The "Bubble" leaked a little at the Boone Speedway, but it didn't burst, and racing went on as scheduled on Saturday night. Pictures prior to Saturday, showed heavy rain had resulted in two ponds in the infield, the west equipment area flooded as well as part of the east catwalk area. Somehow, the place was drained, the track had been sealed over before the rains came, and even with rain on Saturday....and still raining when we arrived about 5:45 p.m., the minute the rains stopped, out came the tractors and the track farming began.
The first green flag fell at 7:30---right at the scheduled start time. Thanks to the dedicated track workers for what had to be endless hours in letting the night happen.
The Mod Lites went first for their 15-lap feature. When the race began, Charlie Brown went to the point, and brother Terry Brown tagged him in second. The two chased each other around the track in that order until lap eleven. Terry Brown had been peeking to the outside of brother Charlie for sometime, and his persistence finally paid off and he took over the lead. Meanwhile, Bryan Zehm had been reeling in the Brown duo, he made a final push in the closing lap, and scored second, getting around Charlie Brown who was third. Fourth went to Randy Bryan and Mike Kennedy was fifth. Terry Brown won for the second time at the track. Zehm is now the new point leader after James May finished back in fifteenth spot.
It was appearing that there would be a first time ever winner in Jake McBirnie in the SportMod feature. McBirnie, in his first year of competition, led from the drop of the green. Doug Smith was running in the runner up spot, but McBirnie consistently hit his line, and kept Smith at bay. That is until the final run to the checkers. Enter lap traffic, and the more experienced Smith saw his chance as they came out of turn four. Smith surged in the last few feet to the finish line.....winning by mere inches. McBirnie, had to settle for what had to be a disappointing runner up finish. Johnathon Logue came out of row five, to score third, fourth was Tim Love, and Brandon Williams was fifth. This was Smith's second win at Boone this year. Point leader Ben Kates had mechanical issues in his heat race, had to start twenty sixth on the feature field, but finished a very respectable eighth place and keeps his point lead.
The Hobby Stock class followed up with a thrilling finish of their 12-lap A main. Shane Butler and Daniel Hagen led the troops through the first seven laps. Hagen then dropped his drive shaft on the frontstretch, and he was out of the game. Somehow, third place runner Josh Saunders avoided getting caught up in Hagen's misfortune, and when the race restarted, was aligned in second for the restart. A few laps later, Dustin Graham, Shannon Anderson and Eric Stanton got into contention, and were fighting for a top finish. Butler was still leading as the white flag flew, Graham was in second with Anderson nipping at his heels. Stanton was waiting in the wings in fourth, Saunders hanging tough in fifth. Butler saw the checkers ahead as they came out of turn four.....but it was Shannon Anderson beating him to the finish line and snatching the win. Butler was second, Stanton finished a close third, Graham was fourth and Saunders took fifth. Anderson scored his third win of the year. Point leader going into the night, John Watson experienced trouble in the heat race, and had to qualify through a B main. He finished in thirteenth place, but still holds the point's lead.
The 20-lap Modified feature also had an exciting finish though not quite as close as some of the earlier features. Veteran racer, Robert Avery jumped to the lead immediately from starting in row two. Pole sitter Tony Cox, tucked into second. Then all eyes were on the #19 of Jammin' Jimmy Gustin, who was putting on his usual demonstration of driving skills! He moved from starting tenth, up to third by lap four. Gustin methodically reeled in Cox, taking over the runner up spot with five laps remaining. He now had his sights set on the leader. Gustin drew closer and closer, finally making the pass on Avery with a lap remaining and scored the win. It was Gustin's second win of the year. Avery finished as the runner up, Cox held third. Randy Havlik was scored in fourth place and Russ Dickerson was fifth. Point leader Kyle Brown finished sixth, and with Gustin's win, he cut the lead to just four points.
The Stock Car feature did not get the first lap scored before an incident occurred on the frontstretch near the flagstand. Craig Carlson nearly climbed the inside cement wall by the flagman, sending Grant Oskvig scrambling, Scott Bailey also ending up against the wall and point leader Jay Schmidt unable to avoid the incident. Schmidt ended up with a broken radiator plus more damage to the front, sending him to the pits, his night done. When things were cleaned up, the race restarted with Wayne Gifford in command. From there on, he just drove off from the rest of the field, the race continuing to the checkers caution free. Gifford won his first feature at Boone this year by a straightaway. Tenth place starter Donavon Smith got to second by lap twelve, but just had to watch Gifford in the distance as the race concluded. Jerry Gifford followed Smith to score a third place finish, fourth was Josh Daniels and Corey Piffer was fifth. Schmidt keeps hold of his point lead, Jerry Gifford closing in just seven points behind in second.
Many area tracks had already pulled the plug on racing, and that brought a few new drivers to test their skills on the Boone Speedway. Ricky "Racer" Stephens made the haul over from South Sioux City, Nebraska, after his usual Saturday night track, the Shelby County Speedway in Harlan, was cancelled. Evan Nemitz from Kiron, Jacob Sachau from Denison, and newcomer Chase Rudolf from Norwalk joined the SportMod class for the night. The Hobby Stock class had some drivers join the fun after their weekly shows were rained out too. Kyle Schmauss came from Eagle Grove, Greg Gilbert from Oseola and a couple of Des Moines and Webster City regulars raced as well. Stock Car racers Adam Hensel from Atlantic and Jeff Frevert from Ft. Dodge were on hand. There were 117 cars in the pits, and surprisingly, a nice crowd in the stands---all this despite the threatening weather. The racing concluded shortly after 10 p.m. with another cloud bank approaching from the west and lightning visible to the northwest. It was Boone's twelfth weekly show in a row, plus the Frostbuster program being shortened back on April 12 after getting only one feature in the books.
It's a busy week of racing coming up. Check the calendar at Positively Racing for a race you may want to attend. Tuesday is Independence Motor Speedway's Deery Brothers show as well as the Hawkeye Dirt Tour in Algona. You have many choices for the week. Our plans are for the 19th Annual Stock Car Shoot Out in Osky on Wednesday and Thursday, July 2-3. Then it will be the 4th of July at Marshalltown Speedway for a regular night of racing, plus their 50th anniversary celebration, and fireworks.....all for $5 admission. Then back to Boone next Saturday night.
Thanks for reading and happy racing!
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Van Der Wal back in winner's circle at Osky
The Southern Iowa Speedway had two first time winners on Wednesday night to stamp in their record book. One of those was from the Stock Car class which had a very entertaining feature. It appeared they were just tuning up for next week's 19th Annual Stock Car Shoot Out scheduled for July 2-3.
The first feature to have a first time winner at the track was the Sport Compact division. There were nine cars in competition tonight, perhaps also tuning up for next week's Inaugural Merv Chandler Memorial that will pay $700.
Hot shoe from Carthage, Illinois, Austen Beccera, led the opening lap only to have it snatched away by Shaun Slaughter #00, by lap two. It was all Slaughter's race from there on, leading the remaining eight laps to the checkers. Beccera kept the runner up spot, John Whalen was third, fourth went to Cody Cleghorn and Bill Whalen, Jr. completed the top five. Slaughter won for the very first time at Osky, in only his second visit to the track.
The IMCA Stock Cars put on a whale of a show! Brandon Jay took the immediate lead, but fast company was right on his tail. Damon Murty had started seventh and was challenging Jason Cook for second, when he nearly lost it in turn two. The field behind him had to take evasive action to avoid Murty, who did gather it in and kept going. Those cars making those evasive moves did not fare so well, resulting in a 4-car incident involving Todd Reitzler, Doug Sylvester, Shane Paris, and Brock Welch. Only Sylvester was able to tag the field and continue racing. When racing resumed, Jay still held the advantage, but it was soon a three-wide battle with Cook and Murty. Cook nabbed the lead at lap four, and by that time, more cars had joined in the fray---Corey Stout, (sporting a new car) and the "Orange Crush Team" of Cayden Carter and Zack VanderBeek. Brandon Jay fell back, but the remaining five cars put on a real battle---visions of days of old! Cook stuck to the bottom of the track, Murty looked to the outside, and Carter was nosing it on the bottom. Just after lap fourteen, VanderBeek was out of the game and pulled to the infield, leaving the rest to go at it. Carter made it stick on the bottom, moving into the runner up spot, then with with just two laps remaining, swung to the outside to see if there was anything there. It appeared Carter had a slight advantage at the line with a lap remaining, but Cook got back to the lead, and held it the final run to the checkers---scoring the win. Carter had to settle for the runner up spot, Murty was third, Stout took fourth and Brandon Jay was fifth. It was an amazing race for the fans, and hopefully the drivers had a fun time too. It was quite a surprise to learn that this was the very first win at the Southern Iowa Speedway for Jason "Big Daddy" Cook, after many a lap around the big old half-mile in years past. If this race was any indication of what's to come next week for the Stock Car Shoot Out.....you won't want to miss it!
Curtis Van Der Wal got back to his usual form and into the winner's circle in the SportMod feature. After a DNF last week, Van Der Wal appeared determined this week. He flew to the lead by lap two, after starting fifth, and was never to be challenged the remaining fourteen laps. Brayton Carter had a great run, coming from starting sixth, to take the runner up spot. He finished just ahead of last week's winner Jason McDaniel, who had started in row five. Fourth was Logan Anderson, and Carter VanDenBerg rounded out the top five. VanDerWal won for the third time this season.
The 15-lap Modified feature found Andrew Schroeder back in victory lane. Schroeder took over the lead from AJ Johnson at lap two, and was never challenged, winning in comfortable fashion. Cayden Carter took the runner up spot, matching his Stock Car finish, Johnson was third, Casey Greubel fourth and Scott Dickey finished fifth. My records show that this is Schroeder's second win in as many weeks at Osky.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks finished off the night's racing. Travis Bunnell led the troops for the first six laps....but the #11 of Mike Hughes, flew...really flew, to the lead at lap seven. Hughes, who had started at the tail of the field after he was dq'd from his heat for not having a working right front brake, was on fire from the drop of the green. Hughes stretched out his lead, taking the win by more than a comfortable distance. Craig Brown took second over Bunnell in third. Nick Ulin finished fourth, just ahead of Danny Thrasher in fifth. This was the fifth win of the season for Hughes.
Next week is the 19th annual Stock Car Shoot Out at the Southern Iowa Speedway. Wednesday, July 2, the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, and the traveling Iowa Enduro Series will be on the docket. The following night, Thursday July 3, there will be Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and the Inaugural Merv Chandler Memorial Sport Compact feature, paying $700 to the winner. Stock Cars pay $2,000 for winning and Hobby Stocks, $1,000. Hot laps are 7 with racing at 7:30 both nights. Grandstand prices are $12 for adults, ages 7-17, $6, and 6 and under, free. Don't miss this annual race. It should be a good one! Hope to see you there!
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
The first feature to have a first time winner at the track was the Sport Compact division. There were nine cars in competition tonight, perhaps also tuning up for next week's Inaugural Merv Chandler Memorial that will pay $700.
Hot shoe from Carthage, Illinois, Austen Beccera, led the opening lap only to have it snatched away by Shaun Slaughter #00, by lap two. It was all Slaughter's race from there on, leading the remaining eight laps to the checkers. Beccera kept the runner up spot, John Whalen was third, fourth went to Cody Cleghorn and Bill Whalen, Jr. completed the top five. Slaughter won for the very first time at Osky, in only his second visit to the track.
The IMCA Stock Cars put on a whale of a show! Brandon Jay took the immediate lead, but fast company was right on his tail. Damon Murty had started seventh and was challenging Jason Cook for second, when he nearly lost it in turn two. The field behind him had to take evasive action to avoid Murty, who did gather it in and kept going. Those cars making those evasive moves did not fare so well, resulting in a 4-car incident involving Todd Reitzler, Doug Sylvester, Shane Paris, and Brock Welch. Only Sylvester was able to tag the field and continue racing. When racing resumed, Jay still held the advantage, but it was soon a three-wide battle with Cook and Murty. Cook nabbed the lead at lap four, and by that time, more cars had joined in the fray---Corey Stout, (sporting a new car) and the "Orange Crush Team" of Cayden Carter and Zack VanderBeek. Brandon Jay fell back, but the remaining five cars put on a real battle---visions of days of old! Cook stuck to the bottom of the track, Murty looked to the outside, and Carter was nosing it on the bottom. Just after lap fourteen, VanderBeek was out of the game and pulled to the infield, leaving the rest to go at it. Carter made it stick on the bottom, moving into the runner up spot, then with with just two laps remaining, swung to the outside to see if there was anything there. It appeared Carter had a slight advantage at the line with a lap remaining, but Cook got back to the lead, and held it the final run to the checkers---scoring the win. Carter had to settle for the runner up spot, Murty was third, Stout took fourth and Brandon Jay was fifth. It was an amazing race for the fans, and hopefully the drivers had a fun time too. It was quite a surprise to learn that this was the very first win at the Southern Iowa Speedway for Jason "Big Daddy" Cook, after many a lap around the big old half-mile in years past. If this race was any indication of what's to come next week for the Stock Car Shoot Out.....you won't want to miss it!
Curtis Van Der Wal got back to his usual form and into the winner's circle in the SportMod feature. After a DNF last week, Van Der Wal appeared determined this week. He flew to the lead by lap two, after starting fifth, and was never to be challenged the remaining fourteen laps. Brayton Carter had a great run, coming from starting sixth, to take the runner up spot. He finished just ahead of last week's winner Jason McDaniel, who had started in row five. Fourth was Logan Anderson, and Carter VanDenBerg rounded out the top five. VanDerWal won for the third time this season.
