Gary Ledbetter Jr. Wins Back-To-Back MASS Races At Dillon Motor Speedway

DILLON, S.C. – Gary Ledbetter Jr. led all but four laps on Saturday to capture his second Mid Atlantic Street Stock (MASS) win of the season at Dillon Motor Speedway.

Ledbetter Jr. started on the pole for the 75-lap race, and he led until the midway break on lap 40. When the field went back to green to start the second half of the race, Ledbetter didn’t get going on the restart, and Sonny Schoffen, who had been running second all afternoon was able to move into the top spot; however, the caution immediately came out after John Guker spun in Turn 1.

Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com | John Guker spins in Turn 1 to bring out the caution.

Schoffen was once again able to get out in front of the field when the race went back to green. Ledbetter Jr. ran down Schoffen and passed him for the lead on lap 45. Ledbetter Jr. never looked back as he captured the trophy and the $1,000 purse. He won MASS’ first race of the season, the New Year’s BASH back in January, and on Saturday, he won the second series event of the 2017 season.

Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com | Gary Ledbetter Jr. holds off Sonny Schoffen and Ricky Locklair Jr. to win the March BASH.

Ricky Locklair Jr. blew an engine on Saturday prior to the race, but his team was able to install a new engine before the green flag flew. Locklair Jr. started from the rear of the field, but he was able to battle back for an impressive third-place finish.

Wayne Locklair and Curtis Peeples finished fourth and fifth. Danny Brewer, AJ Hyatt, Ron Flynn, Chuck Isom and John Guker rounded out the top-10.

The March BASH only saw two other cautions aside from the halfway mark and Guker’s spin following the break.

On lap 57, Danny Brewer brought out the caution, when he stalled in Turn 3. Brewer’s throttle hung, and he had to shut the car off.

The final caution of the race came out two laps later, when Ricky Locklair Sr. hit the wall and stalled on the frontstretch. Locklair Sr. retired from the event and finished 12^th.

Greg Peterson dominated to win the $600-to win Charger/Challenger feature. Finishing second was Matt Rogers. JR Moore completed the top-three.

Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com | Greg Peterson and crew celebrate after winning the Charger/Challenger feature at Dillon Motor Speedway.

AJ Sanders won the Pro Cylinder feature on Saturday. He took home the trophy and the $600 purse. Kris Hetu finished second, followed by Brandon Clements. Austin Cates and Barry Wilson rounded out the top-five.

Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com | AJ Sanders celebrates in Victory Lane at Dillon Motor Speedway after winning the Pro Four Cylinder feature.

The Banger FWD feature kept the fans on their feet as Kris Hetu and Ryan Walsh battled hard throughout the feature. Hetu edged Walsh in an epic photo finish; however, the two drivers were just racing for fun. According to Dillon Motor Speedway rules, drivers who race in higher divisions can’t be scored during a Banger FWD race. As a result, Roy Marley who was right behind Hetu and Walsh was declared the winner. Robert Koons, Tony Parker, Tracy Schoffen and Glenn Peterson completed the top-five.

Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com | Roy Marley holds up a trophy after winning the Banger FWD feature at Dillon Motor Speedway.

Dillon Motor Speedway will host the Chilling and Grilling Open House on Saturday, March 11. The free event will feature food, a swap meet, race car rides for the kids, jump castles and an open practice session for competitors.

The speedway’s next race will be held on Saturday, March 18, when the Vintage Car Nationals and the Carolina Eastern Mini Cup Association (CEMCA) visit the track. Drivers from Canada and Florida are expected to make the trip to compete.

MASS Street Stock National $1000 To Win
1. Gary Ledbetter, Jr. 48
2. Sonny Schoffen 75
3. Ricky Locklair, Jr. 12
4. Wayne Locklair 56
5. Curtis Peeples 42
6. Danny Brewer 4
7. AJ Hyatt 27
8. Ron Flynn 66
9. Chuck Isom 12
10. John Guker 56
11. Kevin Ellis 33
12. Ricky Locklair 50
13. Kyle Lynch 16
14. Jeff Melton 6
15. Greg Barnette 8
16. James Horner 21