GIBSONTON, Fla. — Kyle Hardy made a last-lap pass to win the 604 late model feature on the opening night of the Crate Racin’ USA portion of the Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park.
With 75 604 late models on hand, 28 started the 30-lap feature and Jimmy Waldrop took the early lead from the pole.
Waldrop led the race until suddenly slowing on lap 10, exiting the race track under caution. The misfortune of the fast qualifier handed the lead to Tanner Cobb with 11th-starting Trey Bayne second. Hardy was on the move from his sixth row starting position.
Cobb and Bayne found themselves impeded by lapped traffic while Hardy often had a clear line. When Hardy got right behind the two, he had a car in his line and dropped to the bottom, quickly returning to the top.
With three laps to go, Hardy crossed in second and chip away at Cobb’s advantage. On the white flag lap, Hardy swept outside and rolled to the victory in a thrilling finish.
Cobb finished second, with Bayne, Nevin Gainey and Rodney Wing filling the top five.
Richie “Rocketman” Stephens topped the charts in 602 Sportsman qualifying and took the lead on lap 16 en route to winning the 20-lap main event.
Seth Wimpey finished second and Tucker Anderson came home third.
The finish:
Feature: Kyle Hardy (14c), Tanner Cobb (26), Trey Bayne (21), Nevin Gainey (17), Rodney Wing (10), Wil Herrington (14), Chuck Kimble (5x), Cory Hedgecock (23), Garrett Mosley (38), Trevor Collins (72), Jason Welshon (01), Travis Varnadore (41), Keith Nosbisch (02), Dylan Brown (6), Kenny Monahan (311), Brian Smith (7s), T.J. Brittain (05), Daniel Woody (29), Jody Knowles (66), J.C. Wilson (02), Jimmy Waldrop (9), Mack McCarter (51), Tyler Neal (20N), Matt Cooper (18), Steve Stratton Sr. (42), David Showers Jr. (118)