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"Iceman" Jimmy Mars wins the 23rd Annual Iowa Governor's Cup
DAVENPORT, IA (Oct 3-4) - Jimmy Mars drove to the win in the 60-lap WORLD
Dirt Racing League-sanctioned Iowa Governor's Cup Saturday at the Davenport
Speedway. But Chad Simpson was celebrating, too, having won the 2008 WDRL
points crown.
Mars, of Menomonie, Wis., pocketed the $10,000 top prize, and Simpson edged
John Kaanta in a thrilling battle for the championship that wasn't settled
until the last lap of the race on the historic Davenport half-mile.
Darren Miller of Chadwick, Ill., led the 24-car field to the green flag,
starting on the pole. Jimmy Mars stayed close through the early stages of
the race and on lap 23 began looking to the inside of Miller's car for a way
to get around. The duo battled door to door for the next few laps.
Mars took the lead as the field completed lap 27. Despite a few caution
flags and some lapped traffic, Mars was able to hold on for the win in the
23rd running of the prestigious Iowa Governor's Cup.
"I can't thank my brother Chris enough," Mars said in Victory Lane. "He has
built one awesome car. I showed my nose a few times to Darren (Miller), and
we always try to race each other clean, so I wasn't worried. He moved to the
low side in turns one and two. I was able to work around him on the high
side. That was a great car tonight."
Miller finished second. Brady Smith of Solon Springs, Wis., ran third the
entire 60 laps. Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls, Iowa; Jason Utter of Columbus
Junction, Iowa; and Simpson, of Mount Vernon, Iowa, fought for the fourth
spot as the race was coming to a close. Aikey pulled away with 12 laps
remaining, and Utter rounded out the top five.
John Kaanta, of Elk Mound, Wis., had worked his way forward from an
11th-place starting spot to battle Simpson for sixth place and the WDRL
championship. Kaanta had held the series point lead over Simpson by a single
point going into Saturday's race. That meant whoever beat the other driver
on the track would win the 2008 title.
Like in a script from Hollywood, the two ended up battling side by side for
the last 12 laps. The pair swapped grooves a few times, but there was still
no clear leader. As the duo rocketed off of turn four while the checkered
flag was flying, Simpson was able to get a good enough run to take sixth
place and the championship.
"I saw John (Kaanta) had worked under me," Simpson recalled moments later
from Victory Lane. "I thought I better get moving. That was exciting.
Nerve-racking, but exciting," he said of the race to the checkers. "I had
trouble in turns three and four, and I knew that he was faster there. I knew
if he was going to try something, it would probably be there. We got a good
run off of four when it counted, and I couldn't be happier."
Simpson ended up beating Kaanta by two points in the final WDRL Late Model
Series points championship. Eric Pember of Pittsville, Wis., was third
followed by Frank Heckenast Jr. of Orland Park, Ill., and Chris Simpson of
Oxford, Iowa.
Heckenast was also crowned the 2008 Chase Signs WDRL Rookie of the Year,
edging Jeremy Grady of Story City, Iowa, for the honors.
In other Iowa Governors Cup action Doug Burkhead dominated the B-Modified
feature leading every lap en route to the $600 payday. Chris Stein held off
Joe Jones Jr. for second place while Todd Stickler came from 13th to take
fourth and Craig Crawford rounded out the top five. Heat race wins went to
Ben Traver, Burkhead, and Crawford. The consolation race went to Stickler.
In the Mini Sprints 11 year old Brunson Behning won both the heat race and
the feature. The feature began with Jeff Mallenee and Tracy Hull battling
side by side for the lead but Behning wasted little time getting to the
front and pulling away from the field. T. Hull would take second followed
Mallenee, Steve Foster, and Ryan Miller
The 4 Cylinder feature was a hard fought battle with several lead changes.
R.J. Gonzales grabbed the early lead with Dan Mohr and Brannon Beschen on
his bumper. After an early yellow flag bunched the field back up Gonzales,
Mohr, Beschen, Jeremy Campbell, and Jeff Seitz all found themselves within a
cars length of the lead. Seitz would take over the lead with Mohr and
Beschen right on him. Beschen would pull up next to Seitz and run side by
side and right behind them Campbell and Mohr battle side by side as well.
