Jeff Sparks Holds Off Gary Ledbetter for First Victory in New Year's Bash
Jan 7, 2024
Following post-race technical inspection for the New Year's Bash at Dillon Motor Speedway, Jeff Sparks has been disqualified and Gary Ledbetter, Jr. has been named the winner of the Street Stock Nationals.
Dillon Motor Speedway published the following release regarding the disqualification:
"Following Sunday’s New Year’s Bash at Dillon Motor Speedway, the apparent winner, Jeff Sparks, was protested and subsequently disqualified for an illegal part. With Sparks disqualification, Gary Ledbetter, Jr. will inherit the win, his sixth in the New Year’s Bash.
"The infraction was due to an alteration on the winning car’s engine. The 602 crate engine supplied by General Motors has to be ran as supplied from the manufacturer. Sparks’ engine had the shorter 604 oil pan which allows a team to run softer springs, which in turn, would improve the car’s handling.
"Results for the New Year’s Bash are now official following the post-race inspection process led by head tech official, Ronnie Barfield."
In a post on Facebook, Sparks acknowledged the discrepancy and congratulated Ledbetter, Jr. on his win.
"Appreciate all the support, calls and text messages on our win last night but just got the word we were disqualified for having the wrong oil pan," reads the post. "We had a 604 pan on which was just an oversight but can be used for a competitive gain. Dillon Motor Speedway made the right call and I appreciate them keeping the integrity of our sport up to standards. Congratulations to Gary Ledbetter Jr and their team."
Ledbetter, Jr. is now a six-time winner of the New Year's Bash through 14 runnings of the event. His previous wins were in 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019 and 2020.
The 2024 edition of the New Year's Bash saw 36 drivers take part in the main event, with $2,500 on the line for the winner. Over its history, the New Year's Bash has become one of the biggest and most prestigious Street Stock events in the country, drawing competitors from the Northeast and Midwest to compete at the Dillon, South Carolina 4/10-mile oval.
Alby Ovitt now holds the second position in the official results from the event, with Adam Gray, Ricky Locklair, Jr., and Josh Sage rounding out the top five.
-Photo credit: Will Bellamy/Racing America
2024 NEW YEAR'S BASH OFFICIAL RESULTS
| POS | NO. | DRIVER | LAPS | DELTA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4BL | Gary Ledbetter | 100 | 0.661 |
| 2 | 48 | Alby Ovitt | 100 | 3.682 |
| 3 | 97 | Adam Gray | 100 | 6.921 |
| 4 | 12 | Ricky Locklair, Jr. | 100 | 8.158 |
| 5 | 25 | Josh Sage | 100 | 8.964 |
| 6 | 25BL | Josh Way | 100 | 10.324 |
| 7 | 2 | Chris Buffone | 100 | 11.001 |
| 8 | 4ORG | Tommy O'Sullivan | 100 | 11.768 |
| 9 | 7 | Joey Pontbriand | 100 | 12.500 |
| 10 | 51 | Joshua Way | 100 | 12.668 |
| 11 | 4BT | Chris Riendeau | 100 | 16.214 |
| 12 | 42 | Adam Cartwright | 100 | 17.270 |
| 13 | 0 | Adam Rowe | 100 | 18.277 |
| 14 | 11 | Josh Lundy | 99 | 1 lap |
| 15 | 7BL | Shane Gendron | 99 | 1 lap |
| 16 | 13 | Steve Worthington | 96 | 4 laps |
| 17 | 16 | Kyle Lynch | 93 | 7 laps |
| 18 | 21 | Brian Brown | 88 | 12 laps |
| 19 | 96 | Maxx Porter | 85 | 15 laps |
| 20 | 18 | Robert Filipak | 85 | 15 laps |
| 21 | 07BL | Mike Cooper | 85 | 15 laps |
| 22 | 62 | Ronnie Bassett, Jr. | 82 | 18 laps |
| 23 | 50 | Ricky Locklair, Sr. | 71 | 29 laps |
| 24 | B00 | Boo Carlisle | 67 | 33 laps |
| 25 | 9 | Austin Somero | 60 | 40 laps |
| 26 | 67 | Eric Plemmons | 55 | 45 laps |
| 27 | 11BL | Corey Flanning | 54 | 56 laps |
| 28 | 49 | Jeff Melton | 54 | 46 laps |
| 29 | 20 | Rob Sullivan | 47 | 53 laps |
| 30 | 04 | Shawn Swallow | 33 | 67 laps |
| 31 | 14 | Darrin Wilson | 12 | 88 laps |
| 32 | 017 | Alex Weber | 10 | 90 laps |
| 33 | 12 | Cody Demarmels | 10 | 90 laps |
| 34 | 27 | David Thomas | 10 | 90 laps |
| 35 | 05 | Luther Johnson | 0 | 100 laps |
DQ | 07WH | Jeff Sparks | -- | -- |
