A break in the hot, uncomfortable weather we've endured of late, was a welcome relief for all at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night. Youngsters, and adults as well, got to sprint in their cardboard cars during intermission, for some added "racing" entertainment. A repeat winner in the Stock Car class from last week went to victory circle, and one new face saw it for the very first time--ending another driver's record.
The Sport Compacts ran first and for the first time this year, we had a new winner! Duayne Herb held off Merv Chandler at the line to score his first victory at Marshalltown. In fact, it was the first time this year that anyone has bested Chandler at the track. Third place went to Jon Gill, and the "house car"...unknown driver... crossed the line in fourth.
The Mod Lite 15-lap event came next and this night, it went to Mike Morrill. Morrill got the lead by lap three and scored the win ahead of Josh May. Both Morrill and May have won for the seventh time each this year---the ONLY two winners in this class for the season. Randy Bryan was third and Joel Huggins and Mike Kennedy rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Northern Sport Mod feature went to Jenae Gustin, her third victory of the year. She took the lead early on and never relinquished it. She did have a bit of company right behind her with last week's winner Sam Wieben and Racer Hulin battling for position. Even with restarts, Gustin kept her smooth line and concentration, and took the checkers. Chalk up another win for the name "Gustin"! Wieben held off Hulin as they went second and third, fourth went to Jared VanDeest and fifth was Tyler Droste who was making his first appearance at the track this year.
Twelve laps were up next in the IMCA Hobby Stock class. The "Wild Woman", Jennifer Hulin paced the field in the opening laps of this one. Gary Pfantz soon got to second place and tenth place starter, Scott Pippert (say "Peep"-ert...just learned this after all the years of mispronouncing it) was in third. Both of those drivers passed Hulin, Pippert taking the lead. He would then stretch the lead and take the win over Pfantz in second. Jennifer Hulin took third with her best finish of the season, fourth was Matt Hudspeth, and with the Iowa State Fair on now in Des Moines, and no racing at his usual Friday night track, Randy Embrey ventured to the speedway and finished in fifth. Pippert won for the fifth time this year at Marshalltown.
The IMCA Stock Cars always provide exciting racing action, time and time again. That's why they are still called "The Class too Tough to Tame". Tonight, the 18-lap affair gave the fans what they come to see. Trevor Titus in his Ford Thunderbird was looking strong--leading through the first eight laps. He had company though, and Jay Schmidt, in his J & V Napa ride..and on J & V Napa night at the races, was looking determined on seeking the win. Schmidt flew to the lead and last week's winner, Trent Murphy followed him around Titus to take over second place. Titus would have his night end suddenly, when he was off power and rolled into the infield. The show between Schmidt and Murphy was a good one! Schmidt, after running his usual outside line, fell to the bottom line and was overtaken by Murphy. With a lap to go, a bit of smoke came from the 19J of Schmidt, and entering turn three coming to the checkers, sparks flew as he broke a gear. Murphy took the win, repeating from last week, and his fourth this year; Derek Reimer took the runner up spot. Steve Meyer was scored in third, Michael Murphy fourth, and Schmidt rolled across the line to take fifth.
The 18-lap IMCA Modified feature ended up being a runaway. Jon Snyder, after having scored the big victory the previous night at the Night of a 1000 Stars at the Hancock County Speedway, sailed away from his competitors to take the checkers first. Two guys running the test crate motors, Luke Wanninger and Adam Larson, finished second and third. Since those crate motor drivers are awarded points for where they finish, those finishing behind them are also moved up in their finishes. Therefore, Ronn Lauritzen got credited for second, Mark Elliott for third, Kyle Brown for fourth and Kyle Krampe for fifth. This is my understanding as to how the scoring system has been going anyway. Snyder was awarded first place points and a win a while back after finishing second to Wanninger in his crate.
How quickly the season is winding down! Only three more Friday night's of season racing remains at the Marshalltown Speedway. Check www.marshalltownspeedway for schedule and other information. Happy racing!
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