Thankfully, the weather was much more cooperative on Wednesday night for weekly racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway. The hot, sticky weather we endured on Monday and Tuesday, gave way to less humid and cooler temps. The five regular classes competed, with a new face visiting victory lane in the Modified class. All other classes saw repeat winners.....three with winning streaks continuing.
During the brief intermission, several drivers came across the track and into the grandstand. They passed their helmets through the crowd, getting donations for one of the racing family that is having a trying time. Last Tuesday, Frank Springsteen, father of Late Model driver Colby Springsteen was seriously injured when he suffered second and third degree burns while he was working under the hood of his son's car. This happened at the Southern Iowa Speedway in the far north pit area. He is now in Iowa City in the burn unit. Racing family does come together in times of need. The helmets were also passed in West Liberty last Saturday night, and nearly $4,000 was raised. Tonight, $1,380 can be added to the amount going toward medical expenses.
The Hobby Stock feature was looking to have a new name for 2014 stamped in the books as a feature winner. Steve Allen led from the drop of the green flag with Danny Thrasher nipping at his heels. Allen continued to hold off Thrasher, keeping him at bay through lap eleven of the fifteen lap event. But don't count out the #11 of Mike Hughes. Hughes, who started back in ninth place made it around Thrasher and into the runner up spot with just two laps remaining. Allen still continued his hold on the top spot until just after he saw the white flag wave. Hughes slipped under Allen, passing him on the backstretch, and got to the checkers first. This was Mike Hughes' sixth win in a row, and his tenth at Osky this year. Allen finished what had to be a disappointing second place finish. Third was Dustin Griffiths, who came from eighth starting spot, fourth was Danny Thrasher, and Nick Ulin was fifth.
Seven Sport Compacts took the green flag for their 10-lap A main. Matt Moore led the opening laps, only to have Bill Whalen snatch it away at lap five. A yellow at lap eight still had Whalen in the lead, and a green-white-checkered lay ahead. On the restart, Trent Orwig slipped by Matt Moore, in the charge to the checkers. Whalen was the winner, Orwig took second and Moore was third. Fourth place was John Whalen. This was Bill Whalen's third win in a row and he now has eight for the season.
There was a new winner in the IMCA Modified division last night. Scott Dickey nabbed the lead as soon as the race started and motored easily home to the victory. A couple of cautions didn't slow Dickey on his way to his first win at Osky this year. Dickey stretched his lead from the field and won comfortably as he crossed the checkers. Cayden Carter finished as the runner up, Schroeder was third, Kyle Brown was fourth and Casey Greubel rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Northern SportMod feature went flag to flag. Tony Johnson led the troops in the opening laps, but the familiar #1V of Curtis VanDerWal was soon up to challenge. VanDerWal was second by lap five and pestering Johnson. Just after lap eight was in the books, VanDerWal slipped under Johnson and into the lead. In the waning laps, VanDerWal powered off from the field, taking his fifth win of the year. Fullenkamp was second and Brett Lowry made late race headway reeling in cars, but ran out of time for more than third. Johnson kept fourth and Carter VanDenBerg completed the top five.
The Stock Car 16-lap feature was a blur of orange up front again. Cayden Carter drove around then leader Todd Reitzler on a restart on lap one and Zack VanderBeek did the same. From then on, it was the two orange cars of Roger Kelderman circling the track at the front---diving low in turns one and two, and circling the top of the track in turns three and four. Carter won for the fourth time in a row, making it another win for the Orange Crush team. VanderBeek was second, Corey Stout held off Todd Reitzler as they went third and fourth respectively, and Tobin Smith was fifth.
Osky will be racing next Wednesday night, July 30, before taking two weeks off from the weekly program. August 4, will be the Front Row Challenge for Sprint week in nearby Knoxville. The following week will be silent due to the Iowa State Fair. Then on August 20, the weekly show will be back in action.
Get out and find a race to attend somewhere. There is a lot still going on with specials in abundance. We plan to head to the Independence Speedway tonight for the Hawkeye Dirt Tour for Modifieds and the big boys will be in town---the World of Outlaws Late Models.
Thanks for reading, and happy racing!
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