Tinkle Family Racing, with driver Zachary Tinkle, made the trip to Mount Lawn Speedway this weekend for the second Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman series of the season and the first event of that series Triple Crown mini-series. Tinkle and his crew had high expectations after getting his first ever late model feature win earlier in the year at Anderson Speedway with the McGunegill Engine Performance Late Model series and back to back second place finishes with that series at Anderson.
Zachary participated in the tracks open practice on Saturday for the 46th Annual Raintree 100, looking to get the car dialed in for a hot weekend of racing action on the tricky Mt. Lawn track. Crew Chief Danny Trent had given Zachary a fast car, that showed with some good runs in Sunday afternoons practice sessions. Jeff Marcum, the event’s defending winner, was the Fast Qualifier, Zachary timed in fifth quick. Marcum drew a six for the events invert, putting Zachary on the outside front row starting position.
Former series Champion Billy Hutson took off at the drop of the green flag to grab the early lead while Zachary fell back a few positions to settle in and start his march to the front. Zachary first worked his way past veteran Indianapolis racer RJ Norton Jr. for second. Then got to Hutson’s bumper and made the pass to take the lead on lap nine of the event. Zachary led every lap from there, including lap 46, where he picked up the William Mefford Lap 46 Bonus. Zachary also earned the KRJ Race Products Sweet Move of the Race Award for his pass of Hutson for the lead. The win was Zachary’s first feature win with the Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman.
The win locks Zachary into the series Chase for the Championship, which will determine the series 2019 Champion, over the course of the last four races of the 2019 season. This also gives Zachary the points lead in the Triple Crown series.
“This was a BIG WIN for the whole team,” remarked Zachary. “Everyone worked hard on and off the track and in open practice. The team gave me a damn good race car. We came full circle with Mt. Lawn Speedway being a place my great-great grandfather won and where I met my crew chief Danny Trent. Who knew we’d be celebrating a Vore’s Welding CRALate Model Sportsman RainTree 100 victory together a year later. This win is dedicated to him. We did it, man!”