Cardwell, White, Sise, Woods, Trent visit victory lane on ‘Championship Night’ at Volunteer Speedway

Cardwell, White, Sise, Woods, Trent visit victory lane on ‘Championship Night’ at Volunteer Speedway By Robert Walden Volunteer Speedway Media/Public Relations BULLS GAP, Tenn. (Oct. 21, 2017) — Jason Cardwell of Knoxville captured the Steel Head Late Model feature win Saturday night at Volunteer Speedway, while Ross White also from Knoxville recorded the Crate Late Model victory. Zach Sise of Knoxville captured the Sportsman Late Model win, with Michael Woods of Morristown getting the Modified Street victory, while Tony Trent of Bean Station recorded the Classic win. Championship Night at Volunteer Speedway is always a special event because it’s the culmination of hard-fought battles among competitors’ all throughout the season to see who will earn track titles. Jason Cardwell entered the night holding a slim one-point advantage over Chase King in the Steel Head Late Model division, knowing if he finished ahead of King he would win the title. Cardwell wrapped the championship up in style, as he led the 30-lap feature flag-to-flag for his second victory of the season. The scenarios for Ross White and Heath Alvey of Dandridge were different, as both drivers had already secured their respective championships due to holding insurmountable points leads. White won the Crate Late Model title, and Alvey captured the Sportsman Late Model crown. Chris Rickett of Morristown also entered the night with having wrapped up the Modified Street championship, his second straight at “The Gap.” Eli Keck of Corryton won the Classic championship. Cardwell set fast-time at 12.756 seconds to earn pole position for the Steel Head Late Model feature. Cardwell powered into the lead at drop of the green over Cory Hedgecock, Trevor Sise, Chase King and Ryan King. With the race running clean-and-green and Cardwell out front controlling his own destiny in the battle for the championship, he was just hoping for no bad luck in his attempt to not only win the race but stay ahead of Chase King. But lurking behind Cardwell was Hedgecock, and for Cardwell to be able and maintain the lead would be quite a task. Chase King worked his way around Sise with just under 10 laps remaining, and ahead he could see Hedgecock working on Cardwell. Hedgecock was right behind Cardwell as they received the white flag, and entering the first turn with Cardwell running down low – Hedgecock decided he hadn’t come to finish second. He sailed his rocket off deep on the high side in an attempt to roll around the outside of Cardwell and take the lead, but instead he made hard contact with the outside guardrail. Cardwell took the win over Chase King, Sise, Ryan King and Hedgecock. Gary Crittenden jumped out into the lead at start of the Crate Late Model feature over Jensen Ford, Ross White, Josh Henry and Tim Byrd. Crittenden had picked up a win earlier in the season and after starting from the pole position he looked to be dialed-in and the car to beat. White passed Ford for second place on lap...