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CLMA Media
FORT MORGAN, Colo. (June 20) - CLMA/WDRA visited Fort Morgan, CO for a night of races at the I-76 Speedway. The skies underwent drastic changes during the afternoon, leaving racers and fans guessing if the race would happen. At the driver's meeting, the track owner announced the late models would run second to ensure a good show for the crowd. Previous races had been cancelled for several weeks due to rainouts. After packing the track and running hot laps, the rain broke out causing a hold on the start of the races. But, the track owner was optimistic. Anticipating the rain, he watered the track at noon as well as before and during "packing the track". Mother Nature decided to help by watering the track and keeping the dust down!
When the rain ended , the announcer made note of the rainbow which filled the sky. After one more pack the track and quick hot lap session, the heats were underway. Due to worries over weather conditions, the Dash for Cash and Frisbee Toss were discarded and the plan changed to a heads up start for the main.
In heat 1, starting on the front row was Scott Lewis (99) and Mike Stadel (7). Stadel took the lead from the green and set a good pace until lap four. Coming out of turn four, Kim Horn (62) lost her left, front tire causing the one and only caution. After restarting, Stadel took them to the checkered flag with Scott Lewis (99) coming in second.
For the second heat, the front row consisted of Kerry Grandstaff (45) on the pole and Jeff Meeker (5x). By the end of lap one, Meeker had taken the lead. Meanwhile, Ron Lengel (49) had battled from the fourth starting spot into second place. In turn four of lap two, Lengel took the lead and led the heat to the checker. Finishing behind him, Craig Baukema (R24) had worked his way through the pack to second place.
During the first hot laps, Steve Lewis (39) encountered a problem with his motor. This moved Dean Moore (14) into heat three's pole position with Dylan Schmer (25) on the outside. Coming around to take the green, Moore's drive train broke and forced him into the infield. With a complete restart, Rick Lieser (24L) took the lead for the first lap. By the second lap, Scott Cimfl(25) took the lead. Curt Daniels (3C) came from behind and took third by lap four. For the remainder of laps, Daniels (3C) and Lieser (24L) battled for second. In the end, Cimfl (25) took first and Daniels (3C) second.
Eighteen drivers showed up to race. However, the night began with several issues which affected the lineup. Steve Lewis was unable to race at all due to his misfortune during hot laps. Moore was placed at the back of the lineup and ended up driving his spare car. Kim Horn was placed in the 15th starting position for not finishing her heat. Then, Jason Davis dropped out of the race due to oil pressure problems. Lieser, Meeker, Dechant, Horn and Moore were moved up. Finally, sixteen cars were able to start the main.
Stadel (7), Lengel (49), Cimfl (25), and Lewis (99) rounded out the top four starting positions in the main. At the green, Stadel looked to be the strong car as he led the first seven laps with a two-to-three car lead. During lap eight, the first caution was brought out when Daniels (3C) spun in turn three, sending him to the back. Just before restart, Kim Horn exited the track due to mechanical issues. RO: Stadel (7), Cimfl (25), Lengel (49), Lewis (99), and Baukema (R24). Once restarted, Lewis made his way to second. In lap 9, a second caution was called for debris from Bill Smith (44) when he lost his part of his front end in turn four. Attempting another restart, the cars were unable to complete it due to the third and final caution from Kerry Grandstaff (45) spinning out. RO: Stadel (7), Lewis (99), Cimfl (25), Baukema (R24) and Lengel (49). Halfway through the race, Moore and Daniels were charging through the track to work themselves into the top ten. In lap twenty, Schmer (23S) passed Lengel (49) for fifth; while the leader Stadel (7) was getting into lap traffic. At lap twenty-three, Cimfl made his way by Lewis in the front stretch and took second. At the white flag, Daniels and Moore, who had swapped positions several times, had made their way to seventh and eighth. Stadel took the checkered flag with Cimfl right on his rear bumper. Lewis, Baukema, and Schmer rounded off the top five at the checker.
The I-76 Speedway officials bent over backwards to provide a great racing surface. It was obvious that the fans had a great time. Despite the weather delay, it turned out to be a beautiful evening for races.
The next WDRA/CLMA event will be on August 14-15, 2009 at the Speedway in Rock Springs, WY.
CLMA/WDRA Late Models
I-76 Speedway
June 20th, 2009
Main Event
1 1 7 Mike Stadel Rapid City, SD
2 3 25 Scott Cimfl Commerce City, CO
3 4 99 Scott Lewis Henderson, CO
4 5 R24 Craig Baukema Elizabeth, CO
5 11 23S Dylan Schmer Lingle, WY
6 12 05 Gary Dechant Northglenn, CO
7 6 3C Curt Daniels Paonia, CO
8 17 14 Dean Moore Grand Juction, CO
9 7 4 Dave Garmann Milliken, CO
10 2 49 Ron Lengel Price, UT
11 8 24L Rick Lieser Greeley, CO
12 13 45 Kerry Grandstaff Hudson, CO
13 10 5X Jeff Meeker Northglenn, CO
14 9 1K John Kuchar Brighton, CO
15 15 44 Bill Smith Longmont, CO
16 14 62 Kimberly Horn Gillette, WY
17 16 29A Jason Davis Grand Junction, CO
18 18 39 Steve Lewis Denver, CO
Heat #1
1 2 7 Mike Stadel Rapid City, SD
2 1 99 Scott Lewis Henderson, CO
3 3 29A Jason Davis Grand Junction, CO
4 6 1K John Kuchar Brighton, CO
5 5 05 Gary Dechant Northglenn, CO
6 4 62 Kimberly Horn Gillette, WY
Heat #2
1 4 49 Ron Lengel Price, UT
2 6 R24 Craig Baukema Elizabeth, CO
3 3 4 Dave Garmann Milliken, CO
4 2 5X Jeff Meeker Northglenn, CO
5 1 45 Kerry Grandstaff Hudson, CO
6 5 44 Bill Smith Longmont, CO
Heat #3
1 2 25 Scott Cimfl Commerce City, CO
2 4 3C Curt Daniels Paonia, CO
3 5 24L Rick Lieser Greeley, CO
4 6 23S Dylan Schmer Lingle, WY
5 3 14 Dean Moore Grand Juction, CO
6 1 39 Steve Lewis Denver, CO
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