When the dust settled following a lap one skirmish that swept up several competitors on the opening lap of Thursday’s double feature at Southern National, it became a two-way battle between Kaden Honeycutt and Matt Cox.
Honeycutt would win the first battle, leading all 30 laps of the first race. However, he would have to start on the outside of the second row in the second 30-lap feature, which paved the way for Matt Cox, who finished second in the first race and drew the pole position in a redraw, to dominate.
“We had a good car there and we were able to stretch the lead out early,” Cox said after his win in the second race. “It took Kaden a couple laps to get to second. We were able to build a lead there and ride and manage a little bit and save some tire in case we did get a late race caution and bunch things back up. All in all, it was a good night for us. We got a little better since yesterday.”
Honeycutt was satisfied with finishing on the podium in all three races he had run during Speed Week 2026 at Southern National.
“I just needed more laps in that second twin honestly,” Honeycutt remarked. “Just a great job by this Tom Usry Racing group. Made a change in that second race. I don’t know if it was better or not. It seemed like I was catching Matt. I honestly needed twin-50s tonight. But, yeah, really good.”
With Honeycutt not returning for the remainder of Speed Week, Cox finds himself in position to clinch the championship which Doug Barnes, Jr. claimed a year ago.
Chase Burgeson, Matt McCall and Ryan Wilson rounded out the top five in the first of the two races. The second race saw the same three drivers round out the top five, though in reverse order with Wilson finishing third, McCall fourth, and Burgeson fifth.
Like Honeycutt, McCall is also not expected to return on Friday or Saturday.
Cox’s teammate, Sam Yarbrough, who was involved in a lap one melee, will also be unable to compete for the remainder of the week.
Unofficial Results
Race #1
- Kaden Honeycutt
- Maxx Cox
- Chase Burgeson
- Matt McCall
- Ryan Wilson
- Doug Barnes
- John Goin
- Matthew Laprade
- Clay Jones
- Deac McCaskill
- Helio Meza
- Dylan Newsome
- Wyatt Miller
- Atley Wiese
- Michael Fose
- Sam Yarbrough
- Conner Weddell
- Caleb Johnson
- Tyler Matthews
Race #2
- Matt Cox
- Kaden Honeycutt
- Ryan Wilson
- Matt McCall
- Chase Burgeson
- Deac McCaskill
- Helio Meza
- Wyatt Miller
- John Goin
- Matthew Laprade
- Clay Jones
- Michael Fose
- Dylan Newsome
- Atley Wiese
