We had a long day at the Iowa State Fair, arriving just before 8:30 a.m. yesterday morning. We had a great time roaming the fairgrounds with family, taking in about as much as we could stand. It has been tradition for many, many years to head to the grandstand in the late afternoon for the Iowa State Fair races, and that is just what we did once again. A lot of other people had the same idea, as there was a good crowd in attendance. The show consisted of the IMCA Deery Brothers Late Models, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and the Dirt Trucks.
The SportMods ran their 15-lap feature race first. Tony Johnson led the opening laps, but a bobble in turn one sent him spinning, causing a yellow and his chances dashed for a run up front. The hot shoe, Nick Roberts inherited the lead and from there on had no trouble in keeping it to the checkers. Austin Kaplan moved through the field well, starting in the sixth row, and taking the runner up spot, though a good distance behind the winner. Matt Webb finished a distant third, followed by Paul Nagle and Glenn Gladson.
It was a rather nostalgic and bitter sweet Hobby Stock feature as longtime announcer Tim Trier made his final race call, heading off into retirement from the mic. He did manage to get in a couple of his famous "if he wants it, he's going to have to come and get it" calls, and "hey, hey, that was a good one". Thanks for all the memories, Tim!
The Hobby Stock feature had a few yellows fly throughout the race. However, the leader from the drop of the green, Kenny Champ, Clarinda, Iowa, never gave up that lead, holding it to the checkers and the win. It wasn't without a couple of challenges however, as it was the familiar #78 of Shannon Anderson knocking at the door, bumper, and quarter panel! Longtime second generation racer, Randy Embrey got in the mix late in the race, and was able to make the move around Anderson. Champ scored the win, Embrey taking the runner up spot, and Anderson in third. Dustin Griffiths challenged those front runners at times, but had to settle for fourth over Bill Dawson in fifth.
The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks ran a 15-lap feature. It was led from start to finish by the 2M of Tony Moro. Ed Nelson passed Pat Fagen as the laps wound down, as they went second and third. Fourth went to Bret Moyer, and Billy Allen was fifth.
There was a good field of Stock Cars on hand, their class being the only one requiring a B main. That B main was won by Justin Temeyer. Their feature was also a 15-lap event. Grinnell's Todd Reitzler was really looking strong, taking the lead immediately from his outside front row starting spot, and pulling away to a lengthy lead. Fighting behind him for position were Bill Osbahr the Avoca, Iowa racer, Damon Murty and Randy Killen, as they went three-wide. Reitzler continued his lead through several cautions and subsequent restart situations, but he was getting pressured hard by Randy Killen and Osbahr. One more of those fateful restart situations would be Reitzler's nemesis when Killen, who was now in second,took his opportunity when the leader slightly bobbled, and took over the first spot. It was a hard fought battle late in the race between Randy Killen, Osbahr and Reitzler, Killen having gotten into second. At the finish, it was Osbahr the victor and Iowa State Fair champion, Killen going second, and Reitzler was third. Fourth went to Atalissa, Iowa racer David Brandies and multi-time IMCA National Stock Car Champion, Jeff Anderson rounded out the top five. A check back at my notes from last year, shows Osbahr finished second at the Fair race in 2012, getting the elusive win this year.
The finale of the evening was the 35-lap Deery Brothers Late Model feature. The lucky front row starters were Joel Callahan and Jeff Aikey. It was no surprise that Aikey took the lead immediately, and had no real challenge the entire 35-laps. Aikey led the entire race with Joel Callahan trying to catch him most of the way. Justin Kay took advantage of a restart situation, and flew into second, but could get no closer than to score second place. Callahan fought back to try and recapture second, but had to settle for third. Fourth went to Brian Harris in the #15R and local racer Todd Cooney was fifth.
Another Iowa State Fair race is in the books. It's always a nostalgic race to us, having attended Fair races from way back when. It is a beautiful sight to see the race cars on the track, the grandstands full, and the midway lights glowing off of turn one. It was a pleasure to share the evening with lots of racing friends as an added bonus.
Tonight, we will be off to the Marshalltown Speedway for the first ever Corn Belt Clash Series for Late Models at the track. This is an open Late Model series that is based in the upper Midwest. IMCA SportMods and the MADCRA Mod Lites are also on the docket. The Dirt Trucks originally slated for an appearance, will not be racing, according to what we heard last night. Hot laps are 7:15 with racing to follow. Maybe we will see you there. Happy racing!
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