Dillon Bassett’s got his first career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East win, and it wasn’t without drama.
The 17-year-old from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, scored his breakthrough victory in the UPMC Health Plan 150 in the series’ inaugural visit to Motordrome Speedway. In the process, he became the 100th different winner in series history.
To put his No. 44 Bassett Gutters Ford in Victory Lane, Bassett had to sit through two lengthy late-race red flags, and then fend off a fierce challenge from Austin Hill in the closing laps.
Bassett took the lead from championship points leader William Byron, who led a race-high 92 laps, on Lap 94.
However, asphalt issues on the front stretch necessitated a pair of red flags and subsequent caution periods starting on Lap 101. When the race finally went back to green on Lap 120, Austin Hill charged from third to first and it looked like Bassett’s first win would have to wait. However, he was able to maintain his momentum on the outside lane and wrestle the lead back on Lap 125 before he drove away to a 3.357-second victory.
Fellow Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Rico Abreu mounted a late charge to finish second, while Hill settled for third.
Kenzie Ruston finished sixth, followed by Kaz Grala, Byron, Codie Rohrbaugh and Sergio Pena.
Byron’s championship lead shrunk to 12 over Heckert, while Hill is 28 points back in third.
Bassett was making his 10th career NASCAR K&N Pro Series start and his previous best finish was a sixth in the season opener at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway. He scored 16 Late Model wins last year en route to a fourth-place in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national standings. Bassett also earned the UNOH Youth Achievement National Award last year as the top NASCAR Whelen All-American Series driver 17-and-under.
The UPMC Health Plan 150 will air on NBCSN on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 2:30 p.m.
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East returns to the track with a road-course race: the Biscuitville 125 at VIRginia International Raceway on Saturday, Aug. 29.
NASCAR PR
