5/21/2019
Connor Masoner Shines in the Pure Stock Shootout, Nichols, Clancy and Dishong also Take Wins
Before Terry McCarl and Paul Nienhiser battled it out for the ASCS Warrior Region trophy, with McCarl getting the win, the US 36 Raceway Pure Stocks took to the track for the Pure Stock Shootout.
With $400 on the line for the winner, Connor Masoner used a front row starting position to set the pace for the 18-car field. On a night with a lot of cautions, the Pure Stocks were the exception in a caution free feature. Gunner Martin started deep in the field and worked his way to second. Although, he was too far behind and the yellow never came and Masoner took the win. Martin finished second, while pole-sitter Chester Kaufman took third. Carson Masoner and Logan Headley rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Stock Cars took a few tries to get going but once they did, the high banks provided some great battles inside the top five. Mike Nichols patiently worked his way through the field, when on the backside of halfway he moved around Mich Ross to take the lead. While Nichols checked out to take the win, Ross and Connor Masoner battled for second. Ross hung on for second with Masoner third. Alive Christofferson fought hard for a fourth place run in his first appearance of the season. Chad Clancy, also making his first appearance in a Stock Car this season, finished fifth.
The IMCA Sport Mods race was one of patience and survival. Early lap crashes shrunk the field in half and points leader Steven Clancy showed why he holds the top spot. He waited through the early laps before picking up the pace and working his way through the field. Mid-way through the race he got to the back bumper of race leaded Coleman Browning. He made the move for the lead and picked up win number three this year. Browning finished second, while Chris Wright finished third. Matt Lent looked strong early but faded to fourth and Randy Smith Jr. rounded out the top five.
The E-Modifieds were paced early by Brandon Beam, with Chris Dishong and Kyle Russell right there as well. Through several restarts Russell and Dishong swapped the second and third positions. Eventually, Dishong settled into second before using a few more restarts to work around Beam. Dishong drove to Westfall GMC Victory Lane, while Beam finished second. Kyle Russell finished third and Gary Ainsworth finished fourth. Brock Brewer missed his heat race due to a graduation. He made it to the track in time for the feature, started at the tail of the field and drove up to a fifth-place finish.
Up next for US 36 Raceway is Modified Madness featuring a $1000 to win IMCA Modified, $500 to win IMCA Sport Mod and $350 to win E-Modified race. Pure Stocks are also on the card. The pits open at 5 p.m., grandstands at 6 p.m., hot laps at 7:30 p.m. and racing at 8 p.m.
Article Credit: Jacob Blair
