2014 Rock Island Grand Prix


press release 9 September 2014
 

Dittmer, Neilson, Aldridge double up at the Rock Island Grand Prix

The 20th edition of the Rock Island Grand Prix presented by AT&T featured some of the best wheel-to-wheel racing action the event has produced over the years.

Fifteen classes dashed through the city streets of Rock Island over two days and never ran more than five minutes behind schedule with the last several classes on Sunday actually a few minutes ahead of the advertised times.

Local drivers Michael Dittmer and Tony Neilson doubled up with wins, as did Colton Aldridge of Indianapolis. The father/son duo of Lance and Josh Lane also repeated their victories from a year ago and Texan Connor Iseli joined the impressive list of drivers to have won the coveted MG Tires King of the Streets title.

Drivers in the Briggs & Stratton Motorsports Local Option 206 Heavy this year drew the duty of being featured for the pre-race Kids Autograph Session. Pole-sitter Connor Lund of Greenwood, Ind., lost the lead for four laps, but then led the last 16 for the win. Along the way he had to maneuver through lapped traffic as Tony Neilson of Iowa closed on the last lap to make it close.

"Two- and three-wide of lapped traffic is the last thing you want to see if someone is charging up from second place," said Lund. "I knew I had the speed; it was just a matter of getting the lappers. It wound up a lot closer than I would have liked."

Scott Barnes of Bermuda won the fight for third over Canadian Brett Rickeard and Matt Pewe. Rickeard was later disqualified, moving Logan Smith into fifth.

The closest racing of the day came in the hotly contested Yamaha Super Can Medium race sponsored by Valspar Paint. Bettendorf, Iowa's Tim Goettsch took advantage of contact among the leaders on the last lap. Tony Jump of Illinois and pole-sitter Michael Dittmer of Iowa tangled with just one turn to go, allowing Goettsch to edge Neilson by .051 of a second.

“I was 10 kart lengths back heading into that turn,” said Goettsch. “The only way I was going to get on top is if those in front of me did what they did, and they did. That was the funnest race I've ever been a part of.”

The International Trophy Cup Series Yamaha Super Can Heavy race turned out to be an equally tough test as Jump led early and then the final nine laps to gain the win. "I was really quick in the back righthander --  that's where I was able to make all of my passes," he said. "Everybody gave it a good run for the money on the last lap."

Pole-sitter Neilson finished third and led the first four laps and then the two prior to Jump's takeover. Goettsch led laps 6 through 8 on his way to a second place finish.

Iseli of Lone Oak, Texas, turned in a dominant 20-lap performance to don the crown and red robe that the winner gets to sport after winning the MG Tires King of the Streets race. He was the third straight Texan to win as Jordon Musser had won the last two.

"There are a lot of good competitors in Texas," said Iseli. "We love coming here and competing at The Rock."

Josh Lane drove eight hours overnight after competing in an event in Pennsylvania to compete. Without qualifying he started at the back. By the second lap he had moved into second but in a close battle with Bermuda’s Barnes. The position went back and forth until contact took both out. That put Colton Aldridge, two-time Masters shifter winner Lance Lane and 2011 King Derek Crockett in the battle for second while Iseli drove to a 7.417 second win. Aldridge took second with Crockett third.

Josh Lane was able to make the overnight drive pay off in the Sunbelt Rentals Open Shifter class where he drove from the back to lead 19 of the 20 laps for the 9.322 second win. The fight for second matched top qualifier Eric Riggs and Barnes. Riggs spun on lap 17, giving Barnes a clean path to the runner-up position. Eric Chappell was third.

Lance Lane of Illinois posted a nearly a half-second lead over the field in qualifying and then sped to his third straight win in the 125cc Master shifter race sponsored by AMT ambulance. Eric Riggs pressed him throughout the 20-lap race to finish a solid second just 0.557 of a second back. Dave Doogan won the battle for third.