The 15-lap Modified feature found Andrew Schroeder back in victory lane. Schroeder took over the lead from AJ Johnson at lap two, and was never challenged, winning in comfortable fashion. Cayden Carter took the runner up spot, matching his Stock Car finish, Johnson was third, Casey Greubel fourth and Scott Dickey finished fifth. My records show that this is Schroeder's second win in as many weeks at Osky.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks finished off the night's racing. Travis Bunnell led the troops for the first six laps....but the #11 of Mike Hughes, flew...really flew, to the lead at lap seven. Hughes, who had started at the tail of the field after he was dq'd from his heat for not having a working right front brake, was on fire from the drop of the green. Hughes stretched out his lead, taking the win by more than a comfortable distance. Craig Brown took second over Bunnell in third. Nick Ulin finished fourth, just ahead of Danny Thrasher in fifth. This was the fifth win of the season for Hughes.
Next week is the 19th annual Stock Car Shoot Out at the Southern Iowa Speedway. Wednesday, July 2, the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, and the traveling Iowa Enduro Series will be on the docket. The following night, Thursday July 3, there will be Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and the Inaugural Merv Chandler Memorial Sport Compact feature, paying $700 to the winner. Stock Cars pay $2,000 for winning and Hobby Stocks, $1,000. Hot laps are 7 with racing at 7:30 both nights. Grandstand prices are $12 for adults, ages 7-17, $6, and 6 and under, free. Don't miss this annual race. It should be a good one! Hope to see you there!
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Osky - 6-25-14
Unofficial results:
Modified:
1. 02 Andrew Schroeder
2. 10C Cayden Carter
3. 8J AJ Johnson
4. 64 Casey Greubel
5. 40 Scott Dickey
6. 12K Andrew Kinser
DNF: 12H Dakota Hayden
DNS: 19K Curt Meyer
Stock Car
1. 27J Jason Cook - 1st win at the track
2. 10CC Cayden Carter
3. 99D Damon Murty
4. 94 Corey Stout
5. 6J Brandon Jay
6. 52 Nathan Wood
7. 18 Kris Walker
8. 19 Donnie Pearson
9. 4J Bob Lynch
10. 85 Doug Sylvester
DNF: 33Z Zack VanderBeek
1X Michael Petersen
22R Todd Reitzler
17 Brock Welch
17C Shane Paris
SportMod
1. 1V Curtis Van Der Wal
2. 01 Brayton Carter
3. 85 Jason McDaniel
4. 9A Logan Anderson
5. 7 Carter VanDenBerg
6. 8T Tony Johnson
7. 29 Colton Livezey
8. 38 Rich Vogt
DNF: 72 Brett Lowry
10 Kelly Buckallew
DNS: 10R Ryan Fullenkamp
Hobby Stock
1. 11 Mike Hughes - from the back
2. 69 Craig Brown
3. 3 Travis Bunnell
4. 21 Nick Ulin
5. 84 Danny Thrasher
6. 77 Howard Gordon, Jr.
7. 7A Aaron Osweiler
8. 42T Tyson Overton
9. 77G Ryan Grochala
10. 6S Shannon Sherwood
11. 3S Steve Allen
12. 66 Brandon Cox
13. 44 Dave Wilson
14. 224 Gina Greubel
DNF: 19B Daniel Dyer
74 Matt Miller
10G Dustin Griffiths
DNS: 32T Bobby Greene
55 Brad Stephens
9 Jared Stephens
Sport Compact
1. 00 Shaun Slaughter
2. 22. Austen Beccera
3. 77 John Whalen
4. 21CZ Cody Cleghorn
5. 00W Bill Whalen, Jr.
6. 2M Matt Moore
7. 5X Tyler Harring
8. 5 Matt Beal
9. 22K Jimmy Harring
Modified:
1. 02 Andrew Schroeder
2. 10C Cayden Carter
3. 8J AJ Johnson
4. 64 Casey Greubel
5. 40 Scott Dickey
6. 12K Andrew Kinser
DNF: 12H Dakota Hayden
DNS: 19K Curt Meyer
Stock Car
1. 27J Jason Cook - 1st win at the track
2. 10CC Cayden Carter
3. 99D Damon Murty
4. 94 Corey Stout
5. 6J Brandon Jay
6. 52 Nathan Wood
7. 18 Kris Walker
8. 19 Donnie Pearson
9. 4J Bob Lynch
10. 85 Doug Sylvester
DNF: 33Z Zack VanderBeek
1X Michael Petersen
22R Todd Reitzler
17 Brock Welch
17C Shane Paris
SportMod
1. 1V Curtis Van Der Wal
2. 01 Brayton Carter
3. 85 Jason McDaniel
4. 9A Logan Anderson
5. 7 Carter VanDenBerg
6. 8T Tony Johnson
7. 29 Colton Livezey
8. 38 Rich Vogt
DNF: 72 Brett Lowry
10 Kelly Buckallew
DNS: 10R Ryan Fullenkamp
Hobby Stock
1. 11 Mike Hughes - from the back
2. 69 Craig Brown
3. 3 Travis Bunnell
4. 21 Nick Ulin
5. 84 Danny Thrasher
6. 77 Howard Gordon, Jr.
7. 7A Aaron Osweiler
8. 42T Tyson Overton
9. 77G Ryan Grochala
10. 6S Shannon Sherwood
11. 3S Steve Allen
12. 66 Brandon Cox
13. 44 Dave Wilson
14. 224 Gina Greubel
DNF: 19B Daniel Dyer
74 Matt Miller
10G Dustin Griffiths
DNS: 32T Bobby Greene
55 Brad Stephens
9 Jared Stephens
Sport Compact
1. 00 Shaun Slaughter
2. 22. Austen Beccera
3. 77 John Whalen
4. 21CZ Cody Cleghorn
5. 00W Bill Whalen, Jr.
6. 2M Matt Moore
7. 5X Tyler Harring
8. 5 Matt Beal
9. 22K Jimmy Harring
Aikey attack at Marshalltown Deery show
It was a packed house at the Marshalltown Speedway Tuesday night. Fans came out to watch the Deery Brothers Late Models on the high banks. There was an extra $1,000 on the line for that winner if they were a veteran of the track that is celebrating it's 50th season of racing. Several possible drivers had the opportunity. Would it happen? The Stock Cars, SportMods and visiting Dirt Trucks were also on the program.
Two Dirt Truck features were run since just seven trucks were on hand. The first feature went to Lou Sipolt. He led all the race in taking home the trophy. Pat Fagen finished as the runner up, and close behind in third was Kevin Sather. Brad Moyer and Carl Knight completed the top five. Winner Sipolt is a host of the Great Day TV Morning Show on KCWI Channel 23, but has also been indulging in his passion for Dirt Truck Racing for a number of years.
The second Dirt Truck feature found Bret Moyer leading early but Kevin Sather went to the top of the track, and flew to the lead with just two laps remaining. Behind him, brothers Bret and Brad Moyer were duking it out. Bret Moyer found himself on the short end of the stick during a little brotherly rivalry, spun, gathered it back in, but dropping well back. Sather took the win, Pat Fagen got by the Moyer brothers during the little incident, and finished in second. Brad Moyer was third, AJ Nelson fourth and Bret Moyer took fifth.
The Stock Cars ran a 20-lap feature. Scott Pippert jumped to the immediate lead from his outside front row starting spot. From there on, it was a "try and catch the 47" the entire race. David Smith tried to do just that, but could not make the bottom work, try as he did, and ended up in second. His brother Devin Smith, who jumped from Hobby Stock up to the Stock Cars this year, started tenth and put his Dodge hot rod into third place. Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty started on the tail after experiencing trouble in his heat race, and made it to a fourth place finish. The third Smith brother in the race, Donavon Smith, had to tag the tail at lap fifteen after getting caught up in an incident in turn four, and flew through the field to be scored in fifth.
Winner Pippert was a happy camper in victory lane, savoring the win and the $600 it paid.
There was a $1,000 on the line for the SportMod feature winner. Andy Tiernan led lap one from his pole starting spot. But who was that, that pulled to the top of the track from starting in the third row and was flying? It was the 3L machine of Clint Luellen, and what a demonstration he put on! By lap two, he had taken the lead. Tiernan hung in second until Sam Wieben took over the runner up spot at lap nine. Tiernan continued his run at the top of the track, and Wieben was now trying to reel him in by running the bottom. Luellen wasn't about to have anything deter him on this night though, and maintained perfect control and scored the win. Wieben kept the runner up spot, Taylor Mussellman made late race headway to finish third, fourth was Tiernan and Carter VanDenBerg came from starting in row five, to complete the top five. Luellen won for the fifth time this year at Marshalltown.
There were 34 Deery Brothers IMCA Late Models on hand. After heat races and two B mains, the starting line up was set for the 50 lap main event. The top twelve drivers had their starting positions determined by the series' usual "pass the pizza box" routine. The lucky front row starters were Tyler Bruening and Jason Hahne. Third place starter, veteran Jeff Aikey, grabbed the lead quickly, and led at lap one. Another wile veteran, Ray Guss, Jr. was second by lap number two. The race was continuing caution free, Guss trying to make the move underneath Aikey, but to no avail. By lap twenty-five, the track was black from top to bottom, lap traffic was in heavy play, but the two top runners were easing through it effortlessly. Denny Eckrich moved into third by lap 30, getting past Tyler Bruening, and was then applying some pressure to Guss. Eckrich tried to slip under Guss at lap 43, only to have Guss slam the door, and Eckrich found himself in a spin on the front stretch apron, bringing out the first caution of the feature run. When the race restarted, the #56 of Andy Eckrich was sitting in third place and readying himself for the dash to the checkers. In the closing laps, Andy Eckrich did make the move into second, dipping low to the inside of Guss, as they and the rest of the field could only watch as Aikey took the feature win. Andy Eckrich took second, Guss was third, and Justin Kay started alongside Eckrich in row six, to finish fourth. Another veteran racer, Curt Martin rounded out the top five. Aikey took his 62nd feature Deery win, took the $3,000 pay, and being a veteran of the Marshalltown track, (raced 1985-1990) got an additional $1,000 bonus!
The Marshalltown Speedway will be back in action on Friday night, June 27, for another night of regular weekly racing. Hot laps are 6:45 and racing at 7:30.
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Havlik and Bryan post first wins, Gifford, Roberts and Stanton repeat
It was finally looking like a perfect weather night of racing at the Boone Speedway on Saturday. The sun was shining, the wind wasn't blowing, and nothing threatening was appearing on radar. A nice crowd was on hand to watch the 117 cars that came for some fun. Several drivers ventured to the track from Algona and Webster City, since their shows had been washed out. All five classes had between 22 and 25 cars competing.
One of the two new winners of the the night came from the Mod Lite class. Their feature kicked off the main events, with Cory Sauerman, Grimes, Iowa, leading the early portion of the race. His night ended when he bounced off the backstretch wall and rolled, bringing out a red flag situation. He was not hurt. The lead was now in the hands of James May, but Randy Bryan had other ideas, and grabbed the lead quickly. From there on, it was Bryan's race, and he stamped his name in the record books for the first time in 2014. Bryan Zehm started in row six, and took the runner up spot, James May was third, Mike Kennedy and Travis Brandt were fourth and fifth. James May continues to hold a slim one point lead over Bryan Zehm in the point's race.
The SportMod feature was a yellow flag fest. The track had turned dry slick, very unusual for Boone Speedway, and the drivers seemed unaccustomed to that situation. Factor in drivers that were racing there for the first time, and it got to be a marathon. Funny how it seems that they can keep better control after they have been warned of a time limit in place. After the time limit was announced at lap ten, the race continued the remaining eight laps caution free.
Randy Roberts took the helm by lap five, and had no trouble in keeping it to the checkers. Johnathon Logue crossed the finish line in second place, a distance behind the winner. However, he was disqualified for some sort of infraction concerning the body parts of his machine. This gave the runner up spot to point leader Ben Kates. Cory Rose was scored in third, Rick Ringgenberg came from row eleven to be credited with fourth place, and Chad Ryerson completed the top five. Roberts won for the second time this year.
The Hobby Stock 12-lap feature event had Tyson Overton leading the first half of the race, only to have Eric Stanton snatch it away at lap seven. Stanton kept hold of that top spot the rest of the way to the flying checkers. Eldora, Iowa driver David Rieks came from starting beside Stanton in row five, to take second.
Shannon Anderson started in row six, and finished in the third position, Overton held on for fourth and Dustin Graham was fifth. Stanton scored his second win this year.
Twenty laps of IMCA Modified action was up next. Randy Havlik took command from his outside front row starting spot immediately. He never relinquished the lead the rest of the way to his first win this year. Eric Elliott, last week's winner, chased him most of the race, and finished as the runner up. Jon Snyder took third after starting in row five, Boone's own Scott Davis was fourth and Chris Webb finished fifth. A broken gear sent Jimmy Gustin (who had been leading points going into the night) to the infield, and with a ninth place finish, Kyle Brown is now leading points.
The Stock Car 18-lap feature had a handful of yellows fly in their main event---an uncommon occurrence for this class. Corey Piffer showed the way through lap six when the second yellow set up a restart situation. By this time, Jerry Gifford had made the outside of the track work, and moved to the runner up spot after starting tenth. He pulled off the pass for the lead the very next lap. Gifford weathered the last three yellow flags that flew, keeping his lead and scoring the win. Jay Schmidt, point leader, showed how it's done, flying from his sixth row starting spot, to finish as the runner up. Third place was Lonnie Hodges who ran with the leaders all night long, fourth went to Cory Bushnell, and Donavon Smith rounded out the top five. Jerry Gifford chalked up his third win of the year.
