Elko Speedway
Rauen stops Elko sweep attempt by Matthees
Jason Rauen heads to victory at Elko Speedway. (jdphotosports.photoreflect.com)
ELKO, Minn. (Oct. 15) — Reversing the finishing order of the previous night's feature, Jason Rauen of Farley, Iowa, captured the season finale on the Dart Corn Belt Clash on Saturday at Elko Speedway.
Rauen's second series victory of the season and third of his career paid $3,000 and prevented Lance Matthees of Winona, Minn., from sweeping the weekend action. Rauen used a high-side move in the closing laps to overtake Matthees for the victory. | Slideshow
Matthees, a $2,500 winner on Friday, finished second followed by Tim Isenberg of Marshfield, Wis., and a pair of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, drivers, Justin Mitchell and Jill George. Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa, clinched his second straight series championship by winning one of the night's heat races.
Matthees and Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, started on the front row with weather threatening at the track with the dirt-covered asphalt surface. Matthees grabbed the early lead with Chris Simpson, Rauen, Isenberg and Chad Simpson giving chase.
Chad Simpson moved up to third and, while battling with his younger brother in turns one and two, Chris Simpson spun on the sixth lap. As the yellow appeared other cars got together in turn four and John Kaanta's car ended up on its side.
On the restart, Matthees resumed his lead with Rauen in second as the Simpsons were sent to the rear. Matthees built nearly a straightaway lead ahead of Rauen, Isenberg and Mitchell, but the pursuers closed the gap when the leader hit traffic.
Rauen went to the high side and took command exiting turn two, using a slower car as a pick to overtake Matthees and lead the final two laps.
DIRT-oberfest: (1) Jason Rauen, (2) Lance Matthees, (3) Tim Isenberg, (4) Justin Mitchell, (5) Jill George, (6) Darrel DeFrance, (7) Pat Doar, (8) Rick Wendling, (9) Adam Hensel, (10) Charlie McKenna, (11) Dennis Erb Jr., (12) Dave Eckrich, (13) Chad Simpson, (14) Skip Frey, (15) Jason Utter, (16) Kevin Kuehn, (17) Clarence Washburn, (18) Chris Simpson, (19) Joe Ludeman, (20) Dennis Hillson, (21) Jim Rychtik, (22) Rob Moss, (23) Andrew McKay, (24) Tony Patchen, (25) Brett Swedberg, (26) John Kaanta, (27) Travis Budisalovich. Heat race winners (among 27 cars): Chris Simpson, Matthees, Chad Simpson.
