Ryan Gustin bested Georgia’s Shane Clanton to score the World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series victory at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, Ohio on Saturday night.
With 12 laps left to go, Gustin swung underneath Clanton and pulled even off turn 2.
That’s when the Marshalltown, Iowa driver saw his opportunity to pass the former champion.
Gustin dove under Clanton in turn 3, getting every ounce of momentum he could to swing in front of the Zebulon, Georiga driver to take the lead — one he wouldn’t relinquish.
In the final 10 laps, he pulled away to capture his first career series win worth $20,000.
Gustin’s confidence rose when he saw Sharon Speedway return to schedule this year, knowing it may be his best chance to win.
“It feels awesome, man,” Gustin said. “I definitely didn’t want to wait this long, but it definitely feels good, especially to win 20-grand.
“I knew if we had a shot anywhere, it was going to be (Sharon Speedway). We were really good last year, and we put a 100 percent identical setup on it, and (the car) was good tonight too. I think we definitely got something figured out at this place.”
A caution with 22 laps to go in the feature allowed Gustin to get closer to Clanton, who had almost a full straightaway lead.
While the yellow bunched the field back together, Gustin wasn’t sure what would happen in the race’s final third.
“I knew we just had to give her hell there,” Gustin said. “There weren’t many laps left, and we had to go.”
Clanton settled for second, his third top-five in his last four World of Outlaws races.
The Zebulon, GA driver believes he’s moving closer to his first Series victory of the season.
“Our confidence is up,” Clanton said. “Our cars are good. We’re just taking it race by race and hopefully pick one up or two.”
Josh Richards finished third, with series points leader Dennis Erb, Jr. in fourth, and Devin Moran in fifth.
Up next, the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models head to Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois on Friday, June 3. For more info, visit WorldofOutlaws.com.
WoO Case Late Model Series
Sharon Speedway – Hartford, OH
Race Results – May 28, 2022
1. 19R-Ryan Gustin
2. 25-Shane Clanton
3. 1-Josh Richards
4. 28-Dennis Erb, Jr.
5. 9-Devin Moran
6. 81E-Tanner English
7. 111V-Max Blair
8. 22-Gregg Satterlee
9. 29-Darrell Lanigan
10. B1-Brent Larson
11. 9Z-Mason Zeigler
12. 11-Gordy Gundaker
13. 99B-Boom Briggs
14. 48-Colton Flinner
15. 3RK-Daryl Charlier
16. J4-John Garvin, Jr.
17. 45-Kyle Hammer
18. 17-Zack Dohm
19. 1*-Chub Frank
20. X3-Wyatt Scott
21. 22B-Darrell Bossard
22. 1C-Alex Ferree
23. 58-Michael Norris
24. 0-Ryan Scott
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