"31st Annual Coors Light Fall Classic"
October 27, 2025 --- This past weekend, half of the 45 Truck Salvage Race Team traveled to Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, MS. to compete in the 31st Annual Fall Classic at the “House of Hook”. With 41 drivers on hand Friday night for qualifying, T.J. Herndon managed to time in fourth overall which allowed him to start on the pole of the third qualifying feature. With the top four finishers transferring to the main event, Herndon went on to win his qualifier followed by Michael Santangelo, Carl Kilgore IV, Clayton Kilgore, Bryan Foreman, Landen Jackson, Logan Herron, Peyton Herron, Courtney Passman with Dannon LaCoste rounding out the top ten.
On Saturday, after the remainder of the field was set through two B-mains, Herndon started the main event occupying the P-3 starting spot. As the race got underway, Herndon immediately discovered that the set-up he chose to roll with severely handicapped him as far as traction. Unfortunately, as the race continued, the #1 car slipped further and further back into the field with Herndon unable to get on the throttle at all without breaking traction. As the checkers flew over the completion of the contest, the winner would be the #05 of Caiden Jackson. Following Jackson to the stripe would be Shay Knight, Trey Bright, Jamey Boland, Justin McCree, Carl Kilgore IV, Johnny Stokes, Mickey Trosclair, T.J. Herndon with Matt Salyers rounding out the top ten. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto whynotmotorsportspark.com or check the MyRacePass app. The event was also streamed on HunttheFront.tv. Dale Nelson and the other half of the 45 Truck Salvage Race Team chose to go to Camden Speedway in Camden, TN for their last race of the 2025 season. Nelson won both the heat and the feature and was recognized as Camden Speedway’s CRUSA Street Stock 2025 Track Champion.
"Race for Hope 71"
October 13, 2025 --- This past week, T.J. Herndon and his car chief, Daniel Potts took the 45 Truck Salvage Race Team’s IMCA car to Batesville Motor Speedway in Batesville, Arkansas for the 9th Annual Race for Hope 71 three-day event. On the first night of the event on Thursday, Herndon started P-3 in the first heat and took the win which enabled him to start P-2 in the night’s $1,500 to win feature. As the feature got underway, Herndon immediately took the lead and led the entire race through several cautions and restarts until the final caution flew with one lap remaining. On the restart of a green-white-checkered finish, the driver behind Herndon made contact with the rear of Herndon’s car causing it to unload and break traction which allowed competitors to pull alongside both high and low. As the cars entered turns one and two, Herndon was forced to sacrifice his preferred line and run through the hole which caused his car to step out and break traction once again. As the checkers waived over the conclusion of the first night’s feature, despite Herndon having the fastest lap as well as the fastest average lap time throughout the entire feature, basically the last caution that came out cost Herndon the victory as he was enjoying a sizable lead at the time. Taking the win as the checkers waved would be Peyton Taylor followed by Jack Sullivan, Patrick Linn, T.J. Herndon, Jordan Rogotzke, Hayden Linn, Joe Payne, Gavin Lowe, Randy Weaver with Steven Brewster rounding out the top ten of the twenty car field.
On night two of the event, Herndon started P-4 in the first heat and took the win to earn the pole starting position in the night’s feature. Once again, the Atwood Outlaw had a fast car as he took the lead as the green flag dropped and maintained the lead until the checkers waved over the field giving him some satisfaction after being robbed on night one. Following the Atwood Outlaw to the stripe was Patrick Linn, Jack Sullivan, Hayden Linn, Peyton Taylor, Randy Weaver, Gavin Lowe, Joe Payne, Scooter Scruggs with Kyle Hamby rounding out the top ten of the twenty-two car field.
On night three of the event, Herndon started P-3 in the third heat and once again got the win allowing him to start the night’s feature from the P-4 position. At the drop of the green, Herndon moved into P-2 by lap two where he remained most of the race. In the closing laps of the race, someone had lost a 30 lb. chunk of lead slap in the middle of Herndon’s preferred line which track officials failed to see and address. After running over the debris once, luckily with no damage, Herndon was forced to go to the bottom of the racetrack which broke his momentum and allowed Patrick Linn to get by and relegate him to a P-3 finish. As the checkers flew, it would be the father / son team of Hayden Linn and Patrick Linn seizing the top two spots followed by T.J. Herndon, Joe Payne, Haydan Hartwick, Peyton Taylor, Gavin Lowe, Randy Weaver, Steven Brewster with Jack Sullivan rounding out the top ten of the twenty-three car field. All in all, the Atwood Outlaw had an excellent week winning 3 out of 3 qualifiers and also winning 1 out of 3 features. Herndon consistently stayed inside the top five and was in contention for the win in all three features. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto www.batesvillemotorspeedway.com or check the MyRacePass app. You can also catch all the action with a subscription to IMCA.tv.
"Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America IMCA Stock Car Championship"
September 29, 2025 --- This past Saturday, the 45 Truck Salvage Race Team made their way to Batesville Motor Speedway in Batesville, Arkansas for the 30th Annual Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America IMCA Stock Car Championship. What was to be a three-day, $20,000 to win event was shortened to a one day, $7,500 to win due to several days of rain. With the qualifying heats being set by pill draw, Dale Nelson would start P-5 in the 3rd heat with T.J. Herndon starting P-5 in the 6th heat. The top three finishers in each heat would transfer to the main event. Both Herndon and Nelson locked into the big show with Nelson finishing P-3 and Herndon finishing P-2 in the qualifiers. The next process to set the starting field was to run three dashes with the six winners, six 2nd place finishers and six 3rd place finishers. In the dashes, Herndon improved on his P-6 starting to finish P-4 and locked a P-10 starting spot in the main event. Nelson slipped from his P-3 starting spot to finish P-5 and lock into the P-17 starting in the big event.
As the twenty-five qualifiers took the green on a semi-rough track, Herndon methodically started a march forward making his way into the top five with twenty laps remaining. Around lap thirty, a car contacted Herndon’s left front as they ran three wide down the front stretch. After that point, the handling went away but the Atwood Outlaw struggled and fought to maintain position in the closing laps. Nelson had pulled off on lap 16 due to the rough track conditions. As the checkers waived over the conclusion of the 30th Annual event, it would be Rhome, Texas’s Jeffrey Abbey taking the honors followed to the stripe by Patrick Linn, Dallon Murty, Curtis Cook, Hayden Hartwick, Neil Kemp, T.J. Herndon, Hayden Linn, Gavin Lowe with Randy Weaver rounding out the top ten. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto www.batesvillemotorspeedway.com or check the MyRacePass app. You can also catch all the action with a subscription to IMCA.tv.
"300 Career Feature Wins"
September 22, 2025 --- This past Saturday, the Atwood Outlaw loaded his IMCA car and struck out to Batesville, AR to shakedown and test the car prior to the $20,000 to win 30th Annual Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America IMCA Stock Car Championship later this week. Unfortunately, as the crew crossed the river into Missouri, Batesville Motor Speedway issued the call to cancel racing due to rains received the previous day. After receiving the news, Herndon and the crew immediately turned around and headed back home in hopes of joining his teammate at Clayhill Motorsports Park for their weekly racing program. After going to the race shop, swapping cars and grinding a few tires, Herndon was able to make it back to Atwood in time for the event. In the qualifying heats, Herndon managed to win the first heat after starting P-3 with his car owner and teammate Dale Nelson pulling off a P-2 finish after starting P-4. In the night’s fifteen lap Street Stock feature, Herndon fired from the pole with Nelson taking the green occupying the P-4 position. Herndon immediately took control of the lead spot where he would stay for the remainder of the race.
As the flagman waved the checkers at the conclusion of the final lap, it would be the Atwood Outlaw crossing the stripe with a straightaway lead to collect his 300th career victory. Although many of Herndon’s wins have occurred at many different tracks in many different states, it’s so fitting that things worked out as they did and this milestone was met at the track that he has always considered his home track. Following Herndon to the stripe would be his teammate, Dale Nelson who was trailed by Jason Dukes, Dustin Hays, Cole Edwards, Ryan Latch, Brandon Jones, with Marlin Cathey rounding out the field. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto www.clayhillmotorsportspark.com or check the MyRacePass app. Later this week, the 45 Truck Salvage Race Team plans to travel to Batesville Speedway in Batesville, Arkansas for the $20,000 to win 30th Annual Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America IMCA Stock Car Championship.
