Rust Scores Reinhart Memorial Win in Tipton

Tipton, IA (Friday, July 31, 2020) - After two weeks of hot and humid conditions mother nature finally provided us with a beautiful night for racing. My Friday night adventure took me to the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa, as the Darkside Promotions team of Ryan Duhme and Timmy Current held the 27th Annual Gary Reinhart Memorial.

A nice mix of Mod Lites and Micro Mods took to the track first for their 15 lap feature, with Logan Takes and Michael Dominguez drawing the front row. But it was fourth place starter Chad Dugan who shot out into the lead on lap 1 over Darrick Knutsen and Dominguez. While Dugan set a very fast pace out front, Knutsen, RJ Gonzales, Matt Dugan, and Don Erger battled for the runner up spot. Gonzales, who started 6th, emerged with the runner up spot on the white flag lap, but didn't get a chance to chase down Chad Dugan for the lead. As Chase Brunscheen spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow and checkered flag. I don't think Gonzales would have been able to chase down Chad Dugan on the final lap around the 1/4 mile, because Chad Dugan had built up a full straight-away lead. Chad Dugan was credited with the win, Gonzales was 2nd, Knutsen was 3rd, Matt Dugan started 9th and was 4th, with Erger finishing 5th.

The 12 lap A.I.R.S. (American Iron Racing Series) feature was up next, with Ron Cook and Dave Meyer leading the field to green. Cook would take advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Matt Hudspeth and Meyer. The action up front was slowed on lap 3, when Dan Kessler went over the track in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Bruce Yoerger, Brian Gade, and Mike Arp collided in turn 4 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Cook jump back out front, with Hudspeth and Walt King close behind. Just as the top three cars were putting on a great battle for the top spot, another caution appeared on lap 7 to slow the action. This time Tim Bader stopped in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Cook once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Hudspeth and King following. The final caution of the race appeared after the lap was scored complete, as Jeff Hollenbeck spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Cook moved back out front, with Hudspeth and King still following. While Cook worked the bottom to middle grooves of the track, Hudspeth worked the top to try and get the lead. But Cook was able to edge him out at the line each lap to keep the top spot. That was until coming out of turn 4 for the checkered, as Hudspeth got the momentum off the top to edge out Cook at the line to claim the win. Bart Miller started 10th and finished 3rd, Scott Fridley passed 15 cars from his 19th place starting spot to come home in 4th, with King holding on for 5th.

Bryton Benhart and Drew Wise drew the front row for the 10 lap 4 Stock feature. But it was third place starter Josh Starr who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Jake Benischek and Benhart. Just after lap 1 was scored complete the red flag waved, as Dalton Unruh rolled in turn two to bring out the red. He would climb from his car okay. When the field went back to yellow to get realigned for the restart, the second place car of Benischek wouldn't fire back up and was pushed to the pits to end his run at a victory. On the restart Starr moved back out front, with Jack Fitzgibbon and Wise following. While Starr pulled away from the rest of the field, Fitzgibbon and Brandon Dahl, who started 11th, waged a side-by-side battle for the runner up spot. Without a caution in the late stages of the race there was no catching Starr on this night, as he cruised to an easy win. Fitzgibbon edged out Dahl at the line to claim the runner up spot, Shawn McDermott came from 10th to finish 4th, with Cyle Hawkins coming home 5th after starting in 12th.

The 15 lap SportMod feature was up next and they would have troubles getting consecutive laps ran, as four cautions in the first 5 laps slowed the action. Ben Chapman and Justin Becker led the field to green, with Chapman leading lap 1 over Becker and Bob Silaggi. Aaron Hitt would spin in turn 4 after the completion of lap 1 to bring out the first caution. On the restart both Silaggi and Josh Most shot under Chapman to move into the lead and runner up spots. Then on lap 3 Most got under Silaggi to take over the top spot. After lap 3 was scored complete Sean Rupp, Randy Farrell and Brad Salisberry spun in turn 4 to bring out the third caution of the race. Most jumped back out front on the restart, with Silaggi and Becker close behind. One more lap complete, lap 5, and the final caution of the race appeared, as Jared Waterman slowed down the front stretch with mechanical troubles to bring out the yellow. On the final restart Most moved back out front, with Silaggi and Becker close behind. While Most worked the bottom of the track, Tyler Soppe, who started 6th, and Brayton Carter, who started 10th, were working the top to work their way towards the front. The fast pace that Most was setting was slowed slightly with 5 laps to go, as he caught the back of the field that happened to be racing around the same bottom groove he was. This would allow Soppe to close in using the top. But Soppe would run out of laps to mount a challenge on the final laps, as Most held on to pick up the win. Soppe settled for 2nd, Silaggi held off Carter for 3rd, with Becker finishing 5th.

Nick Hixson and Donnie Louck drew the front row for the Street Stock / Stock Car 15 lap feature, with Louck edging out Hixson at the line by inches to lead lap 1. Hixson worked the top of the track to try and get past Louck over the next few laps, but Louck was able to hold him off. That was until lap 5 when Hixson finally used the momentum off the top to clear Louck for the top spot. Then just after the lap was scored complete the caution would appear, as Greg Gill, who was driving Timmy Current's #22 Stock Car, clipped a tire in turn 4 and was helped around to bring out the yellow. On the restart Louck used the bottom to edge out Hixson at the line to get the lead back. But Hixson would use the top to get the top spot back on lap 7. Hixson then started to pull away from Louck over the final laps. The race would finish under yellow-checkered, as Jacob Ellithorpe tried to get under Jesse Owens, battling for fourth, coming off turn 4 for the checkered and would get into him. This would cause both to spin to bring out the yellow and checkered. Hixson claim the win, Louck was 2nd, Jeff Struck Jr. was 3rd after starting in 7th, Mike Anderson came from 9th to finish 4th, with Kyle Merkes rounding out the top 5.

