WaKeeney Speedway
Delbert Smith gets MDLMS victory at WaKeeney
WaKEENEY, Kan. (Sept. 18) — Delbert Smith of Wichita, Kan., won a mid-race duel with Mike Wiarda of Aurora, Neb., on Sunday for a MidwestDirt Late Model Series victory at WaKeeney Speedway. Smith took the checkers in the first Late Model event at the 3/8-mile oval in seven seasons.
Polesitter Chad Dolan of Gibbon, Neb., jumped into the early lead in the 16-car feature before Wiarda took over on the fourth lap. Smith moved into second and when the frontrunners were running amid traffic, Smith overtook Wiarda on the 10th lap.
Wiarda fought back to regain the lead after a lap-14 caution, but Smith again took over two laps later and led the rest of the way. Wichita's Brad Fortney took second from Wiarda while Dolan and Chris Kratzer of Lyons, Kan., rounded out the top five.
Notes: The race wraps up the MDLMS season. ... WaKeeney was hosting its championship night for its four weekly divisions. ... The track drew 100 race teams overall. ... Thirteen of 16 starters were running at the finish. ... Steve Kosiski of Papillion, Neb., was the previous Late Model winner at WaKenney with a victory July 18, 2004, in O'Reilly TORA competition.
MDLMS @ WaKeeney: (1) Delbert Smith, (2) Brad Fortney, (3) Mike Wiarda, (4) Ryan Dolan, (5) Chris Kratzer, (6) Brad Wagoner, (7) Earl Kinderknecht, (8) Gary Gorby, (9) Dave Conkwright, (10) Vince Wagoner, (11) Daniel Smith, (12) Ryan Heger, (13) Ryan Grit, (14) Tyler Bradshaw, (15) Doug Sieh Sr., (16) Ron Heger. Heat race winners (among 16 cars): Wiarda, Kinderknecht. Dash winner: Dolan.