Chris Simpson appeared to be on his way to a $4,000 payday at 34 Raceway Saturday night. That ended in sudden heartbreak when rear end problems forced the leader to the infield after 37 of 40 laps in Late Model action for the co-sanctioned Corn Belt Clash, MARS, ALMS special.
Outside front row starter Kevin Weaver took the early lead and put a few car-lengths over the pack while Terry Phillips and Simpson gave chase. Simpson and Phillips engaged in an exciting battle for second as the leader pulled away and entered heavy lapped traffic 10 laps into the event.
The lapped traffic immediately stalled Weaver's progress, allowing both Phillips and Simpson to pull to within a car-length of the front-runner. Phillips shot to the low side of Weaver to take over the lead, while Simpson also made his way past for second.
Two laps later, Simpson slipped by Phillips and quickly pulled away from the pack while Simpson's brother, Chad, was making his way through traffic. Chad Simpson, who was 15th on the starting grid, was running fourth when his brother took charge.
Following a pair of cautions on laps 14 and 17, the race went green the rest of the way. Chris Simpson continued his stay out front while Chad Simpson went to work on the high side following the last restart. At that time, he swept past Phillips for second, however Chris Simpson was again pulling away.
Enjoying a straightaway lead, the leader seemed destined for a trip to victory lane when he pulled into the infield off the back stretch following the completion of lap 37.
Chad Simpson, who had broken away from a hard-charging Jesse Stovall, went on top score the victory. Stovall, who started fifth, beat fifth row starting Brian Shirley to the line for second. Making an impressive run from 26th, youngster Tyler Reddick came home fourth ahead of Phillips.
Late Model Feature Results - 1. 25 Chad Simpson; 2. 00JS Jesse Stovall; 3. 3S Brian Shirley; 4. 11T Tyler Reddick; 5. 75P Terry Phillips; 6. 56J Tony Jackson Jr.; 7. B12 Kevin Weaver; 8. 75 Billy Drake; 9. 15K Justin Kay; 10. 21BR Rich Bell; 11. 24U Ryan Unzicker; 12. M14 Brandon Thirlby; 13. 20 Jake Meier; 14. 25L Steve Lance Jr.; 15. 45DW Denny Woodworth; 16. 58 Dave Eckrich; 17. 14W Dustin Walker; 18. 32 Chris Simpson; 19. 93J Jay Johnson; 20. 10S Scott Schmitt; 21. 27P Jason Perry; 22. 50 Denny Eckrich; 23. 85D Mark Dotson; 24. 77JA Justin Asplin; 25. 7MB Mark Burgtorf; 26. 15R Brian Harris; 27. B5 Brandon Sheppard.
In other action, the 305 Sprint division opened its points season at the speedway as 14 drivers signed in to compete.
Pole-sitter Andy Huston led the field through a handful of early cautions with Donnie Steward in tow. Huston opened a sizable lead as Steward tried to stay within striking distance when the leaders came upon lapped cars midway through the 20-lapper.
After the final stoppage on lap 13, Steward challenged for the lead running the high groove of turns one and two. After two consecutive attempts in that set of turns to steal the lead, Steward broke free with two to go as he drove to the win. Huston finished second ahead of Jayson Ditsworth, who made an impressive run through traffic after an early caution sent him to the back of the field. John Schulz and Ryan Jamison completed the top five.
A strong field of 30 Four Cylinders took the green in that division's 12-lap feature. Pole-sitter Michael Grossman led that event in its entirety to earn the victory. He survived a trio of cautions to take the win ahead of Steve Miedke, who came from a sixth row start. Sixteen-year-old Dayton Racer, who made the trip from Apple Valley, Minnesota, started alongside Miedke and came home third. John Whalen and Wayne Noble rounded out the top five.
For another take on the night's action, along with a few extra tidbits, be sure to check out Jeff Broeg's column on the Back Stretch right here at Positively Racing. Brian Neal was also at the event. Check out his thoughts, and a few photos at Midwest Racing News.
I've enjoyed the first four events on 34 Raceway's schedule this season, but I'm hoping I'll be able to start spending my Saturday nights at Independence Motor Speedway. We hope to get our season underway next Saturday with our first weekly points race.
Thanks to the staff at 34 for their hospitality through the early weeks of the season. Special thanks to track announcer Rich Adams for his always entertaining off-mic commentary. It's been a pleasure, Rich. You're a real gas.
Tonight, double features in three divisions are in store at Benton County Speedway following last week's rain shortened program. After the completion of last week's Hobby Stock, Stock Car and Modified features, a complete program will be run for all five weekly divisions. It promises to be a great night in Vinton. I hope to see you there!
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