SLICK RICK IS QUICK: Eckert scrubs the field for Plymouth Speedway Victory

Sometimes the best defense, is a good offense. That’s the approach Rick Eckert used to win Saturday’s Morton Buildings Feature at Plymouth Speedway.

Eckert led all 40-laps of the race, but he didn’t dominate. The York, PA driver had to think quickly in lap traffic while holding off challenges from Frank Heckenast, Jr.

Heckenast tried crossing Eckert over several times on the back straightaway but didn’t have the momentum he needed after charging to the bottom off Turn 2.

Heckenast made several attempts to steal the top spot, but Eckert was focused on getting through traffic ahead of him.

“It’s awesome to go almost all the way green, but traffic is tough,” Eckert said. “One time I saw a nose and I wasn’t sure if it was [Heckenast] or a lap car, but it didn’t matter anyway because I was going [to the top.]

“I was just trying to chase traction and chase where there was a hole. I never raced behind me; I was on offense the whole time trying to get through the traffic.”

Saturday’s win is Eckert’s 38th career World of Outlaws Victory. “Scrub” also swept the night setting Slick Woody’s Quick Time and winning his Drydene Heat Race.

Heckenast was impressed with how well Eckert moved through traffic.

“[Eckert] drove a perfect race, for dodging what he had to dodge,” Heckenast said. “I had about 15 shots at him, but not really because of lap traffic. It was just one of those things that was teasing you like a steak out there on a string.”

The only regret for the Frankfort, IL driver, was not being aggressive enough early in the race.

“The only thing I’m upset about is maybe I could’ve pushed a little bit harder the first five or 10 laps when me and [Eckert] were side-by-side,” Heckenast said.

Tyler Bruening, the rookie of the race, crossed the line third. The Decorah, IA driver stayed on the bottom for most of the race, keeping Eckert and Heckenast in his sight.

“We made it interesting if nothing else,” Bruening said. “I don’t really know what we were missing, I think if we would’ve zigged instead of zagged in lap traffic it would’ve made it more interesting.”

Bruening leads the chase for Rookie of the Year—108 points ahead of Ryan Gustin, who finished fifth.

Three-time and defending champion Brandon Sheppard crossed the line fourth.

The reigning champion and New Berlin, IL driver extended his point lead for the second straight night. He’s 46 points ahead of Chris Madden, who finished 7th.

UP NEXT: The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet travel to Stateline Speedway in Busti, NY on Thursday, June 17.

Morton Buildings Feature (40 Laps)-1. 0E-Rick Eckert [2][$10,000]; 2. 99JR-Frank Heckenast [1][$6,000]; 3. 16-Tyler Bruening [4][$3,500]; 4. 1-Brandon Sheppard [5][$2,800]; 5. 19R-Ryan Gustin [6][$2,500]; 6. 157-Mike Marlar [3][$2,300]; 7. 44-Chris Madden [11][$2,200]; 8. 111V-Max Blair [8][$2,100]; 9. 28-Dennis Erb [13][$2,050]; 10. 7-Ricky Weiss [10][$2,000]; 11. 97-Cade Dillard [19][$1,600]; 12. 11-Gordy Gundaker [18][$1,400]; 13. 11T-Trevor Gundaker [9][$1,200]; 14. 7R-Kent Robinson [16][$1,100]; 15. 42-Chad Finley [15][$1,050]; 16. 99B-Boom Briggs [12][$1,000]; 17. 93-Pancho Lawler [17][$1,000]; 18. 1M-Mike Mataragas [14][$1,000]; 19. 79-Troy Worrick [21][$1,000]; 20. 21N-Logan Nickerson [22][$1,000]; 21. 20TC-Tristan Chamberlain [20][$1,000]; 22. 21-Billy Moyer [7][$1,000] Hard Charger: 97-Cade Dillard[+8]

Qualifying –1. 0E-Rick Eckert, 13.652; 2. 16-Tyler Bruening, 13.7; 3. 1-Brandon Sheppard, 13.744; 4. 21-Billy Moyer, 13.768; 5. 19R-Ryan Gustin, 13.777; 6. 99JR-Frank Heckenast, 13.796; 7. 157-Mike Marlar, 13.838; 8. 1M-Mike Mataragas, 13.845; 9. 11T-Trevor Gundaker, 13.893; 10. 7R-Kent Robinson, 14.016; 11. 44-Chris Madden, 14.085; 12. 99B-Boom Briggs, 14.127; 13. 7-Ricky Weiss, 14.15; 14. 111V-Max Blair, 14.164; 15. 42-Chad Finley, 14.171; 16. 28-Dennis Erb, 14.172; 17. 20TC-Tristan Chamberlain, 14.208; 18. 11-Gordy Gundaker, 14.279; 19. 97-Cade Dillard, 14.372; 20. 93-Pancho Lawler, 14.471; 21. 79-Troy Worrick, 14.785; 22. 21N-Logan Nickerson, 14.842

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World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models
Saturday, June 05, 2021
Plymouth Speedway
11631 12th Road
Plymouth, Indiana 46563 

Event Description
The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series makes its first appearance at Plymouth Speedway. See if 3x World of outlaw Series Champion Brandon Sheppard can hold on to his title lead as the most powerful Late Models on the Plant compete for $10,000 dollars. the DIRTcar UMP Modified will also be making laps this weekend in hopes to get a competitive edge before kicking off the Summer Nationals Tour.


