Chateau Raceway
Chris Simpson wins Corn Belt Clash at Chateau
By Ryan Clark
positivelyracing.comLANSING, Minn. (Aug. 12) – After winning the fast dash during the Dart Corn Belt Clash Series event Friday night at Chateau Raceway, Chris Simpson didn't let a poor redraw hold him back. The Oxford, Iowa, driver started sixth in the main event, but methodically made his way to the front on his way to earning $2,000 for his second series victory of the season and the third of his career.
Outside front row starter Justin Mitchell rocketed to the lead at the drop of the green. Running the high side of the fast, third-mile oval, Mitchell quickly pulled away from the field, leaving Brad Waits, Tim Isenberg and Jason Utter to battle for position behind him. Isenberg of Marshfield, Wis., eventually pulled ahead while Mitchell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, maintained a five-car-length advantage over his pursuers and Simpson worked through traffic.
Running the low groove, Simpson spent the first few laps outside the top five before making his charge to the front. He made his way past a fading Utter of Columbus Junction, Iowa, before challenging his older brother Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa, for fourth a handful of laps into the event.
At the nine lap mark, Chris made his way beneath Chad while Waits of Zumbrota, Minn., reeled in Isenberg to battle for second. Chris Simpson joined that battle as the race approached its midway point, first slipping past Isenberg at the 14-lap mark, then making his way into second two laps later.
Out front, Mitchell still held a comfortable lead over the field, but Simpson quickly started to reel in the leader after clearing Waits for second. Simpson used a low-side challenge to take over the lead with 12 laps remaining, then pulled away from the field to score the victory.
Notes: The winning Simpson brother drivers a Longhorn Chassis powered by a Pro Power Racing engine and sponsored by GearWrench, Five Star Shop Service and Christner Concrete. ... With his victory, Simpson closed to within five points of his older brother in the battle for the top spot in the series standings. Chad Simpson has held the lead since the first race of the season. ... Chris Simpson’s previous series victory was a $2,000 triumph that came June 1 at Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa. ... The series will return to action with a Labor Day weekend doubleheader. The tour will visit Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., Sept. 3 and Cresco (Iowa) Speedway Sept. 4.
Dart Corn Belt Clash @ Chateau: (1) Chris Simpson, (2) Justin Mitchell, (3) Tim Isenberg, (4) Jason Rauen, (5) Brad Waits, (6) Jason Utter, (7) Chad Simpson, (8) Andrew McKay, (9) Neil Eckhart, (10) Roger Torgerson, (11) Dennis Hillson, (12) Joe Ludemann, (13) Nick Kramer, (14) Jill George. Heat race winners (among 14 cars): Chad Simpson, Chris Simpson. Dash winner: Chris Simpson.
