(ROSSBURG, OH) Jared Mogard added his name to the short list of “Northern Ohio Racing Report Dirt Derby” Winners with a late slide job on 2017 Dirt Derby winner Brad Cross.

45 trucks checked into Eldora Speedway, the only dirt track on the Sam Maxwell Customs Truck Series schedule.  With a unique qualifying format that set the field of 32,  Eldora is always a thriller and this year’s edition did not disappoint.

Defending Dirt Derby winner Brad Cross turned the fastest lap in qualifying and put his #30 on pole for the 100 lap event.  Dirt Late Mode Tour regular Justin Kruithof placed his #49 along side for the green flag.

Cross took the early lead and held on through the first 51 laps before giving way to Jared Mogard.  But Mogard couldn’t hang on and lost the lead on lap 57 as Cross retook the top spot.  Cross would lead all the way until lap 94 as Mogard made the move on a late restart to put the #00 into the lead.

While the action upfront was tame with Cross and Mogard battling cleanly, the action farther back in the field was intense.  11 cautions slowed the race for 34 laps as expected.  Devin Serra, a championship favorite stumbled through the Eldora Dirt Derby and failed to finish after several incidents damaged his #20.  Brian Yaczik, who had been Mogard’s primary competition all season also failed to finish in his #55.

When the dust settled it was Mogard taking his fourth win of 2018, defending Dirt Derby winner brad Cross finished 2nd, Jeremy banning was third followed by Mitch Brown and Jordan Harnish who rounded out the top five.

The Sam Maxwell Customs Truck Series heads to Pocono Raceway with Jared Mogard leading the championship standings.  With three races to go until the Playoffs begin the battle to make the top 12 is heating up.