Garrett Smith made his first visit to Thunderhill Raceway pay off in a big way, as the Madison, Georgia driver swept Saturday’s Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco program to bag a hefty $15,053 first place prize! Garrett, who is the defending miniseries Champion, laid down the quickest lap during qualifying before securing a victory in his heat race. After starting the 60-lap headliner from the outside of the front row, Garrett jumped out to the early race lead and navigated heavy lapped traffic to perfection.
He was able to hold off all challenges and ultimately led every circuit to claim his fourth career Spring Nationals triumph. Finishing 1.714 seconds behind at the unfurling of the checkered flag was third-starting Josh Putnam, of Florence Alabama. Tanner English, of Benton, Kentucky, started fourth on the grid and slipped back several spots before making a late charge to round out the podium in third. Current series point leader Tucker Anderson ran as high as second early in the race before finishing fourth, while Jadon Frame grabbed the final position inside of the top five.
“It was pretty tough to navigate through some of those slower cars back there,” commented the winning Smith in victory lane at the Summertown, Tennessee venue. “I know Ray (Cook) told them in the drivers meeting to preferably go high (if being lapped), but I think that went by some of their heads. But other than that, it was a great race and we had a great car. All glory to God!”
Garrett Smith piloted a #10 Longhorn Chassis powered by a Vic Hill Race Engine with sponsorship in part from Atlanta Paving & Concrete Construction, Chase Motorsports Coach & Trailer Sales, The World Famous Cadillac Ranch, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, VP Racing Fuels, Boswell Oil, Hoosier Race Tires by Durham, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Simpson Race Products, JM Custom Laser, Will Moseley Music, SS Enterprises, Stanley’s Painting, and VG Performance.
A total of 19 Super Late Models were on hand for the finale of the Grand Reopening weekend at Thunderhill Raceway. Josh Putnam posted the quickest time during MRP Fantasy Racing hot laps with a lap of 12.596 seconds, while Garrett Smith went fastest in FK Rod Ends qualifying with his time of 13.074 seconds. Tucker Anderson and Garrett Smith won the pair of heat races to earn the front row for the 60-lap main event. The lone caution during the A-Main came on lap 54 when Payton Freeman slowed with a flat right rear tire.
There will be no rest for the drivers running with the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco, as the tour has three races planned for the upcoming April 2-4 extended weekend. Things kick off at I-75 Raceway in Sweetwater, Tennessee on Thursday with a $5,053 winner’s check up for grabs. A $10,053 to win show will then be held on Friday night at the picturesque Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Virginia. The triple shot of Easter weekend holiday racing action will then wrap up in a big way on Saturday evening with the $21,000 to win Lil’ Bill Corum Memorial at the bad-fast Tazewell Speedway in Tazewell, Tennessee.
Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing
Round 3 Race Summary
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Thunderhill Raceway - Summertown, Tennessee
Schaeffer’s Oil Feature Finish (60 Laps):
1. (2) Garrett Smith $16,053
2. (3) Josh Putnam $7,500
3. (4) Tanner English $3,000
4. (1) Tucker Anderson $3,000
5. (6) Jadon Frame $1,600
6. (10) Oakley Johns $1,400
7. (7) Grayson Brewer $1,200
8. (8) Christian Hanger $1,000
9. (13) Dillard Hatchett $900
10. (9) Kendall Franklin $1,850
11. (12) Jordon Horton $800
12. (5) Payton Freeman $1,750
13. (11) Walker Greer $740
14. (14) Dusty Quillen $735
15. (15) Matthew Brocato $730
16. (17) Jack Franklin $725
17. (19) Bill Mahan $720
18. (16) Brayden Skinner $715
19. (18) John Minon DNS
Entries: 19
Lap Leaders: Garrett Smith (Laps 1-60)
