Earlier this season, Ashlyn McCaskill was involved in an qualifying incident ahead of the season opening race for the Southern National Motorsports Park Mini Stock division.

On Saturday night, the difficult journey back from a concussion paid off when she was able to hold off Ronnie Jones on a late race restart to score her first victory of the season. Her triumph came in her first race since the March incident.

McCaskill is the 16-year-old daughter of reigning CARS Tour Late Model Stock champion Deac McCaskill.

“The wreck at the beginning of the season was rough but I wanted to continue racing,” McCaskill said after the race. “This is my life. This is what I love to do. I just can’t thank my dad and everybody enough who support me to get back here. I was ready to go back racing after the accident but the car wasn’t in good shape and I had to get my health back right first. It’s just amazing. No words can explain the feeling of it.”

After the race, Deac McCaskill, smiling ear-to-ear like only a father could after his daughter’s triumph, talked about her long road back and the satisfaction of seeing her score the victory on Saturday.

“She’s awesome, man,” the elder McCaskill said. “What she’s been through this year, to come back and win the first race back is fantastic. She’s got a lot of talent in her. I have to hand it to her. We’re still learning, that’s what we’re here for. Hopefully, we get a few more races in before the season ends. Just having fun. Appreciate everyone coming out, great crowd tonight.”

McCaskill qualified on the pole, but Jason Williams dominated in the early stages of the race. In the closing laps, McCaskill raced her way back to the lead and, when Williams was involved in an incident with Dylan Newsome, McCaskill had to survive a Green-White-Checkered restart. Ronnie Jones finished in second while P.J. Flowers, Thomas Brander and Jason Williams completed the top-five.

The results can be viewed below.

1. Ashlyn McCaskill
2. Ronnie Jones
3. P.J. Flowers
4. Thomas Brander
5. Jason Williams
6. Dylan Newsome

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