The racing action for the Marshalltown Speedway wrapped up on Saturday night with the running of Night #2 of the Havoc on the Highbanks. Joining the classes from the previous night, were the Dirt Trucks and the IMCA Sport Compacts. It was a chilly night and fans were bundled up, but the racing action was great. The grand finale of the night, the final Hawkeye Dirt Tour race of the year, found the track turn multi-grooved and what a show the drivers put on!
The IMCA Sport Compacts ran their feature first, which went flag to flag. Nine of the cars were on hand with all starting their feature event. Veteran of many years of racing, Merv Chandler, led the entire race, taking the win. Merv said in the post-race interview, that he began his IMCA racing career back in the early days of the birth of the modifieds, along about 1983/1984. Behind him in second, was his son, Brad Chandler. Third went to Tyler Whalen, fourth was Bill Whalen, Jr. and fifth Dave Moorman. We recall Moorman being a regular at the Marshalltown track when the unsanctioned front wheel drive cars ran there regularly a number of years ago. It was announced that the IMCA Sport Compacts will be running weekly at the Marshalltown Speedway in 2012.
The Mod Lite feature ran their 15-lap A main next. Colby Oberembt led the entire race and took the win. Josh May moved through the pack well to nab the runner up position, after starting toward the back of the field. Third went to his dad, James May, fourth was Joel Huggins and Justin Forsberg, a new new driver from the previous night, took fifth.
Next up was the Dirt Trucks, bringing eight trucks for competition. Bret Moyer and his father, Carl Moyer sat on the front row for the start. Bret grabbed the lead and would lead all twelve laps to take the win. Father, Carl Moyer, had to settle for the runner-up spot over another son, Brad Moyer in third. Fourth went to Tony Moro and Rick Clark rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks ran a 15-lap feature. Scott Pippert dominated this race and with the loudest rev limiter on a crate motor we've heard! Maybe it was because we were sitting directly up from where it would kick in, but it was something that I doubt anyone overlooked noticing. New driver from Friday night, Eric Knutson took second, over Tyler Pickett in third, Kenny Loftus in fourth, and Gene Nicklas in fifth.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran a 20-lap feature. Pole sitter, Clint Luellen leaped to the lead on the first lap but what a scramble it was behind him for postion. Jake Strayer, Tyler Droste, Jenae Gustin and Cayden Carter were battling it out for spots two-five. Cayden Carter got to the second spot and then the chase was on to catch Luellen. Carter did snatch the first spot as a lap car going into turn one put the interesting twist on the situation. The skillful Carter drove to the lead with a nifty move and would soon pull away and take the comfortable win...his 30th of the season. The second position finish slipped from Luellen at the line when Tyler Droste got by him by a nose, to take second. Following Luellen, who finished third, was Jenae Gustin in fourth and Carter VanDenBerg was fifth.
It was a 20-lap feature for the IMCA Stock Cars. Jeff Wollam made an appearance for night #2 and sat on the front row along side the #15T of Jim Helle. With last night's winner, Brian Irvine, and second finisher Damon Murty buried deep in the field, it was appearing there would be a new winner on the night. Not so fast on that thought!
Jay Schmidt and Dave Atcher battled for the top spot early on and Schmidt won out and would then put some distance between himself and Atcher, But then enter Brian Irvine AND Damon Murty into the picture! When a restart occurred due to an apparent car sitting in a dangerous area as it attempted to exit into the pits, out came the yellow flag....that dreaded yellow flag that no doubt Schmidt did NOT want to see. By this time, Irvine had positioned himself into spot #2 and while under caution, made sure that Schmidt knew he was right there, knocking on the door, as he showed his ride to the leader. Irvine did make the pass on Schmidt soon after the restart, and then Murty took over the third spot. A couple of cautions would fly in the waning laps of the race, one when the #81 of Cory Adams erupted in flames in a spectacular sight! Adams drove into the infield with the car still ablaze. It was quickly extinguished, but we would imagine Adams won't soon forget his toasty exit from this race! When the race resumed, it was last night's winner, Brian Irvine taking the win once again, from having started back in 19th place. Schmidt kept second place, and Damon Murty came from the 24th spot...dead last...to take third. Fourth was Dave Atcher and veteran Andy Bryant was fifth.