There was also a guest announcer behind the microphone last night. Tom Lathen, who has announced at numerous racing events in the past, filled in for Jerry VanSickle. IMCA's Western Regional Director, Paul Vetter, was also in attendance, taking in the racing action at Boone on his tour de racing in Iowa.
As I complete this blog, I have already received text messages saying Vinton, Mason City and Stuart have had to pull the plug on racing tonight. After our deluge of rain.....right at 2 inches in half an hour, I'm not surprised. As far as we know, the Fair race at Eldon, Iowa is still on.....maybe to be the only racing action to catch in the state of Iowa tonight. Hot laps are 6 p.m. for the half-mile track located south of Ottumwa, Iowa.
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
One of the two new winners of the the night came from the Mod Lite class. Their feature kicked off the main events, with Cory Sauerman, Grimes, Iowa, leading the early portion of the race. His night ended when he bounced off the backstretch wall and rolled, bringing out a red flag situation. He was not hurt. The lead was now in the hands of James May, but Randy Bryan had other ideas, and grabbed the lead quickly. From there on, it was Bryan's race, and he stamped his name in the record books for the first time in 2014. Bryan Zehm started in row six, and took the runner up spot, James May was third, Mike Kennedy and Travis Brandt were fourth and fifth. James May continues to hold a slim one point lead over Bryan Zehm in the point's race.
The SportMod feature was a yellow flag fest. The track had turned dry slick, very unusual for Boone Speedway, and the drivers seemed unaccustomed to that situation. Factor in drivers that were racing there for the first time, and it got to be a marathon. Funny how it seems that they can keep better control after they have been warned of a time limit in place. After the time limit was announced at lap ten, the race continued the remaining eight laps caution free.
Randy Roberts took the helm by lap five, and had no trouble in keeping it to the checkers. Johnathon Logue crossed the finish line in second place, a distance behind the winner. However, he was disqualified for some sort of infraction concerning the body parts of his machine. This gave the runner up spot to point leader Ben Kates. Cory Rose was scored in third, Rick Ringgenberg came from row eleven to be credited with fourth place, and Chad Ryerson completed the top five. Roberts won for the second time this year.
The Hobby Stock 12-lap feature event had Tyson Overton leading the first half of the race, only to have Eric Stanton snatch it away at lap seven. Stanton kept hold of that top spot the rest of the way to the flying checkers. Eldora, Iowa driver David Rieks came from starting beside Stanton in row five, to take second.
Shannon Anderson started in row six, and finished in the third position, Overton held on for fourth and Dustin Graham was fifth. Stanton scored his second win this year.
Twenty laps of IMCA Modified action was up next. Randy Havlik took command from his outside front row starting spot immediately. He never relinquished the lead the rest of the way to his first win this year. Eric Elliott, last week's winner, chased him most of the race, and finished as the runner up. Jon Snyder took third after starting in row five, Boone's own Scott Davis was fourth and Chris Webb finished fifth. A broken gear sent Jimmy Gustin (who had been leading points going into the night) to the infield, and with a ninth place finish, Kyle Brown is now leading points.
The Stock Car 18-lap feature had a handful of yellows fly in their main event---an uncommon occurrence for this class. Corey Piffer showed the way through lap six when the second yellow set up a restart situation. By this time, Jerry Gifford had made the outside of the track work, and moved to the runner up spot after starting tenth. He pulled off the pass for the lead the very next lap. Gifford weathered the last three yellow flags that flew, keeping his lead and scoring the win. Jay Schmidt, point leader, showed how it's done, flying from his sixth row starting spot, to finish as the runner up. Third place was Lonnie Hodges who ran with the leaders all night long, fourth went to Cory Bushnell, and Donavon Smith rounded out the top five. Jerry Gifford chalked up his third win of the year.
There was also a guest announcer behind the microphone last night. Tom Lathen, who has announced at numerous racing events in the past, filled in for Jerry VanSickle. IMCA's Western Regional Director, Paul Vetter, was also in attendance, taking in the racing action at Boone on his tour de racing in Iowa.
As I complete this blog, I have already received text messages saying Vinton, Mason City and Stuart have had to pull the plug on racing tonight. After our deluge of rain.....right at 2 inches in half an hour, I'm not surprised. As far as we know, the Fair race at Eldon, Iowa is still on.....maybe to be the only racing action to catch in the state of Iowa tonight. Hot laps are 6 p.m. for the half-mile track located south of Ottumwa, Iowa.
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Williams takes first SportMod win at Marshalltown
The deluge of rain in the area did not stop the racing at Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night. There was extra money on the line in the Hobby Stock, SportMod, Stock Car and Modified classes, thanks to Jim's Johns---a porta potty business out of Des Moines. Winners of the heats were offered the chance to go to the tail of their feature. Win, and an extra $250 was their's. It started with the Hobby Stocks and if not won, an additional $250 was added to each class from there on out....up to $1,000 possible for the Modifieds. It made for some interesting racing during the features!
The Sport Compact feature went to Dave Moorman, as he won for the fourth time this season. Aaron Miller was the runner up. John Gill did not start.
The Mod Lites ran their 15-lap feature caution free. Eric Hendrickson was the man in charge through lap three.....but he had Charlie Brown and Josh May nipping at his heels. Brown made the pass into first by lap four, and set his sites on seeing the checkers first. Josh May had other ideas, as he was soon to challenge the leader, and Andy Hennigar came along to join in for a run to the finish. May took the point spot by lap ten, after slight contact with Hennigar set him back a spot. May held on to the lead the rest of the way to the checkers and the win. Hennigar recovered from the contact issue, and finished as the runner up. Charlie Brown was third, Eric Hendrickson finished fourth, and Daniel Keltner from Coralville, made his first trip to the track, and finished fifth. May took his second win of the season.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks kicked off the feature racing that involved the $250 bonus money. None of the three heat winners took the challenge. Andy Hick held the lead for the first three laps, but he had a lot of company behind him. Eric Stanton started eighth and flew to the lead by lap five, bringing along John Watson and Austin Luellen to tail him. Those three drivers went at it tooth and nail the remaining way to the checkers. Stanton and Luellen raced side by side for most of those laps; Watson waiting in the wings for their miscue. Stanton held the point at the finish line, winning by a slight margin over Luellen in second. Watson was third, early leader Hick took fourth and Brice Udelhoven completed the top five. Though Stanton has consistently had strong runs at Marshalltown, this was just his second win of the year.
Since the $250 bonus challenge was not won, the SportMod feature had a $500 incentive to go to the tail. Clint Luellen was up for it. There was more than a full field of cars in the class last night, a B main weeding the starting field to 24 cars...and Luellen starting 24th. Des Moines driver, Brandon Williams (who moved from the St. Joseph, Missouri area a couple of years ago) took the lead by lap four after early leader Shawn Simatovich got caught up in an incident with a lap car. He had his hands full with Sam Wieben and Jenae Gustin. Meanwhile, Clint Luellen had been making headway, taking flight up top, and was coming strong. As the laps wound down, Luellen had taken over third place, and was challenging Wieben for the runner up spot. The leaders had to snake through some lap traffic in the closing moments, but it was not much of a hindrance, the three making it to the finish line in the same order. Williams won for the first time at Marshalltown this year, his first since June of last year, Wieben took second and Clint Luellen made a great try of it, falling a little shy of his quest, but finishing third, from starting 24th. The next three finishers had a great race going on a bit further back, Jenae Gustin winning fourth over Carter VanDenBerg in fifth, and Taylor Mussellman in sixth.
So.....since no one had won the challenge money bonus yet, another $250 was added to the pot for the Stock Car class....a possible $750 extra payday. Two drivers had already committed to the challenge, Michael Jaennette, and Jared Daggett---both starting on the back row. Dave Atcher put his spiffy looking #2 to the point, leading by lap one. There was a lot of action behind him, cars jockeying for position, left and right! Donavon Smith had already put his ride into second, Steve Meyer was dogging him in third, and by lap three, there was Michael Jaennette in fourth! This was about to get interesting!! Jaennette had a blip coming out of turn four a lap or so later, sending him back just a bit, but he was back to fourth by lap eight. Smith continued to hold the lead, and Meyer was now applying pressure. Those two would battle it out, Meyer looking low in turns three and four, but Smith diving to the bottom in turn one and maintaining control of the race. Meanwhile, Jaennette had worked his way to third place and trying with all his might, to give it a run for that extra $750. Time ran out, though, and Smith kept hold of the lead and took the win. Meyer finished second and Jaennette had to be content with a great run and a third place finish. Dave Atcher was scored in fourth and Jared Daggett, the other driver who took the challenge, finished in fifth. Smith continues his hold on the point lead, winning for the fifth time this season at Marshalltown.
Since no one had won the challenge money yet....another $250 was added to sweeten the pot....making for a bonus of $1,000 in the Modified class. Two drivers had already spoken up for the run for the money----point leader Ronn Lauritzen and Tyler Droste, who had won their heats earlier. Scott Simatovich held down the point spot through lap five, when a caution flew. Ronn Lauritzen had suffered a flat going hard into corner one, bringing out the yellow, after flying through the field and grabbing fifth place already. A trip to the pits for a tire change, brought Lauritzen back to the track and once again tagging the field for the restart. Joel Rust took the lead just after the restart, leading the pack of battling cars behind him. Adam Larson had put his BMS chassis into second and Luke Wanninger had followed up to run in third, when a caution flew at lap twelve. An on track incident between Tyler Droste and Kyle Brown halted the action, and called for realignment for a restart. Rust was still holding the point, Larson second and Wanninger licking his chops running in third. Simatovich was in fourth and there was "Uncle Ronnie"....Ronn Laurtizen, already back to fifth! The race continued from there on, caution free. Wanninger made the pass into first as the laps wound down, and went home to the checkers flying, taking the win. Rust held on to second, and Lauritzen made a valiant effort, but had to settle for third. Adam Larson finished fourth and Racer Hulin recovered from a bit of a rough ride earlier when he got into the infield just after turn two, and scored fifth place. Wanninger chalked up win number three of the regular season at Marshalltown plus winning the preseason Frostbuster.
The cloud bank building to the west, did not materialize into anything, but it was yet another night of watching and wondering. It's getting old! The track, even after receiving a lot of rain during the week, stayed in good condition, and yielded great racing all night.
Let's hope Mother Nature straightens up and gives us some drier weather for upcoming races. I see Webster City has already cancelled for tonight, and Harlan will be making a decision later. Here's hoping you can find a race to attend and help support the sport we all love....dirt track racing. Thanks for reading and happy racing!
The Sport Compact feature went to Dave Moorman, as he won for the fourth time this season. Aaron Miller was the runner up. John Gill did not start.
The Mod Lites ran their 15-lap feature caution free. Eric Hendrickson was the man in charge through lap three.....but he had Charlie Brown and Josh May nipping at his heels. Brown made the pass into first by lap four, and set his sites on seeing the checkers first. Josh May had other ideas, as he was soon to challenge the leader, and Andy Hennigar came along to join in for a run to the finish. May took the point spot by lap ten, after slight contact with Hennigar set him back a spot. May held on to the lead the rest of the way to the checkers and the win. Hennigar recovered from the contact issue, and finished as the runner up. Charlie Brown was third, Eric Hendrickson finished fourth, and Daniel Keltner from Coralville, made his first trip to the track, and finished fifth. May took his second win of the season.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks kicked off the feature racing that involved the $250 bonus money. None of the three heat winners took the challenge. Andy Hick held the lead for the first three laps, but he had a lot of company behind him. Eric Stanton started eighth and flew to the lead by lap five, bringing along John Watson and Austin Luellen to tail him. Those three drivers went at it tooth and nail the remaining way to the checkers. Stanton and Luellen raced side by side for most of those laps; Watson waiting in the wings for their miscue. Stanton held the point at the finish line, winning by a slight margin over Luellen in second. Watson was third, early leader Hick took fourth and Brice Udelhoven completed the top five. Though Stanton has consistently had strong runs at Marshalltown, this was just his second win of the year.
Since the $250 bonus challenge was not won, the SportMod feature had a $500 incentive to go to the tail. Clint Luellen was up for it. There was more than a full field of cars in the class last night, a B main weeding the starting field to 24 cars...and Luellen starting 24th. Des Moines driver, Brandon Williams (who moved from the St. Joseph, Missouri area a couple of years ago) took the lead by lap four after early leader Shawn Simatovich got caught up in an incident with a lap car. He had his hands full with Sam Wieben and Jenae Gustin. Meanwhile, Clint Luellen had been making headway, taking flight up top, and was coming strong. As the laps wound down, Luellen had taken over third place, and was challenging Wieben for the runner up spot. The leaders had to snake through some lap traffic in the closing moments, but it was not much of a hindrance, the three making it to the finish line in the same order. Williams won for the first time at Marshalltown this year, his first since June of last year, Wieben took second and Clint Luellen made a great try of it, falling a little shy of his quest, but finishing third, from starting 24th. The next three finishers had a great race going on a bit further back, Jenae Gustin winning fourth over Carter VanDenBerg in fifth, and Taylor Mussellman in sixth.
So.....since no one had won the challenge money bonus yet, another $250 was added to the pot for the Stock Car class....a possible $750 extra payday. Two drivers had already committed to the challenge, Michael Jaennette, and Jared Daggett---both starting on the back row. Dave Atcher put his spiffy looking #2 to the point, leading by lap one. There was a lot of action behind him, cars jockeying for position, left and right! Donavon Smith had already put his ride into second, Steve Meyer was dogging him in third, and by lap three, there was Michael Jaennette in fourth! This was about to get interesting!! Jaennette had a blip coming out of turn four a lap or so later, sending him back just a bit, but he was back to fourth by lap eight. Smith continued to hold the lead, and Meyer was now applying pressure. Those two would battle it out, Meyer looking low in turns three and four, but Smith diving to the bottom in turn one and maintaining control of the race. Meanwhile, Jaennette had worked his way to third place and trying with all his might, to give it a run for that extra $750. Time ran out, though, and Smith kept hold of the lead and took the win. Meyer finished second and Jaennette had to be content with a great run and a third place finish. Dave Atcher was scored in fourth and Jared Daggett, the other driver who took the challenge, finished in fifth. Smith continues his hold on the point lead, winning for the fifth time this season at Marshalltown.
