10/10/2026
Skip Arp Scores Lester Weeks Memorial - Austin Horton Claims Topless Crown at Smoky Mountain
Maryville, TN (10-10-26) National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame driver Skip Arp of Georgetown, TN claimed yet another victory at Smoky Mountain Speedway on Friday night, but it wasn't easy by any means. A lap-26 slide job in turn two to get around race long leader Kyle Cortney of Knoxville, Tenn. was the move of the race.
With 36 Steelblock late models signed in for the Schaeffer's Oil by Mike Bruner Topless Outlaws Dirt Late Models season finale and a track surface that was fast and furious, the night was full of drama.
A lap-2 red flag was displayed for Taylor Pucket of Grear, SC who climbed the wall heading into turn one and collected Brandon Williams of Crossville, Tenn. and sent him airborne with a hard landing on all-four wheels. Topless points contender Bryan Hendrix of Knoxville, Tenn. was also collected in the incident. All 3 cars retired from the event. Willimas and Pucket were both shaken up but were ultimetley ok.
Topless Outlaws points leader Austin Horton of Whitesburg, GA and third place points contender Layne Clifton of Seymour, Tenn. both suffered mechanical trouble during their respective heat races, so it appeared that Rusty Ballenger of Seymour, Tenn. (2nd in points) and two-time series champion Chase King, also of Seymour might capitalize on the situation and make huge points gains.
King would win heat-1 to earn the pole for the 40-lap feature with Courtney earning the front row outside starting spot after winning heat-3. An intense first lap battle with slide jobs traded, saw Courtney win the battle with King in tow.
An intense battle for second between Arp and King over the next four laps would end after contact between the two at the start-finish line resulted in a flat left rear tire for King. He would battle back to finish 10th.
Courtney had created a comfortable distance over Arp between laps 6 and 25 until he approached the slower car of Daniel Boles of Clinton, Tenn. who did not heed the move-over flag, resulting in Courtney forcing contact and a slide job that caused Boles to slow to a stop, bringing out the final caution of the race.
The lap-25 re-start would be Arp's chance to make a move and he took full advantage of the opportunity and performed a masterful slide job in turn two to sweep past Courtney into the lead. He would go on to win by a 1.189 second margin. Courtney finished second while John Ownbey of Cleveland, Tenn. finished third. Arp's teammate Bobby Giffin of Maryville, Tenn. finished fourth and Hayden Ownbey (son of John) rounded out the top five.
"Man, I tell you what it's not me, it's this car and this team that wins these races, I just get to drive 'em; I hate that me and Chase got together there and I hope he knows it wasn’t intentional” stated a jubilant Skip Arp from VP Racing Fuels victory lane. Arp went on to say; "I'm glad to see Mike (Weeks) here. The race was in memorial of his dad Lester Weeks. "I knew Lester well and even drove his cars back in the day, so thank you, thanks to the track, the series and all these fans for supporting him tonight"
Arp's Capital Race Cars #31 is owned by Stanley Best and carries sponsorships from Stanley Best Heat & Air, Tyler Brothers Farm Equipment, American Racer Tires, Trane and Federated Auto Parts.
Austin Horton took his only series provisional of the season to start the race in a borrowed car. He managed a 20th place finish, therefore clinching the championship. Rusty Ballenger's 12th place finish secured his runner-up position in the points. Chase King leap frogged Layne Clifton to finish third in points after a 10th place finish with Clifton finishing fourth in points after a DNS for the feature. Bryan Hendrix finished fifth in points. The top five in points all had 100% race attendance. Kyle Courtney finished sixth with Cody Courtney finishing seventh, both maintaining the 80% attendance threshold for the season.
❗️Final 2026 Points❗️
1. Austin Horton, Whitesburg, GA - 564 🏆
2. Rusty Ballenger, Seymour, TN - 541
3. Chase King, Seymour, TN - 536
4. Layne Clifton, Seymour, TN - 531
5. Bryan Hendrix, Knoxville, TN - 496
6. Kyle Courtney, Knoxville, TN - 480
7. Cody Courtney, Knoxville, TN - 432
🏁 Schaffer Oil Feature Finish 🏁
A Feature 1-Arp.Skip 2-Courtney.Kyle 3-Ownbey.John 4-Giffin.Bobby 5-Ownbey.Hayden 6-Manley.Jason 7-Weeks.Mike 8-Payne.David 9-Emert.Jed 10-King.Chase 11-Tims.Ryan 12-Ballenger.Rusty 13-Hindman.Heath 14-Hickman.Chandler 15-Boles.Daniel 16-Crabtree.David 17-Marlar.Skylar 18-Trammell.Jason 19-Lee.Brady 20-Horton.Austin 21-Puckett.Taylor 22-Williams.Brandon 23-Hendrix.Bryan 24-Picklesimer.Andy 25-Clifton.Layne
topless-outlaws.com
schaefferoil.com/mikebruner
Schaeffer's Oil
Photo credit to MRM Racing Photos and Michael Moats