Seitz would gain a small advantage while Campbell, Mohr, and Beschen went
three wide for the lead. Seitz would hold them off and take home the $500
paycheck. Campbell would take second followed by Beschen, Mohr, and Ricky
Kay rounded out the top five. Seitz and Campbell also locked in a spot to
October 10th and 11th $2,000 to win 4 Cylinder race thats apart of the 3rd
Annual Fall Harvest Shootout at the Quad City Raceway. Heat race wins went
to Campbell, Mohr, and Beschen.
The Street Stock feature was another highly contested battle. Jerry Pratt
took the early lead with Jeff Stevens and Buck Harmening battling behind him
for second. Stevens would get by Harmening run side by side with Pratt for
the lead. Stevens would get by Pratt and start building a lead. Behind
Stevens, Pratt and Harmening fought side by side for second with Greg Gill
on their bumpers. A yellow flag with five laps to go proved to be what Gill
needed. Using the behind side of the track Gill was able to move up to
second and pull up next to Stevens and with two laps to Gill was got by
Stevens for the lead. Gill would go on to collect the $1,000 check. Stevens,
who hadnt raced all season, took second followed by Jeremy Marquette, who
came from the 11th starting sport, Jason Bahrs, and Harmening. Heat races
went to Donnie Louck, Gill, and Marquette. The consolation race went to
Aaron Burroughs.
Ray Guss Jr. and Ryan Dolan put on an outstanding show in the A-Modified
feature battling every lap for the lead. Guss and Dolan built a sizeable
lead with Dolan never letting Guss get too far away. With four laps to go
Dolan dropped down a groove and pull up next to Guss and they side by side
the rest of the race. Guss held Dolan off to win the $2,000 top prize. Thad
Wilson had a great run coming from 11th to take third followed by John
Ahlers and Doug Crampton. Heat race wins went to Milo Veloz Jr., Bob
Dominacki, Crampton, and Chris Zogg. The consolation races went to Chuck
Hanna and Kevin Weaver.
Ray Guss Jr. completed the double dip by dominating the IMCA Late Model
feature leading every lap and winning by a half track. Jay Johnson had a
strong second place finished followed by Ricky Frankel, who had an excellent
run coming from 10th, Terry Neal, and Keith Pratt. The heat races went to
Andy Nezworski, Guss, Frankel, and Neal. The consolation races went to Kevin
Williams and Jeff Aikey.
Stuart Motorsports, Inc. would like to thank all fans, drivers, sponsors,
and the WDRL for making the 23rd Annual Iowa Governors Cup a huge success.
Racing continues next weekend at the Quad City Raceway with the 3rd Annual
Fall Harvest Shootout on October 10th and 11th. Friday night will feature a
$2,000 to win Northern All-Star Late Model feature as well as qualifying for
the $5,000 to win / $1,000 to start Modifieds and qualifying for the $2,000
to win / $125 to start 4 Cylinders. Saturday night will feature another
$2,000 to win Northern All-Star Late Models feature as well as the
consolation races and the features for both the $5,000 to win / $1,000 to
win Modifieds and $2,000 to win / $125 to start 4 Cylinders. The grandstands
will open at 5:00pm Friday with hot laps at 6:00pm, time trials at 6:30pm
and racing to follow. The admission Friday will be $15 for adults, $5 for
kids 6-12, and free for kids 5 & under. Saturday the grandstands will open
at 1:00pm with hot laps at 3:30pm, time trials at 4:30pm, with racing to
follow. Admission on Saturday will be $22 for adults, $7 for kids 6-12, and
free for kids 5 & under. Pit passes will $35 each night.
Davenport Speedway
23rd Annual Iowa Governors Cup
B-Modified Heat 1
1. 28 Ben Traver
2. 33 Dan Anderson
3. 53 Chris Stein
4. 71 John Brandies
5. 21A Kory Meyer
6. 39 Todd Dykema
7. 9 Greg Wilson
DNS
F18 Andre LaPorte
B-Modifieds Heat 2
1. 74 Doug Burkhead
2. 26 Joe Jones Jr.
