Arizona Motorplex
Nick Bartels captures Copper on Dirt opener
Nick Bartels (27) heads toward victory at Tucson. (dennisbrownfield.com)
TUCSON, Ariz. (Feb. 18) — Nick Bartels of El Segundo, Calif., rallied from his 10th starting spot Friday night at USA Raceway to capture the Late Model portion of the four-division Copper on Dirt Showdown. Bartels earned $1,000 for a victory sanctioned by the Arizona-based Total Seal Late Model Dirt Racing Series and California-based West Coast Late Model Shootout. | Slideshow
The 22-year-old Bartels, a third-generation driver, also led a California sweep of the top three spots as Clay Daly of Watsonville, Calif., who started alongside Bartels in the fifth row, finished second followed by fifth-starting Steve Drake of San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Six-time Total Seal champion Lonnie Parker Jr. of El Mirage, Ariz., who started outside the front row, was fourth and Dean Moore of Grand Junction, Colo., rounded out the top five in the first of two nights of action at Tucson. Polesitter Tony Toste ended up 16th. Saturday's Late Model feature pays $2,000 to the winner.
Notes: Bartels drives a Victory Circle Chassis sponsored by Bartels' Harley-Davidson and Bartels Insurance. ... Polesitter Johnny Herrera won the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series feature. ... Kyle Larson won the midget feature. ... Holly Jones won the modified feature. ... Last year's Total Seal Series champion Ricky Thornton Jr. finished third in the modified main but didn't compete in Late Model action.
Copper on Dirt: (1) Nick Bartels, (2) Clay Daly, (3) Steve Drake, (4) Lonnie Parker Jr., (5) Dean Moore, (6) Mike Balcaen, (7) Rob Mayea, (8) Jason Papich, (9) Paul Banghart, (10) Tommy Hussak III, (11) Cody Barnett, (12) John Cornell, (13) Anthony Madrid, (14) Chris Barnett, (15) Marty Hussak, (16) Tony Toste, (17) Mark Carrell, (18) Joey Moriarty, (19) Karl Tipton, (20) Mike Kirby. Heat race winners (among 30 cars): Carrell, Moore, Kirby. Consolation winner: Banghart.
