Gustin again in MARS/NCRA Late Models at 81 Speedway

PARK CITY, Kan. -- A month ago Ryan Gustin announced his intentions on taking a break from his modified racing to concentrate on his late model endeavor. After this weekend’s performance he may have got it all figured out as he led from drop of the green flag and was never challenged in claiming the NCRA Late Model Series vs. MARS DIRTcar Series feature victory Sunday night at 81 Speedway in Park City and “Border War” champion.

Starting on the pole for the 30-lap, $3,000-to-win feature, “The Reaper” quickly jumped out into the lead over fellow front row starter Brandon McCormick. Driving flawlessly on the bottom of the 3/8-mile oval, Gustin quickly opened up a half stretch advantage early and as he began to approach lapped traffic for the first time on lap 9 built a full stretch lead.

While Gustin, aboard the No. 19r Mullins Race Engines powered Rocket chassis, made quick work of lapped traffic, McCormick and Jesse Stovall had a brief battle for the runner up position with McCormick finally taking control for good near the race's midway point.

It was a popular win for Gustin as his car owners Ed and Cinde Gressel are from Wichita. The victory was Gustin's third with the NCRA and fifth career with the MARS DIRTcar Series and with a total of 65 laps run between last night’s event at Dodge City Raceway Park and tonight’s show at 81 Speedway, Gustin led every lap.

McCormick would finish second, followed by Stovall, Bill Leighton with his second consecutive fourth-place finish and Tony Jackson Jr.

The three heat races for the 20-car field were won by McCormick, Leighton and Gustin.

RESULTS

1st Heat: 1) Brandon McCormick, 2) Chris Kratzer, 3) Tommy Weder Jr., 4) David Dietz, 5) Leroy Johnson, 6) Kasey Beckham, 7) Wylan Petrie

2nd Heat: 1) Bill Leighton Jr., 2) Jesse Stovall, 3) Terry Phillips, 4) Justin Asplin, 5) Garrett Alberson, 6) Jeremy Petty, 7) Bill Leighton Sr.

3rd Heat: 1) Ryan Gustin, 2) Tony Jackson Jr., 3) Jeremy Payne, 4) Kyle Berck, 5) Gary Gorby, 6) Jacob McGee

Feature: 1) Ryan Gustin, 2) Brandon McCormick, 3) Jesse Stovall, 4) Bill Leighton Jr., 5) Tony Jackson Jr., 6) Terry Phillips, 7) Chris Kratzer, 8) Justin Asplin, 9) Jeremy Payne, 10) Kyle Berck, 11) Tommy Weder Jr., 12) Leroy Johnson, 13) Gary Gorby, 14) Jeremy Petty, 15) David Dietz, 16) Jacob McGee, 17) Wylan Petrie, 18) Garrett Alberson, 19) Kasey Beckham, 20) Bill Leighton Sr.

Lap leader: Gustin 1-30.