Aldridge went from pole-sitter to win his second TAG Senior race after already taking home a Rock for the Valspar Race Against Hunger on Saturday. Aldridge was chased by Aaron Snyder until he was sidelined, giving Iowa’s Alex Nowsyz second place, just 0.273 of a second behind Aldridge at the finish line. Brennan Harrington was third with Canadians Fred Woodley and Rickeard fourth and fifth. The race was sponsored by AT&T.

The Leopard race was another Iowa-Illinois battle with Alex Nowysz edging pole-sitter Brennan Harrington for the checkered flag. Snyder and Woodley battled for third with last lap contact sending Snyder into the barriers. Officials placed Woodley behind Snyder in the official results, promoting Kent Schonberger to third.

Curry’s Transportation TAG Masters found Shane Wells of Illinois taking home his first Rock after racing at Rock Island more than a decade. Leader Dean Leifheit of Illinois pulled out early. Then there was a tangle between pole-sitter Brian Wake and Texas' Jean Brown which allowed Wells to move into the lead. As he crossed the finish line, Wake and Brown went through the final corner fighting for second and both went hard into the barriers but were uninjured. That allowed Illinois’ Jeff Salak to finish second with George Myers from Wisconsin third.

In 4-Cycle Clone Heavy sponsored by Schurr Power Racing, Dittmer and Travis DeVriendt were bumper to bumper for the lead approaching lapped traffic on the first turn of lap 10. Dittmer made it through, DeVriendt didn't.

"It's nice to have a hard-driving battle, but it's also nice to get an easy win," said Dittmer, who ended up with a 5.862 second lead over runner-up Connor Lund. "In the lead going into a situation like that, you can choose where you want to pass. You're in control," said Dittmer. DeVriendt fought back to get fourth.

Dittmer and DeVriendt hooked up again in a battle out front in 4-Cycle Clone Medium. DeVriendt led the first eight laps, but Dittmer managed a smooth pass just as they completed lap 9 and stayed just ahead of DeVriendt over the last six laps for the win.

In Briggs & Stratton Local Option 206 Medium sponsored by Schurr Power, Neilson led only the last five laps but it was enough for the win. Rickeard of Canada started sixth and finished second. Brandon Schadt of Iowa started 11th and finished third. Woodley, another Canadian, led seven of the first nine laps and placed fourth.

The only red flag of the day came in the Tennant Trucking Briggs & Stratton Local Option 206 Masters race, but with no serious injuries. Neilson started on the pole and cruised after the restart to his second win of the day. Behind Neilson was a great battle for second involving Jeff Scott of Illinois, Greg Jasperson from Minnesota and Canadian Rob Howden. By lap 12, Howden was in second but had pressure from Jasperson. On the final circuit, Jasperson went deep to the inside at turn one, taking over the spot and Scott followed him past. Jasperson scored the runner-up finish with Scott third and Howden fourth, earning fast lap honors.


Valspar's Race Against Hunger
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Colton Aldridge Indianapolis, IN ---
2. Aaron Snyder N. Aurora, IL 4.546
3. Dylan Gerding Ottawa, IL 8.798
4. Brett Rickeard Cottam, Canada 18.124
5. Fred Woodley Canada 19 laps

-- Did not start: Paul Russo, Lincolnshire, IL.

-- Fast lap Saturday: Aldridge, 33.869. Record lap time: Mason Chelootz, Houston, Texas, 32.624 ('13 feature).

