Before Sunday’s Super Late Model race at New Smyrna Speedway, it had been a little while since Stephen Nasse had visited victory lane. His last win came at Five Flags Speedway (FL) on June 4^th last year. By Stephen Nasse’s standards, that winless streak lasted an eternity. But after 35 laps, it finally came to an end.

Nasse took the lead from Sammy Smith on the eighth lap of the race after he and Smith battled side-by-side for at least two laps. Nasse cleared Smith off turn four, but Smith pulled a cross-over move with contact and got back underneath Nasse.

The battle didn’t quit as Smith stayed under Nasse for at least two more laps. They made contact again in turn one and Nasse was forced to make a big save but he gathered it back in and kept the lead.

After that it was all Nasse the rest of the way. Smith started to reel him back in with just a handful of laps to go, but Nasse was able to hold on for his ninth Super Late Model victory at the World Series of Asphalt.

“(Smith) has had a lot of speed and he’s won some big races this past season. I was fortunate to hold him off there,” said Nasse in victory lane. “I took all I could. There was nothing left in the tank for me. I knew he was closing in and I overdrove the corner a couple laps before the end and got real worried, but was able to hold him off.”

Even though Nasse has wins in big races such as the Winchester 400, one could tell that ending that winless streak was important to him as he was visibly emotional in victory lane.

“It just feels real good to get me and my team back in victory lane,” Nasse said. “It’s been a long season and a long journey, but it feels real good.”

For the second time in two Super Late Model races at New Smyrna during this year’s World Series of Asphalt, Smith is forced to settle for a runner-up finish. Justin Mondeik finished in third with Derek Griffith and Brad May completing the top five.