3. 21F Kevin Fitzgibbon
4. 75T Chad Tomlinson
5. 1W Hunter Wilson
6. 12 Brad Rhoads
7. 18 Keith Silvers
8. 51JR Johnny Walker
B-Modifieds Heat 3
1. 29 Craig Crawford
2. 2 Dusty Kraklio
3. 55 Jared Coppejans
4. 61 Matt Wilson
5. 7 Bill Kretschmer
6. 12T Timmy Current
7. 34 Bill Platt
8. 39P Perry Gellerstedt
B-Modifieds Consolation
1. 16 Todd Stickler
2. 21A Kory Meyer
3. 39 Todd Dykema
4. 45 Mike Fluegel
5. 39P Perry Gellerstedt
6. 12 Brad Rhoads
7. 9 Greg Wilson
8. 34 Bill Platt
9. 18 Keith Silvers
10. 12T Timmy Current
11. 1W Hunter Wilson
12. 7 Bill Kretschmer
13. 51JR Johnny Walker
14. F18 Andre LaPorte
B-Modifieds Feature
1. 74 Doug Burkhead (2)
2. 53 Chris Stein (5)
3. 26 Joe Jones Jr. ( 8)
4. 16 Todd Stickler (13)
5. 29 Craig Crawford (10)
6. 45 Mike Fluegel (16)
7. 71 John Brandies (12)
8. 33 Dan Anderson (9)
9. 21F Kevin Fitzgibbon (6)
10. 28 Ben Traver (4)
11. 61 Matt Wilson (7)
12. 21A Kory Meyer (14)
13. 39 Todd Dykema (15)
14. 39P Perry Gellerstedt (17)
15. 55 Jared Coppejans (3)
16. 34 Bill Platt (20)
17. 2 Dusty Kraklio (1)
18. 12 Brad Rhoads (18)
19. 75T Chad Tomlinson (11)
20. 9 Greg Wilson (19)
Mini Sprints Heat 1
1. 37 Brunson Behning
2. 9 Erik Close
3. 98 Jeff Mallenee
4. 24 Tracy Hull
5. 4 Steve Foster
6. 7 Katlyn Miller
7. 7J Billy Brickles
8. 67 Ryan Miller
9. 22 Jeremy Hull
10. 5 Harry Rogers
11. 83 Holly DeSpain
Mini Sprints Feature
1. 37 Brunson Behning (4)
2. 24 Tracy Hull (1)
3. 98 Jeff Mallenee (2)
4. 4 Steve Foster (5)
5. 67 Ryan Miller ( 8)
6. 7J Billy Brickles (7)
7. 9 Erik Close (3)
8. 7 Katlyn Miller (6)
9. 22 Jeremy Hull (9)
10. 5 Harry Rogers (10)
DNS
83 Holly DeSpain
4 Cylinders Heat 1
1. 01J Jeremy Campbell
2. 51 Travis Wilson
3. 76 Brian Ritter
4. 6 Joe Wagner
5. 68K Michael Johanson
6. 33D Darren Hartman
7. 93 Dustin Patz
4 Cylinders Heat 2
1. 15K Dan Mohr
2. 99 Jeff Seitz
3. 5o Phil Anderson
4. 20.5 Leigh Poole
5. 13 Steve Boyle
6. 97 Josh Hazen
4 Cylinders Heat 3
1. 08 Brannon Beschen
2. 26 Jim McKinney
