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Eckrich takes first Dubuque win in Hy-Vee season openerDUBUQUE, Iowa (April 29, 2001) - Denny Eckrich took home his first checkered flag of the season in NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model action, as part of the HyVee Season Opener at the Dubuque Speedway on Sunday April 29th. Scott Nesteby, Dan Shelliam, Larry Benn and Ray Fawcett also added trophies to their mantles during the preliminary feature events. Eckrich drew the pole position alongside defending NASCAR Weekly Racing Series National Champion Gary Webb, with Darren Miller starting third in what appeared to be a recipe for a great race. Eckrich jumped out early, with Miller beating Webb into the first corner and getting underneath Eckrich just as the field came under caution at the end of the first lap. Not to be outsmarted twice, Webb got the jump on Miller on the restart and began pressuring Eckrich, taking the lead away one lap later. Using the bottom of the racetrack, Webb was able to stay in front of Eckrich until the two cars began encountering lapped traffic on the eleventh circuit. Eckrich’s rim-riding line around the top of the racetrack proved faster, allowing him to not only pass Webb but run away from the rest of the pack during the final fourteen laps, Miller slipped to fourth by the checkers, behind Duane Coulson but just ahead of fifth place finisher Ryan Dolan. Nesteby collected the Modified win after taking the lead away from Jason Schueller on lap fourth lap by hugging the bottom of the racetrack. Using the shorter way around the high-banked 3/8’s mile clay, Nesteby lead the final seventeen laps, but always under pressure from Rich Smith. Able to stay with the leader but unable to mount a challenge, Smith finished second ahead of Ron Barker, Mike Garland and Ryan Dolan. Dan Shelliam used his pole position start to lead every lap of the Pro Stocks, but was forced to defend his lead every single lap from a charging Jeff Tharp. Tharp was able to get underneath the high-riding Shelliam on every single lap, but was unable to make the bottom of the racetrack work for him, settling for second ahead of Jim Brokus, Jeff Valentine and Bobby Moyer. Larry Benn also lead every lap of the Bomber feature event while under constant barrage, but was able to take home the trophy ahead of Scott Riechers and Jerry Merkes. Ray Fawcett leapt from last to first on the initial Fun Car Feature lap to take home the victory over Chad Hallahan and BJ Schmitt. Racing action continues this Sunday at the Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway, with hot laps for all five divisions of NASCAR stock cars scheduled for 6 pm and racing to follow. For more information, contact Simmons Promotions at 563-744-3620 or online at www.simmonspromotionsinc.com. RESULTS LATE MODELS MODIFIEDS PRO STOCKS BOMBERS FUN CARS |
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