ST. LOUIS – Levi Kissinger pocketed $3,000 for winning Thursday’s modified preliminary feature during the Gateway Dirt Nationals inside The Dome at America’s Center.
Josh Harris and Derek Losh led the field to the green flag, with Harris taking the initial led before a caution flag on the third circuit slowed the action.
Harris retained the lead on the restart while Losh and dirt late model veteran Bobby Pierce battled for second. Losh won that battle and began challenging Harris for the lead while Pierce fell into a battle for third with Nick Hoffman, who took third on lap six.
The caution waved again on lap nine of the 20-lap feature when several cars got stacked up in the third turn on the fifth-mile temporary dirt circuit.
When racing resumed Harris maintained the top spot, but behind him things went sour for Pierce. The two-time dirt late model winner of the Gateway Dirt Nationals spun in turn one and caught a rut, sending his modified on its lid to bring out the red flag. Pierce was unhurt in the crash.
Meanwhile, Kissinger found himself near the front of the field as Harris continued to lead the way during the restart. Kissinger managed to work his way alongside Harris during the restart, taking the lead at the start/finish line on the next lap.
Kissinger led the remainder of the distance, but not without a challenge from Losh, who chased Kissinger down and was right behind him at the checkered flag. Harris faded to third. The top-three finishers earned guaranteed starting positions in Saturday’s modified finale.
Jeffrey Ledford and K.C. Burdette completed the top-five.
The finish:
Levi Kissinger, Derek Losh, Josh Harris, Jeffrey Ledford, K.C. Burdette, Mike McKinney, Chad Sellers, Kyle Strickler, Jim Black, Robbie Eilers, Ray Bollinger, Eric Perry, Rodney Standerfer, Bobby Pierce, Michael Altobelli Jr., Darron Fuqua, Kyle Steffens, Will Krup.