The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 30 lap 27th Annual Gary Reinhart Memorial for Modifeds, with $1,500 awaiting the winner of this event. Michael Long and Jim Sandusky led the stellar field of driver's to the green flag, with Long leading lap 1 over Ethan Braaksma and Chris Zogg. Then just after the lap was scored complete the caution would appear, as Dustin Morden spun down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. On the restart Braaksma, who was on the bottom, edged out Long at the line to take over the top spot. The pace Braaksma was setting early would put him into lapped traffic on lap 10. But he would get a clear track shortly after he caught the tail of the field, as Nick Hillyer spun in turn 2 to bring out the caution. Joel Rust, who started 8th, and restarted 4th used the bottom groove to drive past the top three to take over the lead. Rust then started to pull away from the several two wide battles going on behind him, when the final caution of the race appeared on lap 18 to bunch the field back up. Once again Hillyer would spin in turn 2 to bring out his second yellow to end his night. On the restart Rust moved back out front, with Braaksma and Long battling for the runner up spot. With Braaksma, Long, Kollin Hibdon, who started 10th, Jeff Aikey, Chris Simpson and Justin Kay, who started 24th after troubles in the heat race, all battling for the runner up spot, this would allow Rust to start to pull away again. But he would enter heavy lapped traffic late in the race, which allowed the field to cut into his lead. But without a caution to bunch the field up, Rust was able to hold on to claim the win and the $1,500 check to go with it. Braaksma won the battle for 2nd, Hibdon was 3rd, Kay was 4th, with Long holding on for 5th.

A 10 lap SportMod non-qualifiers race was held at the end of the night, with Ryan Schilling cruising to an easy win. The battle for second thru fifth however was a good one, with Bryan Ritter holding off Terry Stevens, Michael Heister and Anthony Haines to claim the spot.

The one hundred thirty-six car twenty-six race program, which included 24 Modifeds, 17 Street Stock/Stock Cars, 21 4 Stocks, 17 Mod Lites/Micro Mods, 22 A.I.R.S. and 35 SportMods, started with hot laps shortly after 6:30 PM and was completed with the final checkered flag waving minutes after 11 PM. And once again "The doctor of dirt" Al Dlouhy, with the help of Ricky Kay, the promoter of the Davenport Speedway, prepped a smooth and slick racing surface that produced plenty of two and even three wide racing.

I would like to say THANK YOU to the Darkside Promotions team of Ryan Duhme and Timmy Current and their entire staff for the great hospitality. I look forward to getting back up to Tipton at least one night of the Fall Bash on October 1-3.

Tonight it's off to the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa to work the "Drive For 5" qualifying night. The Late Models, Modifieds, Stock Cars and SportMods are all racing for $1,000 to win, while the IMRA Midgets are gunning for $500 to win and the Sport Compacts are racing for $400 to win. Perhaps I will see you there!

Sheppard Wins Another Barn Burner at Davenport

Davenport, IA (Tuesday, July 28, 2020) - On Tuesday night the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series returned to the Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa, after having a two day event at the track back in late May. This time however fans were allowed into the grandstands, and what a crowd it was to witness another great finish in the 50 lap Late Model feature.

The night would get started with World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models qualifying, and with 29 cars signed in on the night the field was divided into two groups. Jimmy Owens set the overall quick time and also set a new track record in Group A, with a time of 13.979. While Brandon Sheppard clocked in at 14.039 to be quick time in Group B. Late Model group qualifying was followed up by 3 heats races in the IMCA SportMods, as 24 cars signed in for competition. Following those heat races were the four 10 lap Late Model heats, with the top 4 from each transfering into the 50 lap feature.

Heat race 1 had Jimmy Owens and Chris Simpson on the front row, with Owens jumping out front on 1. Simpson tried to keep pace with Owens throughout the 10 lap event, but Owens would pull away to win. Simpson was 2nd, Rich Bell was 3rd, with Dave Eckrich finishing in the final transfer spot. Matt Furman, Justin Kay, Allen Weisser, who pulled out early with mechanical troubles, and Mike Guldenpfenning, who was a scratch, rounded out heat 1....Chad Simpson and Chase Junghans led the field to green in heat race 2, with Chad Simpson grabbing the lead on lap 1. Chad Simpson would hold off Junghans at the line to pick up the win in heat 2. Bobby Pierce came from 6th to finish 3rd, with Garrett Alberson claiming the final transfer spot. Jason Rauen, Daniel Hilsabeck and Gary Webb rounded out heat 2.

Brandon Sheppard and Scott Bloomquist made up the front row for heat race 3, with Sheppard moving out front on lap 1. While Sheppard paced the field out front, Spencer Diercks was showing the fast way around the track was the high side. Midway thru the race Diercks was working to the outside of Bloomquist for the final transfer spot in turn 3, when Bloomquist drifted up the track and forced Diercks to spin off the top of turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Sheppard jumped back out front, with Darrell Lanigan, who started 5th and was working the top, close behind him. Sheppard would pull away in the final laps to pick up the win. Lanigan was 2nd, Ricky Weiss was 3rd, with Bloomquist holding on for the final transfer spot. Boom Briggs, Diercks, and Joel Callahan rounded out heat 3....Heat race number 4 had Cade Dillard and series rookie Ashton Winger on the front row, with Dillard grabbing the lead on lap 1. Dillard would go on to lead all 10 laps to claim the win. Winger was 2nd, Jimmy Mars was 3rd, with Dennis Erb Jr. coming from 7th to pick up the final transfer spot. Jeremiah Hurst, Brent Larson and Shane Clanton finished out heat 4.

After a brief break to do the feature redraw for the top four rows, the 10 lap Last Chance Showdown for the Late Models was up next. Matt Furman and Boom Briggs led the field to green, with Furman jumping out front on lap 1. Furman would lead all 10 laps to claim the win. Jason Rauen was 2nd, Briggs was 3rd, Justin Kay was 4th, Brent Larson was 5th, with Spencer Diercks taking the final transfer spot. But with all series regulars qualifying thru the heats and/or the last chance showdown, Jeremiah Hurst and Daniel Hilsabeck, who finished 7th and 8th, would be awarded the two provisionals. Shane Clanton, Gary Webb, Joel Callahan, Allen Weisser, and Mike Guldenpfenning completed the finish of the last chance showdown.

Jarett Franzen and Kevin Goben drew the front row for the 15 lap IMCA SportMod feature. Just as the green flag waved the caution light would come on, as Kevin Rasdon spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Franzen jumped out front, with Matt Fulton and Goben following. While Franzen, who was working the bottom, set the pace out front, Fulton, who was also on the bottom, and  Ryan Walker, another driver working the bottom, battled Ben Chapman, who started 6th and was working the top of the track, and Shane Paris, who started 8th and was also working the top. On lap 9 Walker clipped an infield tire and broke a left front tie rod, and despite the left front facing the infield he would continue to muscle the car to battle with Paris for the fourth spot. Just when it looked the rest of the event would go caution free, Terry Stevens spun in turn 3 on lap 11 to bring out the yellow. On the restart the field tried to race four wide off turn 4, which didn't work out. As Chance Huston got into the left rear of Paris, who ended up spinning down the front stretch and collected Paul Howard, Jared Waterman and Kyle Eller to bring the yellow light back on. Franzen jumped back out front on the restart, with Fulton and Chapman close behind. With the top 5 cars now all working the bottom of the track, Franzen would hit his marks over the final laps to score his second win in a row at the track. Fulton was 2nd, Chapman was 3rd, Walker muscled his left front broken car to a 4th place finish, with Dustin Schram coming from 13th to round out the top 5.

