"C"had "B"anks "C"ash, Simpson tops CBC field at CJ Speedway

Chad Simpson completed the sweep of three straight days of Corn Belt Clash Late Model Series racing with a triumph at CJ Speedway in Columbus Junction on Thursday night during the Louisa County Fair. Simpson, who started the 30-lapper from the fifth row, made his way to the front 10 laps into the event to take home the $3,000 winner's share.

Pole-sitter Kurt Kile held the early lead and paced the field until he slipped off the high side in turns one and two following the completion of the ninth lap. By that time, Simpson was in the cat bird's seat and slid past for the lead. He ran uncontested over the final 20 circuits to earn his third series wins in as many days.

Chris Simpson, who started alongside his brother in the fifth row, had a nice run of his own as he finished second ahead of Kevin Kile. Tim Isebnerg ran fourth for the second consecutive night ahead of Jeremiah Hurst, who earned his first top-five finish of the season. Justin Mitchell was the hard-charger on the night, advancing seven positions from a 13th starting spot to finish sixth.

FEATURE (30 laps, with starting positions)
1. (9) 25 Chad Simpson (Mt. Vernon)
2. (10) 32 Chris Simpson (Oxford)
3. (2) 88 Kevin Kile (West Liberty)
4. (5) 9T Tim Isenberg (Marshfield, WI)
5. (3) 15H Jeremiah Hurst (Dubuque)
6. (13) 28X Justin Mitchell (Cedar Rapids)
7. (4) 3 Kevin Sather (Ankeny)
8. (12) 50 Denny Eckrich (Tiffin)
9. (16) 1M Rob Moss (Iowa City)
10. (1) 77 Kurt Kile (Nichols)
11. (11) 58 Dave Eckrich (Cosgrove)
12. (15) 45H Todd Hansen (Muscatine)
13. (14) 15K Justin Kay (Wheatland)
14. (7) 31 Jason Utter (Columbus Junction)
15. (8) 33 Nick Marolf (Moscow)
16. (6/DNS) 20 Jake Meier (Tipton)
17. (17/DNS) 3X Skip Frey (Ely)

In other action, Steve Stewart continued his dominance on the CJ oval as he drove to the win in the Modifieds. Stewart made his way to the front just shy of the midway point to drive to the win. Justin Buchholz finished the Mod Lite feature right where he started it. From the drop of the green, Buchholz dominated the 12-lapper to take the win. In the IMCA Sport Compacts, Tyler Whalen was also a green-to-checkers winner as he led the 10-lap feature in its entirety to score the victory.

Thanks to the entire crew at CJ for their hospitality and a fun night at the track. Despite a rain delay just after the start of the heat races, the final checkers waved at 10:20.

Up next for the Corn Belt Clash is a trip to Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis., next Thursday, August 4, before a two-day Minnesota swing August 11 and 12 at Redwood Speedway and Chateau Raceway.

Following a night away from the track tomorrow, it's back to weekly racing for me at Independence Motor Speedway on Saturday. This weekend it's McDonald's Night and Ronald himself is scheduled to make an appearance. Bring the entire family for another night of Fast Family Fun!