Freeport Raceway Park
Chad Simpson sweeps WDRL's Rebel at Freeport
From series reports
FREEPORT, Ill. (Sept. 6) — Chad Simpson did the Rebel Yell at Freeport Raceway Park — twice, as a matter of fact. The Mount Vernon, Iowa, driver swept both features of The Rebel as the half-mile oval to earn $10,000 on the World Dirt Racing League.
The event was originally scheduled as a two-day race featuring a 25-lapper on Friday and the Swiss Colony 75-lap main event on Saturday. But unraceable track conditions forced both features to be run the same day.
"Once I got out front, I knew I had a great car," Simpson, of Mount Vernon, Iowa, said in victory lane after the first win. "I was able to hold a great line. I'm looking forward to the 75-lap feature." Denny Eckrich, Dan Shelliam, Dave Eckrich and Matt Furman rounded out the top five in the $2,500-to-win prelim.
In the 75-lap finale, Simpson overtook Jeff Aikey late in the race to grab a lead he'd never give up. Aikey, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, started on the pole of the second feature and led the field for the first 65 laps. Then he encountered heavy lapping traffic, and that allowed Simpson to close in and pass him.
"I tried to save my tires for the end," Simpson said. "I thought Aikey was driving into the corners too hard, so I thought I'd better save mine. Lapped traffic — sometimes you love it and sometimes you hate it. Tonight I love it."
Rounding out the top five were Aikey, Jason Utter, Denny Eckrich and Furman.
Notes: Chad Simpson's car is sponsored by GATR Volvo, Liebe Trucking and Five Star Shop Service. ... WDRL's next action is Sept. 26-27 at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.
25-lap feature: (1) Chad Simpson, (2) Denny Eckrich, (3) Dan Shelliam, (4) Dave Eckrich, (5) Jeremy Grady, (6) Gordie Seegert Jr., (7) Eric Pember, (8) Jeff Larson, (9) Matt Furman, (10) John Kaanta, (11) Frank Heckenast Jr., (12) Jeff Aikey, (13) Bob Bollan, (14) Gary Webb, (15) Andrew McKay, (16) Lyle Zanker, (17) Greg Wagner, (18) Ed Williams, (19) Jason Utter, (20) Curt Martin, (21) Mike Fryer, (22) Steve Morgan, (23) Chris Simpson, (24) Ron Klein.
75-lap feature: (1) Chad Simpson, (2) Jeff Aikey, (3) Jason Utter, (4) Denny Eckrich, (5) Matt Furman 6) Mike Fryer, (7) Curt Martin, (8) Dan Shelliam, (9) Jeff Larson, (10) Chris Simpson, (11) Gordie Seegert Jr., (12) Eric Pember, (13) Gary Webb, (14) Dan Woodworth, (15) Bret Dierks, (16) John Kaanta, (17) Frank Heckenast Jr., (18) Ed Williams, (19) Lyle Zanker, (20) Steve Morgan, (21) Jeremy Grady, (22) Ron Klein, (23) Bob Bollan, (24) Dave Eckrich, (25) Greg Wagner.
