SPRING VALLEY, Minn. (July 5) — Live updates and results from Friday’s first 30-lap, $7,000-to-win preliminary feature for the World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series-sanctioned NAPA Auto Parts Gopher 50 at Deer Creek Speedway (results unofficial):
Feature
Executing a perfect last-lap slide job in turn three, fourth-starting Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa, overcame Nick Hoffman's attempted crossover move to win Friday's first NAPA Auto Parts Gopher 50 prelim by 0.009 of a second at Deer Creek Speedway. Gustin's $7,000 payday marks his second World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series victory of the season and the seventh of his career.
Sixth-starting Hoffman ripped around the outside to lead 20 laps (10-29) before Gustin edged him at the line by inches. Hoffman has now forced a tie atop the series standings entering Friday's regularly scheduled program. It's the second straight Gopher 50 photo finish after Bobby Pierce narrowly beat Hudson O'Neal by 0.002 of a second to win last year's $50,000 finale in Lucas Oil Series competition.
Feature lineup
(30 laps)
Row 1: Tyler Stevens, Dennis Erb Jr.
Row 2: Shannon Babb, Ryan Gustin
Row 3: Bobby Pierce, Nick Hoffman
Row 4: Brandon Sheppard, Tyler Bruening
Row 5: Jake Timm, Chase Junghans
Row 6: Cade Dillard, Chad Simpson
Row 7: Chad Mahder, Kyle Bronson
Row 8: Dustin Sorensen, Brent Larson
Row 9: Billy Moyer, Brian Shirley
Row 10: Blair Nothdurft, Tyler Erb
Row 11: Cody Overton, Keith Hammett
Row 12: Max McLaughlin, Tristan Chamberlain
Consolation race results
(10 laps; top six transfer)
Finish: Billy Moyer, Brian Shirley, Blair Nothdurft, Tyler Erb, Cody Overton, Keith Hammett, Max McLaughlin, Derrick Stewart, Jordan Yaggy, Johnathan Huston, Tristan Chamberlain, Parker Foster, Dustin Walker, Lance Hofer. Scratched: Justin Green
Heat race recap
Pole-starting Ryan Gustin led all eight laps and repelled a last-lap charge by Nick Hoffman to win heat race one by 0.310 of a second. Jake Timm started and finished third, with sixth-starting Chad Mahder grabbing the fourth and final transfer spot into Thursday’s rain-postponed first prelim. … Third-starting Dennis Erb Jr. completed a last-lap pass to steal heat two by 0.114 of a second over race-long leader Tyler Bruening. … Cade Dillard and Dustin Sorensen both remained in the top four, punching their ticket into the 30-lap qualifying feature. … Pole-starting Shannon Babb scored a flag-to-flag victory by 2.014 seconds over Brandon Sheppard to win heat three. Chase Junghans and Kyle Bronson held serve and grabbed the final two transfer positions. … Tyler Stevens dominated the fourth and final heat race in his series debut, leading the entire distance and winning by 1.642 seconds over Bobby Pierce. Sixth-starting Chad Simpson finished third, with Brent Larson rounding out the top-four finishers.
Heat race results
(Eight laps; top four transfer)
First heat: Ryan Gustin, Nick Hoffman, Jake Timm, Chad Mahder, Billy Moyer, Blair Nothdurft, Keith Hammett, Jordan Yaggy.
Second heat: Dennis Erb Jr., Tyler Bruening, Cade Dillard, Dustin Sorensen, Lance Hofer, Derrick Stewart, Max McLaughlin, Tristan Chamberlain.
Third heat: Shannon Babb, Brandon Sheppard, Chase Junghans, Kyle Bronson, Brian Shirley, Tyler Erb, Johnathan Huston. Scratched: Justin Green
Fourth heat: Tyler Stevens, Bobby Pierce, Chad Simpson, Brent Larson, Cody Overton, Parker Foster, Dustin Walker.
Time trials
Group A
Driver (no.), hometown, time (unofficial)
1. Ryan Gustin (19r), Marshalltown, Iowa, 15.646
2. Tyler Bruening (16), Decorah, Iowa, 15.711
3. Nick Hoffman (9), Mooresville, N.C., 15.774
4. Dustin Sorenson (19), Rochester, Minn., 15.953
5. Jake Timm (49), Winona, Minn., 16.020
6. Dennis Erb Jr. (28), Carpentersville, Ill., 16.082
7. Blair Nothdurft (76), Renner, S.D., 16.085
8. Cade Dillard (97), Robeline, La., 16.138
9. Billy Moyer (21), Batesville, Ark., 16.180
10. Derrick Stewart (43), Ainsworth, La., 16.331
11. Chad Mahder (55c), Eau Claire, Wis., 16.364
12. Lance Hofer (11H), Fountain City, Wis., 16.377
13. Jordan Yaggy (77), Rochester, Minn., 16.410
14. Max McLaughlin (22*), Mooresville, N.C., 16.506
15. Keith Hammett (29), Brookland, Ark., 16.555
16. Tristan Chamberlain (20TC), Richmond, Ind., 16.671
Group B
1. Shannon Babb (18), Moweaqua, Ill., 16.384
2. Tyler Stevens (2), Searcy, Ark., 16.425
3. Brandon Sheppard (B5), New Berlin, Ill., 16.542
4. Bobby Pierce (32), Oakwood, Ill., 16.556
5. Chase Junghans (18), Manhattan, Kan., 16.570
6. Brent Larson (B1), Lake Elmo, Minn., 16.652
7. Kyle Bronson (40B), Brandon, Fla., 16.661
8. Cody Overton (97jr), Evans, Ga., 16.687
9. Tyler Erb (1), New Waverly, Texas, 16.792
10. Dustin Walker (14w), Polk, Mo., 16.833
11. Brian Shirley (3s), Chatham, Ill., 16.868
12. Chad Simpson (25), Mount Vernon, Iowa, 17.071
13. Johnathan Huston (42H), Columbus Junction, Iowa, 17.194
14. Parker Foster (35), Winona, Minn., 17.220
15. Justin Green (19J), Sheboygan Falls, Wis., no time
Friday’s schedule
(All times local)
10:30 a.m. - All gates open
Noon - Drivers’ meeting
12:30 p.m. - On-track activity
- Late Model hot laps
- Modified hot laps
- Late Model time trials (2 laps)
Opening ceremonies
- Late Model heat races (8 laps)
- Modified heat races (8 laps)
WoO redraw
- Late Model consolations (10 laps)
- Modified consolations (10 laps)
Feature races
- Late Models (30 laps)
- Modifieds (25 laps)
All grounds cleared and secured
5 p.m. - Gates reopen
6 p.m. - Drivers’ meeting
6:30 p.m. - On-track activity
- Late Model hot laps
- Modified hot laps
- Late Model time trials (2 laps)
Opening ceremonies
- Late Model heat races (8 laps)
- Modified heat races (8 laps)
WoO redraw
- Late Model consolations (10 laps)
- Modified consolations (10 laps)
Feature races
- Late Models (30 laps)
- Modifieds (25 laps)
Fireworks show and Dylan Scott concert
