Jason Rauen wanted one more big pay day before putting his Late Model in the garage for the winter.
The Farley, Iowa, driver bounced back from a disappointing Yankee Dirt Track Classic last month to win the Late Model 100 in the Spec Engine Nationals at Dubuque Speedway on Sunday night.
"We were feeling pretty good at the Yankee, then we broke an engine and that was it," said Rauen, who led the Yankee until the 21st lap. "That left a pretty sour taste in our mouths. To be able to come back tonight and win this really means a lot to us."
It also meant a $7,000 pay check for Rauen, who held off Adam Hensel, Terry Anvelink, Lance Mathees, Jeff Aikey and Ray Guss Jr. for the victory. Rauen started seventh, was fifth with 15 laps to go and took the lead for good with four laps left.
"I probably have as many laps on that track as anybody, so the key was staying calm and cool," Rauen said. "You have to be patient, and you have to keep your tires as fresh as possible."
* Terry Rittmer won the 20-lap Stock Car feature
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"The car ran just as well as it did a couple months ago. The only difference was you had to dress a little warmer," Rittmer said. "The cooler weather isn't as hard on the car as the heat is."
* Jarett Franzen won the B-Modified feature. Tim Current, Dustin Wilwert, Jed Freiburger and Jason Seegmiller made the top five.
