GIBSONTON, Fla. –Â For the second night in a row, drama prevailed in the running of the Modified feature during East Bay Raceway Park’s Winternationals
Shane Burrows went wire-to-wire in the 25-lap main, but not without challenges. The biggest challenge came from Oklahoma racer Jason Hughes, who broke from his own early race battle with fast qualifier Lucas Lee to put himself in a strong position.
Hughes and Lee were battling for third behind Tait Davenport, but both were able to advance on lap seven. Hughes followed the line Burrows in hopes of gaining ground and was able to steadily chip away.
The leaders hit lapped traffic on lap 18, with most of the cars in front of them steering clear of the lower groove. With a lap remaining, things would get a little closer, but lapped traffic yielded, allowing the lead duo to battle for the lead. On the final lap, Hughes made an inside move in turn four, but didn’t get the momentum he needed to bypass Burrows. Burrows gathered his second Winternationals feature victory and became the second local winner in as many nights.
The initial start was called back for a Tod Neiheiser spin. The race stayed green for 10 laps until the caution waved as Roger Crouse was off the pace and could not get into the infield because of racing action around the entire track. From there, the race ran caution free.
Richie Stephens made it back-to-back wins in street stock action, claiming the win in a 20-lap feature that was plagued with caution flags.