I-80 Speedway
Berck captures I-80's Cornhusker Classic
Kyle Berck picks up $3,000. (Joe Orth)
GREENWOOD, Neb. (Sept. 25) — Kyle Berck of Marquette, Neb., got the jump from outside the front row and led all 30 laps Saturday at I-80 Speedway's Cornhusker Classic. Berck earned $3,000 for the victory co-sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association and O'Reilly National Championship Racing Association. | Slideshow
Berck jumped into the lead at the outset of the 30-lapper when polesitter Brad Looney of Republic, Mo., struggled at the outset, falling to third behind Joe Kosiski of Omaha, Neb. Action was slowed on the second lap for a caution following a tangle between NCRA champion Kelly Boen and Al Humphrey.
Berck stayed in control on the restart while Looney stalked Kosiski, regaining the second spot on the 12th lap. But Looney, the MLRA points leader, couldn't catch Berck the rest of the way.
Travis Dickes of Madison, Neb., was third followed by Kosiski and Dave Eckrich of Oxford, Iowa.
Eckrich lost ground in the MLRA points chase to Looney along with Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kan., who pitted to change a flat tire on the 15th lap and ended up ninth.
Notes: Berck's Swartz Race Car is sponsored by Dorothy Lynch Homestyle Dressing. ... Chassis builder Audie Swartz was on hand to assist Berck. ... Rain on Friday and clouds on Saturday didn't stop the completion of the second night of the three-night event, which drew more than 200 race cars. Sunday's action includes a race for the Super Late Model Racing Series. ... Among drivers failing to make the feature: Kortney Kosiski, Mike Wallace and Wylan Petrie. ... While NCRA competitors are through for the season, MLRA drivers have three more weekends, starting with Oct. 1-2 action at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan. The Clyde Ellis Late Model Showdown includes $3,000- and $5,000-to-win features.
Cornhusker Classic: (1) Kyle Berck, (2) Brad Looney, (3) Travis Dickes, (4) Joe Kosiski, (5) Dave Eckrich, (6) Jason O'Brien, (7) Craig Preble, (8) Bryant Goldsmith, (9) Al Purkey, (10) Scott Koskovich, (11) Corey Zeitner, (12) Billy Koons Jr., (13) Bill Koons, (14) Dwane Pospisil, (15) Jase Kaser, (16) Dustin Vance, (17) Jason Hobscheidt, (18) Brian Kenkel, (19) Mike Wiarda, (20) Dan Battaglia, (21) Justin Asplin, (22) Shawn Harker, (23) Steve Kempt, (24) Al Humphrey, (25) Kelly Boen, (26) Andrew Kosiski. Heat race winners (among 32 cars): Berck, Looney, Wiarda, Humphrey. Consolation winner: Billy Koons Jr.
