Ashton Winger picked up his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory on Tuesday night at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Florida.
With the win, the Senoia, Georgia native becomes the 87th different driver to win an event in series history.
Winger went to the lead at the start of the 30-lap main event and other than a brief time when Kyle Bronson got by him in turn two, he officially led every lap after getting back around Bronson at the scoring loop.
For the second night in a row, Hudson O’Neal finished in second, with Brandon Sheppard in third, Evans, Georgia’s Brandon Overton in fourth, and Dennis Erb, Jr. in fifth.
Winger took the lead at the start, with O’Neal moving into the second spot. Bronson was the car on the move early in the race. After starting in fifth, Bronson moved past O’Neal for second on lap six. There were back-to-back cautions that cleared traffic for Winger after he was about to pick up the tail end of the field.
After a lap eight restart, Bronson kept the pressure on Winger and was able to take the lead briefly after Winger slipped in turn two. However, by the time the two drivers crossed the line Winger was still in front. Bronson continued to hold the second spot until Sheppard was able to get by him with10 laps to go. Bronson, while running third, slowed coming off turn two on lap 24, forcing the final caution of the race.
On the restart, O’Neal and Sheppard had Winger in their sights, but Winger was able to pull away in the waning laps to secure the victory.
“It’s awesome to win in front of these people,” said Winger. “I felt like we’ve been really close this year. We were really close here last year. It’s hard not to get emotional. My mom and dad gave up everything for me to be here. I know it’s only $5,000 to win, but to beat these guys, Hudson (O’Neal) and Sheppy (Sheppard) are two of the best in country.
“I felt like when I got into a rhythm, I was pretty good there, but the track was treacherous and the longer and longer it went I don’t know what was going to happen. Like I said I got into a rhythm, and then on those restarts I messed up bad there that one time and Kyle (Bronson) got by me and going into three and four I pretty much held it to the floor to get the lead back.”
Garrett Smith, Ryan Gustin, Tim McCreadie, Mark Whitener, and Devin Moran rounded out the top 10.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series action at East Bay Raceway Park continues on Wednesday, February 8. For more information, visit LucasDirt.com.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, FL
Wieland Winternationals – February 7, 2023
1. 12-Ashton Winger
2. 1H-Hudson O’Neal
3. B5-Brandon Sheppard
4. 2X-Brandon Overton
5. 28-Dennis Erb, Jr.
6. 10-Garrett Smith
7. 19R-Ryan Gustin
8. 39-Tim McCreadie
9. 89J-Mark Whitener
10. 99-Devin Moran
11. 19M-Wil Herrington
12. 89-Logan Roberson
13. 3S-Brian Shirley
14. 11-Spencer Hughes
15. 18D-Daulton Wilson
16. 1T-Tyler Erb
17. 81-Jason Riggs
18. 96V-Tanner English
19. 79-Ross Bailes
20. 40B-Kyle Bronson
21. 66JR-Eddie Carrier, Jr.
22. 76B-Blair Nothdurft
23. 7-Ross Robinson
24. 46-Earl Pearson, Jr.
25. 12D-Doug Drown
26. D8-Dustin Mitchell