Brasstown – Local drivers spent their Labor Day at Tri-County Racetrack, which hosted the C.T. Barnett Memorial Race.
Multiple local drivers won their divisions on Sept. 1. Another race was scheduled for Saturday night, but it was canceled due to inclement weather.
Labor Day race
The Sept. 1 race was held in memory of C.T. Barnett, who has a deep connection to racing in western North Carolina. His grandson is Jamie Oliver, who is co-leasing Tri-County Racetrack and drives the No. 38 car.
His sons, Glenn and Joe Barnett, also race. Glenn drives the No. 34 car, while Joe drives the No. 37.
His great grandson-in-law is Charles Devine, who drives the No. 14 car. His great-great nephew-in-law is Dylan Beaver, who drives No. 117.
During the national anthem, Barnett’s racing relatives drove around the track. Glenn Barnett, in the No. 34 car, proudly held the U.S. flag while going around.
Before the cars hit the track, kids got to race their bikes on the dirt oval.
With $3,000 to win in the limited late models classification, David Payne of Hiwassee Dam earned the win. Payne qualified in second place and worked his way up to win the race.
Barrett Lowe of Fletcher started in first but finished in second place. Shawn Chastain of Murphy finished in third place, while Dante Curtis of Murphy came in fourth place. Oliver qualified in third place, but finished the race in sixth.
In the 602 crate late model race, Jody Wilson of Blue Ridge, Ga., came in first place. In second place was Sylvan Schuette of Blairsville, Ga., while Dylan Beaver of Murphy came in third place after starting in fourth. Cooper Twiggs of Murphy came in fourth place after starting in 11th.
In the 604 crate late model race, Griffin Smith of Eatonton, Ga., came in first place. Jacob Parris of Epworth, Ga., came in second, while Seth Wimpey of Blue Ridge, Ga., came in third.
In the open wheel modified race, Gabe Wilson of Waynesville came in first, Carl Richards of White, Ga., came in second and Bronson Newton of Murphy came in third.
Charles Devine of Murphy earned the win in the street stocks race. In second place was Roger Beaver of Murphy, and in third was Matt Whitener of Canton.
In the front-wheel drive race, Christopher Kane of Murphy got the win. In second place was Phillip Hall of Andrews, and in third was Johnathon Evans of Sweetwater, Tenn.
In the Crown Vic race, Charlie Meinders of Liberty, S.C., got the win. In second place was Zack Meinders of Liberty, S.C., and in third was Cheyenne McIntosh of Fletcher.
Up next
Drivers will return to Brasstown on Saturday, Sept. 20, with $1,000 on the line in the Crown Vic and open wheel divisions. The night of racing will also include all weekly divisions as drivers look to earn the win.