Tyler Bare emerges from his car after winning at Bristol on Saturday.
What won the race: Sixth-starting Tyler Bare of Rockbridge Baths, Va., advanced steadily through the field, took the lead on lap 16 and paced the remaining circuits to capture Saturday's 30-lap Steel Block Bandits Dirt Late Model Challenge portion of the Bristol Dirt Showcase at the dirt-covered Bristol Motor Speedway. Bare earned his third career Steel Block Bandits feature victory, moving him into third on the tour's all-time wins list.
Key notes: Bare was running fifth on lap 12 and then advanced his position on four consecutive laps to ultimately assume command for good on lap 16. ... Ryan King finished second, 1.795 seconds back. ... Tyler Arrington completed the podium in third. ... Defending Steel Block Bandits champion Dustin Mitchell advanced five positions and finished fourth. ... Austin Neely led the first 15 laps from the pole before fading to finish fifth. ... Derrick Rankin gained four spots and finished eighth. ... Chase King ran in second for the first half of the race before drawing the race's only caution on lap 19 and finishing 17th. ... The Steel Block Bandits' second event of 2023 was slowed by one caution and lasted 13 minutes, with 15 competitors completing all 30 laps. ... The Steel Block Bandits Dirt Late Model Challenge Series visits Sumter (S.C.) Speedway next for another $5,000-to-win show on April 15.
On the move: Cody Lear of Manchester, Md., started 18th and finished 10th.
Winner's sponsors: Bare's Rocket Chassis has sponsorship from RCP Race City Performance by Don Blackshear, Mark Richards Racing, Integra Racing Shocks, May's Recycling, JTB Hauling & Excavating, Wayne Fitzgerald, CS Fitzgerald, Kevin Berkstresser, Dottie's Country Store, DK Beverly and Sunoco Race Fuels.
Points chase: After Bristol: 1. Derick Quade (83); 2. Robbie Emory (79); T3. Tyler Bare (75); T3. Dan Breuer (75); 5. Dustin Mitchell (71).
Current weather: Scattered Clouds, 52°F
Car count: 37
Fast qualifier: Austin Neely
Time: 16.493 seconds
Polesitter: Austin Neely
Heat race winners: Austin Neely, Ryan King, Chase King, Tyler Arrington, , , ,
Consolation race winners: Matt Glanden, Cody Lear, ,
Provisional starters: Will Perrell, Matt Shockley, ,
Next series race: April 15, Sumter Speedway (Sumter, SC) $5,000