NEI Dirt Tour Cresco Speedway results

CRESCO, Iowa (June 26) - Darin Duffy pulled away in the closing laps for the win in the NEI Dirt Tour's 2003 season opener at Cresco Speedway presented by B & D Drywall of Waterloo, IA.

After the season opening event for the NEI Dirt Tour was rained out at Butler County Speedway in Allison the night before, a strong field of modifieds made their way to the next event on the schedule at Cresco Speedway.

Thirty-two modifieds were on-hand to vie for the $700 top prize. When the green flag fell in the 24-car, 25-lap main event, inside second row starter Todd Kelley assumed command. Kelley extended his lead to a near-straightaway margin throughout the early going until a caution flag on lap nine bunched the field for a two-wide restart. Darin Duffy, who started event in the 10th position, had made his way around Tommy Belmer for the runner-up spot as the yellow flag waved.

Upon the restart, Duffy wasted little time in making his way to the front, as he assumed the top spot one lap later. Meanwhile, Joey Schaefer, who started 11th, also made his way through traffic and around Kelley following a lap 11 caution. The lead duo pulled away from the field leaving Kelley to do battle with Jamie Aikey and Corey Dripps. Duffy and Schaefer continued to put more distance on the their competitors as the rest of the race ran caution-free. Duffy crossed the line first with Schaefer second, eight to 10 car-lengths back. Aikey made his way into third as the checkers fell with Kelley and Dripps rounding out the top five.

Duffy earned the Action Sign Heat Race Bonus for winning his Heat Race earlier that night and the A-Main. Action Sign & Banner of Waterloo, IA awarded Duffy an extra $50. Other Heat Race winners included Owen Grube, Todd Kelly, and Tommy Belmer.

Kevin Pittman was awarded the Hardcharger Award for passing the most cars in the A-Main. Pittman earned an extra $50 thanks to Jeff's Custom power Washing in Aurora, IA.

RACE RESULTS:
NEI DIRT TOUR / Race #1 of 2003
Cresco Speedway
Cresco, IA
June 26, 2003

A-MAIN
1. Darin Duffy, Hazleton;
2. Joey Schaefer, Waterloo;
3. Jamie Aikey, Cedar Falls;
4. Todd Kelley, Fredricksburg;
5. Corey Dripps, Cedar Falls;
6. Kevin Pittman, Waterloo;
7. Charlie McKenna, Clear Lake;
8. Russ Olson, Cedar Rapids;
9. Dean Mahlstedt, Garner;
10. Tommy Belmer, Jesup;
11. Vern Jackson, Waterloo;
12. Dan Bohr, Decorah;
13. Brian Schrage, Cresco;
14. Chad Lerch, Arlington;
15. Kelly Ledebuhr, Winona, MN;
16. Troy Cordes, Raymond;
17. Tim Heins, Elkader;
18. Jerry King, Waterloo;
19. Buck Swanson, Waterloo;
20. Ron Konkel, Caledonia, MN;
21. Owen Grube, Cambridge, MN;
22. Todd Ihde, Decorah;
23. Paul Hamernik, Winona, MN;
24. Todd Schaufenbuel, New Hampton.

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