Superman earned the title of Million Dollar Man. Jonathan Davenport held off late charges from Chris Madden and Tim McCreadie in a 101-lap feature at Eldora Speedway on Thursday night, winning $1,002,022. Davenport now owns the title of the most valuable late model race winner in history.
Davenport told a known website that this is a "life-changing moment." Just glancing out the window and having everyone pay attention to what I'm saying is fantastic.
Wow, I'm still at a loss for words. It'll probably take a while for it to sink in till the money is in the bank account. It will undoubtedly change my life and the lives of my son and daughter. I'm going to take this million and turn it into two with [car owner] Lance [Landers].
A million bucks are on the line for only the second time in late model history. The first Eldora Million was supposed to take place in October of 2000, but severe rains and chilly weather forced it to be postponed until June of the following year.
While Davenport won the 2022 race, he didn't have it easy, as he had to compete for the lead with McCreadie and Madden.
McCreadie pushed forward from tenth place and caught Davenport, who began on the outside of the front row, after 75 laps without the assistance of a caution.
At that juncture, the two competitors exchanged sliders, with McCreadie taking the lead on Laps 84 and 86 before suffering heartbreak two laps from the finish. Despite a flat tyre, McCreadie finished fourth with five cars on the lead lap.
McCreadie had been taken care of, so Madden was free to rob Davenport of his money. On the last restart, Madden pulled a slide job in Turn 1, only for Davenport to return the favour in Turn 3.
Madden, I, and he had our disagreements as children. But, Davenport said, "I think we've finally put that behind us." It's a hell of a sensation for him to slide me and then for me to slide him back with one or two to go.
Madden finished in second place.
Devin Moran, whose father Donnie was the first Million Dollar Man to win the race in 2001, came in third.
Chris Ferguson completed the top five.
The focus now moves to The Dream, a 100-lap event. Brandon Overton took first place in this race last year.
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