4/2/2017
NSTA Top Speed Modified Tour
Rowe scores NSTA Top Speed Modified win at Lucas Oil Raceway
INDIANAPOLIS – The start of a new era began for the NSTA Top Speed Modified Tour with the crowning of a first time winner. It marked the first race for new series owner John Robbins with the opening event at the .686 mile famed Lucas Oil Raceway oval.
Michigan driver Blake Rowe inherited the lead with nine laps remaining when former champion Chad Poole dramatically slowed on the back straight. Poole had taken over the lead on a restart with 12 laps remaining by passing Tyler Nuckles, whose day came to an end in turn four.
Rowe started seventh in the 32-car field and didn’t crack the top five until lap 19 when the caution flag waved for a spin by Darrin Bowman. With Jonathan Martin holding the point on the restart Poole, Rowe and Nuckles drove around Matt Dimit and four laps later Rowe took the lead from Martin.
In what could have been a devastating end to the day, just five laps later Rowe was black-flagged and moved back to the fourth spot for jumping the restart. It only took him two laps to get back to second. Rowe was followed to the checkers by Doug Meyer and Dimit.
The race proved to be one of attrition as woes ended the day of Tim Burkett, Bud Gray, Travis Eddy, Steve Coe and Damon Breedlove.
“We worked on the car all night and made a lot of changes,” Rowe said of his first ever visit to Lucas Oil Raceway. “Just to be able to race against these guys is special.
“After five laps the car would come alive,” he said. With the victory Rowe locks himself into the Top Speed Modified feature at Bristol Motor Speedway in May.
Jeff Lane pitted on lap six to make adjustments to his car and drove back to the field to finish sixth. Several drivers made impressive runs through the field, including Michigan Driver Doug True who finished ninth after starting 25th in the field. Ohio’s Dave Dobbins cracked the top ten with an eighth place finish after starting 18th.
The NSTA Modifieds visit historic Anderson Speedway on April 8 for the “Sun Valley 60” on the tight high-banked quarter-mile oval. Legendary series veteran L.J. Lines will be serving as grand marshal for the event. Racing starts at 6 p.m.
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Article Credit: NSTA Racing Staff
Submitted By: John Robbins