 The 50 lap World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model feature was the final race to take to the track on the night, with Cade Dillard and Chad Simpson drawing the front row for the event. Chad Simpson took advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Dillard and Chris Simpson. With Chad Simpson working the top of the track, Dillard would work the bottom to try and get the top spot away. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 6, Dillard finally got the drive off the bottom to grab the lead away from Chad Simpson. Eight laps later, lap 14, Dillard starting entering the back of the field, which allowed Brandon Sheppard and Jimmy Owens to close to his back bumper.

Going into turn 3 to come around to complete lap 19, Dillard would go out of his realm and shifted to the top of the track to work thru some lapped traffic. This would open the bottom up for Sheppard, who come off turn 4 with the lead. After taking the lead Sheppard shifted back to the top of the track, while Dillard went back to the bottom. The action up front was slowed for the first time on lap 24, as Scott Bloomquist slowed with a left rear flat to bring out the yellow. On the restart Rich Bell, who was running 11th, spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on.

The following restart saw Sheppard move back out front, with Dillard and Owens glued to his back bumper. Three laps later, lap 28, the final caution of the race appeared, as debris in turn 2 brought out the yellow. Once again Sheppard jumped back out front on the restart, with Dillard and Owens still close behind. Sheppard, who was pounding what little cushion was left on the top of the track, and Dillard, who worked the bottom, raced side-by-side around the 1/4 mile track on laps thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three and thirty-four. With Sheppard edging out Dillard by inches at the line each lap to keep the lead.

Then on lap 35 Sheppard went to the bottom of the track to slow down Dillard's momentum. But Dillard would go to the top to counter Sheppard's move. The two would swap grooves on lap 36, with Dillard edging out Sheppard at the line to take over the top spot. But Sheppard would use the momentum off the top of the track coming out of turn 4 to take the lead back from Dillard on lap 38.  Dillard would come back on the bottom to take the top spot back on lap 39.

From there Dillard started to build up the biggest lead of the race, that was until lap 45 when he got held up by lapped traffic. Coming off turn 2 to come around to complete lap 46 Sheppard used the top to get by Dillard, who was held up by Daniel Hilsabeck, for the lead. Going into turn 3 on the final lap Sheppard went to the bottom of the track to slow Dillard's momentum, which paid off with another win. Dillard held off Owens, who was coming off the top, to finish 2nd, Jimmy Mars came from 12th to finish 4th, with Chris Simpson holding on for 5th.

Jeremiah Hurst passed 17 cars from his 23rd place starting spot to come home in 6th, Bobby Pierce finished 7th after starting in 11th, Darrell Lanigan was 8th, Dennis Erb Jr. came from 16th to finish 9th, with Chase Junghans completing the top 10.

A big shout out to Ricky and Brenda Kay, along with the World of Outlaws crew, as the final checkered flag waved at 9:30 PM on a Tuesday night. I would also like to thank them for the great hospitality. I just hope I can get back to the Davenport Speedway one more time before the end of the 2020 season.

Friday, July 31st I will be off to the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa, as the Darkside Promotions team of Ryan Duhme and Timmy Current present the 27th Annual Gary Reinhart Memorial. The highlight of the night will be the Modifieds racing for $1,500 to win. Also in action is the Street Stocks, SportMods, Mod Lites / Micros, 4 Stocks and A.I.R.S. Maybe I will see you there!!

Back-To-Back "Slocum 50" Victories For Pierce

West Burlington, IA (Friday, July 3, 2020) - Just like everyone else, when 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa releases their schedule for the new racing season, the one date that is circled on the calendar is when the "Slocum 50" will be ran. The originally scheduled date of April 18th was forced to be postponed due to the COVID-19 restrictions. And since there was already a second MLRA Late Model event scheduled for Friday, July 3rd at the track, the decision was made to just make that evening the make-up for the "Slocum 50".

The evening would get started with the 35 MLRA Late Models signed in being split into two groups for time trial qualifying, to help determine their starting spots for their heat races.. Group A cars would make up heats 1 and 2, while Group B would make up heats 3 and 4. Brian Birkhofer would set fast time in Group A with a lap of 15.547, which was also the overall quick time. Group B fast qualifier was Chad Holladay, with a lap of 15.655.

Brian Birkhofer and Payton Looney led the field to green in heat 1. But a no start slowed the first attempt of a green flag. The second attempt saw Birkhofer and Looney racing into turn 1 to get to the high side. And when Birkhofer slid up the track it forced Looney over the track, where he came to a stop in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. A third attempt now had Birkhofer and Jeremiah Hurst on the front row, after Looney was sent to the back for bringing out the yellow. Birkhofer would power past Hurst going into turn 1 to lead lap 1. Husrt followed him over the 10 lap race. But never could mount a challenge, as Birkhofer held on for the win. Husrt was 2nd, Johnny Scott was 3rd, with Matt Furman securing the fourth and final transfer spot. Jordan Yaggy, Looney, Jason Feger, Spencer Diercks, and Skip Frey rounded out the field.

Heat race 2 saw Mike Spatola and Tony Jackson Jr. on the front row. Jackson Jr. took advantage of his outside front row start to grab the lead on lap 1. Just like Hurst did in the first heat, Spatola would follow Jackson Jr. over the 10 lap event. But Spatola wasn't able to mount a challenge, as Jackson Jr. went on to score the win. Spatola was 2nd, Chris Simpson was 3rd, with Mason Oberkramer holding off a closing Brian Shirley for the final transfer spot. Behind Shirley was Dave Eckrich, Jonathan Brauns, Brennon Willard, and Mitch McGrath.

Chad Holladay and Shannon Babb made up the front row for heat race number 3, with Babb powering off the top to grab the lead on lap 1. Babb then went on to lead all 10 laps to pick up the win. McKay Wenger crossed the line in 2nd, Holladay was 3rd, with Rickey Frankel holding off a closing Tim Manville to claim the final transfer spot. Behind Manville was Rich Bell, Myles Moos, Brandon Queen, and Mark Burgtorf.