The grand finale was the 30-lap Hawkeye Dirt Tour modified race. By this time, it was getting a bit nippy, and we were eating some dirt, but wow, was this race ever worth enduring every bit of that! Jacob Murray and Mark Elliott sat on the front row. Elliott secured the HDT Championship at the drop of the green flag. Of course, he still wanted a feature win, and appeared he was well on his way as he led from the start. Richie Gustin, last night's winner, drew into the picture as he made his way into second and Jon Snyder grabbed third. Snyder fell back several positions and here came Adam Larson, Todd Shute and Darin Duffy--all throwing their hat into the ring. There was a caution at lap sixteen. Not sure if this happened to be the caution that occurred because someone had opted to start burning the huge pile of branches from the summer storm (that has been sitting untouched all this time) but it was suddenly a HUGE fire blazing just to the southeast of turn one. Upon inspection and being determined to be no danger, the racing action resumed. And when it resumed, what racing we saw! The track had turned multi-grooved and cars were finding lines all over the track--often three to four wide. Elliott slipped back and then Larson took over the top spot followed by Richie Gustin and Darin Duffy. Darin Duffy? Where the heck did he come from? Duffy over took Larson without too much difficulty and Snyder also made his move past Larson. When the final checkers flew, it was Hazelton, Iowa's Darin Duffy with the HDT win under his belt...a great performance on his part. Snyder finished second, Shute came from starting eleventh, and at one point, having to rejoin the tail of the field, to take third, Larson finished fourth and Richie Gustin rounded out the top five.
Racing action is drawing to a close in our area so try to find a race to attend before you find yourself sitting home wishing for some racing action. There are several specials still up in our area. The "biggie" is the upcoming Lucas Oil Late Model Series show at the historic Knoxville Raceway. This is set for this coming weekend, September 29-October 1. Lots of big time names on the entry list as well as top runners from our area. Since this race fell at the same time this year as our traditional annual trip to Beatrice, Nebraska for their October Fest race, looks like we will be missing the late model show. With all the buzz and anticipation of this race, at least we are hoping to get filled in on how things go by fans/friends and of course, the Internet postings. Let's hope for fair weather all around and great, safe, racing action. Happy racing!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Richie Gustin nabs HDT win on Night #1 of Havoc
The first night of the 5th Annual Havoc on the Highbanks at the Marshalltown Speedway is in the books. The pits were packed with 161 race cars by my count. It's always fun to see new faces racing at this end-of-the-year special. Drivers made the trip from Illinois, Missouri and California if I caught the announcements correctly. Two of the winner's scored their 39th and 29th feature win of the 2011 season.
The features kicked off with the Mod Lite A main with 17 of the machines competing.
Josh May grabbed the lead away from Bryan Zehm within the first few laps, but his night would suddenly end when his power plant went up in smoke. This put Zehm back to the point position which he kept to the checkered flag and the win. Tim Hennigar took the runner-up spot, third was Colby Oberembt, fourth Joel Huggins and James May was fifth. In the post-race interview, Zehm said he was happy to get the win in his dad Ed Zehm's old car and think we also heard him say it was his FIRST ever win.
The IMCA Hobby Stock A came to the track next. They ran a 15-lap feature which was dominated by winner Devin Smith. Smith took the lead by lap two after starting seventh and sailed home to his 39th win of the season according to a "stat person" sitting nearby. Scott Pippert and Kevin Fee duked it out for position behind him with Fee winning the second place finish, Pippert the third. Fourth went to Brandon Brinton, followed by Austin Luellen in fifth.
