MATT HENDERSON POCKETS $20,000
Less than a month after scoring a career-best $10,037 victory at Wartburg Speedway Matt Henderson upped the ante on his personal best achievement with a $20,000 winner’s check in the Chevrolet Performance World Championship finale at Cochran Motor Speedway. The victory also marked the 13th of 2021 for the driver of the Stanco Equipment Co. No. 17 Vineyard Lawn / CVR Race Cars / Hendren Racing Engine Late Model.
“We had a plan, I have a brilliant crew chief-car owner in Chip Vineyard, we just stuck to our strategy. We had the best race car all weekend, nobody had anything for it,” Henderson said. “I knew I had to be patient early and I was hoping (Cory) Hedgecock was going to pick the inside and give me the top, because I had found something. Luckily, they didn’t see it and pulled him to the inside and that gave me what I needed for him and Ferguson.”
For Henderson, claiming another high-profile win reminds him of how far he’s come in his young career.
“It’s been a long road to get here. But we are here – World Champion. I remember when I couldn’t make these races. I remember making these races and not being a threat for a top 10. The road is long, and it gets tiring, but the trip is worth it. The ups and downs haven’t been consistent, but the determination has been. I’m grateful for a great group of support that help me on and off the track. Thank you to all of our sponsors.”
Matt Henderson returned to action with the Crate Racin’ USA series at Cochran Motor Speedway (Cochran, Ga.) as the Crate Late Model tour drew 46 competitors for the opening round of the two-day Chevrolet Performance World Championship. After his 14.793-second lap in time trials earned him the fast time honors, Matt scored a second-place finish in his heat race.
Earning the fifth-starting position for the main event, Henderson ran in a podium spot early and began his pursuit for the leader after the halfway mark. Sneaking ahead of race-long pacesetter Carson Ferguson after a lap-53 caution, Matt paced the field for the remainder of the 75-lapper to capture the $20,000 prize, the largest payday of his career. He finished ahead of Ferguson, Cory Hedgecock, Joseph Joiner, and Wil Herrington to register his 13th win of the season.