Tampa, FL (Thursday, February 16, 2023) - The Winter Nationals are in the home stretch at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Florida. As a cap to the nearly month-long racing celebration at East Bay that has included Crate Late Models, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Tezos All-Star Circuit of Champions, the 360 Sprint Cars put the cap on the 2023 speed weeks.
Tonight, the 360 Sprint Cars kicked off three straight nights of racing leading up to the King of 360s finale on Saturday night. Over 50 360 Sprint Cars unloaded at East Bay Raceway Park for a shot at the 24-car field. At the end of 25 laps, California’s Cole Macedo ended up going to Victory Lane behind the wheel of Michigan’s Home Pro Sprint Car Racing.
Macedo started on the outside pole for the main event after his heat race win alongside Clute, Texas’ Aaron Reutzel. Macedo was hungry for a win, so much so, that the opening start was called back when Macedo got a huge jump on Reutzel on the outside. On the retry, Macedo again got a jump but the start would stay and Macedo rocketed to the lead.
A number of cautions plagued the event, some of which, were race savers for Macedo. Second-place driver, Mark Smith had run down Macedo in lapped traffic but a caution allowed Macedo to race again in clean air. Toward the end of the race, heavy lapped traffic again became a factor in the race for Macedo. In fact, Smith was able to pull alongside Macedo inside of five laps to go. Macedo was able to use a lapped car as a pick and fend of Smith by 1.233 seconds at the line.
Macedo, who just days ago announced he would not be returning to his Ray Brooks Racing #18 in 2023, not only wheeled the Shannon Eifert owned Home Pro Sprint Car Racing no. 50YR to Victory Lane tonight, but he also piloted the 410 car during the All-Star Circuit of Champions races earlier in the week.
Other drivers who race in the Midwest region were in action Thursday night as well. Former Great Lakes Super Sprints Presented by Engine Pro and ARP feature winner, Dylan Westbrook recovered after an early crash to finish 12th. Defending GLSS Champion, Max Stambaugh finished 19th in his Smith Motorsports no. 71H and former GLSS Champion Phil Gressman pulled his no. 7C to the infield early with an apparent issue.
The King of 360s continues Friday with another $2,000 to win main event ahead of Saturday’s $10,000 to win Ronald Laney Memorial. Racing begins at 7:00PM and fans can watch live on FloRacing.
Full Results are available at www.race-monitor.com.
Story - Zach Hiser
Photo - GoFastPhotos
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