Post by LMR on 11/15/11 at 3:06pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2011
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2011 Dart Corn Belt Clash Series presented by Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants Season Review
by Travis Cushion
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (November 15) - Even though the season was delayed four times by inclement weather, the Dart Corn Belt Clash Series finally kicked-off it’s 2011 season at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska with its first co-sanctioned event with both the Lucas Oil MLRA and NCRA series. When the final checkered flag flew, it was defending series Chad Simpson taking the win, showing his competitors that he was primed to back-up his 2010 CBC title.
The series next stop had a Simpson in Victory Lane, but this time it was the #32 of Chris Simpson who picked-up the win at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa. Chad Simpson returned to Victory Lane at Fayette County Speedway in West Union, Iowa to start the month of June as he picked-up his second win of the young season. ‘Hammer Down’ Jason Rauen took home the pay day at the series next stop at Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wisconsin over new series contender Tim Isenberg of Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Jason Utter made his first career trip to Corn Belt Clash victory lane as he opened the series two-day western 4th of July swing with a photo finish win Chris Simpson as the series returned to I-80 Speedway. Chad Simpson picked-up his third win on the season the next night with a dominating performance at the Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa.
Chad Simpson extended his series point lead over the next three series events as he captured victories at Fayette County Speedway, Highway 3 Raceway and CJ Speedway to close out the month of July.
The Corn Belt Clash made its inaugural appearance at Cedar Lake Speedway in early August to a record series car count with Brian Birkhofer picking up his first series win with the three-year old series. Jason Utter captured his second win of the season as went to Victory Lane at Redwood Speedway in Redwood Falls, Minnesota while on the following night, Chris Simpson helped cut into brother Chad’s point lead as he picked up the win at Chateau Raceway in Lansing, Minnesota to close out the month of August.
After losing the next scheduled event at Deer Creek Speedway to rain, the teams of the Dart Corn Belt Clash Series presented by Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants rolled into Cresco Speedway where veteran Denny Eckrich picked-up his first CBC series win in a nail biter over Tim Isenberg. Late Model veterans Kyle Berck and John Anderson took home wins in the series final two-day stop at the half-mile of I-80 Speedway in the series final co-sanctioned events of the year.
As the series final two-day stand of 2011 began at Elko, all eyes were on the brother’s Simpson to see how the battle would end with less than a dozen markers separating the two drivers. Mechanical issues on the opening night at Elko on the #32 of Chris Simpson, coupled with another top-10 finish by Chad, would all but secure Chad Simpson his second straight Dart Corn Belt Clash Series presented by Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants title. Lance Matthees captured his first CBC win of the season, followed very closely by Jason Rauen. Rauen would finish one place better on the series final race of the year as he picked-up the $3,000 pay day over Friday night’s winner Matthees to close out the 2011 season. By simply entering Saturday’s season finale, Simpson locked-up his second straight series title.
“We liked the changes that Cam and the CBC officials made to the series in 2011 and it brought along additional tracks and drivers to the series which made it more challenging on us to win that second title,” commented Simpson. Chad Simpson’s #25 MasterSbilt Chassis is owned by Bud and Denish Brinkman and is sponsored by Liebe Trucking, GATR Volvo, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Wrap’d by Dynamic Decals, Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants, Brown Brothers Enterprises, Simpson Farms, Wehrs Machine, Pro Power and ASI Racewear.
Series president Cam Granger was happy with how the 2011 edition of his series turned out. “We are very pleased with how everything ended up with all of the changes we made coming into this season with moving to an Open engine rule and spec tire. We had set series record 142 drivers enter races this season and nine different winners along hitting several new tracks and co-sanctioning events with the Lucas Oil MLRA and NCRA series,” noted Granger. “I have to thank all the teams, tracks and fan who made the season so great, and we are looking forward to an even stronger 2012 season.”
The Dart Corn Belt Clash Late Model Series presented by Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants would thank all of its employees, drivers, team, tracks and fans on a successful 2011 season.
The Top-10 in the Final Dart Corn Belt Clash Series presented by Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants ponts:
1. Chad Simpson #25 (6 wins)
2. Tim Isenberg #9t
3. Chris Simpson #32 (2 wins)
4. Jason Utter #31 (2 wins)
5. Jason Rauen #98 (2 wins)
6. Justin Mitchell #28x
7. Denny Eckrich #50 (1 win)
8. Dave Eckrich #58
9. Jill George #22
10. Rob Moss #1m
Other winners on the season include Brian Birkhofer, Kyle Berck, John Anderson and Lance Matthees
Corn Belt Clash Title Sponsors: Dart and Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants
Corn Belt Clash Official Sponsors: R.A.C.E, Manley, JE Pistons, Comp Cams, Hoosier Racing Tire, Isky Racing Cams, Wix Filters and Wrap’d by Dynamic Decals
Corn Belt Clash Contingency Sponsors: Kindl LLC., Total Seal Rings, RaceTec Pistons, OutPace Racing Products, Quarter Master, Hooker Harness, Dirt Digz, ASI Sports Wear, Grove Auto, Pro Power Racing Engines, JR Motorsports, Dirt Late Model Magazine, Racing Head Service, DirtDigz, Countryside Creations, Signs By Design and RaceFanNation.com
For more info on the Dart Corn Belt Clash Series presented by Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants, checkout www.CornBeltClash.com. We are also on Facebook!