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Birkhofer Scores Bud Shootout Opener In Davenport, July 4, 2002
The Budweiser Open Shootouts promoted by Simmons Promotions opened their four day holiday swing with racing at the Davenport Speedway located on the Mississippi valley Fairgrounds in Davenport, Iowa.
Brian Birkhofer continued his unbeaten streak at the big ½ mile dirt, taking the win in the 50 lap John Keady GM Superstore feature and receiving a $6,000 paycheck for his efforts. 41 Budweiser Open Late Models took part in the opener in Davenport. The four qualifying Iowa Illinois Taylor Insulation heats were won by Gary Webb, Steve Kosiski, Skip Frey and Steve Ihm. The two consolations were won by Brian Harris and Dan Schlieper. The top six cars in points earned through the heats ran the Hollywood Graphics fast dash, Rob Toland took the six lap race win over Steve Kosiski and Jeff Aikey.
The 26 car starting field formed up for a four abreast parade lap with special holiday fireworks setting the scene for a great race. Rob Toland took off from his pole position start to take the lead for the first 20 laps. Toland’s large lead was quickly being cut down as Brian Birkhofer steadily worked to the front from his 7th position start. Birkhofer caught Toland on lap 18 and made the pass for the lead on lap 20. Birkhofer went on to lead the remaining 30 laps for the big win. Denny Eckrich advanced from a 9th position start to take a very strong second. Dan Schlieper was forced to qualify through a consolation and started the main event in the 22nd spot. Schlieper advanced through the pack and crossed under the checkers in third. The track was very smooth and wide which allowed for lots of great racing throughout the main event. Rob Toland and Jeff Aikey rounded out the top five finishers.
The Auto Acres 10 lap Non-Qualifiers which pitted the next five cars out of each consolation race was won by Joe Kosiski who fought off a late race charge by Andy Nezworski.
The Modifieds were also on the program on July 4th. The 20 lap feature saw Bettendorf driver Bob “the Dominator” Dominacki lead the race flag to flag. The win was certainly not easy for Dominacki as he fought off several early race challenges by Ron Barker then was challenged late in the race by Rick Hixson. At the checkers it was Hixson taking second to Dominacki. Russ Olson advanced from deep in the field to take third ahead of John Bull.
Iowa Illinois Taylor Insulation Late Models
Heat 1 1. 56 Gary Webb-Blue Grass 2. 51 Matt Furman-Iowa City 3. 50 Denny Eckrich-Cosgrove
Heat 2 1. 52 Steve Kosiski-Omaha, NE 2. 45 Curt Martin-Independence 3. 15 Brian Birkhofer-Muscatine
Heat 3 1. 3X Skip Frey-Ely 2. 77 Jeff Aikey-Cedar Falls 3. 28 Jeff Bair-Solon
Heat 4 1. 11 Steve Ihm-Kieler, WI 2. 39 Rob Toland-Hillsdale, IL 3. 75 Bill Tuckwell-Moline, IL
Consolation 1 1. 21H Brian Harris-Davenport 2. 13K Denny Peterson-Rochester 3. 5 Jay Johnson-West Burlington
Consolation 2 1. S9 Dan Schlieper-Pewaukee, WI 2. 2 Monte Ohrt-West Branch 3. 32D Darren Miller-Chadwick, IL
Hollywood Graphics Fast Dash 1. 39 Toland 2. 52 Steve Kosiski 3. 77 Aikey
Auto Acres Non-Qualifiers 1. 53 Joe Kosiski-Omaha, NE 2. 7 Andy Nezworski-Buffalo 3. 43 Kurt Stewart-Ainsworth
50 Lap Iowa Illinois Taylor Insulation Bud Shootout Feature 1. 15B Birkhofer 2. 50 Denny Eckrich 3. S9 Schlieper 4. 39 Toland 5. 77 Aikey 6. 58 Dave Eckrich-Oxford 7. 51 Furman 8. 45M Martin 9. 32D Miller 10. 18Z Rusty Zook-Riverside 11. 2 Ohrt 12. 52 Kosiski 13. 56 Webb 14. 13K Petersen 15. 28 Bair 16. 3X Frey 17. 87 Clint Hines-Andalusia, IL 18. 21H Harris 19. 75 Tuckwell 20. 1X Bob Helm, Milan, IL 21. 12 Ray Guss Jr.-Milan, IL 22. 90 Mike Cothron-East Moline,IL 23. 11 Ihm 24. 26 Steve Boley-West Liberty 25. 8 Sonny Findling-Kirksville, MO 26. 5 Jay Johnson-West Burlington, IA
Modifieds
Heat 1. 1. 9Z Mike Zogg-New Liberty 2. 37B Ron Barker-Dubuque 3. 5d Bob Dominacki-Bettendorf
Heat 2. 1. 3 Jason Schueller-Dubuque 2. 2H Rick Hixson-Orion, IL 3. 60 Rob Verbeck-Annawan, IL
Feature 1. 5D Dominacki 2. 2H Hixson 3. B3 Russ Olson-Cedar Rapids 4. 27 John Bull-Moline, IL 5. 60 Verbeck 6. 3 Schueller 7. 37B Barker 8. 74 Scott Nesteby-Dubuque 9. 19 Terry Lawson-New Liberty 10. 33 Steve Wetter-Platteville 11. 43 Milo Veloz-Colona, IL 12. 1D Mel Saffran-Dubuque 13. 55 Scott Stecher-Muscatine 14. 37 Kevin Williams-Davenport 15. 51 Brian Brinker-Silvas, IL 16. 15 Sean Rupp-Dubuque 17. 44 Shawn Lewis-Kewanee, IL 18. 9Z Zogg 19. s19 Rich Smith-Davenport 20. 01 M Mitch Way-Davenport 21. 57 Jeff Durst-Davenport 22. 24D Darren Oberbrockling-Davenport
Davenport Speedway 7-4-02 By: Jerry Mackey |
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