The Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco kicked off a big tripleheader Easter weekend on Thursday night at I-75 Raceway and Dale McDowell emerged victorious to capture his nineteenth career tour win! Dale went second fastest in Group B during the qualifying session to earn the outside of the second row for the start of the 40-lap headliner. The Chickamauga, Georgia veteran then hounded early leader Hudson O’Neal before grabbing the point on the seventeenth circuit.
From there, it was all “MacDaddy” all the time, as Dale led the rest of the distance to pocket the $5,053 first place prize money. Finishing 0.721 of a second behind in the runner-up spot was outside polesitter Hudson O’Neal, who earned Fast Time honors in qualifying aboard the #6 K&L Rumley Enterprises entry and led the first sixteen laps of the feature. Tenth-starting Sam Seawright advanced past seven competitors to round out the podium in third. Michael Leach was solid all night in finishing fourth, while Mike Marlar blasted past twelve racecars to nab the final spot inside of the top five at the checkered flag.
“That’s an unusual line for me around the top and usually a young man’s line up there, but that’s just where my car was best,” McDowell said in victory lane at the Sweetwater, Tennessee venue. “I think we were a little different than Huddy on tires, so I could get it to go early (in the race). I just didn’t know if we would fade late. He jumped out there and got the lead, but I was able to maneuver just a little bit better. I’ve got to thank everyone that’s associated with this Shane McDowell Racing team including our great crew and sponsors!”
Dale McDowell drove a Shane McDowell Racing Team Zero racecar powered by a Clements Racing Engine with sponsorship in part from Reece Monument Company, Cometic Gaskets, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Ace Doran Trucking & Rigging, Otterly Baths, Black Rock Enterprises, BSI Well Service, Mount Airy Polaris, Campbell Insulation, M&S Motors, Northeastern Fabrication, Jason Wright Excavating, AAA General Contractors, Remtek, and Fox Racing Shox.
A total of 28 Super Late Model competitors were in the pit area on Thursday at I-75 Raceway for round four of the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series. Dale McDowell went fastest in MRP Fantasy Racing hot laps with a time of 13.765 seconds, while Hudson O’Neal laid down the quickest time in FK Rod Ends qualifying with a lap of 13.528 seconds. Luke Morey and Jordon Horton topped the pair of B-Mains. Four caution flags slowed the 40-lap main event, which lasted 27 minutes in length.
On Friday, April 3, the Spring Nationals will make a second-ever visit to the picturesque Wythe Raceway for a $10,053 to win battle. Joining the Super Late Models at the 1/2-mile speedplant will be the 602 Modified, Super Street, Pro Mini, U-Car, K-Car, and Crown Vic classes. The infield pit area will open at 3:00pm, while the grandstand gates will swing open at 5:00pm. The drivers meeting is scheduled for 6:30pm and hot laps will take to the track starting at 7:00pm.
Grandstand ticket prices are $25.00 for adults, $20.00 for both seniors and military, and $15.00 for kids ages 7-12. A pit pass will be $45.00 for adults and $20.00 for youth. Children ages 6 and under will be allowed onto the grounds for FREE. Wythe Raceway is located at 164 Race Track Road in Rural Retreat, Virginia and more information on the facility can be located online by clicking on www.wytheraceway.com.
Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing
Round 4 Race Summary
Thursday, April 2, 2026
I-75 Raceway – Sweetwater, Tennessee
Schaeffer’s Oil Feature Finish (40 Laps):
1. (4) Dale McDowell $5,053
2. (2) Hudson O’Neal $2,500
3. (10) Sam Seawright $1,500
4. (5) Michael Leach $1,200
5. (17) Mike Marlar $900
6. (11) Luke Morey $800
7. (3) Garrett Smith $700
8. (6) Jordan Rodabaugh $650
9. (13) John Ownbey $625
10. (15) Camaron Marlar $600
11. (7) David Payne $580
12. (21) Heath Hindman $560
13. (12) Jordon Horton $550
14. (8) Kaede Loudy $540
15. (14) Karl Tipton $530
16. (9) Tucker Anderson $520
17. (20) Will Hicks $510
18. (19) Jason Welshan $500
19. (18) Dakota Smith $500
20. (16) Cameron Weaver $500
21. (22) Jack Franklin $500
22. (1) Brandon Overton $500
Entries: 28
Lap Leaders: Hudson O’Neal (Laps 1-16), Dale McDowell (Laps 17-40)
Caution Flags: 4
Deatherage Opticians 4th Place Finisher ($50.00 Product Certificate): Michael Leach
Deatherage Opticians 13th Place Finisher ($50.00 Product Certificate): Jordon Horton
