Kyle Steckly Captures First ASA Victory
Having a strong run all weekend Kyle Steckly would go on to win the 58th Annual Redbud 400. Steckly was fastest in both practice sessions on Saturday. He would go on to Qualify 3rd quick. Steckly ran a very clean race and kept his nose clean and the car underneath him. In the late stages of the race he was able to get by Austin Nason and take home his first career ASA STARS National Tour win.
Austin Nason Has Career Best Finish With ASA
Austin Nason was one of the drivers to watch heading into Saturday. With lots of short track bullring experience Nason was going to be a contender for the win. He went on to Qualify 4th. On lap 75 he would take the lead and go on to win Stage 1. He would go on to lead 132 laps in the race. At the conclusion of the event Nason would finish 2nd, a new career best finish in the ASA STARS National Tour for the Roscoe, IL driver.
Nine Different Lead Changes
Throughout the 400 lap event there were several lead changes between three different drivers. Kyle Steckly, Austin Nason and Cole Butcher would all lead laps. Steckly led the most laps, leading 144. Austin Nason led 132 laps and Cole Butcher led 115 laps. Steckly would take the lead on the opening lap and lead the first 74 laps. Nason would get past Steckly and take the lead on lap 75 and lead until 140.
Butcher would then take the lead from Nason on lap 141 and lead until 172. Nason got back by Butcher on lap 173 and led until 194. The two would swap the lead once again as Butcher would take over the top spot on lap 195. Butcher would stay out front until Steckly got a good run and got by and took the lead back over on lap 216.
However just 8 laps later Butcher would get by and take the lead from lap 215 until 289. Nason would get by Butcher on lap 290 and lead until lap 336. Lap 337 would see Steckly get by Nason and run away with the win.
Gio Ruggiero Finishes on the Podium
On Friday evening he was running in the ARCA Menards Series race at Lucas Oil Raceway Park where he went on to finish 5th. Ruggiero would then make the hour trip to the Anderson Speedway to run Saturday’s 58th Annual Redbud 400. Just one year ago Ruggiero finished 2nd in this event. Although he is young Ruggiero knows his way around this tight Quarter Mile Oval. Ruggiero would keep his nose clean throughout the 400 lap event and finish on the podium with a 3rd place finish.
Down to the Final Four
Just 4 races remain in the 2024 ASA STARS National Tour season. Next up on the schedule is the Michigan 200 at Owosso Speedway on Saturday August 17th. After Owosso the series will head to Toledo Speedway for the Glass City 200 on Saturday September 14th. On October 13th the series will return to the historic Winchester Speedway for one of Asphalt Super Late Model’s Crown Jewel Events, the Winchester 400. The 2024 season will wrap up on Sunday November 3rd at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway for the prestigious All American 400, another Crown Jewel Event in Asphalt Super Late Model racing.
