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Defending Tour Champ Finds Himself In Battle To Finish At Hawkeye State Track For Second Consecutive Year
INDEPENDENCE, IA – Aug. 5, 2013 – Wins don’t come easy for Darrell Lanigan at Independence Motor Speedway.
But they definitely come – as evidenced by his hard-fought march to victory in Monday night’s 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series A-Main that put him in the spotlight at the Hawkeye State track for the second consecutive year.
Lanigan, 43, of Union, Ky., battled forward from the seventh starting spot to take the lead from Shane Clanton of Zebulon, Ga., on lap 37 and turned back a furious late challenge from local hero Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, to secure his series-leading eighth triumph of the 2013 season.
Closely following his path he took to a narrow victory over Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., in last year’s WoO LMS feature at Independence, Lanigan couldn’t take a breath until the checkered flag finally flew over his Rocket Chassis machine.
“It was pretty tough out there,” said Lanigan, who earned $10,600 for his series-best 49th career win. “The track was just super-racy – and just to get the lead starting where we did, that was pretty good. Then we just had to hold on.”
Clanton, who led laps 14-36, overtook Simpson for the runner-up spot on a lap-44 restart and finished there, 0.860 of a second behind Lanigan. Simpson, who started from the pole position, settled for a career-best WoO LMS finish of third after leading laps 1-13 and having his late-race bid for victory stymied by the lap-44 caution flag that ultimately cost him second place.
Gregg Satterlee of Rochester Mills, Pa., who scored his first-ever WoO LMS A-Main triumph on July 30 at Shawano (Wis.) Speedway, was steady from start-to-finish to place fourth in his first start at Independence. Outside-polesitter Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., completed the top five after rallying from the rear of the field because he pitted Larry Moring’s No. 1 on lap seven to check a vibration that he incorrectly thought was caused by a flat tire.
Lanigan mastered the inside groove of the three-eighths-mile oval, using the lane to steady advance to the front. He swapped second place with Simpson twice before gaining control of the position on a lap-22 restart and rocketed by Clanton for the lead off the inside of turn four on lap 37 moments before a caution flag flew.
“We were really good in the bottom,” said Lanigan, who won for the first time since July 6 at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. (a span of six races). “We set the car up to traction up in the bottom and it definitely worked. We were really strong off of (turn) four on the bottom and got most of those guys coming off the corner.”
Clanton, 37, couldn’t stem Lanigan’s low-side charge.
“Darrell was just a little bit better on the bottom and snuck by me,” said Clanton, who hustled his Kennedy Motorsports Capital Race Car forward from the fourth starting spot. “I didn’t know I had to slow down that much in three and four (to run the inside). Maybe it would’ve been a different race if I did.”
Simpson, 34, emerged as Lanigan’s prime late-race threat. He sat third at the lap-37 caution flag, but he summoned some extra speed in his MasterSbilt car on the restart to pass Clanton and within two circuits was challenging Lanigan with high-side thrusts.
But just as Simpson appeared primed to make a final push for his first career WoO LMS victory, the race’s seventh and final caution flag, on lap 44, effectively snuffed out his hopes. He lost second to Clanton on the restart and never recovered.
“I didn’t need that last caution,” said Simpson. “I thought I had something for Darrell there at the end. He seemed to be slipping a little bit. He was riding the bottom down (in turns three and four) and I would get a heck of a run in one and two on him, but it is what it is. It’s our best Outlaw finish, so we’ll take it.”
Simpson did learn a valuable lesson from running with Lanigan and Clanton.
“I kind of screwed up the early part of the race and let these guys get by me,” said Simpson. “I didn’t drive hard enough. Once I followed them guys for a few laps I realized how hard they were driving and realized I had to push my stuff harder.”
Lanigan knew Simpson was chasing him late in the race, but he was confident enough to know that the Iowa driver would need to pull off a spectacular move to gain command.
“That top (lane) was way out there so really wasn’t worried too much about him,” said Lanigan. “I never did see him. I just ran my line and tried to be consistent.”
Both Lanigan and Clanton were able to find new life in the WoO LMS championship with their finishes thanks to the problems suffered by points leader Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., who followed a subpar qualifying effort (fourth place in a heat) with a rare DNF in the A-Main. Richards climbed to sixth place from the 13th starting spot in just 18 laps, but he spun in turn two on lap 22 while battling with Bub McCool of Vicksburg, Miss., and stopped to bring out another caution on lap 37 due to a broken oil pump that left him with a 17th-place finish.
Richards’s woes shrunk his points lead to 48 over Clanton and 64 over Lanigan with 13 events remaining on the 2013 WoO LMS schedule.
