Anderson Soars to Second Dodge Ironman Late Model Win!

By Steve Birmingham
 

July 10, 2004; Granite City, IL -Justin Anderson muscled his way past five-time winner Tommy Krankel to win his second Dodge Ironman Late Model feature Saturday at Tri-City Speedway.

It was shaping up to be another Krankel kind of night, with the veteran Late Model shoe winning the second qualifying heat and the Dash for Cash. Opting once again for the front row pole in the main, Krankel set the early pace with Chris Winters, Anderson and Shannon Kuhn in close pursuit. The quartet ran nose to tail, dodging several spins and cautions until Anderson was able to dispose of Winters and set out for the leader.

As the pair readied to lap David Shaw at the start/finish line Krankel took the high line while Anderson dove low to eeke out the lead on lap 10. Anderson roared down the backstretch while Krankel got loose, allowing Winters and Kuhn to slip past. Just as Anderson completed lap 11 the caution slowed the pace. Once the race resumed Krankel wasted no time getting back to the second spot but could not catch the fleet Anderson. Rounding out the top five were Krankel, Winters, Ken Johnson, Sr., and Ray Emling, Jr. Kuhn took the first qualifier with Winters nabbing the third.

Steve Maisel won his third Mountain Dew Sportsman main after a bumper-to-bumper struggle with pole-sitter Bert Jacoby. Jacoby set the early pace with Tory Ernst and Maisel shadowing him. Several early cautions slowed the field but when the race finally gathered steam Maisel started his move to the front. As he sailed down the backstretch on lap four he slapped aside Ernst and ground his way past Jacoby in turn three for the lead. Once in front he was never headed. Jacoby, Ernst, David Walker and Bubb Mitchell rounded out the top five. Mitchell, Terry Chester, Tim Gaertner and Don Grimm won the heats with Walker taking the Semi.

Andy Beavers notched first first career Domino's Street Stock win over Ken Johnson, Jr., and Mark Pflueger. Creg Cannon, Pflueger and Brad Yotter won the heats.

Bobby Martintoni continued his strong season, sweeping his qualifying heat and his fourth Budweiser Modified victory over Joe Dresch and John Stanton. Stu Springer and Dean Vickers took the second and third heats.

Aaron Wood continued his dominance of the Auto Trader Factory Stocks with his fourth win over Todd Erickson and Robert Crawford, Sr. Pat Harper and Wood won the heats.

Kayla Hewlett, of Granite City, Illinois, and Brian Woodland, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, were the winners of brand new bicycles in a special drawing during Intermission.