(PETERSEN MEDIA- Tulare, CA, )- Saturday night in Tulare, CA, fans were treated to an exciting battle up front that ended with Steven Kent making a last lap pass over Landon Hurst to score his first ever Civil War Series pres. by Flowmaster feature event, as well as his first career feature event win in a 360ci sprint car.

When the race came to life it was Landon Hurst jumping out to the early lead with Matthew Moles in tow. Hurst, who was making his first start since last October’s Trophy Cup, jumped up to the high side and began banging the boards and Thunderbowl Raceway as Moles patiently worked the bottom as the track offered two distinct grooves on this night.

While Hurst continued to edge out Moles as they nearly ran neck and neck, Moles would make a move on lap three to grab the lead and put some distance between himself and the rest of the field.

As Moles now set the pace, the bottom would prove to be tricky and it would allow Hurst to ride the rim around the outside of him to take the lead back on the 10^th lap.

Back out in front, Hurst would be shot out of a cannon as he quickly opened up a sizeable lead. Pulling to a straightaway advantage at the halfway point, the red flag would fly for Tucker Worth, who was un-injured, erasing Hurst’s advantage.

Hurst would continue to lead the way over Moles, Steven Kent, Tanner Boul, and Jarrett Soares, until the yellow would fly on the 18^th lap with debris on the racing surface.

The field would restack itself and get back to racing with the battle for the lead being the best race on the track. Moles and Kent would both close in on Hurst who had now dropped to the bottom of the speedway with his right-rear packed full of mud, and Moles would actually grab the lead on the 22^nd lap however the red flag would fly negating his pass.

With Hurst still out front, he and Moles would continue to use the bottom groove with eight to go, but behind them Steven Kent was working the top and coming with a full head of steam.

Passing Moles on the 25^th lap, Kent would visibly close the gap between himself and Hurst in two laps and the race for the win was on. Hurst would take the white flag as the race leader, but Kent was all over his back bumper.

Going into turn one and two, Kent would stay committed to the top and shoot of turn two on the race’s final lap to take the race lead.

Going into three and four Hurst would make one final move to get the lead back, but Kent would negate his slider attempt and hang on to grab the win in front of his local contingent.

Hurst would hang on to finish second, Moles third, Cory Elliot would do a great job to finish fourth while Jarrett Soares rounded out the Top-Five.

Cole Macedo would open the night up by earning Petersen Media Quick Time Qualifier honors, and heat race wins would go to Moles and Tanner Boul.

With his win on Saturday night, Steven Kent now adds his name to the All Time Civil War Wins list joining his father, Steve. With both drivers now winner’s with the series they join Roger and Brian Crocket, Shane and John Goloibic, and Tim, Bud, and Brent Kaeding as father/son winners with the series.

2018 Civil War Series presented by Flowmaster Schedule

5/26 Marysville Raceway – Mel Hall Memorial

5/27 Silver Dollar Speedway- Silver Dollar Fair Race

6/23 Calistoga Speedway – with KWS-NARC 410’s

7/20 Ocean Speedway- Howard Kaeding Classic

8/25 Ocean Speedway- 58^th Annual Johnny Key Classic

9/5   Silver Dollar Speedway- Gold Cup Opener

9/15 Calistoga Speedway- Season Finale with World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series

ON TAP: The Civil War Series presented by Flowmaster will take two weeks off before returning to action Memorial Day Weekend for the annual North State Double. The Sereis will be at Marysville Raceway on May 26^th for the Mel Hall Memorial, and then at Silver Dollar Speedway on Sunday May 27^th for the annual Silver Dollar Fair Race.

2018 WINNERS: Justin Sanders (March 24^th Marysville Raceway), Bud Kaeding (April 21^st Thunderbowl Raceway), Steven Kent (May 5^thThunderbowl Raceway).

STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the Civil War Series Presented By Flowmaster, and find complete results and point standings by clicking over to www.racepmg.com, ‘Liking’ www.facebook.com/civilwarsprints, or following us on twitter at www.twitter.com/civilwarsprints. For more information on Flowmaster, please visit www.flowmastermufflers.com.

CIVIL WAR SERIES PRESENTED BY FLOWMASTER- Founded in 1991 as the North-South Series, the Civil War Sprint Car Series was born in 1993 giving 360ci Sprint Cars in California a sanctioning body. What started as just a handful of races at three different tracks has evolved into quite the series. In 2018, the Civil War Sprint Car Series will host 10 events at 5 different tracks around California.