The 20-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature was another main event that was won in dominating fashion. Oskaloosa, Iowa young gun, Cayden Carter, took the lead on the first lap, never to look back. Carter scored his 29th victory of the season, another remarkable feat in this young man's early career. The real battle was behind Carter as Austin Kaplan, Jenae Gustin and Doug Smith jockeyed for positions. Winning the battle and finishing second was Austin Kaplan. Doug Smith came from starting 21st to take third, Jenae Gustin garnered a fourth place finish after starting 14th and Tyler Droste held on for a fifth place finish after starting on the pole.
The IMCA Stock Cars also ran a 20-lap feature. After a complete restart after the green flag initially flew, the race was run caution free. Polesitter Brian Irvine and Damon Murty, who sat along side him on the front row, put on quite the duel early on, with Irvine gaining the lead by sneaking underneath Murty in turn two...left front wheel hiking into the air. Lap traffic was looking to become a factor with just a couple of laps remaining, allowing Murty to reel the leader in, but Irvine was not deterred, and held on for the win; Murty finishing second. Third was Donavon Smith, fourth went to Jay Schmidt who had started back in the sixth row, and Steve Meyer rounded out the top five.
The grand finale was the 30-lap running of the Hawkeye Dirt Tour IMCA modified feature. This race, paying $1,000 to win, was also a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All Star Invitational for the 2012 IMCA Super Nationals. The 2011 Super National's winner, Richie Gustin, wasted no time in taking the lead from starting outside pole, led all laps, and took the win. Jon Snyder had applied a bit of pressure to Gustin as they ran the topside, but with three laps remaining, Snyder suddenly let loose with a cloud of steam, and pulled to the infield. We believe instead of a blown motor, it was a blown radiator hose. Upon the restart of the final three laps, it was Ronn Lauritzen that applied the pressure as he slipped by Vern Jackson to take second. He gave it his all the last ciruit, but came up a bit short, having to settle for the runner up spot. Jackson took third over Darin Duffy in fourth and Jacob Murray in fifth.
If you're looking for some good racing action in the Central Iowa area, the Marshalltown Speedway will be doing it all over again tonight with Night #2 of the Havoc on the Highbanks. A complete new show will be run with the same classes being joined by the Dirt Trucks and the IMCA Sport Compacts. For more information check www.marshalltownspeedway.com. Happy racing!
The features kicked off with the Mod Lite A main with 17 of the machines competing.
Josh May grabbed the lead away from Bryan Zehm within the first few laps, but his night would suddenly end when his power plant went up in smoke. This put Zehm back to the point position which he kept to the checkered flag and the win. Tim Hennigar took the runner-up spot, third was Colby Oberembt, fourth Joel Huggins and James May was fifth. In the post-race interview, Zehm said he was happy to get the win in his dad Ed Zehm's old car and think we also heard him say it was his FIRST ever win.
The IMCA Hobby Stock A came to the track next. They ran a 15-lap feature which was dominated by winner Devin Smith. Smith took the lead by lap two after starting seventh and sailed home to his 39th win of the season according to a "stat person" sitting nearby. Scott Pippert and Kevin Fee duked it out for position behind him with Fee winning the second place finish, Pippert the third. Fourth went to Brandon Brinton, followed by Austin Luellen in fifth.
The 20-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature was another main event that was won in dominating fashion. Oskaloosa, Iowa young gun, Cayden Carter, took the lead on the first lap, never to look back. Carter scored his 29th victory of the season, another remarkable feat in this young man's early career. The real battle was behind Carter as Austin Kaplan, Jenae Gustin and Doug Smith jockeyed for positions. Winning the battle and finishing second was Austin Kaplan. Doug Smith came from starting 21st to take third, Jenae Gustin garnered a fourth place finish after starting 14th and Tyler Droste held on for a fifth place finish after starting on the pole.