Briggs & Stratton Local Option 206 Heavy
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Connor Lund Greenwood, IN ----
2. Tony Neilson Delmar, IA 0.080
3. Scott Barnes Pembroke, Bermuda 1.704
4. Matt Pewe Davenport, IA 1.878
5. Logan Smith St. Charles, IL 17.406
6. Jordan Bernloehr Lakeville, MN 17.538
7. Greg Jasperson Lakeville, MN 18.831
8. Kent Schonberger Evansville, IN 19.140
9. Kent Williams High Ridge, MO 19.644
10. Nathan Rossiter Marseilles, IL 30.498
11. Fred Woodley, Canada 30.966
12. Daniel Seaman Streamwood, IL 31.605
13. Albert Cram Iowa City, IA 32.721
14. Jesse Pritchett Arlington, TX 1 lap
15. Randy Raridon Tonica, IL 1 lap
16. Michael Kwasnik Jr. Carol Stream, IL 1 lap
17. Jason Reinert Sheridan, IL 1 lap
18. Dan Dahlgren Rock Island, IL 1 lap
19. Charles Karau Rochester, MN 2 laps
20. John Pritchett Marquette, MI 9 laps
21. Brandon Schadt Blue Grass, IA 11 laps

-- Did not start: Alec Anderson, DeWitt, Iowa; Mark Cerk, Franklin, Ind.

-- Disqualified: Brett Rickeard, Cottam, Canada.

-- Pole winner: Lund, 38.020. Fast lap Sunday: Neilson, 37.684. Record lap time: Gary Lawson, Mentor, Ohio, 36.988 ('13 feature).

Valspar Yamaha Super Can Medium
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Tim Goettsch Bettendorf, IA ----
2. Tony Neilson Delmar, IA 0.051
3. Michael Dittmer Davenport, IA 0.581
4. Dustin Blomme Eldridge, IA 0.796
5. Chad Peppers Davenport, IA 1.098
6. Alex Angel Speedway, IN 3.429
7. Drew Fisher Milan, IL 3.430
8. Tim Hollowell Greenwood, IN 4.674
9. Tony Jump DeKalb, IL 8.970
10. Troy Porter Rock Island, IL 10.901
11. Morgan Schuler DeWitt, IA 16.150
12. Jake Lund Davenport, IA 26.347
13. Garrett Nimmick Clinton, IA 26.491
14. Jamey Brown Stephensville, TX 33.005
15. Devon Smith Nashville, TN 1 lap
16. Brandyn Ryan LeRoy, IL 1 lap
17. Travis Porter Rock Island, IL 2 laps
18. John Brown Stephensville, TX 9 laps
19. Michael Sellers Moline, IL 11 laps
20. Erin Dunn Clinton, IA 19 laps
21. Rob Knox Orion, IL 19 laps

-- Pole winner: Dittmer, 35.907. Fast lap Sunday:Goettsch, 35.528. Record lap time: Chase Jones, Greenwood, Ind., 34.638 ('13 qualifying).

AT&T Leopard
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Alex Nowysz Adel, IA ----
2. Brennan Harrington Des Plaines, IL 0.165
3. Kent Schonberger Evansville, IN 24.916
4. Aaron Snyder N. Aurora, IL 1 lap
5. Fred Woodley Canada 1 lap
6. Jean Brown Stephensville, TX 18 laps

-- Did not start: Garrett Nimmick, Clinton, IA.

-- Pole winner: Harrington, 33.765. Fast lap Sunday:Nowysz, 33.482. Record lap time: Mason Chelootz, Houston, Tex., 32.880 ('13 qualifying).

Schurr Power 4-Cycle Clone Heavy
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Michael Dittmer Davenport, IA ----
2. Connor Lund Greenwood, IN 5.862
3. Matt Pewe Davenport, IA 6.230
4. Travis DeVriendt Sherrard, IL 16.435
5. Mark Petersen Clinton, IA 1 lap
6. Joseph Smith El Paso, TX 1 lap
7. Albert Cram Iowa City, IA 12 laps
8. Lance Newmarch Davenport, IA 12 laps
9. Casey Newmarch Long Grove, IA 12 laps

-- Did not start: Joe Senna, Edina, MN.

-- Pole winner: Dittmer, 38.304. Fast lap Sunday: Dittmer, 38.309. Record lap time: Gary Lawson, Mentor, Ohio, 36.736 ('13 feature).

