EASTABOGA, Ala. — Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the 25-lap feature on opening night of the Alabama Gang Classic for the United Sprint Car Series Presented By K&N Filters on Friday night at Talladega Short Track.Â
Stenhouse began his Sprint Car career 20 years ago with USCS before moving up to NASCAR.
Stenhouse worked the outside groove to chase down early race leader Hayden Martin and challenge for the lead in the last ten laps of the race. Stenhouse threw a slider in turn one on lap 20, and bumped wheels with Martin as they raced close coming off the second turn. Stenhouse was able to complete the pass down the backstretch.
Martin held on to finish second and third went to National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Inductee Sammy Swindell.Â
Dale Howard was fourth, with 15-time USCS champion Terry Gray fifth.
Stenhouse took a 1.892 second margin of victory over Martin under the checkered flag, in a race that took 11 minutes and 36.843 seconds to complete.
The finish:
Feature (25 laps): 1. 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS (3); 2. 67 Hayden Martin, Olive Branch, MS (1); 3. 47s Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN (7); 4. 47 Dale Howard, Byhalia, MS (2); 5. 10 Terry Gray, Bartlett, TN (5); 6. 23 Lance Moss, Cherryville, NC (9); 7. 8 Brad Bowden, Hernando, MS (11); 8. 13 Elijah Gile, Phoenix, AZ (10); 9. G5 Gunnar Setser, Columbus, IN (12); 10. 28 Jeff Willingham, Ripley, MS (15); 11. 33 Joe Larkin, Suwanee, GA (14); 12. 22 Shawn Murray, Jacksonville, FL (8); 13. 99 Tanner Witherspoon, Jacksonville, FL (13); 14. 16 Hannah Merritt, Nesbit, MS (16); 15. B5 Brianna Lawson, Southern Pines, NC (4); 16. 5 Chase Briscoe, Mitchell, IN DNS; 17. 7 Eric Gunderson, Canton, GA DNS.