NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — Contact between leaders paved the way for young Gavan Boschele to grab the lead and he never backed off en route to victory Tuesday night at New Smyrna Speedway.
Boschele, who turns 17 on Feb. 12, won the 26th Clyde Hart Memorial, which opened the season for the ASA STARS National Tour at the half-mile oval.
Boschele inherited the lead on lap 172 when Ty Majeski and Colby Howard tangled while fighting for the top spot, with Majeski backing into the wall.
From there Boschele held off William Sawalich by .616 for his first ASA triumph.
“I was just trying to keep smart,” Boschele said. “I knew we had a really fast race car. It was getting physical towards the end, so I just kept my head in it and kept smart. I can’t thank the guys enough. I’m just the lucky guy who gets to drive it.”
Sawalich finished second, with Cory Hall, George Phillips and Stephen Nasse completing the top five.
Patrick Emerling won the Tour-type modified feature and Chuck Barnes Jr. topped the Florida modified main event.
The race was broadcast by SPEED SPORT affiliate TrackTv.com.
The finish:
Gavan Boschele, William Sawalich, Cory Hall, George Phillips, Stephen Nasse, Christopher Bell, Gabe Sommers, Derek Griffith, Bubba Pollard, Spencer Davis, Cole Butcher, Derek Kraus, Austin Nason, Derek Thorn, Colby Howard, Jake Finch, Matthew Craig, Nicholas Naugle, Michael Hinde, Chase Pinsonneault, Billy VanMeter, Dawson Sutton, Carson Brown, Dustin Smith, Ty Majeski, Paul Shafer Jr., Cody Ware, Conner Jones, Ty Fredrickson, Brad May, Kyle Steckly, Mike Hopkins.
