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!
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