Back to back October victories at his home track, the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, allowed Keokuk's Tommy Elston to move past season long leader Andy Nezworski, and then a runner-up finish at Memphis in November was the clincher as the veteran driver earned his first All Iowa Points Late Model Championship.
The Harvest Hustle had been trimmed to a one night event for October 7th at Lee County, but when the October 6th World of Outlaws Late Model event scheduled for just up the road at 34 Raceway fell by the wayside, promoters Brian and Marcie Gaylord again made it a two day show and that worked well for Tommy Elston. Trailing Andy Nezworski by eight points coming into the weekend, Elston would win from the front row on Friday night while Nezworski could gain just two spots after starting twelfth. Then on Saturday, Tommy would draw the pole and go on to win while Andy started ninth and finished tenth putting Elston up by just two points.
They would race against each other one more time this past weekend on Friday night in Memphis, Missouri, just fifteen miles south of the Iowa border where some late race shuffling allowed both drivers to earn points with Elston finishing second and Nezworski fifth. With the difference now being five points with one race remaining and Elston clinching at least a share of the title, Shiverfest at Lee County on Saturday would find Jeff Tharp behind the wheel of the Nezworski #7 and the championship would go to Elston.
No stranger to the top of the standings for the past several years, Elston currently ranks tenth on the Cumulative All Iowa Points list for Late Models from 2000 through 2023 and he now becomes the twenty-third different Late Model driver to win an All Iowa Points championship since 1967. Twelve of those drivers have been inducted into the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame.
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| Micheil Farr photo |
Elston was an eleven time feature winner in thirty top five finishes in 2023 and last year he tied for fourth in the final standings. Nezworski, who finished sixth last season, scored eight victories in his twenty-nine top fives and two drivers tied for the third spot. Denny Woodworth picked up six wins in twenty-eight top fives while five-time champion, including 2022, Justin Kay picked up twelve wins in twenty-three top five outings. The most improved driver in the state, C.J. Horn finished fifth after dwelling in position forty-three last season.
Young Cade Richards is the Newcomer of the Year in the Late Models as he continues his quick ascension through the classes. With four wins in his rookie season, Richards finished eleventh in the final Late Model standings.
All Iowa Points Late Model Champions through the years
2023 Tommy Elston, Keokuk
2022 Justin Kay, Wheatland
2021 Justin Kay, Wheatland
2020 Matt Ryan, Davenport
2019 Matt Ryan, Davenport
2018 Jeremiah Hurst, Dubuque
2017 Matt Ryan, Davenport
2016 Rob Toland, Hillsdale IL
2015 Justin Kay, Wheatland
2014 Justin Kay, Wheatland
2013 Justin Kay, Wheatland
2012 Ray Guss Jr., Milan IL
2011 Ray Guss Jr., Milan IL
2010 Ray Guss Jr., Milan IL
2009 Ray Guss Jr., Milan IL
2008 Brian Harris, Davenport
2007 Rob Toland, Hillsdale IL
2006 Rob Toland, Hillsdale IL
2005 Terry Neal, Ely
2004 Rob Toland, Hillsdale IL
2003 Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls
2002 Denny Eckrich, Coralville
2001 Denny Eckrich, Coralville
2000 Gary Webb, Davenport
1999 Chris Smyser, Lancaster MO
1998 Steve Boley, West Liberty
1997 Gary Webb, Davenport
1996 Gary Webb, Davenport
1995 Gary Webb, Davenport
1994 Gary Webb, Davenport
1993 Gary Webb, Davenport
1992 Joe Kosiski, Omaha NE
1991 Ray Guss Jr., Milan IL
1990 Ray Guss Jr., Milan IL
