The MADCRA Mod Lites didn't get off to a good start with the night's feature racing. Two red flags were thrown, one when Randy Bryan took a high flip out of turn two, and a few laps after the restart, Bryan Zehm took an easy roll in the same area. Both drivers were okay, but their night was done. Mike Morrill had taken the lead by the first lap from his second row starting position. That would be the spot he would keep throughout the entire 15-lap A main. David Schmalzried and Charlie Brown pestered the leader for a while, but then it was Josh May making his way into second, taking his turn to try and catch the leader. It didn't happen, as May had to settle for the runner up spot; Schmalzried taking third. Fourth went to Andy Hennigar who came from starting in row five, followed by Brown.
The IMCA Northern SportMods had a halt in their action early in their 18-lap event when Jerry Hinton rolled on the backstretch. Hinton, who had destroyed his car earlier in the season at Boone, had just returned to competition at the track. He was not injured, but it will be back to the drawing board and more work to do on the race car. When action got back underway, it was still Daniel Tasler at the helm as he led from the drop of the green flag. Tasler was fighting off Jesse McCollough and Eric Elliott by lap eight. McCollough would loose the handle, allowing Elliott to surge past for second place, and McCollough fighting to hold on to his ride, dropping many positions. Anthony Onstot would take advantage of the situation as well, getting into third. There was no catching Tasler though, as he finished first at the checkers, his second win of the season, Elliott took second and Onstot was third. Fourth place was Tim Love coming from row five as he started along side Elliott, and Cory Rose started just ahead of the two in row four, to finish in fifth.
The IMCA Modifieds came next and David Brown got the jump from his outside front row starting spot, but veteran Denny Pittman, who has seen many a lap around the Boone Speedway over his racing career, was in hot pursuit of the leader. Not far behind and breathing down his tail, was youngster Joel Bushore. That would be the running order through the half way mark of the 20-lap A main, but then a yellow would fly at eleven laps down. No doubt, this was something the leader Brown did NOT want to see. However, Brown was still able to maintain his lead on the restart and hoping for no more yellows. That wasn't to be, as lap seventeen brought out the yellow rag again, and bunching the field up on the restart. Bushore had managed to make the pass around Pittman and was now riding in second, glad for his opportunity on the restart. Brown was not rattled with Bushore's pressure and kept that point position to the checkers flying, Bushore having to settle for second. Third, fourth and fifth was a real battle with Jake Durbin taking third, holding off Cale Sponsler in fourth and high flying Jimmy Gustin came from row six, to finish in fifth. This was Brown's second win at the speedway this year.
Don Vis and Eric Brown started on the front row of the Stock Car feature, and it was Vis getting the jump and the early lead, Brown settling in behind him. It was soon to be a dog fight when John Watson, the driver who jumped up from his dozen or so wins in the Hobby Stocks last year at the track, and Jay Schmidt coming from row four and moving up to challenge the leader. Vis would fall back in the field, leaving Watson and Brown to swap the lead a couple of times, but Schmidt lurking in third, just waiting for his moment. Schmidt put it to the topside of the rough track, riding his car like a bucking bronco at times, and nabbed the lead at lap twelve; never to give it up as he raced to the checkers. Brown finished second ahead of John Watson in third, fourth was Cory Bushnell and Donavon Smith came from row five, to round out the top five positions. Schmidt repeated his win from June 1, and no doubt, pleased with his new Harris Stock Car as he's been very successful as of late.
We had noticed the clouds building high to the south of the track and kept checking radar. Until the start of the Hobby Stock feature, we were hoping they were not going to be an issue, since nothing had shown up on radar. Well....that is until a few sprinkles began to fall and the surprise pop up cell came to be noticed. The 12-lap Hobby Stock feature started, but it was but two laps in the books when a yellow flew. Just as that happened, the sprinkles became heavier and it was not long until the decision was made to call it a night. Next week's races will begin with the make up feature for the Hobby Stocks at two laps down.
The past week's rains had done a number on the track as the usually smooth surface kept developing some major ruts, especially high in the corners. The usual farming session and numerous trips around the track with the John Deere's between races, did not smooth the track as much as desired. Seems Mother Nature will not let anyone forget her this year. She is keeping everyone on their toes what with the farmers woes with their planting, the flooding, the storms, and on and on.
We plan to head down to the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa this coming Thursday, June 20th, for their running of the Hawkeye Dirt Tour plus the Sprint Invaders. NASCAR driver Kenny Schrader will be on hand racing against the HDT competitors. Joining the Modifieds and the Sprint Invaders will be the IMCA SportMods and the IMCA Sport Compacts. Make plans to attend as the trip to southeast Iowa should be well worth it. Happy racing!
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