ST. LOUIS – Derek Losh wrapped up the Gateway Dirt Nationals with a $10,000 victory in the modified feature on Saturday night inside The Dome at America’s Center.
Losh started second alongside polesitter Michael Long for the 30-lap feature, taking the lead in the opening corners. Three quick cautions in the first four laps slowed the field with Losh retaining the lead on each ensuing restart.
Following the third caution of the race, Losh found himself being challenged by Kyle Bronson for the lead. Another caution for the slowing Kyle Steffens kept the battle from intensifying.
During the next restart Bronson hit a rut in the track and nearly lost second in the process, but was able to regain his composure and maintain the position. A caution on lap 10 for Ray Bollinger stopped on the track gave Bronson another shot at Losh.
This time Bronson was able to get alongside Losh into the first corners, but Losh held serve and pulled clear to retain the lead. With 10 laps left Losh found a rut in turn two and was suddenly turned sideways. Bronson managed to avoid hitting him, taking the lead as they raced into turn three while Losh gathered his car back up to slot into second.
Losh moved to the top of the track, bouncing the rear of his car off the wall as he chased Bronson back down. With five laps left the caution waved again for debris scattered across the track, setting up a five lap dash to the finish between Bronson and Losh.
The two immediately started fighting for the lead when the race resumed, but another quick caution for the slowing Tyler Erb stopped it. When the green waved again Bronson held serve, but Losh was all over him and waiting for a mistake to pounce.
That mistake came as they raced towards the white flag. Bronson hit a rut in turn four, which slowed him just enough for Losh to close in on the leader as they took the white flag. Losh went for a crossover move in the middle of turns one and two, but instead slammed into Bronson’s rear bumper.
Bronson raced into the final two corners with the lead, but coming off turn four he again hit a rut and found himself sideways. Losh went to the bottom, taking the lead coming out of the corner to steal the victory and earn a $10,000 paycheck.
Bronson settled for second, followed by Levi Kissinger, Michael Altobelli Jr. and Darron Fuqua.
The finish:
Derek Losh, Kyle Bronson, Levi Kissinger, Michael Altobelli Jr., Darron Fuqua, K.C. Burdette, Josh Harris, Kyle Strickler, Trent Young, Jeffrey Ledford, Tyler Erb, Michael Long, Chris Arnold, Mike McKinney, Kyle Steffens, Rick Conoyer, Ray Bollinger, Mark Anderson, Clay Money, Mike Harrison.