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ECKRICH WRAPS UP DUBUQUE SEASON IN VICTORY LANE  

DUBUQUE SPEEDWAY
SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2001

Denny Eckrich closed out the 2001 racing season at the Dubuque Speedway by placing his NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Late Model in victory lane for the fifth time. 

Duane Coulson took the early lead in the 35 lap event after starting in the fourth spot, battling Mark Merfeld just prior to a lap three caution.  Merfeld took over when racing resumed while Eckrich was threading his way through traffic from the eleventh starting position on the bottom of the racetrack.  Four laps later, Eckrich had the lead, extending his advantage each of the remaining 27 laps.  Gary Webb was able to dispose of Merfeld late in the race for the second position, securing his third straight Points Championship in the process.  Matt Furman rebounded from a lap 22 pileup involving at least 8 cars to finish in the third spot, ahead of Darren Miller and Merfeld. 

Jason Schueller dominated Modified action after taking the lead away from Mel Saffran on the fifth lap, cruising to his fourth win of the season.  Ron Barker and Jed Hurst thrilled fans with a fierce battle for the runner up position, with Barker occupying the spot until five laps to go when Hurst slid underneath.  Barker crossed under the checkers third ahead of Steve Wetter and Scott Nesteby.  Drama played out all evening in the season long  points battle, with Ryan Dolan leading Barker by only 6 points going into the Season Championships.  Dolan thought his chances were over when he coasted in to the pits with mechanical trouble, his car unrepairable.  Bob Dominacki came to Dolan's rescue by loaning him his car.  Forced to start at the rear of the field due to switching cars, Dolan fought his way up to finish sixth.  Sixth place was enough to tie Barker in points.   The first tie-breaker is of no use as each driver finished the season with five victories.  The second tie-breaker of second place finishes will be determined with the unofficial advantage going to Dolan. 

Jim Brokus led every lap enroute to his fourth Pro Stock feature win of the season, beating Jeff Tharp, Brian Culbertson, Ty Kleiner and Rich Pica to the checkers.  Tharp became the points champion, overtaking Dan Shelliam when his tire packed with mud, necessitating a pit stop late in the race and taking him out of position to clinch the championship.   Duane Ahmann posted his fifth Hobby Stock feature win ahead of Jeff Reinert and Larry Benn.  Jerry Merkes secured the points championship by finishing seventh.  Lance Mish topped the Fun Cars, beating Kelly Welter and Brian Hubbard to the line.  Chad Hallahan kept his slim points lead intact by finishing sixth and clinching the points championship. 

Racing action at the Dubuque Speedway has concluded for the 2001 season as Simmons Promotions turns it's attention to the 24th Annual Yankee Dirt Track Classic at the Farley Speedway on September 12th to 15th and the 5th Annual Liberty 100 on the West Liberty Raceway on September 21st and 22nd.  For more information, contact Simmons Promotions at 563-744-3620 or online at www.simmonspromotionsinc.com    

LATE MODELS  
1. 50  Denny Eckrich  Coralville
2. 56  Gary Webb  Blue Grass
3. 51x  Matt Furman  Iowa City
4. 32d  Darren Miller  Chadwick IL
5. 8  Mark Merfeld  Dubuque
6. 95  Ed Sanger  Postville
7. 21 Luke Merfeld  Dubuque
8. 12n  Terry Neal  Ely
9. 44  Duane Coulson  East Dubuque IL
10. 11  Ace Ihm  Hazel Green WI
11. 79  Darren Mish  Cassville WI
12. 98.1  Bobby Hansen  Dike
13. 54  Ryan Dolan Lisbon
14. b27  Bob Silaggi  Freeport IL
15.  3  Josh McGowan  Vinton 
16. 32c  Chad Holliday  Wilton 
17. 1b  Kevin Miller  Freeport IL
18. 6   Mark Curwen  Hazel Green WI
19. 87  Clint Hines  Taylor Ridge IL
20. 61r  Jon Rogers  Freeport IL 
21. 77j  Steve Johnson  Camanche
22. 9  Curt Hansen  Dike
23. 1m  Robbie Moss  Iowa City
24. 51  Mel Abels  Freeport IL

