7/24/2025
Schaeffer's Oil Southern Nationals
Zack Mitchell Motors to Third Career Southern Nationals Victory Tuesday at Toccoa
(July 22, 2025) Zack Mitchell, of Enoree, South Carolina, laid claim to his third career Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco victory on Tuesday night at Toccoa Raceway! Zack, who was quickest overall in MRP Fantasy Racing Hot Laps, knocked down the fastest lap in Group B during FK Rod Ends qualifying to earn the outside of the front row for the 40-lap feature event. He then got the jump at the drop of the green flag and paced the field for the entire distance to capture his second series win at the storied Toccoa, Georgia facility.
At the checkers, Zack was a commanding 7.238 seconds ahead of his nearest competition to bag the $7,553 first place prize money. Finishing in the runner-up spot was sixth-starting Garrett Smith, while polesitter Jimmy Owens ran second early in the contest before rounding out the podium in third. Kenny Collins turned in another strong performance with the series in picking off four competitors en route to a fourth place showing. Series regular Mike Benedum blasted past eight racecars to nab a fifth place effort - his best run so far on the tour this year.
“Man, this car was absolutely on a rail,” exclaimed the winning Mitchell in Schaeffer’s Oil victory lane. “I knew it was going to be key to get out front early and we were lucky enough to lead that first lap. This thing has been awesome to drive this past month or so. Of course, I have to thank Brett Coltman. The shop isn’t 15 minutes from here, so it feels good to be kinda local and pick up a win!”
Mitchell piloted a #57 Brett Coltman-owned Longhorn Chassis powered by a Clements Racing Engine with sponsorship in part from Coltman Farms Racing, Autism Awareness, Special Needs School of Gwinnett, MPM Marketing, Bilstein Shocks, SoCar Chemical, VP Racing Fuels, and DirtCarLift.com.
A total of 20 Southern Nationals Series competitors signed into the pit area at Toccoa Raceway for round eight of the miniseries. The start of the program was delayed by an early evening rain shower and with the possibility of additional wet weather, the entire feature lineup was set solely through qualifying. Jimmy Owens and Zack Mitchell topped their respective groups during the time trial session to earn the front row for the start of the 40-lapper.
Four caution flags slowed the pace in the main event, which lasted 23 minutes in length. Casey Roberts and Payton Freeman both scratched from the A-Main after the pair experienced hard crashes during qualifying. Thankfully, both drivers emerged unscathed from their respective incidents, but their racecars were unable to make the start in the headliner.
Next up, the Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco rolls into Sugar Creek Raceway in Blue Ridge, Georgia on Thursday evening, July 24. The inaugural visit by the series to the Peach State oval will shell out a $7,553 payday. Jimmy Owens still finds himself atop of the series point standings by only six markers over Garrett Smith heading into “The Creek.” Kaede Loudy, who sits only twenty points out of the top spot, is third in the standings with Mike Benedum and Beckham Malone rounding out the top five. More information on Thursday’s big show at Sugar Creek Raceway can be found online at www.RaceSugarCreek.com.
Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing
Round 8 Race Summary
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Toccoa Raceway - Toccoa, Georgia
Schaeffer’s Oil Feature Finish (40 Laps):
- (2) Zack Mitchell $7,553
- (6) Garrett Smith $3,500
- (1) Jimmy Owens $2,000
- (8) Kenny Collins $1,500
- (13) Mike Benedum $1,200
- (14) Kaede Loudy $900
- (9) Jordy Nipper $700
- (7) Keaton Smith $650
- (19) Justin Hammett $600
- (15) Alex Vance $575
- (11) Carson Ferguson $550
- (4) Jake Jackson $540
- (18) Beckham Malone $530
- (17) Dillon Daves $520
- (12) Ethan Hunter $510
- (16) Daniel Wilson $500
- (20) Fletcher Wulff $500
- (10) Devon Morgan $500
- (3) Casey Roberts DNS
- (5) Payton Freeman DNS
Entries: 20
Lap Leaders: Zack Mitchell (Laps 1-40)
Caution Flags: 4
