Friday night was called Marshalltown's grand re-opening! After two weeks of cancellations due to cold or wet weather since the Frostbuster back on April 5, it was finally a pleasant forecast. The season point's got underway for all six classes. The drivers and fans were hungry for some racing on the High-Banks!
The IMCA Sport Compacts fielded six cars. Cedar Rapids driver Adam Gates in his #007 would lead the entire race. Merv Chandler dropped to the rear for the start of the race, and although he garnered second place, he was no real threat to the winner. This would put a new name in the record books at the Marshalltown Speedway. Last year, Chandler dominated, winning all but three features. Third place was Dave Moorman, John Gill fourth and Nick West, fifth. Earlier in the heat race, the driver of the #11, Steve Miedke, took a wild roll in turn one, but was okay.
The MADCRA Mod Lites came next. Joel Huggins led the charge through lap 10 of the 15-lap race. But he had lots of company coming hard behind him. Andy Hennigar had made his way up to second after starting ninth on the field, and was pressuring Huggins. Hennigar made the pass with three laps to go, to take the lead and then the win. Huggins held on to second, Randy Bryan went third, fourth was Josh May and Tim Hennigar was fifth. Hennigar had ended the season last year with his only win at Marshalltown in 2012. In victory lane, he thanked both Jimmy and Josh May for building him a great new ride.
The IMCA SportMods ran an 18-lap feature. This one was nearly over at the drop of the green. Jenae Gustin sprang to the lead from starting on the outside front row, and left her competition in the dust. A couple of cautions were no bother to her, as she would pull away on the restarts. Joel Rust was the runner up, and Geoff Olson, Eric Elliott and Travis Petersen went third through fifth.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks saw a nasty roll with a handful of laps in, by Frostbuster winner Nick Murty while he was challenging for second place. Murty was okay. When racing resumed, it was Andy Coffman holding the lead, with Mike Pruitt and Brandon Pruitt hot in pursuit. Brandon Pruitt would soon suffer a flat tire, ending his run. Mike Pruitt then took the lead from Coffman, holding the lead to the checkers. Coffman held on to second over Eric Stanton in third, Garrett Eilander in fourth and Aaron Rudolph in fifth. In victory lane, Mike Pruitt said he had decided to drop down from the SportMod class this year, as the Hobby Stock allowed him less time consuming maintenance.
The 18-lap IMCA Stock Car feature found Frostbuster winner Steve Meyer and the "Chelsea Charger", Damon Murty on the front row. Murty, who has been sizzling hot so far this season, was sitting beside the only driver to have beaten him so far this season. The initial start of the race was called back, but when the green flag did fly, Murty had little trouble in keeping it at the point and took the win. Tracy Gienger made a late race charge, but had to settle for second. Third place went to Michael Murphy, Steve Meyer was fourth and Derick Reimer rounded out the top five. In the post race interview in victory lane, Murty said this made nine wins out of ten features so far this season....but now, planting will soon be calling him to the fields and slowing his racing. Probably much to the delight of fellow racers!
Hopefully, no one left and missed the final race of the night, as it was a real thriller! The IMCA 20-lap Modified feature was a dandy! Richie Gustin led the charge over Jon Snyder through lap eight, when a yellow flew. On the restart, Luke Wanninger made his presence known as he took over second, but that wasn't all, as now Jimmy Gustin and Ronn Lauritzen came into the picture. The final eight laps were one of those hold-your-breathe races, as they ran so close! Jimmy Gustin got to second with five laps to go and would pull Richie on the backstretch, only to have Richie surge to the front coming out of turn four. This would happen for the remaining laps, UNTIL..... that final charge to the checkers out of turn four. Jammin' Jimmy Gustin stuck his nose across the finish line first, snatching the win away from brother Richie. Following closely behind the top two were Luke Wanninger in third, and Ronn Lauritzen and Adam Larson came from starting in row six, to take fourth and fifth. It that was any indication as to how the season will be at the Marshalltown Speedway, the price of admission for just a race like that, will be well worth it!
More information about the track and it's 2013 schedule can be found at www.marshalltownspeedway.com.
Happy racing!
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