Chris Simpson Captures Slocum 50

Chris Simpson Scores First Ever 'Slocum 50' Win at 34 Raceway

By Brian Neal

The much anticipated “Slocum 50” was held on Saturday, April 15th at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, and with the weather forecast bleak everything was moved up one hour in hopes of beating mother nature. Many might believe a certain angel, Brent Slocum, was looking down on the track on this night, as severe thunderstorms moved into northern and west central Iowa much of the night. But nothing reached 34 Raceway until the night was completed and many had left for home.

The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 50 lap Corn Belt Clash Late Models, with Chad Simpson and Brian Shirley making up the front row. Chad Simpson, Shirley, and Chris Simpson raced three wide into turn 1 on the drop of the green flag, but it was Shirley who emerged from turn 2 to lead lap 1 over Chris Simpson and Chad Simpson. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 2, Chris Simpson was able to slip under Shirley to grab the top spot away, with Chad slipping past Shirley for second one lap later. Chris was setting such a fast pace that he would start to enter lapped traffic by lap 9. Then by lap 14 he encountered heavy lapped traffic, which allowed Chad to cut into his straight-away lead.

While brothers Chris and Chad raced through lapped traffic, Bobby Pierce, who started 11th, was working his way towards the front. On lap 25 Pierce worked himself into 4th, as Chris and Chad continued to maneuver lapped traffic. Once Chris had a clear track in front of him, he started to pull away again. Then on lap 40 more lapped traffic allowed Chad to close back in on Chris’ back bumper, which also helped Pierce to close in. Coming off turn 2 on lap 47, Pierce slid up in front of Chad to take over the runner up spot. But he wasn’t able to catch Chris over the final 2 laps, as Chris went on to score his first ever “Slocum 50” win and the $10,555 prize to go with it. Pierce settled for 2nd and won the hard charger award. Chad Simpson was 3rd, Shannon Babb was 4th, with Shirley coming home in 5th.