HICKORY, N.C. – Austin McDaniel nudged Justin LeFevers up the track and drove to victory in the opening round of the ZLOOP Challenge for the Late Model Stocks at Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday night.
LeFevers dominated the 100-lap affair, but McDaniel made sure to keep it interesting throughout the event. After starting 11th McDaniel worked his way up through the pack, avoiding a lap-12 pileup that involved at least six cars.
Meanwhile LeFevers was in cruise control, taking the lead from polesitter Matt Piercy at the outset of the event. Meanwhile, by lap 35 McDaniel was up to second and hounding LeFevers for the lead.
The two stayed that way until the closing laps when McDaniel really poured on the pressure. With five laps left McDaniel made his move, looking inside of LeFevers. With four laps to go the two made contact and LeFevers drifted up the track, allowing McDaniel to take the lead away.
LeFevers got back on the gas and tried to catch McDaniel, but it was too late. McDaniel held on to take the victory and pocket $2,000 for winning the opener at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Piercy finished third, followed by Ashley Huffman and Tyler Church.
Finishing Order:
1. Austin McDaniel
2. Jesse LeFevers
3. Matt Piercy
4. Ashley Huffman
5. Tyler Church
6. Kyle Moon
7. David Roberts
8. Trey Gibson
9. Christian Calvo
10. Justin Carroll
11. Josh Wright
12. Shane Lee
13. Bradley Riethmeyer
14. Ryan Shattuck
15. Dan Moore
16. Jake Keaton
17. Keith Bumgarner
18. Justin Crider
19. Jesse Little
20. Grant Wimbish
21. Annabeth Barnes
22. Jack Madrid
