By Paul Harkenrider (Dundee, NY) | Jason Barney was fortunate enough to start on the front row of Saturday’s third annual Outlaw Spring Nationals to secure his first win of the 2018 season over Matt Tanner, and reigning PST Canadian Series Champion, Dylan Westbrook.
All three competitors received cash bonuses of $125, $75, $50, respectively for being the three highest Patriot Sprint Tour Members to cross the line at the conclusion of the A-Main.
Barney was scheduled to start third in the 25 lap A-Main but motor issues for Shawn Donath which occurred during the heat pushed him up to the front row alongside outside pole-sitter, Jonathan Preston.
Barney was able to scoot out to the early lead in the first couple of laps before getting passed by Preston on lap three exiting turn four on the outside.
Preston would begin to pull away before meeting lap traffic on lap seven which allowed Barney to close the gap on the 22 car.
Barney’s experience on dry slick race tracks would benefit the 38-year-old from Brewerton, by getting back underneath Preston to re-take the lead, but this time for good.
Lap traffic continued to play a role in the main event which would also allow Matt Tanner to maneuver his way through the field and track down the race leader. Tanner’s efforts would come up just short and he would settle for a runner up finish to begin his 2018 racing campaign.
The final five laps would find Scotland, Ontario’s, Dylan Westbrook battling it out with Preston for that final podium position. Westbrook was able to get a good run on the outside of Preston on the final lap to take away that last podium position and land another top five finish in his second consecutive Outlaw Spring Nationals start.
No PST points were awarded during Saturday’s Events but other notable Patriot Sprint Tour competitors in attendance included Jordan Thomas, Jared Zimbardi, and Steve Glover.
The first full point PST event will be Saturday, May 5 at the newly named Land of Legends Raceway in Canandaigua, NY. It will be the first Patriot Sprint Tour event at the Ontario County Fairgrounds in two years. Other PST events in the month of May include a stop at Woodhull Raceway on Saturday, May 12, and Albany-Saratoga Speedway on Friday, May 25.
For a complete Patriot Sprint Tour Schedule, be sure to log onto www.patriotsprinttour.com as well liking Patriot Sprint Tour on facebook and following @PatriotSprints on Instagram and Twitter.
The Patriot Sprint Tour recognizes the following marketing partners for the 2018 season: A-Verdi Storage Containers, Hoosier Racing Tires, Prestige Pool & Spa, Einstein Construction Group, Bonnell’s Auto Group, Evingham Site Excavation, Fine Touch Collision, Mike Emhof Motorsports Inc., Super Gen Products with Champion Power Equipment, Patriot Tank Lines, Danny Willmes Enterprises, Casey’s Truck Salvage, Just Signs & Designs, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Sunoco Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, Shuttleworth Asphalt Sealing, ASI Racewear, Curtis Berleue Photography.