After a two-week absence due to weather, the Southern Iowa Speedway was back in action last night. For the first time in 2014, the IMCA Late Models took to the track, as did the IMCA Sport Compacts. Todd Shute repeated his win in the Modified division, all other classes were new winners. A few fun and games were thrown into the picture as well, entertaining the crowd while the track was worked at intermission.
The Sport Compacts ran for the first time this year---seven in attendance. Bill Whalen, Jr. over took Trent Orwig before the first lap was scored, led all laps, and scored the victory. Orwig finished as the runner up, Matt Moore was third, fourth went to Nicholas VanHemert, Matt Beal was fifth, Tyler Herring took sixth, and John Whalen did not finish.
The Stock Cars once again produced an exciting 18-lap race. Corey Stout grabbed the lead at the drop of the green from starting on the pole. He had a lot of company behind him though, as cars were fighting for position. Todd Reitzler snatched second place, but was barely holding off the challenges of Zack VanderBeek, Nathan Wood and Brad Pinkerton. Those three duked it out three-wide at times, Reitzler still holding down second at lap ten. VanderBeek was suddenly off power on the back chute. He exited the track without bringing out a yellow, allowing the race to continue under green. Brad Pinkerton had taken over second and on leader Stout's tail and looking for a way around---Reitzler and Wood right there waiting for a miscue. Stout took the win, Pinkerton finished as the runner up over Reitzler in third. Both were able to hold their positions after a bit of contact was made right after the white flag flew. Nathan Wood finished fourth and Donovan Nunnikhoven took fifth. The race went caution free.
The SportMod 16-lap feature came up next, young Brayton Carter leading the opening laps. By lap three, Curtis Van Der Wal had made his way around Carter and into the lead. Jason McDaniel scooted up from starting sixth to take the runner up spot away from Carter and had his sites set on the leader. Van Der Wal, however, had no trouble in distancing himself from the competition, and took the win in easy fashion. McDaniel held off Carter as they went second and third. Brett Lowry came from ninth starting position to give them fits as the race closed, taking fourth. Ryan Fullencamp completed the top five.
The IMCA Hobby Stock ran their usual 15-lap A main. Veteran racer Brad Stephens looked strong as he led from the start and pulled away. Danny Thrasher made his way up to second, Dustin Griffiths was running third when a yellow flew at lap eleven. This proved to be Stephens undoing as he soon was out after suffering a flat tire from some contact. Dustin Griffiths was now the man in charge, Thrasher still in the runner up spot. Three more yellows would fly before the race finally ended under green-white-checkered; Griffiths holding the lead to the checkers and the win. Thrasher held on to second, Nick Ulin took third, fourth was Bill Bonnett who came from starting back in row seven, and Travis Bunnell rounded out the top five.
The Modifieds had a good battle going on with Andrew Schroeder holding off Jesse Sobbing, Todd Shute and Cayden Carter. Sobbing was pressuring the leader when he was suddenly off power on the back stretch, bringing out a yellow. When the race restarted, Carter zoomed to the lead around Schroeder, Shute soon to follow him into second. Carter and Shute battled each other closely until Shute was finally able to pull off the pass. Shute held off Carter for the win, Carter having to be content with second. Third was Jacob Murray, fourth went to Andrew Schroeder and Adam Larson was fifth.
The night's finale was a 20-lap feature for the IMCA Late Models. The Late Models were making their first appearance for 2014 at the track but they will be on the docket several more times this season. Colby Springsteen had no trouble in taking the win, as he led all 20 laps to the checkers. Nick Marolf chased Springsteen the entire distance to take second. Third went to Todd Cooney, and Jeremy Grady passed Darrel DeFrance on the final lap as they went fourth and fifth.
Earlier, while a bit of track maintenance was being attended to, twelve drivers had a "snack contest". The first two drivers to eat and swallow seven soda crackers would be awarded a free admission to the track next week. The best chompers were Nathan Wood and Brett Lowry.
It was great to be sitting at a track without being bundled up for a change. Let's hope that will continue. It's about time we had good racing weather. Next week at the Southern Iowa Speedway, the IMCA Late Models will be running for weekly points again, along with the other five IMCA classes. Hot laps are 7 with racing at 7:30. Join us for some mid-week racing. Thanks for reading and happy racing!
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