By Todd Narveson, For the Tribune

Last week was one of the most anticipated shows of the 2010 season at the Chateau Raceway. Friday, Aug. 27, featured the Dart Corn Belt Clash Late Models presented by Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants. Also on the card were the USRA Modifieds, WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds and Pure Stocks.

This was the first time that the late model division had appeared since 1982 and race fans were excited to welcome them back. Most of the drivers had never even seen the facility until they pulled in. But one driver used his experience of racing a modified here to good use.

A field of 19 late models were in attendance and they ran three heat races. The top four finishers redrew for the first 12 starting positions for the 35-lap main event. After the redraw, Brad Waits and Chris Simpson sat on the front row for the $2,000 prize.

Waits bolted to the lead from row one with Chris Simpson and John Kaanta in tow. Hard charging Jason Rauen went to the top-side of the track and stormed past Kaanta on lap two for third. Meanwhile, Justin Kay and Adam Hensel raced for the fifth position.

Rauen then challenged Simpson for second and the pair circled the track side-by-side. A caution came out on lap four when Neil Eckhart and Don Schaefer tangled in turn three. This brought the field back to Wait’s rear bumper for the restart.

When the green returned, Simpson dove to the low side of Waits and they were close for the lead. Rauen then entered the picture and it was a close three-car tussle up front. Hensel had moved to fourth on lap six, and Rauen tore to second in turn four.

Waits, Rauen and Simpson then began to pull away from the field a bit. Behind them Hensel, Kaanta and Chad Simpson had a good three-way race for fourth. Kaanta and Hensel got together on lap 11 and Hensel stalled. Kaanta was sent to the back for the caution.

When the race resumed, Waits and Chris Simpson took off. Chad Simpson now battled with Rauen for third, and row six starter Keith Foss was now on the fly to fifth. Chris Simpson managed to stay close with Waits up front and now Foss was going after Chad Simpson for fourth. Another yellow came out when Don Schaefer spun in turn two on lap 19.

The remainder of the race was dominated by Waits who scored the $2,000 payday ahead of Chris Simpson. Rauen finished a strong third while Foss finished fourth, and Justin Kay slipped past Chad Simpson for fifth late in the race.

In the Farm Boy BBQ WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds, Brandon Davis returned to his winning ways after mechanical problems sidelined him last week. Twenty-two cars took the green flag, and Cody Gardner held the lead early on.

Beau Lammers and Jason Born had a good race for second while Greg Pfeifer Jr. entered the fray. They went three wide on lap three and Lammers was now second with Pfeifer Jr, third. Davis entered the top five on lap four and then took fourth on lap five.

Davis continued his assault to the front when Pfeifer Jr. took second from Lammers and Davis was there to take third. A caution flew on lap eight and slowed the pack down. Pfeifer Jr. quickly blew by Gardner for the lead on the start and Davis followed him to second.

As has been the case quite a few times this season, it was Pfeifer Jr. and Davis racing for the lead. Davis slung past for the lead on lap nine in turn four. Another yellow came out for a two-car incident. Then things got shuffled up front when both Lammers and Mike Paulson exited the race and ended their potential top five runs.

From there it was all Davis who won his 11th of the season and also will be crowned track champion. Pfeifer Jr. had his 14th top finish in second with Gardner third. Alan Mondus and Dustin Scott finished out the top five.

The Misgen Auto Parts Pure Stocks once again had a wild and wooly feature race. Right off the bat, Daniel Klingfus pounded the backstretch wall. Matt Brooks led early on with a wild scramble behind him. Wayne Bellrichard then spun and collected Keith Weber and Jason Newkirk.

Next week. Sept. 3, will feature the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) with the Casey’s General Store Hunt For The National Championship. Also racing will be the WISSOTA Street Stocks and Pure Stocks. It will be the final point night of the season for both of those classes.