Billy VanMeter Claims First UARA National Win at Owosso

Billy VanMeter joined the list of UARA National winners Wednesday night at Owosso Speedway, taking the victory in the Love's Travel Centers 150.

VanMeter took the lead on lap 110 of the 150-lap race from Evan Shotko and held off Blake Rowe on a late restart for the win and the $15,000 payday.

"Honestly, it's a weight off my shoulders more than anything," said VanMeter. "I've been trying to prove this whole time I can do it. Weirdly enough, I did it here, in a car that was just supposed to run laps to redeem myself from the Owosso race in the Super. It all worked out, somehow I fought my way to a win.

"I'm happy that I got it. I'm happy that my dad and I got a trophy, and I'm happy Butch [VanDoorn] can't say that I'm a loser anymore."

VanMeter's first shot at the lead came on a lap 38 restart, following an incident involving Erik Jones and Steve Dorer. VanMeter pulled alongside Shotko entering turn three, but nearly spun in turn three and fell back to fifth.

Nevertheless, VanMeter recovered, working his way back through the field before taking the lead with 40 laps to go.

"Honestly, it was just a lot of close racing," said VanMeter. "I think he thought he had more of a run, being a Super to a Pro, so I think he tried to close the door and I was there. I saved that thing and kept on digging, you know what I mean?"

On a late restart, VanMeter and Rowe traded the lead back and forth before VanMeter pulled away with 14 laps to go.It was an intense but respectful battle between the two front-runners.

"I was clear-ish, so I went up and got crossed over, then I got crossed up, then I re-crossed the 71 and we fought it out until I cleared him," said VanMeter. "When I cleared him, they were telling me clear by one, clear by two, clear by three. I just kept going."

Racing at one of his home tracks, Rowe was hungry for a win in the Love's Travel Centers 150. However, he settled for second place and took solace in a strong showing for VanDoorn Racing Development's fleet of competitors, including VanMeter.

"I hate second place, I really do," said Rowe. "I hate finishing second here at Owosso more than anything, because this is home. I've got to say I'm really proud of the VanDoorn group for bringing this thing home 1-2-3-4. I'm really proud of Billy for the growth he's had. He and Butch have worked really hard for the past few years, and I had a blast racing with him."

Austin Hull rounded out the podium, outdueling Dylan Stovall in the closing laps for third place.

"My crew chief made an awesome call at the break. Got us some good tires with a little bit more turn. Man, that's a tough race out here. There are a lot of great cars out here. I think Dylan Stovall and I showed them how it's done, all the crossovers and beating doors and keeping it straight all the way to the end."

Stovall finished fourth, with Atwell rounding out the top five.

UARA National returns to action on October 25-26 with the rebirth of the World Crown 300 at Cordele Motor Speedway.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy, Racing America

Love's Travel Center 150 Unofficial Results