The USRA Late Models in 2007

By Lee Ackerman

Omaha, Neb. - The United States Racing Association (USRA) was formed in 2002 with a mission of -

· Fostering a robust level of participation by competitors wanting smart, cost-effective rules that do not hinder creativity but allow for close competition.

· Increased fan attendance at USRA-sanctioned racetracks.

· Increased marketing and sponsorship dollars for each USRA-sanctioned racetrack.

Over the years the USRA has sanctioned a number of different classes of race cars but in 2007 they decided to create a late model class. Although a good number of races were scheduled only seven were actually completed in a touring-type environment.

Tommy Elston won the USRA late model series opener at Memphis, Mo. - Mike Reufer Photo

The first event was held on April 28 at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo. The 30-lap feature saw Tommy Elston of Keokuk, Iowa, and Gary Wilson of Frankford, Mo., drawing front row starting positions. When the green waved it was Elston taking the point with Wilson and Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa, battling side-by-side for second. Elston led the entire race to take home the $3,000 first prize with Wilson holding off Simpson for second. Chris Smyser of Lancaster finished fourth and Mark Burgtorf of Quincy, Ill., fifth.

In heat race action, Ricky Frankel of Quincy, Ill., took the first heat with Gary Wilson second and Justin Reed of Quincy, Ill., third. Tommy Elston won the second heat followed by Mark Burgtorf and Chad Simpson off Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

The second stop for the series was on May 16 at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Chris Smyser won the first heat followed by Chad Simpson and Chris Spieker of Massena. Heat two went to Todd Shute of Des Moines with Tommy Elston second and Jacob Murray of Hartford third. The final heat saw Dave Eckrich of Oxford take home the win with Jason Utter of Columbus Junction second and Denny Woodworth of Mendon, Ill., third.

Dave Eckrich grabbed top honors on the half mile at Oskaloosa. - Mike Ruefer Photo

Chris Smyser started on the pole of the feature as a result of having the most passing points, but it was Dave Eckrich going to the front and he battled with the challenges of Chad Simpson who made several attempts to pass on the low side, but Eckrich was able to hold Simpson off and take the win and the $3,000 first place money. Behind Eckrich and Simpson were, Jason Utter, Chris Smyser and Todd Shute.

On May 25 at the Bloomfield Speedway in Bloomfield, Iowa, it was the battle of the brothers with Chris Simpson of Oxford holding off brother Chad Simpson to take home the win. Chris Smyser finished third, Nick Marolf of Moscow was fourth and Denny Woodworth rounded out the top five.

In heat race action Nick Marolf took the first heat with Tommy Elston and Chris Smyser following. Jeff Gingerich of Washington, Iowa, took the second heat with Chad Simpson second and Todd McKee of Massena in third. The final heat went to Chris Simpson over Justin Reed and Todd Shute.

On June 5, the series headed west to the Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa, with local favorite Chris Spieker of nearby Massena picking up the win in an exciting 30-lap feature. Chris Smyser of Lancaster, Mo., jumped out front as the green waved with Bryant Goldsmith of Corning, Chris Spieker and Chad Simpson in a battle right behind the leader.

Spieker used all his knowledge of the Adams County Speedway to use the low side of the track to take second then caught Smyser and took the lead of the race by the midway point in the race. With 10 laps to go Corning’s Trent Jackson grabbed second and closed quickly on Spieker. With just two laps to go, Jackson took the lead but going into turn one slid over the embankment and out of the battle for the win. Smyser then launched a last-ditch effort to overtake Spieker but came out a car length short.

At the checkers it was Chris Spieker, Chris Smyser, Bryant Goldsmith, Chad Simpson and Paul Glendenning of Mt. Ayr. The second five were Corey Zeitner of Bellevue, Neb., Trent Jackson, Joe Kosiski of Omaha, Neb., Todd McKee and Travis Roth of Bancroft, Neb.

Jeremiah Hurst led from start to finish at Dubuque. - Mike Reufer Photo

Two days later and the series was on the eastern edge of the Hawkeye State at the Dubuque Speedway in Dubuque, Iowa, where Jeremiah Hurst of Dubuque led all the 30 laps to claim the win. The action however was intense throughout the field with Chris Smyser grabbing his second straight second place finish followed by Andy Eckrich of Iowa City, Russ Scheffler of Pewaukee, Wis., and Jason Rauen of Farley. At this point Chris Smyser was the USRA late model series points leader.

Chad Simpson won the series finale at the Howard County Fairgrounds. - Mike Ruefer Photo

On August 10, the series made what was to be its final stop when it visited the Cresco Speedway on the Howard County Fairgrounds in Cresco, Iowa, and it was Chad Simpson taking home the win followed by Ace Ihm of Hazel Green, Wis., Chris Simpson, Brian Harris of Davenport and Mark Teske of Spring Valley, Minn. Sixth through tenth were Chris Smyser, Jeff Bair of Solon, Cam Granger of West Union, Jill George of Cedar Falls, and Rick Dralle of Waterloo.

The win by Chad Simpson was enough for him to take the points lead by a single point. When other series events were cancelled Simpson would claim the series championship with 1,399 points to Smyser’s 1,398. Third through fifth in final points were Tommy Elston, Todd McKee, and Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls.

In 2008, the USRA dropped late models and in later years brought the class back as a weekly racing series class.

Chris Simpson would grab a USRA late model win at Bloomfield. - Mike Ruefer Photo