The Benton County Speedway was the scene on the evening of May 10th for the 2011 season opener for the Hawkeye Dirt Tour series. It was quite the change to be sitting in the stands in 90 plus degree temps and clear skies given the racing weather so far this spring. Thankfully, the high humidity that had been predicted didn't seem to appear and we sat in comfort for the first time this year.
Two support classes, the IMCA Northern SportMods and the IMCA Sport Compacts were also on the docket for the night. The Sport Compacts ran their 12-lap feature first which was run quickly as it went flag-to-flag. The winner, Brad Chandler was a happy camper in the post race interview as he not only had taken the victory but had done so in a borrowed car! Bill Whalen, Jr. finished a close second, and third went to Nathan Chandler, brother of the winner.
The SportMod's ran a 15-lap feature. Danny Dvorak leaped to the lead quickly with Oskaloosa driver, Carter VanDenBerg giving chase. Dvorak found the low side to his liking and VanDenBerg chose the topside. Those two drivers had started on the front row and it was looking to be a fight to the finish between the duo. Meanwhile, Austin Kaplan, a regular at the track, was making his way through the pack as the laps started winding down. Kaplan made the pass on VanDenBerg and into the second spot, would briefly take the lead with just one lap remaining, only to loose the win at the finish line. It was an exciting conclusion to the race with Dvorak getting the win and Kaplan taking the runner up spot just a bit short. VanDenBerg was scored in the third spot, Joel Rust took fourth, and Newton, Iowa driver, Jake Strayer came home in fifth.
There was a nice field of forty-four IMCA modified drivers competing and with just two drivers qualifying through each of the five heats, it called for three B main events to complete the feature field. Four drivers advanced from each of the three B mains and two provisionals were chosen---one from the HDT registered drivers and one from the track. Scott Hogan was the track provisional and Mark Schulte was awarded the HDT provisional. Unfortunately, Mark Schulte was not able to make the starting call and though last year's tour champion, Mike Jergens came to the track, he also exited even before the four-wide parade lap, leaving the starting field to twenty-two cars.
Long Grove, Iowa driver, Mitch Morris, took advantage of his front row starting spot and charged to the lead. Vern Jackson also made his move from starting in the third row, up into second place. The rest of the 30-lap race saw those two drivers up front while the remainder of the field fought for positions behind them. When Jackson finally made the move around Morris for the lead, the crowd cheered, as it did when the popular area driver kept that lead to the checkers, and the win. Mitch Morris took the second spot, third went to Ryan Dolan, fourth to the #83 of Kellen Chadwick, and fifth to Mark Elliott. Chadwick is from California but rumor has it that he will be living, working, and racing in Iowa this season. Chadwick was severely injured a couple of years ago in a racing accident in Arizona. He had several broken vertebrae along with other injuries and has made a remarkable recovery.
Since there were at least four of the Positively Racing team members in attendance last night, you can check out "Back Stretch", "Tapfan's Tours" and "In Staging" for a more in depth take of the night's happenings. Thanks to announcer Ryan Clark for the shout out to Positively Racing as well.
The next race for the Hawkeye Racing Tour will be on Memorial Day at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City. Be sure and check www.dirttour.com for the complete schedule and other information about the series.
Happy racing!
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