Tuesday, September 14, 2010

2010 Super Nationals Notes

The 28th annual IMCA Super Nationals is in the books and we will give a few of our observations. For more detailed information over the course of the six day event, check fellow Positively Racing bloggers, "Tapfan's Tours" and "In Staging" as well as http://www.raceboone/ and http://www.imca.com/.

We saw the usual marathon of racing as 805 cars competed over the six day competition. Monday brought a rain delay of about an hour and a half and racing was not completed until around 3:40 a.m. Friday again brought rain that resulted in the jet dryer being fired up---not once, but twice! For those who have never seen the jet dryer in use on a dirt track, it really does work wonders! The noise, unbelievable amount of heat that then causes the steam to roll up from the track, along with the mud splattering up, means you do not want to be standing anywhere close to the machine in operation! After a couple of passes around the track on the topside, the spring tooth is brought out right behind to start digging up the track, and behind that, the packers and then the dryer moves down to the next groove and the process continues. The dryer consumes 130 gallon of jet fuel in a half an hour.

Monday, Labor Day, kicked off the 28th Super Nationals which highlighted the running of the Deery Brothers IMCA late models. Forty-three late models competed and Ray Guss, Jr. repeated his win from last year. The track was a bit bumpy after the rain delay and resulting track packing and it was a rough go on getting consecutive laps in early on before a yellow flag flew--five yellows, in five laps. Guss advanced quickly, avoiding trouble, and advanced nine positions from his 15th place starting spot, in four laps. He took the win, being the first 2010 Super Nationals Champion crowned. Jeff Aikey came from 19th spot, to finish as the runner up. Rookie Andy Eckrich started 23rd in a provisional spot, to garner third place, fourth went to Tyler Bruening, also from a provisional start, and rounding out the top five was Ryan Giles.

Tuesday's show completed the qualifying for the IMCA Hobby Stocks and IMCA SportMods as they had also run on Monday--a change up in the format from previous years. This night concluded at 11:10 p.m. and allowed for a much earlier bedtime for us from the previous night's 4:30 a.m.....thankfully!

Wednesday brought in 160 IMCA stock cars and 270 IMCA modifieds as they competed for the first time, for a total of 67 races on the night. Radar showed rain just to the north of the track during the night, but tonight Mother Nature was kind and allowed for a rain-free program which ended at 12:20 a.m.

Thursday finished up the qualifying for the IMCA stock cars, and continued for the IMCA modifieds. Of note on this night was heat #8 for the modifieds---nine cars from nine different states! Justin O'Brien from West Union, Iowa, A. J. Ward, Ionia, Michigan, Jerry Lobdell, Jr., Groton, New York, Mark Griffin, Canton, Pennsylvania, Todd Wilson, Spicard, Missouri, Olen Shields, Central Point, Oregon, Chris Burk, Friend, Nebraska, Keith White, Little River, Texas, and Duane Cleveland, Plumas Lake, California. Only at the Super Nationals!

Friday was the weather threat day. Shortly before the 2 p.m. scheduled hot lap time, the raindrops began. Then, it stopped, and even had a peak of sun. Hey, this is Iowa. Wait five minutes and the weather will change! Soon the jet dryer was brought to the track and so began the methodical drying and reconditioning of the track. Racing restarted about 4:15 p.m. However, we heard there was only about a three hour window before rain would come again. With that, the program went into high gear and the first scheduled track prep was not needed. Due to the heaviness of the air and cloud cover, the track remained in good shape and the show continued non-stop.

The show was moving along in good time and the final A qualifier for the stock cars was brought to the track shortly after 8 p.m. Then that three hour window closed! With just one lap down in the stock car qualifier, Mother Nature came calling again. The cars were called into the infield only to be sent to the pits shortly after when the track became shiny slippery. Once again, the jet dryer returned for an encore, did it's job, and we were racing again around 10:30 p.m. and all was wrapped up at 12:31 a.m. Not bad at all for a four hour delay thrown in.

This now brings us to the Saturday show and "The Big Dance" for Hobby Stocks, SportMods, Stock Cars, and the Modifieds. In all classes, first time winners walked away with the trophy.
The Hobby Stock feature went to Jason Wilkinson from Neligh, Nebraska. Second place went to Dustin Larson from Rushmore, Minnesota, third to Robby Marsh from Belvidere, Nebraska, fourth to John Watson, Des Moines, Iowa, and fifth was Michael Murphy from Jefferson, Iowa.

