2018 Champions Crowned in Iowa’s Virtual Dirt Track Classic
The fans have spoken, and the champions have been crowned in the 2018 Iowa's Virtual Dirt Track Classic.
Thanks to the diehard race fans, Bill Cowlell Ford (Hudson, Iowa), and Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center (Hudson, Iowa), it was another successful year for Iowa's Virtual Dirt Track Classic.
The Top 5 Shootout saw some exciting battles, and one last lap pass (or last hour pass, if you prefer) to determine our division champions. The award of #VDTC18 Grand Champion is given to the division champion that gathered the most votes during both the Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Round 1 and the Bill Cowlell Ford Main Event.
The #VDCT18 Modified Championship went to Kelly Shryock. The Fertile, Iowa driver was leading the 2017 Virtual Dirt Track Classic championship. In the final hour, Shryock was passed regulating him to a runner-up spot. This year he would not be denied leading during the entire Bill Colwell Ford Main Event. Clint Luellen finished second followed by JD Auringer, Mike Van Genderen, and Josh Gilman.
The #VDTC18 SportMod/Bmod Championship saw a driver who made a last day surge just to make the Top 5 Shootout. Kyle Olson raced from his fifth place position to the 2018 division championship. Jake McBirnie lead early but settled for second. Colby Fett was a close third. Tyler Sopee and Doug Smith completed the top five.
The #VDTC18 Hobby Stock Championship was an exciting battle during the Top 5 Shootout. All five drivers were never out of contention for the win, and the lead changed hands five times over the seven days of voting. Chanse Hollatz would be this year's crowned champion over Shannon Anderson by a mere seven votes. Leah Wroten finished just 17 votes back of the leader, and Benji Irvine was only two votes behind Wroten. Jason Fusselman finished in fifth.
The #VDTC18 Late Model Championship had an icon leading until the Top 5 Shootout entered the final eight hours. Darrell DeFrance saw Charlie McKenna slip by in the closing hours and race off to the championship. DeFrance finished second. Jesse Sobbing edged Justin Kay for third by one vote, and Todd Cooney rounded out the top five.
The Stock Car Division had more votes cast than another other division, and because of that, it produced our Grand Champion. The #VDTC18 Stock Car and Grand Championships went to Nathan Wood. Wood had a strong showing over the course of this year's virtual race, but his fans jumped into overdrive during the last three days. Cole Mather put up a great battle, but had to settle for second. Chad Palmer, Devin Smith, and Mike Nichols rounded out the Stock Car field.
2018 IOWA'S VIRTUAL DIRT TRACK CLASSIC
TOP 5 SHOOTOUT FINAL RESULTS
GRAND CHAMPION:
1. Nathan Wood (Stock Car), 2. Kelly Shryock (Modified), 3. Kyle Olson (SportMod/Bmod), 4. Chanse Hollatz (Hobby Stock), 5. Charlie McKenna (Late Model).
STOCK CAR CHAMPION:
1. Nathan Wood, 2. Cole Mather, 3. Chad Palmer, 4. Devin Smith, 5. Mike Nichols.
MODIFIED CHAMPION:
1. Kelly Shryock, 2. Clint Luellen, 3. JD Auringer, 4. Mike Van Genderen, 5. Josh Gilman.
SPORTMOD/BMOD CHAMPION:
1. Klye Olson, 2. Jake McBirnie, 3. Colby Fett, 4. Tyler Soppe, 5. Doug Smith.
HOBBY STOCK CHAMPION:
1. Chanse Hollatz, 2. Shannon Anderson, 3. Leah Wroten, 4. Benji Irvine, 5. Jason Fusselman.
LATE MODEL CHAMPION:
1. Charlie McKenna, 2. Darrell DeFrance, 3. Jesse Sobbing, 4. Justin Kay, 5. Todd Cooney.