The fourth and final heat race had Tony Toste and Bobby Pierce leading the field to green. Pierce used his outside front row starting spot to his advantage, by powering out into the lead on lap 1. Chad Simpson would follow him into the runner up spot. But Pierce was to strong in the 10 lap event, as he pick up the win. Chad Simpson was 2nd, Toste held on for 3rd, with Kolby Vandenbergh taking the final transfer spot. Jason Papich, Garrett Alberson, Justin Duty and Jay Johnson rounded out the field.

After the four heat races were completed, it was time to run the 2 B-Mains to determine the final starters in the 50 lap "Slocum 50" feature. B-Main number 1 had Jordan Yaggy and Brian Shirley on the front row. Shirley grabbed the lead on the drop of the green flag, with Yaggy working the bottom to try and challenge him. But it would cost Yaggy, as Dave Eckrich and Jason Feger used the top of the track to power past Yaggy for second and third. Shirley would go unchallenged, as he went on to pick up the win. Eckrich and Feger crossed the line in the final transfer spots. Yaggy, Skip Frey, Brennon Willard, Spencer Diercks, Jonathan Brauns, Payton Looney and Mitch McGrath completed the finishing order.

B-Main number 2 had Tim Manville and Jason Papich leading the field to green, with Manville powering past Papich to grab the lead on lap 1. Manville then went on to lead all 10 laps to claim the win. Garrett Alberson was 2nd, with a slowing Papich holding off a fast closing Myles Moos on the final lap to take the final transfer spot. Behind Moos was Jay Johnson, Brandon Queen, Justin Duty, Rich Bell, and Mark Burgtorf. Series provisionals were given to Payton Looney, Mitch McGrath, Justin Duty and Brennon Willard.

With all the qualifying events completed the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature came to the track first, with Chad Krogmeier and John Oliver Jr. drawing the front row. But power steering problems that they didn't have enough time to fix it correctly, forced Oliver Jr. to scratch from the event. This would move Jeremy Pundt to the outside of the front row for the start. Krogmeier would edge out Pundt and Jason Cook at the line to lead lap 1. Then just after lap 1 was scored complete the caution would plague the race over the next 8 laps. Debris on the front stretch, which results from contact between Abe Huls and Matt Picray, brought out the first caution. As a result of the contact Huls had to head to the pits to get his right front flat changed. He would rejoin the field in the back for the restart. With all the yellows over the next 7 laps, it would help Huls charged back through the field to join Pundt, David Brandies, who started 9th, Cook and Krogmeier in a great battle for the top spot. Pundt was able to hold back all challenges until lap 10, when Brandies used the momentum off the top of turn 4 to edge out in front of Pundt.

The side-by-side actin up front was slowed for the final time on lap 15, as debris down the backstretch brought out the yellow. On the final restart Brandies jumped back out front, with Pundt working to hold back Cook. Cook was able to clear Pundt for the runner up spot, with about 2 laps to go and then went to work on Brandies for the win. But all Cook was able to do was race up to Brandies back bumper coming off turn 4 for the checkered flag. As Brandies held on for the win. Pundt was 3rd, Huls finished in 4th, with Krogmeier coming home in 5th.

Up next was the 50 lap "Slocum 50" feature, with Brian Birkhofer and Shannon Babb leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Birkhofer would lead the field down the front stretch and into turn 1. But Babb would use the momentum off the top of turn 2 to lead lap 1. While Babb worked the top of the track, Tony Jackson Jr. worked the bottom. On lap 4 Jackson Jr. shot under Babb coming off turn 4 to grab the top spot. Then just as Jackson Jr. started to enter lap traffic on lap 8, Chad Holladay would spin in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Jackson Jr. jumped back out front on the restart, while Birkhofer used the momentum off the top of the track to take the runner up spot from Babb. Two laps later, lap 11, Babb was able to get back past Birkhofer for the second spot, and then set his sights on Jackson Jr.

The fast pace Jackson Jr. was setting would put him into lapped traffic on lap 17. While Babb struggled to put a lap on Tony Toste, Bobby Pierce would close in on him to challenge for the runner up spot. Pierce would finally take advantage of the lapped car to take over second on lap 30. Two laps later, lap 32, Pierce got by the final lapped car that was between him and Jackson Jr. But by then Jackson Jr. had built up a full straight-away lead. It appeared Pierce was cutting into Jackson Jr.'s lead, but he needed a caution to help him out. And that is exactly what he got on lap 41, when Brian Shirley slowed in turns 1 and 2 to bring out the yellow.

Jackson Jr. jumped back out front on the restart, while Babb used the momentum off the top of the track to get second from Pierce. But when Babb jumped the cushion in turn 3 on lap 43, this allowed Pierce to go back by for the runner up spot. Once again Piece had some work to do to chase down Jackson Jr. But disaster would strike Jackson Jr. on lap 46, as his car sputtered down the front stretch and slowed down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. After reading on Facebook this morning it was discovered that Jackson Jr. broke a fuel pump bracket that cost him his shot at his first "Slocum 50" title and the $10,555 check to go with it.

Pierce inherited the lead on the restart, with Babb and Birkhofer looking to challenge him for the top spot. Coming to the white flag Babb had the momentum coming off the top of the track and would challenge Pierce going into turn 1. But Babb had to jam on the brakes to keep from making contact with Pierce. Babb would recover to try and use the top coming out of turn 4 for the checkers. But when Pierce slid up in front of him off turn 4, Babb had to turn back under him. Pierce was able to hold off Babb by a half a car length to become the first diver to win back-to-back "Slocum 50" events. Pierce is also the only driver to win the race more then once, as it was his fourth win in the twelve year history. Birkhofer finished in 3rd, Jeremiah Hurst was 4th, with Chris Simpson coming from 11th to round out the top 5. Johnny Scott finished 6th after starting in 9th, Spatola was 7th, current MLRA points leader Chad Simpson was 8th, Garrett Alberson won the hard charger award, after starting in 20th and coming home in 9th, with Tim Manville completing the top 10 from his 18th place starting spot.

The 20 lap 305 Sprint Car feature was the final race of the night, with Nathan Murders and Dan Keltner drawing the front row. Murders took advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Cody Wehrle and Keltner. Wehrle was able to clear Murders for the top spot on lap 2. The action was slowed for the first time on lap 6, when Wyatt Wilkerson went for a 360 spin to bring out the yellow. On the restart Wehrle moved back out front, with Keltner and Murders following. Wehrle would start to pull away from the field, when Matt Krieger and Devon Rouse made contact and collected Blaine Jamison in turn 4 on lap 11. Even though they all continued on, they all would slow to bring out the yellow for safety reasons. Once again Wehrle grabbed the lead on the restart, with Keltner and Murders behind. While Keltner and Murders battled for second, Wehrle would pull away to an easy win. Murders won the battle for 2nd, Keltner was 3rd, Dugan Thye crossed the line in 4th, but was docked one spot for jumping the final restart. This would move Nick Guernsey up to the fourth spot.

