SHARON SMOKE: Chris Madden Dominates Opening Night of Sharon’s Battle at the Border

Chris Madden has been consistent with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series all season. But in 2023, a victory had eluded the Gray Court, SC driver.

That changed Thursday night at Sharon Speedway as Madden dominated the 25-lap Feature to score his first Series win of the season.

“Smokey” stormed by Drake Troutman on the opening lap, taking the lead in Turn 1 and quickly pulling away.

From there, some lap traffic and the race’s only caution didn’t faze the Series points leader as he cruised to the $6,000 win.

Madden said it was the best his Rocket Chassis had felt all season.

“It’s the best it’s been all year,” Madden said. “We’ve just haven’t been able to put a finger on it and find it, but we’ve worked extremely hard, changed quite a few things, and I think we’re at least in the ballpark now. We have something we can work with.

“I’m just happy to have a balance I can feel and work off of again.”

The win is Madden’s 34th career World of Outlaws triumph, moving him to seventh on the all-time wins list.

He stated he’s grateful for everyone who’s stuck by him, despite struggling early in the year.

“I just want to thank my sponsors and my guys for not giving up on me,” Madden said. “This is a tough, humbling sport. Everybody’s got to be tough, and your skin’s got to be thick to do this. You got to have good guys and good sponsors that stick with you through the toughness. We’re just thankful to have those.”

Madden’s win extends his points lead to 40 points over Ryan Gustin, who finished ninth.

For a complete look at the points standings, CLICK HERE.

Bobby Pierce finished second, his third straight World of Outlaws top five, after electing to go to his backup car shortly before Hot Laps.

The Oakwood, IL driver set fast time in Group B of Low-E Insulation Qualifying but finished second to Madden in the Heat Race.

Pierce said he felt it might’ve been a different outcome in the Feature if he had won his heat.

“I think we could’ve possibly got the job done tonight if we would’ve beaten Madden in that Heat Race,” Pierce said. “We had a really good battle in the Heat Race, and for him to be the one who won the race, I guess it’s not too bad. That says we weren’t a bad second place.”

Mike Marlar, the 2018 Series champion, crossed the line third.

The Winfield, TN driver said his tire choice and the race’s only caution, involving Gregg Satterlee, Breyton Santee, and Drake Troutman, kept Marlar from rising further.

“I was a touch harder on tires than any of the guys around me,” Marlar said. “I got into second, and then when I got into traffic, my tires started working, and I moved out into the middle of the track. I was making some gain on [Madden], and then we had that caution, and it kind of reset everything in a short race.

“I lost two spots, and then after a few laps, my tires came back alive again, and I got one of them back. It’s just one of them deals when everyone is so close in competition. A lot of times, tire choice can make a big difference.”

Four-time Series champion Brandon Sheppard finished fourth, and Germfree Lab Rookie of the Year leader Nick Hoffman rounded out the top five.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models return to Sharon Speedway on Friday, May 26 for night two of the Battle at the Border. Drivers will return for another 25-lap Feature paying $6,000-to-win.

TICKETS: bit.ly/41pBmeZ

If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action live on DIRTVision – either online on with the DIRTVision App.

 CASE Construction Equipment Feature (25 Laps): 1. 44-Chris Madden[2]; 2. 32-Bobby Pierce[5]; 3. 157-Mike Marlar[3]; 4. B5-Brandon Sheppard[8]; 5. 9-Nick Hoffman[7]; 6. 3S-Brian Shirley[11]; 7. 40B-Kyle Bronson[13]; 8. 96V-Tanner English[16]; 9. 19R-Ryan Gustin[6]; 10. 25-Shane Clanton[14]; 11. B1-Brent Larson[24]; 12. 1C-Alex Ferree[9]; 13. 1*-Chub Frank[17]; 14. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[10]; 15. 1ST-Johnny Scott[18]; 16. 2S-Stormy Scott[12]; 17. 11-Gordy Gundaker[23]; 18. 0-Rick Eckert[15]; 19. 36-Logan Martin[20]; 20. 27W-Eric Wilson[22]; 21. 97-Cade Dillard[21]; 22. 30-Todd Cooney[25]; 23. 14W-Dustin Walker[26]; 24. 7T-Drake Troutman[1]; 25. 22-Gregg Satterlee[4]; 26. 9S-Breyton Santee[19] FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER: Brent Larson [+13]

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Battle at the Border
Thursday, May 25th to Saturday, May 27th
Sharon Speedway
3241 Custer Orangeville Rd
Hartford, Ohio 44424 

Event Description
A Memorial Day tripleheader is on tap for the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models as they spend three nights at Sharon Speedway.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series