3. 39G R.J. Gonzales
4. 40K Ricky Kay
5. 27 Chris Holmlund
6. 114X Mike Wisdom
4 Cylinders Feature
1. 99 Jeff Seitz (5)
2. 01J Jeremy Campbell (7)
3. 08 Brannon Beschen (4)
4. 15K Dan Mohr (3)
5. 40K Ricky Kay (6)
6. 114X Mike Wisdom (18)
7. 76 Brian Ritter (2)
8. 68K Michael Johanson (13)
9. 13 Steve Boyle (14)
10. 51 Travis Wilson (12)
11. 97 Josh Hazen (17)
12. 33D Darren Hartman (16)
13. 39G R.J. Gonzales (1)
14. 26 Jim McKinney (11)
15. 93 Dustin Patz (19)
16. 20.5 Leigh Poole ( 8)
17. 5o Phil Anderson (10)
18. 6 Joe Wagner (9)
19. 27 Chris Holmlund (15)
Street Stocks Heat 1
1. 31 Donnie Louck
2. 96 Jason Bahrs
3. 63 Buck Harmening
4. 8L Chris Lawrence
5. 70JR Joe Bonney
6. 55C Mark Claeys
7. 55 Emily Gade
8. 85 Ron Turner
DNS
1 B.J. Sparks
Street Stocks Heat 2
1. 28 Greg Gill
2. 83 Kerry Dake
3. 20B Andrew Burk
4. 66 Jeff Joldersma
5. 68 Aaron Burroughs
6. 15 Clint Morehouse
7. 8 Josh Starr
8. 8K Jerry Merkes
DNS
66T Timmy Current
Street Stocks Heat 3
1. 11 Jeremy Marquette
2. 11P Jerry Pratt
3. 01 Jeff Stevens
4. 98T Terry Rittmer
5. 81 Carey Brown
6. 44 Tad Payne
7. 76 Chuck Fox
8. 93 Matt Werner
Street Stocks Consolation
1. 68 Aaron Burroughs
2. 81 Carey Brown
3. 8K Jerry Merkes
4. 15 Clint Morehouse
5. 93 Matt Werner
6. 70JR Joe Bonney
7. 55C Mark Claeys
8. 55 Emily Gade
9. 76 Chuck Fox
10. 66T Timmy Current
DNS
44 Tad Payne
8 Josh Starr
85 Ron Turner
1 B.J. Sparks
Street Stocks Feature
1. 28 Greg Gill (5)
2. 01 Jeff Stevens (4)
3. 11 Jeremy Marquette (11)
4. 96 Jason Bahrs (9)
5. 63 Buck Harmening (1)
6. 11P Jerry Pratt (2)
7. 81 Carey Brown (14)
8. 31 Donnie Louck (12)
9. 68 Aaron Burroughs (13)
10. 8K Jerry Merkes (15)
11. 93 Matt Werner (17)
12. 15 Clint Morehouse (16)
13. 66 Jeff Joldersma (10)
14. 8L Chris Lawrence (6)
15. 83 Kerry Dake (7)
16. 98T Terry Rittmer (3)
17. 20B Andrew Burk ( 8)
18. 55C Mark Claeys (18)
19. 55 Emily Gade (19)
20. 66T Joe Bonney (20)
A-Modifieds Heat 1
1. 43 Milo Veloz Jr.
2. 12T Timmy Current
3. 128 Ray Guss Jr.