Another "Slocum 50" event was put into the books, and another one that didn't disappoint. I can't wait until the date for the 2021 edition is announced! I would like to say thank you to Brad Stevens, Jessi Mynatt, and the entire 34 Raceway crew for the great hospitality!

I plan on taking the rest of this holiday weekend off. Right now the plan is to make the trip over to the Marshalltown Speedway in Marshalltown, Iowa next Thursday, July 9th for the Dale DeFrance Memorial race. It will also be the 500th and final Summer Series race, with Darrel DeFrance being honored as the only driver to attend all 500 events.

Until then, please get out and support your local track!

Pershy Tops Strong Modified Field at the Davenport Speedway

Davenport, IA (Friday, July 2, 2020) - I want to start off by asking everyone to keep the Lewis family in your thoughts and prayers. As Shaune Lewis passed away inside of his IMCA Late Model at the Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa. Many of us might not have known Shaune, but he was part of our racing family, and his family could use you thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May you RIP #44x.

Here is Shaune Lewis in action a couple of weeks ago at the Davenport Speedway. 

With the Davenport Speedway running another Thursday night program, I decided to make the short hour trip north to cover the action. I arrived shortly before hot laps were set to begin to find 163 cars, made up of 44 SportMods, 38 Modifieds, 26 Sport Compacts, 24 Late Models, 22 Street Stocks, and 9 Hobby Stocks, jammed into the back pit area. After the 19 heats races and 4 B-Mains were completed to help set the starting line-ups for the feature events, it was time to go feature racing.

Twenty-three of the twenty-six Sport Compacts that were signed in took to the track first for their 12 lap feature, with David Prim and Todd Sibley drawing the front row. Just as the green flag waved the yellow light would come on, as Blake Dotson spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart it was third place starter Jake Benischek who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Prim and Brandon Dahl, who started 7th. One lap later, lap 2, the second caution of the race appeared, as Austin Nelan spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Benischek jumped back out front on the restart, with Dahl and Shawn McDermott, who started 10th, both over taking Prim for second and third. The third caution of the race slowed the action on lap 4, as Garrett Duncan and Brad McDermott spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Once again Benischek grabbed the lead on the restart, with Dahl and Shawn McDermott close behind. Just after the lap was scored complete the yellow light came on, as debris in turn 4 brought out the yellow. On the restart Benischek jumped back out front, with Dahl and McDermott following. As the rest of the field raced two and even three wide for positions behind him, Benischek started to pull away. Then just as it looked like Benischek would pull away for an easy win, the final caution of the race appeared on lap 10. Debris in turn 1 would bring out the yellow and set up a two lap dash to the finish. On the restart Benischek went low, Dahl used the middle, while Shawn McDermott went high, as the three raced off turn 4 for the white flag three wide. Shawn McDermott would edge out the other two at the line to lead lap 11. Then coming off turn 4 for the checkered flag Benischek tried to slid up in front of Shawn McDermott, but the momentum off the top allowed Shawn McDermott to edge out Benischek at the line by inches to claim the win. Dustin Forbes got by Dahl on the final lap to come home in 3rd, with Cyle Hawkins completing the top 5.

The IMCA Hobby Stocks were added to the program for tonight, with only 9 cars signing in for competition. Kaden Reynolds and Kile Vohringer led the field to green for their 10 lap feature event, with Reynolds grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Dakota Simonsen and Jake Benischek. Without a caution to bunch the field up, there was no challenging Reynolds on this night. As he pulled away to pick up the win. Simonsen was 2nd, Benischek was 3rd, Vohringer was 4th, with Steve Cox rounding out the top 5.

Rick Schriner and Frank Waters led the field to green in the scheduled 15 lap Street Stock feature, with Schriner using his draw to his advantage to lead lap 1 over Robert Cottom and Waters. As Schriner paced the field out front, the battled behind him for positions went two and three wide. The action was slowed on lap 4, when Gene Ehlers spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Cottom used the middle groove to edge out in front of Schriner to grab the top spot, and then started to pull away from the battles behind him. Cottom's pace was slowed on lap 9, when Alex Pappas spun in turn 3 to bring out the caution. Once again Cottom jumped back out front on the restart, with Joe Bonney, who started 7th, over taking Schriner for the runner up spot. Cottom then had to work to hold off Bonney, until another caution appeared on lap 12. This time Nick Proehl and Mike Anderson got together in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Jeff Struck Jr. and Erick Turner spun in turn 4 to bring the yellow light back on. This also brought an end to the time limit, as it was announced the next yellow or the checkered flag would end the race. The following restart saw Bonney get under Cottom coming off turn 2 and then edging him out at the line to grab the top spot, with eighteenth place starter Donnie Louck close behind. Just after the lap was scored complete Chase Zaruba and Nick Claussen spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow and checkered flags. Bonney was declared the winner, Cottom was 2nd, Louck was 3rd, Schriner was 4th, with Kyle Anderson, who made the pull over from Crown Point, Indiana, coming from 16th to finish in 5th.

Up next was the 15 lap IMCA SportMod feature, with Gage Neal and Ryan Walker drawing the front row for the event. Neal took advantage of his draw to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Walker and Ben Chapman. Just after the lap was scored complete the caution appeared, as Doug Burkhead and Jared Waterman spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Neal jumped back out front, with Chapman edging out Walker for the runner up spot. Neal would pace the field out front, while the battles behind him went two and three wide. The action up front was slowed for the second time of the race on lap 8, as Waterman spun in turn 4 to bring out the caution. On the restart Matt Fulton, who was battling for the top 5, went over the track in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw disaster strike the leader, as Neal went over the track in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the third attempt of a restart Tony Olson used the topside momentum to edge out Chapman for the lead. While Olson worked the top of the track, Chapman worked the bottom groove, as the two raced side-by-side around the 1/4 mile track over the final laps. Coming off turn 4 to the checkered flag, Olson once again used the momentum off the top to edge out Chapman at the line to claim the win. Walker was 3rd, Shane Paris came from 12th to finish 4th, with Jarett Franzen completing the top 5.

