John Emerson Scores 2015 Sunday Series Championship [Video]

It came down to the final lap of the 2015 season to determine the IMCA Late Model Sunday Series champion. When the dust settled, Waterloo's John Emerson not only won the final race, but he also won the championship.

Entering the final event of the 2015 Sunday Series, only one point separated the two title contenders. Todd Cooeny (Des Moines, IA) held a that one point lead over John Emerson (Waterloo, IA). The showdown was set for August 30, 2015 at the Benton County Speedway.

Emerson battled Ryan Dolan (Lisbon, IA) for the lead late in the feature. As the white flag waved, Emerson was about to grab the lead and the win. Darren Ackerman (Readlyn, IA) made his way around Cooney late to steal third. Those two late race moves secured a two point lead in the final standings for Emerson and the series crown. Watch the thrilling video of the feature (below).

"When the green flew at Vinton, I knew that I just had to go for the win," Emerson said after the race. "With as good as Todd (Cooney) and Ryan Dolan are there, I just needed to win to put all the points out of my head and just go for it.

"Winning the Sunday series was the plan from the start of the year," Emerson added. "Along with winning the Rookie of the Year for the Derry Brothers Summer Series, but I getting sick. Missing one race at Tipton put a damper on those plans."

The young Waterloo native knew that racing for the Sunday Series title would be tough. but the team was up for the challenge. After the nine races, the "87" team earned the championship.

On the crew: Emerson's parents (Scott & Bobbie Emerson), Neil Nabholz, and Steven Nabholz.

IMCA LATE MODEL SUNDAY SERIES POINTS
FINAL STANDINGS

1. Emerson, John - 345
2. Cooney, Todd - 343
3. Nagle, Paul - 267
4. McKenna, Charlie - 245
5. Glover, Curtis - 223
6. Conrad, Paul - 215
7. Schroeder, Curt - 212
8. Maassen, Daulton - 169
9. Faux, Randy - 166
10. Welsh, Scotty - 151

Watch the 2015 IMCA Late Model Sunday Series final race (below) of the season courtesy of Chad Kauten and Local Vizion. See the full race results from August 30 here.