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Ebert makes debut with Lucas Oil series, improves 10 spots to finish 17th in first outing

From Series Reports

WAYNESVILLE, GA (January 17) - On lap 42, Tyler Bruening reclaimed the lead from Daulton Wilson and pulled away in the closing laps for his first career win in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series during what was the opening night — and only night, thanks to rain — of the Super Bowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway on Friday night, January 17.

The Decorah, Iowa native led the first six laps before giving the lead to Wilson, who maintained his position until he had to slow down for a car that was crosswise in front of him on lap 41. Though Bruening had dropped to third, he regained speed in the final laps, overtaking Wilson to become the 93rd different winner in the 21-year history of the series.

Jonathan Davenport passed Brandon Overton in the final laps to secure second place. Overton finished third, with Devin Moran and Brian Shirley completing the top five drivers.

Not only was it Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the first time in his career, but it was also Bruening’s first-ever win in a national touring series event.

“I can’t describe it,” said an emotional Bruening after earning his win. “It’s the hardest thing I have ever done. Those guys [Wilson and Overton] got by me. We had a good hot rod all night; everything was a first for me tonight. I set a new track record; I have never done that before. I won a heat against some of the best in the business. I drove my butt off in the feature. My emotions are high; I don’t know what to say. I am on the verge of just breaking down here. Oh man, I can’t tell you how hard it’s been. The ups and downs, how difficult this sport is, and how good everybody really is.”

Completing the top-10 were Jimmy Owens, Brandon Sheppard, Max Blair, Garrett Alberson, and Daulton Wilson.

Of those drivers who have WISSOTA-area ties, Dan Ebert, of Lake Shore, Minnesota, improved 10 spots Friday in his first action with the Lucas Oil tour, as he makes a bid for Rookie of the Year honors with the series in 2025. Starting 27th on the grid, he finished 17th.

Sun River, Montana’s Michael Leach, who raced in western WISSOTA country in 2024, made the feature as well in his Super Late Model. He started 16th and slipped back to 20th at the finish.

SUMMARY

Super Late Models:

A-Main (50 Laps): 1. 16-Tyler Bruening[1]; 2. 49-Jonathan Davenport[9]; 3. 76-Brandon Overton[5]; 4. 99-Devin Moran[4]; 5. 3S-Brian Shirley[6]; 6. 20-Jimmy Owens[23]; 7. 1-Brandon Sheppard[19]; 8. 111-Max Blair[12]; 9. 58-Garrett Alberson[8]; 10. 18D-Daulton Wilson[3]; 11. 1T-Tyler Erb[20]; 12. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[13]; 13. 22*-Drake Troutman[10]; 14. 40B-Kyle Bronson[14]; 15. 74X-Ethan Dotson[15]; 16. 93-Carson Ferguson[7]; 17. 60-Dan Ebert[27]; 18. 9-Tim McCreadie[18]; 19. 7-Ross Robinson[24]; 20. 09-Michael Leach[16]; 21. 5-Mark Whitener[22]; 22. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[21]; 23. 6-Clay Harris[25]; 24. 71-Hudson O'Neal[11]; 25. 17SS-Brenden Smith[26]; 26. 79-Donald McIntosh[28]; 27. 2-Cody Overton[17]; 28. 19R-Ryan Gustin[2]