Tuesday we turned the vehicle to the east and headed to the Benton County Speedway in Vinton for the first 2013 Hawkeye Dirt Tour race of the season. And, what a beautiful night it FINALLY was to be sitting and watching a race! Joining the HDT Modifieds were the SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts.
The SportMods ran their feature first. Kurt Moeding and Brennen Chipp sat on the front row. Chipp flew off to the lead immediately but it was the CH19 that came calling, dogging the leader. The CH19 had a new pilot on this evening too. Normally driven by Colby Heishman, tonight it was commanded by hot shoe Stock Car driver, Damon Murty. Nick Roberts soon threw himself into the mix as well, as he was nipping at the heels of Murty. Murty's night would suddenly end when he pulled off the track. Roberts was then on the hunt, and he soon caught and passed leader Chipp, and sailed home to the win. The last couple of laps saw a lot of shuffling behind the leader, as Danny Dvorak made his challenge, but fell short, having to settle for a second place finish. Jenae Gustin was another driver who made herself known, as she drove from starting twelfth, to take third. Fourth went to Joel Rust, and Brennen Chipp rounded out the top five.
While the Hawkeye Dirt Tour drivers were readying themselves for their feature, the Sport Compacts ran their feature. This one was led start to finish by the 07 of Ty Whalen. Merv Chandler got around Bill Whalen, Jr. in the last couple of laps, as they finished second and third. The fourth position went to Travis Losenicky.
The first Hawkeye Dirt Tour race of the 2013 season now came to the track for their 30-lap contest.The luck of the draw for the front row went to Patrick Flannagan, and Oskaloosa driver, Cayden Carter. It took a second attempt to get the race underway, and a determined Carter immediately took command. Flannagan hung around and tormented Carter for a good bit of the first part of the race, but then Richie Gustin nabbed second place and was quickly stalking the leader in true "Gustin form". At lap sixteen, a real mess occurred in turn four when Gustin and Flannagan exchanged paint, wadding themselves and several other cars up in the melee. This would bring out a lengthy caution situation while the carnage was cleaned up...and Flannagan and Gustin discussed where to go for pizza afterwards. Two of the cars caught in the pileup were Jimmy Gustin and Joel Bushore, both being towed off the track, and Richie Gustin going to the pits as well---after a short unauthorized trip to victory lane.
When racing got back underway, it was still Cayden "Gasman" Carter at the helm, but now JD Auringer was snapping at his tail. It was just a brief lead at lap nineteen when Auringer nosed ahead of the leader at the flagstand, before Carter regained the lead, and determinedly kept it to the finish and the win. No stranger to the track, hometown boy, Scott Hogan was able to get around Auringer in the last couple of laps, as they finished second and third. Colt Mather, Webster, Iowa, took fourth over Mark Schulte in fifth. Schulte made the most advancement, coming from starting in eighteenth place.
Finishing off the night's program was the Hobby Stock A Main. Kyle Parizek and Chris Luloff drew the pole for this one, and they ran in that order from the drop of the green. Benji Irvine came from starting in row three, to take over second from Luloff, who then slipped off the track, loosing many positions before regaining control. Irvine was able to make the pass and then cruised off with a lengthy lead. However, a slip off of the track with just a lap or two to go, closed the gap and nearly cost him the lead and the win before he regained the handle. Irvine was able to hold off Nathan Ballard at the checkers and went to victory lane. Third place went to Justin Wacha, fourth to Andy Coffman and fifth to Vince Bucholz.
The track rutted up in the corners during the night, despite numerous attempts at regrading during and between races. Mother Nature is much to blame for that situation, and the cars paid the price in many instances. We did however, enjoy our night at the Benton County Speedway, and were happy to be enjoying it with racing family AND in pleasant weather conditions. The next Hawkeye Dirt Tour race is scheduled for May 16, at the Clay County Speedway in Spencer, Iowa. You can find the full schedule for the HDT series at www.imca.com. Happy racing!
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