BRASSTOWN, N.C. – Brandon Overton passed race-long leader Shane Clanton with nine to go and never looked back en route to victory in Thursday’s FK Rod Ends Tar Heel 50 at Tri-County Race Track.

Overton, who started on the pole and made the winning move on lap 45 of the 53-lap race, banked $10,000 for his efforts. He beat Clanton to the finish line by 1.695 seconds.

Thursday marked the second year in a row that Overton has won the biggest race of the season at the Ray Cook-promoted dirt track. The event was sanctioned by the Schaeffer’s Fall Nationals Series, and it was Overton’s fifth career win on the tour.

Behind Overton and Clanton, Dale McDowell completed the podium, with Ricky Weiss and Donald McIntosh following.

Vic Hill, Levi Hicks, David Payne, Will Roland and Matthew Nance – who was driving a Rum Runner Racing entry – filled out the top 10.

The Schaeffer’s Fall Nationals Series continues Saturday at Senoia (Ga.) Raceway with the $10,000-to-win Billy Clanton Classic.

The finish:

Brandon Overton, Shane Clanton, Dale McDowell, Ricky Weiss, Donald McIntosh, Vic Hill, Levi Hicks, David Payne, Will Roland, Matthew Nance, John Eller, Joey Standridge, Johnny Cloer Jr., Casey Roberts, Kip Cochran, Drew Deaver, Craig Greer, Kenny Collins, Tegan Evans, Gabe Wilson, Will Harris, Jason Berrong.