"Camden Speedway"
September 15, 2025 --- The 45 Truck Salvage Race Team had an exceptional outing this past Saturday night at Camden Speedway in Camden, TN. In his first night out with his open engine package since reworking the failed shock mounts that plagued him in the Nationals, Herndon qualified with fast time, winning the heat and feature while lapping deep into the field up to the third-place car. Nelson, his teammate and car owner finished P-2. Saturday’s trip to victory lane was Herndon’s 299th win placing him firmly on the precipice of 300 career feature victories.
As the checkers waived, it would be the Atwood Outlaw taking the honors in convincing fashion with a 9.494 second lead over Nelson in the 2nd position. Following Nelson to the line was Jason Dukes, Marlin Cathey, Dakota Berry, David Cooper with Ryan Latch rounding out the field. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto www.camdenspeedwaytn.com or check the MyRacePass app. This weekend, Herndon plans to travel to Batesville Speedway to test his IMCA car prior to next weekends $20,000 to win 30th Annual Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America IMCA Stock Car Championship.
"2025 XR Stockcar Rampage"
September 2, 2025 --- This past week, T.J. Herndon took the 45 Truck Salvage #1 IMCA stockcar to Sports Park Raceway in Fort Dodge, Iowa for the $100,000 to win XR Stockcar Rampage. The week got kicked off on Monday afternoon with 58 drivers showing up for a practice night. Herndon unloaded with a decent car and began his tune to a track that he had never visited in the past.
On Tuesday, with 76 of the best drivers in the country showing up to vie for one of the 24 spots in the main event, the drivers were separated into one of three groups by pill draw for the purpose of time trials that would populate six qualifying features. Herndon timed in 4th out of the twenty five drivers in Group 3 and would roll to the green in qualifier #6 occupying the P-4 position. Herndon noticed that his right rear tire had leaked down right before answering the call to the grid. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to change the tire so the crew reset the air pressure and hoped for the best. Herndon faired well with the given circumstances and was able to pass for the P-3 position on lap five which would lock him into the show on passing points. But as luck would have it, with the tire consistently losing pressure, Herndon allowed a car to get around him with just two laps remaining. That pass relinquishing him to a P-4 finish would put him in a three-way tie for the last spot of the fourteen drivers that were locked in on the first night through the qualifiers. The other two drivers involved in the tie had more passing points which resulted in Herndon being pushed to start Wednesday’s 15 lap B-main occupying the P-2 starting spot and having to finish in the top ten to secure his spot in the main event.
In the B-main, Herndon managed to keep the #1 machine at the front of the pack slipping to P-4 with two laps remaining and locking him into the big dance and securing his $2,000 start money. In the main event, the Atwood Outlaw rolled to the green in the P-18 starting spot. At the completion of lap one, Herndon had advanced to P-12 but as he entered turn one, several cars had spun on the bottom blocking the racetrack leaving and Herndon nowhere to go. Herndon managed to get slowed down enough to sustain minimal damage to the front of the car but as luck would have it, a car behind him made heavy contact to his left rear and knocked the rearend completely out from under the car ending the state of Tennessee’s only entry’s chances just one lap in. Congratulations to Dallon Murty on the win and his $100,000 dollar payday. Following Murty to the stripe were Ryan Gustin, Cayden Carter, Jake McBirnie, Ricky Thorton, Jr., Damon Murty, Shelby Williams, Jim Chisholm, Chanse Hollatz with Devin Smith rounding out the top ten. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto MyRacePass app or you can log onto www.plusxrevents.com to watch the live stream action that occurred on August 26th and 27th 2025.
"Camden Speedway"
In the heat race, Nelson’s power plant proved to be too much for Herndon to overcome as Nelson finished P-1 with Herndon following for a P-2 finish. In the street stock feature of the evening, it was very much a replay of the heat race as Herndon trailed Nelson throughout the race. As the race concluded, Nelson would pass under the checkers first followed by T.J. Herndon resulting in a one / two finish for the night. Following Herndon to the stripe would be Dakota Berry, Andrew Adams, Ryan Latch with Max Morris rounding out the field. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto www.camdenspeedwaytn.com or check the MyRacePass app. This week, T.J. will step back into the IMCA stockcar to compete in the $100,000 to win XR Rampage event in Ft. Dodge, Iowa. You can log onto www.plusxrevents.com to watch the live stream action on August 26th and 27th.
