At last year's Winter Nationals, local driver Jeff Mathews bested two NASCAR veterans and a stout field of national drivers to win the 75-lap A-Main on the final night of the Modified portion at East Bay Raceway in Gibsonton, FL. 

He started on the outside of the second row after being locked into the feature by his overall performance earlier in the UMP DIRTcar/Sunshine State Mod Tour, including a win the night before.

Mavrick Varnadore started on the pole alongside fan favorite Kenny Wallace, who just announced he would returning to East Bay for the 2018 edition of this race. The Modified field was packed with talent as another former NASCAR star David Reutimann lined up on the inside of row two. His father and Florida racing legend, Buzzie Reutimann, was also making a rare appearance and started deeper at the field.

Starting on the outside of the second row, Matthews got a chance to watch those two veterans at work. The “Herminator” Wallace got the jump on the start, however, and raced his familiar No. 36 past Varnadore. Matthews wasted no time of his own and crossed under the checkers on lap two in a photo finish with Wallace. Matthews took the lead definitively on lap three.

Kevin Adams charged to third by lap 10 and challenged Wallace for the spot as Matthews built a straightaway lead when the field hit traffic.

Due to the length of this race, there was a mid-race caution for fuel on lap 35. Everyone lined back up in their previous positions, but they would not stay there.

The Wisconsin-based Adams gained the top spot for a short time after the competition caution, only to lose it back to Mathews on the following lap. While Mathews never fully separated himself from Adams he was able to continue his lead until lap 45. At that point, Adams got around again as the duo hit lapped traffic. It took 16 laps for Mathews to catch back up with Adams and he made it by on lap 61.

On the final lap, Adams was right on Mathews’ bumper in a thriller as he crossed the line — almost spoiling Mathews big night. Mathews two wins in the Winter Nationals last year were his first during the Mod tour since 2010.

Mike VanGenderen completed the podium with Ray Bollinger and Wallace completing the top five.

Varnadore finished sixth after starting on the pole.

The other NASCAR veteran, Reutimann, finished eighth.

Top 10 Finishers
1. Jeff Matthews
2. Kevin Adams
3. Mike VanGenderen
4. Ray Bollinger
5. Kenny Wallace
6. Mavrick Varnadore
7. Lucas Lee
8. David Reutimann
9. Curt Myers
10. Roger Crouse