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Simpson Takes Davenport WDRL Win Guss Scores Pro Mod Victory
by Mike McGuire
DAVENPORT, Ia. (April 4, 2009) - Despite wind and chilly temperatures, the
World Dirt Racing League recorded its first event of the 2009 season.
For defending series champion, Chad Simpson, victory at the Davenport
Speedway was the icing on the cake. Simpson, of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, clinched
his 2008 title at Davenport in the season finale with a sixth place finish.
Upon his return to the Davenport half-mile, he led all forty laps, en route
to victory lane.
Simpson started the feature on the pole, after winning his heat and the
dash. In a race that was slowed four times for cautions, Simpson was never
seriously challenged.
Behind Simpson, John Kaanta ran in second, until the race’s first caution on
lap seven. Following the restart, Denny Eckrich grabbed the runner-up spot.
Kaanta would return the favor just past the midway point of the race and
ride in the second spot to the checkers. Eckrich would hold on to finish
third, with Rob Moss racing to a fourth place finish. Andy Eckrich completed
the top five finishers.
In Pro Mod action, Ray Guss Jr., needed 17 laps of the 20-lap feature to
track down and pass Thad Wilson for the lead. Guss would lead the remaining
laps, holding a several car-length lead at the checkers. Wilson would hold
on for second, with Ryan Dolan third. Bob Dominacki and Chad Patch finished
fourth and fifth respectively.
Next Friday, April 10th, is a scheduled open practice session on the
Davenport Speedway quarter-mile track. The practice session will start at
6:30pm.
The IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models visits the Davenport
Speedway on Friday, April 17th. That event is sponsored by O’Reilly Auto
Parts.
Davenport Speedway
April 4, 2009
Results -
WDRL Late Model
Heat 1: 1. Mike Murphy Jr.; 2. Rob Moss; 3. Jason Utter; 4. Jeremy Grady; 5.
Rich Bell;
Heat 2: 1. Denny Eckrich; 2. Andy Eckrich; 3. Al Purkey; 4. Brian Harris; 5.
Chad Mahder;
Heat 3: 1. John Kaanta; 2. Jeff Aikey; 3. Tommy Elston; 4. Jason Rauen; 5.
Chris Simpson;
Heat 4: 1. Chad Simpson; 2. Tim Isenberg; 3. Dave Eckrich; 4. Curt Martin;
5. Jeff Larson;
Semi: 1. Darin Burco; 2. Gordy Seegert; 3. Jay Johnson; 4. Eric Pember; 5.
Matt Furman;
Pole Dash: 1. Chad Simpson; 2. John Kaanta; 3.Denny Eckrich ; 4. Jeff Aikey;
5. Rob Moss;
Feature: 1. Chad Simpson; 2. John Kaanta; 3.Denny Eckrich ; 4. Rob Moss; 5.
Andy Eckrich; 6. Al Purkey; 7. Tommy Elston; 8. Curt Martin; 9. Tim
Isenberg; 10. Dave Eckrich; 11. Brian Harris; 12. Darin Burco; 13. Eric
Pember; 14. Chad Madher; 15. Andrew McKay; 16. Jeremy Grady; 17. Gordy
Seegert; 18. Chris Simpson; 19. Jason Utter; 20. Jay Johnson; 21. Mike
Murphy Jr.; 22. Jason Rauen; 23. Jeff Aikey; 24, Frank Heckencast.
Pro Mod
Heat 1: 1. Thad Wilson; 2. Ray Guss Jr.; 3. Bob Dominacki; 4. Mark Schulte;
5. Ray Cox Jr.;
Heat 2: 1. Ryan Dolan; 2. Jeff Larson; 3. Chad Patch; 4. Donovan Lodge; 5.
Troy Emerick;
Feature: 1.Ray Guss Jr.; 2. Thad Wilson; 3. Ryan Dolan; 4. Dob Dominacki; 5.
Chad Patch; 6. Mark Schulte; 7. Donovan Lodge; 8. Kenny Kastenbader; 9. Joe
Ross; 10. Troy Emerick; 11. ;Jeff Larson 12. Ray Cox Jr.; 13. Bill Glawson;
14. John Abbott;
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