"13th Annual Southern Street Stock Nationals"
August 18, 2025 --- This past weekend, the 45 Truck Salvage Race Team made the annual pull to Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, MS for the Southern Street Stock Nationals. Herndon went down Wednesday for practice and tested his crate-car but ultimately decided to go with the built engine option with a great deal of moisture expected throughout the weekend.
On Thursday evening, with 103 entries signed in for qualifying, Herndon managed to qualify P-17 in group one during time trials, roughly 3.5 tenths of a second off fast time. Unfortunately, Nelson’s time was disallowed in group two due to mistakenly failing to install the transponder on the car before his qualifying attempt. This mistake moved him into last place in group two and destined him to spend the rest of the weekend trying to dig out of a hole with an excellent car. The next phase of the qualifying process was to run one of six 15-lap qualifying features with the top two finishers locking into the main event to be ran on Saturday night. Herndon would start P-6 in the second feature managing to pull off a P-2 finish to lock into the big show in-spite of breaking a left rear shock mount a couple of laps in and running the entire feature with his left rear shock just hanging in place. After the event was cancelled by rain after the second feature, Nelson would have to wait until the following day to run his qualifier.
On Friday Nelson started the sixth feature occupying P-17 and had raced himself deep into the field before a broken ball joint forced him pit side with a DNF. Later Nelson started the sixth B-main in the P-14 position and raced to finish P-5. With only the top three transferring to the main event, Nelson would start P-12 in the last chance qualifier on Saturday with only the winner transferring to the main event.
On Saturday, Nelson rolled to the green in the last chance qualifier and raced from his P-12 starting position into a P-3 finish while passing the most cars in the field but unfortunately the top three finish ended Nelson’s efforts for the weekend with only the winner transferring into the main event. Next up after driver introductions would be the fifty lap main event starting 39 competitors three-wide with Herndon rolling off third row outside in the P-9 starting spot. As the field took the green flag, Herndon’s car fired off great making a move into the P-5 position on lap one. Herndon was still running P-5 on lap three when he felt the right rear shock mount break. Unfortunately, the car wasn’t as manageable without the right rear shock versus the left rear a couple of nights ago. Herndon struggled to keep the car off the wall not having a right rear to lean on. The #1 FikeFab continued to filter back into the field as Herndon continued to occasionally brush the wall while exiting the corners. While running P-15, Herndon succumbed to the parts failure breaking his right front ball joint as he brushed the wall for the final time on lap twenty one resulting in a DNF. As the checkers flew at the conclusion of the race, it would be Caiden Jackson taking the honors followed closely by the #11 of Spencer Hughes. Following Hughes to the stripe would be Jamey Boland, Rod Tucker, Corey Neil, Jr., Tyler Nicely, Hayden Cardwell, Clayton Miller, Jason Garver with Carl Kilgore IV rounding out the top ten. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto www.whynotmotorsportspark.com or check the MyRacePass app. You can also watch all the action re-played on https://CrateRacinUSA.tv. Next week, T.J. will step back into the IMCA stockcar to compete in the $100,000 to win XR Rampage event in Ft. Dodge, Iowa. You can log onto www.plusxrevents.com to watch the live stream action on August 26th and 27th.
"Batesville Motor Speedway"
Herndon spent the final eight laps watching Payne patiently hit his marks as the race went caution free from start to finish. As the checkers flew, it would be Joe Payne taking the honors followed by the Atwood Outlaw, Hayden Hartwick, Gavin Lowe, Nick Lawrance, Lynn Hefley, Dustin Stuart, Darin Long, John Bubbus with last week’s winner, Roger Witt rounding out the top ten. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto www.batesvillemotorspeedway.com or check the MyRacePass app. This weekend, the 45 Truck Salvage Race Team will be back together for their annual trek to Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, MS for the 13th Annual Southern Street Stock Nationals. If you are unable to attend the event, you can catch all the action live on https://CrateRacinUSA.tv each afternoon August 14th – 16th.
