ST. LOUIS – For the second-straight night on Friday evening, Jonathan Beason pulled into victory lane during the midget portion of the Gateway Dirt Nationals.
Beason started second alongside polesitter Karter Sarff, with Beason getting the lead through the opening corners of the 20-lap feature. The race stayed green for two laps before Landon Simon spun against the wall in turn one after contact with Chris Windom to bring out the caution flag.
Beason was able to hold the lead on the restart as the battle for second intensified behind him. That allowed Beason to pull clear of the field. It looked like Beason had things under control until the white flag lap, when a car stopped on the top of turn four just as Beason was racing to the checkered flag. The caution flag waved, setting up a one-lap dash to the checkered flag.
When the green flag waved Beason got a massive jump on runner-up Zach Daum, who could only watch as Beason pulled away. However, Daum would get another shot as Shane Cottle flipped down the backstretch to bring out the caution again before the lap could be completed. Cottle was uninjured.
When the race resumed Beason again held the lead, but this time Daum stayed in striking distance and tried to roll the bottom to pass Beason, who was glued to the cushion. Daum’s effort fell short as Beason made it to the checkered flag first to pick up the victory.
Daum held on for second, followed by Nick Hoffman, Jake Neuman and Chett Gehrke.
The finish:
Jonathan Beason, Zach Daum, Nick Hoffman, Jake Neuman, Chett Gehrke, Chris Windom, Sean McClelland, Ronnie Gardner, Bryan Stanfill, Daniel Robinson, Austin Brown, Danny Frye III, Landon Crawley, Shane Cottle, Kurt Stellhorn, Karter Sarff, Ryan Gray, Landon Simon, Sam Johnson.