Browse
Log in / Register
Share
August 21, 2025 – Zack Mitchell of Enoree, S.C., delivered a masterclass in patience and power Thursday night at Toccoa Raceway, capturing the Schaeffer’s Southern Nationals season finale for the third consecutive year. The 40-lap feature, rescheduled from July 19 due to rain, paid $7,571 to the winner and marked Mitchell’s first triumph with new car owner G.R. Smith.
Starting from the pole after clocking the fastest qualifying time (11.983 seconds), Mitchell stalked outside front-row starter Garrett Smith through the opening laps. On lap 10, he launched off the turn-two cushion, slid past Smith in turn three, and never looked back. By the halfway point, Mitchell had built a nearly five-second lead, though he backed off in traffic late to avoid forcing a pass on lapped car Brent Dixon. Smith closed the gap but still finished 1.486 seconds back.
“It felt like a 40-lap heat race. I’m about out of breath,” Mitchell said in victory lane. “I’m glad I got this first one for G.R. and Stacey—we really needed it to boost our morale. It’s been a trying few weeks, just a lot of bad luck. We put ourselves in position to win and hadn’t capitalized, but I’m thankful they took a chance on me.”
The victory extends Mitchell’s Southern Nationals streak at Toccoa to three straight (2023, 2025; the 2024 edition was rained out). It also marks his fifth career Southern Nationals win and third overall win this season. The 10-minute non-points feature celebrated Toccoa’s 71st year of operation and was slowed by only one caution after the initial start was waved off.
Behind the top two, Tucker Anderson held off Daniel Wilson for third place, finishing nearly three seconds behind Smith. Wilson ran fourth the entire distance, while Dixon rounded out the top five as the final car to complete all 40 laps. David McCoy—an 11-time major event winner at Toccoa—retired on lap five with mechanical issues, and Alex Vance pulled off on lap three; both went green.
The race marked the end of the 2025 Southern Nationals schedule, with Donald McIntosh already crowned the series champion. But the spotlight belonged to Mitchell and his new alliance with G.R. Smith. The team, brandishing a Longhorn Chassis powered by a Vic Hill Racing Engine, had struggled to find victory lane since joining forces. “We knew we had speed, but we needed to put it together,” said crew chief Timmy Wade. “Zack drove a smart race, saved his tires, and took the lead when it mattered.”
Exclusive insight: Track officials confirmed that surface preparation was a key factor in the low car count (only seven starters). “We had a heavy rain earlier in the week, and the track was a little slick on the bottom,” said promoter Eddie Legear. “The cushion was the place to be, and Zack used it perfectly.” The small field, however, didn’t diminish the intensity. Mitchell’s ability to manage lapped traffic while preserving his equipment echoed the patience of a seasoned veteran.
With the Southern Nationals season now in the books, Mitchell’s sights shift to the upcoming Fall Nationals at Boyd’s Speedway and the World 100 at Eldora. “We’ve got momentum now,” he said. “One win can change everything.”
Winner’s sponsors: Team 22 Inc. Longhorn Chassis, Vic Hill Racing Engine, Victory Circle Auto Sales, Gambler Transport, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Brick House Tavern, LakeHouse Bar & Grill, Unified Electrical Services, SJK Construction, VG Performance, Bilstein Shocks, VP Racing Fuels, STAKT Racing Products, Dirt King Apparel.
Feature lineup (grid): Row 1: Zack Mitchell, Garrett Smith Row 2: Tucker Anderson, Daniel Wilson Row 3: Brent Dixon, David McCoy Row 4: Alex Vance
Results and details are unofficial until confirmed by series officials.
