Ricky Deitz of Arlington, the defending champion, had a two-point lead over Mike Steltz of Snohomish going into the last Outlaw Figure 8 race of the year at Monroe Speedway.

Steltz, who came out of a 15-year retirement in 2013, outqualified Deitz in the final, setting himself up for the possibility of gaining more passing points and a better shot at the title.

In the heat race, Steltz, starting sixth, got the jump on Deitz, who started fifth, and held the advantage eight laps later behind Steve Cox of Arlington and Marysville’s Chris Curtis.

The tally after the heat showed Steltz with a one-point lead going into the 60 lap main event.

The main got started with Cox getting the jump, but not for long as Curtis took command by the end of lap three.

Curtis was never seriously challenged, and had a shot at the championship as well, but the story was a few spots back.

All Deitz had to do was finish ahead of Steltz to claim the prize.

The duo worked their way through traffic, securing second and third by lap six, with Steltz never leaving the bumper of Deitz.

Deitz started having mechanical difficulties, allowing Steltz to slip by, near the end of the race.

Curtis won the race by five seconds. Steltz was third and Deitz fourth. In the season standings, it was Steltz, Deitz and Curtis.