JUSTIN DIERCKS BESTS “NEXTEL 50” FIELD AT HAWKEYE DOWNS

 

By Brad Grupe

 

(Cedar Rapids, IA 09/07/02)—Davenport, IA Late Model driver Justin Diercks hasn’t been to Hawkeye Downs too many times this season but he has made an impression while he’s been here. Diercks took the top spot in  the ASA Member Track Late Model race presented by NEXTEL, which was held in conjunction with qualifying for the ASA Racing Series.

 

            Johnny Spaw, Cedar Rapids, set the tone for the evening during qualifying, setting a mark of 19.580 seconds during his two-lap qualifying run. Spaw, the 2002 Performance Concepts Late Model division champion at Hawkeye Downs, drew a “12” to set the lineup after qualifying. That put Spaw outside row six on the starting grid for the 50 lap race.

 

            Cedar Rapids driver Jeff King led the field to the green flag with the #5 of Les Cady of Rock Falls, IL alongside. King moved away from the pack with Scott Delsing sliding into second from the third row. 

 

King maintained command of the race through the first 33 laps before Justin Diercks took control just after a caution for a spin. Diercks started the affair alongside Spaw  back in the sixth row and quickly motored through the pack.

 

The race was slowed by 4 cautions including one that sent Spaw to the back of the field after he spun to avoid an accident and had to pit for tires.

 

Dudley Fleck of Cedar Rapids, who races against Diercks in the REMAX Challenge Series, finished second after starting in row five.

 

Scott Delsing finished in third with Jeff King and Doug Hite rounding out the top of the finishing order.

 

The win was the second big payday of the year for Diercks at Hawkeye Downs. He won the “Miller 100” at Hawkeye Downs in June.

 

ASA MEMBER TRACK HAWKEYE DOWNS LATE MODEL 50 presented by NEXTEL

 

Fast Qualifier- Johnny Spaw, Cedar Rapids  19.580

 

FEATURE (50 laps)

1.      Justin Diercks, Davenport, IA

2.      Dudley Fleck, Cedar Rapids, IA

3.      Scott Delsing, Marion, IA

4.      Jeff King, Cedar Rapids, IA

5.      Doug Hite, Urbana, IA

6.      Matt Lundberg, Johnston, IA

7.      Johnny Spaw, Cedar Rapids, IA

8.      Brad Osborn, Janesville, IA

9.      Mike Ehde, Prairie Du Chien, WI

10.  Greg Kastli, Waterloo, IA

11.  Curt Martin, Independence, IA

12.  Steve Bowman, Cedar Rapids, IA

13.  Ross Kurth, Waterville, IA

14.  Jerrick, Johnson, Moberly, MO

15.  John Henecke, Hiawatha, IA

16.  TJ Schaeffer, Solon, IA

17.  Lorin Kurth, Waukon, IA

18.  Les Cady, Rock Falls, IL