The Marshalltown Speedway provided plenty of good racing last Friday night. A "Faster Pastor" race was held before the points racing began. Driving hobby stock Dustin Elliott's car would be Pastor Dan Johnson crossing the line first for the win. Four drivers would win their first feature at the speedway in 2009, and a special "Gambler" race in the modified division, would cap the night's events.
The Dwarf/Mod Lite's were the first class to take to the track for their feature race. Moving toward the front quickly was the 57 of Tim Hennigar who had started well back in the field. He chased the X50 of Joel Huggins for a while until he was able to get by him to take over the number one spot. Mike Kennedy would take over second position soon and point leader, Mike Morrill was following in third position. At the checkers, it would be Tim Hennigar taking his first victory of the year at Marshalltown, Mike Kennedy came home second, Mike Morrill in third, Joel Huggins was fourth, and rounding out the top five was Eric Hendrickson.
The very popular IMCA SportMod's were up next as the front row saw two young ladies side-by-side to start the race..Jenae Gustin and Lauren Vis. Moving quickly to the number one spot, was the #20 car of Luke Wanninger. He had little trouble in keeping that lead and went home to the win...also his first of the year at the speedway. Trying his best to catch the leader, was Scott Davis but he ran out of time and would settle for the runner-up position at the checkers. Third went to last week's winner, young Jake Strayer in another fine performance, fourth to Brad Iverson, and fifth to Joel Bushore. Early on, it was fun to see two veteran drivers in the 21V of "Old Mr. Steady", Duane VanDeest, and the 98 of Bill Hildreth do battle. VanDeest would hold on to finish sixth as Hildreth dropped back a ways to finish ninth.
The IMCA modified class found front row sitters, Ronn Lauritzen and Tim Murty battling it out as Murty ran first and Lauritzen second. Scott Hogan took over that second spot and a little further back in the field, three Gustins were battling each other for position. It was fun to watch Ryan Gustin in the 19R, Jimmy Gustin in the 19 and Richie Gustin in the 19G. What a great racing family they comprise. The racing was fast and furious behind leader Tim Murty as he would take home the night's top prize and be in the winner's circle for the first time since June of 2006. Taking second was Ryan Gustin, third went to Scott Hogan, fourth to Jimmy Gustin, and fifth to visiting driver for the night, Troy Cordes.
Good hard racing was seen up front in the IMCA stock car division, as Dustin Smith, Damon Murty, Jeff Wollam and Trent Murphy were going at, making for exciting racing. On this night, it would be Dustin Smith taking home his seventh regular season win as he was back in familiar victory lane. The Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty came home in the second spot, Jeff Wollam, last week's winner, was third, fourth went to Trent Murphy and in a great run to take fifth, was Dave Atcher.
In the hobby stock feature, Terry Shaffar would be back in Victory Lane for the first time in five years. That was hard to believe, as Shaffar is always a top runner. Todd Reitzler would do his best to get another win, but he would have to settle for second on this night. Point leader, Devin Smith would finish third, fourth went to Eric Knutson, and fifth to Michael Murphy in the 25M car. Finishing a close sixth, was Newton's Josh Saunders.
The finale of the night was the IMCA modifieds in a "Gambler" race. Money was put up and winner took all....$1,000 and a qualifying win for the "All-Star 2010 Supernationals" ballot. Ten drivers took the green flag with Tim Murty on the pole looking for his second victory on the night. However, it was young gun "Nitro" Nate Caruth who had other ideas. He would be leading by lap four of the 20-lap contest and he would keep it to cross the finish line in first place and take home the money. Troy Cordes chased him across the line with Jon Snyder coming home third, and close for fourth and fifth, were Ryan Gustin and Jay Noteboom.
Though the season is quickly winding down, there are still regular track shows continuing through the month of August as well as special events to be found. Wednesday night at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, promoter Todd Staley will have his USMTS stars in town along with two NASCAR stars, Michael Waltrip and Kenny Wallace. Those two should provide some added entertainment. Also on Wednesday night at the asphalt track in Cedar Rapids, the IMCA Deery Brothers late models will try their hand for the annual switch from dirt to asphalt. The Hancock County Speedway at Britt, will be holding their traditional "Night of a 1,000 Stars race this coming Thursday night, August 6th which is another show we always try and catch. Where ever you choose, get out and see some racing action. Happy racing!
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