Cory Hedgecock has captured big races against tough fields at 411 Motor Speedway. And for a time during the latter stages of the Spring Sizzler it looked like he might just do it again.

Using a higher line than race-long leader Jimmy Owens, Hedgecock began to close in late in Saturday's 40-lapper. But Owens moved to a higher groove after receiving a signal from a crew member, taking his pursuer's line away and holding on for a flag-to-flag victory.

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The 27-year-old Hedgecock, who settled for the runner-up spot after starting fourth, believes the veteran’s move was the race's difference-maker.

“Absolutely,” the Loudon, Tenn., driver said. “One of his guys signaled for him to move up and I was giving him a hard time after the race during the interviews on the front straightaway. He definitely told him to move up and it took my line away and that gave him the faster line, too. I think we were going to be quick enough in one and two to get a run on him and maybe try to slide him in (turn) three.”

Hedgecock, whose biggest career victory came at 411 on the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series in 2018, believes slight changes in track preparation didn't give him an advantage at one of his best tracks.

“It used to be quite a bit, but the way I see it, me, Jimmy, (third-place Josh) Rice, and all of us were on new knowledge because (promoter) Mitch (McCarter) cut the racetrack a little different,” Hedgecock said. “There’s no doubt it’s different. I can’t really explain how it’s different but it feels different. You can’t run the bottom like you used to and I struggled in the center a little bit. It feels like you’re at a snail’s pace in the center of the corner. I think that’s where Jimmy beat me was in the center.”

Catch up with the top three after Saturday's Spring Sizzler:

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Owens continues his roll

Three-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series champion Jimmy Owens is enjoying one of his hottest streaks of his Late Model career. After claiming three consecutive WoO victories during Georgia-Florida Speedweeks at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., Owens has returned from the coronavirus shutdown in Speedweeks form by capturing Friday's Magnolia Mayhem 40 at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss. and adding another $5,000 Saturday at 411.

The 48-year-old Newport, Tenn., driver attributes his recent success, at least to some degree, to lightning fast speeds at the venues where he has collected his 2020 victories. But even before the race he knew 411 would present a different set of track conditions and he looked forward to that challenge.

“It’s starting out pretty good,” Owens said of his May return to action. “It was pretty wide open and fast and we’ve been really good in that condition so far this year. Down here at 411, it will be really slick so I’m kind of excited to see what we’ve got.”

Now he hopes to carry that momentum into next week when the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series resumes its schedule with the addition of races at traditional Speedweeks tracks Golden Isles Speedway near Brunswick, Ga., and East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla.

“It’s kind of like deja vu, I guess,” said Owens, who has five victories in his last six races overall. “But Lucas is kind enough to run us a purse and everything to get the ball rolling. It seems like everything is coming around to where we’ll be able to race again.”

Drivers eager to please fans

While drivers are grateful to those who have taken the risk of putting on dirt racing shows without fans during Covid-19 health restrictions, make no mistake that they want their supporters back in the grandstands as soon as it is safe to do so. A repeated theme among the competitors throughout the pit area was that there was an eerie feeling with no spectators on hand at the track.

“It’s not near as exciting,” winner Jimmy Owens said. “I mean the fans, they bring the atmosphere and they bring the energy. It’s kind of more like practice instead of racing.”

Kent Robinson of Bloomington, Ind., made his first trip to a racetrack since September when he ventured to 411.

“I know the fans want to be here and we wish they were here too,” said Robinson, who ended up fourth in the main event. “I know tonight’s going to have that eerie, weird feeling without the fans in the stands. At least it’s going in the right direction and if we can all just get through a couple more weeks of this. It looks like everyday something is trending in the right direction and I think it will be over before we know it.”

Click here to see the feature results from the Spring Sizzler

Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., pointed out that the fans bring energy that feeds to the drivers, teams and promoters.

“It’s definitely different,” Roberts said. “I mean, the fans are what keep you going and keep the tracks in business. I know it’s just as disappointing to the fans as it is to us drivers. Hopefully we can get back to normal here soon and everything can go back to the way it was.”