The IMCA SportMod dance was up next. Jesse Sobbing was leading at lap sixteen of the 30-lap feature but by lap 20, it was Lytton, Iowa's Brett Meyer taking over the number one spot. Sobbing would soon develop mechanical problems and exit the track. Meyer sailed home to take his first Super Nationals championship. Eric Flander from Barnes City, Iowa took the runner up position, followed by Randy Roberts in third, Nate Chodur in fourth, and fifth was Brett Moffitt.

The 30 car strong IMCA Stock Cars took to the track next. A disaster was avoided on lap six, when Damon Murty came to a very sudden halt coming out of turn four and sat immobile in the middle of the track. How all of the cars missed him we don't know but they were all very alert and not one car touched the stalled 99D. At halfway, Jeremy Christians, from Horicon, Wisconsin put his bright orange car to the top spot and from there on, never looked back. Christians has always been a top runner everywhere we have seen him run....even from back in the days of the Winner's Series for IMCA Stock Cars. It was an excited Christians who was joined after the race with family and friends, including his 2 month old baby. Second and third places went to Dustin Smith and Donavon Smith in that order, fourth was Marcus Fagan who came from starting in the middle of the sixth row, and fifth was Michael Bruns from Olivia, Minnesota.

The long awaited final feature for the IMCA modifieds proceeded the three-wide parade lap -- always a stirring sight. Forty laps was ahead and what a feature it was! Thirty-two laps straight of non-stop racing, through lap traffic was just awesome. The #9 of Brandon Blochlinger out of Concordia, Kansas was the top dog and looking good until a handful of laps remaining, saw him exit off of turn three....victim of a brake roter failure. Jimmy Gustin was now in the driver's seat...literally...and he would go on to take a very popular win with the crowd. We've seen Gustin race many times and anytime he pulls on to the track, he is a contender for the win. We have written his name amongst the winner's we've seen many times, but feel sure that this just might be his most memorable win to date.

The 28th IMCA Super Nationals is now in the books. It was a grand six day run which we enjoyed tremendously. We have witnessed the previous 23 years of the Super Nationals and have watched it grow into the grand event that it has revolved into. Congratulations to all of the newly crowned IMCA Super National champions and thanks to all the competitors who entertained us all. It was also great to catch up with racing friends and drivers we see each year at the Super Nationals. Good times with good friends makes it special.

There are specials still to be found in Iowa and the surrounding states. Check the calendar at Positively Racing for one that you might want to attend. Happy racing!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Track Champions Crowned at Marshalltown and Boone

Two tracks concluded their 2010 season of racing this past weekend and with that, the crowning of a total of ten track champions--one of which made it four in a row. One driver would also run his final race of his career at the Marshalltown Speedway, ending a 22-year span.

September 3rd, 2010 was Marshalltown Speedway's season championship night. On track driver introductions were made and are always a nice touch allowing fans to see and salute their favorite drivers. All classes also started their features straight up by points. First to be crowned a 2010 track champion was Tim Hennigar in the Dwarf/Mod Lite class. Hennigar had no trouble in taking the win as he came to the checkers ahead of second place finisher, young Josh May. Third was Mike Morrill, fourth went to Dusty Masolini and fifth was Joel Huggins.

The IMCA Hobby Stocks feature went to Devin Smith who also claimed the title of track champion. He bested Michael Murphy to the finish line. After Murphy in second place, came the 20E of Eric Larson in third, fourth was Newton driver Calvin Dhondt, and rounding out the top five was another Newton driver, Josh Saunders.

The IMCA Northern SportMod feature went to Cayden Carter who took his sixth win at the track. Scott Davis led early on until Carter made the pass about lap six, and then pulled away from the field effortlessly. Davis finished in second but was the track champion. Third went to Jake Strayer, fourth to Geoff Olson, and Gatlin Leytham was fifth.

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars were up next. During introductions, driver of the #75 Ford Thunderbird, The Flyin' Farmer, Rick Brown was recognized as he was ending his 22 years of racing. Former announcer at the track, Denny Grabenbauer made an appearance to call the stock car race--Brown's final race--as he had called his first race 22 years prior. It was a touching tribute to the veteran driver as he led the pace truck before his final start around the highbanks of Marshalltown, a track he had called home for his entire racing career.