Ryan Duhme and Jason Pershy led the field to green in the 20 lap IMCA Modified feature, with Duhme grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Pershy and Brandon Durbin. Duhme, who was running the bottom, and Pershy, who was using the top of the track, raced side-by-side around the track over the next 7 laps, with Duhme edging out the lead at the line each lap. Then on lap 8, Pershy was able to edge out front to take the top spot away from Duhme. While Pershy paced the field out front, Duhme, Durbin and Spencer Diercks, who started 8th, battle three wide for the runner up spot. With the three wide battle going on behind him, Pershy was able to pull away in a caution free race to pick up the win and the $1,000 top prize to go with it. Durbin won the battle for 2nd, Duhme was 3rd, Diercks was 4th, with Jeff Larson coming from 10th to finish 5th.

Out of respect for the Lewis family the IMCA Late Model driver's decided to postpone their feature event. So stay tuned to the Davenport Speedway's Facebook page and website for an announced make-up date. I would like to put any rumors or speculations to rest about the Lewis fatality. There was no racing accident or incident that caused his passing. He has some kind of a medical thing attack him as they were going down the backstretch to come to green in the heat race. When all of a sudden his car shot off to the right and got into Eric Pollard's left rear, and then continued to shoot off the 1/4 mile and coming to a rest on the backstretch of the half mile. Again I ask you to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

After the end of the night I was able to have a short conversation with Ricky Kay, and he expressed to me how disappointed he was on the night. As much as they tried to keep moisture in the track and the dust settled, nothing worked. Which is understandable, with temperatures in the low 90's and high humidity with heat index's in the mid to upper 90's it is a hard battle to win. But the feature races did produce two, three and four wide racing at times, with the high line a fine line to race on. Every track, and I mean every track, experiences a bad night. But they all rebound and move on. And I know Kay and his crew will do that, as it has shown all year with the big car counts and racing completed by curfew. I hope to get back to the Davenport Speedway before the 2020 season ends, as every time I am able to get up their I am greeted by Kay and his crew!

Tonight it's off to 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa for the make-up of the "Slocum 50". The COVID-19 restrictions forced the original date to be postponed, and with an already scheduled MLRA race on July 3rd at the track they decided to make it the "Slocum 50" event. Tonight's action will honor Brent Slocum with a $10,555 to win Late Model feature. The 305 Sprints and IMCA Stock Cars will also be in action. I hope to see you there!

1st Annual Burt Peterson Memorial Goes to Larson

East Moline, IL (Sunday, June 21, 2020) - It has been several years since I have been to the now named Bullring at the Rock Island County Fairgrounds in East Moline, Illinois. And when the Peterson family was named the new promoter's of the track for the 2020 season, I instantly made up my mind to try and make a few trips north to cover the action on Sunday night's.

My return visit took place this past Sunday, June 21st, as they hosted the 1st Annual Burt Peterson Memorial. Highlighting the nights action was the IMCA Modifieds, battling for $1,000 to win. Also on the card was the IMCA SportMods, IMCA Hobby Stocks, Street Stocks, Nostalgia Stock Car Racing Club Vintage Late Models, Mod Lites and Sport Compacts.

I arrived just shortly before hot laps were set to begin to find 111 race teams signed in to do battle on the night. But unfortunately for the fourth week in a row they were not allowed to have any fans in the grandstands. Now I don't know about all tracks, but I would think that it is very hard to just break even without those fans sitting in the grandstands to show their support. Hopefully with Illinois moving to phase 4 before this coming weekend, this will allow them to have a limited number of fans sitting in the empty grandstands come Sunday.

After the sixteen heat races were completed to help set up the starting field for the seven feature events, it was time to bring the first one to the track. The 12 lap IMCA Hobby Stocks would come out first, and with this being a new class at the track for the 2020 season the number was low with only four cars. Jerry Legner and Steve Cox led the field to the green flag, with Cox leading lap 1 over Legner and Randy LaMar. Legner, LaMar, and Cox would race off turn 4 three wide for the top spot on lap 2, with LaMar emerging as the leader at the stripe. Legner would try to keep pace with LaMar over the next several laps, when he excited the track on lap 8 with troubles. This left LaMar on the track by himself, as he went on to the claim the checkered flag for the third time in four races at the track.

Up next was the 15 lap Street Stock feature, with Jeffrey Peterson and Dwayne Smith Jr. making up the front row. Smith Jr. took advantage of his starting spot to jump out front on lap 1 over Peterson and Zach Zuberbier. Just after the first lap was scored complete the caution appeared, as a tire was clipped onto the track in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Zuberbier shot under Smith Jr. coming off turn 2 to take over the top. Two laps later, lap 4, Erick Turner would spin in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Zuberbier moved back out front on the restart, with Jesse Owen and Mike Anderson glued to his back bumper. Anderson tried to work under Zuberbier over the last few laps of the race, including the final lap. But Zuberbier was able to hold him off to claim his third win in four races at the Bullring at the Rock Island Fairgrounds. Owen was 3rd, Smith Jr. was 4th, with Rick Schriner coming from 10th to round out the top 5.

Twenty-two Nostalgia Stock Car Racing Club Vintage Late Models took to the track next for their 20 lap feature. Brian Ashmore grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Brendan Ramer and Keith Lucas. The action was brought to an abrupt end on lap 2, as Matt Ramer barrel rolled several times in turn 2 to bring out the red. He would climb from his mangled car okay. On the restart Justin Rutledge would over take Ashmore for the top spot. Rutledge then paced the field out front over the next seven laps, as Jeff Walker and Mark Claeys closed in to make it a three car battle for the lead. Walker, Rutledge and Claeys raced off turn 4 three wide coming to complete lap 11, with Walker emerging with the top spot. Walker then held off a last lap challenge from Ben Hamburg to pick up the win. Andrew Hamburg was 3rd, Randy Lucas was 4th, with Claeys holding on for 5th.

Rob Guss and Blake Gonzales led the field to green in the 15 lap Mod Lites feature, with Blake Gonzales leading lap 1 over Guss and a fast charging Mike Zemo Jr., who started 9th. While Blake Gonzales worked the bottom of the track, Zemo Jr. used the middle groove. The work paid off for Zemo Jr., as he took over the top spot on lap 3 coming off turn 4. With Zemo Jr. setting a fast pace out front, Robert Gonzales, who started 7th, was working his way towards the front. And with heavy lap traffic in front of Zemo Jr., this allowed Robert Gonzales to close within striking distance by lap 8. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 9, Zemo Jr. looked to the high side to clear the lapped cars in front of him. This would allow Robert Gonzales to shoot under him to grab the lead away. Robert Gonzales then pulled away through more lap traffic to bring an end to Zemo Jr.'s three race winning streak at the track. Michael Dominguez finished 3rd after starting in 8th, Blake Gonzales was 4th, with Jon Padilla finishing 5th after starting in 10th.

