Jonathan Davenport nabs March Madness win at Cherokee Speedway

GAFFNEY, SC - Jonathan Davenport, of Blairsville, GA, led all 60 laps Sunday night to pick up the $10,000 March Madness payday in the Southern Nationals Bonus Race at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC.

Davenport, the defending Schaeffer Oil Southern Nationals Series champion, outdistanced Steve Francis, who came home in second. Jason Hiett finished in third, with Chris Madden in fourth and Elberton, GA's Brent Dixon in fifth.

The night before, it was Jason Hiett of Oxford, AL who won $3,000 and his first-ever victory at Cherokee Speedway. Casey Roberts of Toccoa, GA came across the finish line in second, with Dixon in third, Chickamauga, GA's Dale McDowell in fourth and Dennis Franklin in fifth.

The next Southern Nationals Bonus Races will be a doubleheader of racing on Sunday, May 25 at Duck River Raceway Park in Wheel, TN paying $5,000 to win, followed by a $3,000 to win race on Monday, May 26 at Tri-County Race Track in Brasstown, NC.

The Old Man's Garage Spring Nationals Series presented by Schaeffer's Oil will kick off March 14-15 at Volunteer Speedway in Tennessee for the Spring Thaw weekend, which will pay $4,000 and $10,000 to win respectively.

Cherokee Speedway - Gaffney, SC
March Madness - March 2, 2014

1. Jonathan Davenport-Blairsville, GA
2. Steve Francis-Ashland, KY
3. Jason Hiett-Oxford, AL
4. Chris Madden-Gray Court, SC
5. Brent Dixon-Elberton, GA
6. Donald McIntosh-Dawsonville, GA
7. Mike Benedum-Salem, WV
8. Johnny Pursley-Clover, SC
9. Mike Gault-Gaffney, SC
10. Dale Hammond-Nichols, SC
11. Casey Roberts-Toccoa, GA
12. Gabe Wilson-Waynesville, NC
13. Kennie Compton Jr.-Bland, VA
14. Cody King-McDonough, GA
15. Tim Fuller-Watertown, NY
16. Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA
17. Dennis Franklin-Gaffney, SC
18. Kevin Wilson-Stoneville, NC
19. Max Blair-Centerville, PA
20. Zack Mitchell-Enoree, SC
21. Anthony Sanders-Spartanburg, SC
22. Mason Zeigler-Chalk Hill, PA
23. Don O'Neal-Martinsville, IN
24. Austin Smith-Cedartown, GA

Entries: 25
Did Not Qualify for Main Event: Kenny Collins
Old Man's Garage Fast Time: Mason Zeigler-15:292 seconds
Feature Cautions: 10 (laps 6, 8, 9, 9RS, 10, 11, 11RS, 17, 31, 35)
Lap Leaders: Davenport (1-60)
Heat Winners: Don O'Neal, Jonathan Davenport, Casey Roberts, Steve Francis

March 1 Feature
1. Jason Hiett-Oxford, AL
2. Casey Roberts-Toccoa, GA
3. Brent Dixon-Elberton, GA
4. Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, GA
5. Dennis Franklin-Gaffney, SC
6. Kevin Wilson-Stoneville, NC
7. Dale Hammond-Nichols, SC
8. Frank Coates-Hodges, SC
9. Cody King-McDonough, GA
10. Douglas Davis-Shelby, NC
11. Gabe Wilson-Waynesville, NC
12. Donald McIntosh-Dawsonville, GA
13. Kennie Compton Jr.-Bland, VA
14. Kenny Collins-Colbert, GA
15. Zack Mitchell-Enoree, SC
16. Austin Smith-Cedartown, GA
17. Johnny Pursley-Clover, SC
18. Anthony Sanders-Spartanburg, SC
DNS: Brandon Ifft-Lake Wylie, SC

Old Man's Garage Fast Time: Casey Roberts-15:018 seconds
Feature Cautions: Four (laps 2, 6, 15, 17)
Lap Leaders: Hiett (1-30)