Eldon, Missouri (September 1, 2024)………Mario Clouser rapidly advanced five spots to lead the last nine laps on the final night of the Non-Wing Nationals presented by Start2Finish TV at Lake Ozark Speedway, co-sanctioned by the POWRi Wingless Auto Racing Sprint League and the USAC Wholesale Batteries Midwest Wingless Racing Association.
A field of 21 traditional sprinters witnessed Trey Osborne set the quickest hot lap time of 14.620-second lap as Anthony Nicholson and Cody Baker each earned heat race victories.
The initial green flag start saw high-point qualifier Jack Wagner and Nicholson lined up on the front row. Nicholson gained the lead on the opening lap with Jack Wagner blasting into the runner-up spot.
Suffering mechanical issues on the next lap, leader Nicholson relinquished the lead to Jack Wagner on lap two as Wesley Smith moved into the runner-up position with Cody Baker, Bret Mellenberndt and Osborne rounding out the early top-five.
Leading the next nine laps, Jack Wagner appeared to be on a rail as Mario Clouser began his chase for the top spot before eventually overtaking the preferred position on lap 11 with Xavier Doney, Smith, Chase Howard and Osborne staying within striking distance.
Leading the final revolutions perfectly, Clouser emerged victorious over Wesley Smith finished runner-up as Doney completed the final podium placements.
“We’ve had an unbelievable difficult season, so this feels great to be here in victory lane,” said Clouser. “We had a great track tonight, and to get success, finally feels great while making the eight hour trip worth it.”
Challenging closely behind was fourth place finisher Trey Osborne while Bret Mellenberndt rounded out the top-five.
USAC WHOLESALE BATTERIES MIDWEST WINGLESS RACING ASSOCIATION SPRINT CAR SPECIAL EVENT RACE RESULTS: September 1, 2024 – Lake Ozark Speedway – Eldon, Missouri – 6th Annual Non-Wing Nationals
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. 16-Anthony Nicholson (2), 2. 44-Wesley Smith (4), 3. 33-Bryson Smith (1), 4. 73-Samuel Wagner (3), 5. 97-Bret Mellenberndt (8), 6. 11T-Trey Osborne (10), 7. 27-Justin Johnson (6), 8. 4T-Taylor Forbes (11), 9. 99-Bryan Roach (7), 10. 9-Chad Goff (9), 11. 52B-Blake Bowers (5). NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. 9H-Cody Baker (2), 2. 77-Jack Wagner (10), 3. 6-Mario Clouser (3), 4. 98-Saban Bibent (1), 5. 13-Chase Howard (5), 6. 74-Xavier Doney (9), 7. 26-Zach Clark (6), 8. 75-Glen Saville (4), 9. 82-Vinny Ward (8), 10. 51-Doug Martens (7). NT
FEATURE: (20 laps, starting positions in parentheses) 1. Mario Clouser (6), 2. Wesley Smith (4), 3. Xavier Doney (9), 4. Trey Osborne (7), 5. Bret Mellenberndt (5), 6. Chase Howard (12), 7. Saban Bibent (11), 8. Chad Goff (19), 9. Samuel Wagner (10), 10. Jack Wagner (1), 11. Zach Clark (15), 12. Cody Baker (3), 13. Glen Saville (16), 14. Bryan Roach (18), 15. Vinny Ward (17), 16. Bryson Smith (8), 17. Justin Johnson (14), 18. Blake Bowers (21), 19. Taylor Forbes (13), 20. Anthony Nicholson (2), 21. Doug Martens (20). NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Anthony Nicholson, Laps 2-10 Jack Wagner, Laps 11-20 Mario Clouser.
NEXT USAC WHOLESALE BATTERIES MIDWEST WINGLESS RACING ASSOCIATION SPRINT CAR RACE: September 7, 2024 – I-35 Speedway – Winston, Missouri