MODIFIEDS 
1. 3  Jason Schueller  Dubuque
2. 10  Jed Hurst  Hazel Green WI
3. 37b  Ron Barker  Dubuque
4. 33w  Steve Wetter  Platteville WI
5. 74  Scott Nesteby  Asbury
6. 16  Ryan Dolan  Lisbon
7. 14  Tim Nesteby  Dubuque
8. 4  Jerry Miles  Dubuque
9. 27  Mark Schulte  Delhi
10. 18b  Josh Brestrup  Dubuque
11. 15  Sean Rupp  Dubuque
12. 11  Mike Burbridge  Delhi
13. 24m  Jan Messer  Manchester 
14. 63  Scott Olson  Preston
15. 93.7  Ken Kostenbader Freeport IL
16. 20 Cory Burmeister  Glen Haven WI
17. 33  John Burbridge  Delhi
18. 57  Bryan Naab 
19. 1d  Mel Saffran  Dubuque
20. 01m  Mitch Way
21. 9  Denny Ansel  Dubuque
22. d1  Rich Smith  Davenport
23. 76  Matt Mish Cassville
24. 99  Jason Leverington

DNS
5d  Bob Dominacki  Bettendorf

PRO STOCKS
1. 35  Jim Brokus  Dubuque
2. 12  Jeff Tharp  Dubuque
3. 18  Brian Culbertson  Dubuque
4. 20  Ty Kleiner  Potosi WI
5. 91  Rich Pica  Prairie Du Chein WI
6. 88  Duane Roth  Dubuque
7. 25 Bobby Moyer  Dubuque
8. 71s  Kevin Schroeder  Low Moor
9. 16  Dan Shelliam  Hazel Green WI
10. 13  Dennis Pergande  Dubuque
11. 71  Bruce VanGordon  Dubuque
12. 21  Dan  Welp  East Dubuque IL
13. 64  Mike Raisbeck  Platteville WI
14. 75  Duane Wagner  Dickeyville WI
15. 4  Kevin Duerr Scales Mound IL
16. 23  Jim Amos  Peosta 
17. 31  Jeff Hayunga  German Valley IL
18. 2k  Jeff Kennedy  Dubuque
19. 78  Bobby Goerdt  Dubuque

BOMBERS 
1. 98  Duane Ahmann  Epworth 
2. 97  Jeff Reinert  Farley
3. 13  Larry Benn  Dyersville
4. 38  TJ Leslein  Durango 
5. 28  Ed McIntyre  Delhi
6. 61  Scott Reichers  Belmont WI
7. 8k  Terry Merkes  Farley
8. 30 Mark Massey Farley
9. 81  KC Ansel  Dubuque
10. 52  Pat Coleman Dubuque
11. 59  Mike Hughes  Galena IL
12. 72  Doug Yates  Monticello 
13. 20x  Jarvis  Eastlick  Platteville WI
14. 11  Jason Brimeyer  Dubuque
15. 33  Jim Turpin  Shullsberg WI

FUN CARS
1. 70  Lance Mish  Cassville WI
2. 89  Kelly Welter  Farley
3. 00  Brian Hubbard 
4. 44 BJ Schmitt  Dubuque
5. 20  Mike Wild  Dubuque
6. 7  Chad Hallahan  Dubuque
7. 26  Brian Strang  Dubuque
8. 55t Jamie Rice 
9. 11  Ann Brown  Dubuque
10. 64  Ray Fawcett Benton WI
11. 66  Brad Strang  Dubuque
12. 6  Todd Moore  Dubuque
13. 98  Terry Turpin  Platteville WI

DNS
1  Bill Hallahan  Dubuque

Copyright © 2001-2002 Simmons Promotions Inc.
Simmons Promotions Inc.
PO Box 10902
Cedar Rapids, IA 52410
Last modified: April 20, 2002

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