POCOLA, Okla. – Two runner-up finishes to close out Memorial Day Weekend with the United States Modified Touring Series was a prelude to things to come for Hunter Marriott.
Marriott improved by one position Saturday night at Tri-State Speedway to earn his second USMTS victory during his rookie season.
The 27-year-old shared the front row on the main event starting grid with two-time USMTS National Champion Ryan Gustin, who led the opening lap from the Sybesma Graphics Pole Position.
Undaunted, Marriott battled back to steal the lead from Gustin one lap later. He never relinquished the top spot again despite six caution flags that kept the field within striking distance.
MSD Performance USMTS Mid-American Series points leader Dereck Ramirez came closest to producing a challenge for the lead but fell short by four car-lengths in the end after coming from 15th.
Terry Phillips rebounded from a mid-race skirmish to snag the third spot from Hughes late in the race while 13th-starting Rodney Sanders rounded out the top five finishers.
The finish:
Hunter Marriott, Dereck Ramirez, Terry Phillips, Jason Hughes, Rodney Sanders, Mike Striegel, Jake O’Neil, Kyle Ledford, Trevor Latham, Tyler Wolff, Brent Holman, Randall Henson, Daniel Franklin, Joe Duvall, Jeremy Vaughn, Brian Williams, Ryan Gustin, R.C. Whitwell, James White, Adam Kates, Jake Davis, Lance Mari, Johnny Bone Jr., Gene Nicholas.