DCRP Title Chases: The Early Look
DODGE CITY, Kan. (April 8, 2016) – With a successful opening night of racing logged into the books last Saturday, Round Two of championship chase action is set for Dodge City Raceway Park on what is forecasted to be a beautiful day in Dodge City.
Saturday’s action will feature the $1,200-to-win Fourth Annual Dodge City Modified Stampede along with DCRP Sprint Cars, IMCA Sport Modifieds and IMCA Hobby Stocks with racing action going green at 7:30 p.m.
While one race certainly doesn’t make or break a season, it’s never too early to take a look at the point chases.
A victory on opening night certainly is no guarantee of success for the entire season, as last year just two of the five opening night winners went on to win their division championship.
But, then again, an early win might not be a bad indication, as four of last year’s five champions picked up a win in the opening two nights of competition. Thus, if you’re playing the odds, a win tomorrow night atop the 3/8-mile clay oval could increase the chances of ultimately becoming a 2016 track champion.
Precise Racing Products DCRP Sprint Cars:
Brian Herbert broke out of the gates quickly with a win last Saturday night while defending champ Luke Cranston crossed the stripe in sixth.
Feature Winners: Brian Herbert 1.
Current Top Ten in Points: 1. Brian Herbert (Dodge City, KS) 150, 2. Tyler Knight (Dodge City, KS) 145, 3. Mike Peters (Wichita, KS) 141, 4. Taylor Velasquez (Turpin, OK) 138, 5. Steven Richardson (Liberal, KS) 135, 6. Luke Cranston (Ness City, KS) 132, 7. Ray Seemann (Jetmore, KS) 129, 8. Tracey Hill (Liberal, KS) 126, 9. Zach Blurton (Great Bend, KS) 123, 10. Ty Williams (Arcadia, OK) 120.
IMCA Modifieds:
With the DCRP track championship likely vacated, the door is open for a new track champion in 2016. Cody Gearhart tuned up for this week’s Modified Stampede by slipping by Beau Davis late to win last week’s opener with Nick Link slipping by Davis at the line for runner-up honors.
Feature Winners: Cody Gearhart 1.
Current Top Ten in Points: 1. Cody Gearhart (Turpin, OK) 150, 2. Nick Link (Rolla, KS) 145, 3. Beau Davis (Cheney, KS) 141, 4. Ryan Heger (Hugoton, KS) 138, 5. Brendon Gemmill (Ponca City, OK) 135, 6. Joel Lane (Ulysses, KS) 132, 7. Mike Lunow (Dodge City, KS) 129, 8. Kale Beavers (Pierceville, KS) 126, 9. Clay Money (Penokee, KS) 123, 10. Jesse Smith (Dodge City, KS) 120.
IMCA Sport Modifieds:
Dakota Sproul became the 14th consecutive different winner by taking last Saturday’s season-opening win away from Kevin Tabor while three-time and reigning track champ Jeff Kaup made a late charge to capture third.
Feature Winners: Dakota Sproul 1.
Current Top Ten in Points: 1. Dakota Sproul (Ellis, KS) 150, 2. Kevin Tabor (Dodge City, KS) 145, 3. Jeff Kaup (Woodward, KS) 141, 4. Austin Walker (Utica, KS) 138, 5. Tristen Barton (Dighton, KS) 135, 6. Brian May (Spearville, KS) 132, 7. Mike Appel (Dodge City, KS) 129, 8. Kyle Wiens Newton, KS) 126, 9. Toby Witthuhn (Garden City, KS) 123, 10. Adam Stenzel (Hays, KS) 120.
IMCA Stock Cars:
Idle this weekend with their next action on April 23, Tyler Tipton topped the opener with defending champ Michael Pepper third in last week’s main event. It’s the first time that Pepper has been ranked lower than first since the 2015 season kicked off.
Feature Winners: Tyler Tipton 1.
Current Top Ten in Points: 1. Tyler Tipton (Weskan, KS) 150, 2. Kyle Pfeifer (Hill City, KS) 145, 3. Michael Pepper (Lakin, KS) 141, 4. Angel Munoz (Lamar, CO) 138, 5. Dusty Witthuhn (Bazine, KS) 135, 6. Aaron Gray (Hays, KS) 132, 7. Bruce Plumisto (Colby, KS) 129, 8. Shannon Maughlin (Dighton, KS) 126, 9. Barrett Wagoner (Colby, KS) 123, 10. Josh Crombie 120.
IMCA Hobby Stocks:
Iowa invader Shannon Anderson found DCRP to his liking by holding off Matt O’Hair for opening night honors while defending champ Cody Davis had a rough go of it in eighth.
Feature Winners: Shannon Anderson 1.
Current Top Ten in Points: 1. Shannon Anderson (Des Moines, IA) 150, 2. Matt O’Hair (Laverne, OK) 145, 3. Reagan Sellard (Bucklin, KS) 141, 4. Tobby Schield (Sublette, KS) 138, 5. Bryan Habiger (Ingalls, KS) 135, 6. David Berger (Dodge City, KS) 132, 7. Roger Garrison 129, 8. Cody Davis (Bucklin, KS) 126, 9. Duane Wahrman (Herndon, KS) 123, 10. Danny Schulte 120.
Tickets to Saturday’s Fourth Annual Dodge City Modified Stampede that goes green at 7:30 p.m. are just $15 for adults with children eleven and under admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
The complete 2016 schedule of events at Dodge City Raceway Park is available at http://www.dodgecityraceway.com/schedule/.
Dodge City Raceway Park is located on the south edge of Dodge City, KS, on US 283, then 0.9 miles west on US 56, then 0.1 miles south. For more information, contact the track at 620-225-3277 or check www.dodgecityraceway.com.
Sources: Lonnie Wheatley/Dodge City Raceway Park PR