Fayette County Speedway
Hensel wins Corn Belt finale; Foss takes title
By Christine Rublack
Fayette County SpeedwayWEST UNION, Iowa (Aug. 12) — Making his first series appearance in the last Dart Corn Belt Clash event of the season, 10th-starting Adam Hensel of Barron, Wis., fought past race-long leader Terry Neal of Ely, Iowa, in the final laps Wednesday at Fayette County Speedway. Hensel earned $3,500 for outrunning Neal and Keith Foss of Winona, Minn., whose third-place finish was good enough to secure the $2,000 title on the first-year miniseries.
At the outset of the 40-lap feature, Neal used the high groove in building an early lead over Chris Smyser of Lancaster, Mo., and Lance Mathees of Winona, Minn., and Neal was eventually working lapped traffic.
While Matthees took second from Smyser and began to reel in Neal, a tight battle raged behind them with Justin Mitchell, Jeremiah Hurst, Chad Simpson and Foss swapping positions to stay in the top five.
Hensel, who started outside the fifth row, was up to fourth by the halfway point, and he caught a break when the race's first caution erased Neal's lead. Neal led Foss and Hensel on the restart, and Hensel used his low groove to get past Foss and grab second before the race's second and final yellow.
Neal was still in control with five laps remaining, but Hensel moved up in the low groove and began a side-by-side battle. Hensel inched ahead and completed the victory on his first visit to the Iowa-based tour.
Dart Corn Belt Clash @ Fayette County: (1) Adam Hensel, (2) Terry Neal, (3) Keith Foss, (4) Lance Matthees, (5) Chad Simpson, (6) Denny Eckrich, (7) Kurt Kile, (8) Justin Mitchell, (9) Kevin Kile, (10) Chris Smyser, (11) Jason Rauen, (12) Rick Wendling, (13) Tyler Bruening, (14) Jill George, (15) Kevin Kirkpatrick, (16) Curt Schroeder, (17) Travis Smock, (18) Jeremiah Hurst, (19) Jason Utter, (20) Curt Martin, (21) Jeff Aikey. Heat race winners: Kevin Kile, Hensel, Denny Eckrich.