Trent Murphy paced the field of stock cars from the drop of the green flag as he stayed ahead of point leader Dustin Smith. Damon Murty made a charge to the front and momentarily appeared to take the lead...only to exit the track immediately off turn one at about lap sixteen. The restart put Murphy back to the top spot with Smith in second and Jeff Wollam now in third place. Jay Schmidt had started the feature near the very back, but had worked his way forward many positions and was now in fourth. When the final checkers fell, Murphy took the win, followed by Dustin Smith who is the 2010 track champion, Wollam remained in third, Jay Schmidt kept fourth place with Andy Bryant taking fifth. Rick Brown ended his career with a very respectable sixth place finish, after recovering from an incident in turn one on the opening lap.

The modified feature went to Jon Snyder who trailed Jimmy Gustin by 11 points going into the night's A main. Snyder controlled the entire race to take the win. Richie Gustin grabbed second place away from brother Jimmy early in the 25-lap feature, as they finished second and third. Brett Ladehoff picked up a fourth place finish followed by Mike O'Lear in fifth. Jimmy Gustin is the 2010 track champion...for the fourth year in a row.

On Saturday, September 4, it was the Boone Speedway with their season ending race. It was already a sea of racecars, haulers, and campers at the track, all in anticipation of the upcoming 28th running of the IMCA Super Nationals slated to start on Memorial Day. Only hot laps were allowed to any new cars that had not previously run at the track, but plenty would take advantage of those hot laps. On track driver introductions were made for all classes before the start of their feature event.

The Dwarf/Mod Lite was won by point leader Josh May making it a double-your-pleasure night for him...a "W" and a track championship. Charlie Brown came from starting eleventh to grab the runner up spot followed by Dusty Masolini in third, James May in fourth and Tim Hennigar with a fifth place finish.

The IMCA Northern SportMod feature saw Scott Davis take his second track championship in as many nights. He also won the main event, leading all laps. Eric Elliott finished in second place, after making the pass on Jeremy Embrey on the last lap. Following Embrey for fourth was Geoff Olson and fifth went to Tim Love.

The modified feature was won by Cale Sponsler as he too led all A main laps. Jimmy Gustin chased Sponsler across the line to pick up second place, third went to Kelly Lyons, fourth to Jake Durbin, and fifth was Russ Dickerson. Jake Durbin also picked up his second track championship in as many nights, as he won track points at the Iowa State Fair Speedway on Friday night.

The stock car feature was mainly a two car breakaway with Donavon Smith closely chased by the 19A of Alan VanGorp. Hot Rod Richards finished in third place, Wayne Gifford was fourth and the Flyin' Dutchman, Mike VanGenderen advanced from well in the pack to pick up a fifth place finish. Smith took home the track championship crown.

The hobby stock was the last feature to run. A mere two points separated the two drivers sitting on the front row--Michael Murphy and Pat Mather. Mather would take the win, and Murphy was content to follow for a second place, giving him the track championship. Third went to Randy Embrey, fourth to Cody Gustoff, and father Donnie Gustoff, finished fifth.

A "Gambler" race for the IMCA modifieds was also on tap, pitting Tim Stevens, Kelly Lyons, Jake Durbin, Jimmy Gustin, Joel Bushore, and Jon Snyder in a friendly one-on-one green-white-checkered contest. Several rounds brought the final series to be Gustin versus Lyons with Gustin taking home the $500 prize. A fun little added contest to be enjoyed by the nice crowd on hand.

Our congratualtions to all the 2010 track champions for their hard work and dedication to this great sport we all enjoy. Thanks also to ALL of the drivers who entertain us week in and week out.