To Win Amount
$6,000.00

Feature Laps Length
25

Event Schedule
Thursday, May 25, 2023
2:00PM Pit Gates Open
5:00PM Grandstand Gates Open
5PM - 6:30PM Sign up for Cornhole Tournament at the Be An Outlaw Tent in the Midway
6:30PM World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Hot Laps
RUSH Sprint Car Hot Laps
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Low-E Insulation Qualifying - 2 Laps
Opening Ceremonies
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Heat Races - 8 Laps
RUSH Sprint Car Heat Races - 8 Laps
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Redraw
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Last Chance Showdown - 10 Laps
RUSH Sprint Car Last Chance Showdown (if Needed)
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Feature - 25 Laps
RUSH Sprint Car Feature - 20 Laps

Friday, May 26, 2023
12 PM Cornhole Tournament (Fan Zone) *Sign up on Thursday at the Be An Outlaws Tent*
2 PM Pit Gates Open
5 PM Grandstand Gates Open
6:30 PM World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Hot Laps
RUSH Modifieds Hot Laps
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Low-E Insulation Qualifying - 2 Laps
Opening Ceremonies
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Heat Races - 8 Laps
RUSH Modifieds Heat Races - 8 Laps
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Redraw
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Last Chance Showdowns - 10 Laps
RUSH modifieds Last Chance Showdown (if needed)
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Feature - 25 Laps
RUSH Modifieds Feature - 20 Laps
Bob Seger tribute band Against the Wind playing after racing!

Saturday, May 27, 2023
2PM Pit Gates Open
4PM Grandstand Gate Open
4PM - 5PM Driver Autograph Session
6:30 PM World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Hot Laps
Econo Modifieds Hot Laps
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Low-E Insulation Qualifying - 2 Laps
Opening Ceremonies
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Heat Races - 8 Laps
Econo Modifieds Heat Races - 8 Laps
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Redraw
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Last Chance Showdowns - 10 Laps
Econo Modifieds Last Chance Showdown (if needed)
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Feature - 60 Laps
Econo Modifieds Feature - 20 Laps

**All Times and Schedule Subject to Change**
*All times Eastern

Entertainment/Additional Events
Thurs. May 25: Cornhole tournament sign up at the World of Outlaw tent beginning at 4p
Fri. May 26: Cornhole tournament: 12p-2p in the Fan Zone; Live music from Against the Wind following racing
Sat. May 27: Driver autograph session: 4p-5p

Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849

Options And Prices
3-Day Reserved: $90 Advanced / $110 Day of
3-Day GA: $80 Advanced / $100 Day of
3-Day GA: (12 & under): $25
2-Day Reserved: $65 Advanced / $70 Day of
2-Day GA: $60 Advanced / $65 Day of
2-Day GA (12 & under): $20
Thursday Reserved: $35 Advanced / $40 Day of
Thursday GA: $30 Advanced / $35 Day of
Friday Reserved: $35 Advanced / $40 Day of
Friday GA: $30 Advanced / $35 Day of
Saturday Reserved: $40 Advanced / $45 Day of
Saturday GA: $35 Advanced / $40 Day of
Single Day GA (12 & under): $10

Grandstand Type
Bleachers - No backs

Reserved Seating
Top 5 Rows

Family Section Location
None

Handicapped Seating Location
Located on frontstretch and backstretch

Pit Pass Price
3-day Pits - $110 2-day Pits - $80 Thursday Pits - $40 Friday Pits - $40 Saturday Pits - $45

Pit Age Requirement
No Age limit - All minor's require proper waiver

Parking Cost
None

Handicapped Parking Location
Front gate entrance

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
$25

To Win Amount
$6,000.00

Reserved Seating
Top 5 Rows

Type of Grandstand
Bleachers - No backs

Stadium Seating
Allowed

Handicapped Seating
Located on frontstretch and backstretch

Handicapped Parking
Front gate entrance

Pit Age Limit
No Age limit - All minor's require proper waiver

Personal Coolers
No coolers allowed

Alcohol Sales
Not allowed in

Smoking Policy
No smoking allowed in grandstands

Family Section
None

Parking Cost
None

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
$25

Sharon Speedway
3241 Custer Orangeville Rd
Hartford, Ohio 44424 

Track Phone
(330) 772-5481

Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Size
0.375

Closest Airport
Youngstown

Other Airport
Cleveland

Track Map

Competitor Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Tire Rules
Left Front Tire: Hoosier (Open)

Left Rear & Right Front Tire:
Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) LM20.

Right Rear Tire:
Hoosier (92) NLMT2 (92) LM20 (92) NLMT3, (92) LM30.

**Grooving & Siping will be allowed**