Andy Eckrich heads to victory in the Deery Brothers tour opener.
What won the race: After winning a consolation race to qualify for the 40-lap feature, Andy Eckrich of Oxford, Iowa, blasted through through the field, needing just 17 laps to charge past hometown driver Matt Ryan for the race lead.
Key notes: Runner-up Justin Kay of Wheatland, Iowa, started 12th. ... Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill., led the first five laps before losing power to draw a yellow. ... Eckrich, who was up to second after just seven laps, notched his seventh career Deery Bros. victory; his previous series triumph came Aug. 13, 2012, at Iowa State Fairgrounds Speedway in Des Moines, Iowa. ... Eckrich also picked up $250 in Sunoco's nightly drawing. ... The tour was originally scheduled to open its season April 5 at Crawford County Speedway in Denison, Iowa, but weather cancelled the event. ... Tour competitors return to Davenport on Sept. 20.
On the move: Reigning track champ Justin Kay, who got together with Joel Callahan early in the race and restarted on the tail, rallied to finished second just behind Eckrich.
Points chase: Friday's event opened the tour's 2014 season; hometown driver Brian Harris collected his first series championship in 2013.
Car count: 45
Heat race winners: Andy Nezworski, Jon Poll, Ray Guss Jr., Jon Merfeld, Milo Veloz, , , ,
Consolation race winners: Jeremy Grady, Andy Eckrich, ,
Next series race: April 12, West Liberty Raceway (West Liberty, IA) $3,000