Michael House Takes Late Win at Nashville Over Dawson Sutton

Michael House displayed his veteran savvy on Opening Day at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, taking the lead with five laps to go to win the Pro Late Model feature event.

House took the lead from Dawson Sutton in the closing laps of the 120-lap race, 20 laps longer than a standard Pro Late Model race at Nashville to celebrate the 120th year of racing at the Fairgrounds. Those extra 20 laps proved the difference for the two-time track champion, who was running third at the century mark.

"Pretty wild to be here right now," said House in victory lane. "I've got a lot of great people behind me. First and foremost, I'd like to thank Jenn Brown and her whole family for sticking with me, believing in me and putting me in great equipment. Without her, US Tank, everybody, all the US Tank employees, this wouldn't be possible."

The Sunday show with a condensed schedule limited track time going into the season opener for House. However, his experience and perhaps a little luck from his new silver wrap helped guide him to the win.

"All the guys standing right there that helped me today. It was a pretty rushed schedule, being a one-day deal. They stuck in there. We didn't test or anything. We just showed up today and hoped for the best, so it must be something about that silver."

House was third-fastest in qualifying and drew the pole position for the feature race. However, he maintained a steady pace while falling back to fifth in the running order in the early laps, saving tires for the late charge.

A late caution proved just the break House needed, erasing the lead built by the lead duo of Jackson Boone and Sutton. Sutton took the lead from Boone on lap 101, while Boone faded with an apparent issue. That left Sutton in House's sights, with the veteran making the pass for the win with five laps to go.

"I'm only going to run it so hard and try to save tire, to have enough tire at the end. I was able to do that. It was really good racing with Dawson. He ran a good race. Bennie [Hamlett], it was just a pretty clean race. I might have put a scratch on it maybe here or there, but it was a good race."

Sutton finished second, followed by Bennie Hammett, Tyler Dilegge and Corey Deuser.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy, Racing America