Bristol Motor Speedway
ROUNDUP: Anderson captures Lakeside finale
From track, correspondent and special reports
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Sept. 29) — John Anderson of Omaha, Neb., had enough with second-place finishes. He ended a streak of bridesmaid runs with a $5,000 victory in the finale of the Capital Federal Savings Late Model Showdown at Lakeside Speedway for a victory co-sanctioned by the World Dirt Racing League and O'Reilly Midwest LateModel Racing Association.
"We ripped off five second-place finishes in a row, including last night," said Anderson, who chased Terry Phillips to the checkered flag in the weekend opener. "But this win will help everyone keep digging."
Anderson didn't have to worry about Phillips this time around. The Springfield, Mo., driver, a five-time winner in WDRL action at Lakeside, was scheduled to start outside the front row but had drivetrain problems and went to the infield before the 50-lapper started.
"I would have loved to race against Terry, but we'll take the win," Anderson said. "I'm so happy to grab a WDRL win. It's been a while. In the dash, we figured the track would be about the same, so we made a few adjustments.
"During the feature, I just tried to save tires. I was a little worried about all the yellow flags at the end, but the tires stayed with me each time we restarted."
Kyle Berck took the lead at the drop of the green flag with Anderson following in Berck's tire tracks. On lap nine, Anderson was able to slip underneath Berck off of turn two for the lead. The two went side by side into turn three, and it was Anderson who came off of turn four with the lead.
Anderson started working lapped traffic, and that allowed Berck to close back up on Anderson's bumper. Jeremy Payne began catching up with the front two at the same time. A yellow on lap 25 gave Anderson a clean track, and he controlled the field for the win.
Berck eventually lost second to pain and dropped out of the race. Eric Pember finished third followed by John Kaanta and Kelly Boen. — Bucky Doren
Capital Federal Savings Late Model Showdown: (1) John Anderson, (2) Jeremy Payne, (3) Eric Pember, (4) John Kaanta, (5) Kelly Boen, (6) Steve Ihm, (7) Justin Fegers, (8) Al Purkey, (9) Mike Collins, (10) Delbert Smith, (11) John Kuchar, (12) David Turner, (13) Dave Eckrich, (14) Kyle Berck, (15) Chris Simpson, (16) Austin Dillon, (17) Gary Stolba, (18) Denny Woodworth, (19) Andrew McKay, (20) Jason Bodenhamer, (21) Bryant Goldsmith, (22) Tim Isenberg, (23) David Barker, (24) Alan Vaughn, (25) Joe Kosiski, (26) Terry Phillips.
Steidinger wins Illinois State Championship
PEORIA, Ill. (Sept. 29) — Wes Steidinger of Fairbury, Ill., pulled away over the final 10 laps of the Jon Hamilton Memorial Busch 100 Illinois State Championship at Peoria Speedway. Steidinger took the lead on lap 71 from Tommy Elston, who ended up second. Fast qualifier Rodney Melvin finished third. — The Journal Star
Diemel enjoys big weekend at Shawano Speedway
SHAWANO, Wis. (Sept. 28-29) — A.J. Diemel of Navarino, Wis., earned $5,000 at Shawano Speedway with a WISSOTA-sanctioned victory in Two Nights of Thunder action. Diemel took the point from race-long leader Chad Mahder on the 11th lap and led the rest of the way. Mahder fell back to fourth in the closing laps while Troy Springborn finished second ahead of Duane Mahder, Chad's father. Diemel also picked up $2,000 for a victory in the Fastrak-sanctioned crate Late Model feature as he again topped Springborn. — Bert Lehman
Two Nights of Thunder: (1) A.J. Diemel, (2) Troy Springborn, (3) Duane Mahder, (4) Chad Mahder, (5) Ron Berna, (6) Nick Anvelink, (7) Terry Anvelink, (8) Randy Markwardt, (9) Ryan Huettl, (10 Justin Ritchie. (Complete finish unavailable).
