1/14/2024
Tyler Stevens
Stevens continues early season with eventful conclusion to Wild West Shootout
Tyler Stevens and his No. 2 Super Late Model team began their season with a pair of ninth-place finishes on the opening weekend of the 18th annual Rio Grande Waste Services Wild West Shootout at Vado (N.M.) Speedway Park. However, the second portion of the six-race series didn’t go as planned.
On Wednesday, Stevens was one of 39 Super Late Model drivers at the 3/8-mile speed plant competing for the $11,000 victory. He finished sixth in his heat and won his B-Main to start 17th in the night’s 30-lap feature. He had moved into the top 10 by the ninth circuit, but soon a shock mount from Kyle Larson’s car came through Stevens’ cockpit. The part went through Stevens’ helmet and shield and hit him in the eye. His safety gear prevented serious injury, but he could not finish and recorded a 23rd-place result.
During the scheduled off day on Thursday, Stevens was diagnosed with a broken orbital bone in his left eye and a deep abrasion on his cornea. However, he was cleared to race with medication and received a new Arai helmet to continue competition.
On Friday, Stevens returned to the track as one of 43 Super Late Model drivers looking for another $11,000 payday. He finished ninth in his heat race, putting him in a B-Main. Stevens’ frustrating week continued though after contact with Larson relegated him to a 13th-place result and he was unable to transfer to the 30-lap main event.
Forty-three Supers again took to the track on Saturday, with Stevens finishing eighth in his heat after an ignition problem kept him from qualifying. He went on to also finish eighth in his B-Feature, ending his night before the 40-lap, $11,000-to-win feature.
Stevens did not participate in Sunday’s Wild West Shootout finale, paying $26,000 to the winner of the 50-lap main event.
Full results from Vado are at www.wildwestshootout.net.
Article Credit: Mike Ruefer image
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