Schaeffer Oil Southern Nationals Visit Sugar Creek Raceway (07/23/26). Updated [07/31/26]

Paydon Shook
Jul 23
4 min read

Updated: Jul 31

Casey Roberts outduels Joseph Joiner to pick up the $7,553 payday. Lil Sexy loses power steering. Chris Woods victorious after Twiggs deemed illegal 602 CLM.

Thursday night, the NorthSouthDirt crew and I covered the events at Sugar Creek Raceway. We felt pretty certain the Schaeffer Oil Southern Nationals event would be canceled due to the weather. Even though the pavement was wet when we got within fifteen miles of the track, the rain had actually stopped, and blue skies welcomed us upon our arrival. That optimism was short-lived, however, as a light mist returned—just enough to delay the program for some extra track preparation. Honestly, I didn't mind the setback at all; it worked out well by giving me extra time to wander around, catch up with some wonderful folks in the pits, and introduce myself to a few new faces. We managed to get GoPro setups on several cars, including Brandon Overton, Cody Overton, David Payne, Casey Roberts, and Kenny Collins.

During qualifying, Brandon Overton, Tucker Anderson, and Kenny Collins had some tough luck when all had issues with the turn 3 wall. Because of the damage to Brandon Overton’s Riggs Motorsports entry, he decided to end his night early. Collins started the feature in the 18th starting spot, where he retired a few laps in. Anderson started the feature in the 16th starting spot and finished 17th.

With heat races deemed unnecessary, Cody Overton (lil’ Sexy) secured the pole position by laying down a blistering 14.710-second lap, which stood as both the Group A and overall fast time. However, a heartbreaking turn of events unfolded while he was out front. Following earlier contact with a lapped car, a damaged steering rack began venting fluid directly onto his tires. With traction suddenly non-existent, the car spun out, forcing an early retirement from the lead for Overton. Overton explained to me that the handling completely went away.

During Group B qualifying, "The Coach" David Payne clocked in with the 6th fastest time, which secured him the 12th starting spot for the A-main. Over the course of the 40-lap feature race, Payne showed some steady progress by picking up four positions, ultimately crossing the finish line with a solid 8th-place result.

During the Group B qualifying session, Casey showed some serious speed by clocking in with the 2nd fastest time, which positioned him in the 4th starting spot for the main event. Right at the drop of the green flag, Roberts made a bold move to secure the third position, tucking in behind Joseph Joiner and Cody Overton. The action intensified eight laps in when Roberts threw a daring slider on Joiner entering turn one; however, Joiner managed to cross back under him exiting turn two to reclaim the runner-up spot. The two continued to battle hard lap after lap in a thrilling display of racing. When a caution flew on lap 11, the field reset with Overton leading the way, while Joiner opted for the inside lane, leaving Roberts to work the high side. Roberts was absolutely shot out of a cannon on that restart, finding enough momentum to power his way around the "Flying Floridian." With just 13 laps remaining, Roberts navigated past a spinning Overton to seize the lead and ultimately capture a rewarding $7,553 payday with the Schaeffer Oil Southern Nationals.

Shifting gears to the 602 Crate Late Models, it turned out to be a dominant night for Cooper Twiggs, Driver of the #100, 602 Crate Late Model. Twiggs set fast time, started on the pole, and led every single lap from flag-to-flag to take the win in the 602 Crate Late Model division.

As Twiggs entered victory lane, officials informed Twiggs that his engine had been protested. As a result, the track took possession of Twiggs' engine, which will be sent to Greg Sudderth Racing Engines (Crate Racin' USA/American All Star Certified) for a full inspection. Twiggs reported to me that the engine is a Borrowed Eagle Engine that belongs to Bo McClure. We'll be keeping an eye on that, but in the meantime, we actually have some great in-car camera footage from both his qualifying run and the feature race to share. Check out our in-car camera videos at northsouthdirt.com.

In all, it was a great night of racing. Much respect to all the staff at Sugar Creek Raceway and everyone with the Schaeffer Oil Southern Nationals Series, for all their hard work in getting the race in.

Update 07/31/26

According to Sugar Creek Raceway, after a post-race protest,

the borrowed 602 CLM engine used by Cooper Twiggs was found to be illegal by a certified engine technician. As a result, the victory goes to the runner-up, Chris Woods #17.

Schaeffer Oil Southern National Late Models Feature Finish