For the first time in 2017, the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) has a winner other than Sam Hafertepe, Jr.

Aaron Reutzel led 24 of 25 laps at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, KS, on Thursday night and became the first driver other than Hafertepe to win an ASCS race in 2017.

The one lap he failed to lead went to Hafertepe.

The night began as a side-by-side battle between front-row starters Matt Covington and Reutzel. By working the top in turns one and two, then dropping low in three and four, Reutzel not only kept his advantage over Covington, but he also managed to block both lines from Hafertepe, patiently stalking the leaders in third.

"I felt the bottom was there and I was watching lapped cars as I was catching them and none of them were running the top," Reutzel said. "I wasn't sure if it was because they couldn't run up there or not, but I finally did see a nose get under me so I went all out."

The nose of that car belonged to Hafertepe, who won the first five races of the ASCS season. 

"That's when Sam went by me, but luckily I was able to get back by him," Reutzel said.

"Sam and I have been able race each other clean so hats off to Sam for that. This a big win for my guys. We've been knocking on the door for a while to get a win."

Hafertepe led only one lap Thursday night -- the 18th of 25 -- but his second-place finish continues one of the most remarkable starts to a season in series history. Hafertepe now holds the record for the most wins to start a year with five. And with those five, he tied a record held by Gary Wright for the most consecutive wins at any stage of the season. 

By the time Hafertepe caught Reutzel, he had used all of the tear-offs from his helmet. That lack of visibility caused him to be less aggressive, and he faded to 0.668 seconds back at the checkers. 

"I wanted to keep running the top, but it got to where I couldn't see the wall anymore and I didn't want to junk the car," Hafertepe said after the race.

Covington held on to finish third, which is his best result this year. His previous best was a sixth at Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, in mid-March.

Josh Baughman took fourth, and Dustin Morgan rounded out the top five.

Former NASCAR star Tony Stewart was also included in the top 10. His seventh-place finish added to a streak of top 10s in three ASCS races. 
 
Second in the points, Herrera finished 10th in the race and lost more ground to Hafertepe for the national championship.

Top 10 Finishers

1. Aaron Reutzel
2. Sam Hafertepe Jr.
3. Matt Covington
4. Josh Baughman
5. Dustin Morgan
6. Terry McCarl
7. Tony Stewart
8. Wayne Johnson
9. Danny Lasoski
10. Johnny Herrera
Complete Results