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Davenport Snares $21,000 Payday at The Taz

Davenport “Super” in Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Southern Series Lil’ Bill Corum Memorial at Tazewell Speedway

By Michael Despain

TAZEWELL, TENNESSEE (April 3, 2021)– The Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Southern Series would begin the 2021 racing season with the richest one-day event in the history of Tazewell Speedway with the inaugural Lil’ Bill Corum Memorial with $21,000-to-win up for grabs and Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, GA would lead all seventy-five laps of the contest on his way to a $21,000 payday. This event would be co-sanctioned with the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series.

The victory by the 37-year old Davenport would be his second career Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Series triumph and would behind the wheel of the Lance Landers owned Longhorn Chassis with a Cornett Race Engine and receiving sponsorship from Nutrien Ag Solutions, ASC Warranty, Spartan Mowers, Fatheads Eyewear, Mega Plumbing of the Carolina, and Bilstein.

Jonathan Davenport would take the lead at the start of the Lil’ Bill Corum Memorial event, with Dakotah Knuckles, Donald McIntosh, NASCAR star Kyle Larson, and Tyler Erb in pursuit. Larson would challenge McIntosh for the third spot immediately would claim the spot on lap three, while the first caution of the event would wave for a slowed Mike Marlar on lap five. The restart would see Davenport maintain the advantage out front, with Larson working past Knuckles for second and Erb snagging fourth away from McIntosh. Davenport would build a comfortable lead only to see Larson close in as the leader approached the rear of the field on lap twelve, however, the second caution of the race would appear on lap fifteen for Michael Chilton’s disabled mount at the top of turn two. The front five would remain the same for the restart, but 10th place starting Dale McDowell would claim fifth from McIntosh on lap sixteen. Davenport would continue his torrid pace up front and would again begin working lapped traffic by lap twenty-two, with Larson maintaining second, while Erb would challenge Knuckles for third and take the position on lap twenty-seven, with McDowell taking fourth from Knuckles one circuit later, and McIntosh making his way back into the top five around Knuckles on lap thirty.

Davenport would continue to maintain a comfortable advantage while working slower traffic to perfection, with Larson still riding in the runner-up spot, while Erb would begin to close in on Larson for the second position. The final caution of the event would wave on lap forty-one when Jason Trammell would slow on the backchute after losing a driveshaft in turn one. Davenport would get a great restart, while Erb would dive under Larson and claim the second spot, with McDowell and McIntosh holding down fourth and fifth, while 19th place starter Jimmy Owens had made his way to sixth by this point. Davenport would begin to work lapped traffic once again on lap fifty-one and would begin to pull away from the pair of Erb and Larson at this point, with this pair battling for the second position until Larson would reclaim the spot for good on lap sixty-four. Davenport would continue to pull away from the field in the waning laps and claim a 7.043 second victory, with Larson finishing second and Erb completing the podium finishers with a third-place effort. McDowell and McIntosh completed the top five. The remainder of the top ten finishers would be Owens, Zack Mitchell, Brandon Overton, Mike Marlar, and Knuckles.

The next events for the Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Southern Series will be The Rumble by the River weekend at Duck River Raceway Park in Lewisburg, TN on Friday May 14 and Saturday May 15. The Friday May 14 event will pay $4,000 to win and the Saturday May 15 will pay $10,000 to win, with the Saturday May 15 portion of the event also a part of the Sunoco Race Fuels $10,000 Plus Challenge schedule.

For more information about the Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Series, please contact Chris Tilley at (828) 361-5981 or visit the tour’s webpage at www.IMDIRT.net or like the tour page Iron-Man Racing Series on Facebook and Iron-Man Series (@CTPROMOTE) on Twitter.

The Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Series would like to thank the following sponsors and marketing partners for their support of the 2021 racing season: Valvoline, Zerex by Valvoline, Brucebilt Performance, Hoosier Racing Tire, E-Z-GO, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazell Race Fuels, DirtonDirt.com, FloRacing, Vic Hill Racing Engines, Earnhardt Technologies Group, Swafford Signs, MSR Mafia, Envy Suspension, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, Cruise with the Champions, KND Safety, Impact RaceGear, and Denby’s J&J Construction.

