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Cory Hedgecock Captures Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Southern Series Victory at I-75 Raceway

WEETWATER, TENNESSEE (June 5, 2021)– The Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Southern Series would be in action at I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, TN on Saturday evening and Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, TN would lead all 40 laps on his way to a $4,000 victory. (Michael Moats photo)

The win for the 28-year old Hedgecock was his fourth career Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Series victory and would come aboard his Black Diamond Chassis powered by an Eagle Race Engine and carries sponsorship from E-Z-GO, Eagle Racing Engines, Voo Doo Technology, Pace Performance, K and P Used Cars, Boyd-Bilt Fabrication, Budget Transmissions, Green’s Recycling, I-75 Raceway, Hoosier Tire, Ohlins Shocks, VP Racing Fuels, and Brucebilt Performance.

The start of main event would see the caution fly prior to the first lap being completed when Benjy Shaw would spin his machine in turn one. The second attempt to start the race would see everyone complete the first lap, with Hedgecock taking the race lead, trailed by Colton Profitt, David Crabtree, Jensen Ford, and John Llewellyn. Ray Cook would work past Llewellyn for the fifth spot on lap two, while Crabtree would take the second position from Profitt two circuits later on lap four. Ford would challenge Profitt for third on lap five, but the caution would wave for a spin by Tim Rucker on lap five. The restart would see several cars get tangled in the middle of turns three and four and would not happen. The next attempted restart would also come back when Rucker would again spin his machine, this time in turn one. The next attempted restart would be good and Hedgecock would maintain the lead, followed by Crabtree, Profitt, Ford, while Garrett Smith would take the fifth position from Cook. Ford would challenge Profitt for the third spot and would take the position on lap seven. Hedgecock would continue to lead and would begin to work lapped traffic on lap twelve. Hedgecock would open up a 1.5 second, but Crabtree would slowly begin to reel in Hedgecock and by lap twenty-three, Crabtree would close to within 0.4 of a second. Ford would close in on Crabtree by lap twenty-five and would work under Crabtree for second after Crabtree slipped high in turn four on lap twenty-eight. Ford would close in on Hedgecock and would look under him for the lead as the field completed lap thirty-five, but could not make the pass, while Garrett Smith would take fourth from Profitt on the same circuit. Hedgecock would keep Ford at bay over the final few laps and would take the victory, with Ford second, while Crabtree, Smith, and Profitt would complete the top five. The remainder of the top ten would be Cook, Danny Ledford, Jamie Oliver, Bobby Giffin, and Heath Hindman.

The next events for the Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Southern Series will be Friday June 18 at Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, KY paying $5,000 to win the 24th Annual Hugh “Junebug” Rowland Memorial and Saturday June 19 at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, TN paying $5,000 to win the 17th Annual Iron-Man Classic. The Friday June 18 event will also be a points event for the Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Northern Series.

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 visit 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, Race Clean, Denby’s J&J Construction, and American Racer.

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 Late Model Series at I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, TN on Saturday June 5, 2021

1. Cory Hedgecock-Loudon, Tenn.
2. Jensen Ford-Johnson City, Tenn.
3. David Crabtree-Maryville, Tenn.
4. Garrett Smith-Eatonton, Ga.
5. Colton Profitt-Crossville, Tenn.
6. Ray Cook-Brasstown, N.C.
7. Danny Ledford-Warne, N.C.
8. Jamie Oliver-Murphy, N.C.
9. Bobby Giffin-Maryville, Tenn.
10. Heath Hindman-Signal Mountain, Tenn.
11. Dusty Carver-Englewood, Tenn.
12. Ryan Winchester-Palmersville, Tenn.
13. Benjy Shaw-Madisonville, Tenn.
14. Austin Breedlove-Baxter, Tenn.
15. John Llewellyn-Knoxville, Tenn.
16. Glenn Vanover-Harriman, Tenn.
17. Steve Smith-Powell, Tenn.
18. Phil Helton-Clinton, Tenn.
19. Dakota Smith-Powell, Tenn.
20. Skip Arp-Georgetown, Tenn.
21. Perry Delaney-Sparta, Tenn.
22. Tim Rucker-Madisonville, Tenn.
23. Shannon Elrod-Baxter, Tenn.

Time of Race: 22 minutes, 33 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.559 seconds
Yellow Flags: Four (lap 1, lap 5, lap 5 restart, 5 restart)
Red Flags: None
Lap Leaders: Cory Hedgecock 1-40
Entries: 23
E-Z-GO Time Trials Top Qualifier: Jensen Ford (Group B) 14.338 seconds
Provisional Starters: None

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