"Clayhill Motorsports Park"
August 4, 2025 --- After attending his son’s football jamboree this past Saturday afternoon, T.J. raced to Clayhill Motorsports Park to see if he could make it in time for the qualifiers. After making it to the track in plenty of time, the 45 Truck Salvage Race Team qualified well with Herndon finishing P-1 in the first heat and Nelson finishing P-1 in the second heat. As the green flag flew over the start of the 15-lap feature, Herndon immediately assumed the point with Dale Nelson solidly in the P-2 position. Herndon’s car seemed untouchable early on as he was the only driver on the track that was turning 17 second laps. Unfortunately, about four laps in, Herndon’s car ran over some debris causing a leak in his right rear tire. Herndon’s tire continued to leak down through several cautions and drivers seemingly not knowing how to line-up for the restarts.
With every lap, the #1’s lap times consistently got slower and slower with his teammate Nelson making a pass for the lead on lap seven. After Nelson’s pass, Herndon fought to hang onto P-2 for the next seven laps as best he could before the tire finally blew with just two laps remaining forcing Herndon to go pit side for the night. As the checkers flew, the #N1 of Dale Nelson would make the visit to Centennial Bank Victory Lane. Nelson was followed to the stripe by Dakota Berry, Cole Edwards, Dustin Hays, Andrew Adams, Brandon Jones with T.J. Herndon taking a P-7 with his first DNF of the year. Rounding out the top ten with DNF’s also were J.T. Cathey, Ryan Latch and Brent Smith. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto www.clayhillmotorsportspark.com or check the MyRacePass app. This weekend, T.J. and the #1 crew will be making the pull to Batesville, Arkansas to shake down the IMCA car and prepare it for the $20,000 to win 30th Annual Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America IMCA Stock Car Championship at the end of September.
"Shakedown Weekend"
July 28, 2025 --- After getting his CRUSA crate cars squared away, T.J. decided to shakedown his CRUSA built motor cars before focusing on the IMCA cars. This past Friday afternoon T.J. took the FikeFab by TJR to Paducah International Raceway to see how it would fare on the banking. Herndon had a successful trip after setting fast time and taking the feature win. On Saturday night, the 45 Truck Salvage Race Team attended the weekly show at Camden Speedway in Camden, TN. amongst a sizable field of heavy hitters. In qualifying, Nelson set fast time with Herndon laying down the third fastest lap behind the #9 of R.J. Emison. In heat one, Nelson took the win with Herndon finishing P-2 propelling them to start P-1 and P-3 in the feature.
In the main event, after one of the best races in quite some time, Nelson would continue to turn near flawless laps despite the intense pressure applied by Herndon with Emison in his back pocket. At the conclusion of the race it would be the 45 Truck Salvage Race Team finishing at the top of the board in P-1 and P-2. Nelson would take the win followed closely by his teammate Herndon. Following Herndon across the stripe would be Graydon Hall, Tony Cruse, Darrell Hartman, Kaleb Vandygriff, J.T. Cathey, Andrew Adams with R.J. Emison having to pull off due to a mechanical issue while running P-3 on lap twelve. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto www.camdenspeedwaytn.com or check the MyRacePass app.
"Clayhill Motorsports Park"
Unfortunately, Nelson’s night ended as he got collected and lost his radiator in the battle mid-race while trying to make his way around. As the checkered flag waved, the Atwood Outlaw put another notch in his gun as he led from flag to flag for another visit to Centennial Bank Victory Lane. Following Herndon across the finish line would be Wyatt Hill, Brent Smith, Dustin Hays, J.T. Cathey, Ryan Latch with Jason Dukes, Sean Norman, Dale Nelson and Andrew Adams rounded out the top ten with DNF’s. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto www.clayhillmotorsportspark.com or check the MyRacePass app.
"Camden Speedway"
Unfortunately he crossed the line with four laps to go with the car braking traction as he cut to the bottom in the middle of turns one and two. Herndon’s car spun and killed the engine unfortunately collecting the #B33 of Cardwell who had nowhere to go. Herndon and Cardwell’s accident ended their night and allowed R.J. Emison a free pass to P-2 under caution. As the race resumed, Nelson would continue his domination for the remaining four circuits and take the as he led from flag to flag. Following Nelson to the stripe would be R.J. Emison, Chris Shelton, Marlin Cathey with T.J. Herndon finishing P-5 and Hayden Cardwell rounding out the field in P-6. For the latest news and results associated with this event log onto www.camdenspeedwaytn.com or check the MyRacePass app.
"Bubba’s Last Lap Memorial"
[ home | team | tour | photos | gear | sponsors | marketing | g-book | links | contact ]