4. 6 Brian Webb
5. 25 Jake Bowman
6. 12X Brett Ladehoff
7. 19 Terry Lawson
8. 44P Chad Patch
9. 5 Bart Miller
A-Modifieds Heat 2
1. 5D Bob Dominacki
2. 27 John Bull
3. 1S Jim Sandusky
4. 53 Matt Stein
5. 88 Tony VonDresky
6. B12 Kevin Weaver
7. 15J Tim Arp
8. Z Mike Zemo Jr.
9. 85 Leland Bushong
A-Modifieds Heat 3
1. 40 Doug Crampton
2. 75 Thad Wilson
3. 67 John Ahlers
4. 15 Brandon Durbin
5. 65 Chuck Hanna
6. 29 Craig Crawford
7. 8 Nathan Balensiefen
8. 37.5 Jeff Larson
9. 8V Randall Verplaetse
A-Modifieds Heat 4
1. 9C Chris Zogg
2. 7 Ryan Dolan
3. R1 Rick Ratliff
4. 37B Ron Barker
5. 111 Reed Withers
6. 77 Marty Thompson
7. 98 Jeff Morris
8. 15B Greg Durbin
9. 89 T.J. Patz
A-Modifieds Consolation 1
1. 65 Chuck Hanna
2. 6 Brian Webb
3. 25 Jake Bowman
4. 15 Brandon Durbin
5. 29 Craig Crawford
6. 44P Chad Patch
7. 8 Nathan Balensiefen
8. 19 Terry Lawson
9. 12X Brett Ladehoff
10. 8V Randall Verplaetse
11. 1 Dan Chapman
12. 5 Bart Miller
DNS
37.5 Jeff Larson
A-Modifieds Consolation 2
1. B12 Kevin Weaver
2. 88 Tony VonDresky
3. 37B Ron Barker
4. Z Mike Zemo Jr.
5. 15B Greg Durbin
6. 98 Jeff Morris
7. 111 Reed Withers
8. 77 Marty Thompson
9. 85 Leland Bushong
10. 15J Tim Arp
11. 53 Matt Stein
12. 89 T.J. Patz
A-Modifieds Feature
1. 128 Ray Guss Jr. (2)
2. 7 Ryan Dolan (1)
3. 75 Thad Wilson (11)
4. 67 John Ahlers (3)
5. 40 Doug Crampton (6)
6. 27 John Bull (5)
7. 1S Jim Sandusky ( 8)
8. 12T Timmy Current (12)
9. 43 Milo Veloz Jr. (7)
10. R1 Rick Ratliff (10)
11. B12 Kevin Weaver (14)
12. 9C Chris Zogg (9)
13. 6 Brian Webb (15)
14. Z Mike Zemo Jr. (20)
15. 88 Tony VonDresky (16)
16. 25 Jake Bowman (17)
17. 37B Ron Barker (18)
18. 15 Brandon Durbin (19)
19. 65 Chuck Hanna (13)
20. 5D Bob Dominacki (4)
IMCA Late Models Heat 1
1. 7 Andy Nezworski
2. 93 Jay Johnson
3. 38 Colby Springsteen
4. 0 Rob Toland
5. 58 Hershel Roberts
6. 53 LeRoy Brenner
7. 75M Todd Malmstrom
8. 27B Travis Smock
IMCA Late Models Heat 2
1. 12 Ray Guss Jr.
2. 07 Matt Ryan
3. 4D Marty Diercks
4. 77 Jeff Aikey
5. 15K Justin Kay
6. 99D Darrel DeFrance
7. 23 Doug Nigh
8. 84 Sam Halstead
9. 46 Nate Beuseling
IMCA Late Models Heat 3
1. 79 Ricky Frankel
2. 25 Bryan Klein
3. 1 Nick Wiele
4. 37 Kevin Williams
5. 39T Bobby Toland
6. 67 Tony VonDresky
7. 91 Mike Guldenpfennig
8. 55 Chris Brand
IMCA Late Models Heat 4
1. 28C Terry Neal
2. 33 Keith Pratt
3. 3W Dave Warth
4. 77K Stephan Kammerer
5. 165 Dave Engelkens
6. 21G Corey Goldbeck
7. 22 Charlie McKenna
8. 42 Kevin Dickey
IMCA Late Models Consolation 1
1. 37 Kevin Williams
2. 0 Rob Toland
3. 39T Bobby Toland
4. 53 LeRoy Brenner
5. 75M Todd Malmstrom
6. 67 Tony VonDresky
7. 27B Travis Smock
8. 91 Mike Guldenpfennig
9. 58 Hershel Roberts
10. 55 Chris Brand
11. 77C Mitch Current
IMCA Late Models Consolation 2
1. 77 Jeff Aikey
2. 15K Justin Kay
3. 21G Corey Goldbeck
4. 23 Doug Nigh
5. 77K Stephan Kammerer
6. 99D Darrel DeFrance
