and it’s so good to be back running here," Ogle said. "I’ll admit, back earlier in the year when the open-wheel modified class got eliminated we were really disappointed. We’d won several races here over the years, and all at once to no longer have a local track to race at was tough. Racing is expensive, and we’ve got a really good car and I truly believe we can win on a consistent basis … but we need some sponsor help in the worst way to help us to be able to keep running up front.
“I really want to thank my dad, Rick Ogle for all of his support over the years of my racing. Because without him there’s no way I could race on my own. I also want to thank my brother Aaron (Ogle), David Bryant and Travis down at J.T. Kerr Racing Equipment for all the help they’ve been working on getting this car ready. And I can’t forget my wife, Mary, and my sons Reece and Dawson, they love watching me race.”
Jensen Ford won the night's Crate Late Model feature over Bobby Mays and Allen Champ.
Volunteer Speedway Sept. 1 Super Late Models: (1) Chad Ogle, (2) Scott Sexton, (3) Kerry Jones, (4) Bryan Hendrix, (5) Mike Smith, (6) Herman Goddard, (7) Dwight Sams, (8) Jackie Hughes, (9) Van Lester, (10) Marty Calloway, (11) Jody Teffeteller, (12) Dennis Alverson, (13) Phil Helton, (14) Alben Watts, (15) Jimmy Cox, (16) Randy Davidson.
