HAMPTON, Va. — While the sellout crowd of 6,500 at Langley Speedway gave NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. the loudest applause, it was Brenden "Butterbean" Queen who stole the show.
The Chesapeake native held off the likes of Connor Hall (Hampton) and Peyton Sellers to become the second driver to win the Hampton Heat for a third time. C.E. Falk was the only other driver with as many wins.
"A three-time Hampton Heat winner. There's nothing like it," Queen said after the race. "What a race."
Earnhardt Jr., who was making his first ever appearance at Langley Speedway, took 5th place.
"I had a blast", he said. "Langley was incredible. The support they get from local government. The people that run this track. The community is a special place."
Heavy rains for a good part of Saturday afternoon and early evening postponed qualifying until about 10 p.m., and the Hampton Heat did not start until right around 11:15 p.m.
Queen took over the lead from Hall with six laps to go for victory.