By T.J. Buffenbarger
ROSSBURG, OH (September 21, 2024) – Mitchel Moles drove to victory in the USAC Silver Crown Series portion of the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway. Moles took the lead from Daison Pursley and then paced himself as the track took rubber to make his right rear tire last the entire 50-lap distance.
Pursley and Bacon started on the front row for the 50-lap main event, racing side by side the first two laps before Pursley claimed the spot. Bacon and Moles were right on Pursley’s back bumper to create a three-car race for the lead with Kody Swanson lurking behind them.
The first caution flag of the event came on lap six when Dave Burkheimer ended up backwards between turns one and two. During the caution flag Logan Seavey, who was looking to win his fourth consecutive Silver Crown race at Eldora, went to the work area with brake issues. Seavey was able to make repairs to join the tail of the field for the restart.
After the restart Chase Dietz slowed on the backstretch after getting into the wall, rolling to a stop just off turn four.
Pursley and Moles pulled away from the field with Moles applying pressure for the lead with Kody Swanson on his back bumper as the track took rubber and everyone locked down to the bottom of the racetrack. Moles was finally able to get a run under Pursley with 13 laps in as Swanson followed Moles into the second position.
From there Moles had to withstand multiple cautions for flat tires but was able to pace himself to keep tread on his right rear tire for the victory. Swanson, Briggs Danner, Pursley, and Brian Ruhlman rounded out the top five.
42nd 4-Crown Nationals
USAC Silver Crown Series
Eldora Speedway
Rossburg, Ohio
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Feature (50 Laps):
1. 119-Mitchel Moles
2. 77-Kody Swanson
3. 10-Briggs Danner
4. 21-Daison Pursley
5. 49-Brian Ruhlman
6. 54-Matt Westfall
7. 91-Justin Grant
8. 52-Carmen Perigo
9. 6-C.J. Leary
10. 22-Logan Seavey
11. 81-Trey Osborne
12. 4-Mark Bitner
13. 15-Chris Fetter
14. 66-Joe Trenca
15. O8-Kyle Steffens
16. 3-Aric Gentry
17. 32-Gregg Cory
18. 69-Chase Stockon
19. 48-Nathan Moore
20. 26-Kaylee Bryson
21. 24-Matt Goodnight
22. 9-Brady Bacon
23. O1-Mark Smith
24. 37-Zach Daum
25. 38-Tom Savage
26. 86-Chase Dietz
27. 31-Dave Berkheimer