We are right into the County Fair time now, and Marshalltown Speedway on Friday was among one of numerous tracks surrounded by livestock and cotton candy. Good racing was also on the agenda Friday night on the High Banks. After a half inch of rain that morning (according to promoter, Toby Kruse) we were rather surprised when the dust started rolling during hot laps. By feature time, after another trip or two with the water wagon, the moisture came back up and held for some great racing.
Merv Chandler made it nine-in-a-row in the IMCA Sport Compact division. The wily veteran of racing led the entire feature. Second place went to first timer at the track, Travis Losenicky. Duayne Herb placed third, Neil Nabholz fourth and Josh Keller fifth.
The Mod Lite feature went to Mike Morrill, who nabbed his fifth win at the track. The youngsters are always happy to see that #6 get to victory lane as they hopefully are the recipient of his trophy. He gives his trophy to one of the lucky kids that line the front stretch fence, a great gesture which no doubt is a prized possession to what hopefully will be a fan for life of racing. Josh May raced from the back of the field but could get no closer than a second place finish. Dusty Masolini, Joel Huggins and Randy Bryan finished third-fifth in a close finish. The race went caution free.
The Northern SportMods ran their usual 18-laps, Jake Strayer led early on until Racer Hulin swung around the outside of him to take the lead. Hulin never looked back the rest of the way, and secured his second regular season victory; third counting the Frostbuster. Strayer held on to second and Sam Wieben, who led the first lap, finished in third. Nick Roberts came from the fourth row to finish fourth, and Joel Rust from row five, to finish in fifth.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks started the first few laps with rookie Garrett Eilander leading the pack of cars from his pole starting spot. Scott Pippert soon had other ideas and took the lead after starting back in ninth spot. Donovan Nunnikhoven was having a strong run in third, until a flat tire ended his night. Eric Larson had fought past cars to run in second as the laps wound down, and Kevin Fee was now on his tail running in third. Fee's night then ended when he dropped out, putting Eilander back in third. The night ended with Pippert winning for the second time this year at Marshalltown, Larson was the runner up, and Eilander held it together well to finish third. Fourth was Brice Udelhoven and fifth went to Eric Knutson.
Eighteen laps were next up for the IMCA Stock Cars. The night had turned more pleasant after the sun set, and the moisture was coming up a bit on the track. It was a no go on the opening lap; re-racking and re-stacking the field for another attempt. Trent Murphy had inherited the lead when the pole sitter had spun on that opening lap, and from there on would lead the entire race--the rest caution free. Behind him, it was much more exciting, when on lap two, Steve Meyer, Tracy Gienger and Jay Schmidt crossed the finish line three-wide fighting for fourth position! By halfway, Murphy held his lead easily, Meyer had made it into second, and the leader's brother, and last week's winner, Michael Murphy was third. Right behind him was Damon Murty, who was sporting his re-done race car, new color scheme and all. Right about the time Murty challenged Michael Murphy for third, Murphy dropped out of the competition, his night done. Trent Murphy pulled away at the end, sealing his victory...his first of the season at the High Banks. Meyer finished in the runner up spot, Murty was third. Fourth went to Michael Jaennette making another return visit and fifth went to Derek Reimer.
The IMCA Modified's ended the night's action with their 20-lap feature event. Kyle Brown led the early portion of the race, but Luke Wanninger, running the IMCA "test" crate set up with spoiler, came calling quickly to plant himself firmly on Brown's bumper. Jammin' Jimmy Gustin then wanted to play and challenged Wanninger until Wanninger then made the move on Brown and took the lead. Then here comes Jon Snyder in his new hot rod (a 2013 Harris we've heard) and passed them both, taking over the runner up spot. Wanninger, who was now pulling away untouched was firmly in command of the top spot and would take the checkers first. Snyder finished in the second place, Brown was third, Gustin fourth and Ronn Lauritzen made a good run to finish in fifth. Wanninger was interviewed in victory lane as the winner, but later saw Jon Snyder in victory lane after the races, having a winner's circle photo taken. In some instances when the crate test motor is taking first place, the second place is awarded winning points and given a winner's sticker as well, so that appeared to be the case last night.
It was a nice surprise to hear a familiar voice on the PA last night for a bit. Denny Grabenbauer was back in attendance and in the scoring tower. Grabenbauer was recently honored as an inductee in the Central Iowa Fair Hall of Fame--getting recognition for all of his hard work with Fair activities, and was on hand during the Fair again. Of course, he was a regular staple on the mic for years and years for the racing program. He was still in fine form on that mic, tossing quips back and forth with regular announcer Jerry VanSickle. Good to have him back again...though briefly.
Busy week coming up next. Tuesday will be the HDT race at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds in Oskaloosa, and then back again on Wednesday night for their regular weekly show. We are anxious to follow that up on Thursday in Knoxville, for the Harris Clash. The Clash is one show that is always on our "must see" list every year. Love seeing all of those drivers that come to compete that include many we seldom get to see.
If you haven't seen this event, you really should make it a priority. Happy racing!
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