1989 Ray Guss Jr., Milan IL
1988 Rollie Frink, Davenport
1987 Roger Dolan, Lisbon
1986 Dale Fischlein, Davenport
1985 Roger Dolan, Lisbon
1984 Ken Walton, Viola
1983 Ed Sanger, Waterloo
1982 Tom Hearst, Wilton
1981 Gary Webb, Davenport
1980 Gary Webb, Davenport
1979 Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
1978 Curt Hansen, Dike
1977 Curt Hansen, Dike
1976 Ed Sanger, Waterloo
1975 Ed Sanger, Waterloo
1974 Curt Hansen, Dike
1973 Ed Sanger, Waterloo
1972 Ed Sanger, Waterloo
1971 Ed Sanger, Waterloo
1970 Ed Sanger, Waterloo
1969 Ed Sanger, Waterloo
1968 Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids
1967 Red Droste, Waterloo
All Iowa Points
Late Model Final 2023
Pos. Driver Hometown Points
1 . Tommy Elston Keokuk 108
2 . Andy Nezworski Buffalo 101
3 . Denny Woodworth Mendon IL 86
4 . Justin Kay Wheatland 86
5 . C.J. Horn Cedar Rapids 81
6 . Nick Marolf Moscow 73
7 . Tad Pospisil Norfolk NE 70
8 . Justin Zeitner Omaha NE 60
9 . Jason Perry Payson IL 55
10 . Bobby Pierce Oakwood IL 53
11 . Cade Richards Lincoln NE 51
12 . Eric Pollard Dubuque 49
13 . Ricky Thornton Jr. Chandler AZ 46
14 . Joel Callahan Dubuque 41
15 . Kale Kosiski Ralston NE 41
16 . Andy Eckrich Cosgrove 39
17 . Logan Duffy Independence 39
18 . Matt Ryan Davenport 39
19 . Nick Deal Harlan 38
20 . Sean Johnson Independence 38
21 . Jesse Sobbing Malvern 37
22 . Brandon Sheppard New Berlin IL 36
23 . Luke Merfeld Dubuque 36
24 . Brian Harris Davenport 35
25 . Jeff Aikey Cedar Falls 35
26 . Chad Holladay Muscatine 33
27 . Blair Nothdurft Sioux Falls SD 32
28 . Cole Searing Huron SD 32
29 . Evan Miller Silvis IL 32
30 . Chad Simpson Mount Vernon 29
31 . Derrick Stewart Ainsworth 29
32 . Jason Hahne Webster City 29
33 . Jesse Bodin Silvis IL 29
34 . Jeremy Pundt Donnellson 28
35 . Sterling Perkins Fort Calhoun NE 27
36 . Jay Johnson West Burlington 26
37 . Ron Klein Sherrill 26
38 . Zach Zeitner Bellevue NE 26
39 . Billy Leighton Omaha NE 25
40 . Bryce Garnhart Lanark IL 25
41 . Hudson O'Neal Martinsville IN 25
42 . Jamie Wilson Quincy IL 25
43 . Jason Robbins Benton WI 25
44 . Chuck Hanna Port Byron IL 24
45 . Dylan Sillman Alvo NE 24
46 . Joe Beal Milan IL 24
47 . Curt Martin Independence 23
48 . Dalton Simonsen Fairfax 23
49 . Jaden Fryer Freeport IL 23
50 . Sam Halstead New London 23
51 . Andrew Kosiski Omaha NE 22
52 . Jeff Guengerich Washington 22
53 . Corey Zeitner Omaha NE 21
54 . Gary Brown Jr. Brandon SD 21
55 . Jake Bridge Waverly NE 21
56 . Charlie McKenna Clear Lake 20
57 . Corey Dripps Reinbeck 20
58 . Ethan Pickard Freeport IL 20
59 . Brandon Overton Evans GA 19
60 . Cory Dumpert York NE 19
61 . Jason Oenning Ursa IL 19
62 . Robbie Jorgenson Elkhorn NE 19
63 . Braden Bilger Jacksonville IL 18
64 . Devin Moran Dresden OH 18
65 . Greg Kastli Waterloo 18
66 . Mike Goben Milan IL 18
67 . David Webster Monroe WI 17
68 . Steve Johnson Camanche 17
69 . Bryan Klein Clarence 16
70 . Jonathan Davenport Blairsville GA 16
71 . Mike Kline Browntown WI 16
72 . Chris Madden Gray Court SC 15
73 . Darren Mish Hazel Green WI 15
74 . Drew Baker Omaha NE 15
75 . Jim Hendricks Pardeeville WI 15
76 . Micah Brown Lavista NE 15
77 . Chad Olsen Hendricks MN 14
78 . Gary Webb Blue Grass 14
79 . Luke Goedert Guttenberg 14
80 . A.J. Jorgensen Elkhorn NE 13
81 . D.J. Sweet Platteville WI 13
82 . Ed Mills Freeport IL 13
83 . Jeff Tharp Dubuque 13
84 . Brandon Davis Waterloo 12
85 . Dennis Erb Jr. Carpentersville IL 12
86 . Jason Feger Bloomington IL 11
87 . Mark Burgtorf Quincy IL 11
88 . Ashton Winger Senoia GA 10
89 . Brett Hopp Harlan 10
90 . Chris Simpson Oxford 10
91 . Dustin Schram Sterling IL 10
92 . Ron Boyse Kalona 10
93 . Shane DeMey Denison 10
94 . Shannon Babb Mowequa IL 10
95 . Allan Hopp Harlan 9
96 . Darrel DeFrance Marshalltown 9
97 . Fred Remley Stockton 9
