Cody Overton looked to be on his way to a fourth win with the Southern Nationals at Sugar Creek Raceway and a commanding points lead. However, it was not to be.

With 13 laps left in the 40-lap feature, Overton lost the pace he had and allowed Casey Roberts to motor past him down the front stretch and complete the pass heading through turns 1 and 2. Overton would also get sideways through the corner and allow Joseph Joiner to get underneath and pass him too. Overton was unable to save it and was completely perpendicular with the track at the exit of 2 and it left Todd Morrow, who was running in fourth, nowhere to go and the two made contact bringing out the caution.

With the caution coming out it was revealed that Overton had a flat left rear tire. His team was able to change it and get him back out on the track, but he was only able to salvage a 12th place finish.

On Facebook, Overton shared what happened that caused him to lose pace and allow Roberts to get past him and ultimately spin through turns 1 and 2 and collect Morrow to bring out the caution.

He wrote, “Tough one to swallow tonight. We had a really fast race car and it felt like we let one get away, but that’s racing. We broke a steering rack while getting into a lap car, and later the left rear tire got cut down. Even with the bad luck, we know we had the speed to contend.”

“I can’t thank my crew enough. My boys have been busting their butts every week, and I’m proud of the effort they put into this team. We’ll regroup, make the repairs, and come back even stronger next time out,” Overton added. “A huge thank you to my awesome car owner, James Trantina, for believing in us, and to all of our incredible sponsors for their continued support.”

Heading into the race at Sugar Creek, Overton was officially in 8th place in the series’ points, 176 behind leader Donald McIntosh. However, the series will drop a driver’s worst race after the final points paying race at Tazewell on Saturday, July 25th. If one factored in Overton’s worst race being dropped, a missed race at Volunteer Speedway, he had an 8-point advantage over McIntosh heading into the race.

Now, following his 12th place finish at Sugar Creek, Overton has moved into 7th place officially with 1,152 points. However, with the drop, as it currently stands Donald McIntosh will lose 184 points given his worst finish is an 8th place at Volunteer. With the drop, McIntosh would have 1,162 points, a 10-point advantage over Overton. Not only does McIntosh have a 10-point advantage over Overton, but he has a 10-point advantage over Joseph Joiner, who would see his 10th place finish at Harris dropped bringing him to 1,162 points as well.

There are two points-paying races left on the Southern Nationals schedule. The series is back in action tonight at North Georgia Speedway for a $10,053 to-win race and then again on Saturday, July 25th at Tazewell Speedway for another $10,053 to-win race.

The series champion will receive an additional $10,053 for winning. Second will get $5,053 while third receives $2,553. Third will take home $2,053 and fifth gets $1,553. Additionally, if any driver that competes in 80% of the series races and finishes outside the top 5, they will receive $1,053.

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