Dashes were run for the eight cars that had qualified the previous night in the Stock Car, Hobby Stock and Sport Compact classes. Their finishing order determined the starting order of the top eight in the feature. Heats were run for those that still needed to qualify, their finishing order determining their starting spot behind the top eight. Only the Stock Cars had to run a Last Chance race to fill in their starting line up. Two provisionals were also chosen to tag the field.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran a complete show. Their 15-lap A main was determined about as soon as it started. Curtis VanDerWal started fourth but was leading before the first lap was scored. He was pulling off from the field when a caution flew at lap nine and again at lap ten, but on the restarts, pulled away. Ryan Fullenkamp came from row five to finish as the runner up. Jason McDaniel was third, Brayton Carter fourth and last night's winner, Brett Lowry, was fifth. Shortly after the tech inspection, it was announced that VanDerWal was disqualified for having an "illegal rev box", giving the win to Fullenkamp. However, it wasn't much later until another announcement was made saying the disqualification had been overturned by IMCA and VanDerWal's win stood. This was his fourth win of the season.
It was now time for the Inaugural Merv Chandler Memorial and their 20-lap feature. Chandler, who suddenly passed away back on March 10 of this year, helped pioneer the IMCA Modified when they were first getting started. We remember seeing him run those Modifieds and they were always unique in appearance.....you could always spot a Merv Chandler Modified. When the IMCA Sport Compacts were first brought out, Merv jumped right in and built and raced those with much success. Merv is the only Sport Compact driver with that track title at the Southern Iowa Speedway.
The starting front row for the feature was Shaun Slaughter and Merv Chandler's son, Nathan Chandler. The race didn't get off to a good start, especially for Slaughter, as his right rear wheel became a "loose wheel" as he went into turn three, all before the first lap was scored. Slaughter's night was ended. Nathan Chandler was now at the helm with Bill Whalen taking a peek on the bottom side for a way around him. A yellow at lap eight for yet another wheel lost---this one bouncing over the turn one fence--- halted the action. When the race restarted, it didn't take long for the #22 of Austen Beccera to make the move around Whalen, taking over the runner up spot. But all he could do from there on, was watch as Nathan Chandler drove the remaining way to the $700 victory. Beccera took second over Bill Whalen in third, fourth was Brandon Lambert, and Cody Cleghorn completed the top five. It seems only fitting that Merv's son should win this race, and no doubt Merv was watching and smiling.
The 22-lap Hobby Stock Shoot Out found Shannon Anderson sitting on the pole; Danny Thrasher alongside. This one didn't get off to a good start either as John Watson ended up on his top near the bottom of turn four, before lap one was in the books. He was not hurt. The race was restarted, but this time a melee on the frontstretch involving Dale Porter and I believe the #73 of Aaron Martin halted the action again before lap one was scored. The race DID finally get underway, and to no ones surprise, Shannon Anderson took off in the lead. What was surprising was what came next as Mike Hughes flew around Anderson effortlessly, leading by lap two! Anderson knocked on the door several times but never seriously challenged Hughes as he continued the rest of the way to the checkers and the $1,000 win. Anderson had to be content with the runner up position. Dustin Griffiths took third, Craig Brown was fourth and Eric Stanton rounded out the top five. Hughes continues to rack up the wins at the Southern Iowa Speedway, this one sealing his sixth victory of the year.
Now it was time for the headliner of the show....the 25-lap 19th Annual Stock Car Shoot Out. The earlier dash had determined the front row to be the #14 of Derrick Agee from Moberly, Missouri and the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty. Murty held the lead as lap one was scored, only to have Agee snatch it up by the following lap. Those two battled each other through the first seven laps in that order. But wait! What was that orange machine charging hard? That orange machine was the "Orange Crush" ride of Zack VanderBeek. By lap eight, he had passed Murty to take over second, and passed leader Agee in turns three and four before lap nine was scored. Murty fought back around Agee taking second place back and was running in that position when the only caution flew with just five laps remaining. No doubt, this was exactly what Murty was hoping for, VanderBeek, not so much! Two cars that had really been on the move further back in the pack, were the 10cc of Cayden Carter, piloting the "Team Orange Crush" Roger Kelderman machine, and Brad Pinkerton in the #62. Carter had started back in row seven and Pinkerton had started in row eight. Carter and Pinkerton were now running seventh and eighth respectively and they were surely happy to see a chance for a restart too. Those final five laps had all eyes on the second orange machine of Carter, as he was flying! He moved into second around Murty with two laps remaining and set his sights on the orange flash ahead of him. It was to no avail though, as VanderBeek kept his lead to the checkers flying and scored the Stock Car Shoot Out win and the $2,000 payday---and Carter taking the runner up spot. Murty held on to score third place and earned an extra $200 for finishing in that position, thanks to sponsor Edel's Lawn Care. Jason Minnehan, from Churdan, was fourth and Derrick Agee finished fifth. Right behind in sixth place was Brad Pinkerton who also earned an extra $200 on the night for being the hard charger of the night....advancing the most positions courtesy of McFarland Pain Clinic. Roger Kelderman, owner of the first and second place "Orange Crush Team" cars was a happy camper. VanderBeek scored his third win at the Monster Half Mile this year.
It was an excellent show last night, run very efficiently and in a timely manner. The track was a completely different surface from the night before when it was tacky and heavy. Some had called that track almost too fast. Tonight, it was what many call a "racer's track", smooth, and dry slick.
The very first Hall of Fame inductees were announced last night. They will be honored at a Southern Iowa Fair race coming up in July. They are, Denny Banks, Bill Davis, Sr., Randy Schroeder, the late Aaron Brown, and Bobby Greiner, Jr. A fitting group of great drivers. They were voted in by fans through a ballot back on June 18th.
There's a LOT of racing coming up in the near future. Be sure and check the event calendar on the home page of Positively Racing for a race....or several....to attend. Help support the sport we all love.
Thanks for reading and happy racing!
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