Twenty-five of the twenty-eight Sport Compacts that were signed in took to the track next for their 15 lap feature. And what surprised me was there were only two cautions during the entire 15 lap event on the small quarter mile track. The first caution would appear on the drop of the green flag, as Forrest Frymoyer got into the wall in turn 1 and almost got upside down to bring the yellow light on. The following original restart saw Dave White III grab the lead on lap 1 over Ashton Blain and Cyle Hawkins. White III then worked to hold the field off over the next 6 laps, when the action was slowed for the final time on lap 7. Justin Moffitt would spin in turn 3 to bring out the caution. On the restart White III jumped back out front, with Hawkins and Jacob Rietter close behind. Hawkins then tried to work under White III over the next two laps, but White III was able to hold him off. That was until lap 11 when Hawkins finally slipped under White III for the top spot. Hawkins then pulled away over the final laps to pick up his first win of the season at the Bullring at the Rock Island County Fairgrounds. White III held off Rietter on the final lap to finish 2nd, Brandon Dahl came from 10th to finish 4th, with Blain holding on for 5th.

Jared Coppejans and Logan Veloz drew the front row for the 20 lap IMCA SportMod feature, with Coppejans grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Jarett Franzen and Veloz. The lead for Coppejans only last one lap, as Franzen got under him to take over the top spot on lap 2. The action was slowed for the first time of the race on lap 5, when Chris Hesseling stopped in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Franzen moved back out front, with Steven Spiker and Chance Huston giving chase. One lap later, lap 7, the second caution appeared, as Jared Waterman stopped in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. The yellow light would come back on on the restart, as third place running Huston spun in turn 2. The following restart saw Franzen move back out front, with Spiker and Dustin Schram, who started 8th, close behind. Franzen then had to defend off Schram over the next 5 laps, when the fourth caution of the race slowed the action on lap 15. This time Brandt Cole spun in 4 to bring out the yellow.

On the restart Franzen, Schram and Trey Grimm, who started 11th, raced three wide off turn 4, with Franzen holding them off. As the caution appeared on the completion of the lap, for debris down the backstretch. On the restart Spiker, Kevin Goben, Veloz and CJ Durbin tangled in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Franzen jump back out front, with Grimm and Schram battling for the runner up spot. Schram tried to get under Franzen over the next two laps, and when he was unsuccessful at making the pass he went to the top of the track on the white flag lap. Franzen was able to hold him off at the line to claim his second win of the season at the track. Grimm was 3rd, Huston recovered from his spin on lap 7 to come back up to finish 4th, with Cole recovering from his spin on lap 15 to come back to finish in 5th.

The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 30 lap Burt Peterson Memorial, featuring the IMCA Modifieds. Eric Barnes and Chris Lawrence led the field to the drop of the green flag, with Barnes edging out Lawrence and Jeff Larson to lead lap 1. While Barnes worked to hold off Larson for the lead, Travis Denning, who started 10th, worked himself into the battle on lap 4. Going into turn 1 to come around to complete lap 7, Larson was able to get under Barnes to take over the top spot. Larson then pulled away to a straight-away lead, as Branes worked to hold off Denning in the battle for the runner up spot. The only chance anybody had of challenging Larson for the win was a caution. And that appeared on lap 19, as debris in turn 4 brought out the yellow. On the restart Larson jumped back out front, with Barnes, Denning and 8th place starter Doug Lenth following. Larson once again pulled away over the final 10 laps to go on to score the $1,000 top prize. Barnes was 2nd, Denning was 3rd, Lenth was 4th, with Jim Sandusky finishing 5th after starting in 12th.

What was impressive on the night was the first feature went green at 8 PM, with the final checkered flag waving at 10:04 PM. That meant 127 laps of feature racing in the seven classes were ran in just over 2 hours. I would like to say THANK YOU to the Peterson family and their entire staff for welcoming me. I certainly plan on attending a few more shows on Sunday night during the 2020 season.

Mother Nature Cuts Davenport Speedway Short

Davenport, IA (Friday, June 19, 2020) - My 2020 racing season has been very limited, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. So far I have only taken in seven nights of racing, six of those were at the track I work at weekly. The other night was when a friend and myself took his two boys to Knoxville, Iowa last Saturday to take in the World of Outlaw Sprint Car show.

With the weekly track I work at canceling early due to mother nature, I decided to make the one hour drive north to take in a weekly night of racing at the Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa. For the fourth time in five weekly events 125+ cars signed in for competition. On this night 35 SportMods, 31 Modifieds, 21 Street Stocks, 16 Late Models, 15 4-Cylinders, and 9 Midwest Jalopies made up the 127 cars signed in.

Shortly after hot laps were completed the 15 scheduled heats races begin. The track was fast, which helped to produce two, three and even four wide racing in the heats. But as the night went along the skies southwest of the track started to darken. A quick look at the radar showed heavy rains heading right towards the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Just as the first of two Modified B-Mains hit the track it started to sprinkle. So I decided to head for the car. Which was a good idea, because just after I got in the car the skied opened up and poured on the grounds.

Just some of the two, three and even four wide action shots from the Davenport Speedway.

From a press release I received they called the show complete last night, since all heat races were completed. An announcement on when the make-up features will be held will be announced on their Facebook page and website.

The Davenport Speedway has a busy two nights of racing next weekend. It will begin on Thursday, June 25th, as the MARS Racing Series kicks off a three day swing at the track. The open Late Models will battle for $5,000 to win, with the IMCA Late Models joining them. Then on Friday, June 26th The Sprint Invaders will join the weekly action, with the exception of the IMCA Late Models, as they will have the night off.

Notes: I can see how and why the Davenport Speedway beats the 10:30 PM curfew they have, even with the large amount of car counts that sign in on a weekly night. Once the action begins they push them through at a fast and efficient way. Which shows they have a great crew put together, and they also get the co-operation from the driver's to be in staging and ready to go for your race.

I would like to say THANK YOU to Ricky and Brenda Kay, and their entire crew at the Davenport Speedway for the great hospitality. I am not able to get up to Davenport very often, but whenever I can they always welcome me.

My Saturday plan is to take the night off, as the family is getting together to celebrate my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. But on Sunday I may make the hour trip back north to take in the 1st Annual Burt Peterson Memorial show at The Bullring at the Rock Island County Fairgrounds. It has been several years since I have been up there. So I look forward to returning, with the Peterson family taking over as promoters this year.

