We have learned from past experience that we need to carry winter coats, extra layers, and blankets with us all during racing season...even in the summer. We were certainly glad we had it all with us last night at the Marshalltown Speedway. We endured what had to be one of the coldest nights of racing in the month of May, that we have ever seen! There was a strong west/northwest wind blowing toward the grandstands and that would just add to the uncomfortable situation. Mother Nature just has not been kind this year.
There was a lot of racing on tap as two make-up features would start the night's action about 15 minutes early. First was the A modified feature from the April 30th rain out. The feature picked up where it had ended with just a couple of laps completed before it had to be halted. Nineteen cars competed from the 24 that had started the feature last week. Missing the call were Denny Rosenberg, Scott Simotavich, Rod Clement, Josh Gilman, and Kyle Krampe. Young Joel Bushore was on the point as action began but it was Luke Wanninger who quickly took over. The Gustin boys, Richie and Jimmy, tried their hardest to catch the two top runners, but to no avail. As the first night's checkers flew, it was Luke Wanninger taking his first ever A modified win, Bushore held on for second, Richie Gustin was third and Jimmy Gustin was fourth. Mike O'Lear rounded out the top five spots.
The make-up hobby stock feature rounded out the program from last week. Coming from deep in the pack to take the win, was Lake City's Devin Smith. Smith was chased across the line by Michael Murphy who also started well back in the pack. This was not too surprising for the likes of those two talented drivers. Third place was captured by Matt Hudspeth, fourth went to Newton's Josh Saunders who had an excellent run and fifth to Michael Vibbard.
After the heats were completed, the regular night's features took to the track. With such nasty weather conditions, it was decided not to do winner interviews or pictures after feature races, but instead keep the show rolling along as quickly as possible. First feature was the Dwarf/Mod Lites. Outside front row sitter, Randy Bryan, took the lead but couldn't hold off a hard charging Mike Morrill. Josh May tried to make a challenge on the leader but would have to settle for second when the checkers flew. Morrill took the win followed by May, third was Eric Hendrickson, Randy Bryan held on for fourth, and fifth was Tim Hennigar who had started well in the back.
The IMCA Northern SportMods saw several yellows flying during their main event. When all was said and done, the 13 car of Brett Moffitt would cross the line in the first position. However, he was disqualified for what we understood was an illegal carburetor. This would hand the victory over to last week's winner, 14 year old Cayden Carter from Oskaloosa. Carter had challenged during the race but could not catch Moffitt. His steady driving was rewarded though, as he was declared the winner. Newton's Jake Strayer also drove an excellent race, and was runner-up, third went to Geoff Olson, fourth to Scott Davis and fifth was Eric Flander in the #12 car.
The stock cars saw two veteran drivers, Tommy Thompson and Rick Brown trying for that top spot early. This race too, saw many yellow flags flying. The track was rough and broken up which was playing havoc with the cars trying to maintain their lines. As racing got back underway after several restarts, Travis Shipman from Mason City, put his #87 car to the lead as Thompson, Brown, Clay Deppe, Steve Meyer and Michael Jaennette battled it out behind him. Both Brown and Deppe would have to exit the track with problems around halfway through the contest. As the laps wound down, it was two familiar cars getting through traffic and moving toward the front. Travis Shipman took the win, but Michael Murphy, coming from near the back of the starting field, chased him across the line for second. Third went to Michael Jaennette, fourth to "birthday boy" Tommy Thompson, and fifth to Dustin Smith who had to restart at the back of the field after having repairs made in the pits from an on track incident.
Two Canada drivers were on hand for modified racing last evening. One of them, the #01 of Joey Galloway, Ft. Francis, Ontario, had his night end in terrible fashion as he made a spectacular roll down the front stretch before the race even had one lap in. Veteran Vern Jackson, was no doubt wondering if the car was going to come down on top of him, but luckily he avoided that disaster. The other Canadian car was the #71 of Derrick Big Eagle from Manor, Saskatchewan, who was not able to start the feature. Jammin' Jimmy Gustin skillfully put his #19 into the top spot as racing finally got more than just a couple of laps under the green flag.
Luke Wanninger made his way to the second spot and thinking to make it a clean sweep for the night after having taken the make up feature. He was unable to catch the #19 though and Gustin came home the winner and Wanninger took second. Third was David Brown, with by far his best race of the season, fourth went to Todd Conrad, and rounding out the top five, was Ronn Lauritzen.
The final feature was the hobby stock class. Two young drivers, would finish 1-2. Tyler Pickett led the entire race from his pole starting position and Newton's Calvin Dhondt finished in second.
Third went to Todd Reitzler, fourth to Michael Vibbard, and fifth to Michael Murphy who once again came from the back of the pack for a good finish.
The track was not kind to many drivers tonight, and mostly thanks to the way Mother Nature has been treating us here in Iowa. Us fans had to battle weather tonight that was more likened to an early March race too. Let's all hope for much nicer weather next Friday night at the Marshalltown Speedway when it will be the annual Cliff Chamber's Memorial as regular season points racing continues. More information and complete results can be found at www.marshalltownspeedway.com. Happy racing!
No comments:
Post a Comment