ST. LOUIS — The emotions were prevalent for Gordy Gundaker Friday night after he charged to victory in the second 20-lap preliminary feature for the second-annual Gateway Dirt Nationals inside The Dome at America’s Center.
Shock, disbelief and pure, unbridled joy were all there for the 25-year-old from St. Charles, Mo., a hometown boy from 25 minutes west of The Dome who pitched in his own manpower alongside his father Kevin to help construct the track for this year’s Gateway event.
It was a recipe for a celebration that went long into the night, as well as a moment that Gundaker stressed he would never forget.
“Winning in St. Louis, at home … this is crazy,” said Gundaker. “I’m lost for words.”
The $5,000 payday that Gundaker took home Friday night was far and away the largest of his career, by about $3,000, to be exact.
He earned the pole by virtue of a heat race victory and never looked back in the main event, beating Tyler Carpenter, Chad Zobrist, Tanner English and Kent Robinson to the checkered flag.
Hudson O’Neal won the first preliminary feature earlier in the night.
RESULTS: Gateway Dirt Nationals; The Dome at America’s Center; Dec. 15, 2017
A-Feature (20 laps): 1. Gordy Gundaker, 2. Tyler Carpenter, 3. Chad Zobrist, 4. Tanner English, 5. Kent Robinson, 6. Don O’Neal, 7. Darrell Lanigan, 8. Russ King, 9. Hunter Rasdon, 10. Mike Spatola, 11. Jeremy Sneed, 12. Shannon Babb, 13. Dave Armstrong, 14. Myles Moos, 15. Tyler Millwood, 16. Tim Dohm, 17. Dennis Erb Jr., 18. Reno Markham, 19. Jeff Herzog, 20. Jason Feger.
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network, as well as a periodic contributor to SPEED SPORT Magazine.
Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 23-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
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