Dillards first comes in USMTS Winter Nationals opener at Ark-La-Tex VIVIAN, LA | Nov.7, 2014 - He had been close several times this season, but Cade Dillard waited until the United States Modified Touring Series returned to his home state Thursday to notch his career-first USMTS win on opening night of the 8th Annual USMTS Winter Nationals at the Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La. From the outside of the front row, the 23-year-old from Robeline grabbed the lead at the drop of the green flag and was the first driver to cross the start-finish line for all 30 laps of the main event. Although he led them all, the 2014 USMTS Rookie of the Year was challenged throughout every lap by polesitter Triston Dycus and fourth-starting Kelly Shryock. Despite his best efforts, Shryock was about a car-length short at the end and had to settle for the runner-up paycheck while Dillard collected the $2,000 top prize. Dycus held of Tennessees Lucas Lee for third while USRA Modified National Champion Fito Gallardo rounded out the top five. Jason Hughes, Jake Gallardo, Steve Whiteaker Jr., Jason Ingalls and Dereck Ramirez finished sixth through tenth, respectively. Gallardo, who finished second behind Dillard in this years USMTS rookie points, passed 16 cars during the 30-lapper. Action continues Friday and Saturday. Fridays victor will pocket $3,000 and Saturdays finale will award $4,000 to the winner. On Friday, spectator tickets are $15 and pit passes are $35. On Saturday, tickets are $20 and pit passes are $40. Kids ages 10 and under get in for free both days. Factory Stocks and Limited Mods will also be competing for $700 to win Friday and $1,000 to win Saturday in each class. A MAIN (30 laps): 1. (2) 97 Cade Dillard, Robeline, La., LG2/105, 30, $2000. 2. (4) 44 Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, Skyrocket/ASI, 30, $1500. 3. (1) 14t Triston Dycus, Waxahachie, Texas, GRT/Wells, 30, $1000. 4. (7) 12 Lucas Lee, Paris, Tenn., Brucebilt/Mullins, 30, $800. 5. (3) G17 Fito Gallardo, Las Cruces, N.M., LG2/AOS, 30, $700. 6. (6) 12 Jason Hughes, Watts, Okla., Hughes/Mullins, 30, $600. 7. (23) J17 Jake Gallardo, Las Cruces, N.M., LG2/AOS, 30, $500. 8. (8) 89c Steve Whiteaker Jr., Corpus Christi, Texas, Hughes/Mullins, 30, $450. 9. (12) 12 Jason Ingalls, Longview, Texas, IRP/PTS, 30, $400. 10. (11) 4r Dereck Ramirez, Woodward, Okla., Ramirez/Cornett, 30, $350. 11. (14) 2s Stormy Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., LG2/ProPower, 30, $325. 12. (17) 1st Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., Ramirez/Cornett, 30, $300. 13. (5) 77 Brian Craighead, Farmerville, La., LG2/Sputs, 30, $275. 14. (18) 85 Thomas Tillison Jr., Wellston, Okla., Hughes/Geddes, 30, $250. 15. (15) 88xxx Clyde Dunn Jr., Sunnyvale, Texas, MBCustom/Mullins, 30, $240. 16. (21) 22 Ronald Pilkington, Marshall, Texas, GRT/AMS, 30, $230. 17. (10) 21 Van Gemmill, Ponca City, Okla., Skyrocket/Sputs, 30, $220. 18. (16) 12b Johnny Bone Jr., Pea Ridge, Ark., IROC/Homegrown, 30, $210. 19. (19) 9 Shane Hebert, Lafayette, La., LG2/Mullins, 30, $200. 20. (20) 51 Tim Setzer, Archie, Mo., Hughes/Driskell, 30, $200. 21. (9) 20 Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, MBCustom/Geddes, 19, $200. 22. (22) 16 Chris Henigan, Marshall, Texas, GRT/Sputs, 19, $200. 23. (24) 4s T.J. Steele, Winnsboro, Texas, Hughes/Mullins, 13, $200. 24. (13) 6x Kyle Pleasant, Natchitoches, La., MBCustom/Hatfield, 12, $200. Lap Leader: Dillard 1-40. Total Laps Led: Dillard 40. Margin of Victory: 0.315 second. Sybesma Graphics Pole Award: Craighead. Mesilla Valley Transportation Hard Charger: J. Gallardo (started 23rd, finished 7th). Next Race: Friday, Nov. 7, Ark-La-Tex Speedway, Vivian, La.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 23:42:40 +0000