34 Raceway
Brother's misfortune lifts Chad Simpson at 34
Chad Simpson waves in victory lane. (mikerueferphotos.photoreflect.com)
WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (April 20) — One brother’s heartbreak was another brother’s victory.
Taking the lead after Chris Simpson’s broken axle forced him out in the final laps, 15th-starting Chad Simpson led the final two laps Saturday at 34 Raceway for a $4,000 Clash for Cash victory. The elder brother’s victory came in a race tri-sanctioned by the Corn Belt Clash, MARS DIRTcar Series and Sunoco American Late Model Series. | Video | Slideshow
Simpson, a three-time Corn Belt Clash champion from Mount Vernon, Iowa, was followed to the checkers by reigning MARS champ Jesse Stovall of Galena, Mo. Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill., was third while Illinois-based Tyler Reddick of Corning, Calif., rallied from his 26th starting spot to fourth. Former MARS champion Terry Phillips of Springfield, Mo., rounded out the top five in the 40-lap feature.
Phillips and Kevin Weaver of Gibson City, Ill., made up the front row of the 27-car feature that was slowed by several early cautions. Weaver led Phillips early while Chris Simpson stalked the frontrunners in a top-three breakaway.
Simpson took second from Phillips then, amid traffic, slipped past Weaver before the halfway point while Chad Simpson and Reddick rallied from deep in the field.
Chad Simpson worked his way past Stovall to grab the second spot, but he was a full straightaway behind brother Chris as the laps wound down.
But the mechanical problems forced Chris Simpson to the infield in the race’s waning moments, handing Chad Simpson the victory.
Notes: Simpson’s MasterSbilt by Huey is powered by a Jay Dickens Racing Engine and with sponsorship from Liebe Trucking, GATR Truck Center, Farm Bureau Financial Services and Graves Oil. ... His victory came a week after an MLRA-sanctioned triumph at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo. ... Tyler Reddick earned Allstar Performance Hard Charger honors for advancing 22 positions. ... Chris Simpson received the VP Racing Fuels Heartland Tough Luck award. ... Among drivers failing to make the feature lineup: Andy Eckrich, Rickey Frankel, Justin Mitchell, Ron McQuerry, Jared Schlipman, Shawn Knuckles, Dustin Walker, Rick Wendling, Leroy Johnson, Skip Frey and Ray Guss Jr. ...� The three tours were scheduled to appear Friday at Tri-City (Ill.) Speedway, but heavy rains and flooding postponed the event to a later date. ... Quincy (Ill.) Speedway hosts the trio Sunday for a $3,000-to-win event.
Clash for Cash: (1) Chad Simpson, (2) Jesse Stovall, (3) Brian Shirley, (4) Tyler Reddick, (5) Terry Phillips, (6) Tony Jackson Jr., (7) Kevin Weaver, (8) Billy Drake, (9) Justin Kay, (10) Rich Bell, (11) Ryan Unzicker, (12) Brandon Thirlby, (13) Jake Meier, (14) Steve Lance Jr), (15) Denny Woodworth, (16) Dave Eckrich, (17) Dustin Walker, (18) Chris Simpson, (19) Jay Johnson, (20) Scott Schmitt, (21) Jason Perry, (22) Denny Eckrich, (23) Mark Dotson, (24) Justin Asplin, (25) Mark Burgtorf, (26) Brian Harris, (27) Brandon Sheppard. Heat race winners (among 44 cars): Perry, Chris Simpson, Sheppard, Phillip, Jackson. Consolation winners: Harris, Dotson. Dash winner: Phillips. Provisional starters: Drake, Asplin, Reddick, Woodworth, Dave Eckrich, Meier.
