Marshalltown Speedway got it's first night of regular track points in on Friday night, after suffering a rain out last week for the scheduled opener. Plenty of race cars were on hand as SEVEN classes competed on a cold and blustery night. Action on the track was not lacking and the fans that braved the cold northerly wind, with the dirt flying, got their money's worth. Thanks to the track officials for moving the show along at such a quick pace!
The first main event was for the visiting Micro Sprints. The ten cars on hand, ran a 10-lap feature. The #76 racer of Brad Comegys led from the start and appeared to be securing a feature win. However, on the last corner as they came to the checkers, second place runner, #B4 of Kelly Buckellow, swung around the leader and beat him to the finish line, and the win.
IMCA Sport Compacts, a new regular weekly class at the Speedway, was up next. Veteran racer, Merv Chandler grabbed himself yet another of his numerous wins, as he led flag to flag. Dave Moorman finished second, third went to Jer Pedersen, fourth was Jordan Peters and Justin Tharp finished fifth.
Up next was the Mod Lite feature. Mike Morrill paced the field the entire feature event, taking the win in easy fashion. Josh May ran out of time to make a real challenge for the lead, and settled for second. Randy Bryan ran third, fourth was Andy Hennigar and Jason Whitehead rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Northern SportMods had to complete their starting 24-car feature line up by running a B main. That consy race went to Shawn Simotovich. Simotovich would have an unpleasant end to his night in the feature---more on that later. Clint Luellen took the win, as he led much of the event. Behind him is where the action was really brewing. It was constant position changes every lap among Jenae Gustin, Eric Elliott, Racer Hulin, Nick Roberts and Joel Rust. The checkered flag was out as the cars approached the finish, but suddenly, Shawn Simotovich, a lap car, was sideways right before the flagstand...cars boring down on him. Those cars that were battling so hard for position, were not all lucky to avoid him. Unfortuanely, those taking the brunt were Gustin and Elliott, as they came to a stand still, cars damaged from the impact. Racer Hulin, Nick Roberts and Joel Rust managed to avoid the melee, and they finished second through fourth in that order, with Jake Strayer making it to fifth. Thankfully, no one was injured.
The IMCA Hobby Stock feature was pretty much dominated by Brandon Brinton, as he took his first win of the season. Eric Stanton was making a challenge early, but a flat tire put him into the pits and out of the race. Another Brandon got in on the act, as it was Brandon Pruitt taking his #10B ride to the second place finish, Eric Knutson was third, fourth went to hard charging Scott Pippert who started eleventh, and fifth was Eric Larson who came from twelveth.
The always fun to watch, IMCA Stock Cars ran an 18-lap feature. Sean Johnson and Damon Murty sat on the front row, and you just knew it was going to be a good one! It was! Murty grabbed the lead but Johnson was right there. With about a handful of laps remaining, Johnson made his move and snatched the lead away from Murty and went on to take the win. Michael Murphy, in his first year in the stock car—making the jump from hobby stock—finished a close third. Steve Meyer and Matt Greiner were fourth and fifth making for an exciting, close finish for all five spots.
The 20-lap modified feature was no less exciting. Jimmy Gustin set sail early with Adam Larson and Jon Snyder giving chase. Any slight slip would have changed the outcome, but it didn’t happen. Gustin took the win, Larson finished a close second and Snyder right behind in third. Visitor from Wisconsin, Mike Wedelstadt took fourth over Tim Murty in fifth.
Check the www.marshalltownspeedway.com for the complete results. The track now has an app for your smartphone that will give you the weekly lineups as well as results. Who would have ever thought it! Happy racing!
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