Dalton Makes In a 3-Peat In Classic Springfield Raceway Battle With Gilmore In USRA Out pace B Mod Action
Defending Springfield Raceway USRA Out Pace B Modified Champion Jackie Dalton of Carthage made it 3 straight wins Saturday Night at "The Quick-Quarter" of the Springfield Raceway but it wasn't easy as former and track champion Ryan Gilmore and Dalton treated the fans on Hayden Machinery Night to a classic feature.
Camdenton's Casey Thomas earned the pole with Austin Joplin on his outside after a 10 car inversion set the 18 car field for the 20 lap feature. Thomas quickly jumped to the early lead with Joplin in tow as Gilmore, who had started 8th beside Dalton jumped the top groove cushion fell back as far as 14th.
The fast paced action slowed down as hard charger Mitchell Franklin spun in turn 2 suffering damage and ending his night while it also collected James Thompson, Bill Schahuber and 2 others as everyone but Franklin continued.
On the double-file restart, Dalton who was up to third place took to the low line as the green flew as Thomas the leader didn't come to full power as Dalton weaved to the lead as Gilmore was slicing through traffic. With a long green run, Dalton had pulled away to a nice lead as Gilmore was keeping all eyes on his 66 coming to the front with 3 wide racing behind the duo.
A lap 12 caution for Ricky Watkins spin slowed the action as Gilmore was now on Dalton's back bumper as Casey Thomas was holding a solid 3rd spot. As Gilmore picked the top groove on the double-file restart, everyone knew they were in for an exciting race. As the green flew, Dalton was using a diamond groove as Gilmore stayed top side on the racy surface. Dalton then went full top side as Gilmore started going both low and high as the duo pulled away from the pack as action was just as hot for 3rd place.
The last few laps stayed green and clean as Dalton and Gilmore gave each other plenty of room while all over the high-banked quarter-mile surface. Heading to the white flag, Gilmore dove down low then top side as Dalton kept the speed on the tp groove with Dalton earning the win by half a car length over Gilmore followed by Thomas in his best ever Springfield finish, Aaron Scroggins, and Dillion McCowan completing the exciting top 5.
USRA Out Pace B Modified action presented by Reliable Chevrolet continues Saturday night with racing action slated for 6:30.
For more information visit the Facebook page or website at SpringfieldRaceway.com.
RESULTS
Heat #1:
1. (4) 9 Sam Petty, Marshfield, Mo.
2. (3) 21 Jackie Dalton, Carthage, Mo.
3. (5) F1 Mitchell Franklin, Camdenton, Mo.
4. (6) 42C Casey Thomas, Camdenton, Mo.
5. (2) 3A Aaron Speck, Republic, Mo.
6. (1) 19 James Smith, Springfield, Mo.
Heat #2:
1. (3) 4-Jan Aaron Scroggins, Neosho, Mo.
2. (4) 55B Bill Schahuber, Springfield, Mo.
3. (1) 11 Levi Phillips, Neosho, Mo.
4. (6) 11T James Thompson, Springfield, Mo.
5. (5) 68 Ricky Watkins, Brookline, Mo.
6. (2) 89 Austin Johnson, Joplin, Mo.
Heat #3:
1. (2) 66 Ryan Gillmore, Springfield, Mo.
2. (6) 8 Dillon McCowan, Urbana, Mo.
3. (1) 18 Austin Joplin, Willard, Mo.
4. (4) 19L Stetson Johnson, Neosho, Mo.
5. (5) 33 Danny Martin, Republic, Mo.
6. (3) 15 Cayden Stacye, Springfield, Mo.
Feature:
1. (7) 21 Jackie Dalton, Carthage, Mo.
2. (8) 66 Ryan Gillmore, Springfield, Mo.
3. (1) 42C Casey Thomas, Camdenton, Mo.
4. (9) 4-Jan Aaron Scroggins, Neosho, Mo.
5. (5) 8 Dillon McCowan, Urbana, Mo.
6. (12) 19L Stetson Johnson, Neosho, Mo.
7. (3) 11 Levi Phillips, Neosho, Mo.
8. (2) 18 Austin Joplin, Willard, Mo.
9. (11) 11T James Thompson, Springfield, Mo.
10. (15) 33 Danny Martin, Republic, Mo.
11. (6) 55B Bill Schahuber, Springfield, Mo.
12. (14) 68 Ricky Watkins, Brookline, Mo.
13. (13) 3A Aaron Speck, Republic, Mo.
14. (16) 19 James Smith, Springfield, Mo.
15. (18) 15 Cayden Stacye, Springfield, Mo.
16. (10) 9 Sam Petty, Marshfield, Mo.
17. (4) F1 Mitchell Franklin, Camdenton, Mo.
18. (17) 89 Austin Johnson, Joplin, Mo.
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