SOUTH BOSTON, VA – Danny Willis, Jr. picked up the victory in Saturday’s Limited Sportsman feature at South Boston Speedway, snapping a near three-year winless drought.
Willis had been competing in Late Model Stocks for the past few years, but had to step back down to Limited Sportsman for the 2019 season for financial reasons. He made the most of his return, making the pass for the lead, and the win, on Jessica Dana inside the final 20 laps and held off eventual runner-up Daniel Moss to pick up the win. The victory was his first since May 14, 2016 which came in Late Model Stock Car competition.
“It was tight competition there,” Willis told Race22.com. “The longer we raced, the better my car got. It looked like Jessica, her car fell off a little bit. I was able to get a run up under her and get by her. Moss came on right there at the end. They said he was eating me up getting in the corner. I don’t know if he was driving it in too hard and I was getting to the gas a little better than he was.
“All in all, it was a good tight race and luckily we were fortunate enough to come out on top.”
Daniel Moss, who won the Late Model Stock Car championship at Orange County Speedway last year, felt like he could have made something happen if the race had run a little longer. However, he also respected the talent and experience of the South Boston Speedway veteran.
“Maybe if this was a Late Model race and we had some more time,” Moss commented. “He’s got the experience on Late Models and I don’t. He’s got way more experience period than I got. I’m just happy to be up there fighting with him. It’s the beginning of the season. We’re definitely going to have something for him. Trying to win a championship. Didn’t know he was going to drop down. That’s going to make it hard but we’re still going to go for it.”
Jessica Dana led much of the first 30 laps before fading to third as the handling went away on her car late.
“The car fired off really well,” Dana remarked. “I don’t think we were expecting the track to tighten up as much as it did with the Late Model rubber down. We did the best we could and at least we got a podium finish.”
Jason Myers and Drew Dawson rounded out the top-five.
With one victory behind him, Willis has his sights set on more wins, and a possible return to Late Model Stock Car competition later this season.
Tough Luck for Bruce
South Boston Speedway rookie Cole Bruce showed speed during Friday’s practice session and was optimistic about his debut on Saturday. However, Bruce was involved in an accident in practice and ultimately was unable to start the race.
Limited Sportsman Results
- Danny Willis, Jr.
- Daniel Moss
- Jessica Dana
- Jason Myers
- Drew Dawson
- Brent Younger
- Kenny Daniels
- Jacob Borst
- Cole Walker