98 . Jake Jorgensen Omaha NE 9
99 . Jeff Larson Freeport IL 9
100 . Kyle Berck Marquette NE 9
101 . Colton Leal Dubuque 8
102 . Dave Eckrich Cosgrove 8
103 . Dustin Sorenson Rochester MN 8
104 . Luke Sathoff Jackson MN 8
105 . Ray Raker Danville 8
106 . Steve Schueller Dubuque 8
107 . Tim McCreadie Watertown NY 8
108 . Alex Banks Newman Grove NE 7
109 . Christian Miles Paloma IL 7
110 . J.C. Wyman Griswold 7
111 . Matt Strassheim Morning Sun 7
112 . Mike Marlar Winfield TN 7
113 . Ryan Gustin Marshalltown 7
114 . Tanner English Benton KY 7
115 . Vance Wilson Quincy IL 7
116 . Brandt Cole Rock Falls IL 6
117 . Chance Huston East Moline IL 6
118 . Drake Troutman Hyndman PA 6
119 . Jesse Glenz Fall Creek WI 6
120 . Josh Leonard Gibbon NE 6
121 . Blake Anderson Omaha NE 5
122 . Darin Weisinger Jr. Mendon IL 5
123 . Devin McLean Mount Vernon IL 5
124 . J.D. Auringer Waterloo 5
125 . Jordan Heiman Sioux Falls SD 5
126 . Luke Pestka Robins 5
127 . Lyle Klein Sherrill 5
128 . Ryan Unzicker El Paso IL 5
129 . Shane Clanton Zebulon GA 5
130 . Tim Simpson Iowa City 5
131 . Bobby Hansen Center Point 4
132 . Chase Brunscheen Dyersville 4
133 . Chase Osborne Norfolk NE 4
134 . Chase Osterhoff Kankakee IL 4
135 . Chris Lawrence Colona IL 4
136 . Cody Martin Mitchell SD 4
137 . Daulton Wilson Fayetteville NC 4
138 . Don Pataska Green Island 4
139 . Garrett Alberson Las Cruces NM 4
140 . Jake Timm Winona MN 4
141 . Jeremiah Hurst Dubuque 4
142 . Jim Johnson Plainview NE 4
143 . Kyle Bronson Brandon FL 4
144 . Lance Schill Langsdon ND 4
145 . Mike Collins New Orleans LA 4
146 . Nate Beyenhof Rock Rapids 4
147 . Nathan Balensiefen Sheffield IL 4
148 . Tyler Bruening Decorah 4
149 . Chris Johnson Bloomfield NE 3
150 . Chris Spieker Massena 3
151 . Ed Hollenbeck Burlington 3
152 . Frank Heckenast Jr. Frankfort IL 3
153 . Jack Hearty Omaha NE 3
154 . Jacob Brown Omaha NE 3
155 . Jarrett Getzschman Council Bluffs 3
156 . Jason Rauen Farley 3
157 . Jason Udelhofen Potosi WI 3
158 . Morgan Bagley Longview TX 3
159 . Nick Anvelink Bonduel WI 3
160 . Nick Hoffman Mooresville NC 3
161 . Spencer Hughes Meridian MS 3
162 . T.J. Fortmann East Dubuque IL 3
163 . Tommy Sheppard Jr. New Berlin IL 3
164 . Tyler Erb New Waverly TX 3
165 . Vic Lovejoy Audubon 3
166 . Braeden Dillinger Dawson PA 2
167 . Brian Shirley Chatham IL 2
168 . DeWayne Moss South Wayne WI 2
169 . Don Beckstrom Carroll 2
170 . Earl Pearson Jr. Jacksonville FL 2
171 . Gale Vogt Yankton SD 2
172 . Jake Neal Omaha NE 2
173 . James Giossi Hudson WI 2
174 . Jeremy Kingery Shannon 2
175 . Jerod Ballhagen Parkersburg 2
176 . Jonathan Brauns Muscatine 2
177 . Josh Foster Fairfax 2
178 . Josh Most Red Oak 2
179 . Justin Karlen Howard SD 2
180 . Lane Brenden Mitchell SD 2
181 . Mason Zeigler Chalk Hill PA 2
182 . Michael Trulson Polk City 2
183 . Rodney Melvin Benton IL 2
184 . Scott Olson Prseton 2
185 . Scott Welsh Cedar Rapids 2
186 . Travis Smock Independence 2
187 . Trevor Anderson Watertown SD 2
188 . Ty Webster Monroe WI 2
189 . Austen Becerra Carthage IL 1
190 . Brock Sauer Darlington WI 1
191 . Charlie Olsen Hendricks MN 1
192 . Curt Schroeder Newton 1
193 . Gabe Umbarger Garner 1
194 . Gavin Tarras New Richmond WI 1
195 . Jacob Kubicka Juniata NE 1
196 . Jaxon Saathoff Beatrice NE 1
197 . Jimmy Judd Omaha NE 1
198 . Jon Passick Waterloo 1
199 . Keith Pratt Mendon IL 1
200 . Kelly Pestka DeWitt 1
201 . Ken Quinn Lena IL 1
202 . Kevin Kirkpatrick Waterloo 1
203 . Lance Matthees Winona MN 1
204 . Mack Mulvaney Moline IL 1
205 . Mike Guldenpfennig Eldridge 1
206 . Morgan Ward Grosz Watertown SD 1
207 . Nate Buesling Silvis IL 1
208 . Nick Beyenhof Rock Rapids 1
209 . Rich Dawson Lowell IN 1
210 . Troy Springborn Shawano WI 1
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