GAS CITY, Ind. — Todd Sherman spurned superstitions and won the 30-lap Mod Madness feature for the American Ethanol Modified Tour at Gas City I-69 Speedway on Friday the 13th under a full moon.
Sherman earned $1,500 in topping 30 entries, which was the largest winner’s check in modified competition ever at the quarter-mile dirt oval.
The modified feature got off to a slow start due to numerous yellows and reds, but in the end it was an extravaganza of side-by-side racing.
Andy Bishop led the first three laps before Zeke McKenzie passed him on the outside in turn four on a restart. Bishop used the inside to take the lead back on lap five, McKenzie got him back to the inside on the frontstretch on lap six, and then Bishop regained the lead with a move to the inside in turn three working lap seven before another yellow waved.
Bishop led through lap 11 while Sherman was working his way towards him. Nathon Loney, who is also a basketball coach, was also on the move at that point, and he passed both Bishop and Sherman working lap 12 to nab the lead before Bishop got it back.
That pass for the top spot came on the backstretch working lap 14, right before McKenzie dropped out. Two laps later the raging battle got even hotter, and Sherman passed Bishop for the lead working lap 18 with a move to the outside in turn four.
Sherman led the rest of the way from there in the Ferris Racing No. 65, which is sponsored in part by Pro Strip Powder Coating, TeamSE.com, Sherman Enterprises, Zamp Helmets, All Star Performance, Ztech and All Pro Towing.
Loney dropped out with 21 laps complete, and Derek Losh, who has six modified feature victories this year at Gas City, passed Bishop for second on lap 22.
Despite another caution that set up a five-lap shootout at the end, Sherman had a 1.023-second lead over Losh at the checkered.
Dylan Woodling finished third despite getting airborne on lap 16. Behind him was a four-car battle for fourth at the line. Bishop ended up in that position, while Dillon Nusbaum, the track’s defending modified champion, rounded out the top five.
The finish:
1. Todd Sherman, 2. Derek Losh, 3. Dylan Woodling, 4. Andy Bishop, 5. Dillon Nusbaum, 6. Ryan Sutter, 7. Chad Bauer, 8. Clayton Bryant, 9. Garrett Rons, 10. Bill Griffith, 11. Ryan Ramseyer, 12. Daniel Russell, 13. Scott Orr, 14. Nathon Loney, 15. Zeke McKenzie, 16. Drew Smith, 17. Jason Brennan, 18. Luke Hubbell, 19. Tony Anderson, 20. Braxton Strait, 21. Jerry Bowersock, 22. Dan Hubbell.