About Valvoline™

Valvoline Inc. (NYSE: VVV) is a leading worldwide marketer and supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, with sales in more than 140 countries. Established in 1866, the company’s heritage spans more than 150 years, during which time it has developed powerful brand recognition across multiple product and service channels. Valvoline ranks as the No. 3 passenger car motor oil brand in the DIY market by volume. It operates and franchises approximately 1,400 quick-lube locations, and it is the No. 2 chain by number of stores in the United States under the Valvoline Instant Oil ChangeSM brand and the No. 3 chain by number of stores in Canada under the Valvoline Great Canadian Oil Change brand. It also markets Valvoline lubricants and automotive chemicals, including the Valvoline High Mileage with MaxLife technology motor oil for engines over 75,000 miles; Valvoline Advanced Full Synthetic motor oil; Valvoline Premium Blue™ heavy-duty motor oil; Valvoline Multi-Vehicle Automatic Transmission Fluid; and Zerex™ antifreeze. To learn more, visit www.valvoline.com.

Official Summary of Results

Feature Results for Valvoline Iron-Man Racing Southern Series Lil’ Bill Corum Memorial at Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, TN on April 3, 2021

1. Jonathan Davenport-Blairsville, Ga.
2. Kyle Larson-Elk Grove, Cal.
3. Tyler Erb-New Waverly, Tex.
4. Dale McDowell-Chickamauga, Ga.
5. Donald McIntosh-Dawsonville, Ga.
6. Jimmy Owens-Newport, Tenn.
7. Zack Mitchell-Enoree, S.C.
8. Brandon Overton-Evans, Ga.
9. Mike Marlar-Winfield, Tenn.
10. Dakotah Knuckles-Ewing, Va.
11. Pierce McCarter-Gatlinburg, Tenn.
12. Cory Hedgecock-Loudon, Tenn.
13. Forrest Trent-Talbott, Tenn.
14. Travis Fultz-Harrogate, Tenn.
15. Christian Hanger-Winchester, Tenn.
16. Jason Trammell-Mascot, Tenn.
17. Stormy Scott-Las Cruces, New Mex.
18. David Payne-Murphy, N.C.
19. Austin Neely-New Tazewell, Tenn.
20. Ryan King-Seymour, Tenn.
21. Michael Chilton-Salvisa, Ky.
22. Jensen Ford-Johnson City, Tenn.
23. Stacy Boles-Clinton, Tenn.

Time of Race: 26 minutes, 38 seconds
Margin of Victory: 7.043 seconds
Yellow Flags: Three (lap 5, 15, 41)
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: Jonathan Davenport 1-75
Entries: 35
E-Z-GO Time Trials Top Qualifier: Tyler Erb (Group A) 11.420 seconds

Provisional Starters: Forrest Trent (Iron-Man), Christian Hanger (Spring Nationals), Stacy Boles (Spring Nationals Emergency Prov.)

Sunoco Race Fuels Heat One Finish (10 laps/top 4 transfer): Donald McIntosh, Tyler Erb, Stormy Scott, Brandon Overton, Jensen Ford, Austin Horton, John Llewellyn, Greg Estes, Austin Glass

Sunoco Race Fuels Heat Two Finish (10 laps/top 4 transfer): Dakotah Knuckles, Pierce McCarter, Travis Fultz, Mike Marlar, Jimmy Owens, Christian Hanger, Stacy Boles, Johnny Cloer, Jeff Neubert

Sunoco Race Fuels Heat Three Finish (10 laps/top 4 transfer): Jonathan Davenport, Zack Mitchell, Dale McDowell, Ryan King, David Payne, Austin Neely, Steve Smith, Troy Eads (DNS-Jimmy Johnson)

Sunoco Race Fuels Heat Four Finish (10 laps, top 4 transfer): Kyle Larson, Michael Chilton, Jason Trammell, Cory Hedgecock, Lynn Leach, Mitchell Burke, Dustin Nobbe (DNS-Forrest Trent)

