The Southern Ground Pounders brought the thunder to Dominion Raceway on Saturday, June 21st — and so did the heat. With brutally high temperatures challenging both drivers and equipment, 12 vintage machines took the green flag for a 35-lap feature that proved to be as much about endurance as it was speed.
Fans were treated to a classic car show on the front stretch where drivers and crews greeted the crowd up close. After two clean rounds of practice, a pill draw set the grid, and it was Steve Mendenhall and Kevin Floars who lined up on the front row.
When the green flag waved, Mendenhall jumped to an early lead with Floars in hot pursuit. Behind them, Chris Hicks, Eddie Johnson, Tyler Staton, and Shayne Lockhart formed a tight freight train, with Mack Tatum close behind. Meanwhile, the tail of the field turned chaotic. Bubba Farmer and Lindsey Pond bunched up traffic, boxing in Barry Dalton and Josh Roberts with little room to make moves without contact, showing some veteran patience and cool headed racing. A treat for the fans atleast.
At the front, the show was clean and classy — a true example of sportsman racing. The faster cars worked their way forward with respect and room-giving, a refreshing display of veteran racecraft.
But the Virginia heat wasn’t done. Bubba Farmer was the first to fall to overheating issues. Eddie Johnson exited shortly after with electrical problems. As laps ticked by, both Barry Dalton and Chris Hicks also retired early — heat continuing to claim its victims.
Mack Tatum brought out the race’s lone caution after a solo spin in water off Turn 2, but his veteran save avoided contact and reset the field for one final push. Roberts would park with engine trouble, further thinning the field.
Up front, the race tightened as Tyler Staton pressured Shayne Lockhart, while Floars and Mendenhall ran under a blanket toward the checkered. In the end, Kevin Floars remained undefeated in the Sportsman class, continuing his perfect 2025 season. Shayne Lockhart matched the feat in the Modifieds, going 6-for-6 overall on the year.
Mack Tatum’s tire-saving strategy paid off with a P4 finish in the Modifieds, while Bob Wallace claimed second in the Sportsman class after a clean, calculated run. Lindsey Pond rounded out the field as the final car running at the stripe.
Next stop for the SGP series: Langley Speedway in three weeks, where the heat may cool down, but the racing surely won’t.
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