EAST MOLINE, Ill. – As the low groove of the quarter-mile oval showed the blackness from tire rubber put down, Gary Webb knew that was a catapult for his race car.
The 72-year old Eriksen Chevrolet IMCA Late Model pilot planted the accelerator and his Kryptonite Chassis stormed off turn two ahead of Chuck Hanna in the waning laps and he won the 25-lap feature Sunday evening before deliriously, happy fans.
Webb rolled off eighth in the finale and moved by third starting Ryan Claeys for the top spot early in the event. A late caution would bunch the field, but the 17-time track champion’s Webb Brothers Racing/Roehlk Construction/Affordable Parking Lot Services/Midwest Rods/Davenport Performance machine pulled away on the restart to beat Hanna, B.J. Jackson, point leader Andy Nezworski and veteran LeRoy Brenner for his 521st career victory.
Jeff Larson kept his magical J&J Camper Sales IMCA Modified season going, winning a shootout with Brandon Durbin and Travis Denning. All three led the 20-lap finale at one point with Larson taking charge for good about halfway through. Durbin finished second for the second straight week followed by Denning, Milo Veloz and Dan Hahn.
Nathan Balansiefen bested a stout Legacy Corporation IMCA SportMod field for his second 15-lap win of the season. Logan Veloz, point leader Jarett Franzen, Chuck Fox and Trey Grimm rounded out the top five.
Jesse Owen waited out the County Waste System Street Stock field, came from a P8 start and won for the sixth time in 2021. Joe Bonney followed him through the field to take second with Dwayne Smith, Jr., Peter O’Dell and Kyler Hickenbottom next.
New point leader Cyle Hawkins edged by early leader Nick Proehl to take the 12-lap Riverbend Pizza Place Sport Compact finale. Dustin Forbes made another charge from deep in the field to take second with Proehl. Travis Hawkins and Thomas Adams following.
The Rudy’s Tacos IMCA Hobby Stocks drama ended up in a win for Jerry Durbin, driving Steven Rangel’s car. Durbin and Adam Parker were the only two cars to start the 10-lap feature, ran side by side and were involved together in a mishap. The race was checkered at that point with Durbin the leader. Both drivers were paid for first place.