Wednesday night was season championship night at the Southern Iowa Speedway. The track champions were crowned, some determined before the night was started. On track introductions gave the fans an up close glimpse of the drivers and a well earned round of applause. Racing was done in its usual format as the drivers raced heats to earn their invert/starting spots for their features.
In the IMCA Sport Compact division, it was veteran Merv Chandler snatching the track championship and the night's feature as well. Following Chandler across the line were John Whalen and Bill Whalen, Jr.
The IMCA Hobby Stock feature had Aaron Osweiler leading the first part of the 15-lap race. Danny Thrasher came calling by lap ten and grabbed the lead, bringing Doug Sylvester along in tow in the runner up spot. Thrasher was able to maintain the lead to the checkers and score the victory. Sylvester kept second, third was Craig Brown and Mike Hughes and Justin Hook rounded out the top five. Veteran Bill Bonnett, who suffered a flat in the feature, went into the night with the track championship already wrapped up, leading his nearest competitor by 41 points.
The Modified's had an exciting conclusion to their 16-lap A main. Billy Davis, Jr. in his #1+ car, looked poised to repeat his win from last week as he jumped to the immediate lead and pulled away from the field. A yellow flew at lap five, bunching the field, but Davis had no trouble in pulling away again. Meanwhile, it was Cayden Carter taking over second place and he began reeling in the leader. As the laps wound down Carter continued his quest and Davis began to loose momentum.....a right front tire was slowly going down! Carter seized the moment and flew around Davis on the white flag lap to secure the win, Davis crossing in second with the tire nearly flat. Third place was Andrew Schroeder, fourth went to Tyler Groenendyk and fifth was the track champion, Jacob Murray.
The IMCA Northern SportMods also went 16-laps for their feature event. Cory VanZante and Logan Anderson started on the front row. Anderson led through lap four when a caution waved. That restart situation was all that Curtis VanDerWal needed as he had quickly raced through the field from his ninth starting position and swept to the lead the following lap. VanDerWal, in his #1V, was looking strong as he led the field, but Carter VanDenBerg was not to be counted out! He had been battling with Anderson and Tyler Heckert for second place, was able to take that runner up spot and now had his sights set on the leader! VanDenBerg smoothly reeled in VanDerWal, made the impressive pass with two laps to go, and pulled away to the win. VanDerWal was second, third place went to visiting driver from Swea City, Matt Looft, fourth went to Tyler Heckert and Brett Lowry rounded out the top five. Curtis VanDerWal is the track champion for 2013.
The final racing of the evening was the 18-lap Stock Car A main. This feature did not start off well! A pile up in corner four before one lap was scored, eliminated a handful of cars. Several others that were involved would have to retire to the pits shortly with damage. Those cars included Alan VanGorp, Damon Murty, Randy Killen, Kris Walker, Nathan Wood, Mike Johnston, Jason Cook, newcomer Russ Hall (we understand to be a sprint car racer) and Donovan Nunnikhoven! Brad Pinkerton was the guy at the helm by lap five, and Corey "from just across the street" Stout was tailing him in second. Just a couple of laps later, there was a real battle going on for second as Todd Reitzler and Cayden Carter joined in the fray. Yes....Cayden Carter. Carter hopped in one of Roger Kelderman's stock cars, sporting a bright orange ride that we usually see being piloted by Zack VanderBeek. Carter in the #10cc car looked to be no rookie in the division as he went at it with the other experienced drivers in the class. In the closing laps, Reitzler gained the runner up advantage and gave it a shot at challenging the leader but would fall short at the checkers. Pinkerton took the win, his third of the season, Reitzler having to settle for second. Carter took third in an impressive debut in the full-fendered class, besting Corey Stout in fourth and Jason Minnehan in fifth.
So concluded another season of racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway. The racing just continued to get better all season long. Thanks to promoter Mike VanGenderen and crew for providing the drivers and fans with the long-standing Wednesday night show. The track is not silent quite yet however. Mark your calendars for Friday and Saturday October 4th and 5th, for the annual Fall Challenge. Check www.raceosky.com for more information on this long-standing annual tradition.
Our plans are for the two-night World Nationals (formerly the Havoc on the Highbanks) at the Marshalltown Speedway scheduled for this weekend, September 20-21. Should be some great racing. Friday, there will be a full program for the Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, plus qualifying for the Modifieds. The Modifieds are all non-claimer motors. Then on Saturday, another full show for the Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Dirt Trucks will be on tap. The main event will be the $10,000 to win Modified feature. Check www.marshalltownspeedway.com for more details. Happy racing!
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