Jake O’Neil broke through to claim his biggest career Super Late Model victory on Monday night in the annual ‘Scott Sexton Memorial’ at the high-banked Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tennessee! Jake, who has wheeled a modified for most of his racing career, earned Fast Time honors during the qualifying session and later started the 52-lap headliner from the outside of the front row. Grabbing the point from early leader Benji Hicks on the twenty-second lap, the Tucson, Arizona ace dominated the remaining 30 circuits to bag the $7,552 first place prize money.
Finishing 0.851 of a second back at the unfurling of the checkered flag was runner-up Dale McDowell, who started the contest in the fifth position. Zack Mitchell, who ran as high as second in his G.R. Smith Motorsports ride, rounded out the podium in third. Polesitter Benji Hicks led the first 21 laps before suffering a flat left rear tire shortly after giving up the top spot. The Mount Airy, North Carolina native then rallied back through the field to claim the fourth position, while Josh Henry also charged past ten competitors to earn the final spot inside of the top five.
“We’ve had a rough few weeks here, so this one feels really good,” commented the winning O’Neil in Schaeffer’s Oil victory lane. “We flipped a car and then we crashed all last weekend and we thought we hurt a motor. Just everything that could go wrong has gone wrong lately. Then tonight, we just kept having those yellows late in the race and I just wanted to get this one in the books. Thanks to all of my great sponsors for their continued support!”
O’Neil captured his first career Southern Nationals Series victory aboard a #0 Longhorn Chassis powered by a Clements Racing Engine with sponsorship in part from Red Eye Radiator, Hodges Farms & Dredging, Wrazidlo’s Old World Meats, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Texas General Mechanical, Recore Centers, Bulletproof Tees, McCartney Welding, Furst Construction, Sierra Mining and Crushing, and Murphy Argi.
A total of 23 Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco competitors were on hand at Volunteer Speedway for what turned out to be the miniseries opener after Sunday’s stop at Wythe (VA) Raceway was washed out. The ‘Scott Sexton Memorial’ feature field was set solely through FK Rod Ends qualifying with all 23 competitors earning a starting spot. Benji Hicks topped Group A during time trials to earn the pole position, while Jake O’Neil went quickest in Group B and overall with a time of 12.983 seconds.
Next up for the tour will be an inaugural visit to Harris Speedway in Rutherfordton, North Carolina on Tuesday, July 14. The Super Late Models will make a rare appearance at the oval and a $7,553 winner’s check will be up for grabs. Also on the racing card will be a 100-lap Southern Nationals Enduro race paying $2,500 to win, as well as the Thunder Bomber, Pure Stock, and FWD divisions. Gates open at 4:00pm, while the drivers meeting is set for 6:45pm and hot laps are slated to roll at 7:00pm. More information can be accessed online at www.harrisspeedway.com.
Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing
Round 1 Race Summary
Monday, July 13, 2026
Volunteer Speedway - Bulls Gap, Tennessee
Schaeffer’s Oil Feature Finish (52 Laps):
1. (2) Jake O'Neil $7,552
2. (5) Dale McDowell $3,500
3. (4) Zack Mitchell $2,300
4. (1) Benji Hicks $1,500
5. (15) Josh Henry $1,200
6. (12) Joseph Joiner $900
7. (8) Allen Styck $700
8. (6) Donald McIntosh $650
9. (16) Kaede Loudy $1,100
10. (9) Mike Benedum $1,075
11. (3) Garrett Smith $1,050
12. (11) Chase Oliver $540
13. (21) Mathew Porter $530
14. (18) Stacy Boles $520
15. (17) Josh Sneed $510
16. (22) Daniel Boles $500
17. (10) Travis Fultz $500
18. (13) Kenny Collins $800
19. (23) Landen Zakalowski $500
20. (19) Alex Vance $500
21. (7) Vic Hill $500
22. (14) Matthew Nance $500
23. (20) Noah Phillips DNS
Entries: 23
Lap Leaders: Benji Hicks (Laps 1-21), Jake O’Neil (Laps 22-52)
Caution Flags: 6
Deatherage Opticians 4th Place Finisher ($50.00 Product Certificate): Benji Hicks
Deatherage Opticians 13th Place Finisher ($50.00 Product Certificate): Mathew Porter
MRP Fantasy Racing Hot Laps:
Fastest Lap Overall: Dale McDowell 13.408
FK Rod Ends Time Trials:
Fast Time Overall: Jake O’Neil 12.983
Qualifying - Group A (All Cars Transfer): 1. 55-Benji Hicks, 13.020[12]; 2. 10S-Garrett Smith, 13.432[2]; 3. 17M-Dale McDowell, 13.444[10]; 4. 1-Vic Hill, 13.589[9]; 5. 25-Mike Benedum, 13.796[4]; 6. 07-Chase Oliver, 13.882[8]; 7. 1C-Kenny Collins, 13.914[6]; 8. B00-Josh Henry, 13.928[11]; 9. 79-Josh Sneed, 14.474[7]; 10. 95-Alex Vance, 14.678[5]; 11. 19P-Mathew Porter, 14.723[1]; 12. 57-Landen Zakalowski, 14.739[3]
Qualifying - Group B (All Cars Transfer): 1. 0-Jake O'Neil, 12.983[6]; 2. 22*-Zack Mitchell, 13.123[8]; 3. 79-Donald McIntosh, 13.172[10]; 4. 11-Allen Styck, 13.338[9]; 5. 329-Travis Fultz, 13.482[11]; 6. 10-Joseph Joiner, 13.535[3]; 7. 4N-Matthew Nance, 13.604[4]; 8. 126-Kaede Loudy, 13.695[7]; 9. 11B-Stacy Boles, 14.431[5]; 10. (DNS) 15-Noah Phillips; 11. (DNS) 20-Daniel Boles
Current Spring Nationals Series Point Standings:
1. Jake O'Neil - 200
2. Dale McDowell - 196
3. Zack Mitchell - 194
4. Benji Hicks - 192
5. Josh Henry - 190
6. Joseph Joiner - 188
7. Allen Styck - 186
8. Donald McIntosh - 184
9. Kaede Loudy - 182
10. Mike Benedum - 180
2026 Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series Schedule:
July 12 - Wythe Raceway (Rural Retreat, VA) - RAINED OUT
July 13 - Volunteer Speedway (Bulls Gap, TN) - JAKE O’NEIL
July 14 - Harris Speedway (Rutherfordton, NC) - $7,553 to win
July 16 - Modoc Speedway (Modoc, SC) - $7,542 to win
July 17 - Swainsboro Raceway (Swainsboro, GA) - $7,553 to win
July 18 - Screven Motor Speedway (Sylvania, GA) - $10,053 to win
July 19 - Toccoa Raceway (Toccoa, GA) - $10,071 to win
July 21 - Senoia Raceway (Senoia, GA) - $7,544 to win
July 23 - Sugar Creek Raceway (Blue Ridge, GA) - $7,553 to win
July 24 - North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) - $10,053 to win
July 25 - Tazewell Speedway (Tazewell, TN) - $10,053 to win
For more information on the Schaeffer’s Oil Southern 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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