Coming into Daytona, 17 races have commenced. Timothy McDonnell has gone on an unexpected rampage to take his first points lead in two seasons, looking to re-capture his prominence and take his fourth Championship crown. Pre-race favorites Ryan Heuser and John Battista will start on the front row, both inside the top-5 in points hoping to catch McDonnell.

Race Results

Points Standings

Race Recap

45 cars take the grid, tying for the largest summer Daytona field in Extravaganza Series history. Two drivers will make their first starts of the season, Tony Gunk and Frank Womack, the latter making his first career start in the #02 Lowe's Chevrolet for Delta Sim Racing. Womack would struggle to keep up with the draft, while Gunk tested the waters mid-pack.

Alan Nesfeder went from the third position to lead the first lap, giving way back to pole-sitter Heuser on lap 4. The #138 led the pack through lap 11, with the exemption of Matt Raboin for one circuit. Zach Michael, David Butterworth, Jimmie Stevens and Johnny Reed Foley would cycle atop the field, with Heuser taking the lead back on lap 18.

Logan Sheets, Matt Raboin, Tim McDonnell, Alan Neseder, Matthew Dominique, Adam Crapser, Steven Spears, Jimmie Stevens, John Tharp, David Butterworth, Zakk MIller, Michael Henson and Craig Lee would swap the top-spot through lap 50. Heading towards green flag pit stops, Sheets and Dominique would fominate the final ten-lap stretch. The #58 would continue to lead the nine-car lead pack after fuel stops, letting Nesfeder by in hopes of pulling away from the second pack.

Once the second group caught up to the leaders, Ryan Heuser wasted no time re-taking the lead. The #138 NOS Energy chevrolet was up front for 34 of the next 36 laps, capturing the halfway bacon bonus and pulling the 19-car lead group well away from the rest of the field. Behind him, Logan Sheets and Ken Joynt made unscheduled pit stops, losing a lap that they would fail to regain.

Matthew Dominique had the horsepower to power past the #138 just before lap 100. Frank Womack soon led his first two career laps, relinquishing the spot to John Tharp and Ben Geer before the second round of stops. Miraculously, we would remain caution free with 55 laps to go.

All 45 cars were still running by lap 110. Scott Jackson led the field to the first yellow flag for debris off of the rear of Randy Dobbins. Under the stops, Michael Henson slammed into the back of Dave Daniels, destroying his radiator and ending his night. He would be the only driver to fail to finish. Rick Jackson, Adam Crapser and Rob Scarberry each went a lap down during the caution.

Everyone made their final fuel stop coming to the green with 47 laps remaining, except for Bink Lucas. He would gain 21 spots to lead the field, having to go 55 laps on a tank in a bonzai chance to nab his first top-5 of the season. John Tharp, Ryan Heuser, Ben Geer and Matt Raboin would all swap the lead by the 40-to-go mark.

Timothy McDonnell was atop the field from lap 121 through lap 128. Ryan Heuser made a pass on the frontstretch with Ben Geer in tow, with the #29 stealing the lead away one lap later. Dan Johnston received a push from Zakk Miller to take his first lead of the night with 30 laps to go, in search for redemption after his Talladega crash three years ago. 

With 28 laps to go, John Battista took the helm and remained there for laps on end. Just nine circuits earlier, he was in 35th place, racing Rob Scarberry and Scott Jackson for last in the lead pack. Miraculously, the Wendy's machine traversed through the field with complete ease, using the Lucas Racing superspeedway horsepower to his advantage. He would remain there for the rest of the event, looking in his mirror for any potential adversaries to reach his back bumper. Nobody did.

Johnny Reed Foley, Alex Crapser, Ken Pettit, Dakota Wilkins and Matt Raboin finished inside the top-6 in miraculous style, each keeping their seasons alive at one of Extravaganza's "wild card" venues. Up front, John Battista captured his fifth victory of the season, along with his second superspeedway title of 2023. Battista now has the most victories, tied for most top-5's and has led 15% of all total laps in the season. Congrats to John, crew chief Lew money and the entire Lucas Racing organization for an excellent victory!

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