It was a weekend that Brandon Overton will never forget.
The driver of the Wells Motorsports No. 76 Crossfit Overton/ Allstar Concrete/ Longhorn Chassis by Wells/ Clements Racing Engine-powered Super Late Model scored his first USA Nationals title, earning $50,000 in the process.
Overton crossed the finish 2.213 seconds ahead of Rick Eckert at the conclusion of Saturday night’s 33rd Annual USA Nationals finale. Not only did the Georgia standout record his first triumph in the crown jewel event, he swept the weekend’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series competition.
“I never in a million years dreamed that I would win this,” Overton exclaimed in victory lane. “I’m just a boy from Georgia trying to get it done. I don’t know what to say.”
In Thursday’s $6,000-to-win preliminary event, Overton followed up the fastest lap in his 23-car qualifying group with a convincing heat race victory. Leading flag-to-flag in the 30-lap A-Main, Overton tallied his eighth career World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series victory over Jimmy Owens, Tyler Erb, Billy Moyer, and Mike Marlar.
The following night for a pair of heat races, Overton picked up a 12-lap heat race win in his first round before passing four cars in his second heat race to place fifth. Sitting in eighth overall in passing points, Brandon earned a spot into the pole dash.
Drawing the fifth starting position for the dash, Overton advanced one spot to finish fifth, locking him into the fifth-starting spot for Saturday night’s USA Nationals finale.
Tracking down polesitter Billy Moyer on lap 44, Brandon took control of the lead for the remaining distance of the 100-lapper to secure his 17th win of the season. Topping Rick Eckert, Jimmy Mars, Scott Bloomquist, and Billy Moyer at the line, Overton pocketed the $50,000 prize. (Todd Boyd photos)
“I was riding around and I could see the top kind of die off, then the bottom came in,” Overton said on track conditions. “Then I could see the bottom die off and I had to move up. I kind of knew both routes, like which line I needed to use if I had to protect. My car was really good there through the middle especially. Funny thing is, I was like a half-second slow in hot laps tonight and thought we were terrible. Everything worked out though. I was just trying to manage my tires all race long really.”
“This is so cool man,” an enthused Overton let out. “It’s an honor for me to be in the discussions with Brandon [Sheppard] and Jimmy [Owens] this year. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do if I’m gonna be as good as those two are though. All we can do is keep going, I want to win all the time.”
To learn more about these events, please visit www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