As mentioned earlier, it is looking like another huge gathering of cars and fans for the upcoming IMCA Super Nationals kicking off on Labor Day. Many cars took advantage of hot laps and all the while, more haulers arriving in the pits. We look forward to those six days of marathon racing and hope you can at least make it for a race or two. We call it a race "happening" and something you should at least experience once. Come join us for the "Racin' Vacation". Happy racing!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Boone - 9-4-10

Unofficial results - 126 cars

Modified - 21 cars

Feature only, no heats, no B

1. 93 Cale Sponsler
2. 19 Jimmy Gustin
3. 27 Kelly Lyons
4. 18 Jake Durbin - Track Champion
5. 28R Russ Dickerson
6. 12E Mark Elliott
7. 1 Bill Davis, Jr.
8. 12C Kent Croskey
9. 75H Clint Wendel
10. 22D Daniel Hilsabeck
11. 58 Denny Pittman
12. 1J Jonah Chinn
13. 87 Joel Bushore
14. 77C Craig Carlson
15. 69X Jon Snyder
16. 49T Tim Stevens
17. 10K Ronn Lauritzen
18. 24 Robert Avery
19. 00X Jim Cooper
20. 15X Scott Baker
DNS: 23 J.J. Scott

SportMod - 28 cars

B Main - Top 4 to A. No heats

1. 7W Tim Wilcox
2. 28R Mark Rose
3. 11C Justine Campbell
4. H1 Mark Hunziger
5. 25 Scott VanBuskirk
6. 86J Rod McDonald
7. 1T Tyler Olson
8. 7I Steve Inman

Feature

1. 81D Scott Davis - Track Champion
2. 9E Eric Elliott
3. 41 Jeremy Embrey
4. 2G Geoff Olson
5. 27 Tim Love
6. 72 Rick Ringgenberg
7. 6 Darren Huntley
8. 3L Clint Luellen
9. 57 Lynn Brockett
10. 23JR Nick Roberts
11. 32L Ty Lullen
12. 28R Mark Rose
13. 5B Tom Burke
14. 3 Stacey Clark
15, 59 Tara Longnecker
16. 7W Tim Wilcox
17. H1 Mark Hunziger
18. 17 Jamie Ganoe
19. 3R Randy Roberts
20. X4 Jason Purvis
21. 11C Justine Campbell
22. 28 James Reichart
DNS: 66 Cody Hennings
1TX Bobby Davis III

Stock Car - 23 cars

Feature - no heats/B

1. 35 Donavon Smith - Track Champion
2. 19A Alan VanGorp
3. 23HR Rod Richards
4. 22 Wayne Gifford
5. 57V Mike VanGenderen
6. 87 Travis Shipman
7. 99D Damon Murty
8. 12+ Ryan Rose
9. 9 Jerry Gifford
10. 3H Ty Hill
11. 24K Kevin Shaw
12. 81B Dave Baugh
13. 5 Keith Miner
14. 52 Nathan Wood
15. 18 Jeff Harkrider
16. 77 Andy Bryant
17. 76 Norm Belew
18. 22S Toby Smith
19. 556 Terry Cornelison
20. 45 Larry Crocheck
21. 2L Jon Lang
DNS: 12 Bryan Trogdon
27M Mike Munson

Hobby Stock - 35 cars

B Main - 4 to A - no heats

1. 39 Larry Embrey
2. 8 Merle Bass
3. 96 Mark Hidlebaugh
4. 22 Chris Jensen
5. 23G Dustin Tepp
6. 47W Shaun Wirtz
7. 20N Justin Nehring, Storm Lake
8. 20T Richard Yaw II
9. 67 Ed Mahlstedt
10. 21 Ross Marshall
11. 4JR Russell Damme
12. 293 Jake Wirtz
13. 9 Andrew Arends
14. 26T Jeremy Tilley
15. 10B Brandon Pruitt

Feature

1. m15 Pat Mather
2. 25M Michael Murphy - Track Champion
3. 40 Randy Embrey
4. 23 Cody Gustoff
5. 20 Donnie Gustoff
6. 46J Jesse Hopkins
7. 83 Chris Hupp
8. 10 Travis Fenton
9. 74J Dean Hartwig
10. 911 Darin Rothfus
11. 1BC Tony Cox
12. 22 Chris Jensen
13. 96 Mark Hidlebaugh
14. 83S Scott Logarsso
15. 63 Cory Tasler
16. T15 Jacob Thompson
17. 8 Merle Bass
18. 66 Andy Mahlstedt
19. 16B Jay Arends
20. 14 Matt Wahlert
21. 5A Tyler Pickett
22. 3A Austin Luellen
23. 38R Aaron Rudolph
24. 39 Larry Embrey

