Former Out-Pace USRA B-Mod National Champion J.C. Morton of Springfield made a surprise visit Friday night to the Lebanon Midway Speedway and put on a classic clinic in taking his first feature win t the track in 2019.

The last time Morton competed at Midway was back in May at the Tony Roper Memorial where he captured the FK Rod Ends Hard Charger bonus going from sixth to second. On Friday after Morton and current track points leader Dillion McCowan captured the qualifying heats, the redraw saw both drivers starting in row 3 as the track produced great racing action.

Polesitter Kelly Hicks jumped to the opening lead with second-generation young gun Dayton Pursley in tow while Dalton Keith and Morton were door to door. With some two-wide action, Hicks was moving quickly as Keith and Morton kept the pressure on. Moving up on the high cushion, Morton shot around both Keith and Hicks to take the lead on lap 3 while Knudtson moved around McCowan from his ninth starting spot to get into the top 5 attempting to make it three wins in a row.

The quick-paced feature was slowed on lap 6 as Hicks spun in turn 2 while battling Keith for the runner-up position. On the restart, Keith was staying close to Morton's back bumper looking for the lead as Knudtson went around Pursley along with McCowan to close up on Keith's No. 29 car as Morton was pulling away from the field and showed the crowd that he will be a contender for the TJR Factory 56 USRA Missouri B-Mod Nationals in September. He could go anywhere on the track.

The action really picked up the pace as Keith was holding Knudtson and McCowan at bay for second place. A lap-13 caution for Wesley Briggs gave Keith, Knudtson and McCowan a last chance as Hicks had rallied back to sixth spot. Morton and his Yeoman Race Engines/Phoenix Race Cars No. 18 hit the marks perfect on the restart and pulled away, leaving a tight battle for second as Keith held back Knudtson for runner-up honors followed by McCowan and Pursley.

"This is a different Midway with what they have been doing lately and we thought we would give it a try to see what possible changes we would makes if we come in September," Morton said in victory lane. "The track was racy and provided good close racing.with room around. Dad made some good changes to the car after practice. It was nice to get the win."

The Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series featuring Out-Pace USRA B-Mods presented by S&S U-Pull-It Auto Parts continues next Friday night with a full points program and special autograph session at intermission plus Street Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Pure Stocks and Hornets with racing at 8 p.m.

Lebanon Midway is located 5 miles east of Lebanon on Highway 32 then 1/4 mile on B Highway. For more information visit midwayspeedway.net.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Racing Association
Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series
Lebanon Midway Speedway, Lebanon, Mo.
Friday, July 26, 2019

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver and hometown.

OUT-PACE USRA B-MODS

Feature:
1. (5) 18 J.C. Morton, Springfield, Mo.
2. (3) 29 Dalton Keith, Lebanon, Mo.
3. (9) 8K Tyler Knudtson, Lebanon, Mo.
4. (6) 8 Dillion McCowan, Urbana, Mo.
5. (2) 10P Dayton Pursley, Hermitage, Mo.
6. (1) 32 Kelly Hicks, Pea Ridge, Ark.
7. (7) 7R Rich Reynolds, Ash Grove, Mo.
8. (4) 16M Brian Myers, Lebanon, Mo.
9. (8) 88R Robin Showers, Eldon, Mo.
10. (10) 28 Wesley Briggs, Lebanon, Mo.