Another Simpson in Victory Lane

 Saturday night was the third and final night of the MLRA late model swing through southeast Iowa/northeast Missouri, and despite rain showers in the area, the race went on as planned at the Randolph County Raceway near Moberly,Mo. As we made our way south and west, we encountered showers less than ten miles from the highbanked speedplant, but when he arrived the water truck was on the oval and there was nothing more than a couple random sprinkles which quickly dissipated.
 With at least a pair of St Louis area tracks cancelled early in the day, we thought we might see an influx of late models from the metro area, however only Tim Manville and Dewayne Kiefer made the trip north. Still a solid field of 31 late models checked in, including a half dozen or so ULMA steel block competitors who compete regularly at RCR.
 USRA modifieds, USRA B mods along with hobby stocks and 4 cylinder cars ran in support of the late models.
 The MLRA cars ran third in the order, with three ten lap heat races. The top 16 in passing points would set the first eight rows of the 24 car 40 lap main event on what is billed as a 1/2 mile track, although I would have to call it a " short " 1/2 mile. Front row starters Terry Phillips and Austin Siebert ran one two in the first heat, with the top six actually qualifying for the feature. Outside polesitter Tad Pospisil bested row three starter Chad Simpson in heat two, and outside row one starter Ryan Gustin held off polesitter Mark Burgtorf in heat three. In that final heat, Texan Allan Murray started ninth and finished third to earn a front row feature spot alongside Simpson.
 One 15 lap B-main added six more competitors to the grid, with Manville grabbing the win ahead of California driver Jason Papich.
 Following intermission, the RCR hobby stocks started off the feature action, with eight cars taking the green. Track regular Tim Dawson took the lead on lap two, holding on to complete a sweep of the heat and feature, winning both by a wide margin.
 All but one of the 18 USRA b modifieds came to the track for their 15 lap main event. Unfortunately, this race turned into a yellow flag marathon, but Galen Hasler led flag to flag for the win.
 The late model finale was up next, 24 cars for 40 laps. Simpson shot to the lead at the green, with Murray and fourth starting Gustin side by side for second, and fifth starting Phillips in fourth. Simpson soon opened a nice lead, and Gustin separated himself from the pack in second. Slower traffic soon came into play, and on lap twelve, Gustin found his way around Simpson for the lead. Simpson fought back, and the two swapped the top spot numerous times in the ensuing laps on the high banks, with slide jobs aplenty. Finally Simpson opened a bit of an advantage once again, but the only caution of the race came with about ten laps to go - RCR has no scoreboard. The stoppage came for Papich, who rolled to a stop in turn two. With nowhere to go, Manville, who was having a solid run and now up to eighth, smacked the # 91P, ending the night for both drivers. As the cleanup was going on, Gustin headed for the trailer, ending his chances of back to back MLRA wins at Moberly. Phillips was now in the runner up spot, with row six starter Rodney Sanders, another Texan in third. But neither of the veterans could run down Simpson, as the former series champion scored the win one night after brother Chris finished on top at Donnellson, Iowa. Surprisingly, neither Chris nor Donnellson runner up Jimmy Mars were in attendance at Moberly.
 Phillips held off Sanders for third, with 11th starting Jesse Stovall  and Siebert completing the top five. They were followed by Brantlee Gotschall, Pospisil, Murray, Tony Jackson Jr., and Rickey Frankel, who started tenth and finished tenth. The only other lead lap car was Jason Utter, who received the " lucky dog " at the lone caution period, putting him back on the lead lap.
 With the clock now showing the wrong side of 10:00, we headed to the car before the 4 cylinder and A -mod features.
 Tonight we will round out a three race weekend with the UMP Big Ten late models at Quincy,Il Raceways. The late models will race for a $2,000 top prize and Big Ten points, while the UMP modifieds will have $1100 on the line for anyone who can beat Michael Long. IMCA stock cars, sport mods, and sport compacts will fill out the card, with hot laps starting about 5:30
 One more night of Racin' Down the Road!