Series p.r.

ELKO, Minn. - Oct. 15. It looked like Lance Matthees might make it two-for-two in the final 2011 weekend of the Dart Corn Belt Clash Series, but trouble with a lapped car allowed ‘Hammer Down’ Jason Rauen to drive his M-B Customs #98 to the top side in the closing laps to take the win and the $3,000 pay day in the series final event of the season.

Matthees and Chris Simpson started on the front row as determined by the re-draw after threatening weather had to cancel the Kindll LLC Fast Dash and put a delay in the night’s A-Main. After Elko Speedway track crews worked to get

Jason Rauen at Elko Speedway. (Scott Swensen)

Making his assault on the field en route to Saturday's Cornbelt Clash win at Elko Speedway, Jason Rauen passes #28 Justin Mitchell. (Scott Swensen)

the dirt surface, laid over the track’s normal asphalt surface, back into shape after a rain drizzle mix made its way over the facility, it was Friday’s winner Matthees who sped out to an early lead over Simpson, Rauen, Tim Isenberg, and newly crowned CBC Champion Chad Simpson.

The race took an interesting twist on lap six when Chad Simpson made contact with brother Chris in turns one and two while battling for the second position, resulting in Chris's #32 spinning. As the yellow flag was displayed, a multi-car

John Kaanta got up on his side after a tangle in turn four with #3 Brett Swedberg. (Scott Swensen)

 incident happened on the exit of turn four as John Kaanta ended up on his side after attempting to avoid another slowed car. On the ensuring restart following the Simpson/Simpson/Kaanta incident, Matthees re-took the lead with Rauen now in the runner-up position after both Simpsons were sent to the tail of the field.

Mathees continued to lead the event, pulling out to almost a straightway lead over Rauen, Tim Isenberg and Justin Mitchell. Heavy lapped traffic slowed

Tim Isenberg races to a third place finish at Elko Speedway on Saturday night. (Jason Durst)

 Matthees, who stayed glued to the bottom groove while Rauen began to close the gap. In the closing laps, Rauen made a charge on the top side exiting turn two to over take leader Matthees, using the lapped car as a pick, to take the lead. Rauen pulled away from Friday’s winner over the final two laps to take the win in the series final race of 2011 over Matthees, Isenberg, Justin Mitchell and Jill George.

The series 2011 champion is Chad Simpson, second in points was Tim Isenberg, with Chris Simpson third. 

Jason Rauen (98) won Saturday night's final event of the Cornbelt Clash season at Elko Speedway, but on Friday, veteran driver Lance Matthees makes his move on Cornbelt Clash regular Rauen before racing to the win on the first of the series' two nights of racing at the Minnesota track. (Scott Swensen)

Oct. 15 - Cornbelt Clash at Elko Speedway 1) Jason Rauen, 2) Lance Matthees, 3) Tim Isenberg, 4) Justin Mitchell, 5) Jill George, 6) Darrell DeFrance, 7) Pat Doar, 8) Rick Wendling, 9) Adam Hensel, 10) Charlie McKenna, 11) Dennis Erb, Jr., 12) Dave Eckrich, 13) Chad Simpson, 14) Skp Frey, 15) Jason Utter, 16) Kevin Keuhn, 17) Clarence Washburn, 18) Chris Simpson, 19) Joe Ludeman, 20) Dennis Hillson, 21) Jim Rychtik, 22) Rob Moss, 23) Andrew McKay, 24) Tony Patchen, 25) Brett Swedberg, 26) John Kaanta, 27) Travis Budisalvich Heat winners: Chris Simpson, Matthees, Chad Simpson
Mike Ruefer photo