B-Main One Finish (10 laps/top 2 transfer): Jensen Ford, Jimmy Owens, Christian Hanger, John Llewellyn, Jordan Horton, Stacy Boles, Greg Estes, Johnny Cloer, Jeff Neubert, Austin Glass

B-Main Two Finish (10 laps/top 2 transfer): David Payne, Austin Neely, Steve Smith, Forrest Trent, Mitchell Burke, Lynn Leach, Troy Eads (DNS-Dustin Nobbe, Jimmy Johnson)

Current Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Southern Series Point Standings (as of 4/3/2021)

1. Jonathan Davenport-80
2. Kyle Larson-75
3. Tyler Erb-70
4. Dale McDowell-65
5. Donald McIntosh-60
6. Jimmy Owens-55
7. Zack Mitchell-53
8. Brandon Overton-51
9. Mike Marlar-49
10. Dakotah Knuckles-47

2021 Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Southern Series Schedule/Results:
January 30-Boyd’s Speedway-Ringgold, GA-RANDY WEAVER (non-points)
April 3-Tazewell Speedway-Tazewell, TN-JONATHAN DAVENPORT
May 14-Duck River Raceway Park-Lewisburg, TN-$4,000 to win
May 15-Duck River Raceway Park-Lewisburg, TN-$10,000 to win
May 22-Lake Cumberland Speedway-Burnside, KY-$5,031 to win
May 31-411 Motor Speedway-Seymour, TN-$10,052 to win
June 4-Wartburg Speedway-Wartburg, TN-$4,000 to win
June 5-I-75 Raceway-Sweetwater, TN-$4,000 to win
June 18-Ponderosa Speedway-Junction City, KY-$4,000 to win
June 19-Smoky Mountain Speedway-Maryville, TN-$5,000 to win
July 3-Tazewell Speedway-Tazewell, TN-$5,000 to win
August 6-Ponderosa Speedway-Junction City, KY-$10,000 to win
August 7-Brownstown Speedway-Brownstown, IN-$10,000 to win
August 28-Lake Cumberland Speedway-Burnside, KY-$10,022 to win
September 3-Boyd’s Speedway-Ringgold, GA-$4,000 to win
September 4-Mountain View Raceway-Spring City, TN-$4,000 to win
September 5-Tazewell Speedway-Tazewell, TN-$10,044 to win
September 18-Lake Cumberland Speedway-Burnside, KY-$5,000 to win
October 1-Ponderosa Speedway-Junction City, KY-$5,000 to-win
November 27-411 Motor Speedway-Seymour, TN-$5,000 to win

Current Sunoco Race Fuels $10,000 Plus Challenge Point Standings (as of 4/3/21)

1. Jonathan Davenport-80
2. Kyle Larson-75
3. Tyler Erb-70
4. Dale McDowell-65
5. Donald McIntosh-60

2021 Sunoco Race Fuels $10,000 Plus Challenge Schedule/Results:
April 3-Tazewell Speedway-Tazewell, TN-JONATHAN DAVENPORT
May 8-Atomic Speedway-Waverly, OH- $13,004 to win
May 15-Duck River Raceway Park-Lewisburg, TN- $10,000 to win
May 29-Muskingum County Speedway-Zanesville, OH- $10,000 to win
May 31-411 Motor Speedway-Seymour, TN- $10,052 to win
June 26-Atomic Speedway-Waverly, OH- $12,000 to win
July 4-Beckley Motorsports Park-Beckley, WV- $20,000 to win
August 6-Ponderosa Speedway-Junction City, KY- $10,000 to win
August 7-Brownstown Speedway-Brownstown, IN- $10,000 to win
August 28-Lake Cumberland Speedway-Burnside, KY- $10,022 to win
September 5-Tazewell Speedway-Tazewell, TN- $10,044 to win
October 9-West Virginia Motor Speedway-Mineral Wells, WV- $15,000 to win

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