Back on that June night in mid-2009, what Wyatt Lantz accomplished didn’t seem like that big of a deal. Don’t get me wrong, the night he did it — June 14, 2009 — was fun to watch unfold, but never did I think that accomplishment would have stood the test of time like it has.
Lantz started 16th in the modified feature that evening — and won. No one since has started deeper in a feature field since and took the checkers. (Ironically, the same night Lantz started 16th and won, Jim Powell started 15th in the now-defunct hobby stock lineup and also won!)
Wyatt Lantz
What has helped make Lantz’s effort stand the aforementioned test of time the past 3 1/2 seasons has been a combination of diminished car counts in most classes, and in some cases a different way of setting the (larger) feature fields. In particular, the late models and modifieds now normally have their fastest cars starting up front, which all but eliminates the possibility of someone coming from near or at the rear of the field and winning.
Here’s a look at the Bullring drivers who have started the deepest and won in the regular weekly series since Lantz turned his trick.
FEATURE WINNERS STARTING DEEPEST IN THE FIELD SINCE MID-2009
Late models
Denny Woodworth, started 12th, June 20, 2010
Denny Woodworth, 10th, Aug. 8, 2010
Denny Woodworth, 10th, June 27, 2010
Justin Reed, 10th, June 6, 2010
Mark Burgtorf, 10th, Aug. 2, 2009.
Best 2011 effort: Bobby Pierce started 8th and won April 8.
Modifieds
Wyatt Lantz, 16th, June 14, 2009
Michael Long, 13th, Aug. 1, 2010
Michael Long, 12th, Aug. 22, 2010
Justin reed, 11th, July 12, 2009
Michael Long, 10th, May 10, 2009
Michael Long, 10th, April 26, 2009
Best 2012 effort: Steven DeLonjay started 12th and won April 1.
Sport mods
Tony Dunker, 10th, April 8, 2012
Tony Dunker, 10th, April 1, 2012
Best 2012 effort: Tony Dunker started 10th and won April 1 and April 8.
Stock cars
Aaron Brocksieck, 11th, July 8
Best 2011 effort: Aaron Brocksieck started 11th and won July 8.
Hobby stocks
Jim Powell, 15th, June 28, 2009
Steve Carlin, 10th, Aug. 29, 2010
Steve Carlin, 10th, Aug, 8, 2010
Bobby Anders, 10th, April 18, 2010
Best 2012 effort: Tanner Klingele started 8th and won Aug. 5.
Sport compacts
Kim Abbott, 12th, May 29, 2012
Casey Lambert, 10th, May 13, 2012
Best 2012 effort: Kim Abbott started 12th and won May 20.
