On Thursday, the World of Outlaw late models began a three day stay at the historic Davenport Speedway on the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. What has become an annual visit began with a $10,000 to win feature which would be repeated on Friday, with a $30,000 to win grand finale on Saturday night. IMCA modifieds would share the card on Thursday, while the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series would be a major attraction the following two nights.
But it would be UMP standout Jason Feger who would be the man standing when the checkers fell on Friday. Feger led for most of the race, then capitalized on a flat tire for Devin Moran to take home the win. Matt Werner continued his dominance at Davenport with yet another modified victory, his eleventh of the season.
A strong field of thirty eight late models checked, supported by thirty one modifieds. The quarter mile track was bad fast for qualifying. Ashton Winger, wheeling the #58 car driven the last time we saw it by Mark Whitener, came out early in group A and turned the oval in 13.378 seconds. That time held up until cars thirty six and seven. Those two presented an interesting contrast, as it was unretired Billy Moyer Sr. and second generation Bobby Pierce on the track. On their first trip by the flag stand, Moyer scorched the track record with a lap of 13.365 seconds only to be followed moments later by Pierce with a new track record of 13.207 ticks! Interestingly, neither driver turned a competitive second lap.
Of course the series uses the "fast cars up front" lineup procedure, and thus the first three heat races were won from the front row, with pole sitter Winger and outside row one starters Feger and Moran victorious. In heat four, Moyer was penalized for jumping the start, curious as he was the pole sitter, but the infraction moved Kent Robinson to the pole from where he led the distance to the win.
A pair of last chance races saw Shane Clanton come from row two for a victory, while Jake Timm charged from outside row one and led for nine and one half laps before ducking to the infield and turning the win over to pole sitter Trevor Gundaker.
The track crews worked hard throughout the night to cure what was an unusually top side dominant racing surface, and by feature time they had hit on a combination that gave us lots of action.
The mods would go first, twenty four cars for twenty laps. Ryan Duhme and Matt Werner lined up in row one, and it looked like Duhme in front by a nose as lap one was scored. But from there the race belonged to Werner. Travis Denning and Cody Laney took up the chase ahead of the first caution with three laps in the books. Back to racing, Austen Becerra entered the fray in fourth, with Laney now in second ahead of Denning. A multi car pileup in turn two stopped the action two laps later, and on the Delaware style restart, Denning retook the runner up position. A final yellow flag came after two more laps were scored, and the race was green for the final thirteen circuits. With eight laps remaining, Denning jumped the treacherous cushion in turns one and two, giving up his fourth place standing while heading to the pits. Werner and Laney had put some distance on the pack, and with a pair of laps left, slower traffic became an issue. But Werner was on top of his game, and although Laney pulled alongside him at the checkers, it was #93 picking up the win. Seventeen year old Charlie Mohr outlasted Becerra in a battle for third, while Duhme slipped around Mitch Way late to complete the top five.
The four late model heat winners redrew for starting spots one through four, while the runners up did the same for rows three and four. Winger and Feger would bring the field to the green flag, and Feger held the lead by inches as lap one went in the books. He was beginning to stretch his lead a bit when provisional starter Josh Richards spun low in turn one with only two laps scored. Back to racing, Moyer and Pierce were headed to the front when the red flag was displayed as Chad Simpson went for a hard roll in turn four, making contact with the wall. Chad appeared shaken but not seriously injured, however the same could perhaps not be said for his #25, which left the speedway hooked to a wrecker on both front and back. Moran cleared Winger for second following the restart, and Ryan Gustin charged up to fourth a couple laps later. Feger had opened a bit of a lead pounding the cushion, however Moran, who was searching multiple grooves, was staying within striking distance. As the laps clicked off, the front pair pulled well ahead of the race for third. As slower traffic became a factor just ahead of the halfway point, Gustin was able to rejoin the hunt. Working the inside line in heavy traffic, Moran was able to grab the lead, and he jumped to the cushion, quickly opening a commanding lead. As he breezed through the slower cars, it looked like victory would be his. But with just six laps to go, the third running Gustin came to a stop on the front stretch with a flat right rear tire. While all eyes were on him, Moran suddenly drove to the work area, a tire flat on his #9, as well. This turned the lead back over to Feger, while moving Pierce to second. However the highly anticipated slide job never materialized, as Bobby could never really get close enough, and although he was able to dive under the leader one time in turn one, Jason lived up to his "Highside Hustler" nickname and drove off to the win. Pierce settled for second, as tenth starting Tanner English ran third. Winger and Moyer came next. Shannon Babb paced the second five, topping Robinson, Tyler Bruening, and Frank Heckenast Jr. Moran and Gustin had rejoined the field at the tail of the lead lap cars, and Devin salvaged a tenth place finish, while Gustin came home twelfth. Series points leader Dennis Erb Jr. was sandwiched in between, finishing eleventh.
The late model drivers will be at it again tonight, Friday, with another $10,000 on the line. The format being used is a system of points earned on Thursday or Friday determining starting spots in the "A" or a "B" feature lineup for the big payday on Saturday.
Thanks to Kay Promotions and the WoO folks for their hospitality and a fun night of racing.
Tonight we will stick closer to home, as it is season points championship night for the regular five classes at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, with mini hauler trucks also on the card. Wherever you may be, gas up the car and head to a track near you!
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