The first feature was the IMCA Sport Compact class and with only three of them on hand, front stretch introductions and their 8-lap feature was over and done in "quick time". Veteran Merv Chandler led the whole 8 laps on his way to his 14th feature win at the track this year, as well as clinching the track championship---by a huge margin. Duayne Herb was second and John Gill was third.
The Mod Lite feature pitted the only two guys that had wins the entire season---Mike Morrill and Josh May---to fight it out from the front row. We were expecting one of the two to take the win, but the guy starting eighth, Andy Hennigar was the victor on this night. Hennigar fought by Morrill and May to take over the point spot in the closing laps. May followed him to take second, Morrill was third.....and also took the track championship....fourth went to Dusty Masolini and fifth was Tim Hennigar.
The IMCA Northern SportMods went 20-laps for their season championship bout. It was looking to be a walk away by point leader Racer Hulin, but when a race of that length goes caution free, there is always lap traffic that may...and this time DID...play into the outcome. Jake Strayer had been chasing Hulin from a bit of a distance most of the race, but in the closing lap, lap traffic gave things a twist. After taking the white flag, it got a bit congested going into turn one, Hulin avoiding disaster, but with even more lap traffic lying ahead, the often lethal last corner proved to be the thing settling the outcome tonight. Strayer maneuvered the lap traffic just a tick better than Hulin. Strayer got to the checkers first, Hulin having to settle for second---but still securing the track championship---third went to Scott Davis, fourth to Nick Roberts and Joel Rust was fifth. This was Strayer's second win of the season.
Up next were the IMCA Hobby Stockers. Point leader Scott Pippert showed just why he was in that position, as he led all 15 laps of the feature. One caution flew, but was no deterrent to Pippert as he pulled away from his competition on the restart. Pippert took the win and the season championship, Eric Larson was second, third went to Kevin Fee, and Eric Knutson and Josh Saunders finished fourth and fifth.
The IMCA Stock Cars went 20-laps. A couple of visiting drivers from out of state joined the field tonight and one of those, Justin Jacobsen from Black Creek, Wisconsin, found himself in an upside down world in turn two on lap nine. Not a good way to start out what we can only assume to be his time back in the area for the upcoming IMCA Super Nationals. The good news, he was okay. Tracy Gienger started on the outside pole of the race, and led the entire contest. It was a good battle for second between point leader Steve Meyer and Damon Murty for much of the race. Murty won that battle as he was scored in second, Meyer taking third but keeping the points lead and the track crown. Fourth was Jeff Wollam, on this the Larry Wollam Memorial Season Championship night. Larry Wollam was a long time driver as well as former promoter at the track, who unfortunately, lost his battle to cancer thirteen years ago. Jeff is Larry's son. Trent Murphy completed the top five finishers.
The IMCA Modifieds polished the night's feature racing off with a 25-lapper. Point leader Jimmy Gustin, "had it in the bag" for another track championship, but no driver----and especially Jimmy Gustin----is even going to consider just "cruising along" conservatively in a race. Gustin took this one in convincing manner, leading all laps as the race went flag to flag. Ronn Laurtizen took the runner up spot, as well as the runner up in points. Lauritzen gained points on Luke Wanninger who had been second in points, when Wanninger's motor "went south" during hot laps. However, Wanninger was able to make the feature, as he piloted Jimmy Gustin's "old" car. Love to see driver helping driver like this and ya gotta love the "racing family"! Third place went to Zach Rawlins sporting a new body on his racing machine, fourth was Kyle Brown, and Scott Simatovich was fifth.
As we sit in the parking lot prior to races, we often check out the race cars as they pull up to the pit gate, seeing if there are any newbies on the night. From a distance, we spotted a Modified with a #24 on the side that we didn't readily recognize. As I walked toward the pit entrance to do a little checking, I was pleasantly surprised to find that car to be Farmington, New Mexico driver, Regan Tafoya. We were expecting to meet up with him at the IMCA Super Nationals, as we have over the past several years, but were not expecting to see him at Marshalltown! We enjoyed catching up a bit with him, his wife Yvette, and pit crew member Tyrone Yazzie, who has also done a bit of racing in the past himself. Regan not only is a racer, but also took on promoting this past year at the Cortez Speedway in Cortez, Colorado. Look for him at the Super Nationals in the #24R Spitfire Racing ride.
We are gathering our thoughts as well as "stuff" for heading to Boone for the six-nights of racing at the Super Nationals starting on Labor Day. But before that, it will soon be time to head to Boone tonight for their season championships before the "Big Dance" prelude gets started. Until next time. Happy Racing!
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