Since no one had won the challenge money yet....another $250 was added to sweeten the pot....making for a bonus of $1,000 in the Modified class. Two drivers had already spoken up for the run for the money----point leader Ronn Lauritzen and Tyler Droste, who had won their heats earlier. Scott Simatovich held down the point spot through lap five, when a caution flew. Ronn Lauritzen had suffered a flat going hard into corner one, bringing out the yellow, after flying through the field and grabbing fifth place already. A trip to the pits for a tire change, brought Lauritzen back to the track and once again tagging the field for the restart. Joel Rust took the lead just after the restart, leading the pack of battling cars behind him. Adam Larson had put his BMS chassis into second and Luke Wanninger had followed up to run in third, when a caution flew at lap twelve. An on track incident between Tyler Droste and Kyle Brown halted the action, and called for realignment for a restart. Rust was still holding the point, Larson second and Wanninger licking his chops running in third. Simatovich was in fourth and there was "Uncle Ronnie"....Ronn Laurtizen, already back to fifth! The race continued from there on, caution free. Wanninger made the pass into first as the laps wound down, and went home to the checkers flying, taking the win. Rust held on to second, and Lauritzen made a valiant effort, but had to settle for third. Adam Larson finished fourth and Racer Hulin recovered from a bit of a rough ride earlier when he got into the infield just after turn two, and scored fifth place. Wanninger chalked up win number three of the regular season at Marshalltown plus winning the preseason Frostbuster.
The cloud bank building to the west, did not materialize into anything, but it was yet another night of watching and wondering. It's getting old! The track, even after receiving a lot of rain during the week, stayed in good condition, and yielded great racing all night.
Let's hope Mother Nature straightens up and gives us some drier weather for upcoming races. I see Webster City has already cancelled for tonight, and Harlan will be making a decision later. Here's hoping you can find a race to attend and help support the sport we all love....dirt track racing. Thanks for reading and happy racing!
Thursday, June 19, 2014
McDaniel scores back to back SportMod victories
It was a warm and muggy night at the Southern Iowa Speedway on Wednesday night. The five regular classes were on the program along with the visiting Mississippi Valley Vintage cars. It was also a night when the fans could cast their ballot for Hall of Fame nominees. There was a new winner in the IMCA Modified class, while all other regular classes saw repeat victories.
Bill Whalen, Jr. took the lead before the halfway mark of the Sport Compact feature, and from there on, motored his way to the win. He held off his brother, John Whalen in second. Third place was Matt Moore. Shawn Cooney, Tyler Harring and Matt Beal did not finish. Bill Whalen has won the last three races at Osky, and five out of six for the year.
The Stock Car class was a little lean last night, with only eight cars on hand. Perhaps the lingering threat of rain and storms kept some at home. The 15-lap feature saw Todd Reitzler lead the field through the first handful of laps. He was being challenged by the Roger Kelderman 10CC orange machine piloted by Cayden Carter. Carter was relentlessly peeking to the underside of Reitzler, and made it pay off on the backstretch just after lap five was scored. From then on, it was all the Gasman's race, taking the win by more than a comfortable distance. Reitzler held the runner up spot, Nathan Wood was third, fourth went to Doug Sylvester and Donnie Pearson completed the top five. Carter won for the second time in the regular season, also having scored the win in the preseason Frostbuster.
Logan Anderson had won his very first SportMod feature a few weeks ago at the big old half-mile in his new Murray chassis ride. He led the first lap, looking strong, when a yellow came out for a couple of cars sitting at the bottom of turn four. One of those, was point leader Curtis Van Der Wal, who was soon to retire to the pits, his night over. When the race restarted, Jason "Mighty Mouse" McDaniel was already sitting in second, and was making his bid for the top spot. McDaniel made the inside work for him, and took the point position by lap three. He would weather a couple more caution flags, never being challenged, and took the win. Second went to Montezuma's Brett Lowry, who started along side the winner in row four. Anderson hung to the front of the pack all night, and scored third place, fourth went to Brayton Carter who had to tag the field from an early incident, and Carter VanDenBerg finished fifth after starting dead last. McDaniel scored back to back wins. A check of the point standings, shows that McDaniel has now taken over the lead, Lowry and VanDenBerg just a few points behind. VanDerWal is now sitting nine points out of the lead, but never count him out!
The Hobby Stocks got after it last night. Veteran Brad Stephens led the field early, cars fighting desperately for position behind him in packs. Dustin Griffiths cleared the pack, and was up to challenge the leader quickly. Stephens kept his ride to the outside, while Griffiths nosed to the low side. He made his persistent dogging pay off, taking the lead at lap twelve. Danny Thrasher followed him around Stephens as well, and was on the hunt, as the laps wound down. Griffiths was the victor, Thrasher had to settle for second as time ran out. Mike Hughes got to third, finishing just ahead of Stephens in fourth. Craig Brown rounded out the top five. Griffiths took his second win of the year.
The ten-car field of IMCA Modifieds ended the night's event. The "Kool Aid Kid" Andrew Schroeder, took the lead from lap one, cruising to the win the remaining fourteen laps. Second place finisher, Scott Dickey tried to reel in Schroeder, to no avail. Jesse Sobbing made his 3 1/2 hour weekly trip over from Glenwood, Iowa, to score a third place finish. Sobbing duked it out with Hunter Marriott, the Missouri driver who came to play for the second week in a row, just getting by him in the closing laps, Marriott being scored fourth. Completing the top five was Lacona, Iowa racer, Casey Greubel. Schroeder won for the first time at the speedway this year.
The Mississippi Valley Vintage Auto Racing Club was also in attendance last night. A good field of midgets, non-wing sprints, and a couple of vintage modifieds made some laps around the track. During their feature, one of the vintage sprint cars rolled in turn three. The driver was transported to the hospital to be checked out, but it appeared to be a non-emergency as the track ambulance waited outside the track near the pit shack for another ambulance to transport to the hospital. The only name we caught last night, was the winner of the sprint competition, the yellow #18 of Ed Fry from Burlington.
There had been a threat of rain in the forecast for Osky last night, but all was avoided with just a hot, sticky night. We are hoping that another threat for rain tonight will also be avoided for the running of the Hawkeye Dirt Tour IMCA Modifieds, and the Sprint Invaders for their turn on the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:45 and racing at 7:30. We plan to attend as does a visitor from the West.....IMCA Western Regional Director, Paul Vetter. Paul joined us at the Southern Iowa Speedway last night, and is hoping for a race filled week or so on his visit to the Hawkeye state.
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
Bill Whalen, Jr. took the lead before the halfway mark of the Sport Compact feature, and from there on, motored his way to the win. He held off his brother, John Whalen in second. Third place was Matt Moore. Shawn Cooney, Tyler Harring and Matt Beal did not finish. Bill Whalen has won the last three races at Osky, and five out of six for the year.
The Stock Car class was a little lean last night, with only eight cars on hand. Perhaps the lingering threat of rain and storms kept some at home. The 15-lap feature saw Todd Reitzler lead the field through the first handful of laps. He was being challenged by the Roger Kelderman 10CC orange machine piloted by Cayden Carter. Carter was relentlessly peeking to the underside of Reitzler, and made it pay off on the backstretch just after lap five was scored. From then on, it was all the Gasman's race, taking the win by more than a comfortable distance. Reitzler held the runner up spot, Nathan Wood was third, fourth went to Doug Sylvester and Donnie Pearson completed the top five. Carter won for the second time in the regular season, also having scored the win in the preseason Frostbuster.
Logan Anderson had won his very first SportMod feature a few weeks ago at the big old half-mile in his new Murray chassis ride. He led the first lap, looking strong, when a yellow came out for a couple of cars sitting at the bottom of turn four. One of those, was point leader Curtis Van Der Wal, who was soon to retire to the pits, his night over. When the race restarted, Jason "Mighty Mouse" McDaniel was already sitting in second, and was making his bid for the top spot. McDaniel made the inside work for him, and took the point position by lap three. He would weather a couple more caution flags, never being challenged, and took the win. Second went to Montezuma's Brett Lowry, who started along side the winner in row four. Anderson hung to the front of the pack all night, and scored third place, fourth went to Brayton Carter who had to tag the field from an early incident, and Carter VanDenBerg finished fifth after starting dead last. McDaniel scored back to back wins. A check of the point standings, shows that McDaniel has now taken over the lead, Lowry and VanDenBerg just a few points behind. VanDerWal is now sitting nine points out of the lead, but never count him out!
The Hobby Stocks got after it last night. Veteran Brad Stephens led the field early, cars fighting desperately for position behind him in packs. Dustin Griffiths cleared the pack, and was up to challenge the leader quickly. Stephens kept his ride to the outside, while Griffiths nosed to the low side. He made his persistent dogging pay off, taking the lead at lap twelve. Danny Thrasher followed him around Stephens as well, and was on the hunt, as the laps wound down. Griffiths was the victor, Thrasher had to settle for second as time ran out. Mike Hughes got to third, finishing just ahead of Stephens in fourth. Craig Brown rounded out the top five. Griffiths took his second win of the year.
The ten-car field of IMCA Modifieds ended the night's event. The "Kool Aid Kid" Andrew Schroeder, took the lead from lap one, cruising to the win the remaining fourteen laps. Second place finisher, Scott Dickey tried to reel in Schroeder, to no avail. Jesse Sobbing made his 3 1/2 hour weekly trip over from Glenwood, Iowa, to score a third place finish. Sobbing duked it out with Hunter Marriott, the Missouri driver who came to play for the second week in a row, just getting by him in the closing laps, Marriott being scored fourth. Completing the top five was Lacona, Iowa racer, Casey Greubel. Schroeder won for the first time at the speedway this year.
The Mississippi Valley Vintage Auto Racing Club was also in attendance last night. A good field of midgets, non-wing sprints, and a couple of vintage modifieds made some laps around the track. During their feature, one of the vintage sprint cars rolled in turn three. The driver was transported to the hospital to be checked out, but it appeared to be a non-emergency as the track ambulance waited outside the track near the pit shack for another ambulance to transport to the hospital. The only name we caught last night, was the winner of the sprint competition, the yellow #18 of Ed Fry from Burlington.
There had been a threat of rain in the forecast for Osky last night, but all was avoided with just a hot, sticky night. We are hoping that another threat for rain tonight will also be avoided for the running of the Hawkeye Dirt Tour IMCA Modifieds, and the Sprint Invaders for their turn on the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:45 and racing at 7:30. We plan to attend as does a visitor from the West.....IMCA Western Regional Director, Paul Vetter. Paul joined us at the Southern Iowa Speedway last night, and is hoping for a race filled week or so on his visit to the Hawkeye state.
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Elliott nabs first ever Modified win, Murphy goes back to back in Stock Car
It was another Saturday night at the Boone Speedway, and another night of watching the sky. The forecast was sounding wet, and the radar showed a mass to the west, moving northeast. But the "Boone Bubble" held true again, no rain fell, and racing went on as usual. We saw a driver get his first ever Modified win---repeating what we had seen Racer Hulin do in Marshalltown the night before. A few drivers from the Algona area came to play after their show was rained out earlier. The Hobby Stock win was by mere inches, and new names went in the books for the SportMod and Mod Lite classes.
Joel Keenan took home his first feature win of the year in the Mod Lite division. He led lap one, only to have Chargin' Charlie Brown snatch it away at lap two. Keenan continued chasing Brown until lap seven, when a miscue by Brown, brought out a caution. Good grief, Charlie Brown! Brown had jumped the cushion in turn two, and hit the cement barrier, ending his night, and handing the lead back to Keenan. Keenan prevailed the rest of the way to the checkers. Terry Brown finished as the runner up, with Mike Kennedy a close third. Point leader Josh May was fourth and Bryan Zehm finished fifth. This was Keenan's first win at Boone this year.
A veteran racer showed up just last week for the first time, racing in the SportMod division---Brian Efkamp. Efkamp was piloting a look-a-like car, nearly identical to lady racer Tara Longnecker's ride. Efkamp got the pole starting spot this week, and flew off to the lead immediately. He was looking strong as he flew along the top portion of the track, but there was a car that was working the bottom and making fast headway! Doug Smith made the low line work, caught and passed the leader at lap nine, and easily kept it to the checkers. Tim Love ran at the front of the field all night, and finished as the runner up. Johnathon Logue was a close third, after starting in row five. Efkamp kept it toward the front and salvaged fourth, and Bill Wears rounded out the top five. This was Smith's first win at Boone for 2014.
The Hobby Stock feature was a near photo finish! Dustin Graham led from lap one, letting the cars behind him run in clumps! When a yellow flew at lap seven, David Rieks, the Eldora racer who pilots the nice looking 78XX car, was running second, and the 78B of Andrew Burg was right behind. When the race restarted, Rieks made his move around leader Graham before turn two, and Burg followed him into second. But who should be running fourth, but "The Mayor", John Watson. Point leader, Watson had picked off cars methodically from starting twelfth, and had his sites set on the front. The final lap was a real battle, Watson making his charge up to second, Rieks his next victim. The cars came out of turn four....a toss up as to who would make it to the finish line first. A final push got Watson there first---by a nose, if that. Watson chalked up another win, Rieks having to settle for a disappointing runner up spot. Andrew Burg was close behind in third, Dustin Graham finished fourth, and Seth Janssen, fifth. Watson continues his point lead, winning for the third time this season.
