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Cory Hedgecock charges to $5,000 payday at Smoky Mountain Speedway

Maryville, Tenn. (August 16th, 2025) – Storming forward from the ninth-starting position, Cory Hedgecock of Loudon, TN, powered to the $5,000 victory at Smoky Mountain Speedway (Maryville, Tenn) on Saturday evening.

Hedgecock timed in fifth-quickest in the first qualifying group which put him on the fifth-row for the 40-lap main event. Cory wasted no time getting to the front, took the lead from Jadon Frame on the 14th circuit, and led the final 27 laps to secure his first career victory with the Southern Thunder Super Dirt Series.

Frame, who led the first 13 laps, slowed with mechanical issues and was relegated to a 21st-place finish.

Randy Weaver finished second on the podium in a Karl Tipton-owned No. 22 car. Weaver pocketed an additional $500 for being the highest finishing driver with a steel head motor.

Fast qualifier Michael Leach ran second for much of the 40-lapper but settled for third after Weaver passed him late.

Heath Hindman and Jason Croft completed the Top-5 in the $5,000-to-win main event.

Smoky Mountain Speedway | STSDS Feature Finish
$5,000-TO-WIN | 40 Laps

FK Rod Ends A Feature (40 Laps): 1. 23V-Cory Hedgecock[9]; 2. 22W-Randy Weaver[6]; 3. 09-Michael Leach[2]; 4. 91-Heath Hindman[4]; 5. 9-Jason Croft[3]; 6. 59-Dillard Hatchett[20]; 7. 83-Jensen Ford[5]; 8. 97-Bobby Giffin[7]; 9. 629-Landon Gentry[12]; 10. 66-Jordan Rodabaugh[14]; 11. 17-Taylor Puckett[10]; 12. 7-Justin Smith[13]; 13. 11-Stacy Boles[22]; 14. 95-Brandon Williams[21]; 15. 23-Beckham Malone[11]; 16. 15-Noah Phillips[19]; 17. C11-Cody Courtney[18]; 18. 3D-Dakota Smith[24]; 19. 49-James Kelso[16]; 20. 7T-Tyler Price[8]; 21. 81F-Jadon Frame[1]; 22. 18-Eric Orr[17]; 23. 95W-Fletcher Wulff[23]; 24. C5-David Crabtree[15]

OFFICIAL SUMMARY & RACE NOTES:

Fastest in Velocita USA Hot Laps – Jadon Frame
Fast Qualifiers in VP Racing Fuels Qualifying – Jadon Frame, Michael Leach
Equiplinc Auction Sales Fast Time Award – Michael Leach

DirtOnDirt Last Chance Race #1 Winner – Beckham Malone
PPM Racing Products Last Chance Race #2 – Landon Gentry

FK Rod Ends Feature Winner – Cory Hedgecock
Knowles Race Parts Hard Charger – Dillard Hatchett

Southern Thunder™ Super Dirt Series Top-10 Point Standings:

1. Dalton Cook
2. Beckham Malone
3. Trey Mills
4. Dillard Hatchett
5. Zack Mitchell
6. Joseph Joiner
7. Ashton Winger
8. Michael Brown
9. Trent Ivey
10. Benji Hicks

The Southern Thunder™ Super Dirt Series is brought to you through the support of our valued partners, including... American Racer Tires, Arizona Sport Shirts, Big A's Custom Graphics, BKP Art, Cruise With the Champions, DirtOnDirt, Equiplinc Auction Sales, Five Star Bodies, FK Rod Ends, Hoosier Racing Tire, Hunt the Front TV, Knowles Race Parts, MatMan Designs, Minon Construction, MyRacePass, PPM Racing Products, SUBLMTD, Velocita USA, Merry’s Home Furnishings, VP Racing Fuels, Willy's Carburetor & 71 Trophy Club.

NEXT EVENT: $5,000-to-win show at Tri-County Racetrack (Brasstown, N.C.) on Friday, August 22nd.

For more information about the Southern Thunder™ Super Dirt Series, please visit our official website at www.southernthunderseries.com or connect with us on our social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.

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