Gus Dean Scores Emotional Sunday Win at New Smyrna World Series

Gus Dean added his name to the list of Super Late Model winners at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway on Sunday night, scoring an emotional win to kick off the third night of racing in the event.

Dean started second in the field of more than 30 Super Late Models, and quickly moved ahead of Derek Griffith for the lead. The South Carolina driver led the rest of the way in the 35-lap feature, picking up his first win in the World Series.

The win also carries sentimental value for Dean, coming weeks after the passing of his grandfather.

"It's really special to me tonight. I lost my best friend, my granddad, about two weeks ago. It's been pretty hard. He's been to every single race. He would tell me before every race, even the ones he couldn't make it to at the end, 'Get what you can.' We got what we could tonight. I know he was riding with me.

"It feels really good. Big thanks to Mr. Nasse for providing the car for us. It's been a missile all week. I just need to get a little tuned back in. It's been three years since I've been in a Super. We got tuned in at the last race and made it happen tonight."

The win occurred in Gus Dean's 33rd Super Late Model start at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. Dean has competed in Late Models routinely at the World Series since debuting in a Pro Late Model in 2011.

Wilson Motorsports teammates Brent Crews and Gio Ruggiero finished second and third, continuing their strong performances to start the World Series. In Friday's opening night competition, Ruggiero picked up the win while Crews finished second.

Austin Nason finished fourth, with Derek Griffith rounding out the top five in the final Super Late Model race before Tuesday's ASA STARS National Tour Clyde Hart Memorial 200 at New Smyrna. Super Late Model teams will be able to practice on Monday to further prepare for the Clyde Hart Memorial.

For the second night in a row, Dawson Sutton picked up the win in Pro Late Model competition. Sutton took the lead from Friday night winner Jimmy Renfrew with eight laps to go and finished ahead of Hunter Wright and Renfrew in an attrition-filled race.

"It was all about patience. That was a long race for 35 laps, a lot of wrecks and stuff. I'm just really excited. This team gave me a great car last night and tonight. Hopefully, we can pick up some more wins by the end of the week."

-Photo credit: Gus Dean Racing on Facebook

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS - NIGHT #3, WORLD SERIES OF ASPHALT STOCK CAR RACING

SUPER LATE MODELS

PRO LATE MODELS

FLORIDA MODIFIEDS

602 MODIFIEDS

E-MODIFIEDS