Eric Elliott stamped his name in the record books last night, getting a win in the 20-lap Modified A main.Elliott, took over the lead when then leader Randy Havlik appeared to have his car die at lap eight. Just past the halfway mark, a yellow flew for debris in corner four. Elliott then had to ready himself for the restart, as he had some company behind him. Russ Dickerson was running second, holding off Matthew Meinecke and Scott Davis, and Jammin' Jimmy Gustin was right there in fourth. The race restarted and remained in that formation until lap fifteen. At that point, Meinecke and Davis got together in turn two, bringing out another caution, and ending their good run. The final five lap run to the checkers saw some shuffling behind leader Elliott, but he held firm to his lead. After the white flag had flown, an incident on the track ended the race under yellow/checkered and Elliott could now bank his first ever Modified feature win. Dickerson held on to the runner up spot, Gustin close behind in third. Kyle Brown made headway late in the race, finishing fourth after starting seventeenth, and the Flying Dutchman, Mike VanGenderen completed the top five. Eric Elliott's first win at Boone was also, what I believe to be, his first win ever in the Modified division after having a very successful couple of years in the SportMod Class. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that statement.
Trent Murphy went home with back to back wins in the Stock Car class. Murphy surged to the lead by lap four, after starting eighth, and motored home to the win. Donavon Smith came from row five, to take the runner up spot, unable to catch the leader even after a restart. Jerry Gifford came from row nine and finished third, point leader Jay Schmidt brought his white car, and was scored in fourth, and Mike Goldsberry hung around the front all race long, and finished fifth. Murphy won for the second time this year, going back to back with the victories.
Happily, the weather to the west did not cause a problem with the racing AGAIN, though the strong southerly winds was more than buffeting the crowd. The racing ended right at 10 p.m. and we headed toward home shortly after. We were expecting to find that it had rained to the east, but never did find evidence of that anywhere. You can't always believe the forecast....especially in Iowa.
There are more specials coming up in our area. This week, the Hawkeye Dirt Tour for the IMCA Modifieds will be on tap at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson on Thursday night. The Sprint Invaders will also be on the program. We plan to attend and hope to see some of you there. The drivers and fans have all been raving about how well the racing surface has been lately, so we look forward to some great racing.
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Racer races to first Modified win
The Friday the 13th full moon didn't have much of an impact on racing at the Marshalltown Speedway. However, a Mod Lite driver may beg to differ on that opinion. Four of the six classes ran their features caution free, there was a first career Modified win for one driver, and a couple of brothers just keep chalking up the wins in their divisions.
John Gill won for the third time this season in the Sport Compact class. He led the entire 8 laps in securing his win. He finished comfortably ahead of second place finisher, Dave Moorman. Josh Modde, a driver that we have seen pilot a SportMod in past years, took home third place. Fourth went to Aaron Miller and new comer from Independence, Iowa, Mike Tedesco was fifth.
The Mod Lites pulled onto the track next for their 15-lapper. Just after driver Andy Hennigar passed the flagstand to get to his alignment position,---he rolled his car! It was a freaky looking deal, and left us wondering what happened. Andy was fine but his car looks to need a lot of loving care. He explained that a trailing arm broke, and he was over in a second.
Mike Morrill got to the lead at lap two, survived a couple of yellows, and never gave up that front position, and scored the win. Josh May chased Morrill across the finish line, but had to settle for the runner up spot. Third went to Charlie Brown, fourth was Tim Hennigar and Terry Brown completed the top five. It was Morrill's first win at the track since August 24, 2012. He continued his tradition of giving away his trophy to a lucky youngster.
When the green dropped on the 12-lap Hobby Stock feature, it was the #26 of Brice Udelhoven jumping....really jumping...to the lead. It was announced he was penalized two spots for over eagerness. Udelhoven continued his run at the front of the pack, but Austin Luellen was quickly up to challenge that front position. Luellen took the lead and held it the rest of the way to the finish and scored the win. John Watson came from starting eleventh to take the runner up spot. Benji Irvin went from twelfth starting spot, to take third place, fourth was Tyson Overton, who ran at the front of the pack all night, and Brice Udelhoven was scored in fifth......though crossing in third. Since there were no yellows in the race to realign Udelhoven after his initial jump at the start of the feature, he was given the two spot penalty at the end. Luellen snared a back to back win, and his fourth win of the regular season plus winning the preseason Frostbuster.
The SportMod feature saw the 32N of Neil Follett jump to the lead from the drop of the green flag. He held off Ryan King through lap six when King made the pass, but a yellow flew, reverting back to that lap six. On the restart, Follett held the lead at lap seven, but the 3L of Clint Luellen had been flying around the top of the track, clicking off position after position after starting eleventh, and was now challenging the leader. A couple of laps later, Luellen flew to the lead, driving off comfortably. Meanwhile, Tyler Musselman had been making headway from his ninth starting position, digging on the bottom side, and took over second place. The final few laps saw Musselman work the bottom and reel in Luellen. Luellen thought better of his run on the topside, and dropped to the bottom as well, protecting his lead the remainder of the way to the checkers. Following Luellen and Musselman was Jared VanDeest , who worked his way from tenth to third place, fourth went to Sam Wieben and early leader Neil Follett, finished fifth. Clint Luellen matched his brother's back to back wins earlier in the Hobby Stock class, and also won for the fourth time of the regular season.
Michael Jaennette won the always entertaining Stock Car feature. He passed Robert Stofer at lap two to grab the lead. He rode comfortably at the front of the pack, while they went three and four wide behind him, trying to sort out any semblance of establishing positions! Donovan Smith and Brian Irvine were putting on the show as they duked it out for second and third spots, swapping back and forth a couple of times. Traffic came into the picture for the leaders, but they snaked through with no troubles. Jaennette put his "Pink Panther" ride into victory circle for the second time this year at Marshalltown, Irvine out raced Smith as they finished second and third. Trent Murphy was scored in fourth and Steve Meyer started back in row nine, and recovered from earlier heat race woes, to finish with a top five run. The race went flag to flag.
It was the usual 20-laps for the Modified feature. Eric Elliott held down the lead through lap three until the 505 of Racer Hulin put it to the topside and took over the lead. From there on, it was a case of "catch the Racer"....as Hulin checked out. Last week's winner, Adam Larson started ninth, and got to second place, sending sparks along the frontstretch wall a couple of times, but ran out of time to garner more than the runner up spot. Luke Wanninger took third place, Brandon Leeman was fourth and Eric Elliott rounded out the top five. Racer Hulin got his first career win in the Modified division after jumping into the class from his previous successful time in the SportMod division. This race was also caution free.
The night started off beautiful and comfortable sitting in the stands, but by the time the racing got into the features, it was down right chilly! Just goes to show, never leave home.....even in the dead of summer, without some layers!
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
John Gill won for the third time this season in the Sport Compact class. He led the entire 8 laps in securing his win. He finished comfortably ahead of second place finisher, Dave Moorman. Josh Modde, a driver that we have seen pilot a SportMod in past years, took home third place. Fourth went to Aaron Miller and new comer from Independence, Iowa, Mike Tedesco was fifth.
The Mod Lites pulled onto the track next for their 15-lapper. Just after driver Andy Hennigar passed the flagstand to get to his alignment position,---he rolled his car! It was a freaky looking deal, and left us wondering what happened. Andy was fine but his car looks to need a lot of loving care. He explained that a trailing arm broke, and he was over in a second.
Mike Morrill got to the lead at lap two, survived a couple of yellows, and never gave up that front position, and scored the win. Josh May chased Morrill across the finish line, but had to settle for the runner up spot. Third went to Charlie Brown, fourth was Tim Hennigar and Terry Brown completed the top five. It was Morrill's first win at the track since August 24, 2012. He continued his tradition of giving away his trophy to a lucky youngster.
When the green dropped on the 12-lap Hobby Stock feature, it was the #26 of Brice Udelhoven jumping....really jumping...to the lead. It was announced he was penalized two spots for over eagerness. Udelhoven continued his run at the front of the pack, but Austin Luellen was quickly up to challenge that front position. Luellen took the lead and held it the rest of the way to the finish and scored the win. John Watson came from starting eleventh to take the runner up spot. Benji Irvin went from twelfth starting spot, to take third place, fourth was Tyson Overton, who ran at the front of the pack all night, and Brice Udelhoven was scored in fifth......though crossing in third. Since there were no yellows in the race to realign Udelhoven after his initial jump at the start of the feature, he was given the two spot penalty at the end. Luellen snared a back to back win, and his fourth win of the regular season plus winning the preseason Frostbuster.
The SportMod feature saw the 32N of Neil Follett jump to the lead from the drop of the green flag. He held off Ryan King through lap six when King made the pass, but a yellow flew, reverting back to that lap six. On the restart, Follett held the lead at lap seven, but the 3L of Clint Luellen had been flying around the top of the track, clicking off position after position after starting eleventh, and was now challenging the leader. A couple of laps later, Luellen flew to the lead, driving off comfortably. Meanwhile, Tyler Musselman had been making headway from his ninth starting position, digging on the bottom side, and took over second place. The final few laps saw Musselman work the bottom and reel in Luellen. Luellen thought better of his run on the topside, and dropped to the bottom as well, protecting his lead the remainder of the way to the checkers. Following Luellen and Musselman was Jared VanDeest , who worked his way from tenth to third place, fourth went to Sam Wieben and early leader Neil Follett, finished fifth. Clint Luellen matched his brother's back to back wins earlier in the Hobby Stock class, and also won for the fourth time of the regular season.
Michael Jaennette won the always entertaining Stock Car feature. He passed Robert Stofer at lap two to grab the lead. He rode comfortably at the front of the pack, while they went three and four wide behind him, trying to sort out any semblance of establishing positions! Donovan Smith and Brian Irvine were putting on the show as they duked it out for second and third spots, swapping back and forth a couple of times. Traffic came into the picture for the leaders, but they snaked through with no troubles. Jaennette put his "Pink Panther" ride into victory circle for the second time this year at Marshalltown, Irvine out raced Smith as they finished second and third. Trent Murphy was scored in fourth and Steve Meyer started back in row nine, and recovered from earlier heat race woes, to finish with a top five run. The race went flag to flag.
It was the usual 20-laps for the Modified feature. Eric Elliott held down the lead through lap three until the 505 of Racer Hulin put it to the topside and took over the lead. From there on, it was a case of "catch the Racer"....as Hulin checked out. Last week's winner, Adam Larson started ninth, and got to second place, sending sparks along the frontstretch wall a couple of times, but ran out of time to garner more than the runner up spot. Luke Wanninger took third place, Brandon Leeman was fourth and Eric Elliott rounded out the top five. Racer Hulin got his first career win in the Modified division after jumping into the class from his previous successful time in the SportMod division. This race was also caution free.
The night started off beautiful and comfortable sitting in the stands, but by the time the racing got into the features, it was down right chilly! Just goes to show, never leave home.....even in the dead of summer, without some layers!
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
Friday, June 13, 2014
Anderson snares MLRA win at Osky
The Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa was host to the traveling MLRA (Midwest Late Model Racing Association) series on Thursday night. The usual Wednesday night show was moved to Thursday too, and the regular five classes ran along with the traveling Late Models. A new Modified driver, with a familiar name and who has seen plenty of time around the big old half-mile over the years---stepped back into victory lane. There were first time winners in the Stock Car and SportMod features, while drivers in the Hobby Stock and Sport Compact, added to their list of wins in 2014.
Bill Whalen did a happy dance in victory lane, after taking his fourth win of the season in the Sport Compact class. Whalen led the feature by the halfway mark of the eight lap race, and then sailed off to the win. Matt Moore took the runner up spot, Shaun Slaughter from Iowa City took third. Fourth was Austen Becerra, Carthidge, Missouri and Trent Orwig was fifth.
Jason McDaniel took home a win in the IMCA Northern SportMod class. McDaniel fought for the lead early with Logan Anderson. Anderson then had misfortune strike at lap eight, losing it at the top of turn four, and being eliminated for the night when Cory VanZante plowed into him hard. The race restarted with McDaniel inheriting the lead and keeping it to the checkers. Curtis VanDerWal finished second after starting in row five, and Carter VanDenberg worked his way up from row four to capture third place. Brayton Carter finished fourth, and Brett Lowry (who was sporting a new wrap for breast cancer awareness...yes, much pink) completed the top five. McDaniel's won for the first time at Osky this year.
The MLRA Late Models ran 30-laps for their feature. Their starting lineup was determined via passing points (have no clue how it works) plus series points. A B main was run to fill in the final spots and I believe two provisionals were also added at the tail of the start. We are not very familiar with these drivers, and only wish we could have heard the MLRA announcer a bit better when giving the driver's names....sometimes minus their number. One of my pet peeves is not knowing who is in which car!
The MLRA feature did not get off to a good start. Before a lap was scored, there was an incident coming out of turn four that ended in a parking lot of cars. When the race restarted, it was John Anderson taking the point at lap one, Chris Simpson and Chad Simpson in tow. The rest of the race continued caution free, Chris Simpson making futile attempts at catching Anderson. Anderson took the win, Chris and Chad Simpson going second and third, and Matt Furman in fourth and Jason Utter in fifth. The driver making the most advancement was Marshalltown's Ryan Gustin. Gustin blew up in his heat race, had to go to a back up car, and started back in row ten. He put on the driving show, and finished sixth. I believe we heard that winner John Anderson is a three-time MLRA Series champion.