The IMCA Stock Cars also ran a 20-lap feature. After a complete restart after the green flag initially flew, the race was run caution free. Polesitter Brian Irvine and Damon Murty, who sat along side him on the front row, put on quite the duel early on, with Irvine gaining the lead by sneaking underneath Murty in turn two...left front wheel hiking into the air. Lap traffic was looking to become a factor with just a couple of laps remaining, allowing Murty to reel the leader in, but Irvine was not deterred, and held on for the win; Murty finishing second. Third was Donavon Smith, fourth went to Jay Schmidt who had started back in the sixth row, and Steve Meyer rounded out the top five.
The grand finale was the 30-lap running of the Hawkeye Dirt Tour IMCA modified feature. This race, paying $1,000 to win, was also a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All Star Invitational for the 2012 IMCA Super Nationals. The 2011 Super National's winner, Richie Gustin, wasted no time in taking the lead from starting outside pole, led all laps, and took the win. Jon Snyder had applied a bit of pressure to Gustin as they ran the topside, but with three laps remaining, Snyder suddenly let loose with a cloud of steam, and pulled to the infield. We believe instead of a blown motor, it was a blown radiator hose. Upon the restart of the final three laps, it was Ronn Lauritzen that applied the pressure as he slipped by Vern Jackson to take second. He gave it his all the last ciruit, but came up a bit short, having to settle for the runner up spot. Jackson took third over Darin Duffy in fourth and Jacob Murray in fifth.
If you're looking for some good racing action in the Central Iowa area, the Marshalltown Speedway will be doing it all over again tonight with Night #2 of the Havoc on the Highbanks. A complete new show will be run with the same classes being joined by the Dirt Trucks and the IMCA Sport Compacts. For more information check www.marshalltownspeedway.com. Happy racing!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Super National's notes and tidbits
The 29th annual IMCA Super Nationals has come and gone. Yes, it's been more than a week ago, and yes, this is late getting posted. Seems it is taking us longer and longer to get caught up on things when we are gone, let alone catching up on rest!
We had a great time though. It was our 24th straight attendance---all of the Super Nationals that have been held at the Boone Speedway. How they have grown and changed from a four-day show back then starting on Wednesday, to now the spectacular six-day affair. Back on that 1988 championship night, it was also September 10th but with a car count much less then in 2011. A note I ran across in looking back for the Friday night show was 96 modifieds, 11 late models and 31 stock cars. Only three classes were competing at that time. Drivers I found that participated back in 1988 and were racing still in the 2011 Super Nationals were Darrel DeFrance, Jeff Aikey and Craig Jacobs all in the IMCA late models and in the IMCA stock car class, Don Killen and Tony Bass. Chris Jensen ran in the stock car class back in 1988 and was in the hobby stock division this year. Merv Chandler, Denny Pittman and Rich Smith were modified participants in 1988 and while Pittman and Smith remained as modified racers (Smith having been in all 29 runnings) Merv Chandler was a 2011 Sport Compact driver.
Monday night started off with the crowning of the first IMCA Super National Champion of 2011 when the 50-lap Deery Brothers IMCA Late Model feature went to Colby Springsteen. Springsteen won his first ever Deery Brothers race that night and what a special one it was for him. Springsteen ran near the front much of the race but an unfortunate incident for the two front runners gave him the opportunity to garner that win. The #1st car of Justin Reed had held the lead until lap 40 when he lost his drive shaft just past the flagstand and second-running Terry Neal could not avoid running over it. With both drivers out of the race, Springsteen soon made the pass on Kevin Sather on the restart and then drove home to the victory.
On Tuesday, September 6, the second Super Nationals Champion was crowned. It was the first-ever IMCA Sport Compact show at the Super Nationals with a full show that night. Forty-nine of the little front-wheel wonders participated. Some people were calling it the "Bumble Bee Nationals" with their distinctive sound! We do not often see this class during the season but when we do, it is often two family names that we hear....the Chandler's and the Whalen's. They were well represented at Boone as we counted seven of them running and all making the A main championship race. The first Sport Compact Super Nationals Champion was Nate Chandler from Norway, Iowa. Brad Chandler (who I believe is a brother, but not for sure) finished second and had to push the winning car off the track after the awards ceremony as the winner had expired his motor.
