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David Smith, Jr.
OKTidbits/PR
(405) 740-4769
It’s All Gustin MARS Longdale Opener!
Longdale, Oklahoma – May 13, 2016 - Ryan Gustin took the lead on lap seven and never looked back to claim the MARS DIRTcar late model feature event Friday night in the series inaugural visit to Longdale Speedway in Longdale, Oklahoma.
Local favorite Kip Hughes and Justin Asplin started on the front row for the twenty-five lap feature with Asplin taking the lead as the green flag fell. Gustin quickly moved into the runner up position from his third starting spot and followed the leader for the first six laps before diving down low entering turns one and two to take the lead going down the backstretch.
It was at this time slower traffic appeared and “The Reaper” had no problems working through the back of the field, keeping a half stretch lead between himself and Asplin before the nights first caution fell on lap eleven when David Hennan came to rest up against the wall in turns three and four.
Once race action resumed Gustin jumped out front and once again opened a sizable advantage and kept a torrid pace out front while behind him, Asplin had his hands full with third starting Tony Jackson, Jr.
With just three laps to go the final caution of the night fell when Hughes slowed coming down the front stretch, bunching up the field on the final restart. Yet there was no stopping Gustin on this night as his Mullins powered Rocket Chassis pulled away from the field and he would go on to claim his eighth career series victory.
Asplin held on for second, followed by Jackson, Payton Looney and fifteenth starting Randy Timms.
The three, eight lap heat races for the nineteen car field were won by Gustin, Jackson and Asplin.
Modified standout Rodney Sanders was on hand and finished second to Gustin in the first heat race. However, his motor would expire coming down for the checkered flag and would not start the nights feature finale.
The MARS DIRTcar series will be back in action Saturday night at Longdale Speedway to wrap up the weekend that will pay $3000 to the winner.
MARS DIRTcar Series
Longdale Speedway/Longdale, Oklahoma
May 13, 2016
19 Cars
1st Heat: 1) Ryan Gustin, 2) Rodney Sanders, 3) Mark Harrison, 4) Brandon McCormick, 5) Payton Looney, 6) Randy Timms, 7) Leroy Johnson
2nd Heat: 1) Tony Jackson, Jr., 2) Kip Hughes, 3) Jeff Roth, 4) Joe Gorby, 5) Randy Roth, 6) Jason Redman
3rd Heat: 1) Justin Asplin, 2) Sloppy Hog, 3) Jacob McGee, 4) David Hennan, 5) Damian Patocka, 6) Brandon Mitchell
A Feature: 1) Ryan Gustin, 2) Justin Asplin, 3) Tony Jackson, Jr, 4) Payton Looney, 5) Randy Timms, 6) Brandon McCormick, 7) Sloppy Hog, 8) Joe Gorby, 9) Jeff Roth, 10) Mark Harrison, 11) Jason Redman, 12) Randy Roth, 13) Leroy Johnson, 14) Damian Patocka, 15) Brandon Mitchell, 16) Kip Hughes, 17) Jacob McGee, 18) David Hennan, DNS: Rodney Sanders
Lap leaders: Asplin 1-6; Gustin 7-25
David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com
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