BROWNSTOWN
Hudson O’Neal of Martinsville captured one of the biggest wins of his racing career on his home track on Saturday Night as the 19-year-old racer took the victory in the 40th Annual Jackson 100 at the Brownstown Speedway. O’Neal took the lead on Lap 71 from Devin Moran and then sped to victory in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series-sanctioned event before a capacity crowd.
Moran tried to track O’Neal in the late-going, but O’Neal held him off in the battle of young guns, Don O’Neal the winner’s father finished in third followed by Tim McCreadie and Nick Hoffman.
The first 50 laps of Brownstown’s most prestigious race was a battle for the lead between front row starters Mike Marlar and Moran. The two swapped the lead on several occasions in the first half of the race as Moran led at the half-way mark of the race.
Don O’Neal then joined in the hunt for the lead as he swept by Marlar on Lap 51 to take second. Don and Hudson O’Neal who had raced side-by-side for several laps in the race for second as Hudson was able to finally clear his dad for the runner-up spot on lap 58. Both O’Neal’s then ran down Moran and at one point there were six cars battling for the top spot.
Moran was able to hold his line as he was able to hold off the charging O’Neal family. But on Lap 71 the younger O’Neal was able to forge ahead taking the lead from Moran. With 29 laps remaining the running had Hudson O’Neal in front with Moran, Hoffman, Don O’Neal and McCreadie running in the top five.
Hoffman was glued to the bottom of the track as he modified standout was putting his name in the hat for the biggest win of his late model career. Hoffman held the third position until Lap 86 when both Don O’Neal and McCreadie slipped by him.
In the late stages of the race both Moran and Don O’Neal were closing the gap on the former LOLMDS Rookie-of-the-Year but they ran out of time as the youngster sped to his first Jackson 100 victory of his career.
It was a popular win for Hudson O’Neal as he went to Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the fourth time in 2019.
“I am speechless right now. I was counting down the laps for the last ten laps. That’s amazing and to do it here on my home track," he said. "This is where I grew up racing and I love it every time I can come back here to race and perform in front of these wonderful fans. They have supported me for so long and from the beginning and they have helped me get where I am today.”
Moran who finished second to Brandon Sheppard in the Indiana Icebreaker in March was close to getting his Brownstown win of his career.
“That was a tough one to lose. Congrats to Hud on the win," he said. "Don was there too our car couldn’t steer as well as theirs. I was hoping he (Hudson O’Neal) would move up. I think I could have had a shot at him in the last few laps.”
Don O’Neal who finished third gave his son a bear hug in victory was denied his fifth career Jackson 100 win by his son and Moran.
“I was wanting to get to the lead. Man, what a racetrack. It was a heck of show from the start. It was a lot fun," he said. "I just love coming to this track. This place is awesome. This place has a lot of memories for me.”
The winner’s Todd and Vickie Burns SSI Motorsports-owned Longhorn Chassis is powered by a Clements Racing Engines and sponsored by Dyno One, West Side Tractor Sales, Sub-Surface of Indiana, Tarpy Trucking, VP Fuels, Penske Shocks, Swift Springs, Crawford Outdoor and O’Neal Salvage and Recycling.
Completing the top ten were Tyler Erb, Shanon Buckingham, Chris Madden, Josh Richards and Mike Marlar.
Jamey Wilson of Seymour took the $1,000 to win super stock feature over Mike Fields, Matt Boknecht, Tucker Chastain and Tim Schumpe.
Nick Hoffman of Mooresville, North Carolina held off the field to win the open wheel modified feature over Will Krup, Ryan Thomas, Jacoby Hines and Jordan Wever.