Tate Fogleman took home a $10,000 payday in the IHRA Late Model Sportsman portion at Cordele with a last lap pass on Kade Brown after a dominant Nick Loden spun late.
Fogelman’s win was not easy as he started 19th. The former NASCAR Truck Series winner would not be deterred, driving through the field and gaining spots. With three laps to go, pole sitter Loden was battling Dylan Ward for the lead when the pair made contact going into Turn 3, spinning Loden, and officials sent Ward to the rear, allowing Brown to inherit the lead and Fogelman took over second. Fogleman made a hard charge on the restart and passed Brown for the lead on the last lap in Turn 1 to take the win.
“It was a really rough race.” Fogleman said in victory lane. “Not a good weekend when we first got here, new series, new setup without the bump stops we used to run in the CARS Tour, so we were really out in left field,
“We were bad in practice, we kept thrashing at it, made a ton of changes, qualified poorly, but we just kept our heads down, kept inching forward throughout the race and got into that one incident early on (Lap 79) and we thought our race was over then, we were able to go to the back and rally up to the front. We got a few cautions, and we were able to get the win.”
Brown felt like if he changed a few things, he could have held off Fogleman.
“There was a lot going on tonight,” Brown said. “We were on the wrong side of a lot of it and I made a few mistakes on my own that I’m not real proud of. It stings a little bit when leading with that three to go caution, I did all I could. Tate was just a little better there at the end and got by me. Just good hard racing.”
Derek Lancaster rounded out the podium, and was ecstatic.
“If you told me yesterday or told me this morning we would come in here and finish third, I would’ve said you’re the biggest liar here,” Lancaster said, “We’re just lucky to stay here. This one goes out to my family and crew. These guys never give up, they work, a lot of time spent away from home doing this.”
Loden dominated much of the race from pole, but Ward closed in late and was able to put up a fight for the win. The race was marred by cautions, allowing Ward to stay within striking distance most of the race. After a restart with nine laps to go, Loden was able to establish a comfortable lead.
However, Ward was able to run him down inside five laps to go. With three laps to go, Ward drove it in deep on Loden going into Turn 3, making contact and sending Loden spinning off of his front bumper. Ward was sent to the rear by IHRA officials for spinning Loden, giving the lead to Brown. Fogelman made the last lap pass to secure the win, leaving Ward second and Lancaster third.
Dylan Newsome and Neil Meredith would rounded out the top five.
IHRA Late Model Sportsman
Cordele Motor Speedway
April 18, 2026
- Tate Fogleman
- Kade Brown
- Derrick Lancaster
- Dylan Newsome
- Neil Meredith
- Trey Burke
- Lee Tissot
- Brandon Hanks
- Lance Gatlin
- Coy Beard
- Dylan Ward
- Chandler Gallman
- Nick Loden
- Kyle Barnes
- Lane Woods
- Peyton Hamlett
- Ricky Locklair Jr
- Ryan Wilson
- Jeremy Mayfield
- Michael Fose
- Tyler Worley
