By Larry Bontz
WEST LIBERTY, IA (April 30, 2011) – The Moweaqua Missile Shannon Babb caught Brian Birkhofer going into turn one on lap forty nine dove underneath for the pass and rocketed on for the win his first on the 2011 campaign here at the Muscatine County Fairgrounds and West Liberty Raceway on Coors Night Saturday night before a good crowd on hand.
Birkhofer jumped into the early lead from his front row starting spot and lead the first twenty five laps before Babb moved his mount to the point and lead up to lap thirty eight when the last caution was waived for Matt Furman sitting on top of turn four. On the restart Birkhofer regained the lead and motored ahead but Babb kept him in sight kept clawing and digging, and eventually made the last lap pass for his first win of the season.
A happy Shannon Babb said in victory lane it feels so good to finally to get one, as he has been so close earl on this year and as late as night one at Farley, but he kept knocking at the door and tonight he finally kicked it in.
This twenty year racing veteran was followed across the line by Brian Birkhofer in second, Billy Moyer third, Brian Shirley fourth, Justin Mitchell fifth, Chad Simpson sixth, Dan Schlieper seventh, Jeremiah Hurst eighth, Todd Frank ninth, with Matt Furman tenth
Colt Mather grabbed the lead at the drop of the green flag and never looked back as he went on to capture the twenty lap Gustaf Engine modified feature event. A regular on the USMTS circuit Mather was followed by Steve Stewart in second, fourteenth starting Ryan Dolan third, thirteenth starting Mark Schulte fourth with Ryan Peckham fifth
In the IMCA Sport Compact Division father Merv Chandler held off son Nathan Chandler by a hair to win the ten lap feature. The win was Mervs first of the season. Brad Chandler was third, Steve Miedke fourth, with Jerrod McMichael ffth.
COORS 50 LAP FEATURE-
1.Shannon Babb
2.Brian Birkhofer
3.Billy Moyer
4.Brian Shirley
5.Justin Mitchell
6.Chad Simpson
7.Dan Schlieper
8.Jeremiah Hurst
9.Todd Frank
10.Matt Furman
11.Darren Miller
12.Andy Eckrich
13.Denny Eckrich
14.Brian Harris
15.Billy Moyer Jr,
16.Kevin Kile
17.Jason Utter
18.Kurt Kile
19.Nick Marolf
20.Tyler Breuning
21.Jay Johnson
22.Dave Eckrich
23.Justin Kay
24.Chris Simpson
Late Model Dash-
Birkhofer, Shirley, Moyer, De.Eckrich, Mitchell,Babb
B-Main-Utter
Heat race winners-Mitchell, Denny Eckrich, Moyer
Gustaf Engine Modified 20 lap feature
1.Colt Mather
2.Steve Stewart
3.Ryan Dolan
4.Mark Schulte
5. Ryan Peckham
6.Larry Herring
7.Johnny Spaw
8.Nick Nevins
9.Justin O’Brien
10.Kellen Chadwick
11.Chris Zogg
12.Zack Less
13.Brad Tyler
14 Tim Sands
15.Rick Hixson
16.Scott Dickey
17.Noah Coppess
18.Bub Erwin
19.Alex Buffington
20.Clayton Jensen
21.Justin Spears
Heat Race Winners-Mather, Hixson, Dickey, Peckham
B-Main winners-Herring,Schulte
IMCA Sport Compact 10 lap feature
1.Merv Chandler
2.Nathan Chandler
3.Brad Chandler
4.Steve Miedke
5.Jerrod McMichael
6.Ryan Walker
7.John Flury
8.Jordan Walker
9.Jason Delzelle
10.Brandon Kleine
11.Dewayne Herb
12.Bill Whalen Jr.
Heat Race winners-Walker, N.Chandler