JACKSONVILLE, N.C. – Dylan Newsome saved his best for last in Saturday’s season opener at Goodyear All American Speedway with a late-race pass for the lead and the win in the Late Model feature.
After losing some ground in the early laps, Newsome methodically raced his way back to the front, passing Michael O’Brien shortly past halfway. With 15 laps to go, the Goldsboro driver had run down former track champion Rusty Daniels and surged past him to take the victory – his first in a Late Model.
“I honestly can’t believe it,” Newsome said in victory lane. “I never thought we would have made it here. This is really awesome. I can’t thank my friends and family enough for getting me here. We work really hard on this race car to get it done.”
Newsome began his racing career in 2017, competing in a Mini Stock at tracks across the Carolinas and finding immediate success. That success followed him into the Charger division, where he picked up wins at multiple different tracks. Newsome recently made the jump to a Late Model, hoping to gain experience and win races. After a strong practice earlier in the week, Newsome was confident he’d have a good car. Victory, however, surpassed his expectations.
“We did some testing and came out here and thought we had a good car,” Newsome continued. “I really didn’t know if we would’ve won but we for sure brought a great car. Wendell Davis always provides us with something great. The man’s just unbelievable. Rusty, man, he’s a proven winner here and it feels great racing him clean and getting past him.”
Daniels settled for a runner-up finish while O’Brien, Gerald Benton and Gator Williams rounded out the top five.
Matt Brought swept a pair of Champ Kart races holding off Lyndsey Bass in both races. Curtis Lanier picked up his first win in a Mini Stock after a thrilling, almost race-long side-by-side battle with Travis Miller. Kevin Benton won in Street Stock, while Eddie Humphrey was victorious again in Bombers and Amanda Danielle finally clinched her first win in Powder Puff competition after three consecutive runner-up finishes.
The Finish:
1. Dylan Newsome, 2. Rusty Daniels, 3. Michael O’Brien, 4. Gerald Benton, 5. Gator Williams, 6. Kevin Benton, 7. Daniel Vuncannon – DNS