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Mish & Boley Score NASCAR Late Model Wins As Dubuque Speedway Opens 2004 Season
Dubuque, Iowa: The 2004 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series presented by Dodge finally got underway on Sunday, May 9th . It took four tries to get the season underway due to inclement weather the previous three Sunday’s. A record car count of 115 drivers took part in the season opener. The wait was worth it as the fans were treated to an outstanding night of NASCAR racing. The track was perfectly prepared and allowed the fans to watch three and four wide racing throughout the entire program.
The Iowa Illinois Taylor Insulation NASCAR Late Models ran double features on opening night and an excellent field of 26 drivers were on hand to provide an action packed night of racing. The first 25 lap feature saw all 26 drivers take the green flag with front row starters Dan Shelliam and Gary Webb battling for the race lead. The race was slowed on lap four for a minor incident, when the green flew once again the race went the final 21 laps non-stop. The fans witnessed something very rarely ever seen in dirt track racing. Darren Mish powered to the front from his 25th starting position working the low groove of the very wide track. Mish took over the lead on lap number 8 and went on to lap up to the sixth place finisher. The feature win was spectacular for the Dickeyville, Wisconsin driver especially with the star studded field. Defending track champion, Jeff Aikey took second ahead of Webb, Ray Guss Jr. and Steve Johnson.
The second feature which was the final race of the night saw Steve Boley advanced from his third row start and put his red #26 on the top side of the track and held off the constant challenges of Jeff Aikey to score the hard fought win. Aikey had a very good night scoring two second place finishes. Gary Webb was very strong in both races and very consistent with a pair of third place finishes. Dan Shelliam and Steve Ihm rounded out the top five in the second feature.
Ron Barker took over the lead after the completion of lap number 1 in the NASCAR Modified feature and went on to lead the remaining 19 laps to score the win in the opening night main event. The race was run caution free with plenty of wheel to wheel racing going on throughout the main event. Jerry Miles held off Steve Wetter to take second in a very close finish. Mark Schulte and Skip Culbertson rounded out the top five.
Bobby Moyer scored a clean sweep in the NASCAR Pro Stock class. Moyer followed up his heat win with a dominating performance in the 15 lap feature. Moyer took a convincing win over Jim Brokus and Jeff Valentine.
Jason Rauen was declared the winner in the NASCAR Hobby Stock feature following a DQ of the apparent winner. The scales did not tip for the car that crossed the line first giving the win to Rauen who took the checkers ahead of B.J. Schmitt and Jason Reichers.
Defending track champion, Mark Massy opened the 2004 season with a feature win the B-Modified division. Massey took the victory by a very narrow margin ahead of Jacob Seegmiller.
Phil Holtz scored the 10 lap Farley Flyer feature win topping a strong 23 car field. Holtz finished ahead of Becky Roth and John Flury.
Sunday, May16th, the Dubuque County Fairgrounds Speedway will host the Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint car series. A strong field of over 40 sprint car drivers are expected to tackle the high banks of the Dubuque County Fairgrounds. In addition to the winged Sprint cars the B-Modifieds will also be in action. Hot laps will get underway at 6 p.m.
Dubuque County Fairgrounds Speedway Results 5/9/2004 Season Opener
Farley Flyers
Heat 1
Heat 2
Heat 3
Feature
Hobby Stocks
Heat 1
Heat 2
Feature
B-Modifieds
Heat 1
Heat 2
Feature
Pro Stocks
Heat 1
Heat 2
Feature
Modifieds
Heat 1
Heat 2
Feature
Iowa Illinois Taylor Insulation Late Models
Heat 1 1. 27 Dan Shelliam-Hazel Green, WI 2. 56 Andy Eckrich-Cosgrove 3. 9 Bobby Hansen-Center Point, IA
Heat 2 1. 77 Jeff Aikey-Cedar Falls 2. 37 Rollie Frink-Davenport 3. 77J Steve Johnson-Camanche
Heat 3
Feature #1
Did Not Start B1 Jeff Larson-Freeport, IL
Feature #2
Dubuque County Fairgrounds Speedway 5/9/2004 By: Jerry Mackey |
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