By Ronnie Williams
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Hometown driver Ryan Gillmore charged early from his sixth starting spot and drove with ease to his first-ever Bad Boys Mowers IMCA Modified win Saturday before the capacity crowd at The Quick Quarter Springfield Raceway.
Gillmore, driving the Andrew Smith car that won on opening night, had made several changes to the car during the week after a seventh place finish last week.
The youngster wasted no time in working through traffic early in the 20-lap feature and then kicked it in gear to capture the win in a strong run.
“Last week was the first time since early in the season that we ran the car and we finished second that night. I knew the car was capable of getting into the winner’s circle and we found a few things and made several changes,” he said. “The car was on a rail. Jerry had the track in great shape and two-three wide racing all night in all classes.”
Gillmore was happy the race went almost caution-free as friend and hard charger Trevor Drake was starting to close ground along with James Thompson. Bobby Pearish retired after being involved in an incident early in the feature but it was Thompson who was making the most ground on the bottom but ran out of time.
Jody Tillman and Clay Hale completed the top five.
Gillmore has been tabbed to compete in the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s in Smith’s no. 49. Smith, who has been suffering from back pain and undergoing treatment asked if he would be interested in driving the car this year at Boone.
“Getting a chance to compete at Super Nationals is a dream come true,” Gillmore said.