It's always fun to see a driver get his first ever career win, and that is just what happened at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night in the Northern SportMod class. There was also a new winner for the season in the Hobby Stock ranks, while all other classes saw familiar faces back in victory lane.
The IMCA Sport Compacts feature winner has nearly claimed the track as his own. Veteran Merv Chandler scored his TWELFTH feature win of the season...having missed on only one feature, and that going to his son, Nathan. Duayne Herb finished in second, followed by Travis Losenicky, and two new comers, Travis Ross and Trent Orwig.
The Mod Lite feature went its usual 15-laps and on this night, went to Josh May, scoring his seventh victory of the season. The DC5 of Adam Larson led about half of the race, but May would have none of that, and over took him for the lead and went on to the eventual win. Following Larson who was second, was Mike Morrill in third. Between May and Morrill, those two are the ONLY winners at the track this season--Morrill owning six of them. Fourth place went to Andy Hennigar and fifth to Randy Bryan. As a note, after checking the official finish of the races on Speednet Direct, I see that Adam Larson was DQ'd, moving the drivers up a position. Fifth place then went to Mike Kennedy.
Up next was the IMCA Northern SportMod feature. In the early going, Sam Wieben fought by Travis Peterson for the lead, and was looking strong. After a restart situation, it was Racer Hulin on Wieben's back bumper and then the two put on quite the show. Hulin made the pass and then stretched the lead---until then, one of those "oops" moments happened! Hulin spun at the bottom of turn one, killed the car, and brought out a yellow. This put Wieben back in the catbird seat with three laps remaining. He would then go on to take the win....his first EVER career win, for the 14 year old! We have watched this young man get better and better throughout the season, and we have no doubt he has a bright future ahead of him. Believe we understood that he has a background of motor cross and some unsanctioned racing. Ty Luellen started in twelfth spot and scored a runner up finish. Third went to Jake Strayer, fourth was Scott Davis and fifth was Joel Rust.
The IMCA Hobby Stock 12-lapper had a "no go" on the start when a couple of cars spun. When the real start of the race got underway, cars were coming 5-wide out of turn four. Everyone made it work thankfully, and by lap two, Josh Saunders had his yellow #52 out front and looking strong. Saunders was keeping Eric Larson at bay behind him, but Larson was able to make the pass into first, stretch out the lead, and take the win. Saunders took second in one of his best runs of the year, Tyler Pickett finished third, fourth went to Scott Pippert and John Watson came from well back in the starting field, to score fifth. This was Larson's first win of the season at Marshalltown.
The Stock Cars provided their usual close, intense racing. Trent Murphy started sixth, and was leading by lap one. Trevor Titus and Michael Murphy were hanging close behind, Titus putting the old Thunderbird to the topside, Murphy choosing low. The race soon turned into the Murphy and Murphy show---younger brother Michael digging to catch brother Trent. Tonight, it would be Trent Murphy scoring the win--his third this year at the track. Michael Murphy took the runner up spot, followed by Tracy Gienger in third, last week's winner Steve Meyer in fourth and Derek Reimer rounded out the top five.
It turned into another runaway in the IMCA Modified feature. Luke Wanninger, running the IMCA test crate motor with the 3 inch spoiler on last night, FLEW to the lead by lap one...having started seventh on the field. Jon Snyder got into the second spot and was soon battling with Jimmy Gustin and Ronn Lauritzen. Meanwhile, Wanninger was pulling away from his competition. Gustin established second place and would cross the line behind Wanninger. Following him would be Snyder, Adam Larson and Kyle Krampe. Since Wanninger was once again running the test crate, as was Adam Larson, the points would be adjusted with both Wanninger and Gustin taking the 40 point win, putting Snyder to get second place points, both Adam Larson and Kyle Krampe taking third points, and Ronn Lauritzen and Kyle Brown; fourth and fifth. A little confusing, huh? As far as I know, this is the way they having been handling the finishes when the test crate motors are competing.
A special King of the Hill for the IMCA Northern SportMods concluded the night's activities. The final out come was not as mentioned above, but QUEEN of the Hill as Jenae Gustin took a pretty dominating win, besting all her challenges previously to get to the final round. She beat Jake Strayer to take the $100 prize.
Fellow Positively Racing comrade, Ryan Clark was also in attendence last night to catch a little racing action. Be sure and check out his take of the night's action under "In Staging".
How quickly the season is winding down! Lots of specials going on, so seek a race out and support our sport. Happy racing!
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