ABILENE, Texas – The setup changes Dallon Murty made following his first night out at Abilene Speedway took him straight to victory lane on his second night on the lightning-quick Texas oval.
Murty topped Saturday’s $3,000 to win IMCA.TV Ice Breaker Prelude to the Sniper Speed Lone Star Tour feature, leading the last 17 times around the track in the 20-lapper.
“I didn’t know how this Texas trip would go. To end the Ice Breaker with a win, I’ll take it. It’s a good way to start the tour,” the young Iowan said following his second IMCA Sunoco Stock Car checkers of 2022. “Tracks are different here. The dirt is different. To come here and get a win was huge.”
Two cautions slowed the early going before Murty beat pole starter Jordan Zillmer to the stripe by the width of his bumper on lap four.
The laps clicked off in a hurry before Zillmer spun after getting together with Friday winner P.J. Egbert on the 12th circuit.
Egbert lined up second on the restart but he had to settle for the runner-up’s $2,000 share of the purse after Murty checked out. Tyler Iverson, Derek Brown and Shelby Williams completed the top five.
“We struggled the night before with my standard setup,” said Murty, eighth in the Friday night main event. “I talked with my dad, we changed a few things around and it ended up working out.”
Brint Hartwick earned $1,000 and Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifying eligibility with his IMCA Modified feature win.
Dave Trauernicht, then Jim Thies challenged before a couple cautions right after midway. Josh Cain took over second at that point but had nothing for the leader. Jesse Sobbing started 10th and finished third.
Bradley Poor motored to Ice Breaker career win number six and $600, outrunning Friday winner Payton Zentgraf in a déjà vu Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMod contest.
Zentgraf again did his best to make the high side work but could not repeat his opening night effort. Austin Moore rounded out the top three.
Steven Bevills got the best of another opening night winner in beating Randy Martin to the $250 to win Mach-1 Sport Compact feature. Third was Keagan Haralson.
The Feb. 20-26 Sniper Speed IMCA Lone Star Stock Car Tour kicks off Sunday at Heart O’ Texas Speedway in Waco.
IMCA Modifieds and Smiley’s Racing Products Southern SportMods are also on the race program, to be broadcast by IMCA.TV. Pit gates open at 4 p.m. and racing is at 6 p.m.