TomLathen
05-17-2011, 03:17 PM
DART CORN BELT CLASH TO OPEN SEASON AT INDEPENDENCE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
After two early season rain outs, CBC drivers ready to go
By Tom Lathen
(West Union, IA) After a pair of spring rainouts, the Dart Corn Belt Clash Late Model Series is set to open its 2011 tour next week at Independence Motor Speedway in Independence, Iowa.
The season opener on the popular northeast Iowa 3/8 mile speed plant is scheduled for Tuesday night, May 24.
“We’re looking forward to finally getting the 2011 season underway,” commented series founder and Director Cam Granger. “The weather this spring has been pretty tough on the series, so needless to say, we’re hoping for some cooperation from the ‘weather man’ on Tuesday.”
“We would rather not have scheduled a stand-alone show during the middle of the week,” added Granger. “But I know our series drivers are ready to get the season underway and with Independence being a convenient location for many of the drivers who follow our series, we are expecting an outstanding field of race cars Tuesday night.”
Heading up a strong contingent of Corn Belt Clash regulars expected to be on hand for the 30-lap, $3,000 to win season opener is defending series champion Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa. Simpson, who pilots the Bud and Denise Brinkman owned Liebe Trucking/GATR Volvo GMC/MasterSbilt Chevrolet, has opened the 2011 season a win and five top-ten finishes in six starts in non-CBC events throughout the upper Midwest. His early-season victory came in March at Wheatland, Missouri, with the 32-year old series regular also posting a runner-up finish two weeks ago at a non-sanctioned $10,000 to win event at Farley Speedway in Farley, Iowa.
Also expected to be in the field is last year’s CBC runner-up Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa. The younger Simpson, who wheels the Five Star Shop Service/Gear Wrench/Longhorn Chassis Chevrolet, is coming off of a strong sixth place finish at a nationally sanctioned $10,000 to win event last week in West Burlington, Iowa.
Other Corn Belt Clash drivers expected in the field include two-time former WORLD Dirt Racing League (WDRL) champion Denny Eckrich of Tiffin, Iowa, veteran Cosgrove, Iowa hot-shoe Dave Eckrich, two-time IMCA national champion Curt Martin of Independence, Justin Mitchell of Cedar Rapids, Jason Rauen of Farley, Iowa, and Jason Utter of Columbus Junction. Brothers Kevin and Kurt Kile, both of West Liberty are also expected in the field, along with Brian Harris of Davenport, Jake Meier of Tipton, Kevin Sather of Ankeny, and Justin Kay of Wheatland.
Among Independence Motor Speedway regulars expected in the field are early-season points leader Tyler Bruening of Decorah, Iowa, veteran Rick Wendling of Hazelton, and Dean Wagner of Evansdale.
Northeast Iowa veteran drivers Greg Kastli of Waterloo and Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls are also expected, along with WISSOTA-area drivers Eric Pember of Pittsville, Wisconsin, John Kaanta of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Lance Matthees of Winona, Minnesota, and Brad Waits of Zumbrota, Minnesota.
Racing action is set to get underway with hot laps at 6:45, with racing action set to start at 7:00. In addition to the Corn Belt Clash Late Models, also on the card Tuesday night are the IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA A-Modifieds.
After two early season rain outs, CBC drivers ready to go
By Tom Lathen
(West Union, IA) After a pair of spring rainouts, the Dart Corn Belt Clash Late Model Series is set to open its 2011 tour next week at Independence Motor Speedway in Independence, Iowa.
The season opener on the popular northeast Iowa 3/8 mile speed plant is scheduled for Tuesday night, May 24.
“We’re looking forward to finally getting the 2011 season underway,” commented series founder and Director Cam Granger. “The weather this spring has been pretty tough on the series, so needless to say, we’re hoping for some cooperation from the ‘weather man’ on Tuesday.”
“We would rather not have scheduled a stand-alone show during the middle of the week,” added Granger. “But I know our series drivers are ready to get the season underway and with Independence being a convenient location for many of the drivers who follow our series, we are expecting an outstanding field of race cars Tuesday night.”
Heading up a strong contingent of Corn Belt Clash regulars expected to be on hand for the 30-lap, $3,000 to win season opener is defending series champion Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa. Simpson, who pilots the Bud and Denise Brinkman owned Liebe Trucking/GATR Volvo GMC/MasterSbilt Chevrolet, has opened the 2011 season a win and five top-ten finishes in six starts in non-CBC events throughout the upper Midwest. His early-season victory came in March at Wheatland, Missouri, with the 32-year old series regular also posting a runner-up finish two weeks ago at a non-sanctioned $10,000 to win event at Farley Speedway in Farley, Iowa.
Also expected to be in the field is last year’s CBC runner-up Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa. The younger Simpson, who wheels the Five Star Shop Service/Gear Wrench/Longhorn Chassis Chevrolet, is coming off of a strong sixth place finish at a nationally sanctioned $10,000 to win event last week in West Burlington, Iowa.
Other Corn Belt Clash drivers expected in the field include two-time former WORLD Dirt Racing League (WDRL) champion Denny Eckrich of Tiffin, Iowa, veteran Cosgrove, Iowa hot-shoe Dave Eckrich, two-time IMCA national champion Curt Martin of Independence, Justin Mitchell of Cedar Rapids, Jason Rauen of Farley, Iowa, and Jason Utter of Columbus Junction. Brothers Kevin and Kurt Kile, both of West Liberty are also expected in the field, along with Brian Harris of Davenport, Jake Meier of Tipton, Kevin Sather of Ankeny, and Justin Kay of Wheatland.
Among Independence Motor Speedway regulars expected in the field are early-season points leader Tyler Bruening of Decorah, Iowa, veteran Rick Wendling of Hazelton, and Dean Wagner of Evansdale.
Northeast Iowa veteran drivers Greg Kastli of Waterloo and Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls are also expected, along with WISSOTA-area drivers Eric Pember of Pittsville, Wisconsin, John Kaanta of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Lance Matthees of Winona, Minnesota, and Brad Waits of Zumbrota, Minnesota.
Racing action is set to get underway with hot laps at 6:45, with racing action set to start at 7:00. In addition to the Corn Belt Clash Late Models, also on the card Tuesday night are the IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA A-Modifieds.