Friday night, we had to duck a few raindrops AGAIN at the Marshalltown Speedway, but the track won out on this night. We were lucky, as we know that there were some pretty heavy downpours not far from the track...we drove through them to get there! The crowd also enjoyed an added bonus of the modified Gambler race--winner takes all--as well as seeing two new faces get to victory lane for the 2011 season.
The first feature was the Dwarf/Mod Lites. Eleven cars were on hand, but during hot laps, a visiting driver from Arizona, Mike Martin, caught fire and was eliminated for the night. He made the trip from Gilbert, Arizona along with Robert Mros who was able to start the feature.
James May led the 15-lap feature through lap six when a caution flew and bunched the field behind him. By lap eight, Andy Hennigar had made the pass to take the lead and Josh May followed him to take the second place. Hennnigar would then "slip up" a bit in turn four, and loose several spots. Josh May then pulled away from the field and took his seventh regular season win,--eight, counting the Frostbuster. Randy Bryan took second over James May in third place, Mike Morrill in fourth and Andy Hennigar in fifth.
The 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature returned Kevin Fee to victory lane for the third time this season--fourth counting the Frostbuster. Brice Udelhoven took advantage of his pole starting position and led much of the race. Fee wasn't to be out done however, and made the pass on Udelhoven in the late laps, and then pulled away for the win. Udelhoven kept second, third went to Jennifer Hulin, fourth to Eric Larson, and Eric Knutson was fifth.
There was a little change in the format, as the IMCA Modifieds ran their 20-lap feature next. This was due to the fact that the finale of the evening would be the Modified Gambler race. Todd Shute made the pass on early leader Todd Conrad, but a couple of other drivers were coming fast--Jon Snyder and visitor for the night, Richie Gustin from Gilman, Iowa. Snyder took over the lead and with three laps to go, it was close racing behind with Gustin, Ronn Lauritzen, Shute, Jimmy Gustin and Josh Truman fighting for positions. Snyder took the win, Lauritzen ran a great race to finish in the runner up spot, Richie Gustin finished in third, fourth went to Todd Shute and Jimmy Gustin held off Josh Truman at the line, to take the fifth place--Truman finishing in sixth.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran their 15-lap event next. Father-son duo of Zach and Tom Rawlins ran up front the first couple of circuits, but it was a quickly advancing Carter VanDenBerg taking the lead shortly thereafter. VanDenBerg, driving the borrowed car of Brett Lowry, came from starting ninth, and convincingly took his first win at the Marshalltown Speedway. Jared VanDeest finished in the runner up spot, third went to Doug Smith, Jenae Gustin was fourth and Dylan Book rounded out the top five.
The 18-lap IMCA Stock Car A main finished the feature racing. Last week's winner, Todd Reitzler, led the early race, but had issues in turn four and lost many positions--a look at his right rear tire after the race, showed a very shredded tire, though still inflated. The race then was between Jeff Wollam and point leader Trent Murphy. Wollam chose the lower line, while Murphy opted for the outside. Meanwhile, Tracy Gienger threw his hat in the ring as well as Jay Schmidt. At the end of 18 laps, it would be Jeff Wollam taking the checker first, followed closely by Gienger in second, Murphy in third and Schmidt in fourth. Damon Murty rounded out the top five. A happy Wollam in victory lane thanked his sponsors and praised his new car, thrilled to get the win after nearly three year's absence.
The added bonus of the evening was the battle among six IMCA modified drivers who raced for all the marbles in a "Gambler" race--the winner takes all the cash tossed in from the competing drivers. Jon Snyder had a successful night for sure, as after taking the feature win earlier, also out ran the others in the Gambler race. Luke Wanninger finished second, Richie Gustin third, fourth was Ronn Lauritzen and visitor Mike Jergens was fifth. Todd Shute had his night conclude on a sour note, as he slipped off of turn three, and rolled his #5 ride. He was okay.
Racing continues next week at the Marshalltown Speedway. Check out their website at www.marshalltownspeedway.com for more information. Happy racing!
No comments:
Post a Comment