By the time Saturday rolled around, only last chance races were needed in the modifieds to fill in the final nine cars in their big A main. All other classes had completed their qualifying events the previous days. The IMCA Hobby Stock 30-lap A main was run first. The race through lap 23 was being dominated by Andy Boeckman and Devin Smith as they jousted for position. A little bit too much jousting cost either of them the chance for the win as they both were out of the race at that point, when contact was made. The third place runner, Cody Nielsen inherited the lead on the restart then and motored home to the victory. Nielsen, a rookie in the division this year, is from Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Next came the 30-lap IMCA SportMod feature which proved to be a thriller at the finish. Scott Davis prevailed after having led the previous ten laps but it was Jesse Sobbing who made a tremendous charge as the checkers flew, only to come up a bit short. Scott Davis, who lists his home as Madrid, Iowa, is now a Super National's winner in two divisions, having previously taken a championship in the IMCA Stock Car class.
The 30-lap IMCA stock car feature was absolutely dominated by winner Sean Johnson. Johnson, from Independence, Iowa led all laps and was only briefly challenged by second place finisher Jeff Anderson before pulling away for the win.
Then it was time for the IMCA Modified Big Dance. The three-wide start had Richie Gustin, J. D. Auringer, and Joel Bushore sitting on the front row. Gustin shot to the lead and remained there throughout the 40-lap race, taking the win. A challenge by older half-brother Jimmy Gustin (last year's Super National winner) was looking to present an interesting scenario, but a mechanical issue suddenly found him leaving the track. Richie Gustin, Gilman, Iowa took the 2011 Super National's championship with second place going to Mike VanGenderen, Newton, Iowa, third to Darin Duffy, Hazelton, Iowa, fourth to J. D. Auringer out of Waterloo, Iowa and rounding out the all-Iowa top five was Armstrong, Iowa's Eric Dailey.
Part of the enjoyment of the Super Nationals for us each year is not only the racing, but meeting up with racer/racing friends we see there each year. Also the interesting things that happen. I was shocked when a gentleman sitting beside me turned out to be none other than the very first IMCA Modified Super National's champion back in 1983---Mike Schulte. He gave an insight of just how much the program has changed since that time back in 1983. That race was held on August 10-11, a Saturday and Sunday, at the quarter-mile then called Vinton Speedway in Vinton, Iowa. Interesting to learn that it was 100-laps. There were 43 cars participating with drivers from five states - Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota and Missouri. It was scheduled to be a starting field of 30 cars, but since 38 cars were still running by feature time, they aligned all in the lineup--19 rows of cars that stretched from turn one, back through turn four, for the introductions. Schulte out distanced Jack Mitchell and Merv Chandler. As mentioned earlier, Merv Chandler participated in the 2011 Super Nationals in the Sport Compact division.
We saw great spirit and resilience in the racing this year as well--from stock car driver Steve Meyer taking a nasty barrel roll down the frontstretch and destroying his car, only to go back home to Grundy Center, pull out his old car, and bring it back to Boone. Not only did he race, but he made the feature event on Saturday night. Then there was the spectacular AND scary, utter destruction of Texas driver, Keith White's modified on Friday night. He was nudged into the frontstretch wall and went airborne. We saw the battered chassis later in the pits and knowing that he immediately got out of that destroyed race car and jumped into his stock car to race in the qualifying A main that night, is really unbelievable.
Congratulations to all of the 2011 Super Nationals champions and a big thank you to ALL the racers who put a show on for the fans. The last we heard was a total car count of 822---38 late models, 49 sport compacts, 137 hobby stocks, 186 sportmods, 171 stock cars and 241 modifieds. Guest announcers on the mic along with regular announcer Johnnie Tharp were Ryan Clark, Vinton, Iowa who is a fellow Positively Racing blogger, and long-distance traveler Chet Christner who made it all the way from Las Vegas, Nevada to put in some long marathon calls for the fans. Thanks to both of those "extras" for the great job. Mother Nature blessed us for the entire six days as the weather was the best we can ever remember. The temperatures were nearly ideal and not one drop of rain fell!
