Steck Grabs Win in Season Finale at LaCrosse

Drive for Diversity’s Emily Sue Steck wrapped up her season on a high note at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, Wisc., on Saturday night. Steck won her third feature of the season and jumped two spots in the standings to finish seventh overall in the LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway Kwik Trip Late Model Division.

“We’ve had a great season despite some adversity,” said Steck, who drove for several races with broken bones in her hand, including her first win on June 13. “To go out and win the final race of the season is an amazing feeling and speaks to how hard this team has worked all season long.”

It was a double-header night for the Kwik Trip Late Model Division, with Twin 50-lap races on the schedule. Steck, driving the No. 6 DMT Motorsports Chevrolet, was involved in a spin in the first race and had to battle back to a 10th-place finish.

The inversion gave her great track position to start the second race and she was able to take over the lead on lap ten. It didn’t take her long to open up her lead, but both Steve Carlson and Kevin Nuttleman were moving fast through the field. At the half way point Nuttleman was in fourth, Carlson in fifth and Steck had a quarter of a lap lead over the second-place car.

When Carlson moved into the second position it was doubtful he would have enough time to catch Steck, but Albert Locy spun with 11 laps to go; bringing out the caution. It also brought Carlson to the bumper of Steck on the restart.

Carlson tried both high and low to pass Steck, but he couldn’t get past her. Steck walked away with her third win of the season, while Carlson finished second.

Steck's win moved her to seventh in the Kwik Trip Late Model standings. She ends the season with three wins, six top fives and 14 top 10s in 19 races.

D4D NEWS AND NOTES:
Laura Hayes finished 14th in her season finale at South Boston (Va.) Speedway on Saturday night. She was able to overcome early mechanical issues to score her 14th top-15 finish of the season in the No. 22 peoplefinders.com Chevrolet. Hayes ends her rookie season with the Drive for Diversity program with four top 10s and 14 top 15s.

Natalie Sather was at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Wash., for the final Super Late Model division race on the on 0.375-mile track. Despite rain in the vicinity, Sather was able to hold on for a fourth-place finish in the No. 94 Total Velocity Motorsports Toyota. Sather will race her final super late model event of the season on the 0.625-mile track on September 19.

Juan Pitta was at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif., for Twin 50-lap late model races on Saturday night. Pitta finished eighth and ninth, driving the No. 16 101.9 The Wolf Toyota for Bill McAnally Racing. Pitta is currently third in the All American Speedway Late Model division standings.

Phil Dugan and Paulie Harraka were at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa on Friday night for the NASCAR Camping World Series West race. Harraka, driving the No. 12 NAPA Auto Care Toyota for Bill McAnally Racing, finished 12th. Dugan was involved in a mid-race accident and was credited with a 27th-place finish. Harraka is fifth in the standings and Dugan is 13th going into the season finale at All American Speedway on Sept. 26.