Unzicker makes last lap pass over Moyer for Slocum 50 win
West Burlington, IA (April 18, 2015) – Former UMP National Champion, Ryan Unzicker of El Paso, IL brought the crowd to its feet with a last lap pass and pocketed $10,555 at 34 Raceway Saturday night. The Slocum 50 Memorial Race was co-sanctioned by MARS, Corn Belt Clash Series (CBC) and the American Late Model Series (ALMS) and brought a large crowd out to remember former late model racer Brent Slocum. The evening was under the gun with threatening rain and lightning not far away. It was like a huge umbrella covered the track which only received a few sprinkles to keep the action going. The evenings action also included the W.T. Gabeline and Sons Trucking 305 Sprints with Donnie Steward, West Burlington, getting the win and the Pepsi IMCA Stock Cars with Jake Wenig, Burlington, taking the checkered flag.
Coming up this week Saturday, April 25 will be the Mountain Dew Kick Start The Season Night with 305 Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Stock Cars, IMRA Midgets and 4 Cylinders. For more information go to www.34raceway.com.
Slocum 50
Thirty-eight late models competed for the $10,555 check in the 7th annual Slocum 50 Saturday night at 34 Raceway. The Slocum 50 race was co-sanctioned by MARS, Corn Belt Clash Series (CBC) and the American Late Model Series (ALMS). Five heats and two B-Mains set the field for the 25 car, 50 lap feature event.
Mike Fryer of Freeport, IL was pole-sitter for the 50 lap feature with Unzicker to his outside. Fryer led the first couple of laps, but fifth starting Billy Moyer of Batesville, AR wasted no time in getting his familiar #21 to the lead. Moyer would maintain the top spot, sometimes stretching his lead to half a straightaway.
Unzicker began to catch Moyer with eight laps left. The leaders were racing on the bottom of the race track and Unzicker was hot on Moyer’s tail. Unzicker was unsuccessful in his attempts to get underneath Moyer for the lead as the laps wound down. Racing down the back straightaway on the last lap, Unzicker changed his line and drove his car to the top of race track for one last shot at Moyer. Side by Side they raced through the final corner, but it was Unzicker making the pass exiting turn four and taking the win.
Eighth starting Chris Simpson of Oxford, IA finished third with Jason Utter of Columbus Junction, IA and 5-time Corn Belt Clash Champion Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, IA founding out the top five.
Steward, Wenig get wins
Jake Wenig, Burlington, took the lead on the first lap of the IMCA Stock Car feature and would hold his lead throughout the fifteen lap feature race. But he would have to work for the win with serious challenges from both Tom Bowling and John Oliver, Jr. who would be exchanging positions for the second place position several times late in the race. It was a battle for position with all having their sights set on the leader Wenig. The three would race bumper to bumper several times before Wenig would go on to take the win. Oliver would edge out Bowling for second. Andrew Hustead, Rutledge, Mo. and Abe Huls, Carthage, Il. would round out the top five.
Donnie Steward took the win in the W.T. Gabeline and Sons Trucking 305 Sprints for the first time this season. The racer from West Burlington was thrilled to get the win on a night that honored Brent Slocum. John Schulz took the early lead in the fifteen car field. Schulz led the first seven laps before Steward would make a pass for the lead and went on to get the win by several car lengths. Justin Newberry, Danville, got past Schulz for the second spot late in the race and was followed across the finish line by Dustin Clark. Schulz and Cody Wehrle rounded out the top five.
MARS/CORNBELT CLASH/ALMS LATE MODELS
FEATURE A-MAIN: 1. Ryan Unzicker, 2. Billy Moyer, 3. Chris Simpson, 4. Jason Utter, 5. Chad Simpson, 6. Mark Burgtorf, 7. Tony Jackson, Jr., 8. Garrett Alberson, 9. Justin Reed, 10. Dave Eckrich, 11. Tim Manville, 12. Justin Asplin, 13. Mitch McGrath, 14. Denny Woodworth, 15. Mark Rose, 16. Mike Fryer, 17. Terry Phillips, 18. Ryan Gustin, 19. Rich Bell, 20. Rodney Sanders, 21. Ray Guss, Jr., 22. Jesse Stovall, 23. Spencer Diercks, 24. Scott Bloomquist, 25. Jay Johnson.
B Main 1: 1. Tim Manville, 2. Rich Bell, 3. Garrett Alberson, 4. Scott Bloomquist, 5. Ron Elbe, 6. Skip Frey, 7. Randy Roth, 8. Mark Rose, 9. Brian Schutt, 10. Brandon McCormick, 11. Justin Asplin, 12. Jason Rauen.
B MAIN 2: 1. Mitch McGrath, 2. Jesse Stovall, 3. Dave Eckrich, 4. Jeff Roth, 5. Dustin Walker, 6. Todd Frank, 7. Steve Lance, Jr., 8. Leroy Johnson, 9. Denny Eckrich, Mike Stadel, 11. Jay Johnson.
HEAT WINNERS: Fryer, Unzicker, Gustin, Jackson, Boyer.
W.T. GABELINE AND SONS TRUCKING 305 SPRINTS
FEATURE: 1. Donnie Steward, West Burlington, 2. Justin Newberry, Danville, 3. Dustin Clark, Eldon, 4. John Schulz, West Burlington, 5. Cody Wehrle, Burlington, 6. Jacob Glasgow, West Burlington, 7. Andy Krieger, Burlington, 8. Dave Getchell, Sperry, 9. Nick Guernsey, Burlington, 10. Nathan Murders, Burlington, 11. Evan Epperson, Muscatine, 12. Jayson Ditsworth, Gladstone, Il., 13. Shane Quam, Gladstone, Il., 14. Brandyn Martin, Eldon, 15. Austin Sears, Macomb, Il. HEAT WINNERS: Quam, Ditsworth.
PEPSI IMCA STOCK CARS
FEATURE: 1. Jake Wenig, Burlington, 2. John Oliver, Jr., Danville, 3. Tom Bowling, Danville, 4. Andrew Hustead, Rutledge, Mo., 5. Abe Huls, Carthage, Il., 6. Dane Fenton, Burlington, 7. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, 8. Ray Raker, Danville, 9. Randy Wachter, Burlington, 10. Shane Watts, Burlington, 11. Devon Timmerman, Wapello, 12. Tyler McClure, Ottumwa, 13. Ryan Fullenkamp, Bloomfield, 14. John Brockway, Morning Sun, 15. Mark Bowman, Burlington, 16. Derek Schwandt, Danville, 17. Brad Egbert, Bloomfield, 18. Chase Klenk, New London, 19. Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, 20. Jim Comins, East Moline, Il. HEAT WINNERS: Wenig, Huls, Cook.
