After 10 years of trying to win a race at the Brownstown Speedway Devin Moran finally was able to breakthrough as he won the 27th annual Indiana Icebreaker for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series on March 23 at the Jackson County Fairgrounds quarter-mile oval.
With the win, Moran became the 10th different winner in the last 10 series races as he picked up his ninth career series win worth $15,000. There were six lead changes among three drivers during the 50-lap race. Bobby Pierce, who led the most laps with 19 finished in second followed by Mike Marlar, Max Blair and Ricky Thornton Jr.
Brandon Sheppard took the lead at the start of the race as the Illinios driver was looking for his third straight win in the event. Sheppard led the first 14 laps until Moran, who started from the pole seized the top spot. But his lead lasted just one lap before Pierce, who started fifth, took his first lead of the race.
But like Moran, Pierce’s turn as the race leader lasted one lap as Sheppard moved back to the point.
Sheppard would lead the next four circuits until Moran retook the lead with 21 laps complete. A back-and-forth battle then ensued between Moran and Pierce as Pierce would claim the top spot for the second time in the race on lap 23.
Pierce appeared to seize control of the race through heavy traffic as he was trying to extend his lead, but Moran and Marlar were quickly closing ground on the former Jackson 100 winner. Moran was able to grab the lead from Pierce right before the final caution flag of the race flew with 13 laps to go.
Moran would then lead the final 13 circuits, but Pierce tried several different lines to retake the lead in the closing stages,, Moran would win by just 0.532 seconds over Pierce.
In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the first time in 2024 last year’s runner-up in points breathed a sigh of relief for finally get the monkey off his back at Brownstown.
“It’s about time man,” Moran said. “I love coming to this place. Jim Price (Brownstown promoter) does a great job with the race track. It’s a great race track, it has awesome fans, you have awesome support in the pits. I have been waiting for about 10 years to come do this. I have always run good here. I know it’s cold out here, but I was sweating bullets out there. The bottom was really good, and Bobby run up to the lead. When I moved to the top, I could make hay in three and four after that last caution I was just trying hang on to the end.”
Pierce, who won twice last year at Brownstown came close to going back to victory lane at Brownstown. “That was awesome race tonight. I didn’t really expect the track to be that good. . didn’t expect to roll the top like he did. It was a fun race and we’re glad to finish second tonight.”
Marlar, who captured the C.J. Rayburn Memorial Race at Brownstown last September, was one of the fastest cars on the track during the mid-part of the race and rounded out the Big River Steel Podium in third.
“Me and Devin were on harder tires than Sheppy and Bobby and I was like we just need to race here without any cautions,” Marlar said. “The race track was unbelievable again it’s always awesome here. It was a fun night.”
In other racing action at Brownstown, Zach Sasser of Bedford outdueled his brother, Isaiah to win the super stock feature race. Tucker Chastain of Bedford was third followed by Rick Gumm of Tampico and Trey Chastain of Bedford.
Keaton Streeval of Edinburgh won the pure stock for his first win of the season. Will McRoberts of Madison was second followed by Josh Turner of Edinburgh, Brent McMillan of North Vernon, and Mickey Hines of Scipio.
Super Stock Feature finish: Zach Sasser, Isaiah Sasser, Tucker Chastain, Rick Gumm, Trey Chastain, Greg Amick, Jack Roberts, Josh Litton, Grant Simpson, Colton Sullivan, Jenna Boknecht, Blake Hull-DNS
Pure Stock Feature Finish: Keaton Streeval, Will McRoberts, Josh Turner, Brent McMillan, Mickey Hines, Tommy Fleenor, Davey Waggoner, Tanner Short, Phillip Boudreaux, A.J. Wilson, D.J. Dunn, Eli McRoberts, Cody Ellison, Preston Carr, Bradley Roundtree, Ronnie Pardue, Hunter Perry, Corebin McRoberts, Daniel Hupp, Dalton Roark-DNS
This week in racing history
20 years ago in 2024 at Brownstown, Don O’Neal won the Indiana Icebreaker over Brad Erwin, Steve Barnett, Dan Sturgeon and Jesse Lay. Robert Walters won the bomber feature over Steven Godsey, Matt Cummings, Jim Pfeiffer and Jason Combs. Mike Fields won the super stock feature race over Tim Clark, Gerald Todd, Mike Cawood and Jeff Walters. Dan Hamstra won the modified feature over Matt Boknecht, Ray Humphrey, Daryl Herbert and Shelby Miles.
From 10 years ago in 2014 at Brownstown, Bryan Clausen won the No Way Out 40 for sprint cars over Jon Stanbrough, Brady Short, Tyler Courtney, and Jordan Kinser. Ryan Thomas won the modified feature race over David McWilliams, Brad Barrow, Joe Godsey, and Levi Kissinger. Stephen Arnold won the TQ midgets feature over Caleb Faulkner, Dustin Wheeldon, Bobby DeWitt, and Corey Eaglin.
Upcoming local racing schedule
Today – Brownstown Speedway – Spring Meltdown – Midwest Thunder Series 410 non-wing sprint cars – $4,000 to win plus MMSA mini-sprints, and hornets. For information brownstownspeedway.com.
Friday – Terre Haute Action Track – USAC National Sprint Cars
April 6 – Brownstown Speedway – second annual Ira Bastin Memorial – Northern Allstars Late Model Dirt Series – $5,000 to win plus super stocks, pure stocks, and crown Vics.
April 6 – Lawrenceburg Speedway – season opener – sprints, modifieds, pure stocks, and hornets. For more information lawrenceburgspeedway.com.