Daniel Webster Breaks 12-Year Drought with Emotional Victory at Citrus County Speedway

Daniel Webster broke a 12-year winless drought Saturday night, capturing the UARA National Tour Full Throttle 125 at Citrus County Speedway in front of a capacity crowd on April 11th.

Webster took the lead following a late-race restart and held off a charging Stephen Nasse to secure the victory. The win marks a career milestone for the veteran racer, who has spent years chasing another major Super Late Model trophy.

“That that was what a relief.” Webster told Short Track Scene. I won my first super race here in 2004. In between 2004 and 2014, I won 30 super races across five different tracks down here in central Florida and a little bit in Georgia, but 2014 was my last win.”

“I’ve got, I don’t know how many second places since then, but a 12 year dry spell, and to do it against Steven Nasse, and to do it head to head, side by side, lap after lap? Man, what an awesome way to do it at my home track.”

Stephen Nasse, who held the lead for the majority of the race before being overtaken by Webster, finished in the runner-up spot. Nasse noted that his car’s handling changed during the final segment of the 125-lap event.

“We were just a little bit too free at the end,” Nasse said to Short Track Scene. “Daniel had a really good car and he drove a smart race. I tried to pressure him into a mistake, but he didn’t give me an opening.”

Nasse fought hard to work the inside lane on Webster in the waning laps, and could have easily used the front bumper to move Webster out of the way and cruise to the win. He chose not to go that route.

Upon pulling up to the finish line at the end of the race, Nasse called to crew chief Chris Cater on the radio to tell him, and the rest of the the crew, that he simply did not want to win the race that way. He noted how it was important to race and win cleanly, but applauded his crew for a great car and strong effort for the weekend. 

“At the end of the day I come to win races,” said Nasse.  “That group works so hard and I have nothing but the utmost respect for them. They are a group of real racers and there’s not too many of those anymore. So yeah, I do feel like I had the better car, but again, just didn’t want to move them out of the way to get it. I figured I’d try to give them that nudge in that last lap; last corner, but just didn’t do quite enough.”

Webster noted the history of his relationship with Nasse and his crew, and commented on how intense the battle for the lead really while still maintaining that mutual level of respect.

“I am very appreciative.,” said Webster. “It was intense. I don’t think I breathed the last handful of laps there. My car on a long run was, I think,  just as good as his. We got Classy Nasse instead of Nasty Nasse tonight. He has won enough big races, he is not desperate to knock me out of a way for a Citrus win. And I’m really proud that over the last six, seven, eight months, I’ve elevated my program enough to where I’ve raced side by side with him probably more than any other car that I’ve raced around.”

The complexion of the race changed on Lap 82 when pole-sitter Colin Allman and Michael Hinde collided while battling for third. Race officials sent Allman to the rear of the field,  shaking up the top five and setting up the battle between leaders Nasse and Webster. For Allman, it meant having to work his way from the rear back into contention up front.

“It was kind of a racing deal,” said Allman. “We just met in the middle of turns three and four down in the bottom. Dad [Chad Allman] felt like he called it late [from the spotter’s stand], so we tapped and was able to drive back to third. Luckily there were only six or seven cars on the lead lap, so we were able to restart seventh and or eighth and get back up to third. By that time I just had the right rear cooked. It was gone.”

Michael Hinde finished fourth, followed by Cody Stickler to round out the top five in fifth.

The UARA National Tour continues its season next month on May 9th at Mobile International Speedway.

Results from the Full Throttle 125:

1. Daniel Webster
2. Stephen Nasse
3. Colin Allman
4. Michael Hinde
5. Cody Stickler
6. Nick Neri
7. TJ DeCaire
8. Michael Goddard
9. Jared Irvin
10. Chad Rutherford
11. Brey Holmes
12. Aaron Anderson
13. Caleb Grossenbacher
14. Lucas Hinton
15. Cody Brinson
16. Carter Brown
17. Michael Atwell
18. Steve Dorer
19. Dylan Bigley
20. Chase King
21. Kendrick Kreyer
22. Shawn Senokossoff
23. Kyle Crain

UARA National Tour Driver Standings after three events:

1. Ty Majeski, $50,550.50
2. Stephen Nasse, $28,000
3. Colin Allman, $17,500
4. Nicholas Naugle, $11,500
5. Daniel Webster, $10,500