Lakeside Speedway
Phillips wins Lakeside opener over Anderson
By Bucky Doren
World Dirt Racing LeagueKANSAS CITY, Kan. (Sept. 28) — Terry Phillips of Springfield, Mo., overtook John Anderson of Omaha, Neb., late in the 30-lap World Dirt Racing League Polydome Late Model event Lakeside Speedway to earn a weekend-opening victoy in the Capital Federal Savings Late Model Showdown. The $5,000-to-win weekend finale is scheduled for Saturday in another event co-sanctioned by the O'Reilly Midwest LateModel Racing Association.
Phillips started fourth in the 26-car field, but wasted no time in charging to the front. He would open up a commanding lead, but John Anderson worked his way toward Phillips by mid-race. Anderson battled Phillips side by side before Anderson would move into the lead and open a six-length spread. But Phillips never gave up.
"My car was getting tight," Phillips said. "I had to find a different line. John was running right on the bottom, so I moved to the highside, and he started coming back to me."
On lap 20, Phillips pulled even with Anderson, and the two ran door-to-door for several laps. Phillips moved his red No. 75 car to the point for good on lap 26. Anderson would hold on for second.
"These guys standing behind me are the reason we are in victory lane," Phillips said, crediting his crew. "They’ve worked all season long, and things are really clicking right now. This gives us some great momentum for tomorrow night."
Kyle Berck started sixth and raced in the top five all night before coming home third. Jeremy Payne, the winner's teammate, put on a great show for the fans, starting 23rd and racing to a fourth-place finish. Chris Simpson rounded out the top five.
NASCAR Nextel Cup star Clint Bowyer started seventh in the feature. Early in the race, Boyer suffered a flat right rear tire and was forced to restart at the back of the field after pitting for new rubber. Boyer charged back to seventh� when his car was collected in a multicar crash midway through the race.
Phillips, Berck, Alan Vaughn, Mark Voigt and Bowyer won heat races. Jason Bodenhamer and Steve "Ace" Ihm won consolations.
Brian Harris, who has led WDRL points most of the season, missed the race after suffering a severe concussion and a hairline fracture of a vertebrae in a Sept. 22 wreck at an unsanctioned event in West Liberty, Iowa. Harris, released from the University of Iowa Hospital, is undergoing rebabilitiation at Genesis West Hospital in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa, as he works to overcome difficulties with short-term memory.
Capital Federal Savings Late Model Showdown (Sept. 28): (1) Terry Phllips, (2) John Anderson, (3) Kyle Berck, (4) Jeremy Payne, (5) Chris Simpson, (6) John Kaanta, (7) Justin Fegers, (8) Alan Vaughn, (9) Mark Voight, (10) Rob Moss, (11) Eric Pember, (12) Dave Eckrich, (13) David Turner, (14) Ed Kosiski, (15) Jason Bodenhamer, (16) Tim Isenberg, (17) Mike Collins, (18) Gary Stolba, (19) Delbert Smith, (20) Al Purkey, (21) Clint Bowyer, (22) Ace Ihm, (23) Jon Anderson, (24) Sonny Findling, (25) Denny Woodworth, (26) Larry Clawson Jr.)
