ELDON, Mo. — Daison Pursley would put an exclamation point on his comeback story on night two of Lake Ozark Speedway’s Fall Sprint & Midget Nationals Sunday.
Pursley, who missed nearly a year of racing from injuries, captured his seventh career victory with the Lucas Oil POWRi National and West Midget Leagues to wrap up a weekend holiday celebration of speed at The Lake.
Setting the field of competitors would find pole-starter Chase McDermand battling front-row counterpart Gavan Boschele into the first pair of corners on the opening lap with McDermand gaining the early racing advantage on the opening laps.
Holding the front of the field for the first few laps, McDermand would appear to be the fastest performer until a turn three mishap would take McDermand and the second-running Boschele from the competition.
Inheriting the lead, Brenham Crouch would hold the top spot until cutting a tire forcing him into the work area as runner-up Pursley inherited the lead after the restart.
Pursley would not be denied in the 25-lap event with the Lucas Oil POWRi National Midget League to earn the feature victory.
“Nine months ago, I didn’t think I would ever race again, for this to be possible I can’t thank this team enough,” said the Keith Kunz Motorsports driver. “Not only for keeping a ride open for me but all their help and support. This truly felt like a lifetime coming back but it means so much to me.”
Staying close in the entire feature, Taylor Reimer secured the runner-up spot with Brenham Crouch racing back into completing the feature’s final podium placement.
Brent Crews and Shannon McQueen completed the top five.
The finish:
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 71-Daison Pursley[6]; 2. 25K-Taylor Reimer[9]; 3. 97-Brenham Crouch[4]; 4. 97K-Brent Crews[8]; 5. 7-Shannon McQueen[3]; 6. 7D-Michelle Decker[12]; 7. 71E-Mariah Ede[5]; 8. 28-Emilio Hoover[13]; 9. 16C-Devin Camfield[15]; 10. 57-Maria Cofer[10]; 11. 15-Branigan Roark[14]; 12. 00-Talin Turner[11]; 13. 52J-Corey Joyner[16]; 14. 40-Chase McDermand[1]; 15. 5-Gavan Boschele[2]; 16. 26-Chance Crum[7].