Dwarf - 19 cars

Feature - no heats/B

1. 99 Josh May - Track Champion
2. 82 Charlie Brown
3. 8 Dusty Masolini
4. 88 James May
5. 57 Tim Hennigar
6. 0B Colby Oberembt
7. 20 Jeff Stensland
8. 01 David Schmalzried
9. 5X Matthew Goodin
10. 46Z Bryan Zehm
11. 46 Kevin Grisham
12. 11R Jason Whitehead
13. 8T Todd Thorson
14. 76 Terry Sorenson
15. 00 Phillip Reeves
16. 95 Mike Kennedy
17. 4L Larry Sorenson
18. 3G Dustin Forsberg
19. 37X Tim Milner

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Tesch Takes Rain-shortened USMTS at the Highbanks

Tuesday's show at the Marshalltown Speedway was one we were really looking forward to. The powerful USMTS modifieds were coming to town to try their hand at conquering the Highbanks.
Thirty-one of the traveling series cars were on hand and while Mother Nature tried to spoil all the fun, the show was hurried along enough to salvage 20-laps of the proposed 40-lap feature, making it an official race. Also on the program were the USRA stock cars running their Dart Ironman Challenge series, B-modifieds, Dwarf/Mod Lites, and the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks.
The stock cars and trucks did not get their features in and it is our understanding that they will complete their features at the upcoming Havoc on the Highbanks on September 17-18.

Karsyn's Krusaders were also on hand at the speedway, selling shirts and decals, holding a "walk-the-track" event; all in the hopes of bringing cancer awareness to the public and gathering funds for donating to Make-A-Wish Foundation, Lymphoma and Leukemia Society, and Give Kids the World. Check out www.karsynskrusaders.com for all the info on this great effort as they "Kick Cancer's Butt, One Lap at a Time".

By the time the first feature pulled on the track, the clouds were rolling in and, as has been the all too common occurrence of approaching rain, was of concern, AGAIN! That first feature was the Dwarf/Mod Lites which were thirteen strong. Mike Morrill put his red #6 to the lead early but Tim Hennigar was moving well through the field and into the second spot by lap six. Hennigar made the pass on Morrill at lap ten, and went home to the checkers first. Morrill kept the second spot, Joel Huggins captured third place, fourth went to Ivan Guerra, and fifth was Mike Kennedy.

The B modifieds quickly took to the track for their A main. It was pretty much a "who will get second" as the 10 of Cayden Carter dominated the entire race. Danny Dvorak in the 3R car tallied a second place finish, followed by Matt Lettow in third, Carter VandenBerg in fourth, and young Tyler Droste captured fifth.

The USMTS modifieds were sent to the track next for their 40-lap feature. By this time, we had been watching the flashes of lightning that were becoming more prevalent in the western sky.
With the show hurried along, the usual patriotic parade lap did not happen. Darin Duffy and Jon Tesch were the front row sitters and took off to lead the field in those positions. It was appearing this race was going to go to the "Karsyn's Krusaders" wrapped #19D car of Duffy as he was skillfully circling the track to maintain the lead over Tesch. However, at lap 17, Duffy slowed, came to a halt in turn four, the victim of a blown motor. Tesch then inherited the lead spot on the restart, with Happy, Texas driver Rodney Sanders and Oklahoma driver, Jason Hughes tailing him. On the half-way lap, the 17S of Mike Spaulding took a roll in turn one, bringing out the red flag. Spaulding emerged from the car, without injury. As things were being cleared on the track, drops of rain began to fall, becoming heavier and heavier. Radar was showing it was not going to be just a light shower, so we---along with most of the grandstand--began our exit move, while the field of cars remained on the track. We got to our vehicle and then heard the announcement that the races were called and the feature scored complete. Jon Tesch took the win, Jason Hughes had slipped by Rodney Sanders as they finished second and third respectively, fourth went to Tommy Myer and fifth to Mark Elliott.

Positively Racing was well represented last night, so take the time to check out "Back Stretch" and "Tapfan's Tours" for their take on the action last night as well. It was nice to have two people approach us last night to say they read our blog. We always appreciate meeting those people and thank them.

For complete results from last night, check www.usmts.com as well as info on their upcoming events. We plan to head to the Southern Iowa Speedway for their next race tonight, Wednesday, September 1, and can only hope that the weather holds off. Until next time, happy racing!