PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — Bobby Santos III took the lead on lap 22 after a brief battle with Joe Liguori and never looked back on his way to a victory in the Dave Steele 125 at Showtime Speedway.
The win was worth $5,000 to Santos.
Kody Swanson was the nights fast qualifier (13.770 seconds) and drew the pole on the redraw. He took the lead at the drop of the green in his Sam Pirece Chevrolet Beast chassis, but his mount lost power in turn four on the second lap, bringing out the yellow flag.
Liguori assumed the point on lap two with Santos in hot pursuit. Santos briefly led on lap 11 before surrendering the lead back to Liguori.as the duo battled hard. Santos eventually took the lead for good on lap 21 and cruised to an 8.999-second difference over runner-up Anthony Nocella.
Nocella put on a show in the closing laps of the race. He tested the top side and the car worked perfectly. He used the outside line to pass Davey Hamilton Jr. and Joe Liguori in the final laps of the race. Joe Liguori rounded out the top three with a valiant effort.
“The car was actually really good tonight, which was nice because I struggle at places like this,” explained Santos. “It feels good to get a win early in the year. Winning a race in Dave Steele’s honor makes it more special. Looking forward to tomorrow.”
Showtime Speedway will return to racing Saturday with the second night of the Dave Steele World Sprint Car Championship. Winged sprint cars will be on tap with a pair of twin 40-lap features.
The finish:
Bobby Santos III, Anthony Nocella, Joe Liguori, Colton Bettis, Davey Hamilton Jr., John Inman, Dylan Reynolds, Robert Yoho, Ray Bragg II, L.J. Grimm, Billy Boyd Jr., Michael Meunier, Tomy Nichols, Kody Swanson.
