MACON, Ill. — Trevor Neville was a fifth-mile away from a second DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals triumph of the season Sunday night at Macon Speedway.
One bobble, hop and a push later, and Michael Ledford was standing in victory lane.
Ledford stole the win in dramatic fashion as leader Neville stumbled on the cushion in Turn 4 coming to the white flag, opening the door for Ledford’s No. 09 to race on by for the lead and his fifth Summit Modified Feature win.
“I was pretty committed to running the bottom, it’s where I felt the most comfortable with my car,” Ledford said. “I got fortunate with [Neville] messing up over in turn four, it just worked out.
“This place is really cool, and I really enjoy coming here. Track was great, you could run almost anywhere you wanted to.”
The opening lap was led by polesitter Mike Harrison with Ledford and Neville in tow behind him. On Lap 3, Neville began to make his bid for the lead on Harrison before a caution halted his progress. The restart saw things get exciting as the lead trio went three wide off the exit of Turn 4 after Harrison stumbled on the cushion.
Neville saw the door open and ran through it, coming out on top of the three-car battle as they raced back into Turn 1 on Lap 5. Harrison battled back on the cushion before Neville pulled a slide job to block the charge.
Harrison crossed back under and the two went side-by-side entering Turn 1, making contact and allowing Ledford to reel them back in. Harrison was able to clear Neville again as they went down the backstretch, leading Lap 8.
Right as Neville retook the lead on Lap 9, a caution flag flew, halting the incredible battle for the lead. On the restart, Neville pulled away and looked well on his way to victory before coming to the white flag.
Neville hopped and stumbled on the top side of Turn 3, causing him to wash high in Turn 4 as the white flag waved. Ledford was waiting for any mistake from the leader and got it, sneaking by for the lead on the bottom as he drove across the start/finish line. Neville got his car pointed straight again and charged down the backstretch with speed in an attempt to get the top spot back, but it was too late as Ledford crossed under the checkers.
Neville finished second, Zeke McKenzie finished third, Beau DeYoung was fourth, and Ray Bollinger rounded out the top five.
The finish:
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 09-Michael Ledford[3]; 2. 777-Trevor Neville[2]; 3. 24-Zeke McKenzie[5]; 4. 27D-Beau DeYoung[6]; 5. 77-Ray Bollinger[9]; 6. 72A-Austin Lynn[4]; 7. 27E-Dalton Ewing[10]; 8. 27B-Kyle Barker[12]; 9. 0-Damian Kiefer[11]; 10. T23-John Toppozini[14]; 11. 81C-Christopher Cole[16]; 12. 11D-Brian Diveley[7]; 13. 14S-Carter Standerfer[17]; 14. 78-Maxx Emerson[20]; 15. 71-Jeff Graham[13]; 16. 24H-Mike Harrison[1]; 17. 14-Dalton Lane[15]; 18. 21-Lyndon Whitfill[8]; 19. 01-Jeremy Nichols[19]; 20. 24M-Matt Milner[18]; 21. (DNS) 10-Todd O’Neill; 22. (DNS) X75-Dylan Turpin