Caution Flags: 1
Deatherage Opticians 4th Place Finisher ($50.00 Product Certificate): Tucker Anderson
Deatherage Opticians 13th Place Finisher ($50.00 Product Certificate): Walker Greer
MRP Fantasy Racing Hot Laps:
Fastest Lap Overall: Josh Putnam 12.596
FK Rod Ends Time Trials:
Fast Time Overall: Garrett Smith 13.074
Sunoco Race Fuels Heat #1 Finish (All Cars Transfer): 1. 22-Tucker Anderson[2]; 2. 212-Josh Putnam[4]; 3. F1-Payton Freeman[5]; 4. B44-Grayson Brewer[3]; 5. 317-Kendall Franklin[6]; 6. W1-Walker Greer[7]; 7. 59-Dillard Hatchett[1]; 8. 78-Matthew Brocato[8]; 9. 12-Jack Franklin[9]; 10. M1-Bill Mahan[10]
American Racer South Heat #2 Finish (All Cars Transfer): 1. 10-Garrett Smith[1]; 2. 96-Tanner English[2]; 3. 81F-Jadon Frame[3]; 4. 29-Christian Hanger[6]; 5. C6-Oakley Johns[9]; 6. 27-Jordon Horton[7]; 7. 2-Dusty Quillen[5]; 8. 15-Brayden Skinner[4]; 9. (DNS) 74-John Minon
Current Spring Nationals Series Point Standings:
1. Tucker Anderson - 622
2. Garrett Smith - 606
3. Kendall Franklin - 586
4. Payton Freeman - 461
5. Brandon Overton - 392
6. Zack Mitchell - 390
7. Carson Ferguson - 370
8. Billy Franklin - 348
9. Ben Watkins - 342
10. Cruz Skinner - 338
2026 Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series Schedule:
February 27 - Swainsboro Raceway (Swainsboro, GA) - RAINED OUT
February 28 - Senoia Raceway (Senoia, GA) - RAINED OUT
March 20 - Modoc Speedway (Modoc, SC) - BRANDON OVERTON
March 21 - Cherokee Speedway (Gaffney, SC) - CHRIS MADDEN
March 27 - Thunderhill Raceway (Summertown, TN) - RAINED OUT
March 28 - Thunderhill Raceway (Summertown, TN) - GARRETT SMITH
April 2 - I-75 Raceway (Sweetwater, TN) - $5,053 to win
April 3 - Wythe Raceway (Rural Retreat, VA) - $10,053 to win
April 4 - Tazewell Speedway (Tazewell, TN) - $21,000 to win
May 7 - Hidden Hollow Speedway (Colson, KY) - $5,053 to win
May 8 - Ponderosa Speedway (Junction City, KY) - $7,553 to win
May 9 - Lake Cumberland Speedway (Burnside, KY) - $10,053 to win
May 22 - Sugar Creek Raceway (Blue Ridge, GA) - $5,053 to win
May 23 - North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) - $7,553 to win
May 24 - Duck River Raceway Park (Wheel, TN) - $10,053 to win
For more information on the Schaeffer’s Oil Spring Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco, please point your Internet browser to www.SouthernNationalsSeries.com or feel free to call/text series promoter Ray Cook at 828-360-5353. You can also follow us across social media platforms on facebook.com/southernnationalsseries and on Twitter @sonationals.
The tour would like to thank all of our valued marketing partners including: Schaeffer’s Oil & Specialized Lubricants, Coltman Farms Racing, Sunoco Race Fuels, American Race Tires, American Racer South, Delph Communications, E-Z-GO, Spring Pro Precision Equipment, Arizona Sport Shirts, Capital Race Cars, Collins Signs, Deatherage Opticians, DirtCarLift.com, DirtonDirt.com, FK Rod Ends, Interstate Welding & Steel Supply, JM Custom Laser, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, MasterSbilt Race Cars, MyRacePass Fantasy Racing, SFP Performance Systems, The Joie of Seating, The Steering Buddy, Velocita-USA, Vic Hill Racing Engines, Vinson Sims Construction, and Wiles Driveshafts.
About Schaeffer’s Oil & Specialized Lubricants:
Schaeffer's Specialized Lubricants: synthetic motor oils, hydraulic fluids, and diesel fuel additives have achieved a world-class reputation for improving engine performance and fuel economy, but their diverse product line includes all types of industrial lubricants, industrial greases, and industrial oils as well as specialty items like their chain lubes and degreasers. Founded in 1839, their philosophy is to provide advanced lubricants for improved performance, reliability, and fuel economy. Learn more or find a rep near you at www.SchaefferOil.com.
Media Contact: Ryan Delph - Delph Communications
www.DelphCommunications.com
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