By Michael Despain
(Photos  by Zack Yost)

MINERAL WELLS, WEST VIRGINIA (October 9, 2021)

The Zimmer’s United Late Model Series and  the Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Northern Series would co-sanction the opening night of the 2021 RACEFEST World Championship at West Virginia Motor Speedway and Devin Moran of Dresden, OH would take the lead from Max Blair on lap fifteen and survive two late cautions and claim the win and the $5,000 payday.

The victory by the 24 year-old Moran was his third career Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Northern Series victory and was his third victory of the season with the tour as well. be his second of the season as well. The 26-year old Moran would take the win in a Longhorn Chassis powered by a Clements Race Engine that carries sponsorship from Tye Twarog Performance Parts, C and W Trucking, Big D’s Pizza, Tommy Pope Construction, M and M Painting and Construction, Accu-Force Dynos and Testers, Eddie’s Auto, Muskingham County Speedway, VP Racing Fuels, and Bilstein.

Max Blair would take the lead at the drop of the green flag in the twenty-five lap main event, followed by Devin Moran, Ashton Winger, Ryan Montgomery, and Kyle Strickler. Blair and Moran would set a rapid pace out front and would begin working slower traffic by lap seven, while Strickler would challenge Winger for the fourth position and would take it on lap twelve. Moran would close in on Blair on lap fourteen and make around the high side of turns three and four and take the race lead on lap fifteen, using a slower car for a pick to be able to work past Blair for the lead. The first caution of the race flew on lap eighteen when Rod Conley’s machine slowed in turn one. The restart would see Moran maintain the lead, with Blair, Montgomery, Dustin Nobbe, and Ted Nobbe in pursuit. The caution would appear on lap twenty and would become a red flag as the track would be blocked up for a tangle that involved Josh Tonkin, Robbie Bostic, Ed Shuman, and George Klintworth, with only Shuman able to continue. The restart would see the top five remain the same. As the field would complete lap twenty-three, Jacob Wilkinson would slow on the track and draw the caution flag. The restart would see the yellow flag fly and turn to a red when Matt Altiers made contact with the outside retaining wall and would come back across the track, with Brian Baumberger and Kelby Abels receiving the worst of the incident with heavy contact between that duo, with all three drivers done for the event. The final restart would see Moran maintain an advantage on the restart and would take the checkered flag first 1.272 seconds ahead of Blair, with Montgomery coming home in third. Ted Nobbe would work past Dustin Nobbe on the final restart, with the father-son duo settling for fourth and fifth respectively.

ULMS RACING SERIES is proudly supported by Zimmer’s Service Center, TheCushion, Close Racing Supply, Precise Racing, Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic, Lias Tire, American Racer Tire, Murphy’s Logging, Chew on this Jerky, C&J Dairy, Titusville Dairy, Viper Motorsports, Insinger Performance, VP Race Fuels, MACH Auto Detailing, WEHRS Machine & Racing Products, DirtDefender, Jay’s Auto Wrecking, Genesis Shocks, Keyser Manufacturing, Integra Shocks, Keizer Wheels, Cousins Designs, Dynamic Drivelines, Beyea Headers, Mary Norgrove Notary Public, Jays Automotive, Phantom Signs & Graphics, Vahlco Wheels, Accelo Race Wear, Bernheisel Race Components and PennGrade 1® High Performance

Official Summary of Results
Feature Results for Valvoline Iron-Man Late Model Northern Series/Zimmer’s United Late Model Series Night One of RACEFEST World Championship at West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, WV on Saturday October 9, 2021

1. Devin Moran-Dresden, Oh.
2. Max Blair-Titusville, Pa.
3. Ryan Montgomery-Fairmont, West Va.
4. Ted Nobbe-Batesville, Ind.
5. Dustin Nobbe-Batesville, Ind.
6. Ed Shuman-Mineral Wells, West Va.
7. Dustin Smith-Frazeyburg, Oh.
8. Dave Stamm-Millmont, Pa.
9. Deshawn Gingerich-Dover, Pa.
10. Brian Baumberger-Clarington, Oh.
11. Matt Altiers-Lewis Center, Oh.
12. Kelby Abels-Ravenswood, West Va.
13. Robbie Bostic-Mineral Wells, West Va.
14. Josh Tonkin-Parkersburg, West Va.
15. Jacob Wilkinson-Parkersburg, West Va.
16. Rod Conley-Wheelersburg, Oh.
17. George Klintworth-Lowell, Oh.
18. Ashton Winger-Hampton, Ga.
19. Wayne Francis-Parkersburg, West Va.
20. Kyle Strickler-Mooresville, N.C.
21. Freddie Carpenter-Parkersburg, West Va.
22. Ryan Markham-Ashland, Oh.
23. Dave Hilton-Parkersburg, West Va.
Did Not Start-Bill Whited (Ripley, West Va.)
Time of Race: 40 minutes, 46 seconds
Margin of Victory: 1.272 seconds
Yellow Flags: Four (lap 18, 20, 23, 23 restart)
Red Flags: Two (lap 20, 23 restart)
Lap Leaders: Max Blair 1-14, Devin Moran 15-25
Entries: 24
Integra Shocks Time Trials Top Qualifier: Devin Moran (Group A) 18.757 seconds