Up next for us will be the Havoc on the Highbanks at the Marshalltown Speedway next Friday and Saturday, September 23-24. The following weekend will find us heading out to Beatrice, Nebraska for their annual October Fest races scheduled for Friday September 30 and Saturday October 1. More information for both of these races can be found at www.marshalltownspeedway.com and www.beatricespeedway.com. There are also other races scheduled in the upcoming weeks in our area and you can check those at www.positivelyracing.com under the "calendar" tab at the top of the page. The season will soon be coming to a halt, so us die-hard race fans all need to get out and support the sport we all love. Until next time, happy racing!
We had a great time though. It was our 24th straight attendance---all of the Super Nationals that have been held at the Boone Speedway. How they have grown and changed from a four-day show back then starting on Wednesday, to now the spectacular six-day affair. Back on that 1988 championship night, it was also September 10th but with a car count much less then in 2011. A note I ran across in looking back for the Friday night show was 96 modifieds, 11 late models and 31 stock cars. Only three classes were competing at that time. Drivers I found that participated back in 1988 and were racing still in the 2011 Super Nationals were Darrel DeFrance, Jeff Aikey and Craig Jacobs all in the IMCA late models and in the IMCA stock car class, Don Killen and Tony Bass. Chris Jensen ran in the stock car class back in 1988 and was in the hobby stock division this year. Merv Chandler, Denny Pittman and Rich Smith were modified participants in 1988 and while Pittman and Smith remained as modified racers (Smith having been in all 29 runnings) Merv Chandler was a 2011 Sport Compact driver.
Monday night started off with the crowning of the first IMCA Super National Champion of 2011 when the 50-lap Deery Brothers IMCA Late Model feature went to Colby Springsteen. Springsteen won his first ever Deery Brothers race that night and what a special one it was for him. Springsteen ran near the front much of the race but an unfortunate incident for the two front runners gave him the opportunity to garner that win. The #1st car of Justin Reed had held the lead until lap 40 when he lost his drive shaft just past the flagstand and second-running Terry Neal could not avoid running over it. With both drivers out of the race, Springsteen soon made the pass on Kevin Sather on the restart and then drove home to the victory.
On Tuesday, September 6, the second Super Nationals Champion was crowned. It was the first-ever IMCA Sport Compact show at the Super Nationals with a full show that night. Forty-nine of the little front-wheel wonders participated. Some people were calling it the "Bumble Bee Nationals" with their distinctive sound! We do not often see this class during the season but when we do, it is often two family names that we hear....the Chandler's and the Whalen's. They were well represented at Boone as we counted seven of them running and all making the A main championship race. The first Sport Compact Super Nationals Champion was Nate Chandler from Norway, Iowa. Brad Chandler (who I believe is a brother, but not for sure) finished second and had to push the winning car off the track after the awards ceremony as the winner had expired his motor.
By the time Saturday rolled around, only last chance races were needed in the modifieds to fill in the final nine cars in their big A main. All other classes had completed their qualifying events the previous days. The IMCA Hobby Stock 30-lap A main was run first. The race through lap 23 was being dominated by Andy Boeckman and Devin Smith as they jousted for position. A little bit too much jousting cost either of them the chance for the win as they both were out of the race at that point, when contact was made. The third place runner, Cody Nielsen inherited the lead on the restart then and motored home to the victory. Nielsen, a rookie in the division this year, is from Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Next came the 30-lap IMCA SportMod feature which proved to be a thriller at the finish. Scott Davis prevailed after having led the previous ten laps but it was Jesse Sobbing who made a tremendous charge as the checkers flew, only to come up a bit short. Scott Davis, who lists his home as Madrid, Iowa, is now a Super National's winner in two divisions, having previously taken a championship in the IMCA Stock Car class.
