It was another sweltering night at the Southern Iowa Speedway, but back we went for the weekly show.
There were a couple of twists to the program however, as it was a draw/redraw in all classes, there were added laps in all features, plus the Modifieds were racing for $1,000 to win IF they had participated the previous night. Would someone take home that $1,000?
The Sport Compacts were eight cars strong last night. That didn't bother the veteran Merv Chandler though, as he led the entire 10-laps on the way to another win. Bill Whalen, Jr. was second, followed by Kevin Kirkpatrick, John Whalen and Matt Moore. Chandler told announcer Tony Paris in the post race interview that he had just claimed win 17 on the year.
Dustin Griffiths jumped to the lead as the green flag flew in the 16-lap A feature. Mike Hughes pressured the leader the entire way, but to no avail with Griffiths taking the win and Hughes taking second. The two leaders finished well ahead of third place Danny Thrasher who held off Bill "on it" Bonnett in fourth and Dale Porter took the fifth spot. The race was caution free. Griffiths, who had recently had a chainsaw accident that nearly cost him some digits, claimed his third feature win at Osky this year.
The IMCA Northern SportMods went 18-laps and this one too had the winner lead start to finish. Montezuma racer Brett Lowry took command and never looked back in claiming his third victory at the track this season. He finished a comfortable distance ahead of second place Curtis VanDerWal. Third went to the previous night's winner, Eric Flander, fourth was Carter VanDenBerg and Jason McDaniel took fifth.
There was an emotional win in the IMCA Stock Car class. The feature went 20-laps and Todd Reitzler looked poised to repeat his win from June, taking command from the start. Corey Stout was doing battle with Damon Murty and Brad Pinkerton as they jousted for the runner up position. Pinkerton took over second at lap fourteen and was soon up to pressure leader Reitzler. Pinkerton was finally able to make it work with a lap to go and would make it to the checkers first, taking the victory. Reitzler had to settle for the runner up spot on this night, third place went to Jason Cook who worked his way up from near the tail of the starting field of eleven, fourth was Nathan Wood and Corey Stout finished fifth...with a flat tire as he crossed the finish line. Luckily, a hit to the rear by sixth place finisher Kris Walker, didn't appear to do too much damage to either car. Murty, who had been running in the top five, retired to the pits with a flat tire with a lap to go. This was a special win for Pinkerton, his second at the speedway this year. His father Rick had suffered a scary heart attack on Sunday, had been hospitalized, had a "repair job", and had just been released from the hospital in the late afternoon. He was at the track to witness his son's win and was in victory lane for the celebration.
There was a great field of 25 cars in the Modified class last night....several of the visiting drivers returning to try for the $1,000 payday for the win. The top four finishers in the three heats were brought to the front of the grandstand for a game of unusual "circle" poker to determine their starting position. The front row went to Nebraska's Dylan Smith and Kellogg's Kyle Brown. Kevin Larkins and Brandon Banks were no poker players and drew positions eleven and twelve.
The feature for the Modifieds went 22-laps and pole sitter Dylan Smith immediately took charge and distanced himself from the rest of the field. Newcomer, Luke Wanninger took ownership of second and a good distance behind him, Scott Dickey had established himself in third place. Jacob Murray, however, was on the move from starting thirteenth and making it into the top five. He wasn't done yet. Smith was firmly up front as the leader as the white flag flew, but things behind him would change. Smith took the checkers, but Murray was able to nip out Luke Wanninger at the flag as they finished second and third. Fourth place went to North Carolina's Kyle "The High Side Tickler" Strickler and Scott Dickey stayed up front all night to finish fifth. The race went the entire 22-laps without a yellow flag. In the victory lane interview, Dylan Smith, who is a former IMCA National Champion who calls Osceola, Nebraska home, said he had never been on the Monster Half-Mile until the previous night. His previous night's appearance made him eligible for the $1,000 winner's payoff.
A few notes on the night's happenings. Racer Mark Widmar, who had suffered some pretty significant injuries in an accident at the track in May, was on hand for a presentation. He was given not only a signed helmet by all the competitors and the fire and rescue team, but was given a check for $3,194 that was raised through items auctioned at the track and donations, to go toward his medical costs. Widmar expressed his thanks to all and was moved by the racing communities actions. Racing family is amazing. We wish Mark a quick and full recovery.
Promoter Mike VanGenderen had a busy and HOT night trying to keep the cushion knocked down, especially in turns one and two. He spent a lot of time on the tractor in an attempt to keep the racing surface in good condition. Xsan broadcasting was again on hand last night. They set up in a more stable location in the western portion of the covered grandstand from their "boom" location the previous night....which we heard had a bit of a "sway"! The FREE night of viewing offered by Xsan may have kept a few fans away, choosing not to fight the heat.
Be sure and check out fellow blogger Jeff Broeg's take on the night's action on the "Back Stretch" at Positively Racing. Got a chance to say hello to Barry Johnson who visited us in the grandstand during hot laps before retiring to his usual in field position, camera in hand. I believe Eric Arnold, who has "Hawkeye Ovals" was also in attendance last night.
We are off to the Knoxville Raceway tonight for the Harris Clash----our third night straight of racing. It's going to be another hot one. We always look forward to the Harris Clash and watching racers we don't often see. Who is going to tame the famed Knoxville oval tonight? Take this race in if you get the chance.
Happy racing!
No comments:
Post a Comment