BRANDON, S.D. – Austin McCarl kicked off The Showdown in style on Sunday evening by dominating the $7,000-to-win Casey’s 410 Sprint Cars presented by Big Frig main event during Royal River Casino Night at Huset’s Speedway.
Additionally, Cory Yeigh was the Nordstrom’s Automotive Late Model Street Stocks winner for the third straight week and Micah Slendy recorded his first career Wyffels Hybrids RaceSaver Sprint Car Series triumph at the track.
McCarl led the distance of the Chuck Zitterich Tribute, which went 29 laps without a stoppage before the lone caution set up a green-white-checkered finish. That didn’t hamper McCarl, who built a 2.292 second lead in the final two laps en route to his fourth feature victory at the track this season.
“Hats off to the guys on the race track,” he said. “I was able to drive across and slide guys in (turns) three and four. I think in traffic you could move around pretty well. I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.
“The real show starts tomorrow and Tuesday and the rest of the week, a lot of big hitters coming in tomorrow.”
McCarl gained confidence on Sunday for the remainder of The Showdown, which features the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series at Huset’s Speedway on Monday and Tuesday for the inaugural Huset’s 50 presented by BillionAuto.com.
Dominic Scelzi was the only driver to stay within striking distance of McCarl on Sunday night, but he spun his tires on the late-race restart.
“Bridesmaid again,” he quipped in Victory lane. “I think that’s three times here.
“I was really good there in the feature. I didn’t navigate lapped cars as good as the No. 17a car. He was on the offense the whole time. There were times I couldn’t get by guys like I needed to.”
D.J. Netto earned a third-place result.
“I struggled through lapped traffic,” he said. “I think we have a good balance with our race car. We just have to stay doing what we’re doing and I have to do a better job in traffic.”
Justin Henderson scored a fourth-place finish and points leader Carson McCarl rallied from 11th to fifth.
Dusty Zomer set quick time during qualifying before Matt Juhl, Austin McCarl and Henderson won heat races.
Yeigh rallied from 10th to post his fourth Nordstrom’s Automotive Late Model Street Stocks triumph of the season during a wild 20-lap feature.
“I know some of you are sick of seeing me up here, but this is a lot of years in the making,” he said during a Victory Lane interview. “Everything is just working.”
Ron Howe led lap one with Jeff Wittrock leading the ensuing two laps. Dan Jensen took the top spot on lap four before Matt Steuerwald led lap six. Yeigh was the fifth-and-final leader as he claimed first place on Lap 9 and built a victory by 4.506 seconds to add to his lead in the championship standings.
Colby Klaassen was the runner up after starting 12th with Jensen placing third, Steuerwald fourth and Zach Olivier fifth.
Billy Prouty and Yeigh garnered heat race victories.
Slendy led the final 16 laps of the 20-lap Wyffels Hybrids RaceSaver Sprint Car Series A Main to capture his first-ever win at the oval.
“I grew up here as a kid and all I ever wanted to do was win a race here,” he said. “This is a big deal.”
Bayley Ballenger led the opening circuit before Taylor Ryan took command on lap two. Slendy capitalized on a restart on Lap 5 following the first of four cautions by powering into the lead. He survived three additional restarts before pulling away to a 3.035-second margin of victory. Slendy became the sixth different division winner in seven races this season.
Elliot Amdahl earned a runner-up result with John Lambertz rounding out the podium. Points leader Dusty Ballenger maneuvered from 11th to fourth and Mike Moore charged from 12th to fifth.
Jared Jansen, Lambertz and Slendy each won a heat race.