Jeff Mathews needed a little convincing by his crew members to make the trip from Florida to Middlebourne, WV, to race in the fourth annual Modified Mega 100 on Saturday at Tyler County Speedway.

The Apollo Beach, FL, driver known as “Hollywood” rarely ventures outside of the Sunshine State, but after 60 laps around “America’s Baddest Bullring,” Mathews knew he made the right choice.

Mathews stared down a 28-car field featuring some of the best drivers in UMP DIRTcar, the American Modified Series, and the Renegades of Dirt and hauled in what he calls the biggest modified win of his career—along with a track record-breaking $15,000 payday.

“We made a long haul to come up here and we were a little skeptical because we don’t really leave Florida too much but my guys wanted to come up and do this. So hats off to all of my guys that worked on this thing. They busted their butt.” 

Mathews pulled “double duty” moments after his Mega 100 victory, rolling out his late model ride for a third-place finish in the track’s $2,000-to-win feature to close the night, which was won by Max Blair. 

However, the real prize that lured Mathews to make the trip up the East Coast this weekend was Sunday’s modified finale.

The race got off to a carnage-filled start within its first 20 laps, as two of the top four drivers on the pole had to retire. After claiming the lead from Burdette on lap 16, Shawn Jett was forced to exit the track due to car troubles. Four laps later, pole sitter Jesse Wisecarver also pulled out from the field.

Starting back in the 12th position, Mathews navigated his No. 33 car through five cautions to finally take the lead on lap 30 from KC Burdette, who had been out front for all but one lap at the point earlier.

As Burdette drifted back into the pack, Mathews quickly found a new challenge in 96m of Mike McKinney.

“I was just cruising there for a little bit, and when I saw him stick the nose under me down there in the middle of (Turns) 1 and 2, I said I better pick up the pace a little bit or I’m fixing to get passed,” Mathews said.

The Summit Racing Equipment American Modified Series A-Main Lineup "MEGA 100" at Tyler County Speedway!! $15,000 to the winner!! pic.twitter.com/T1LguqsI00

— American Modified Series (@AMSmodified) July 1, 2018

Mathews slowly built a car-length lead on McKinney and was able to fend him off, along with a hard-charging Lucas Lee, one last time on the seventh and final caution of the race, which came with just nine laps remaining.

Lee would eventually catch McKinney to place second overall. David Stremme, the winner of Thursday night’s Sanction Shootout, finished fourth, while Dan Davies rounded out the top five after rising through the field from a 21st starting position.

“When they said nine to go, I didn’t count the laps,” Lee said. “I was waiting on five and I was going to let it go on and just step on the outside of them, but congratulations to [Mathews’ team] and McKinney. We ran each other clean—a few of them every time you get by them they try and turn you around or whatever. But it was all good racing.”

4th Annual Modified Mega 100

Tyler County Speedway
Middlebourne, WV
Sunday

TOP 10
1. Jeff Mathews

2. Lucas Lee

3. Mike McKinney

4. David Stremme

5. Dan Davies

6. Ryan Ayers

7. KC Burdette

8. Jake Hawkins

9. Mike Altobelli 

10. Cody Parker