Cornbelt Clash: Simpson Runs the Table at Chateau Ryan Clark LANSING, Minn. - Aug. 12. Chris Simpson didn't let a poor redraw following his win in the Fast Dash deter him as the Oxford, Iowa driver was victorious in the 35-lap feature event when the Dart Corn Belt Clash Late Model Series made its annual visit to Chateau Raceway. Simpson, who won both his heat race qualifier and the six-lap Dash, started the main event from outside the third row, but methodically made his way to the front to earn his second series win of the season and the third of his career. Outside front row starter Justin Mitchell rocketed to the lead at the drop of the green. Running the high side of the fast, 1/3-mile oval, Mitchell quickly pulled away from the field, leaving Brad Waits, Tim Isenberg and Jason Utter to battle for position behind him. Isenberg eventually won that battle while Mitchell maintained a five car-length advantage over his pursuers and Chris Simpson worked through traffic. Running the low groove, Simpson spent the first few laps outside the top five before making his charge to the front. He made his way past a fading Utter before challenging Chad Simpson for fourth a handful of laps into the event. At the nine lap mark, Chris made his way beneath Chad while Waits reeled in Isenberg to battle for second. Chris Simpson joined that battle as the race approached its midway point, first slipping past Isenberg at the 14-lap mark, then making his way into second two laps later. Out front, Mitchell still held a comfortable lead over the field, however Simpson quickly started to reel in the leader after he cleared Waits for second. Running the low side, Simpson made his bid for the lead with a dozen laps remaining, then pulled away from the field to score the victory. The win pulled Simpson to within five points of the series lead, a position held by Chad Simpson since the first race of the season. The winner of his heat, Fast Dash and feature, Chris Simpson was also the Hooker Harness Hard Charger of the night, advancing five positions during his triumph. Chad Simpson won the other heat.
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Big Gains for Hubbard, Pearson, Ogle - The A-Team Has Been Updated 05-15-12
Scott James battles #13 Barry Doss in heat race action at Florence (Ky.) Speedway, but in the $2,000-to-win feature, the only thing anyone saw was the tail end of James' #81 car. (Roy Walker)
After plenty of trash-talking via the electronic media between Jeff Matthews and Ivedent Lloyd last week, it was #21 Lloyd who got the final word as he reeled in #33 Matthews to win Friday's LM feature at Oclala, Fla.'s Bubba Raceway Park. (R.E. Wing)
Fans at Markleysburg, Pa.'s Roaring Knob Motorsports Comlex were treated to dual LM features Saturday - one a makeup from a May 5th rainout. (Above) Tim Senic challenges eventual regular feature winner Chuck Harper, while Jared Hawkins (below) claimed the makeup race. (Tommy Micheals)
Henley, Missouri's Jason Russell leads the way to Victory Lane in the ULMS Late Model feature at Lucas Oil Speedway Saturday. (Chris Bork)
Some fierce racing action at Lucas Oil speedway. (Chris Bork)
Dalton, Ga.'s Craig Reece returned to Dixie Speedway Saturday and led all the way to win the Crate LM victory. (Steve Hixson)
Ray Guss Jr. races last week's Quad City Speedway winner, Mike Murphy, Jr. This time, it was advantage Guss. (Chris Damitz)
With a strong motor back into his mount, Veteran Lamar Scoggins claimed last Friday's Crate LM victory at Boyd's Speedway. (Steve Hixson)
Veteran racer Lance Matthees navigates Spring Lake, Minnesota's Deer Creek Speedway before taking Saturday's WISSOTA Late Model checkers. (Jason Durst)
Racing hard at mid-pack, it's the dueling 55s of Cory Mahder (inside) and Greg Nippoldt at Deer Creek. (Jason Durst)
Ryan King (above and below) swept both the Ltd. Late Model and Crate Late Model features Saturday at 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn. (Chad Wells)
Still riding his wave in Iowa, Mike Murphy, Jr. in early action before taking the main event win at Davenport last Friday. (Chris Damitz)
Jason Jameson ran a gauntlet to finally capture another win Friday night at Moler
Raceway Park (see main page). (Roy
Walker)
After holding back a charge from Alex Ferree, Chub Frank drove home with a Friday night win at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa. (John Stivason)
Bobby Pierce, Brett Sievert, and Mike Glynn race in a tight pack in Kankakee (Ill.) Speedway's "Crosstown Cup", but (below) it was ultimately Shawn Toczek (42) here racing the high side of Mike Provenzano, who sailed to the win. (Dan Simpson)
NALMS Suspends Remaining Season
In a statement released to the racing media Monday, Northern All All Stars Late Model Series (NALMS) owners Shawn Hall and Bob Mooney relased the following statement:
To all NALMS drivers and fans,
Northern Allstars Late Model Series regrets to inform all of our drivers and fans that as of today (May 14, 2012) we will suspend all series races for the remaining 2012 season. The primary reason for the decision to discontinue the series was mainly economics. Tracks, teams and fans are having a hard time these days with the cost of living in general. With the cost of fuel, parts, tires, tickets and lodging, many people just cannot afford to travel to our shows, so we feel it's best to stop for now and try to regroup for the 2013 season.
Our series needs to be able to have at least 18 to 20 shows to cover our cost of putting on these shows and our drivers point funds. With many tracks cutting back on their special events and other tracks just choosing not to have specials at all, it's has really cut our options for race tracks down to a very few unless you are willing to travel several hours away from the Central Illinois area, and that is not cost effective for the racing teams or fans.
In closing we would like to thank all of the drivers and fans whom have supported the series over the years and we hope to be able to come back with a bigger and better season for everyone in 2013.
A-Team Leaders from 1997-2011 (Click on link for complete rundown)
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