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WEBB BREAKS OUT OF SLUMP IN DUBUQUENASCAR WEEKLY RACING SERIES Defending NASCAR Weekly Racing Series National Champion Gary Webb broke out of his early season slump by picking up his first Late Model checkered flag of the season at the Dubuque Speedway on Sunday May 13th. Bob Dominacki and Skip Culbertson also picked up their first wins in Modified and Pro Stock action with Jerry Merkes and Ray Fawcett taking home Hobby Stock and Fun Car honors. Luke Merfeld jumped into the early lead in the 25-lap Late Model feature event by diving underneath pole sitter Bob Silaggi on the opening lap. Ninth and eleventh place starters Darren Miller and Webb began their charge towards the front by using the same groove on the bottom, finding the second and third positions by the end of the third lap. Webb switched to the top as they closed in on Merfeld, with a three-car battle for the lead unfolding on lap five. Merfeld held the middle of the racetrack while Miller showed his nose underneath and Webb occupied the cushion. Sweeping around both cars at once, Webb took over the lead on lap six and never looked back. Miller gave chase on bottom but was unable to challenge for the lead before a lap 20 caution slowed the pack. Darren Mish and Denny Eckrich used the double file restart to their advantage, with the pair battling it out from deep in the pack for the third spot. Eckrich prevailed late in the race ahead of Mish and Ryan Dolan. Bob Dominacki used his outside front row starting spot to secure the lead of the Modified feature, but was forced to defend his position almost every lap against a multitude of drivers. Jason Schueller was the first to challenge for the lead, sneaking his car underneath Dominacki’s following a lap two restart but unable to complete the pass before the racing action was halted for a nasty looking rollover involving Jeff Larson on lap five. Larson emerged from his battered racecar shaken but otherwise unharmed. When racing continued, Rich Smith jumped ahead of Schueller looking for the lead. Giving heavy pressure for a few laps before being forced to defend the second spot from Schueller, Smith was given a reprieve when Schueller pitted with a flat right front tire during a lap fourteen caution flag. The restart allowed Ron Barker to move within striking distance as the battle once again turned into a three-way fight for the lead. Barker was able to split the cars of Dominacki and Smith and mount a challenge for the lead, but was unable to complete the pass on the bottom of the racetrack as the laps wound down. Following Barker across the line in third was Smith, ahead of Scott Nesteby and Mike Garland. Pro Stock action saw Skip Culbertson inherit the lead on a lap three caution as Duane Wagner retired to the pit area with mechanical problems. Culbertson then spent the next twelve laps with Jeff Valentine glued to his rear bumper, but was able to stay in the lead with a slightly higher, faster line around the high-banked 3/8’s mile clay oval. Surviving Valentine’s only attempt at the lead as the pair entered the first corner for the final time; Culbertson went on to post his first victory of the season ahead of Valentine, Kevin Duerr, Tommy Garner and Jim Brokus. Jerry Merkes survived a race long battle with runner-up Jeff Reinert to post the Hobby Stock feature win ahead of Jason Udelhofen, Larry Benn and KC Ansel while Ray Fawcett stayed perfect in Fun Car action, taking home his second feature win ahead of Brian Strang 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. NASCAR WEEKLY RACING SERIES LATE MODELS MODIFIEDS PRO STOCKS BOMBERS FUN CARS |
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