EAST MOLINE, Ill. — The emotion was real on the face of Jacob Waterman in the winner’s circle.
Waterman outdueled Chuck Hanna on a lap 19 restart and won the Tribute to Ron Gustaf Eriksen Chevrolet IMCA Late Model feature Wednesday at East Moline Speedway.
“(Ron) built my motor when I first started racing. What he meant to us and racing is great.”
That caution flew for race long leader Gary Webb, who went too wide off turn two and smacked the wall while on the point. Waterman started on the tail and worked his way through the field to restart on the double front row.
“Just had to be patient. I was actually hoping (Hanna) would take the top on that restart. I thought I could get by him on the bottom easier, but it worked out.”
The race would go caution free the rest of the way with Waterman pocketing $2,090.86 for the 30-lap win, using the top groove especially in turns one and two.
“On a hammer down track like this, speed was important so the top worked.”
The tribute race was the main event during the Rock Island County Fair championship races.
Logan Veloz jumped from row two to the lead on lap one and cruised to another Legacy Corporation IMCA SportMod 15-lap victory. Jesse Bodin took second ahead of a great battle between David Engelkens, Erick Turner and T.J. Patz.
Mike Zemo jumped to the lead early and led all 15 laps of the County Waste Systems IMCA Mod Lite finale. Jacob Copley took the battle with R.J. Gonzales for second ahead of Blake Gonzales and Rob Guss.
Nick Proehl jumped into Gary Schlieper’s car and held off a charging Dustin Forbes for the Riverbend Pizza Place Sport Compact 12-lap fair crown. Michael Lundeen, Trent Lebarge and Dustin Meiners followed.
Ray Guss, Jr. topped the 12-lap Nostalgic Stock Car Racing Club feature while 10-year-old Blake Crebo beat Erin Boesdorfer in the Kids Mods.
A total of 52 cars were in the pits and the final checkered flag fell about 9:30 p.m.