Photo Credit - Chris Anderson Photos
The 2023 Lucas Oil Champion picked up his 26th Series win of his career and second in this early season. The Hoosier driver held off the young Clay Harris and Brian Shirley for the $10,000 to win main event.
43 Lucas Oil drivers signed in with Hudson O’Neal topping Group A and overall qualifying. He would go to take the heat race win to earn the all important pole position starting spot. Other heat race winners were Clay Harris,Blair Nothdurft,and Daulton Wilson. B Main wins went to Brandon Sheppard and Cody Overton.
At the drop of the green Hudson rocketed out to the early lead setting a blistering pace with Harris , Shirley , Davenport, and Thornton Jr.
On lap 7 Clay Harris took advantage of O'Neal in turn 2 to take the lead. Hudson was catching the rear of the field and almsot came to a stop to avoid spinning out.
The first of five yellows waved on lap 8 for Tanner English who called it a night. When the green waved Group B fast qualifier Blair Nothdurft slid up the track and ended up against the turn 2 wall.
They went a whole lap before caution 3 waved for Drake Troutman. Troutman was running 7th at the time and unfortunately came to a stop against the infield berm ending a promising run for the young driver from PA.
The green waved yet again but not for long as Tony Jackson Jr spun in turn 4 and Garrett Alberson spun to avoid contact with the Capital House Car.
The final yellow waved for 11th running Mark Whitener, Donald McIntosh,and Mike Marlar in turn 4. When Whitener climbed out he was a man on a mission as he wanted to let Tyler Erb his pick for to win The Super Bowl. Series officials held him away but unfortunately no replay to see what happened to cause the wreck.
After the restart everyone stuck to the bottom of the track. As leader Clay Harris caught the rear of the field on lap 16 he tried to go high around the slower cars but just wasn't any grip allowing Hudson O’Neal to pounce on Harris who has been impressive during Speedweeks. He has jumped up from Crates to Super Late Models and has made all 4 shows so far.
Towards the end of the race Harris would close the gap on leader O'Neal running a little lower line on exit turn 4 and made a bonsai move with 2 to go on the outside but there was just no grip up there allowing O'Neal to pull away to the checkers.
The series will return back to action Friday night at All-Tech Raceway for a $12,000 to win main event. Ricky Thornton Jr leads O'Neal by 10 points in the early standings followed by Davenport , Moran , and BShepp.
Winter Nationals Results
HUDSON O'NEAL
Harris
Shirley
Thornton Jr
Bronson
Moran
Winger
McCreadie
Sheppard
T. Erb
Davenport
Pearson Jr
Briggs
Wilson
Robinson
D. Erb Jr
Hughes
Alberson
Overton
Jackson Jr
Blair
Gardner
Troutman
Whitener
McIntosh
Marlar
Nothdurft
English
Comments