There were a few new drivers in the Modified ranks last night. Before lap two was scored, an unfamiliar sight saw Jesse Sobbing spinning around in turn four, (contact maybe.....couldn't tell) sending him to the tail on the restart. Dakota Hayden led the race from starting on the pole, and was looking strong. By lap thirteen, he was being heavily challenged by the #44, piloted last night by Colt Mather. Just after lap fifteen, Mather took the lead, pulled away, taking a comfortable win at the checkers. Hayden kept the runner up spot, Casey Greubel was third, Scott Dickey fourth and Jim Lynch was fifth. Mather, who has seen many a lap around the speedway in the past, was racing a Skyrocket chassis that we have seen Kelly Shryock and other drivers race previously.
The Hobby Stock feature was yet another shoot out between Mike Hughes and Dustin Griffiths. Griffiths did everything he could....looking to the outside and then to the low side, but just could not make it work, as Hughes took the checkers, Griffiths being scored as the runner up. Third was Brad Stephens, fourth went to Bill Bonnett and Justin Hook was fifth. Hughes won for the fourth time this season.
The rubbered down track was no detriment to the highly competitive IMCA Stock Cars. Todd Reitzler got to the front early, but behind him, it was three and four wide racing for positions. By lap eight, it was the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty putting his 99D into the front spot, Reitzler running in second. Murty pulled off from the pack as the laps wound down, and scored his first win at Oskaloosa this year. Brad Pinkerton piloted his ride into the runner up spot after starting ninth, visiting Justin Temeyer started beside Pinkerton in row ten, and went home with a third place finish. Cayden Carter survived a "tail in the air" scare earlier that eliminated Donovan Nunnikhoven from what we guess was a wheel hop, for a fourth place finish, and Nathan Wood finished out the top five places.
Some notes on the evening: Bill Bonnett was piloting a Murray built house car #19 in the SportMod division. Jason Bodenhammer was a late arrival in the MLRA Late Models, making it just in time to run the B. He ended up with his nice shiny newly wrapped car, pretty much having the right side obliterated in an incident. It was nice to see new drivers in every regular class last night. Jim Lynch, Hunter Marriott, Mather, Kyle Krampe and Bruce Hanford came to play in the Modified division. Daniel Dyer and Andrew Hustead were new in the Hobby Stocks. Dalton Lynch, son of veteran Jim Lynch, was new in the Stock Cars, while Bill Bonnett, Shawn Ritter, Casey Lancaster, Kelly Buckallew, and Sam Wieben ran for the first time in the SportMods.
Next week, the Southern Iowa Speedway will be back to their regular Wednesday night show. It will also be the only night that fans can vote for Hall of Fame nominees----selecting five names from a list of twenty-five possible candidates. Racing is at 7:30. Thanks to Mike VanGenderen and crew for putting on the show last night and letting the fans see a taste of the MLRA series. Thanks for reading and happy racing!
Bill Whalen did a happy dance in victory lane, after taking his fourth win of the season in the Sport Compact class. Whalen led the feature by the halfway mark of the eight lap race, and then sailed off to the win. Matt Moore took the runner up spot, Shaun Slaughter from Iowa City took third. Fourth was Austen Becerra, Carthidge, Missouri and Trent Orwig was fifth.
Jason McDaniel took home a win in the IMCA Northern SportMod class. McDaniel fought for the lead early with Logan Anderson. Anderson then had misfortune strike at lap eight, losing it at the top of turn four, and being eliminated for the night when Cory VanZante plowed into him hard. The race restarted with McDaniel inheriting the lead and keeping it to the checkers. Curtis VanDerWal finished second after starting in row five, and Carter VanDenberg worked his way up from row four to capture third place. Brayton Carter finished fourth, and Brett Lowry (who was sporting a new wrap for breast cancer awareness...yes, much pink) completed the top five. McDaniel's won for the first time at Osky this year.
The MLRA Late Models ran 30-laps for their feature. Their starting lineup was determined via passing points (have no clue how it works) plus series points. A B main was run to fill in the final spots and I believe two provisionals were also added at the tail of the start. We are not very familiar with these drivers, and only wish we could have heard the MLRA announcer a bit better when giving the driver's names....sometimes minus their number. One of my pet peeves is not knowing who is in which car!
The MLRA feature did not get off to a good start. Before a lap was scored, there was an incident coming out of turn four that ended in a parking lot of cars. When the race restarted, it was John Anderson taking the point at lap one, Chris Simpson and Chad Simpson in tow. The rest of the race continued caution free, Chris Simpson making futile attempts at catching Anderson. Anderson took the win, Chris and Chad Simpson going second and third, and Matt Furman in fourth and Jason Utter in fifth. The driver making the most advancement was Marshalltown's Ryan Gustin. Gustin blew up in his heat race, had to go to a back up car, and started back in row ten. He put on the driving show, and finished sixth. I believe we heard that winner John Anderson is a three-time MLRA Series champion.
There were a few new drivers in the Modified ranks last night. Before lap two was scored, an unfamiliar sight saw Jesse Sobbing spinning around in turn four, (contact maybe.....couldn't tell) sending him to the tail on the restart. Dakota Hayden led the race from starting on the pole, and was looking strong. By lap thirteen, he was being heavily challenged by the #44, piloted last night by Colt Mather. Just after lap fifteen, Mather took the lead, pulled away, taking a comfortable win at the checkers. Hayden kept the runner up spot, Casey Greubel was third, Scott Dickey fourth and Jim Lynch was fifth. Mather, who has seen many a lap around the speedway in the past, was racing a Skyrocket chassis that we have seen Kelly Shryock and other drivers race previously.
The Hobby Stock feature was yet another shoot out between Mike Hughes and Dustin Griffiths. Griffiths did everything he could....looking to the outside and then to the low side, but just could not make it work, as Hughes took the checkers, Griffiths being scored as the runner up. Third was Brad Stephens, fourth went to Bill Bonnett and Justin Hook was fifth. Hughes won for the fourth time this season.
The rubbered down track was no detriment to the highly competitive IMCA Stock Cars. Todd Reitzler got to the front early, but behind him, it was three and four wide racing for positions. By lap eight, it was the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty putting his 99D into the front spot, Reitzler running in second. Murty pulled off from the pack as the laps wound down, and scored his first win at Oskaloosa this year. Brad Pinkerton piloted his ride into the runner up spot after starting ninth, visiting Justin Temeyer started beside Pinkerton in row ten, and went home with a third place finish. Cayden Carter survived a "tail in the air" scare earlier that eliminated Donovan Nunnikhoven from what we guess was a wheel hop, for a fourth place finish, and Nathan Wood finished out the top five places.
Some notes on the evening: Bill Bonnett was piloting a Murray built house car #19 in the SportMod division. Jason Bodenhammer was a late arrival in the MLRA Late Models, making it just in time to run the B. He ended up with his nice shiny newly wrapped car, pretty much having the right side obliterated in an incident. It was nice to see new drivers in every regular class last night. Jim Lynch, Hunter Marriott, Mather, Kyle Krampe and Bruce Hanford came to play in the Modified division. Daniel Dyer and Andrew Hustead were new in the Hobby Stocks. Dalton Lynch, son of veteran Jim Lynch, was new in the Stock Cars, while Bill Bonnett, Shawn Ritter, Casey Lancaster, Kelly Buckallew, and Sam Wieben ran for the first time in the SportMods.
Next week, the Southern Iowa Speedway will be back to their regular Wednesday night show. It will also be the only night that fans can vote for Hall of Fame nominees----selecting five names from a list of twenty-five possible candidates. Racing is at 7:30. Thanks to Mike VanGenderen and crew for putting on the show last night and letting the fans see a taste of the MLRA series. Thanks for reading and happy racing!
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Osky - 6-12-14
Unofficial results:
MLRA:
1. 21X John Anderson
2. 32 Chris Simpson
3. 25 Chad Simpson
4. 51 Matt Furman
5. 31 Jason Utter
6. 19R Ryan Gustin (had to run backup car after blowing in heat)
7. 99 Scott Lewis
8. 58 Dave Eckrich
9. 20 Jake Meier
10. 186 Jeremy Payne
11. 16 Austin Seibert
12. 29 Bill Koons
DNF:
6 Travis Dickes
3X Skip Frey
4 JC Wyman
29X Spencer Diercks
1B Jason Bodenhamer
21 Todd Frank
8 Bob Cullen
02 Tommy Weder, Jr.
56 Andy Eckrich
50 Denny Eckrich
75 Terry Phillips
58X Ray Guss, Jr.
85D Mark Dotson
5M Mike Fryer
DNS: B26 Wayne Brau
15 Jason O'Brien
Modified:
1. 44 Colt Mather
2. 12H Dakota Hayden
3. 64 Casey Greubel
4. 40 Scott Dickey
5. 77 Jim Lynch
6. 5 Todd Shute
7. 62X Hunter Marriott
8. 99 Jesse Sobbing
9. K1 Kyle Krampe
10. 61 Bruce Hanford
DNF: 02 Andrew Schroeder
10C Cayden Carter
8J AJ Johnson
Stock Car:
1. 99D Damon Murty
2. 62 Brad Pinkerton
3. 56T Justin Temeyer
4. 10CC Cayden Carter
5. 52 Nathan Wood
6. 18 Kris Walker
7. 22R Todd Reitzler
8. 19 Donnie Pearson
9. 94 Corey Stout
10. 27J Jason Cook
11. 85 Doug Sylvester
12. 87 Les Blakley
13. 17 Brock Welch
DNF: 77 Dalton Lynch
68 Cole Simmons
6J Brandon Jay
2N Donovan Nunnikhoven
SportMod:
1. 85 Jason McDaniel
2. 1V Curtis Van Der Wal
3. 7 Carter VanDenberg
4. 01 Brayton Carter
5. 72 Brett Lowry
6. 10R Ryan Fullenkamp
7. 198 Sam Wieben
8. 29 Colton Livezey
9. 8T Tony Johnson
10. 27L Casey Lancaster
11. 7SR Shawn Ritter
12. 19 Bill Bonnett
13. 10 Kelly Buckallew
14. 30 Shawn Cooney
DNF: 352 Charlie Weber
9A Logan Anderson
34Z Cory VanZante
Hobby Stock:
1. 11 Mike Hughes
2. 10G Dustin Griffiths
3. 55 Brad Stephens
4. 19 Bill Bonnett
5. 33 Justin Hook
6. 66 Brandon Cox
7. 9 Jared Stephens
8. 84 Danny Thrasher
9. 21 Nick Ulin
10. 3 Travis Bunnell
11. 69 Craig Brown
12. 20 Andrew Husted
13. 7A Aaron Osweiler
14. 224 Gina Greubel
DNF: 6S Shannon Sherwood
19D Daniel Dyer
32T Bobby Greene
96R Jamie Songer
Sport Compact:
1. 00W Bill Whalen, Jr.
2. 2M Matt Moore5
3. 00 Shaun Slaughter
4. 22 Austen Beccera
5. 04 Trent Orwig
6. 77 John Whalen
DNS: 5X Tyler Harring
MLRA:
1. 21X John Anderson
2. 32 Chris Simpson
3. 25 Chad Simpson
4. 51 Matt Furman
5. 31 Jason Utter
6. 19R Ryan Gustin (had to run backup car after blowing in heat)
7. 99 Scott Lewis
8. 58 Dave Eckrich
9. 20 Jake Meier
10. 186 Jeremy Payne
11. 16 Austin Seibert
12. 29 Bill Koons
DNF:
6 Travis Dickes
3X Skip Frey
4 JC Wyman
29X Spencer Diercks
1B Jason Bodenhamer
21 Todd Frank
8 Bob Cullen
02 Tommy Weder, Jr.
56 Andy Eckrich
50 Denny Eckrich
75 Terry Phillips
58X Ray Guss, Jr.
85D Mark Dotson
5M Mike Fryer
DNS: B26 Wayne Brau
15 Jason O'Brien
Modified:
1. 44 Colt Mather
2. 12H Dakota Hayden
3. 64 Casey Greubel
4. 40 Scott Dickey
5. 77 Jim Lynch
6. 5 Todd Shute
7. 62X Hunter Marriott
8. 99 Jesse Sobbing
9. K1 Kyle Krampe
10. 61 Bruce Hanford
DNF: 02 Andrew Schroeder
10C Cayden Carter
8J AJ Johnson
Stock Car:
1. 99D Damon Murty
2. 62 Brad Pinkerton
3. 56T Justin Temeyer
4. 10CC Cayden Carter
5. 52 Nathan Wood
6. 18 Kris Walker
7. 22R Todd Reitzler
8. 19 Donnie Pearson
9. 94 Corey Stout
10. 27J Jason Cook
11. 85 Doug Sylvester
12. 87 Les Blakley
13. 17 Brock Welch
DNF: 77 Dalton Lynch
68 Cole Simmons
6J Brandon Jay
2N Donovan Nunnikhoven
SportMod:
1. 85 Jason McDaniel
2. 1V Curtis Van Der Wal
3. 7 Carter VanDenberg
4. 01 Brayton Carter
5. 72 Brett Lowry
6. 10R Ryan Fullenkamp
7. 198 Sam Wieben
8. 29 Colton Livezey
9. 8T Tony Johnson
10. 27L Casey Lancaster
11. 7SR Shawn Ritter
12. 19 Bill Bonnett
13. 10 Kelly Buckallew
14. 30 Shawn Cooney
DNF: 352 Charlie Weber
9A Logan Anderson
34Z Cory VanZante
Hobby Stock:
1. 11 Mike Hughes
2. 10G Dustin Griffiths
3. 55 Brad Stephens
4. 19 Bill Bonnett
5. 33 Justin Hook
6. 66 Brandon Cox
7. 9 Jared Stephens
8. 84 Danny Thrasher
9. 21 Nick Ulin
10. 3 Travis Bunnell
11. 69 Craig Brown
12. 20 Andrew Husted
13. 7A Aaron Osweiler
14. 224 Gina Greubel
DNF: 6S Shannon Sherwood
19D Daniel Dyer
32T Bobby Greene
96R Jamie Songer
Sport Compact:
1. 00W Bill Whalen, Jr.