MG Tires King of the Streets
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Connor Iseli Lone Oak, TX ----
2. Colton Aldridge Indianapolis, IN 7.417
3. Derek Crockett Millstadt, IL 8.523
4. Lance Lane Algonquin, IL 11.758
5. Josh Lane, Pingree Grove, IL. 23.111
6. Scott Barnes Pembroke, Bermuda 15 laps
7. Kyle Kennedy St. Louis, MO 18 laps

-- Did not start: Jenna Grillo Lakeville, MN.

-- Pole winner: Iseli, 32.692. Fast lap Sunday: J. Lane, 32.729. Record lap time: Jordan Musser, Coppell, Texas, 31.976 ('13 feature).

WHBF-TV 4-Cycle Clone Medium
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Michael Dittmer Davenport, IA ----
2. Travis Devriendt Sherrard, IL 0.360
3. Connor Lund Greenwood, IN 1.033
4. Matt Pewe Davenport, IA 3.184
5. Derich Cuttshaw Indianapolis, IN 12.789
6. Nick Denny Indianapolis, IN 13.226
7. Jeff Scott Quincy, IL 33.262
8. Joseph Rapp Bettendorf, IA 1 lap
9. Brad Rhoads Davenport, IA 5 laps

-- Did not start: Albert Cram, Iowa City, Iowa.

-- Pole winner: Dittmer, 38.479. Fast lap Sunday:Dittmer, 38.104. Record lap time: Gary Lawson, Mentor, Ohio, 36.425 ('13 feature)

AT&T TAG Senior
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Colton Aldridge Indianapolis, IN ----
2. Alex Nowysz Adel, IA 0.273
3. Brennan Harrington Des Plaines, IL 1.434
4. Fred Woodley Canada 3.579
5. Brett Rickeard Cottam, Canada 4 laps
6. Aaron Snyder North Aurora, IL 6 laps
7. Paul Russo Lincolnshire, IL 15 laps
8. Dylan Gerding Ottawa, IL 16 laps

-- Pole winner: Aldridge, 33.542. Fast lap Sunday:Snyder, 33.353. Record lap time: Mason Chelootz, Houston, Tex,, 32.284 ('13 qualifying).

International Trophy Cup Series Yamaha Super Can Heavy
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Tony Jump DeKalb, IL ----
2. Tim Goettsch Bettendorf, IA 0.229
3. Tony Neilson Delmar, IA 0.304
4. Tim Hollowell Greenwood, IN 1.950
5. David Cole Comstock Park, MI 2.031
6. Dustin Blomme Eldridge, IA 2.223
7. Morgan Schuler DeWitt, IA 17.766
8. Travis Porter Rock Island, IL 28.231
9. Jamey Brown Stephensville, TX 28.385
10. Dave Doogan Lockport, IL 28.624
11. Quentin Fischlein Davenport, IA 1 lap
12. Brandyn Ryan LeRoy, IL 1 lap
13. Michael Dittmer Davenport, IA 2 laps
14. Alex Angel Speedway, IN 3 laps
15. Michael Sellers Moline, IL 7 laps
16. Josh Smith Coal Valley, IL 8 laps
17. Jake Lund Davenport, IA 15 laps
18. Troy Porter Rock Island, IL 16 laps
19. Chad Peppers Davenport, IA 19 laps
20. Garrett Nimmick Clinton, IA 19 laps

-- Did not start: John Brown, Stephensville, Tex.; Erin Dunn, Clinton, Iowa; Rob Knox, Orion, Ill.

-- Pole winner: Neilson, 36.118. Fast lap Sunday: Goettsch, 36.040. Record lap time: William McLaughlin, Mooresville, Ind., 35.177 ('13 feature).

AMT Ambulance 125cc Shifter Masters
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Lance Lane Algonquin, IL ----
2. Eric Riggs Downers Grove, IL 0.557
3. Dave Doogan Lockport, IL 23.635
4. Eric Chappell Saginaw, MI 24.101
5. John Meier Bellevue, IA 2 laps
6. Terry Riggins Anderson, IN 9 laps
7. Thomas Wood Plainfield, IL 10 laps

-- Pole winner: Lane, 33.003. Fast lap Sunday: Riggs, 33.306. Record lap time: Shayne Shipley, Middletown, Ind., 32.412 ('06 feature).

