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!
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