Brenden 'Butterbean' Queen Wins Fight to The Finish in Hampton Heat 200 at Langley

The 16th chapter in the Hampton Heat history book took a little longer to write than planned, but proved to be a memorable one.

After a lengthy rain delay that sent the event into the early hours of Sunday morning, a hardy and loyal crowd stuck around for the signature event at Larry King Law's Langley Speedway. That audience was treated to an intense, physical battle between familiar foes, Brenden Queen and Connor Hall. At race's end, it was Queen standing victorious, tying C.E. Falk, III with three career Hampton Heat victories.

"Who would have ever thought I'd tie C.E. Falk? I sent him a message this week and said I was honored to try to tie him," said Queen in victory lane.

Queen was in contention for a CARS Tour win at his home track of Langley earlier this season, but that was derailed after late-race contact. With that disappointment fresh in his mind, the contact quickly escalated between himself and Connor Hall over the closing laps of the event.

"Butterbean" took the lead for the final time with six laps to go, despite falling as far back as fourth as the front runners jostled for position.

"Great race for the fans, right? We know what happened in the CARS Tour race. I wasn't going to let it happen again. When [Hall] ran me into the third groove, it was on after that.

"I gave him the bumpers how he gave them to me. I didn't spin him, but allowed him to run me up and cost us second there. I wasn't going to lose this race this week. Lee Pulliam and all those boys worked too damn hard. They pulled an all-nighter to get this car ready to be here Friday."

On the other side of the battle was Connor Hall, the winner of that CARS Tour race in June in a three-wide finish with Brent Crews and Carson Kvapil. Hall was searching for his second win in the Hampton Heat, but instead came away with a runner-up finish.

"It's a great run," said Hall. "Nelson [Motorsports] brought another amazing, great race car. I thought I drove a pretty good race. It's hard to turn when you can't.

"I don't know what's going to be going on going forward, but I'm sure it will be some good racing to watch."

Another former Hampton Heat winner, Peyton Sellers, rounded out the podium with a third-place finish. Sellers led briefly with 10 laps to go, squeezing by both Hall and Queen as they fought for the lead, but Hall took the lead from him on lap 191. From there, Sellers could only watch on as the battle for the win raged on.

"We threw everything we had at it yesterday, and again today and again before qualifying," said Sellers. "We knew we had a solid car, we just didn't know how it was going to race. At the end of the day, we're pleased with that. This Clarence's Steakhouse car just had a lot of drive in it. The driver just had to be patient and be smooth.

"Congrats to these guys. They were racing like idiots, but they had a good show for the fans, so that's what it's all about."

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. finished fifth in his first-ever race at Langley Speedway. Earnhardt, Jr. displayed a patient effort which was rewarded by gaining six spots in the final 25 laps of the race for a top-five finish.

"I'm real proud of it," said Earnhardt, Jr. "A lot of fun watching those guys duke it out up there. We just didn't have enough car to get up there. Congrats to Butterbean, Lee and his team. They represent Late Model Stock racing really good. Thanks to all the fans who showed up, man. You guys are awesome, awesome crowd tonight, great support from the community. Langley's special. I had a blast, I'll be coming back."

With a win in the Thunder Road Harley Davidson 200 at South Boston Speedway along with Saturday's runner-up finish, Connor Hall unofficially leads the battle for the Virginia Late Model Triple Crown. The Virginia Late Model Triple Crown concludes with Late Model Stock Car racing's biggest event, the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway on September 28.

-Photo credit: Langley Speedway

Hampton Heat 200 Unofficial Results