Series Racing
World of Outlaws Late Model Series

Support Divisions
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds

To Win Amount
$10,000.00

Event Schedule
Pit Gates open - 2:00pm
Grandstand Gates open - 5:00pm
Drivers Meeting - 5:30pm
Hot Laps - 6:00pm
Racing to follow
ORDER OF EVENTS:
1 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Hot Laps
2 DIRTcar UMP Modified Hot Laps
3 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Qualifying - 2 Cars / 2 Laps
4 FWD Hot Laps
5 Opening Ceremonies
6 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Heats - 10 Laps
7 DIRTcar UMP Modified Heats - 8 Laps
8 FWD Heats - 8 Laps
9 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Last Chance Showdowns - 10 Laps
10 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Redraw
11 Support Class Last Chance Showdowns (if needed)
12 World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Feature - 40 Laps
13 DIRTcar UMP Modified Feature - 25 Laps
14 FWD Feature - 20 Laps
*All times Eastern

Options And Prices
General Admission: $35
Child GA (12 & under): $10


Discounts
None

Grandstand Type
chairbacks

Family Section Location
Section E

Handicapped Seating Location
Handicap seating is available in turn one. Look for the directional signs or ask for assistance.

Pit Pass Price
$40

Pit Age Requirement
There are no age restrictions for the pits. Anyone under the age of 18 must fill out a minor waiver form and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Parking Cost
Free

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
Free

Support Divisions
DIRTcar UMP Modifieds

To Win Amount
$10,000.00

Type of Grandstand
chairbacks

Stadium Seating
Fans can bring in chairs for the boardwalk seating area.

Handicapped Seating
Handicap seating is available in turn one. Look for the directional signs or ask for assistance.

Pit Age Limit
There are no age restrictions for the pits. Anyone under the age of 18 must fill out a minor waiver form and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Personal Coolers
No coolers allowed.

Alcohol Sales
No outside alcohol is allowed. Beer is available for sale.

Smoking Policy
No smoking in Section "E"

Family Section
Section E

Parking Cost
Free

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
Free

Plymouth Speedway
11631 12th Road
Plymouth, Indiana 46563 

Track Phone
(574) 936-0900

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Type
0.250;

Sprint Car Track Record
11.061 seconds by Donny Schatz on 8/2/20

Late Model Track Record
13.451 seconds by Brent Larson on 6/29/17

Track Map

Competitor Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Competitor Info
Event Format:
1-20 Entries = Overall Qualifying | Two Heats | All Cars Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw
21-24 Entries = Overall Qualifying | Three Heats | All Cars Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw
25-27 Entries = Overall Qualifying | Three Heats | Top 6 Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw | One LCS | Top 4 Transfer
28-31 Entries = A/B Group Qualifying | Four Heats | Top 4 Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw |One LCS | Top 6 Transfer
32-47 Entries = A/B Group Qualifying | Four Heats | Top 4 Transfer | Top 2 from each heat redraw |Two LCS | Top 3 Transfer
48+ Entries = A/B Group Qualifying | Six Heats | Top 3 Transfer | Heat Race Winner Redraws | Three LCS | Top 2 Transfer

Event Payout: 40 Laps
1. $10,000; 2. $6,000; 3. $3,500; 4. $2,800; 5. $2,500; 6. $2,300; 7. $2,200; 8. $2,100; 9. $2,050; 10. $2,000; 11.$1,600; 12. $1,400; 13. $1,200; 14. $1,100; 15. $1,050; 16. $1,000; 17. $1,000; 18. $1,000; 19. $1,000; 20. $1,000; 21. $1,000; 22. $1,000; 23. $1,000; 24. $1,000 Tow Money: $110 - MUST start LCS in order to receive Tow Money

Technical & Safety Rules:
GENERAL RULES: Under the guidelines of Chapter 1
TECHNICAL & SAFETY RULES: Under the guidelines of Chapter 3
Weight Rule is 2350. Pound per lap burn off in the Feature event ONLY

Tire Rules:
ALL FOUR (4) CORNERS: LM-20
RIGHT REAR OPTION: LM-30
GROOVING AND SIPING IS ALLOWED