NCRA Mods & Late Models @ Belleville 7-5-2013

   It was an unusual night of racing at Belleville with two strong contenders in both classes either not starting, dropping out, or slowed by problems. In both cases, first time winners found their way to victory lane. That is definitely not to say the wins were handed to these drivers as both turned impressive performances on the way to their wins.
   Both John Allen and Jon Thompson had looked very strong in winning their respective heats and, as expected, they dueled for the early lead with Thompson eventually getting by Allen. Shortly after Allen dropped out, Thompson started having handling problems and it looked like his tires were shot. First to get by was Dan Powers, but the drive of the race was turned in by Josh Lanterman who had hit the wall early and cut down a tire. Coming from the back of the pack, Lanterman worked his way to the front and taking the lead from Powers with just a lap or two to go.
   Late Model heavyweights Dean Moore and John Anderson were both strong contenders to win the night's Late Model feature, but Moore scratched after winning his heat and Anderson was finished after hot laps. That left the door wide open and Jimmy Segraves had a great run to take his first win at Belleville, but it was not easy. Segraves took the lead from Chase Junghans on the second lap, but Jungans was right on his heels the rest of the race. The highlight of the night was the moment late in the race when the leaders came up on lapped traffic coming out of turn four with three to go. With Junghans appearing to have the better line, Segraves stuck it into a hole that would have been tight for a midget. Then they disappeared from view and I wasn't sure who, if anyone, would reappear coming out of turn two. 
   Jeremy Petty, grandson of racing legend Jack Petty, gave the crowd a thrill when he climbed the rail in turn four and flew out of the track. He was unhurt, but he gave the fans on the pit catwalk a thrill.
   I managed to include everyone (I think), but had to go to hot laps for at least one driver.

Jimmy Brozek & Randy Demery (55) who had pulled all the way from Fulton, Mo...and his night got worse.

Except for a shot at the start of his heat, this is all I got of Brett Behrends...no idea what happened.

I was pleasantly surprised to see John Allen. He is always a threat to win at Belleville.

Dan Powers

Jon Thompson

First time winner Josh Lanterman

Brad Wagoner (15) & Chris Avery

Gary Gorby

John Anderson's only appearance on track.

Mike Wiarda

For cruiser fans wondering why I didn't shoot their races, this is why. It was a dust bowl in there.

Lucas Gibbs gets up close and personal with the back stretch guard rail. That's Jason McGehee behind him.

Dean Moore was fast in winning his heat, but then he was done for the night.

Two more guys who were done after their heat, David Conkwright (22) and Les Siebert.

Getting ready for the Mod feature.

Dan Powers (4) and Marc Hurd.

Dustin Belcher (22) and Kyle Ligenza.

AJ Brochu (22) and Josh Lanterman getting into the guard rail. This may be what flattened his tire.

Just after this restart, Jon Thompson took the lead and John Allen pulled off shortly after that.

Things aren't looking good when the entire field is running through turn three this high!

Gary Kilbourn (84) and a smoking Randy Demery who caught fire right after this and brought out the first red of the evening.

Coming from the back, Lanterman picks off Ligenza on his way to the front.

Lanterman starting to work on Dan Powers for 2nd.

Thompson & Powers at a restart.

I was following Powers as he bounced along the rail and barely noticed Lucas Gibbs get up on it.

He got off before I could catch him, but he probably thought like he was up there a long time.

Gibbs slowing started a chain reaction as Belcher punts the #8 of Don Hodge.

Following cars managed to miss Belcher who was struggling to control his damaged car.

On this restart, Powers has already checked out as Thompson's tires seem to have given out.

Marc Hurd (10) and Kyle Ligenza.

For the last five laps, Thompson struggled to stay off the rail in turn four.

Justin Moler (78) and Don Hodge

Lanterman catches Powers with just a handful of laps to go.

NCRA Modified winner Josh Lanterman.

The Late Model Field.

Jimmy Segraves (3) and Chase Junghans raced like this for the whole feature.

Gary Gorby (7), Brad Wagoner (15), and Jeremy Petty

Delbert (The Iceman) Smith moved from 13th to 5th.

Jeremy Petty's car wound up maybe 20 feet from his hauler after flying over the rail.

Gary Gorby and Jacob Magee (10)

Smith passing Scott Phillips (194)

Still at it!

Dustin Beffert

Mike Wiarda

Chris Avery

Junghans and Wylan Petrie (49)

Dan Smith

Gary Gorby & Tim Hans (3)

Catching lapped cars in turn four, Jimmy Segraves made a thrilling move in front of the stands to hold on for the win.

Mike Wiarda cruised close behind the leaders to take 3rd.

Jimmy Segraves celebrates his win.

Josh Lanterman and his "entourage".

       Thanks to NCRA for the results. Give them a visit for a more complete report on the race.

Mod results:
1^st Heat: 1) Jon Thompson, 2) Marc Hurd, 3) Dan Powers, 4) Dustin Belcher, 5) A.J. Brochu, 6) Josh Lanterman, 7) Justin Moler, 8) Brett Behrends
2^nd Heat: 1) Jon Allen, 2) Jason McGehee, 3) Lucas Gibbs, 4) Don Hodge, 5) Gary Kilborn, 6) Kyle Ligenza, 7) Jimmy Brozek, 8) Randy Demery

A Feature: 1) Josh Lanterman, 2) Dan Powers, 3) A.J. Brochu, 4) Jon Thompson, 5) Justin Moler, 6) Don Hodge, 7) Gary Kilborn, 8) Kyle Ligenza, 9) Marc Hurd, 10) Jimmy Brozek, 11) Lucas Gibbs, 12) Dustin Belcher, 13) Randy Demery, 14) John Allen, 15) Jason McGehee, 16) Brett Behrends,

Late Model results: 
1^st Heat: 1) Dean Moore, 2) Jimmy Seagraves, 3) Gary Gorby, 4) Mike Wiarda, 5) Jacob Magee, 6) Jeremy Petty, 7) Delbert Smith, 8) Wylan Petrie, 9) John Anderson
2^nd Heat: 1) Chase Junghans, 2) Brad Wagoner, 3) Scott Phillips, 4) Chris Avery, 5) Dan Smith, 6) Tim Hans, 7) Dustin Beffert, 8) Les Seibert, 9) David Conkwright

A Feature: 1) Jimmy Seagraves, 2) Chase Junghans, 3) Mike Wiarda, 4) Gary Gorby, 5) Delbert Smith, 6) Jacob Magee, 7) Scott Phillips, 8) Brad Wagoner, 9) Chris Avery, 10) Wylan Petrie, 11) Dan Smith, 12) Tim Hans, 13) Dustin Beffert, 14) Jeremy Petty, DNS) Dean Moore, Les Seibert, John Anderson, David Conkwright
Lap leaders: Junghans 1; Seagraves 2-20