KALAMAZOO, Michigan --Erik Darnell, of Beach Park, Illinois, notched his first career NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series, win Saturday night at Kalamazoo (Mich.) Speedway by claiming the Kalamazoo 150.
Darnell was the Bud Pole fast qualifier, but started 10th after the mandatory series invert. He quickly roared to the front of the field and took the lead on lap 32.
“We heard before we got here that if you could keep the car right on the bottom of the track that you could be relatively fast,” said Darnell. “We got the car working down there and it really showed.
The middle stages of the race saw the 21-year-old Darnell open as much as a three-second advantage before a late race caution set up a two-lap shootout for the win. Darnell held off second finishing Justin Diercks, of Davenport, Iowa, by .317-seconds. Steve Carlson, of West Salem, Wisconsin; Russ Blakeley, of Palmyra, Wisconsin and Eddie Hoffman, of Wheaton, Illinois rounded out the top five.
“For the first time all year, at the end of the race, it became a point race for me,” said Diercks. “I would have liked to go up there and mix it up with Erik, but I knew I had to look at the big picture, protect the bottom and keep Steve behind me. That was no fun.”
Diercks maintains a 72-point advantage over Carlson in the championship standings as the Midwest Series travels next to LaCrosse (Wisc.) Fairgrounds Speedway, October 9-10, for its 2004 season finale.
Kalamazoo 150
NASCAR AUTOZONE ELITE DIVISION, MIDWEST SERIES
Kalamazoo (Mich.) Speedway September 4, 2004
Finish with starting position in parenthesis, driver, hometown, car make, laps completed, average speed, money won and status
1. (10) Erik Darnell, Beach Park Ill, Chevrolet, 150, 68.968 mph, $4,835
2. (8) Justin Diercks, Davenport Iowa, Chevrolet, 150, $2,790
3. (3) Steve Carlson, West Salem Wis, Chevrolet, 150, $2,485
4. (2) Russ Blakeley *, Palmyra Wis, Chevrolet, 150, $1,785
5. (7) Eddie Hoffman, Wheaton Ill, Chevrolet, 150, $1,635
6. (4) Andrew Morrissey, DeForest Wis, Chevrolet, 149, $1,435
7. (11) David Finney, Sycamore Ill, Chevrolet, 149, $1,335
8. (14) Biff George, Oswego Ill., Chevrolet, 149, $1,215
9. (1) Bryan Roach, Becker Min, Chevrolet, 149, $1,215
10. (9) Brian Hoppe, Madison Wis, Chevrolet, 149, $1,285
11. (16) Justin Hirt *, Tigerton Wis, Chevrolet, 149, $1,165
12. (6) Brent Kirchner *, LaCrosse Wis, Chevrolet, 149, $1,065
13. (12) Ryan Hanson, Beloit Wis, Ford, 149, $1,065
14. (15) A J Rhoads, Hastings Min, Chevrolet, 148, $1,015
15. (17) Greg Fowler, Longmont Col, Chevrolet, 135, Accident, $935
16. (13) Les Ferris, Northfield Min, Chevrolet, 135, Accident, $915
17. (5) Tim Schendel, Sparta Wis, Chevrolet, 114, Handling, $965
18. (18) Gib Scharpf, LaCrosse Wis, Chevrolet, 6, Fuel , $600
* Denotes Auto Meter Rookie of the Year Contender
Time of Race: 0 hrs., 48 mins, 17 secs Average Speed: 68.968 mph Margin of Victory: .317 Seconds
BUD POLE FAST QUALIFIER: Erik Darnell, AMI Trailer Leasing Chevrolet
FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER: Erik Darnell, AMI Trailer Leasing Chevrolet
POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE: Erik Darnell, AMI Trailer Leasing Chevrolet
Caution Flags: Laps 46-56 (21 & 51 spin); 111-120 (45 spin); 121-127 (97 & 4 spin); 137-148 (97, 4 & 71 accident). 4 for 40 laps.
Lap Leaders: Russ Blakeley * 1-31, Erik Darnell 32-150.
Total Laps Led: Erik Darnell 119, Russ Blakeley * 31. 1 changes involving 2 drivers.
Top 10 Driver Points: Justin Diercks 2065, Steve Carlson 1993, Brian Hoppe 1835, Tim Schendel 1812, Eddie Hoffman 1805, Ryan Hanson 1551, Bryan Roach 1527, A J Rhoads 1504, Justin Hirt * 1504, Russ Blakeley * 1488
Next Race: October 9-10, LaCrosse (Wis) Fairgrounds Speedway
