Krankel Sweeps Dodge Ironman Late Models!
By Steve Birmingham
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June 26, 2004; Granite City, IL – Tom Krankel wielded a massive broom in Saturday's Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Racing Series, winning his qualifying heat, Dash for Cash and 25-lap Dodge Ironman Late Model Feature.
Choosing the pole instead of the cash, it looked as though no one would catch Krankel on the tight quarter-mile track, even though Illinois Late Model legend Dick Taylor gave it a stout try. Starting dead last on the 19 car field, Taylor survived an early race spin and collision with Tom Seets, Sr., and Michael Kloos to charge through the pack and come home fifth at the checkers. Trailing Krankel to his fifth win of the year were Ray Emling, Terry James, Shannon Kuhn and Taylor. James won the first qualifying heat.
Steve Maisel won his second Mountain Ddew Sportsman feature of the year after engaging in a torrid battle with Terry Chester, Bert Jacoby and Matt Hartnett. Chester led with Maisel right on his bumper but broke with three to go. Maisel sailed past with Jacoby and Hartnett in hot pursuit. However, a post-race inspection erased Hartnett's finish and handed third to Andy Casper. Maisel, Hartnett and Rick Squires won the qualifiers.
Brandon Hogenson won his second straight Domino's Street Stock main, besting Ricky Huebner and Josh Jackson, who earlier recorded his first career victory in the third qualifier. Ken Johnson, Jr., and Hogenson won the first and second qualifiers.
Dean Vickers won the slam-bang Budweiser Modified main over Ryan Tischhauser and Tom Seets, Sr. Bobby Martintoni, Jay Hughes and Vickers won the qualifying heats.
John Baker won his first career Auto Tader Factory Stock feature over Aaron Wood and Pat Harper. Wood and defending champion Ralph Bradford took the heats.
Next Saturday is "Bike Week" at Tri-City Speedway, with one lucky boy and girl 10 years-old and under, winning a brand-new bicycle.Spectator gates for the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers Racing Series open at 6 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m. Adults, $10, Students (11-17) $5 and Kids 10 and under $2. Parking is always FREE. Tri-City Speedway is located one-half mile south of I-270 on Illinois Route 203 south (exit 4), just 10 minutes north of downtown St.Louis.