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David Smith Jr.
DONIPHAN, Neb. (July 17) - Denny Eckrich of Tiffin, Iowa took advantage of a late race restart and after executing a daring move at the top of turns one and two, took the lead and held on to win the O'Reilly Auto Parts/National Championship Racing Association late model nationals finale at Mid-Nebraska Speedway in Doniphan, Nebraska on Saturday night.
Corey Zeitner started on the pole for the 40 lap affair but it was outside front row starter Kelly Boen of Henderson, Colorado taking the lead when the green flag fell.
Boen paced the field while behind him, two-time and defending series champion Kyle Berck and Eckrich waged a spirited battle for the runner up position as all three drivers quickly distanced themselves from the rest of the field.
Action slowed on lap twelve for a spin and once racing action resumed so did the torrid pace set by the front runners.
All three drivers had lapped up to the tenth place position by the races midway point with four-time series champion Boen continuing out front.
However, changes to the top spot would change with a lap 32 caution when Al Humphrey came to a stop on the race track.
The restart saw Boen and Berck battle hard for position for several laps before Eckrich decided to give the top side of the three-eighths mile track a test. And a test he did as he drove around Boen and Berck, almost being forced off the track, only to keep his momentum down the backstretch and make a successful pass on the two front runners on lap 34.
There was no stopping Eckrich from that point on as he led the final six laps to claim his first ever series late model nationals victory and first ever with the series.
Boen held off Berck for the runner up position with Travis Dickies claiming the fourth position. Former series champion Delbert Smith of Wichita, Kansas capped off a successful weekend with a solid fifth place finish.
Heat races for the twenty-one car field were won by Zeitner, Eckrich and Berck.
The next stop for the O'Reilly/NCRA late model series will be coming up this Friday and Saturday night. On Friday night the tour will make their first appearance since 2008 at Eagle Raceway in Eagle, Nebraska for a special $3000 to win, $500 to start feature event before heading to Thunder Hill Speedway in Mayetta, Kansas for a Saturday night showdown.
A Feature: 1) Denny Eckrich 2) Kelly Boen 3) Kyle Berck 4) Travis Dickes 5) Delbert Smith 6) Corey Zeitner 7) Dean Moore 8) Al Humphrey 9) Jason O'Brien 10) Bo Egge 11) Jase Kaser 12) Mike Wiarda 13) Alonzo Grosie 14) Gary Corby 15) David Brach 16) Alan Jordening 17) Alex Humphrey 18) Tracy Harr 19) Shawn Harker 20) Denton Duncan 21) Wylan Petrie
1st Heat: 1) Corey Zeitner 2) Kelly Boen 3) Bo Egge 4) Alan Jordening
2nd Heat: 1) Denny Eckrich 2) Delbert Smith 3) Jason O'Brien 4) Alex Humphrey
3rd Heat: 1) Kyle Berck 2) Travis Dickes 3) Dean Moore 4) Al Humphrey
Peterson Fluid Systems Half Way Leader - Boen
Saldana Racing Products Runner Up - Boen
The Joie of Seating Runner up - Boen
Rod End Supply 3rd Place - Berck
Real Wheels 5th Place - Delbert Smith
Hooker Harness 8th Place Finisher - Al Humphrey
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