January 6, 2024

“The Reaper” Ryan Gustin made history on Saturday with his first career Ice Bowl victory at Talladega Short Track. Not only was his victory in the 33rd Annual Ice Bowl a first for him and his Cooney Motorsports team, but this also marked the first time that a driver from north of the Mason-Dixon line was victorious in the event.

Gustin started in fourth position and took the lead on lap 21, leading the final 29 laps en route to $7,500. Oakley Johns and Christian Hanger rounded out the podium.

“I knew that running second, I was probably in the best position getting to the lap cars,” Gustin told Liberty Racing Review. “[Christian Hanger] didn’t really have anywhere to go, so I just tried to thread the needle there to get as aggressive as I could without knocking a tire down.”

A wreck at the very start of the Super Late Model event saw the front row starters involved. Sam Seawright, who started on pole, washed up the track, ending the race of second-place starter Pierce McCarter. Despite the damage, Seawright was able to claw his way back to a top five finish.

DIRTCar Super Late Model Feature Results:

1. Ryan Gustin
2. Oakley Johns
3. Christian Hanger
4. Ray Cook
5. Sam Seawright
6. Matt Cooper
7. Mark Page
8. T.J. Brittain
9. Chris Jones
10. Jody Knowles
11. Todd Cooney
12. Mark Bangs
13. Todd Morrow
14. Garrett Williams
15. Corey Roulette
16. Chase Oliver
17. Andy Picklesimer
18. Matthew Taylor
19. Jadon Frame
20. Jamie Oliver
21. Chad Trammell
22. Booger Brooks
23. Dillon Tidmore
24. Pierce McCarter
25. Bryson Mitchell

Crate Racin’ USA had their premier late model divisions on display in the Ice Bowl as well.

The CRUSA Dirt Late Model Series (604 Series) feature saw Jasper, Georgia’s Will Roland claim the victory. Roland dominated the entire 40-lap feature event, with Tyler Millwood and Matt Henderson finishing in second and third place respectively.

The CRUSA Late Model Sportsman (602 Series) feature was won by another Georgia native, Seth Wimpey of Blue Ridge. Cruz Wallace charged through the field to finish second, and Mario Gresham would round out the podium in third.

Other Ice Bowl Feature Winners:

CRUSA Modified Sportsman – Booger Brooks

TST Sportsman – Ray Cook

CRUSA Street Stocks – Logan Hickerson

SM4MA Mini Stocks – John Smartt

Factory Stock – Jordan Phillips

Hot Shot Feature 1 – Logan McVey

Hot Shot Feature 2 – Brian Nicolas

Finally, we can’t cover the Ice Bowl without showing some of the carnage that took place. Several spins and collisions occurred throughout the race weekend, but there were a few notable instances of drivers catching air and rolling over.

Christian Hanger had a scary moment in Super Late Model qualifying. Running the cushion in turns three and four, Hanger would jump the cushion on corner exit, getting his right side tires on top of the outside wall and running along the fence down the frontstretch.

Another incident occurred in one of the CRUSA Modified Sportsman B-Mains, in which Bruce Busby would make contact with another car in turn four, sending Busby into a voilent flip.

Finally, shortly after Busby’s incident, Chris Hough would wind up rolling over in turn one during his CRUSA 602 B-Main, being stuck on his roof until track safety workers were able to assist him.

All drivers listed in their respective accidents are ok.