Night number four of the MLRA late model mini tour found forty one high powered late models checked in at 34 Raceway near West Burlington, Iowa. The legendary 3/8 mile facility saw numerous upgrades during the off season including the addition of many truckloads of dirt and the reshaping of the corners of the high banked oval. With inclement weather washing out two weekends of racing, the first ever Prelude to the Slocum 50 would also serve as opening night of the 2021 campaign. As might be expected with a revamped track, there were some issues that came up throughout the night. Things got off to a bit of a late start, as it took some time to get the track in racing shape.
After multiple hot lap sessions, the late models began their time trial session, and tonight there would be no issues with the transponders, with the drivers taking their two laps in groups of three. Veteran Illinois racer Brian Shirley was in the first timing group, and he was the lone driver to break the fifteen second barrier, posting a quick lap at 14.981 seconds. The night ended early for Jefferson City, Missouri pilot Reid Millard, who smacked the front stretch wall, heavily damaging his #14 machine.
The field was split into four ten lap heat races, with again all four winners coming from the front row, courtesy of straight up starts. Shirley, Ryan Gustin, Thursday night winner Billy Moyer Sr., and Frank Heckenast Jr. all took checkered flags.
Daniel Bergquist and Tanner Gebhardt picked up heat race wins in the 305 sprint class, while first time racer Ryan Barton and Brian Tipps topped the Mini Hauler truck qualifiers.
The late models contested a pair of B main, with wins going to Dennis Erb Jr. and Kolby Vandenbergh. Two provisional starters would be added to the starting field, including for the second night in a row former series champion Chad Simpson.
Track workers then attempted to smooth out some wrinkles in the surface during a longer than usual intermission, and finally it was time to go feature racing.
The 305 sprint cars would line up first, sixteen cars for twenty laps. It may have been early season jitters, but the sprinters struggled to complete laps in the first half of the race. Andy Huston shot to the lead from the pole position, hanging on through the first three of what became six stoppages in the first nine laps for various spins and rollovers. He turned the point over to Cody Wehrle following a lap three restart, and retired to the pits soon after. The eighth starting Wehrle then survived the remaining three stops, and seemed to be in control. Dan Keltner had lined up one row behind Wehrle and methodically worked his way into the second position. As lap eighteen was scored, he powered around the leader and picked up the win two circuits later. Wehrle came home in second, followed by Bergquist, Dugan Thye, and Noah Samuel.
With the radar showing rain approaching the Burlington area, the late models lined up next for forty laps. Shirley and Moyer filled out the front row, and ran in that order as lap one was scored. They soon separated from the pack in a two car battle. Eventually Shirley put some distance on the Dirt Hall of Famer, but slower traffic became a factor at lap ten. At this point, third starting Gustin was holding that spot, while Bobby Pierce and Tony Jackson Jr. wrestled for fourth. The first caution came for a Jake Timm spin at lap thirteen, and on the restart Shirley pulled away from Moyer, who also put distance between himself and Gustin. Pierce was now on the move, taking third on lap eighteen. Five more circuits and lapped traffic again came into play. With ten to go, Moyer was closing quickly on the leader, but the yellow waved as Mason Oberkramer and Erb Jr. got together. Pierce drove past Moyer for second on the restart, but one lap later the caution came again for a multi car scrum in turn one. Back under green, Moyer faded to fourth and Gustin was now the man on the move. As he pounded the cushion in turns three and four looking for second, Pierce executed a slide job in an attempt to hold the second spot. Gustin made contact with Pierce resulting in him rolling his #19R machine. With five laps left the field was reset single file, and Shirley remained in command, picking up the $5,000 payday. Pierce took the runner up spot followed by Moyer Sr., Jackson, and Heckenast Jr. Ryan Unzicker joined the tour and finished sixth ahead of Ashton Winger, and Tyler Bruening. Garrett Alberson slipped past Justin Reed late with those two completing the top ten.
With the clock now closing in on 11 PM we headed for the car as the Mini Haulers lined up for their twelve lap feature. Reports say Tim Wagner took the win, with the rookie Ryan Barton second.
Social media is abuzz with opinions on the incident with Pierce and Gustin. One thing is certain, it has been a forgettable week for Ryan. On Wednesday he had a feature win taken away due to a suspension issue, on Thursday his night ended with a heat race problem, and a likely top three ended on Friday with a damaged race car.
Tonight we will conclude our four consecutive nights of chasing the MLRA cars and stars as 34 Raceway hosts the Slocum 50. In honor of the late Brent Slocum, the race will again pay a whopping $10,555 to the victor. Bobby Pierce topped the Covid-19 delayed 2020 event. 34 Raceway will be rockin' tonight, so come early and dress warm!
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