Dillon Bassett Had to Fend Off Late NASCAR K&N Series East Challenge at Motordrome

William Byron was the fast qualifier in the UPMC Health Plan 150 at Motordrome Speedway and earned the 21 means 21 pole award presented by Coors Light

Sunoco rookie of the year contender Dillon Bassett got his first career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East victory in the UPMC Health Plan 150, but it wasn't without some drama. Bassett made his 10th career NASCAR K&N Pro Series start and his previous best finish was a sixth in the season opener at Florida's New Smyrna Speedway. The 17-year-old from Winston-Salem, North Carolina became the 100th different winner in series history. To put the number 44 Bassett Gutters Ford in Victory Lane, Dillon had to sit through two lengthy late-race red flags, and then fend off a fierce challenge from Austin Hill in the closing laps.

Dillon Bassett had to sit through two lengthy late-race red flags, and fend off a fierce challenge from Austin Hill in the closing laps of the UPMC Health Plan 150 at Motordrome Speedway

Dillon Bassett took the lead in the UPMC Health Plan 150 from NASCAR K&N Pro Series East championship points leader William Byron, who led a race-high 92 laps, on Lap 94. Asphalt issues on the front stretch necessitated a pair of red flags and subsequent caution periods starting on Lap 101. When the race finally went back to green on Lap 120, Austin Hill charged from third to first and it looked like Bassett's first win would have to wait. However, Dillon was able to maintain his momentum on the outside and wrestle the lead back on Lap 125 before he drove away to a 3.357-second victory.

Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Rico Abreu mounted a late charge to finish second in the UPMC Health Plan 150 at Motordrome Speedway, while Austin Hill settled for third

Race winner Dillon Basset said, "Those last 20 laps were absolutely crazy. On the restart we spun the tires a bit. It left enough room for the 22 (Austin Hill) to get up under us. We just kept digging, never gave up, and got the lead back on the outside."

Sunoco rookie of the year contender Dillon Bassett got his first career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East victory in the UPMC Health Plan 150 at Motordrome Speedway

Fellow Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Rico Abreu mounted a late charge to finish second, while Hill settled for third. Afterward Abreu commented, "Saved our tires as much as we could the whole race. Got going there at the end. Just wish we didn’t run so many caution laps at the end when they were trying to fix that hole because it really hurt us."

One autographed K&N Pro Series mini Bell replica helmet will be given away through K&N’s official Twitter feed twitter.com/knfilters after all 28 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East & West races

Scott Heckert, fresh off his win at Watkins Glen, drove the number 34 Project Lifesaver Chevrolet across the line in fourth, followed by J.J. Haley in fifth. William Byron finished 8 and as a result his championship lead shrunk to 12 points over Scott Heckert. Austin Hill sits 28 points back in third.

A disappointed Austin Hill said, "When we went back to green the 44 (Dillon Bassett) slid up the track. I knew that was my chance but he was able to get off the corners better than I was and was able to clear back by me. At the end of the race we started to get a four-wheel slide so I had to really stop the car to keep the car up under me."

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East returns to the track with a road-course race: the Biscuitville 125 at Virginia International Raceway on Saturday, August 29th, 2015.