After being rained out more times than they or I care to count, the Hoker Trucking east division SLMR late model series came calling at the Davenport Speedway on Friday night. This would be only the second event for the east series, although the Malvern Bank west division has multiple nights in the books.
IMCA modifieds, IMCA sport mods, street stocks and compacts would fill out the card as the 1/4 mile came to life, with Rick and Brenda Kay at the helm on this night.
Leaving the pits to head to the massive covered grandstands, I had twenty two late models written down, but after talking to our friend and Darrel Defrance super fan Loren, he informed us that their were at least four more race teams, including Defrance, held up behind a wreck on interstate 80. They had called ahead to be placed in the position draw for time trials and eventually the count grew to twenty eight. So as a nod to those drivers, following hot laps, the fifteen street stocks came to the track for a pair of heat races ahead of late model qualifying. Although both eight lap heats went caution free, this allowed all but Defrance who was the last to arrive, the chance to line up for two lap qualifying. Track regular Matt Ryan posted the fastest time in Group A and overall at 14.858 seconds. Thankfully the bug that had plagued the timing mechanism on our two previous trip to the track had been fixed and the cars were able to qualifying in groups of up to four, which saved considerable time.
Four heat races followed for the thirty seven IMCA sport mods, three for the twenty five IMCA modifieds, and one for the ten four cylinder compacts before the late models lined up to contest four eight lap events. A six car invert from time trials determined the starting lineups with the top sixteen in passing points moving on to the thirty five lap finale. The procedure is a bit confusing to some, but it does at least lend itself to more passing in the heat races.
Darin Duffy came from row two to capture the first heat, with Jeff Tharp, Ryan, Charlie McKenna, and Brian Harris in the Curless #99 also moving on. Luke Goedert was the quick timer in heat two, and he advanced to take the win, while Jon Brauns, Chad Holliday, and Richie Gustin also qualified. Justin Kay came from fourth to win heat three, taking along Jeff Aikey, Joel Callahan, and sixth running Dave Eckrich. Finally, Todd Cooney jumped from row three to win heat four with Jason Hahne and Andy Eckrich joining him in transfer spots.
A pair of B mains set the twenty four starters for the sport mods, before a quick turnaround for the late model consolation. To the delight of the large crowd, National Dirt Hall of Famer Gary Webb charged from row three to win the ten lap race, qualifying for the feature ahead of Fred Remley, Luke Pestka, Jay Johnson, Mark Burgtorf, and Bryan Moreland. Behind the eight ball all night after missing time trials, Defrance and Curt Schroeder picked up provisional starts to fill out the twenty four car grid.
Aided by temps in the 80's and a steady breeze, the racing surface was now more like a skating rink, so the track crew went to work, quickly grooming the surface. The result was an overwhelming success, resulting in two distinct grooves - one high, one low, - for the features, and minimal caution periods.
The street stocks lined up first, fourteen cars for fifteen laps. Rick Schriner charged from row two to lead the first two circuits before fifth starting Jesse Owen took over the top spot. The only yellow flag of the race came at lap five, and following the Delaware restart, seventh starting Tony Von Dresky powered to second. He then hounded the leader, and they crossed the stripe nearly side by side to complete lap nine. Von Dresky then pulled away while row five starter Nick Hixson began to reel in Owen. The veteran Von Dresky cruised to the win, while Owen held off Hixson for second. Jake Lund came home fourth and Von Dresky teammate Jeff Struck Jr. completed the top five.
Next up it was IMCA sport mods going for fifteen laps. No one is more critical of this class than I, but Friday night was a reminder of how good they can be! Doug Burkhead shot from his pole position around the bottom of the track to lead the first nine laps. Brandon Jewell found the high line to his liking and hounded the leader lap after lap. Just after the halfway mark, ninth starting Ben Chapman joined the party in third, chasing Burkhead around the inside line. Jewwll finally rode his top side momentum to the lead with six circuits left to go, and three laps later Chapman was able to nose under Burkhead for second. The only yellow flag of the race came with two laps remaining for a spinner in turn three, but during the stoppage, Burkhead left the track with a flat tire, ending his strong run. The field was reset Delaware style, and Hixson found a bite around the bottom, driving to the win while Jewell settled for second. Kevin Goben drove a steady race in third, topping Perry Gellerstedt and Logan Veloz.
Another quick turn around saw the late models up next, racing for thirty five laps and a winners' check of $3,000. Andy Eckrich and Cooney lined up in row one, and if you only saw the results showing they finished in that order, you would not realize what a great race this was! Track officials had pushed the boundary tires in closer to the infield before this race began, and Andy quickly found that to his liking. He put his #56 inches from the markers each lap as Cooney ventured to the high side. Third starting Ryan followed in Eckrichs' footsteps as seventh starting Kay and sixth starting Duffy reeled in the leaders. Soon it was Eckrich around the bottom, with Cooney, Ryan, and Duffy running nose to tail around the high side. Cooney was ahead by inches as lap ten was scored although there was never as much as a car length between the front duo. Eckrich was ahead at lap fourteen, and slower traffic became a factor one lap later. Cooney went back to the front as Eckrich searched for a way around Moreland who was also running around the tires. As traffic continued to be a factor, Kay and Aikey caught the front pack, and for a time the top six could have been covered by a circus tent. With Cooney now hung up by slower cars, Eckrich regained the lead as lap twenty two went in the books, and Kay charged to third. With five laps to go, it was Duffy with the hot hand, rolling to third on the high side. In doubt until the checkers, Eckrich scored the win in what was a caution free race. Cooney came up short in second, followed by Duffy, Kay, and Ryan. Aikey paced the second five, besting Gustin, Goedert, Holliday, and Dave Eckrich.
Next all twenty five IMCA modifieds lined up for twenty laps. Ryan Duhme came all the way from row four to lead pole sitter Jason Pershy as lap one was scored. Ninth starting Travis Denning was also on the move, and he grabbed the runner up spot on lap two. It quickly became a two car race between Duhme and Denning and they caught the back of the pack just ahead of the crossed flags signalling the half way mark. With both drivers working the low line, Duhme was able to gain some separation before the only caution came with eleven laps down. Following the restart, Chris Zogg joined the party running around the top, and the those three pulled away from the pack. In the closing laps, Denning was able to narrow the margin, but could not get close enough for a serious challenge for the lead. Duhme took the win in front of Denning and Zogg. A pair of #1cars, Mike Goben and Eric Barnes completed the top five.
With the compacts still in staging, we headed for the parking lot. Reports have Cyle Hawkins taking the twelve lap win over Josh Starr, Todd Sibley, Tim Sibley, and Brad McDermott.
Kudos to the staff for a truly excellent night of racing at the storied fairgrounds, and thanks to the Kays for their hospitality. Tonight we will stay on the SLMR train, as the series moves south to 34 Raceway in West Burlington for another $3,000 to win show. Four IMCA classes, mods, sport mods, stock cars, and sport compacts will fill out the card. If you see the old guy in the Positively Racing shirt, stop and say "Hi!"
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