Schur Power Local Option 206 Medium
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Tony Neilson Delmar, IA ----
2. Brett Rickeard Cottam, Canada 0.195
3. Scott Barnes Pembroke, Bermuda 0.319
4. Fred Woodley Canada 0.665
5. David Cole Comstock Park, MI 1.276
6. Jeff Scott Quincy, IL 1.367
7. Logan Smith St. Charles, IL 11.773
8. Nathan Rossiter Marseilles, IL 26.471
9. Kent Schonberger Evansville, IN 26.581
10. Jesse Pritchett Arlington, TN 38.174
11. John Pritchett Marquette, MI 2 laps
12. Charles Karau Rochester, MN 2 laps
13. Brandon Schadt Blue Grass, IA 6 laps
14. Connor Lund Greenwood, IN 8 laps
15. Matt Pewe Davenport, IA 8 laps
16. Daniel Seaman Streamwood, IL 13 laps
17. Nick Todtenhaupt House Springs, MO 14 laps
18. Jordan Bernloehr Lakeville, MN 14 laps

-- Did not start: Alec Anderson, DeWitt, Iowa.

-- Pole winner: Lund, 37.913. Fast lap Sunday: Pewe, 37.824. Record lap time: Gary Lawson, Mentor, Ohio, 36.558 ('13 feature).

Curry’s Transportation TAG Masters
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Shane Wells Coal Valley, IL ----
2. Jeff Salak Antioch, IL 18.443
3. George Myers Kenosha, WI 29.525
4. Brian Wake Geneseo, IL 1 lap
5. Jean Brown Stephensville, TX 1 lap
6. Paul Russo Lincolnshire, IL 7 laps
7. Dean Leifheit North Aurora, IL 14 laps

-- Pole winner: Wake, 34.548. Fast lap Sunday: Wells, 34.571. Record lap time: John Dixon, Evansville, Ind., 33.289 ('13 feature).

Tennant Trucking Local Option 206 Masters
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Tony Neilson Delmar, IA ----
2. Greg Jasperson Lakeville, MN 5.063
3. Jeff Scott Quincy, IL 5.094
4. Rob Howden Toronto, Canada 5.370
5. Ken Williams High Ridge, MO 6.780
6. Randy Raridon Tonica, IL 17.399
7. Al Cram Iowa City, IA 17.711
8. Tony Munson Rock Island, IL 33.200
9. James Barnett Anoka, MN 1 lap
10. Dan Dahlgren Rock Island, IL 4 laps
11. Jason Reinert Sheridan, IL 12 laps
12. Bob Cole Wyoming, MI 14 laps

-- Did not start: Mark Cerk, Franklin, Ind.; Michael Riemer, New Lenox, Ill.

-- Pole winner: Neilson, 38.563. Fast lap Sunday: Howden, 39.033. Record lap time: Neilson, 38.563 ('14 qualifying).

Sunbelt Rentals 125cc Open Shifter
Ord. Name Home Diff.

1. Josh Lane Pengree Grove, IL ----
2. Scott Barnes Pembroke, Bermuda 9.322
3. Eric Chappell Saginaw, MI 14.563
4. Alex Conlin LaPorte, IN 21.128
5. Eric Riggs Downers Grove, IL 33.361
6. John Meier Bellevue, IA 2 laps
7. Garrick Miller Plainfield, IN                                      7 laps
8. Derek Crockett Millstadt, IL 8 laps

-- Did not start: Jenna Grillo, Lakeville, MN.

-- Pole winner: Riggs, 33.349. Fast lap Sunday: Lane, 33.009. Record lap time: Kyle Wiegand, Bargersville, Ind., 31.176 ('06 feature, course record).

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