7. 165 Dave Engelkens
8. 46 Nate Beuseling
9. 84 Sam Halstead
10. 22 Charlie McKenna
11. 42 Kevin Dickey
IMCA Late Models Feature
1. 12 Ray Guss Jr. (2)
2. 93 Jay Johnson (4)
3. 79 Ricky Frankel (10)
4. 28C Terry Neal (1)
5. 33 Keith Pratt (5)
6. 4D Marty Diercks (11)
7. 77 Jeff Aikey (14)
8. 7 Andy Nezworski (3)
9. 0 Rob Toland (15)
10. 07 Matt Ryan (7)
11. 15K Justin Kay (16)
12. 21G Corey Goldbeck (18)
13. 23 Doug Nigh (20)
14. 39T Bobby Toland (17)
15. 1 Nick Wiele (9)
16. 53 LeRoy Brenner (19)
17. 38 Colby Springsteen (6)
18. 37 Kevin Williams (13)
19. 25 Bryan Klein (12)
20. 3W Dave Warth ( 8)
IOWA-ILLINOIS TAYLOR INSULATION GROUP QUALIFYING:
1. 32D - Darren Miller 20.514
2. 28 - Jimmy Mars 20.870
3. 43 - Jeremy Grady 21.094
4. 32 - Chris Simpson 21.096
5. 85 - John Kaanta 21.777
6. 99 - Frank Heckenast Jr. 21.194
7. 31 - Jason Utter 21.274
8. 50 - Denny Eckrich 21.276
9. 2 - Brady Smith 21.298
10. B1 - Jeff Larson 21.299
11. 25 - Chad Simpson 21.445
12. 90X - Eric Pember 21.465
13. 51 - Matt Furman 21.513
14. 77 - Jeff Aikey 21.547
15. 3X - Skip Frey 21.617
16. 71 - Andrew McKay 21.625
17. 16 - Dan Shelliam 21.819
18. 12N - Terry Neal 21.900
19. W56 - Gary Webb 21.913
20. 21B - Rich Bell 21.922
21. 15G - Cam Granger 22.122
22. 15K - Justin Kay 22.192
23. 45DW - Denny Woodworth 22.268
24. 99D - Darrell DeFrance 22.598
25. 86 - Jeremy Gustaf 23.404
CRASHEDTOYS.COM QUALIFIER 1
1. 2 - Brady Smith
2. 51 - Matt Furman
3. W56 - Gary Webb
4. 43 - Jeremy Grady
5. 90X - Eric Pember
6. 99 - Frank Heckenast Jr.
7. 71 - Andrew McKay
8. 15K - Justin Kay
9. 86 - Jeremy Gustaf
CRASHEDTOYS.COM QUALIFIER 2
1. 28 - Jimmy Mars
2. 25 - Chad Simpson
3. 50 - Denny Eckrich
4. 85 - John Kaanta
5. 77 - Jeff Aikey
6. 16 - Dan Shelliam
7. 21B - Rich Bell
8. 45DW - Denny Woodworth
CRASHEDTOYS.COM QUALIFIER 3
1. 32D - Darren Miller
2. 31 - Jason Utter
3. B1 - Jeff Larson
4. 32 - Chris Simpson
5. 12N - Terry Neal
6. 15G - Cam Granger
7. 99D - Darrel DeFrance
8. 3X - Skip Frey
IOWA-ILLINOIS TAYLOR INSULATION POLE DASH
(To determine the staring lineup for the first four rows)
1.32D - Darren Miller
2. 2 - Brady Smith
3. 28 - Jimmy Mars
4. 51 - Matt Furman
5. 31 - Jason Utter
6. 25 - Chad Simpson
7. 50 - Denny Eckrich
8. W56 - Gary Webb
WDRL A-MAIN - GOVERNOR'S CUP
1. 28 - Jimmy Mars
2. 32D - Darren Miller
3. 2 - Brady Smith
4. 77 - Jeff Aikey
5. 31 - Jason Utter
6. 25 - Chad Simpson
7. 85 - John Kaanta
8. 43 - Jeremy Grady
9. 32 - Chris Simpson
10. B1 - Jeff Larson
11. 99 - Frank Heckenast Jr.
12. 90X - Eric Pember
13. 16 - Dan Shelliam
14. W56 - Gary Webb
15. 3X - Skip Frey
16. 71 - Andrew McKay
17. 99D - Darrel DeFrance
18. 12N - Terry Neal
19. 51 - Matt Furman
20. 21B - Rich Bell
21. 45DW - Denny Woodworth
22. 15K - Justin Kay
23. 86 - Jeremy Gustaf
24. 15G - Cam Granger
DNS
50 - Denny Eckrich
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