Ryan Gustin and the Gressel Racing team rejoined the USMTS Winter Speedweeks swing at the Heart O’ Texas Speedway in Elm Mott, Texas, Feb. 18-20, for the 7th Annual Day Motor Sports Texas Spring Nationals, scoring three top-five finishes and his second win of the season during the tripleheader.
On Thursday, a tough heat saw 'The Reaper' finish fifth and then he barely squeaked into the main event with a fourth-place finish in his Real Racing Wheels "B" Main. Once in the big dance, Gustin was flawless as he raced from 22nd on the grid to fourth at the conclusion of the 40-lapper.
Friday saw him leave no doubts with a dominating performance in MSD Heat Race #1. After drawing the outside front row for the start of the 45-lap feature race, Gustin led every lap to claim the $3,000 top prize.
On Saturday, Gustin raced from eighth to third in the fourth heat and started the 50-lap, $4,000-to-win main event from the sixth spot. At the end of the caution-free affair, Gustin registered a sixth-place finish to cap off a stellar weekend.
The third round of USMTS Winter Speedweeks happens at the Ark-La-Tex Speedway for the 5th Annual Cajun Clash on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-27, preceded by a Wednesday evening practice from 6-9 p.m. with free admission to the grandstands and $20 pit passes.
Thursday’s racing program starts at 7 p.m. with $2,000 to win USMTS Modifieds. On Friday, the green flag unfurls at 7 p.m. with USMTS Modifieds competing for $3,000 to win and Saturday’s finale at Gene Boyter’s popular high-banked oval gets started at 6 p.m. USMTS Modifieds will race for $4,000 to win.
For unfortunate fans unable to make one or more of these blockbuster events, every lap of every race at every event during USMTS Winter Speedweeks will be broadcast live on RacinDirt.com. Visit www.racindirt.com/livevideo for ordering information.
The Ark-La-Tex Speedway is located 0.6 mile south of SR 2 on SR 1, then 0.7 mile west on Airport Rd., then 2.2 miles south on Boyter Lane Rd. For race day information, call the track hotline at 318-375-3470 or click www.arklatexspeedway.net to visit them online.
USMTS winter Speedweeks wraps up at the Southern Oklahoma Speedway in Ardmore, Okla., Thursday-Saturday, March 3-5.
