EAST MOLINE, Ill. — Drew Wise tucked his black No. 14 near a competitor’s back bumper and then made his move.
The pass on the high groove propelled the East Moline driver to the 12-lap Riverbend Pizza Place Sport Compact feature win on his home track East Moline Speedway Sunday evening. The victory was his first on his home track and first win since 2012.
“I know I bombed my victory lane interview. I was just so overwhelmed and at a loss for words,” Wise said after the win. “I know there is no sponsors on the car, but there is so many people I need to thank for standing behind me.”
Fellow competitor Tommy Staggs was on everyone’s mind as the green flag flew. Staggs is dealing with an illness and Nick Proehl jumped behind the wheel of the Staggs No. 24x. He raced to the early advantage.
Wise rolled off fifth and quickly moved into contention, making the winning pass late in the event. Dustin Forbes got by Proehl late for second, followed by point leader Jimmy Dutlinger and Cyle Hawkins.
Chuck Hanna took off from the P2 spot at the green and paced all 25 laps for his first Eriksen Chevrolet IMCA Late Model win of the year. Point leader Andy Nezworski, Gary Webb, Shawn Mulvany and Leroy Brenner rounded out the top five.
Point leader Jeff Larson did it again in the J&J Camper Sales IMCA Modified 20 lapper. After starting seventh he ran down eighth starting Eric Barnes and Andy Nezworski for the lead, waited out cautions and won. Brandon Durbin charged up to second followed by Travis Denning, Barnes and Nezworski.
A very competitive Legacy Corporation IMCA SportMod 15-lap main ended with Dustin Schram first to the checkers.
The County Waste Systems Street Stocks were slowed several times by yellows, due to a lot of front bumper usage and issues in the turns. That did not deter point leader Jesse Owen. He raced to his fifth victory of the season.
R.J. Gonzales used the top and bottom grooves to race by a competitive field of Weekend Performance IMCA Mod Lites. Drew Burk took win No. 6 in the Rudy’s Tacos IMCA Hobby Stock 12-lap finale.