Ultimate Super Late Model Series $10,000-to-win 'Scorcher' scheduled Thursday, Aug. 17 at Volunteer Speedway

BULLS GAP, Tenn. — The Ultimate Super Late Model Series $10,000-to-win 13th annual Scorcher is scheduled Thursday, Aug. 17 at Volunteer Speedway.

Race fans from all 50 states and also from several foreign countries visit the East Tennessee region two times a year for NASCAR racing at nearby Bristol Motor Speedway. With Volunteer Speedway hosting big-purse, special events in mid-week during August race-week at Bristol, many out-of-state fans in the region for the NASCAR action enjoy making the short drive down Interstate 81 to take in a night of exciting dirt racing on the high banks at "The Gap."

The Thursday, Aug. 17 racing program headlined by the Ultimate Super Late Model Series will feature qualifying, heat races, B-mains, and the $10,000-to-win Scorcher (50 laps) — along with Crate Late Model (30 laps ... $1,500-to-win), Sportsman Late Model (20 laps ... $800-to-win), and Modified Street (20 laps ... $700-to-win) racing.

Adult grandstand admission $25, with kids 12-and-under admitted free. … Adult pit admission $40, with kids 12-and-under admitted for $15.

Both the grandstand and pit gates will open at 3 p.m. Drivers' meeting is scheduled at 7:30 p.m., immediately followed by hot laps, qualifying, and green flag racing tentatively starting (around) 8:45 p.m.

Previous Scorcher winners are: Randle Chupp (2004), Rick Eckert (2005), Scott Bloomquist (2006), Chris Madden (2007), Jimmy Owens and Shane Clanton (2008), Tim McCreadie (2009), Jimmy Owens and Scott Bloomquist (2010), Jimmy Owens (2011), Billy Ogle Jr. (2012), Chris Madden (2013), Dale McDowell (2014), rained-out (2015), while Jonathan Davenport visited victory lane in 2016. 

Over the years NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne, Bill Elliott, 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne, Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer, Ken Schrader, along with brothers Austin and Ty Dillon (grandsons of Richard Childress), Chase Elliott (son of Awesome Bill), John King (2012 Daytona International Speedway Camping World Truck Series winner), and Joey Coulter have raced at Volunteer Speedway.

Top 10 in Ultimate Super Late Model Series points heading to Volunteer Speedway 1. Tyler Millwood of Cartersville, Ga.; 2. Jason Welshan of Maryville, Tenn.; 3. Dennis Franklin of Gaffney, S.C.; 4. Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga.; 5.Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga.; 6. Ross Bailes of Clover, S.C.; 7. Brett Hamm of Newberry, S.C.; 8. Michael Page of Douglasville, Ga.; 9. G.R. Smith of Statesville, N.C.; 10. Anthony Sanders of Spartanburg, S.C.

Other drivers tentatively scheduled to be competing in the Scorcher include - Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga.; Brandon Overton of Evans, Ga.; Donald McIntosh of Dawsonville, Ga.; Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn.; Jeremy Hines of Seymour, Ind.; Ray Cook of Brasstown, N.C.; Michael Chilton of Salvisa, Ky.; Devin Gilpin of Columbus, Ind.; Chris Ferguson of Mount Holly, N.C.; David Payne of Murphy, N.C.; Kenny Collins of Colbert, Ga., and several others.

East Tennessee locals expected include five-time (1997, '98, 2000, '05 and '09) Volunteer Speedway track champion Vic Hill of Mosheim, Billy Ogle Jr. of Knoxville, Shanon Buckingham of Morristown, Chad Ogle of Sevierville, Stacy Boles of Clinton, Tommy Kerr of Maryville, Jeff Neubert of Rockford, Ryan King of Seymour, plus others.