Seven caution flags slowed the A-Main. Aside from Richards and O’Neal (slowed on lap seven), other drivers who brought out cautions were Curt Martin of Independence, Iowa (spun between turns one and two on lap one); Clay Fisher of Dewitt, Ark. (stopped on lap four); Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa (slid over the turn-one bank on lap 20); and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa. (stopped on lap 44).
Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., registered an eventful sixth-place finish driving the Team Dillon car normally steered by NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Ty Dillon. After time-trialing on seven cylinders due to a broken rocker arm, the former WoO LMS struggled in the A-Main until a mid-race pit stop for a setup change propelled him from the rear of the field to the verge of a top-five finish.
Jason Feger of Bloomington, Ill., finished seventh after running fifth for much of the distance. Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., placed eighth, Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., finished ninth and McCool rounded out the top 10.
Thirty-two cars were entered in the event, which was run on schedule despite heavy storms that deluged the Independence area early Monday morning.
Ohlins Shocks Time Trials were split into ‘A’ and ‘B’ groups, with the first half competing for starting positions in heats 1-2 and the second half racing against the clock to align heats 3-4.
Chad Simpson turned the overall fastest lap in qualifying, clicking off a circuit of 13.865 seconds in Group ‘B.’ It was his fourth career WoO LMS fast-time honor and marked the third consecutive year that he has set fast time at least once on the tour.
Heat winners were Clanton, Feger and Chad Simpson – all driving cars numbered 25 – and Satterlee. The B-Mains were captured by Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., and Fisher.
The WoO LMS is idle until heading to Michigan for a doubleheader weekend on Aug. 16-17. Winston Speedway in Montague, Mich., will host the NAPA Auto Parts 50 Presented by Keyser Manufacturing on Fri., Aug. 16, and Merritt Raceway in Lake City, Mich., will present the NAPA Auto Parts 50 Presented by All-Star Performance on Sat., Aug. 17.
For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
Fans can also follow the WoO LMS on Twitter at Twitter.com/WoOLateModels and Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws .
Results of World of Outlaws Late Model Series at Independence Motor Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):
1. (7) Darrell Lanigan/50 $10,600
2. (4) Shane Clanton/50 $5,600
3. (1) Chad Simpson/50 $3,500
4. (3) Gregg Satterlee/50 $2,600
5. (2) Don O’Neal/50 $2,000
6. (17) Dale McDowell/50 $1,750
7. (6) Jason Feger/50 $1,450
8. (11) Tim Fuller/50 $1,850
9. (9) Brandon Sheppard/50 $1,200
10. (10) Bub McCool/50 $1,800
11. (12) Rick Eckert/50 $1,700
12. (19) Chub Frank/50 $1,550
13. (24) Eric Wells/50 $1,750
14. (15) Curt Martin/50 $950
15. (14) Clint Smith/50 $1,400
16. (22) Tyler Bruening/50 $850
17. (13) Josh Richards/37 $1,420
18. (5) Bobby Pierce/33 $750
19. (23) Tim McCreadie/22 $1,380
20. (8) Chris Simpson/21 $700
21. (25) Jason Rauen/14 $700
22. (18) Clay Fisher/3 $700
23. (20) Dillon Wood/3 $700
24. (16) Kyle Bronson/1 $700
25. (21) Morgan Bagley/1 $1,250
* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses
Time of Race: 37 Mins., 53.727 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.860 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 7 (laps 1, 4, 7, 20, 22, 37, 44)
Lap Leaders: Chad Simpson (1-13); Clanton (14-36); Lanigan (37-50)
Provisional Starters: McCreadie, Wells (WoO); Rauen (track)
Rookie of the Race: Wells ($250)
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Chad Simpson ($500)
Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):
Group ‘A’
1. 25-Shane Clanton/Zebulon, GA 13.907
2. 25F-Jason Feger/Bloomington, IL 13.927
3. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 13.963
4. 32s-Chris Simpson/Oxford, IA 13.978
5. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 14.014
6. 57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS 14.064
7. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 14.068
8. 18W-Eric Wells/Hazard, KY 14.152
9. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.159
10. 41-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 14.165
11. 14M-Morgan Bagley/Longview, TX 14.183
12. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 14.200
13. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.320
14. 40-Joel Callahan/Dubuque, IA 14.352
15. 51-Matt Furman/Columbus, OH 14.422
16. 78-Rick Wendling/Hazelton, IA 14.585
Group ‘B’
1. 25-Chad Simpson/Mt. Vernon, IA 13.865
2. 22-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 14.07
3. 45-Curt Martin/Independence, IA 14.072
4. 32-Bobby Pierce/Oakwood, IL 14.101
5. 1-Don O’Neal/Martinsville, IN 14.11
