FOUNTAIN CITY, Wis. — Ryan Gustin took command on lap 15 and dominated the final 25 laps of Friday’s USMTS Hunt for the Casey’s Cup main event at the Mississippi Thunder Speedway.
Gustin, who started third, drove by Rodney Sanders after 14 laps were in the books. After that, ‘The Reaper’ rattled off 26 flawless laps around the high side of the three-eighths-mile high-banked clay oval and collected his series-best fifth career win here.
Piloting Dustin Sorensen’s backup MB Customs race car, Lucas Schott earned the Sybesma Graphics Pole Award and paced the first four laps before giving up the lead to Sanders, who held on for runner-up honors behind Gustin.
The win in the seventh annual Dahl Chevrolet Buick GMC End of Summer Bash presented by Edelbrock was worth $3,000 to the 28-year-old from Marshalltown, Iowa, and was the 101st of his career.
Sanders led Schott across the finish line to bolster his advantage in ‘The ‘Hunt’ as well as the Casey’s General Stores USMTS National Championship points as he seeks a third national title.
Zack VanderBeek finished fourth after clawing his way from the 17th starting spot without the aid of a caution.
Dustin Sorensen started 13th and finished fifth.
The finish:
Ryan Gustin, Rodney Sanders, Lucas Schott, Zack VanderBeek, Dustin Sorensen, Jake Timm, Cory Crapser, Jake O’Neil, Jacob Bleess, Josh Angst, Terry Phillips, Dereck Ramirez, Brad Waits, Alex Williamson, John Doelle, Adam Kates, Hunter Marriott, Jason Hughes, Chet Atkinson, Paul Niznik, Mike Striegel, Travis Saurer, Tony Schill, Adam Hensel, A.J. Roschen, Erik Kanz.