2. 2M Matt Moore5
3. 00 Shaun Slaughter
4. 22 Austen Beccera
5. 04 Trent Orwig
6. 77 John Whalen
DNS: 5X Tyler Harring
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Kates on a roll at Boone
We headed toward Boone Speedway Saturday afternoon....in the rain. The updated texts kept us up to date on what was going on in that part of the state, and a check of radar showed that it was clearing. We had already heard of several Saturday night shows being canceled due to the rain, but as is the norm, a little rain doesn't usually stop Boone. We drove in rain much of the journey to the track, but around Ames, the sky was clearing, the pavement dry, and by the time we reached the track, the sun was shining. The infield was quite wet, but the track had been sealed before the rain, and was being "farmed". The racing program started right on time.
The Brothers Brown were the show of the Mod Lite 15-lap feature. Terry Brown took the lead from Joel Keenan at lap three, and brother Charlie Brown scooted by Keenan just a lap later, planting himself on the rear bumper of brother. Charlie Brown made a pass on the inside to take the point spot at lap eleven, and kept it to the checkers, brother Terry finishing second. Bryan Zehm moved from starting in row five, to capture a third place finish, over Dusty Masolini and Andy Hennigar, fourth and fifth respectively. This was Charlie Brown's fourth win of the season.
The IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap event was led from the get go by Grand Junction's Brian Miller. Miller was fending off Lynn Brockett through lap eight, and Ben Kates had moved from starting eleventh, into the third spot. By lap ten, Kates had flown around both Miller and Brockett, and into the lead. Kates had no trouble in maintaining that top spot, the rest of the way to the checkers. Brockett finished second, Jerry Hinton started beside the winner in row five, and made it through the field to take third. Early leader, Brian Miller finished fourth and Johnathon Logue came from starting sixteenth to score a top five finish. Kates, who calls Tonganoxie, Kansas home, is spending the racing season in Iowa. He is having a great run at the Boone Speedway, now with five weekly wins to his credit, plus the bonus preseason Frostbuster win.
The Hobby Stocks ran their 12-lap A main event next with only one caution....refreshing after the numerous yellows that had flown in the previous SportMod feature. Tyson Overton from Carlisle looked strong as he took the lead from the drop of the green and was still leading with two laps to go. However, Tyler Pickett had been on the move from early on, moving from starting tenth, into second. That lone yellow at lap nine, was what Pickett had been hoping for, taking the lead just after lap ten had been scored, and holding it to the checkers first. Overton had to settle for what had to be a disappointing runner up spot. Ross Marshall ran at the front of the pack throughout the race and nailed a third place finish. John Watson held off Shannon Anderson as they finished fourth and fifth. Pickett chalked up his second win at Boone this year.
The 20-lap Modified feature was a fight to the finish line. Joel Bushore led from the drop of the green and distanced himself from the pack until the late portion of the race. Matthew Meinecke, who last week lost at the finish line after leading much of feature, had gotten to second place, and was slowly reeling in Bushore. Meinecke did all he could do in the last couple of laps, inching closer and closer to the leader--- but once again, had to settle for the runner up spot in an every so close finish at the line. Jon Snyder, last week's winner took third place, David Brown finished fourth and Scott Davis completed the top five. Bushore won for the first time at the track this year..
The always entertaining Stock Cars completed the night's racing. Veteran Robert Stofer took the lead by lap one, swinging to the topside and passing the front row. Trent Murphy hustled up from starting in row three, to take over second by lap three. Murphy made the low side work to his advantage, sneaking to the lead on lap six. Meanwhile, there was a real battle going on a bit further back---as a pack of cars was duking it out for position. Mike Goldsberry hiked his left front up and sped into the runner up spot, and set his sites on leader Murphy. Visiting Independence driver, Justin Teymeyer had now worked his way into third and was wanting more. The only caution came at lap fifteen when Craig Carlson slowed on the track, from front end issues. Murphy didn't have any trouble in driving off on the restart, keeping his lead to the checkers and his first win of the year at Boone. Justin Teymeyer put it to the topside and took the runner up spot, Josh Daniels took third, Goldsberry hung on to finish fourth, and point leader, Jay Schmidt, was fifth.
Racing was completed shortly before 10 p.m. Those fans who came without a sweatshirt or jacket, may have wished they had! A front came through---no rain though---the wind picked up and the temps dropped. Weekly racing continues next Saturday night at Boone. They have gotten all weekly shows in so far this year, plus the preseason Frostbuster and the Memorial Day Deery show.....ten shows in a row. That's a pretty good record considering our wet/cold spring run.
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
The Brothers Brown were the show of the Mod Lite 15-lap feature. Terry Brown took the lead from Joel Keenan at lap three, and brother Charlie Brown scooted by Keenan just a lap later, planting himself on the rear bumper of brother. Charlie Brown made a pass on the inside to take the point spot at lap eleven, and kept it to the checkers, brother Terry finishing second. Bryan Zehm moved from starting in row five, to capture a third place finish, over Dusty Masolini and Andy Hennigar, fourth and fifth respectively. This was Charlie Brown's fourth win of the season.
The IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap event was led from the get go by Grand Junction's Brian Miller. Miller was fending off Lynn Brockett through lap eight, and Ben Kates had moved from starting eleventh, into the third spot. By lap ten, Kates had flown around both Miller and Brockett, and into the lead. Kates had no trouble in maintaining that top spot, the rest of the way to the checkers. Brockett finished second, Jerry Hinton started beside the winner in row five, and made it through the field to take third. Early leader, Brian Miller finished fourth and Johnathon Logue came from starting sixteenth to score a top five finish. Kates, who calls Tonganoxie, Kansas home, is spending the racing season in Iowa. He is having a great run at the Boone Speedway, now with five weekly wins to his credit, plus the bonus preseason Frostbuster win.
The Hobby Stocks ran their 12-lap A main event next with only one caution....refreshing after the numerous yellows that had flown in the previous SportMod feature. Tyson Overton from Carlisle looked strong as he took the lead from the drop of the green and was still leading with two laps to go. However, Tyler Pickett had been on the move from early on, moving from starting tenth, into second. That lone yellow at lap nine, was what Pickett had been hoping for, taking the lead just after lap ten had been scored, and holding it to the checkers first. Overton had to settle for what had to be a disappointing runner up spot. Ross Marshall ran at the front of the pack throughout the race and nailed a third place finish. John Watson held off Shannon Anderson as they finished fourth and fifth. Pickett chalked up his second win at Boone this year.
The 20-lap Modified feature was a fight to the finish line. Joel Bushore led from the drop of the green and distanced himself from the pack until the late portion of the race. Matthew Meinecke, who last week lost at the finish line after leading much of feature, had gotten to second place, and was slowly reeling in Bushore. Meinecke did all he could do in the last couple of laps, inching closer and closer to the leader--- but once again, had to settle for the runner up spot in an every so close finish at the line. Jon Snyder, last week's winner took third place, David Brown finished fourth and Scott Davis completed the top five. Bushore won for the first time at the track this year..
The always entertaining Stock Cars completed the night's racing. Veteran Robert Stofer took the lead by lap one, swinging to the topside and passing the front row. Trent Murphy hustled up from starting in row three, to take over second by lap three. Murphy made the low side work to his advantage, sneaking to the lead on lap six. Meanwhile, there was a real battle going on a bit further back---as a pack of cars was duking it out for position. Mike Goldsberry hiked his left front up and sped into the runner up spot, and set his sites on leader Murphy. Visiting Independence driver, Justin Teymeyer had now worked his way into third and was wanting more. The only caution came at lap fifteen when Craig Carlson slowed on the track, from front end issues. Murphy didn't have any trouble in driving off on the restart, keeping his lead to the checkers and his first win of the year at Boone. Justin Teymeyer put it to the topside and took the runner up spot, Josh Daniels took third, Goldsberry hung on to finish fourth, and point leader, Jay Schmidt, was fifth.
Racing was completed shortly before 10 p.m. Those fans who came without a sweatshirt or jacket, may have wished they had! A front came through---no rain though---the wind picked up and the temps dropped. Weekly racing continues next Saturday night at Boone. They have gotten all weekly shows in so far this year, plus the preseason Frostbuster and the Memorial Day Deery show.....ten shows in a row. That's a pretty good record considering our wet/cold spring run.
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Larson makes it two in a row at the High Banks, and Luellen brothers keep it in the family
Marshalltown Speedway saw another great night of racing on the High Banks. The track produced three and four-wide action all night long. One driver won for the second week in a row, while others added to their multiple wins of the year. Before the racing action began, it was great to hear the voice of Denny Grabenbauer on the mic once again. Denny was there promoting a special event happening for the 4th of July races. It will be $5 admission night, fireworks and drivers from the past will be on hand, helping celebrate the 50th anniversary of the track.
The IMCA Sport Compact class was four cars strong. A driver making his first appearance at the track, took home the marbles in this one. Adam Gates in the #007 car, came and conquered the quarter-mile with ease. Gates took the lead at lap two, leading the remaining eight laps to the checkers. Last week's winner Dave Moorman was second, followed by Aaron Miller. John Gill did not finish.
The Mod Lite division ran their 15-lap event next. It didn't take long for Jimmy May to get to the front, taking the lead from Mike Kennedy at lap three, and point leader Andy Hennigar was right there on his tail in second. Meanwhile, the Brown brothers, Charlie and Terry were in a tight battle for third place---that tight battle getting a little too tight when the two got together, bringing out a yellow, and Charlie Brown's night was over. His thoughts were probably the same as the cartoon character Charlie Brown....."RATS!" When thing restarted, Terry Brown had kept his machine going when the incident with his brother occurred, allowing him to realign in third place. The final three laps were completed with the 5J of James May taking the checkers, Andy Hennigar was second, and Terry Brown kept third place. Tim Hennigar held off Dusty Masolini as they were scored fourth and fifth.
The 12-lap Hobby Stock feature didn't get off to a good start. Pole sitter Andy Hick made a right turn entering turn one just after the green flag fell, bringing out a yellow before a lap could be scored. When things did get underway, the drivers were really getting after it as they raced three and four-wide. Gary Pfantz held off Austin Luellen for a couple of laps, Luellen having the lead at lap three. Just after that, Pfantz spun and was out of the running. Luellen kept his run as the captain of the ship all the way to the checkers. Garrett Eilander chased Luellen for most of the race, but could do no better than the runner up spot on this night. Dustin Elliott took third place, John Watson came from starting eleventh to finish fourth and Eric Larson rounded out the top five. Luellen, who had started ninth on the field, won for the third time in the regular season, and also won the Frostbuster.
The IMCA Northern SportMod feature found Clint Luellen matching his brother's earlier win in the Hobby Stocks. Luellen didn't have it easy however. Jenae Gustin, last week's winner, snatched the lead at lap two from her third row starting spot, got to the topside and was sailing away! Luellen worked his way from starting tenth, to the runner up spot by the time a yellow flew at lap eight. Another yellow a couple of laps later, still had the two running 1-2. Luellen attempted a big slide job coming out of turns three and four, only to have Gustin slam the door. A lap later, Luellen got the job done, and took over the helm. Two more yellows would fly before the 18-laps were completed, but Luellen had no trouble in pulling away and taking the checkers. Gustin finished as the runner up, third went to Andy Tiernan, Brett Lowry started back in thirteenth and had a great run to finish fourth, and Tyler Musselman took fifth after starting eleventh. Luellen now has three wins under his belt at Marshalltown this year.
The Stock Cars put on their usual entertaining feature. Michael Jaennette put his "Pink Panther" hot rod to the point position by lap three and was pulling away when a yellow flew at lap five for a spinning Jeff Wollam. Wollam---who was sporting a new black, orange and silver wrap, (strickingly different from his usual white and red Dilly Bar special ride) had been locked in a battle with Robbie Merkle, Donavon Smith and Steve Meyer for a top five spot. When the race restarted, Jaennette continued to hold down the lead, Smith running second. Just after lap six was scored, Jaennette was out of the game, and pulled into the infield with a gear problem, Smith now in command. The latter part of the race saw Trent Murphy and Steve Meyer give Smith a bit of a challenge as did visitor Justin Temeyer...all to no avail, as Smith took the checkers. Murphy held on to the runner up spot, Temeyer got by Meyer as they went third and fourth, and Dave Atcher put his spiffy looking ride in fifth. Donavon Smith took home his fourth win of the season and adding to his track point lead.
The 20-lap Modified feature was a no go before lap one got scored. The two front row starters, Eric Elliott and Scott Simatovich got together at the top of turn two. The incident ended Elliott's night, but Simatovich kept going, getting his spot back at the front. When the race did get underway, Kyle Brown and Jon Snyder were fighting tooth and nail for the top spot, with Adam Larson soon joining in the fun. When a caution came out at lap five, Snyder was holding down the point, Larson was in second and Brown in third ahead of Luke Wanninger and Ronn Lauritzen. Brown and Wanninger made contact a couple of laps later, sending Wanninger to the infield, and Brown to the tail for the restart. Larson took over the lead at lap thirteen as he took to the topside, pulling away in the closing laps for his second win in as many weeks. Ronn Lauritzen, point leader, who started twelfth, had a great late race run, taking the runner up spot. Third went to Richie Gustin, who had started deep in the starting field, Racer Hulin battled to a fourth place finish, and Kyle Brown picked off car after car after tagging the field, to get a top five finish. Larson took back to back wins at Marshalltown, and is happy with his new BMS ride.