Long, Oliver Jr. and Carter Score Wins at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway

Donnellson, IA (Saturday, May 2, 2020) - The 2020 racing season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa was set to kick off back on Friday, March 27th. But when the coronavirus pandemic started to spread throughout the United States in early March, the federal government put in a limit on the number of people that could gather to a maximum of 10. Then by the second week of April the Iowa Governor closed all race tracks. Which would put the 2020 season on hold until some of the restrictions were lifted.

On Monday, April 27th the Iowa Governor announced she was opening up 77 out of the 99 counties in the state, and Lee County just happened to be one of those. Even though the race track could open back up for racing, we were not allowed to have any fans in the grandstands. At the time of the governor's announcement Lee County Speedway promoters Brian and Marcie Gaylord only had some teams coming in on Saturday, May 2nd for a practice. That would change on Friday, May 1st, as the Darkside Promotions team of Timmy Current and Ryan Duhme called wanting to take over the fairgrounds to put on their Spring Fling event. And agreement was made between the two promotional groups, and the Spring Fling was announced to race on Saturday, May 2nd. In action on the night was the Modifieds, Stock Cars, and SportMods.

One-hundred and two cars in the three divisions signed in for action, which included 34 Modifieds, 20 Stock Cars, and 48 SportMods. Before the three feature races could begin, thirteen heats races and five B Mains had to be run to help set up the starting spots in those feature events.

The first feature to take to the track was the 20 lap Stock Cars, with Todd Reitzler and Jim Redmann drawing the front row for the event. Reitzler used his front row starting spot to his advantage by grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Jay Schmidt and Redmann. While Reitzler used the top of the track to extend his lead, John Oliver Jr., who started 7th, worked the bottom to try and get to the front. On lap 7 Oliver Jr. worked himself into the runner up spot, and then went to work on chasing down Reitzler for the top spot. Coming off turn 2 to complete lap 13, Oliver Jr. would slip under Reitzler to take over the lead. Three laps later, lap 16, the first and only caution of the race appeared, as Jordan Ross spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Oliver Jr. jumped back out front, with Reitzler and Cole Mather, who started 8th, close behind. Mather would clear Reitzler for the runner up spot on lap 17, and then tried to challenge Oliver Jr. for the top spot over the final few laps. But Oliver Jr., who is very familiar to the Pepsi Lee County Speedway victory lane, would hold him off to pick up his first win of the season. Mather settled for 2nd, Reitzler was 3rd, David Brandies came from 10th to finish 4th, with Schmidt rounding out the top 5.

Tyler Inman and Cody Thompson led the field to green in the 20 lap SportMod feature, with Inman jumping out front to lead lap 1 over Thompson and Brayton Carter, who started 5th.The lead for Inman lasted until lap 3, when Thompson got under him to take over the top spot. The field was slowed for the first and only time on lap 5, when a tire was clipped and thrown on the track in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Thompson jumped back out front, with Brayton Carter and Carter VanDenBerg close behind. Brayton Carter would try to keep pace with Thompson, as the two pulled away from the rest of the field that was battling two and even three wide behind them at times. The lead duo would enter lapped traffic late in the race, and ultimately it was lap traffic that would determine the finish of the race. Going into turn 3 on the final lap Thompson decided to follow a lap car and entered the corner low, which forced Brayton Carter to go high. With the lap car holding up Thompson, Brayton Carter used the momentum off the top of turn four to edge out Thompson at the line for the win. Logan Anderson came from 15th to finish 3rd, VanDenBerg was 4th, with Ben Chapman finishing 5th after starting in 18th.

The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 30 lap Modifieds, with Michael Long and Denny Eckrich leading the field to the green flag. Just as the green was waved the caution light would come on, as Spencer Diercks spun in turn 4 and collected Tyler Madigan and Cody Schroeder to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Long moved out front to lead lap 1 over Eckrich and Bryce Garnhart. Just as Long started to pull away, the second and final caution of the race appeared on lap 8. This time Chris Lawrence got into the guardrail in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. Long once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Eckrich and Garnhart still following. While Long pulled away, Chris Simpson, who started 9th, Cayden Carter, who started 11th, and Tom Berry Jr., who started 12th, were working their way towards the front. Simpson got to the runner up spot on lap 16, and then went to work on chopping into Long's straight-away lead. Despite Long getting into heavy lapped traffic there was no catching him, as he went on to claim the win. Simpson was 2nd, Carter was 3rd, Berry Jr. was 4th, with Eckrich holding on for 5th.

Notes from LCS: Of the 102 cars signed in seven states were represented, including Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota, Nevada, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Texas......Dallon Murty started the Stock Car feature in 14th and then passed 8 cars to come home in 6th....Erick Knutsen came from 20th to finish 13th....Rookie Stock Car driver Leah Wroten finished 14th after starting in 18th....Jordan Ross, who started 19th, recovered from his spin on lap 16 to finish in 15th......Gage Neal finished the SportMod feature in 7th after starting in 11th....Tony Olson came from 13th to finish in 9th....Shane Paris started 14th and finished 11th....Austin Kaplan came from 20th to finish 13th....Adam Birck passed 9 cars from his 23rd place starting spot to finish 14th....Vern Jackson finished 15th after starting in 19th....Ryan Walker passed 8 cars from his 24th place starting spot to come home in 16th....Jarrett Franzen finished 18th after starting in 22nd......Kollin Hibdon, who drove 24 hours from Pahrump, Nevada to get to the track, started the Modified feature in 15th. He would pass 8 cars to take home a 7th place finish....Austin Howes took home the hard charger award, by come from 19th to finish 9th.... Spencer Diercks recovered from his spin on the start to come back up to finish 9th....Ethan Braaksma came from 18th to finish 10th....Cody Schroeder also recovered from his involvement in the caution on the start to come back up to finish 11th....Tyler Madigan, who started 20th, was another driver who recovered from the opening lap caution to come back up to finish 13th....Rick Wages started 23rd and finished 15th....Chris Snyder came from 21st to finish 15th....Joel Rust, who was running 3rd, pulled off under the lap 8 caution with front end troubles.

It was GREAT to see two promotional teams work together to make this night happen. Let's hope this is a sign of things to come in the future!

My next adventure takes me back to the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th. Friday will feature Modifieds, SportMods, and Sport Compacts. While the Late Models, 305 Sprints, and Stock Cars will be in action on Saturday. After that there are no set plans, as we go day to day on what racing events will be held in the weeks ahead. I only hope we can get back to having fans in the grandstands real soon!!!