ROSSBURG, Ohio — As one contender after another fell by the wayside, Tyler Erb drove to victory in Sunday night’s Johnny Appleseed Classic at Eldora Speedway.
Erb started ninth on the choppy half-mile dirt track and led the final 13 laps in the 30-lap event to collect a $5,000 payday.
Bobby Pierce led the event until blowing a right-rear tire on lap 18, while Kyle Bronson crashed and Darrell Lanigan dropped out after leading two laps.
Fast-qualifier Kyle Strickler raced from 25th to finish second, with Frank Heckast Jr., Ricky Weiss and Spencer Hughes rounding out the top five.
Josh Richards was transported to a local hospital after suffering facial injuries when he was hit by a mud clot early in the main event.
Dylan Woodling won the modified feature.
The finish:
Tyler Erb, Kyle Strickler, Frank Heckenast Jr., Ricky Weiss, Spencer Hughes, Kyle Blight, Terry Rushlow, Dustin Nobbe, Casey Noonan, Kody Evans, Bobby Pierce, Rod Conley, Kyle Bronson, Jonathan Davenport, Brenden Smith, Austin Neely, Devin Moran, Darrell Lanigan, Ashton Winger, Scott James, Josh Rice, Ryan Gustin, Jerry Bowersock, Freddie Carpenter, Ryan Missler, Josh Richards.