The Marshalltown Speedway sprung back into action last night as the first night of the World Nationals---formerly the Havoc on the Highbanks, now sponsored by World Products, got underway. By our count there were 60 Modifieds, 56 SportMods, 39 Stock Cars and 38 Hobby Stocks for a total of 193 cars. There was a bunch of racing for sure with a complete show being run for the SportMods, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks. Those classes will do it all over again tonight with a full show and will be joined by the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks. The Modifieds....all running non-claimer motors....ran eight heats and were awarded points for their finishes. First received 15, second 14, etc. At the end of the evening a second set of heats were run in reverse of their original starting line up, and points awarded in the same manner as they finished.
The SportMods ran their feature first---a 20-lapper. With just a handful of laps in the books, the young man from Oskaloosa, Carter VanDenBerg had snatched the lead from Eric Elliott. He set sail and was pulling away when the first yellow flew at lap sixteen. By that time, the #7P of Tim Current, that I believe to be an eastern Iowa promoter, was up to second, and no doubt happy to see the field get bunched up when the yellow rag flew. The final four laps were not easy getting into the books as there was a restart situation called back on that sixteenth lap. Then on lap eighteen another yellow, and it again took two tries to get the race completed. VanDenBerg had maintained his lead, flying along on the topside, but Current was challenging on a lower line. VanDenBerg kept his cool and his lead and flew home to the victory and the $1,000 pay off. Current crossed in second, but we noted in the results that he was disqualified for an infraction, but do not know why. This handed second over to regular weekly racer at the track, Travis Peterson. Third went to Doug Smith who just got by Brian Efkamp who was scored fourth. Justin Medler in car #75 out of Minot, North Dakota, was fifth.
The Hobby Stocks went 15-laps for their A main. The show up front for much of the race was between Eric Stanton, Devin Smith and the 2013 car piloted by Jamie Songer. An incident on the front stretch near the flagstand halted action at lap twelve, a red sitatuion needed for clean up. This resulted in veteran racer Randy Embrey, Gene Nicklas and Jason Kohl, who had made the long haul over from Missouri Valley, to have to retire to the pits. As the race restarted, Songer had just gained the lead after battling on the back with Smith and Stanton. Songer showed his determination and outdistanced his competitors to the checkers and scored the $500 win. It was an excited Songer in victory lane! Eric Stanton took the runner up spot, John Watson came from mid starting field to capture third, fourth was Benji Irvine and Devin Smith completed the top five.
The final feature for the night was the Stock Car 20-lap main. The drivers were running for $1,000 pay off in this one too. A yellow flew at lap two, Todd Reitzler leading the race at that point, over veteran Robert Stofer. When racing was about ready to get back underway, Reitzler suddenly exited the track and into the pits. This handed the lead over to Stofer, Donavon Smith running second. A couple of laps later, Smith made the pass and into the lead. By the halfway mark, Smith was pulling away from the field, and Beatrice, Nebraska racer Jordan Grabouski (who did double duty last night, also racing in the Modified division) had made his way into second place. and fellow Beatrice driver, Kyle Vanover was in third. Smith was comfortable running low while his competitors were searching both high and low in hopes of gaining more momentum. It wasn't to be however, as Smith took the checkers first, and scored the win. Grabouski was the runner up, Brian Irvine made an impressive run to get to third after starting 11th, Vanover fell to fourth, and Damon Murty, who started 12th, took the fifth spot.
There were eight final heat races run for the Modifieds, their heats just reversed in starting order for the line ups. The drivers accumulated points in both of their heats and we understand that those top point getters did qualify for the A main $10,000 to win race tonight. What we found were the following qualified drivers that will probably be drawing for their starting positions tonight:
99M Mike Mullens, 64 Jacob Murray, 2L Adam Larson, 62 Hunter Marriott, 90K Shawn Kilgore, J41 Ryan Ruter, 10M Jeremy Mills, 72M Brian Mullens, 19G Richie Gustin and 21K Kyle Brown.
There are five last chance heats scheduled for tonight with two qualifying from those and then B or B's to qualify the last four drivers.
There got to be a nip in the air last night...football season weather. A coat was welcomed by the end of the evening, as I am sure it will be tonight. Don't forget one! We plan to be back in Marshalltown for the finale tonight. Hope to see you there! Happy racing!
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