Chad Simpson wins a thriller at Randolph County Raceway

| June 5, 2016

Moberly, Missouri (June 4, 2016) – Saturday night’s MLRA stop at the Randolph County Raceway put a wrap on the series three-day weekend swing that put three different drivers in Andy’s Frozen Custard Victory Lane. Mt. Vernon, Iowa’s Chad Simpson topped Saturday nights field of 31 MLRA Late Models in what proved to be a feature fans won’t soon forget.

Simpson who started on the DirtonDirt.com pole, led the race’s first 11 laps before Ryan Gustin powered around for the race lead. The two Iowa drivers would swap the lead each of the next three laps in a battle that took them through heavy lapped traffic at the 3/8 mile high banked oval.

Gustin appeared to take control of the main event until Simpson used lapped traffic to again chase him down and regain the race lead for the final time with 12 laps remaining. A late race caution would slow the action and also see Gustin taking his Rocket chassis to the infield, ending his bid for a 2nd MLRA feature win at the Moberly, Missouri race track. On the restart, Simpson was again able to distance himself from the field to capture his first Lucas Oil MLRA win of 2016.

Simpson commented, “I don’t know what it is about these MLRA races, but they sure are hard for me to win.” As for the battle with Gustin, he stated, “Ryan was really good, and he beat us last time we were here. As soon as I seen him get under me that one time, I knew I was in trouble. We just had to tighten the belts up a little bit and drive a little harder.”

Terry Phillips completed a solid night coming home in second. Phillips said, “I ran him (Simpson) down there one time and we actually hit once, but I couldn’t maneuver in the traffic as good as them guys. Out in the open when I get going it takes me a few laps and then we could run them down.”

MLRA point leader Jesse Stovall used the late race caution to further advance his position and come home in third. “I got to thank the guys at Black Diamond, they gave me a few pointers tonight and you are never too old or too young to learn, so it’s great to have them here to help you.”

Rounding out the night’s top 5 were Rodney Sanders and Austin Siebert who also captured the Casey’s Hard Charger award. Heat race winners on the night were Phillips, Tad Pospisil, and Gustin, while Tim Manville captured the Hoosier Tire B Main.
Next up for the Lucas Oil MLRA Series is a double header weekend on June 24th and 25th. Action starts on the 24th at the I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, NE for the annual “Alphabet Soup” race and will conclude the next night at the Adams County Speedway in Corning, IA with the “Liberty 50”.
Lucas Cattle Company A Feature (40 Laps): 1. Chad Simpson 2. Terry Phillips 3. Jesse Stovall 4. Rodney Sanders 5. Austin Siebert 6. Brantlee Gotschall 7. Tad Pospisil 8. Allen Murray 9. Tony Jackson Jr. 10. Rickey Frankel 11. Jason Utter 12. Dave Eckrich 13. J.C. Wyman 14. Mark Burgtorf 15. Jason Rauen 16. Randy Timms 17. Reid Millard 18. Ryan Gustin 19. Tim Manville 20. Jason Papich 21. Brent Larson 22. Tommy Weder Jr. 23. Mark Dotson 24. Bryon Allison
Hoosier Racing Tires B Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. Tim Manville 2. Jason Papich 3. Randy Timms 4. Dave Eckrich 5. J.C. Wyman 6. Mark Dotson 7. Bryon Allison 8. Richard Kimberling 9. Chuck Melloway 10. Reid Millard 11. David Melloway 12. Dewayne Kiefer 13. Chris Smyser 14. Todd Frank 15. Curt Acker
Bilstein Shocks Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. Terry Phillips 2. Austin Siebert 3. Jason Rauen 4. Rodney Sanders 5. Jason Utter 6. Brent Larson 7. Jason Papich 8. J.C. Wyman 9. Randy Timms 10. Chris Smyser 11. Curt Acker
Casey’s General Stores Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. Tad Pospisil 2. Chad Simpson 3. Jesse Stovall 4. Tony Jackson Jr. 5. Tommy Weder Jr. 6. Tim Manville 7. Mark Dotson 8. Dewayne Kiefer 9. Chuck Melloway 10. Todd Frank
Chix Gear Racewear Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. Ryan Gustin 2. Mark Burgtorf 3. Allen Murray 4. Brantlee Gotschall 5. Rickey Frankel 6. Dave Eckrich 7. Bryon Allison 8. Richard Kimberling 9. David Melloway 10. Reid Millard

 

Randolph County Raceway Contingencies 6/4/16

  • Hooker Harness “11th Place” – Jason Utter
  • Andy’s Frozen Custard Victory Lane – Chad Simpson
  • Fasttrack Photos – Chad Simpson
  • Crew Chief of the Race – Andy Champion
  • Casey’s General Stores “Hard Charger of the Race” – Brantlee Gotschall
  • Sunoco “Rookie of the Race” – Tad Pospisil
  • Real Racing Wheels – Randy Timms
  • Wehrs Machine – Dave Eckrich
  • DirtonDirt.com “Pole Award”- Chad Simpson
  • Malvern Bank & Trust “Most Laps Led” – Chad Simpson
  • AR Bodies – Reid Millard
  • KRC – Ryan Gustin
  • RacingJunk.com “Hard Luck Award” – Bryon Allison
  • Landrum Springs “Top Performer” – Chad Simpson
  • Performance Bodies “Performer of the Race” – Brantlee Gotschall

For all of the latest news and information fans are encouraged to visit the series website at www.MLRARacing.com.

 

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Category: Missouri

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