Photo Credit - Mike Ruefer Photos
They say that first win is the hardest then they get easier after that as Daulton Wilson is a bridesmaid no more. After 9 runner up finishes on the tour Wilson picks up his first career Lucas Oil win last night in the James Ratliff owned Longhorn Chassis. The Kentucky car owner now has put three different drivers in Lucas Oil victory lane. Brandon Sheppard finished second ahead of Tyler Erb.
The last Wieland Winternationals at East Bay Raceway seen Tyler Erb set overall fast time as Boom Briggs led Group B in time trials. Those two drivers would win their respective heat races to earn front row starting spots for the 50 lap feature paying $15,000 to the winner. Garrett Alberson won a wild heat 2 as polesitter Hudson O'Neal and Alberson got hooked together on the initial start in turn 4. O'Neal would spin around right in front of the field as they were all on the gas piling several cars up including Brandon Sheppard. Sheppard suffered a LR flat that the crew changed and tagged the tail.. Tim McCreadie suffered heavy right door panel damage but was able to keep going. BShepp would rebound for a second place finish in the heat finally securing a good starting spot this week in a feature. Owens, Jensen Ford , and Wilson took the remaining heat race wins. Blair Nothdurft , Ricky Thornton Jr , and Mark Whitener took B Main wins.
As the preliminary events went on turns 1 and 2 was getting more treacherous for the drivers with several of them getting up on two wheels and bouncing around so the track crew brought out the heavy equipment and reworked the corner. Well worth the delay as it gave the drivers and safer surface to race on for their main event.
Tyler Erb would lead the field to green and led the first lap. On lap 3 the Bruce Kane owned XR1 Rocket Chassis driven by Jensen Ford would take over third place as Garrett Smith moved into 5th. On lap 5 Ford had a run on runner up Boom Briggs down the backstretch and made contact in turn 4 sending both sideways but they recovered. Fourth place Garrett Alberson wasn't as lucky and spun around to bring out the first yellow flag of the night. Running order had Terbo leading Briggs,Ford,Wilson,and Smith.
When the green replaced the yellow Jensen Ford got a great restart and took over the runner up spot as Wilson would follow "The Dealership" and took third from Briggs. Lap 10 had the lead trio all nose to tail utilizing the higher groove. Lap 12 Daulton Wilson was showing this might be his night as he moved around Ford and was gaining on leader Erb.
As the duo completed lap 15 Wilson made his move in turn 2 diving under Terbo and took a lead that he would not give up from there but there was plenty of racing going on behind him.
The yellow would wave again on lap 18 as Mike Spatola came to a stop ending his night. Top 5 at the time were Wilson , Erb ,Ford , BShepp , and Smith. On the restart it got racy from third on back as they were three almost four wide with Winger moving into the third spot.
Jensen Ford's strong night came to an end when he pulled up in turn 2. When the officials came to the car he said he felt dizzy bringing out the red. He composed himself and pulled into the infield. Glad he was okay but unfortunately done for the night. During the stoppage Mike Marlar was motioning that he had no more tear offs and asked for a helmet change. Also Hudson O'Neal would pull in with carb issues after moving from the rear of the field to just out of the top ten. The Rocket1 Team made adjustments and sent him back out before the restart.
At the halfway point it was Wilson leading the field with Erb still holding down the runner up position now with Brandon Sheppard in third followed by Garrett Smith and Davenport. The next yellow flag waved on lap 29 as Dillon McCowan pulled up in turn 2 pushing water out ending his night. Impressive run by the Missouri driver making the feature.
With 5 to go Erb was closing in on the leader appearing to be a little faster than Wilson. Erb was using the higher line to get a big run and with just three to go Wilson slipped in turn 4 almost losing the lead as they approached Briggs. On the exit of four Erb made contact with Briggs and a lap later the yellow waved for Boom as he was slowing.
On the final restart Wilson had the restart of his life and gapped the field leaving Erb to protect the runner up spot as BShepp took the position away. BShepp ran out of time to put any pressure on "The Big Perm" as he took the double checkered flags easily out in front.
What a way to close the final edition of WinterNationals with a first time winner in victory lane on a track that provided plenty of heat race drama. Sadly I myself never got to witness the track in person but what a way to say goodbye to "The Clay by The Bay"
SATURDAY FEATURE RESULTS
DAULTON WILSON
Sheppard
T. Erb
Smith
Moran
Davenport
Owens
Thornton Jr
Troutman
O'Neal
Winger
Marlar
Bronson
Erb Jr
Alberson
Dotson
Pearson Jr
English
Blair
Jackson Jr
Smith
Briggs
Hughes
Robinson
McCowan
McCreadie
Ford
Spatola
Whitener
Nothdurft
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