East Moline Speedway
Kaanta tops Steidinger for Quad City victory
By Bucky Doren
World Dirt Racing League
Kaanta leads the WDRL points chase. (mikerueferphotos.photoreflect.com)
EAST MOLINE, Ill. (Aug. 31) — Front-row starter John Kaanta of Elk Mound, Wis., overtook 11th-starting Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill., late in the 50-lap feature at Quad City Speedway to solidify his points lead on the World Dirt Racing League. | Slideshow
Kaanta took the lead at the drop of the green and fended off would-be challengers including Frank Heckenast Jr. of Orland Park, Ill., and Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, through the first half of the race. Steidinger worked his way to the front, and Kaanta couldn't hold off his challenge as Steidinger went out front on the 31st lap at the quarter-mile oval with an inside pass exiting turn two.
"I saw someone stick their nose underneath me a few times before that," Kaanta said. "There wasn't much I could; he got a great run off of turn two. I tried the low side (after the pass by Steidinger), but I just couldn't get my car to work down there."
A caution flag tightened the field on lap 40, and Kaanta took advantage.
"I really didn't decide to go high or low on the restart until I hit the corner," Kaanta said. "We weren't really set up to run the high side, but the car was getting such a great bite off of turn four there."
Kaanta worked the high side to his advantage, passed Steidinger with six laps to go and drove to victory. Steidinger held on for second followed by Eric Pember of Pittsville, Wis. Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa, rallied from 18th to finish fourth, one spot ahead of his brother Chris. Polesitter Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill., was the first driver out of the race.
Next up for WDRL competitors is Sept. 5-6 action at Freeport (Ill.) Raceway Park. Friday's race pays $2,500 to the winner with the finale worth $7,500.
WDRL @ Quad City: (1) John Kaanta, (2) Wes Steidinger, (3) Eric Pember, (4) Chad Simpson, (5) Chris Simpson, (6) Jeremy Grady, (7) Frank Heckenast Jr., (8) Gary Webb, (9) Rick Hanestad, (10) Jason Utter, (11) Dave Eckrich, (12) Brett Diercks, (13) Rich Bell, (14) Steve Lance, (15) Todd Malmstrom, (16) Mike Cothron, (17) Nate Buesling, (18) Matt Furman, (19) Joe Kosiski, (20) Adam Oppendike, (21) Denny Eckrich, (22) Bobby Toland, (23) Jeremy Gustaf, (24) Leroy Brenner, (25) Mike Murphy Jr., (26) Ray Guss Jr. Heat race winners (among 24 cars): Chris Simpson, Kaanta, Oppendike. Dash winner: Guss.
