The Sport Compacts kicked off the feature racing. It was looking as if Shawn Cooney, sporting a new car, was going for his second win, having won the State Fair Speedway feature last Friday night. A little slip at lap six led to his dropping back in the field and allowing John Whalen to take over the lead. A little contact in corner one at lap eight sent Cooney spinning, putting him even further back after gathering his ride under him. John Whalen took the checkers, his second of the year at Osky, Merv Chandler finished second, third was Bill Whalen, Jr. and Shawn Cooney was fourth. Trent Orwig did not finish.
The IMCA Northern SportMods had only one caution interrupt their racing, that coming at lap one when an incident on the frontstretch sent cars scattering. This would eliminate three cars---Curtis VanDerWal, Levi Leymon and newcomer on the night, Chris Larson. When racing resumed, Brayton Carter took up where he left off leading the pack and looking strong. Brett Lowry continued to pester the youngster throughout the race, but Carter held his line and drove his race. As Carter took the white flag, his car drifted to the wall in turn one, and Lowry seized the opportunity and grabbed the lead. Lowry then motored home to the checkers first, Carter having to settle for what had to be a disappointing runner up spot. Tyler Gross started tenth and finished in third, Tyler Heckart took fourth and Eric Flander rounded out the top five. Lowry, who said in his victory lane interview with announcer Tony Paris, that he had lost a coil spring, was happy to get the win. Lowry came from starting eleventh, to score his first win at the track this year.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks saw a first time winner in the class when Dale Porter took the checkers. Porter didn't have it easy though as he had veteran Bill Bonnett on his tail, doing everything to get around him. Bonnett nosed ahead briefly on the back chute on lap eleven, but Porter fought back and regained the lead as they crossed the flagstand the next lap. Most of the eyes were on those two cars as they broke away from the rest of the back, uncontested by others. Porter took the win, Bonnett in second, and a distant third was the 2013 driven by Erick Knutsen. Dustin Griffiths and Donovan Nunnikhoven finished fourth and fifth.
The Stock Cars got after it last night!! Earlier in the first Stock Car heat, the racing was amazing with a clump of four and then five cars at the front, bringing back memories of those days of when you never knew who was going to win at the finish. The action continued hot and heavy in the feature as well. Lap one was led by Brad Pinkerton as he fended off the advances of McClelland, Iowa's Jeff Joldersma. With five laps in the books, Joldersma held the lead and Zack VanderBeek had come to play, running in second and the "Chelsea Charger", Damon Murty reeling the leaders in while running in third. Lap after lap Joldersma---with his left front hiking high---and VanderBeek kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. Murty challenged for second with two laps to go, but it wasn't to be. Joldersma took his first win at the track this year, VanderBeek followed in second and Murty in third. Nathan Wood came from starting mid pack to finish in fourth and Jason Cook was fifth. Joldersma, who drives 177 miles one way to race at Osky, gave his trophy away to a lucky youngster in the audience.
Brandon Banks led all laps--except for that final important one, as he was passed by Tyler Groenendyke in the 18-lap Modified feature. Billy Davis, Jr. and Bill Gibson fought it out for second behind Banks, Gibson finally taking second by lap eleven. Adam Larson passed Davis to take over third and began the task of reeling in the front runners. At lap twelve, things really got changed up! Gibson appeared to have a motor let go, bringing out a caution and his night done. Before the race resumed, Adam Larson also pulled his machine into the pits, giving Davis second place back as the race restarted. Tyler Groenendyk moved to third and Cayden Carter....who was sporting a new car with a new snazzy look, was in fourth. Banks pulled away at the restart and continued his quest for the checkers. Then enter another yellow flag with a lap to go. This set up a green-white-checkered finish and this one---as they often can be---would be the downfall of the leader's night. Groenendyk dug in and was able to make the pass on the back stretch as the race resumed and took the checkers first, Banks having to settle for second. Third went to Billy Davis, Cayden Carter was fourth and new comer from Muscatine, Todd Johnson, finished in fifth. Groenendyk was a happy camper in victory lane, as he captured his first ever feature win in the A Mod division.
The IMCA Late Models made their second appearance at Osky this season. The first time they came to town was back on May 1, and while not as numbing cold as that first night, it was still more than a bit chilly by the time the cars came to the track for the finale of the evening. This one was nearly over at the drop of the green. Spencer Diercks, the 16 year old from Davenport,shot to the lead and drove off as the race went the 20-laps green to checkers. Todd Cooney and Nick Marolf finished a distant second and third, "Ironman" Darrel DeFrance was fourth and Kurt Kile was fifth.
Earlier in the evening, a few more items were auctioned off, with proceeds going to medical expenses for injured driver Mark Widmar. A couple of lucky bidders got to take a few laps around the track in a two-seater sprint car piloted by Tyler Groenendyk. The results of the favorite driver contest was also announced, the winner being popular racer Nathan Wood. Second was Dustin Griffiths, and there was a tie for third and fourth between Kris Walker and Bobby Greene.
The weather certainly impacted the turn out last night, with the threatening conditions, but those of us that witnessed the racing at Osky last night, went home with a smile on our faces for sure. For more takes on the racing action from other's views, check out Jeff Broeg's "Back Stretch" at www.positivelyracing.com and Jeremy Fox will have some thoughts from his view from the announcer's tower at www.foxman1987.blogspot.com. Lots of racing coming up this holiday weekend. Check out some potential events at Positively Racing's calendar. Happy racing!
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