Chad Simpson takes Midwest Sanction Showdown at Davenport
Chad Simpson — Photo by Mike Ruefer
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ALL Photos were taken by Mike Ruefer
by Mike McGuire
DAVENPORT, Ia. (April 17, 2015) – Chad Simpson finally made it to victory lane at the Davenport Speedway. The Mt.Vernon, Iowa driver took home the top prize at the Midwest Sanction Showdown. The event, run on the half-mile track, was co-sanctioned by the MARS DirtCar Series and the Corn Belt Clash Late Model Series.
Ray Guss Jr. started on the pole and led the first eleven laps. On lap twelve, Guss tried to pass a back marker on the bottom of the track and the two made contact in turn three. That was all Simpson needed. Chad cruised around on the high side, took the lead, and never looked back.
Ryan Gustin got close to Simpson in the final laps, but could not make a bid for the lead. Following Simpson and Gustin to the checkers was Jason Utter in third. Ryan Unzicker came from 25th starting position to finish fourth. Jesse Stovall rounded out the top five.
A number of top contenders were taken out of the event by wrecks, including Billy Moyer, Terry Phillips, and Tony Jackson Jr.
Thirty-six late model drivers were on hand representing eight states. Late model heat wins went to Gustin, Chad Simpson, Brandon McCormick, and Rodney Sanders. B-mains were won by Justin Asplin and Garrett Alberson.
Davenport’s Bruce Hanford dominated the Modified feature. Hanford took the lead from Bob Dominacki on a lap two restart, en route to the checkered flag. Steve Johnson had a strong run to finish second. A late race charge gave Matt Werner a third place finish. Scott Powell and Dominacki were fourth and fifth respectively.
Johnson and Werner were modified heat winners.
Jeff Stevens had a triumphant return to the street stock class at Davenport. Stevens led all twelve laps of the main, despite three yellow flags. Keith Blum recovered from an early race incident to finish second. Cary Brown took third, ahead of Donnie Louck and Cord Williams.
The racing action continues at the Davenport Speedway next Friday, April 24th with the Koehler Electric Season Opener. All five weekly classes will be in action on the quarter-mile oval.
Davenport Speedway
April 17, 2015
Results –
Midwest Sanction Showdown
MARS/CBC Late Models
Heat 1: 1. Ryan Gustin; 2. Chris Spieker; 3. Tony Jackson Jr.; 4. Jesse Stovall; 5. Mike Fryer;
Heat 2: 1. Brandon McCormick; 2. Skip Frey; 3. Rich Bell; 4. Terry Phillips; 5. Justin Asplin;
Heat 3: 1. Chad Simpson; 2. Ray Guss Jr.; 3. David Fiber; 4. Spencer Diercks; 5. Jay Johnson;
Heat 4: 1. Rodney Sanders; 2. Jason Utter; 3. Chris Simpson; 4. Billy Moyer; 5. Jeff Roth;
Semi 1: 1. Justin Asplin; 2. Mike Fryer; 3. Jeff Roth; 4. Dustin Walker; 5. Mark Rose;
Semi 2: 1. Garrett Alberson; 2. Jay Johnson; 3. Doug Blashe; 4. Mitch McGrath; 5. Lyle Zanker;
Feature (35-laps): 1. Chad Simpson; 2. Ryan Gustin; 3. Jason Utter; 4. Ryan Unzicker; 5. Jesse Stovall;
6. Justin Asplin; 7. Dave Eckrich; 8. Ray Guss Jr.; 9. Rich Bell; 10. Skip Frey; 11. David Fiber; 12. Jeff Roth; 13. Mark Rose; 14. Rodney Sanders; 15. Spencer Diercks; 16. Jay Johnson; 17. Tony Jackson Jr.; 18. Chris Spieker; 19. Chris Simpson; 20. Billy Moyer; 21. Terry Phillips; 22. Garrett Alberson; 23. Brandon McCormick; 24. Mike Fryer; 25. Leroy Johnson.
Modifieds
Heat 1: 1. Steve Johnson; 2. Brandon Durbin; 3. Brad Dubil; 4. Mike Fluegel; 5. Nick Hixson;
Heat 2: 1. Matt Werner; 2. Bob Dominacki; 3. Bruce Hanford; 4. Brad Tyler; 5. Scott Powell;
Feature: 1. Bruce Hanford; 2. Steve Johnson; 3. Matt Werner; 4. Scott Powell; 5. Bob Dominacki; 6. Brad Tyler; 7. Josh Starr; 8. Kevin Goben; 9. Nick Hixson; 10. TJ Patz; 11. Dakota Hayden; 12. Brandon Durbin; 13. Brad Dubil; 14. Mike Fluegel; 15. Mark Verbeck; (1-DNS)
Street Stocks
Heat 1: 1. Keith Blum; 2. Jeff Stevens; 3. Rick Schriner; 4. Perry Gellerstedt; 5. Erick Turner;
Heat 2: 1. Donnie Louck; 2. Cary Brown; 3. Cord Williams; 4. Chad Coyne;
Feature: 1. Jeff Stevens; 2. Keith Blum; 3. Cary Brown; 4. Donnie Louck; 5. Cord Williams; 6. Joe Bonney; 7. Rick Schriner; 8. Chad Coyne; 9. Erick Turner; 10. Perry Gellerstedt; (1-DNS)
Category: Davenport Speedway, Iowa