Knowles Race Parts and Bodies Hard Charger Award: Justin Hammett (+10)
MRP Fantasy Racing Hot Laps:
Fastest Lap Overall: Zack Mitchell 12.568
FK Rod Ends Time Trials:
Fast Time Overall: Jimmy Owens 12.420
Qualifying Results - Group A: 1. 58V-Jimmy Owens, 00:12.420[3]; 2. 101-Casey Roberts, 00:12.457[8]; 3. F1-Payton Freeman, 00:12.605[1]; 4. K7-Keaton Smith, 00:12.735[2]; 5. 1N-Jordy Nipper, 00:12.756[5]; 6. 74-Carson Ferguson, 00:12.766[7]; 7. 25-Mike Benedum, 00:12.790[10]; 8. 95-Alex Vance, 00:13.147[4]; 9. 35-Dillon Daves, 00:13.701[9]; 10. 17-Justin Hammett, 00:13.774[6]
Qualifying Results - Group B: 1. 57-Zack Mitchell, 00:12.508[6]; 2. J1-Jake Jackson, 00:12.553[8]; 3. 10-Garrett Smith, 00:12.578[2]; 4. 1C-Kenny Collins, 00:12.646[4]; 5. 21-Devon Morgan, 00:12.674[3]; 6. 15-Ethan Hunter, 00:12.707[5]; 7. 126-Kaede Loudy, 00:12.860[10]; 8. 12-Daniel Wilson, 00:12.886[9]; 9. 23-Beckham Malone, 00:12.943[7]; 10. 95W-Fletcher Wulff, 00:13.771[1]
Current Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series Point Standings:
- Jimmy Owens - 1496
- Garrett Smith - 1490
- Kaede Loudy - 1476
- Mike Benedum - 1416
- Beckham Malone - 1410
- Cody Overton - 872
- Haiden Cowan - 836
- Dillon Daves - 810
- Chris Madden - 756
- Jensen Ford - 676
Current Coltman Farms Cup Point Standings (Spans Both Spring & Southern Nationals):
- Garrett Smith - 1490
- Jimmy Owens - 1308
- Wil Herrington - 1084
- Cory Hedgecock - 1080
- Mike Benedum - 1054
T-6. Jensen Ford - 890
T-6. Kaede Loudy - 890 - Michael Leach - 698
- Beckham Malone - 615
- Brandon Overton - 582
2025 Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series Schedule:
Friday, July 11 - Beckley Motor Speedway (Mount Hope, WV) - ROSS BAILES
Saturday, July 12 - Wythe Raceway (Rural Retreat, VA) - CHRIS MADDEN
Monday, July 14 - Volunteer Speedway (Bulls Gap, TN) - CHRIS MADDEN
Tuesday, July 15 - I-75 Raceway (Sweetwater, TN) - CORY HEDGECOCK
Thursday, July 17 - Senoia Raceway (Senoia, GA) - ASHTON WINGER
Friday, July 18 - Swainsboro Raceway (Swainsboro, GA) - CORY HEDGECOCK
Saturday, July 19 - Screven Motor Speedway (Sylvania, GA) - GARRETT SMITH
Tuesday, July 22 - Toccoa Raceway (Toccoa, GA) - ZACK MITCHELL
Thursday, July 24 - Sugar Creek Raceway (Blue Ridge, GA) - $7,553 to win
Friday, July 25 - North Georgia Speedway (Chatsworth, GA) - $10,053 to win
Saturday, July 26 - Tazewell Speedway (Tazewell, TN) - $10,053 to win
For more information on the Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series presented by Coltman Farms Racing and fueled by Sunoco, please point your Internet browser to www.SouthernNationalsSeries.com or feel free to call series promoter Ray Cook at 828-360-5353. You can also follow us across social media platforms on facebook.com/southernnationalsseries and on Twitter @sonationals.
The tour would like to thank all of our valued marketing partners including: Schaeffer’s Oil & Specialized Lubricants, Coltman Farms Racing, Sunoco Race Fuels, American Race Tires, American Racer South, Delph Communications, E-Z-GO, Spring Pro Precision Equipment, Arizona Sport Shirts, Capital Race Cars, Collins Signs, DirtCarLift.com, DirtonDirt.com, FK Rod Ends, Interstate Welding & Steel Supply, JM Custom Laser, Knowles Race Parts and Bodies, MasterSbilt Race Cars, MRP Fantasy League, SFP Performance Systems, The Joie of Seating, The Steering Buddy, Velocita-USA, Vic Hill Racing Engines, Vinson Sims Construction, and Wiles Driveshafts.
About Schaeffer’s Oil & Specialized Lubricants:
Schaeffer's Specialized Lubricants: synthetic motor oils, hydraulic fluids, and diesel fuel additives have achieved a world-class reputation for improving engine performance and fuel economy, but their diverse product line includes all types of industrial lubricants, industrial greases, and industrial oils as well as specialty items like their chain lubes and degreasers. Founded in 1839, their philosophy is to provide advanced lubricants for improved performance, reliability, and fuel economy. Learn more or find a rep near you at www.SchaefferOil.com.
Media Contact: Ryan Delph - Delph Communications
www.DelphCommunications.com
Article Credit: Ryan Delph