Cam Reimers, who calls Ogden, Iowa home, put on an exhibition with his Traxxas TORC truck series ride between races. His first appearance onto the track was a flying leap from the entrance area of turn four. Several more leaps onto the track from other areas, stirred the crowd with the spectacular moves.
Next Friday will be racing as usual in all six classes. Hot laps are 6:45 and racing at 7:30. More information can be found at http://www.marshalltownspeedway.com. Thanks for reading and happy racing!
The IMCA Sport Compact class was four cars strong. A driver making his first appearance at the track, took home the marbles in this one. Adam Gates in the #007 car, came and conquered the quarter-mile with ease. Gates took the lead at lap two, leading the remaining eight laps to the checkers. Last week's winner Dave Moorman was second, followed by Aaron Miller. John Gill did not finish.
The Mod Lite division ran their 15-lap event next. It didn't take long for Jimmy May to get to the front, taking the lead from Mike Kennedy at lap three, and point leader Andy Hennigar was right there on his tail in second. Meanwhile, the Brown brothers, Charlie and Terry were in a tight battle for third place---that tight battle getting a little too tight when the two got together, bringing out a yellow, and Charlie Brown's night was over. His thoughts were probably the same as the cartoon character Charlie Brown....."RATS!" When thing restarted, Terry Brown had kept his machine going when the incident with his brother occurred, allowing him to realign in third place. The final three laps were completed with the 5J of James May taking the checkers, Andy Hennigar was second, and Terry Brown kept third place. Tim Hennigar held off Dusty Masolini as they were scored fourth and fifth.
The 12-lap Hobby Stock feature didn't get off to a good start. Pole sitter Andy Hick made a right turn entering turn one just after the green flag fell, bringing out a yellow before a lap could be scored. When things did get underway, the drivers were really getting after it as they raced three and four-wide. Gary Pfantz held off Austin Luellen for a couple of laps, Luellen having the lead at lap three. Just after that, Pfantz spun and was out of the running. Luellen kept his run as the captain of the ship all the way to the checkers. Garrett Eilander chased Luellen for most of the race, but could do no better than the runner up spot on this night. Dustin Elliott took third place, John Watson came from starting eleventh to finish fourth and Eric Larson rounded out the top five. Luellen, who had started ninth on the field, won for the third time in the regular season, and also won the Frostbuster.
The IMCA Northern SportMod feature found Clint Luellen matching his brother's earlier win in the Hobby Stocks. Luellen didn't have it easy however. Jenae Gustin, last week's winner, snatched the lead at lap two from her third row starting spot, got to the topside and was sailing away! Luellen worked his way from starting tenth, to the runner up spot by the time a yellow flew at lap eight. Another yellow a couple of laps later, still had the two running 1-2. Luellen attempted a big slide job coming out of turns three and four, only to have Gustin slam the door. A lap later, Luellen got the job done, and took over the helm. Two more yellows would fly before the 18-laps were completed, but Luellen had no trouble in pulling away and taking the checkers. Gustin finished as the runner up, third went to Andy Tiernan, Brett Lowry started back in thirteenth and had a great run to finish fourth, and Tyler Musselman took fifth after starting eleventh. Luellen now has three wins under his belt at Marshalltown this year.
The Stock Cars put on their usual entertaining feature. Michael Jaennette put his "Pink Panther" hot rod to the point position by lap three and was pulling away when a yellow flew at lap five for a spinning Jeff Wollam. Wollam---who was sporting a new black, orange and silver wrap, (strickingly different from his usual white and red Dilly Bar special ride) had been locked in a battle with Robbie Merkle, Donavon Smith and Steve Meyer for a top five spot. When the race restarted, Jaennette continued to hold down the lead, Smith running second. Just after lap six was scored, Jaennette was out of the game, and pulled into the infield with a gear problem, Smith now in command. The latter part of the race saw Trent Murphy and Steve Meyer give Smith a bit of a challenge as did visitor Justin Temeyer...all to no avail, as Smith took the checkers. Murphy held on to the runner up spot, Temeyer got by Meyer as they went third and fourth, and Dave Atcher put his spiffy looking ride in fifth. Donavon Smith took home his fourth win of the season and adding to his track point lead.
The 20-lap Modified feature was a no go before lap one got scored. The two front row starters, Eric Elliott and Scott Simatovich got together at the top of turn two. The incident ended Elliott's night, but Simatovich kept going, getting his spot back at the front. When the race did get underway, Kyle Brown and Jon Snyder were fighting tooth and nail for the top spot, with Adam Larson soon joining in the fun. When a caution came out at lap five, Snyder was holding down the point, Larson was in second and Brown in third ahead of Luke Wanninger and Ronn Lauritzen. Brown and Wanninger made contact a couple of laps later, sending Wanninger to the infield, and Brown to the tail for the restart. Larson took over the lead at lap thirteen as he took to the topside, pulling away in the closing laps for his second win in as many weeks. Ronn Lauritzen, point leader, who started twelfth, had a great late race run, taking the runner up spot. Third went to Richie Gustin, who had started deep in the starting field, Racer Hulin battled to a fourth place finish, and Kyle Brown picked off car after car after tagging the field, to get a top five finish. Larson took back to back wins at Marshalltown, and is happy with his new BMS ride.
Cam Reimers, who calls Ogden, Iowa home, put on an exhibition with his Traxxas TORC truck series ride between races. His first appearance onto the track was a flying leap from the entrance area of turn four. Several more leaps onto the track from other areas, stirred the crowd with the spectacular moves.
Next Friday will be racing as usual in all six classes. Hot laps are 6:45 and racing at 7:30. More information can be found at http://www.marshalltownspeedway.com. Thanks for reading and happy racing!
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Snyder and Schmidt win at the wire
It was a rainy forecast for much of the state of Iowa on Saturday and dark clouds were looming all around as we headed to the Boone Speedway. We drove through rain on the way to the track, but once again, the clouds parted and not even a sprinkle fell. There were two very close finishes in the Modified and Stock Car features, determined at the finish line. Only the Modified class had a new face go to victory lane, as all other classes saw repeat winners.
Charlie Brown won the Mod Lite feature. He passed brother Terry Brown at lap nine and never looked back in winning the 15-lap event. Terry Brown finished as the runner up, Mike Kennedy was third, point leader James May increased his lead by taking fourth and Randy Bryan completed the top five. The race went non-stop to the checkers. This was Charlie Brown's third win at the track this year.
Lynn Brockett led the pack of SportMods through lap four of the 18-lap feature. But as often been the case lately, Ben Kates flew to the lead with just a handful of laps in the books. From there on, it was pretty clear sailing to the checkers for the young Tonganoxie, Kansas driver. A caution at lap sixteen proved not to be a concern, as he motored off on the restart the remaining two laps to the win. Johnathon Logue got around Brockett with less than a handful of laps remaining, and set his sights on the leader, but could do no better than the runner up position. Brockett held on to third, Mike Stark was fourth, and Jerry Hinton was fifth. Kates passed Hinton for the points lead at the track, and scored his fourth regular season win of the year, also having taken the Frostbuster victory.
It was a happy John Watson with his 12-lap Hobby Stock caution free win. Watson came from starting twelfth and took the lead from Dustin Lynch with a lap to go. The final lap also had other tight contests determined, as Cody Gustoff surged to second, ahead of Shannon Anderson in third. Lynch got shuffled back but still scored fourth and Eric Stanton came from eleventh to take fifth. Watson jumped from his car after his victory, and ran to the grandstand fence for a quick celebration with fans. Watson leads the Hobby Stock points by a slim three point margin over Shannon Anderson. This was his second win for 2014 at the track.
The Modified feature went right down to the wire. Matthew Meinecke nabbed the lead from Kent Croskey on the backstretch of lap four, and stretched out his lead, appearing to be on his way to his first Modified victory at Boone. Meanwhile, there was some good racing going on behind him. David Brown and Jon Snyder were locked in a battle for second, Snyder eventually winning that duel. Kyle Brown was on the move from starting eleventh, and now up to fourth and Mike VanGenderen, "The Flying Dutchman", was hot on their trail in fifth. Meinecke continued his run at the front, as the white flag flew, Snyder gaining ground. As the leaders came out of turn four,--- enter a lap car. Meinecke was already committed to the top line, the lap car blocking him. Snyder dove to the inside, and saw a clear track ahead, getting to the checkers and the win first. Meinecke had to settle for what had to be a disappointing runner up spot. Kyle Brown put the move on his dad, David with a couple of laps remaining, and scored third place, David taking fourth, and Mike VanGenderen rounded out the top five. Snyder won for the first time at Boone this year. Kyle Brown took over the points lead from Jimmy Gustin....holding a slight three point advantage.
The night's racing ended with another intense shoot out in the IMCA Stock Car class. Matt West shot to the lead from his front row starting spot, holding off Cory Bushnell through lap ten. Jerry Gifford got to third by lap four after starting tenth, and was challenging Bushnell soon after. Point leader Jay Schmidt had his Black Betty ride coming with a full head of steam and was in fourth by lap eleven. As the laps wound down, Bushnell took over the lead, West out of the game with a flat tire, and Schmidt to the runner up spot with two to go. Schmidt nosed ahead with a lap to go, and was able to hold off Bushnell for the win at the finish line. Jerry Gifford finished third, veteran racer Craig Carlson ran up front most of the race and scored a fourth place finish over Mike Goldsberry in fifth. The edge of your seat feature went caution free. This was Schmidt's third win of the year at Boone.
It was another night of watching the radar and the sky. Several tracks around the area had their night washed out, rain shortened or delayed. But once again, that bubble that often seems to cover the Boone Speedway, saw the clouds part and not a drop of rain fell.
There is a lot of racing coming up in the near future. Check out the calendar at Positively Racing for a race you might like to attend. Support the sport we all love. Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
Charlie Brown won the Mod Lite feature. He passed brother Terry Brown at lap nine and never looked back in winning the 15-lap event. Terry Brown finished as the runner up, Mike Kennedy was third, point leader James May increased his lead by taking fourth and Randy Bryan completed the top five. The race went non-stop to the checkers. This was Charlie Brown's third win at the track this year.
Lynn Brockett led the pack of SportMods through lap four of the 18-lap feature. But as often been the case lately, Ben Kates flew to the lead with just a handful of laps in the books. From there on, it was pretty clear sailing to the checkers for the young Tonganoxie, Kansas driver. A caution at lap sixteen proved not to be a concern, as he motored off on the restart the remaining two laps to the win. Johnathon Logue got around Brockett with less than a handful of laps remaining, and set his sights on the leader, but could do no better than the runner up position. Brockett held on to third, Mike Stark was fourth, and Jerry Hinton was fifth. Kates passed Hinton for the points lead at the track, and scored his fourth regular season win of the year, also having taken the Frostbuster victory.
It was a happy John Watson with his 12-lap Hobby Stock caution free win. Watson came from starting twelfth and took the lead from Dustin Lynch with a lap to go. The final lap also had other tight contests determined, as Cody Gustoff surged to second, ahead of Shannon Anderson in third. Lynch got shuffled back but still scored fourth and Eric Stanton came from eleventh to take fifth. Watson jumped from his car after his victory, and ran to the grandstand fence for a quick celebration with fans. Watson leads the Hobby Stock points by a slim three point margin over Shannon Anderson. This was his second win for 2014 at the track.
The Modified feature went right down to the wire. Matthew Meinecke nabbed the lead from Kent Croskey on the backstretch of lap four, and stretched out his lead, appearing to be on his way to his first Modified victory at Boone. Meanwhile, there was some good racing going on behind him. David Brown and Jon Snyder were locked in a battle for second, Snyder eventually winning that duel. Kyle Brown was on the move from starting eleventh, and now up to fourth and Mike VanGenderen, "The Flying Dutchman", was hot on their trail in fifth. Meinecke continued his run at the front, as the white flag flew, Snyder gaining ground. As the leaders came out of turn four,--- enter a lap car. Meinecke was already committed to the top line, the lap car blocking him. Snyder dove to the inside, and saw a clear track ahead, getting to the checkers and the win first. Meinecke had to settle for what had to be a disappointing runner up spot. Kyle Brown put the move on his dad, David with a couple of laps remaining, and scored third place, David taking fourth, and Mike VanGenderen rounded out the top five. Snyder won for the first time at Boone this year. Kyle Brown took over the points lead from Jimmy Gustin....holding a slight three point advantage.
The night's racing ended with another intense shoot out in the IMCA Stock Car class. Matt West shot to the lead from his front row starting spot, holding off Cory Bushnell through lap ten. Jerry Gifford got to third by lap four after starting tenth, and was challenging Bushnell soon after. Point leader Jay Schmidt had his Black Betty ride coming with a full head of steam and was in fourth by lap eleven. As the laps wound down, Bushnell took over the lead, West out of the game with a flat tire, and Schmidt to the runner up spot with two to go. Schmidt nosed ahead with a lap to go, and was able to hold off Bushnell for the win at the finish line. Jerry Gifford finished third, veteran racer Craig Carlson ran up front most of the race and scored a fourth place finish over Mike Goldsberry in fifth. The edge of your seat feature went caution free. This was Schmidt's third win of the year at Boone.
It was another night of watching the radar and the sky. Several tracks around the area had their night washed out, rain shortened or delayed. But once again, that bubble that often seems to cover the Boone Speedway, saw the clouds part and not a drop of rain fell.
There is a lot of racing coming up in the near future. Check out the calendar at Positively Racing for a race you might like to attend. Support the sport we all love. Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
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