(NEWTON, IA)  What once was a two-horse race with two races remaining has suddenly become a three-horse race going into the ASRS Short Track Pro-Series Finale. The series rolled into Iowa with both Jared Mogard and Jason Stewart looking to put more distance between them and 3rd place Ty Hester before settling the championship amongst themselves at Richmond. The outcome of the race would be the complete opposite.

The night started out well for Jared Mogard when he put his #01 Maxxed Out Motorsports Chevy on the pole. Flanked to Mogard’s outside would be the championship race underdog Ty Hester. Tim Knott, Devon Armstrong and Dominic Lee rounded out the top 5. The night went sour quickly for Mogard who lost major track position when he experienced mechanical issues.

He would not have a chance to recover when he was involved in a mid-race pile-up relegating him to a 17th place finish. Jason Stewart would have similar fortunes. Stewart was running well and passing cars quickly after starting a disappointing 10th place. He would later be heavily damaged on a restart later in the race. Stewart would go on to finish 12th. Ty Hester would not be denied in this one. He led 90 of the 100 laps, fending off a late charge by Tom Giannini and then later blowing by him on fresher tires following a late race restart.

Giannini and Mogard would be the only other two drivers to lead laps on the night. Hester’s win was the gravy on top of a stellar team performance. Dominic Lee finished 2nd, a 1-2 finish for Alpha Tango Racing. Andrew Garrels, Tom Giannini and Bruce Pearson rounded out the top 5. Ty Hester, in this race, started this race a championship race underdog and a longshot; he would end it as not only a serious contender, but the championship leader and new favorite. He leads Jared Mogard by 4 points with Jason Stewart sitting in 3rd a mere 5 points out of the lead.

The championship will come down to the last lap at Richmond where all 3 drivers have a legitimate shot to win the race and the championship. The next race will be in two weeks as the series is off for the first leg of the 20th annual All American 400. Stay tuned!