Simpson Takes Davenport WDRL Win At Davenport Speedway!

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;