Returning to the cockpit of his familiar blue and gold No. 19R dirt late model, Ryan Gustin and the Gressel Racing team embarked on a three-night swing of MARS/UMP Late Model races through Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri this past weekend, and picked up some much-needed momentum as they head into the final quarter of the 2015 racing season.
On Thursday, Gustin followed Billy Moyer Jr. and Billy Moyer to the finish line in the first heat race at the Paducah International Raceway in Paducah, Ky., but mechanical problems forced a shortened end to the night and a 15th-place finish in the feature.
Again on Friday at the Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., Gustin finished second in his heat race behind living legend Billy Moyer, who eventually went on to capture the main event. However, the Gressel Racing team had a solid run and took home a fourth-place paycheck in the main event.
The MARS DIRTcar Series rolled into Pevely, Mo., on Saturday at Ken Schrader's Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55. With $5,000 to win on the line, some of the best super late model drivers from the Midwest were on hand to do battle, but it was 'The Reaper' taking on all challengers and racing to victory over Moyer, Bobby Pierce, Tony Jackson Jr. and Jesse Stovall in the feature race.