MRP Fantasy Racing Hot Laps:
Fastest Lap Overall: Dale McDowell 13.765
FK Rod Ends Time Trials:
Fast Time Overall: Hudson O’Neal 13.528
Qualifying Results – Group A (Top Five Locked Into Feature): 1. 76-Brandon Overton[7]; 2. 10-Garrett Smith[6]; 3. 09-Michael Leach[11]; 4. 8-David Payne[5]; 5. 22-Tucker Anderson[10]; 6. 44-John Ownbey[9]; 7. 49-Luke Morey[13]; 8. 57M-Camaron Marlar[2]; 9. C5-David Crabtree[1]; 10. 157-Mike Marlar[4]; 11. 1-Jason Welshan[12]; 12. 91-Heath Hindman[14]; 13. T6-Tod Hernandez[8]; 14. 00-Ruben Mayfield[3]
Qualifying Results – Group B (Top Five Locked Into Feature): 1. 6-Hudson O’Neal, 13.528[7]; 2. 17M-Dale McDowell, 13.588[8]; 3. 66-Jordan Rodabaugh, 13.863[1]; 4. 126-Kaede Loudy, 13.990[2]; 5. 16-Sam Seawright, 14.307[10]; 6. 27-Jordon Horton, 14.445[4]; 7. 22T-Karl Tipton, 14.516[9]; 8. 116-Cameron Weaver, 14.600[11]; 9. 12-Jack Franklin, 14.676[6]; 10. 118-Kane Newby, 14.686[5]; 11. 3D-Dakota Smith, 14.848[3]; 12. 15-Will Hicks, 15.025[12]; 13. 19P-Matthew Porter, 15.179[13]; 14. 3-Steve Smith, 15.522[14]
Sunoco Race Fuels B-Main #1 Finish (Top Six Transfer): 1. 49-Luke Morey[2]; 2. 44-John Ownbey[1]; 3. 57M-Camaron Marlar[3]; 4. 157-Mike Marlar[5]; 5. 1-Jason Welshan[6]; 6. 91-Heath Hindman[7]; 7. C5-David Crabtree[4]; 8. 00-Ruben Mayfield[9]; 9. (DNS) T6-Tod Hernandez
American Racer South B-Main #2 Finish (Top Six Transfer): 1. 27-Jordon Horton[1]; 2. 22T-Karl Tipton[2]; 3. 116-Cameron Weaver[3]; 4. 3D-Dakota Smith[6]; 5. 15-Will Hicks[7]; 6. 12-Jack Franklin[4]; 7. 19P-Matthew Porter[8]; 8. (DNS) 118-Kane Newby; 9. (DNS) 3-Steve Smith
Current Spring Nationals Series Point Standings:
1. Garrett Smith – 792
2. Tucker Anderson – 790
3. Kendall Franklin – 586
4. Brandon Overton – 548
5. Will Hicks – 488
6. Payton Freeman – 461
7. Zack Mitchell – 390
8. Jack Franklin – 376
9. Carson Ferguson – 370
10. Jordon Horton – 352
2026 Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series Schedule:
February 27 – Swainsboro Raceway (Swainsboro, GA) – RAINED OUT
February 28 – Senoia Raceway (Senoia, GA) – RAINED OUT
March 20 – Modoc Speedway (Modoc, SC) – BRANDON OVERTON
March 21 – Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC) – CHRIS MADDEN
March 27 – Thunderhill Raceway (Summertown, TN) – RAINED OUT
March 28 – Thunderhill Raceway (Summertown, TN) – GARRETT SMITH
April 2 – I-75 Raceway (Sweetwater, TN) – DALE MCDOWELL
April 3 – Wythe Raceway (Rural Retreat, VA) – $10,053 to win
April 4 – Tazewell Speedway (Tazewell, TN) – $21,000 to win
May 7 – Hidden Hollow Speedway (Colson, KY) – $5,053 to win
May 8 – Ponderosa Speedway (Junction City, KY) – $7,553 to win
May 9 – Lake Cumberland Speedway (Burnside, KY) – $10,053 to win
May 22 – Sugar Creek Raceway (Blue Ridge, GA) – $5,053 to win
May 23 – North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) – $7,553 to win
May 24 – Duck River Raceway Park (Wheel, TN) – $10,053 to win
For more information on the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco, please point your Internet browser to www.SouthernNationalsSeries.com or feel free to call/text series promoter Ray Cook at 828-360-5353. You can also follow us across social media platforms on facebook.com/southernnationalsseries and on Twitter @sonationals.
The tour would like to thank all of our valued marketing partners including: Schaeffer’s Oil & Specialized Lubricants, Coltman Farms Racing, Sunoco Race Fuels, American Race Tires, American Racer South, Delph Communications, E-Z-GO, Spring Pro Precision Equipment, Arizona Sport Shirts, Capital Race Cars, Collins Signs, Deatherage Opticians, DirtCarLift.com, DirtonDirt.com, FK Rod Ends, Interstate Welding & Steel Supply, JM Custom Laser, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, MasterSbilt Race Cars, MyRacePass Fantasy Racing, SFP Performance Systems, The Joie of Seating, The Steering Buddy, Velocita-USA, Vic Hill Racing Engines, Vinson Sims Construction, and Wiles Driveshafts.
About Schaeffer’s Oil & Specialized Lubricants:
Schaeffer’s Specialized Lubricants: synthetic motor oils, hydraulic fluids, and diesel fuel additives have achieved a world-class reputation for improving engine performance and fuel economy, but their diverse product line includes all types of industrial lubricants, industrial greases, and industrial oils as well as specialty items like their chain lubes and degreasers. Founded in 1839, their philosophy is to provide advanced lubricants for improved performance, reliability, and fuel economy. Learn more or find a rep near you at www.SchaefferOil.com.