Ultimate Racing Series: Davenport Drives New Mount to Third Ultimate Win at Wythe

Series Report

RURAL RETREAT, Va. - Sept. 24. Starting on row two, Jonathan Davenport only took four laps to reel in the leadd and race to his third win with the new Ultimate Racing Series as ULMS teams were back in action at Wythe Raceway Saturday for the second night of the Dirt Late Model "Super Nationals".

After Chris Ferguson took over the pole with a qualifying lap of 16.242, the field was locked in after qualifying session with Ferguson and Zach Mitchell leading the field to green. Davenport and Chris Madden made up row two, with Ricky Weeks and Daniel Baggerly lining up fifth and sixth.

Ferguson chose the outside row on the initial start and made it work as the green fell, beating Mitchell to turn one. Madden was rim riding the high side as he battled three-wide with Mitchell and Davenport, who moved to second. Davenport then worked his way Feguson's inside on lap four to take the lead.

Daniel Baggerly spun on lap 13, bringing out the first of only three cautions in the 50-lap feature. With Davenport staying out front, Ferguson and Madden battled for several laps, with Madden eventually moving around to grab second. The caution showed again on lap 27 when the engine let go under the hood of the Marion, Va. driver Travis Greer, putting down a lot of fluid on the front stretch.

As Davenport had Madden and Ferguson in tow after the restart, Mitchell was continuing a strong run, with Casey Roberts up to the fifth spot as the field retook the green, but Burlington N.C. driver Donald Bradsher was the man on the move as he worked by series points leader Chip Brindle, then Roberts and Mitchell to take over fourth before Mitchell brought out the final caution on lap 45. Mitchell smacked the inside wall hard off of turn four after Brindle dove under him, but pushed up the track and into Mitchell.

The field retook the green flag with five laps to go and Davenport had cooled his tires just enough under caution to hold off Madden. Bradsher again showed surprising strength, working around Ferguson to take third behind Davenport and Madden before the checkers flew.

In Victory Lane, Davenport stated “This is a brand new car - first time on the track was a couple of hours ago. I’d like to thank Barry and Lance Wright for this brand new chassis. It was perfect all night long. Troy Baird, our owner, along with all our sponsors, deserve this win. We have struggled some this year but tonight shows that Barry Wright builds an awesome car.”

Ultimate Racing Series at Wythe Raceway 1) Jonathon Davenport, 2) Chris Madden, 3) Donald Bradsher, 4) Chris Ferguson, 5) Chip Brindle, 6) Casey Roberts, 7) Ricky Weeks, 8) Doug Sanders, 9) Kyle Pierce, 10) Zack Mitchell, 11) Travis Greer, 12) Ronnie Hoover, 13) Daniel Baggerly, 14) Kerry Jones, 15) Ross Bailes
Mark Bochiardy photo