Forty-five late models and 39 modifieds packed the pits for night one of the two-night Oakshade Raceway DIRTcar Summer Nationals Finale with Bloomington, Indiana’s Kent Robinson besting Jason Feger in the night’s main event.
Feger started on the pole of the 40-lap feature and led most of the first half of the race. Devin Shiels, Frank Heckenast, Jr. and Rusty Schlenk battled three-wide for the third position early in the race while Robinson pressured Feger for the race lead. Those top five cars bunched up nose to tail while working through lapped traffic. Robinson was able to get up alongside Feger and took the lead on lap 14. Feger battled back and reclaimed the lead the following lap only to lose it again eight laps later when Robinson fought to the inside after a restart for a caution period. Robinson went on to lead the final 17 laps with Feger settling for a second place finish. Heckenast held on to third with Shiels and Schlenk rounding out the rest of the top five finishers.
Curt Spalding started on the pole of the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals and led most of the 25-lap feature until 14-year-old Hunt Gossum from Mayfield, Kentucky caught him and took the lead on the outside with six laps remaining. Brian Ruhlman would bring out a late caution three laps later after contact with a lapped car sent him spinning into turn one. Ruhlman’s top five run would come to end as he dropped to the tail for the restart. Gossum went on to take the checkered flag with Curt Spalding finishing second. Collin Thirlby finished third followed by Nick Hoffman and John McClure.
The grueling month long “Hell Tour” comes to an end Saturday, July 13, at Oakshade Raceway with the $10,000 to win Birthday Race for the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Models. The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals continue as well and the Bomber class will also be in action on Saturday. Gates open at 10am with hot laps/qualifying at 6pm and racing at 8pm. More info at oakshaderaceway.com!