The 30-lap IMCA stock car feature was absolutely dominated by winner Sean Johnson. Johnson, from Independence, Iowa led all laps and was only briefly challenged by second place finisher Jeff Anderson before pulling away for the win.
Then it was time for the IMCA Modified Big Dance. The three-wide start had Richie Gustin, J. D. Auringer, and Joel Bushore sitting on the front row. Gustin shot to the lead and remained there throughout the 40-lap race, taking the win. A challenge by older half-brother Jimmy Gustin (last year's Super National winner) was looking to present an interesting scenario, but a mechanical issue suddenly found him leaving the track. Richie Gustin, Gilman, Iowa took the 2011 Super National's championship with second place going to Mike VanGenderen, Newton, Iowa, third to Darin Duffy, Hazelton, Iowa, fourth to J. D. Auringer out of Waterloo, Iowa and rounding out the all-Iowa top five was Armstrong, Iowa's Eric Dailey.
Part of the enjoyment of the Super Nationals for us each year is not only the racing, but meeting up with racer/racing friends we see there each year. Also the interesting things that happen. I was shocked when a gentleman sitting beside me turned out to be none other than the very first IMCA Modified Super National's champion back in 1983---Mike Schulte. He gave an insight of just how much the program has changed since that time back in 1983. That race was held on August 10-11, a Saturday and Sunday, at the quarter-mile then called Vinton Speedway in Vinton, Iowa. Interesting to learn that it was 100-laps. There were 43 cars participating with drivers from five states - Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota and Missouri. It was scheduled to be a starting field of 30 cars, but since 38 cars were still running by feature time, they aligned all in the lineup--19 rows of cars that stretched from turn one, back through turn four, for the introductions. Schulte out distanced Jack Mitchell and Merv Chandler. As mentioned earlier, Merv Chandler participated in the 2011 Super Nationals in the Sport Compact division.
We saw great spirit and resilience in the racing this year as well--from stock car driver Steve Meyer taking a nasty barrel roll down the frontstretch and destroying his car, only to go back home to Grundy Center, pull out his old car, and bring it back to Boone. Not only did he race, but he made the feature event on Saturday night. Then there was the spectacular AND scary, utter destruction of Texas driver, Keith White's modified on Friday night. He was nudged into the frontstretch wall and went airborne. We saw the battered chassis later in the pits and knowing that he immediately got out of that destroyed race car and jumped into his stock car to race in the qualifying A main that night, is really unbelievable.
Congratulations to all of the 2011 Super Nationals champions and a big thank you to ALL the racers who put a show on for the fans. The last we heard was a total car count of 822---38 late models, 49 sport compacts, 137 hobby stocks, 186 sportmods, 171 stock cars and 241 modifieds. Guest announcers on the mic along with regular announcer Johnnie Tharp were Ryan Clark, Vinton, Iowa who is a fellow Positively Racing blogger, and long-distance traveler Chet Christner who made it all the way from Las Vegas, Nevada to put in some long marathon calls for the fans. Thanks to both of those "extras" for the great job. Mother Nature blessed us for the entire six days as the weather was the best we can ever remember. The temperatures were nearly ideal and not one drop of rain fell!
Up next for us will be the Havoc on the Highbanks at the Marshalltown Speedway next Friday and Saturday, September 23-24. The following weekend will find us heading out to Beatrice, Nebraska for their annual October Fest races scheduled for Friday September 30 and Saturday October 1. More information for both of these races can be found at www.marshalltownspeedway.com and www.beatricespeedway.com. There are also other races scheduled in the upcoming weeks in our area and you can check those at www.positivelyracing.com under the "calendar" tab at the top of the page. The season will soon be coming to a halt, so us die-hard race fans all need to get out and support the sport we all love. Until next time, happy racing!
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