Chris Simpson Nabs Davenport Dollars

 The only MLRA race I witnessed in 2017 that Oxford, Iowa driver Chris Simpson did not win was one he did not attend. So it was no surprise that he grabbed the $5,000 top prize Friday night at the Rebel 5K contested on the historic monster 1/2 mile at the Davenport Speedway.
  Although it had only been three weeks since our first ( and only ) race of the season, it seemed like another mini off season, so we arrived in Davenport early and just enjoyed bench racing as the haulers pulled in to the pit area.
  The 1/2 mile track is brought to life usually only once or twice per season and is not a favorite of most of the drivers, especially the " locals." It is blessed or cursed, depending on your perspective, with long straightaways conducive to high speeds, and tight narrow corners, and reminds me of a shortened version of the Springfield,Il. one mile fairgrounds track in that way. That combined with an early start time - apparently the city of Davenport is getting serious about a 10:15 curfew - no track points, and a regular purse for the local classes perhaps persuaded more than a handful of the local IMCA modified, IMCA sport mod and local street stock drivers to set out on this night and wait for regular season action next week on the 1/4 mile. So just over half of the field belonged to the high powered late models, with a solid group of 35 signed in.
  My favorite qualifying method, draw for heats and passing points was used for the late models on this night, with the top 16 in passing points in the heats locked into the feature, and just by chance, it happened that the top four in each of the four heats raced their way in, something that does not always happen. Rickey Frankel drew a number three to start the night, started pole in the first heat and although somewhat under powered with a " small " engine, held off Nebraskan Tad Pospisil to capture the opening eight lapper. Chris Simpson gave us a taste of what was to come by coming from row four to overtake race long leader Rob Toland in the final turn to grab the second heat, with brother Chad Simpson also clearing Rocket Rob for runner up honors. Frank Heckenast Jr.went flag to flag in heat three, with Brian Shirley moving up four spots to claim second. Tony Jackson Jr, bested pole sitter Jonathon Brauns in the final heat.
  With all heats in the books, the late models dumped the remaining 19 cars into one twelve lap B main, with the top six heading to the feature. Four cars remained on the sidelines, as Jordon Yaggy came from row two to lead Payton Looney to the checkers, and J C Wyman made a late race move around Kolby Vandenbergh following a caution to take the last transfer spot. A pair of series provisionals were added to the starting field, and Mason Oberkramer used an emergency provisional, setting a 25 car starting grid for the 30 lap finale.
  Following a late race pass of Jeremy Gustaf, Jeff Struck Jr. captured the street stock heat, then survived a side by side battle with Jesse Owens to nab the twelve lap feature event.
 After a bit of a delay due to a change in the running order, the modifieds came to the track for 20 laps, with 14 starters. A pair of cautions in the first two laps saw double duty Toland fall to the tail of the field. Back to green, all eyes quickly went to Justin Kay. The 15K machine started well back in the field, but as the race stayed green, he used a perfectly handling car and a ton of corner speed to over take leader Eric Barnes at the midway point. Kay then pulled away to victory by a comfortable margin over Barnes, a rebounding Toland, and Jeff " Bone " Larson.
  If was now late model time. Rewarded by the passing points for their solid  heat race performances, Chris Simpson and Shirley sat on row one. Shirley, fresh off a win in a rare Tuesday night event in Brownstown, Illinois, got the jump at the drop of the green, but the yellow waved as the pack crossed the line for lap one, with Jesse Stovall coming to a stop in turn four. Earlier in the evening, a lap was scored under similar circumstances, but this time we went back to a complete restart. A second try was waved off, and on the third try, Simpson was ready, grabbing the advantage into turn one. Chris opened up a lead of several car lengths, but caught slower traffic on lap nine, allowing Shirley to close to his rear bumper. But another yellow left the #32 with a clear track, and he shot ahead as Shirley contended with Jackson on the Delaware restart. Lapped traffic again came into play on lap 17, but Simpson remained in charge. Meanwhile, brother Chad Simpson had closed the gap on Shirley. The pair split a slower car going into turn one on lap 23, and with Chad on the high side, something seemed to go awry with his #25, and he smacked the concrete wall, ending his run. The final eight laps clicked off with Chris in charge, but there was movement behind him. While Shirley held second, Tyler Bruening powered through the field, starting in row six and climbing to third at the finish. Jackson scored the fourth spot, while a pair off B-main cars came next, with Looney and Jason Feger both making strong runs, with Looney taking to fifth spot late. Yaggy also came from the consy to run seventh ahead of another pair of B- mainers, Rich Bell and Wyman. Heckenast completed the top ten. As one would expect, there was a fair amount of attrition on the big ole half mile, but still 15 cars were running at the checkers. Interestingly, Looney, Feger, Bell and Wyman all advanced 13 spots in the feature.
  A red flag situation for a fire during the sport mod finale sent us to the exits, but I see this morning that Tony Olson held on to his lead to score the win over Keith Blum and Dustin Schram.
  The track and MLRA officials put on an efficient and well run show, with time to spare. Thanks to Bob Wagner and crew, with a special thanks to Carrie Rouse for the hospitality shown to me, and I anxiously await the return of the MLRA to the racy 1/4 mile at Davenport in two weeks! Meanwhile, I shall start preparations for a return trip to 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa tonight as new owners/promoters Brad and Jessi and the Slocum Foundation present the tenth annual Slocum 50. For the first time, these same MLRA hot shoes will compete for the $10,555 to win, $750 to start purse. I do not think it unreasonable to guess that the field will grow to more than 40 entrants for tonight. The 305 sprint cars will battle for a $1,000 check and the always entertaining IMCA stock cars will shoot for $555. Hot laps at 6:00, the weather looks good, so come out, support the new owners, honor the memory of a special man and racer, and take in some great racing action. Hope to see you there!