Springsteen avoids new-car blues, cruises to win

WEST LIBERTY - Whenever racers get a new car, there's a break-in period.

It usually takes some time for drivers and teams to learn the cars handling characteristics and tendencies.

But last night at West Liberty Raceway, Colby Springsteen took a brand new car and flat-out dominated the 40-lap IMCA Deery Brothers Late Model Summer Series feature event.

'We weren't really sure what to think with a new car,” Springsteen said. 'We didn't really even know what to adjust, but man it was fast.

'I was just trying to go as hard as I could, because I knew there was good cars behind me.”

Springsteen started on pole after the redraw before the main event, but had to play catch-up in the first quarter of the race.

After experimenting with various lines on the track and a caution on lap 12, the Wapello native made the move for the lead. From there it was smooth sailing, and Springsteen cruised to his second career Summer Series win.

'I wasn't sure if the bottom was going to be the place to be. I knew the top was going to be fast eventually,” Springsteen said. 'I just sat behind (Nick Marolf) for a while, and eventually got a run on him and got by him.”

With everyone else essentially racing for second, the ultra-fast surface at West Liberty Raceway made it hard to pass. And without any cautions, there was no hope for those chasing Springsteen to have a chance.

West Liberty requires finesse behind the wheel as well, and if drivers aren't completely on top of it, or if their car isn't tuned just right, running down the leader is a hard task.

'This track, to me, is always a hard one to pass at,” said Justin Kay, who started 16th and finished fourth. 'We're going so fast, and we get so strung out; one little mess-up just is a lot of distance.”

Jeff Aikey, a night after failing to even make the feature at Davenport Speedway, started sixth and finished second. The series' first champion had a faster car than Springsteen in the closing laps, but the deficit was too great.

The three-time Summer Series champion laughed when asked if another caution flag would've given him a shot to win, but was happy with the result anyway.

'He had a good car,” Aikey said. 'My car just kept getting better and better as the race went on. I'd have liked one more yellow.

'My car was so good coming off four, man, I might've had a shot. I was trying all over hell (for a better line), seeing if I could gain spots. But second, I'll take it.”

For Springsteen, this is the best start to a Summer Series in his career, with two top-fives, including last night's win.

He hesitated to predict any championship aspirations, but acknowledged he's got the car and team capable. The biggest hurdle for Springsteen in the short term is what he's going to do about the next stop on the Summer Series tour on Friday at Farley Speedway.

Springsteen has a wedding he's supposed to be in, but might have to make a call to his friend, the groom.

'I'd like to say I'm in (the hunt for the title),” Springsteen said. 'We're coming out of here looking pretty good, so we'll see. It's a long year, and these races are pretty tough.”

'I don't know, (about Friday). The groom is here tonight, I'll have to ask him.”

FEATURE RESULTS

1. Colby Springsteen (Wapello); 2. Jeff Aikey (Cedar Falls); 3. Nick Marolf (Moscow); 4. Justin Kay (Wheatland); 5. Jason Rauen (Farley); 6. Denny Eckrich (Tiffin); 7. Ryan Dolan (Lisbon); 8. Ray Guss Jr. (Milan, Ill.); 9. Tyler Bruening (Decorah); 10. Tommy Elston (Keokuk); 11. Andy Eckrich (Oxford); 12. Kevin Kile (West Liberty); 13. Scott Fitzpatrick (Urbandale); 14. Rob Moss (Iowa City); 15. Joel Callahan (Dubuque); 16. Kyle Hinrichs (Swisher); 17. Jay Johnson (West Burlington); 18. Darrel DeFrance (Marshalltown); 19. Jay Chenoweth (Wapello); 20. Nate Beuseling (Silvis, Ill.); 21. Matt Ryan (Davenport); 22. Spencer Diercks (Davenport); 23. Jon Merfeld (Dubuque); 24. Brian Harris (Davenport).

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