1986 – Webb, Guss Sr., Davis Tops at East Moline

Gary Webb won the first of two 35-lap Illinois Stockcar Association (ISA) features at East Moline. Doug Haack presents the checkered flag. – Jesse Magee Photo

East Moline, Ill. (April 5, 1986) – Gary Webb, the veteran chauffeur from Davenport, Iowa, took the lead from Bob Helm on lap 20, and went on to win the first ISA national race Saturday at East Moline Speedway.

The two-time UMP national champion and six-time East Moline track champion dominated the race from the 20th lap on.

Rick Standridge, who set fast time, jumped into the lead in the early going. Ray Guss Sr., in hot pursuit, passed Standridge for the lead on lap 9. The Milan, Ill., speedster’s spot at the top would be short-lived as he collided with Bob Pohlman on lap 12, sending both cars to the rear of the field.

The result put Helm and Webb on the front row for the restart. Helm jumped into the lead on the restart with Webb and Standridge in hot pursuit. On lap 20, Webb got around Helm on the high side of the track to take over the lead for good. Standridge would also get by Helm on lap 25 to take over second.

At the finish it was Webb, Standridge, Helm, Herschel Roberts, and Ray Guss Jr., rounding out the top five.

Ray Guss Sr. is joined by his crew after winning the second ISA feature at East Moline. Flagman Doug Haack joins in the celebration. – Jesse Magee Photo

In the second 35-lapper, Wapello, Iowa’s Johnny Johnson grabbed the lead from his pole position.

By lap 10, Johnson had built a huge lead over Eddie Shickel, Guss Sr., Jake Willert, and Webb.

A red flag waved on lap 13 as John Provenzano broke a driveshaft and stalled in turn four. Johnson remained in the lead on the restart, but the red flag waved again on lap 19 when Willert stalled on the backstretch.

Johnson was still leading at the 25-lap mark with Guss Sr., Webb, Guss Jr., and Standridge rounding out the top five.

With Johnson running the low groove and Guss Sr., getting bite on the high side of the track, both drivers were soon running neck and neck. The veteran from Coal Valley would get around Johnson on lap 30 and take over the lead.

Standridge would come from the rear of the pack and get by Johnson as well on lap 33 to take over second. But he wouldn’t have anything for the leader and Guss Sr. would score the victory.

Webb would get by Johnson on the final lap to take third while Johnson would settle for fourth. Ray Guss Jr. would round out the top five.

Shane Davis holds a bottle of champagne and his trophy after winning the IMCA Modified National Series 35-lapper at East Moline Speedway. IMCA executive secretary Bill Haglund and flagman Doug Haack join Davis in the winner’s circle. – Jesse Magee Photo

In IMCA modified action, 1985 track champion Shane Davis picked up where he left off as he grabbed the lead with six laps remaining to win the IMCA National Series contest. Davis would collect $1,000 for the win, his biggest to date. Rick Wages, the 1985 IMCA national champion in the modified division, came from his tenth starting position to take second over Bob Dominacki.


Results –


ISA Late Models -

Feature #1 –

1. Gary Webb, Davenport, Iowa
2. Rick Standridge, Divernon
3. Bob Helm, Milan
4. Herschel Roberts, East Moline
5. Ray Guss Jr., Milan
6. Ray Guss Sr., Coal Valley
7. Bill Knippenberg, Minooka
8. Jerry Conners, Pleasant Valley, Iowa
9. Bob Pohlman, Evergreen Park
10.Jim Rarick, Moweaqua


Feature #2 –

1. Ray Guss Sr.
2. Rick Standridge
3. Gary Webb
4. Johnny Johnson, Wapello, Iowa
5. Ray Guss Jr.
6. Ron Schreiner, Eleva, Wis.
7. Bill Knippenberg
8. Bob Helm
9. Jim Rarick
10.Eddie Shickel, Bloomington


IMCA Modified –

1. Shane Davis, Rock Island
2. Rick Wages, Davenport, Iowa
3. Bob Dominacki, Bettendorf, Iowa
4. Rich Smith, Davenport, Iowa
5. Glenn Woodard, Des Moines, Iowa
6. Mike Cothron, Moline
7. John Durbin, Silvis
8. Sam Davis, Rock Island
9. Steve Boley, LeClaire, Iowa
10.Rob Conners, Davenport, Iowa