6. 40B-Kyle Bronson Tampa, FL 14.167
7. 16-Tyler Bruening/Decorah, IA 14.208
8. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.223
9. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.318
10. 1w-Dillon Wood/New Smyrna Beach, FL 14.32
11. 98-Jason Rauen/Farley, IA 14.397
12. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 14.399
13. 99-Clay Fisher/Dewitt, AR 14.502
14. 22M-Charlie McKenna/Clear Lake, IA 14.618
15. 93-Jay Johnson/W. Burlington, IA 14.619
16. 5M-Mike Fryer/Freeport, IL 15.565
Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Clanton, Lanigan, Sheppard, Richards, Frank, Bagley, McCreadie, Furman
Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Feger, Chris Simpson, McCool, C. Smith, McDowell, Wells, Wendling, Callahan
Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Chad Simpson, O’Neal, Fuller, Martin, Fisher, Rauen, Breuning, Johnson
Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Satterlee, Pierce, Eckert, Bronson, McKenna, Fryer, Stone, Wood
B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): McDowell, Frank, Bagley, Wells, Furman, Wendling, Callahan, McCreadie
B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Fisher, Wood, Breuning, Fryer, Johnson, McKenna, Stone, Rauen
World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners (awards presented to noted finisher/qualifier or next highest displaying decal:
Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash to fast qualifier): Bub McCool
Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner): Dale McDowell/Tyler Breuning
VP Race Fuels ‘Nice Jugs’ Award: (One VP 5-gallon container to fastest qualifier who misses A-Main): Joel Callahan
Wrisco Aluminum (3 sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner only): Darrell Lanigan
Armor All (One case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main): Chad Simpson
Comp Cams ($50 certificate to A-Main winner): Shane Clanton
QuarterMaster ($100 certificate to A-Main winner, $50 certificate to 5th-place finish): Shane Clanton
MSD Ignition ($50 cash to A-Main winner): Shane Clanton
STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place finisher in A-Main): Shane Clanton
XS Power ($50 cash to 3rd-place finisher in A-Main): Gregg Satterlee
Roush Yates ($50 cash to 4th-place finisher in A-Main): Gregg Satterlee
JE Pistons ($50 cash to 5th-place finisher in A-Main): Dale McDowell
Dominator ($50 cash to 6th-place finisher in A-Main): Jason Feger
American Race Wheels ($50 cash to 7th-place finisher in A-Main): Bub McCool
VP Race Fuels ($50 cash to 8th-place finisher in A-Main): Tim Fuller
Edelbrock Manifolds ($50 cash to 9th-finisher in A-Main): Bub McCool
Comp Cams ($50 cash to 10th-place finisher in A-Main): Bub McCool
XS Power ($60 product certificate to 11th-place finisher in A-Main): Chub Frank
Cometic Gasket ($50 cash to 12th-place finisher in A-Main): Chub Frank
JRI Shocks ($50 cash to 13th-place finisher in A-Main): Tyler Breuning
Super Flow Dynos ($50 cash to 14th-place finisher in A-Main): Curt Martin
JE Pistons (one complete set of JE Pro Seal rings to 16th-place finisher in A-Main, redeemable w/next purchase of set): Tyler Breuning
Klotz Lubricants ($50 cash to 17th-place finisher in A-Main): Tim McCreadie
Roush Yates ($50 gift card to 18th-place finisher in A-Main): Chris Simpson
QuarterMaster ($25 certificate to 19th-place finisher in A-Main): Tim McCreadie
Arizona Sport Shirts ($100 certificate to 20th-place finisher in A-Main): Chris Simpson
JE Pistons (one complete set of JE Pro Seal rings to 21st-place finisher in A-Main, redeemable w/next purchase of set): Jason Rauen
Roush Yates ($50 gift card to 22nd-place finisher in A-Main): Darrell Lanigan
MSD Ignition ($25 cash to 24th-place finisher in A-Main): Morgan Bagley
XS Power ‘Power Move of the Race’ ($60 product certificate): Darrell Lanigan
Roush Yates ($25 gift card to driver who leads most laps in the A-Main): Shane Clanton
Reliable Painting Award (one free tire): Bub McCool
2013 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of Aug. 5 – 34 A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):
1. Josh Richards 4694
2. Shane Clanton 4646 (-48)
3. Darrell Lanigan 4630 (-64)
4. Rick Eckert 4546 (-148)
5. Tim McCreadie 4362 (-332)
6. (tie) Eric Wells 4310 (-384)
6. (tie) Tim Fuller 4310 (-384)
8. Chub Frank 4240 (-454)
9. Bub McCool 4196 (-498)
10. Morgan Bagley 4188 (-506)
11. Clint Smith 3968 (-726)
12. Scott James 2046 (-2648)
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: American Racing Custom Wheels (Official Custom Wheel), Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), KMC (Official Custom Truck Wheel), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors: Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Edelbrock, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Capital Race Cars, Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue, and Warrior Chassis.