Jeff Matthews survived a toe-to-toe battle with David Reutimann to cash in a huge win in the 4th Annual Emil and Dale Reutimann Memorial.
This year’s Emil and Dale Reutimann Memorial presented by E3 Spark Plugs had a few changes this year versus the last three years. For the first time, Bubba Raceway Park hosted the event and the race paid $12,000 to win. The night started off with 37 open wheel Modifieds turning two laps each for time trails. Hunter Gustafson would set fast time for the night. Heat races soon followed with Tyler Clem, Kyle Bronson and Hunter Gustafson winning their perspective heats. The Mod Lite Stars, United ¾ Modifieds, and the Daytona Antique Auto Racing Association Features (DAARA) were held after the heat races. B Mains followed and helped set the field for the 26 starting positions in the 50 lap feature race.
Check out the full gallery!
Jeff Matthews would lead the first 40 laps until Mark Whitener took the lead on lap 41. The last 10 laps were a hard fought battle between Jeff Mathews and David Reutimann, but Reutimann took the lead on lap 42. Jeff Matthews regained the lead on lap 44 and would go on to take the checkered flag and the $12,000 pay day.
Every year the Reutimann family organizes the Emil and Dale Reutimann Memorial race to honor Emil (Buzzie’s Father) and Dale Reutimann (Buzzie’s Brother) and Gordon Stone, a family friend who were killed after being hit by a drunk driver on September 4, 1973.
You might notice in some of the pictures that the tires have the letters GS spray painted in red. Race officials stamped the tires for this race with the initials GS to honor Gene Slaughter, who served as the Hoosier Tire guy at Easy Bay Raceway for the past 30 years and was one of the best in the business. Gene passed away on November 16, 2017 and will be missed in the racing community.
In the support classes, Mark Whitener Jr. won the TQ Late Models (run with the 3/4 Modifieds), Austin Martin won the Mod Lite Stars, and Dan Darnell won the DAARA feature.
For more information visit www.bubbaracewaypark.com
The post GALLERY: Matthews Captures Reutimann Memorial at Bubba Raceway Park appeared first on Hot Rod Network.