Dawson Sutton Paces Clyde Hart Memorial Final Practice in Backup Car

If final practice for the Clyde Hart Memorial is any indication, driving a backup car will be no problem for Dawson Sutton.

Sutton set quick time in ASA STARS National Tour final practice on Monday night at New Smyrna Speedway ahead of Tuesday's race. Sutton clocked in at 17.675 seconds with his fast time, finishing ahead of Ty Majeski and Cory Hall.

The ASA season opener is the third Super Late Model race of the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, which started last Friday at New Smyrna. Sutton's primary car was destroyed in an accident earlier in the week, but he holds plenty of confidence in the backup car.

"It's really good," said Sutton about his No. 26 Rackley W.A.R. entry. "I feel like we have a really solid race car with our backup. We destroyed the primary the other night, but bringing out the backup, I think we have a good race car. We keep getting it better and better on the race runs. I think we have a good race car for tomorrow night."

While the shorter races have not gone Sutton's way to start the 59th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, he's eager for the 200-lap marathon on Tuesday and the different strategies that come with a longer race.

"That's my type of racing. I love long races, and 200 laps is definitely going to be a long one. There will be a lot of strategy, as well. Hopefully, we can put up a game plan, put it on the boards tomorrow night, and get a win."

Majeski, the 2023 ASA STARS National Tour champion, was second at 18.361 seconds. Hall clocked in third-fastest after winning in World Series competition on Sunday night. Jake Finch and Derek Griffith rounded out the top five.

There were also a pair of practice sessions on Monday afternoon, with Saturday Pro Late Model winner Spencer Davis and Friday night Super Late Model winner Carson Brown setting fast time in those sessions.

Those practice sessions took place under the Florida sun, closer to when ASA teams will practice and qualify on Tuesday. The final practice session started at 6:45 p.m. local time, closer to the conditions teams can expect for Tuesday's 200-lap feature race.

More than 30 cars are entered for Tuesday's Clyde Hart Memorial, with 34 cars taking time during the final practice session. Christopher Bell's entry for the Clyde Hart Memorial was announced on Monday evening, adding to the star-studded field.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy

Clyde Hart Memorial Final Practice Results