CEDAR RAPIDS, IA -- Bobby Gutknecht , driving the TDS Metrocom Grand Prix, held off a last lap charge from Pete Hernandez and Jonathan Eilen to win the 40-lap Yellow Book USA Stock Car Series feature race Friday night at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids, IA. Gutknecht won by inches over Eilen with Hernandez third, George Schultz fourth, defending series champion Bill Prietzel fifth and new track record holder Curt VanderWal sixth. VanderWal blazed around the half-mile paved oval in 19.647 seconds and was among five drivers snapping the old track record in time trials. Some 34 drivers attempted to make the feature lineup, establishing a record turnout of the Yellow Book cars. The series has made stops at Hawkeye Downs in most seasons since in inagural year in 1993. "This was a really good field of cars tonight," Gutknecht said. "It was a nice one to win." Gutknecht and Ron Weyer battled door-to-door for the early lead. Weyer soon settled in behind Gutknecht as a 16-car freight train formed behind the leader. Hernandez moved into second place on lap 18 and pressured Gutknecht for the top spot until the only caution flag of the race flew on lap 19 for a big pileup in the backstretch. Thomas Garbacz and Brian Franks came together. Jim Thorson and Tom Schmitzer couldn't avoid the wreck. Thorson's Monte Carlo ended up on the roof of Schmitzer's car. None of the drivers were injured in the crash, but all four cars were out of the race.

Hernandez hounded Gutknecht the rest of the way. As the white flag was waved and the leaders came racing out of turn four, Gutknecht and Hernadez touched, sending both cars sliding out of control. Eilen tried to pass the two frontrunners as Gutknecht and Hernandez struggled to regain control. Eilen bounced off of Herndez in turn two and managed to wiggle into second place just behind Gutknecht at the finish line. "That could have been a bad wreck, but we all played it smart," Hernandez noted.

The next Yellow Book USA Series race is Saturday night, May 15 at the 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, WI at 7:30 p.m.

Summary: 40-Lap Feature: 1. Bobby Gutknecht, Oak Creek, WI; 2. Jonathan Eilen, Hampton, MN; 3. Peter Hernandez, Mokena, IL; 4. George Schultz, Bristol, WI; 5. Bill Prietzel, Franklin, WI; 6. Curt VanderWal, Oskaloosa, IA; 7. Ron Weyer, Jackson, WI; 8. Mike Skaja, New Prague, MN; 9. Brett Piontek, Green Bay, WI; 10. Jeremy Miller, Roscoe, IL; 11. Josh Bauer, Random Lake, WI; 12. Josh Larsen, Glencoe, MN; 13. Doug Brown, Savage, MN; 14. Scott Wennermark, Cedar Rapids, IA; 15. Bobby Hacker, Loves Parl, IL; 16. Jeremy Spoonmore, Somonauk, IL: 17. Johnny Mudd, Cedar Rapids, IA; 18. Dan Powell, Polo, IL; 19. Kevin Lee, Homestead, IA; 20. Thomas Garbacz, Schaumburg, IL; 21. Brian Franks, Central City, IA; 22. Jim Thorson, Sugar Grove, IL; 23. Tom Schmitzer, Chilton, WI;
24. Andy Duggan, Marion, IA.

15-Lap Last Chance Race: 1. Larsen; 2. Schmitzer; 3. Garbacz; 4. Hacker; 5. Thorson; 6. Powell; 7. Mel Schappert, Cedar Rapids, IA; 8. Scott Null, Lake Mills, WI; 9. Amy Woodward, Mason City, IA; 10. Craig Bender, Cedar Rapids, IA; 11. Mark Storlie, Lakeville, MN; 12. John Henecke, Hiawatha , IA: 13. Craig Peterson ,Des Moines, IA; 14. Frank Plimton, Minneapolis, MN

(For more information, contact the series office at 920-823-2856.)