Shiverfest at the Lee County Speedway ends the Iowa racing season

Iowa's racing season came to an end on Saturday at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, with the running of the traditional Shiverfest.  This year, it was properly named!  162 cars came to race for one last chance for a racing fix.  The hardy fans were bundled up against the stiff breeze coming at the grandstand, and most stayed for the entire program.

Five divisions raced---Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts.  The end of the season always brings changes and it was all I could do to TRY and keep up with who was driving what as a lot of drivers were not in their usual ride.

The Hobby Stocks ran their 15-lap A main first.  They were the lightest car count with 17 on hand.  Marengo, Iowa racer, Jacob Keiser led the pack when the race went green but it was the familiar #10G of Dustin Griffiths tight on his tail.  Action was halted by lap two when the 7C of Benji Clemons from Norwalk took a nasty roll, but thankfully, he was okay.  Action picked back up with Keiser still leading but he was not having an easy time holding off Griffiths.  Keiser had a lapse when he faltered, drifting high on lap twelve, and Griffiths snatched the lead. Griffiths held the lead the remaining three laps to the checkers.  Also taking advantage when Keiser drifted up the track was August Bach.  Bach, who recently had been racing the #19 of Bill Bonnett, was in the #2 last evening, and brought his hot rod home in second place.  Justin Lichty from Waterloo, was third, fourth went to veteran Bill Bonnett in his usual #19, and Nick Ulin rounded out the top five.

There were 30 Stock Cars racing at the Lee County Speedway last night.  They ran a B main to filter their starting line up to 24 cars.  When John Oliver, Jr. grabbed the lead immediately, and knowing of his mastery of the oval at Donnellson, thoughts were that the race may be over already.  However, the mass of cars behind him had other ideas.  What a battle ensued behind him.  Cars were going three-wide and nose to tail as six to seven cars jousted for position.  Damon Murty, the Chelsea Charger, made it to second and then Jeff Mueller snatched it away, with Mike Hughes throwing his hat into the ring as he struggled to hold back David Brandies.  Then there was the flash of orange, as Cayden Carter put his 10CC Roger Kelderman ride to the topside and was digging and making a lot of headway. Meanwhile, they were all catching Oliver.  Mueller got things sorted out and succeeded in taking the lead at lap 19 of the 22 lapper, and was able to hold off all the hard chargers behind him to secure the win.  Oliver held on to score the runner up spot, just ahead of Mike Huges in third, Cayden Carter in fourth and Brandies in fifth, and Murty in sixth.  The Stock Cars never disappoint!

Thirty-one Sport Compacts got weeded down to a 24-car starting field through a B main.  Track champion Kimberly Abbott looked to be in charge as she led the pack on the opening laps, but Josh Barnes quickly reeled her in.  By lap three, Barnes had taken command of the ship and from there on, it was a two-car battle for the lead.  Barnes held tight to the lead, making it to the checkers and the win first.  Abbott had to be content with a close second, third went to Jake Benischeck, fourth was Darin Smith and hometown Brandon Reu was fifth.

Thirty-nine SportMods were in the pits.  A C main taking six cars to a B main, and the B main taking eight to the 24-car A main field.  Sean Wyett held off Brandon Dale in the first six laps until Dale's good run was interrupted as he almost lost the handle coming out of turn four, allowing Tony Dunker to slip by into second place and Brayton Carter following suite into third.  Carter was able to take over as leader at lap fifteen, and Dunker followed him into the runner up spot.  At lap 18 of the 20 lap event, racing action halted when the 3M of David McCalla rolled his car in turn one.  He was not injured.  Carter was still in the lead when things picked back up, and he rode his 01 home to a convincing victory.  Dunker held on to the runner up spot, Wyett was third, fourth went Brandon Lennox and Tony Olson finished fifth.

The Modifieds topped the car count with 45 signed in.  They also ran a C main taking six cars to the B main, which qualified the final eight cars for the 25-lap feature.  Things did not get off to a good start when the green flag waved.  Five cars piled up low in turn four....and there were some frustrated drivers, as a steering wheel went flying in disgust over someone's car.  We believe the incident started when someone hit the tractor tire, and then with no where to go, piled up cars. Involved cars were Shawn Ritter, Ed Thomas, Kyle Brown, Scott Simatovich, and Andrew Schroeder.  Schroeder would reappear to tag the field with a missing right side of his car.  I only recall Ritter being towed off and out of the game and believe all others rejoined the field.

When the race did officially get under way, it was Cayden Carter leading the troops, but soon it was veteran racer Kelly Shryock showing his prowess as to just why he has so many wins under his belt.Shryock took command at lap six as they crossed under the flagstand, and from there on, he held that lead the remainder of the 25-lap race to take the win.  Carter did everything he could find in the book to get back around Shryock but it wasn't to be and had to settle for the runner up spot.  Third went to a distant Bruce Hanford, fourth was Carter VanDenBerg who had started tenth on the grid, and Jim Waterman came home in fifth place.

Some notes on the evening: The drivers were given an opportunity to pay a non-required entry fee last evening in order to qualify for a gamble at doubling the pay for the win.  Most all of the winning drivers had done just that.

As mentioned earlier, there were several drivers hopping in different rides last evening.  In the Modified division, Jesse Hoeft who calls Forest City, Iowa home, was racing the second car that Kelly Shryock brought.  The SportMods found Eric Flander jumping back into the driver's seat after his retirement from racing. He was in the 53 of Greg Strohman.  He had suffered immediate mechanical issues in his heat, then flew through a C main from starting at the tail, to win.  He then ran the B main and qualified for the A, starting near the back of that, and finished a strong seventh in that feature. The Stock Cars had some "fruit basket upset", changes in drivers.  The "Orange Crush" #33Z usually piloted by Zack VanderBeek, found Mike Hughes behind the wheel.  Shane Paris was in the #566 that Jim Lynch usually races, and Michael Jaennette had a "rent a ride" last evening in Mike Petersen's #1X.

It was great to see the Modified #222 of Nick Nevins back racing this year.  We recall that Nevins is the driver who suffered some horrific burns at the Marshalltown Speedway a couple of years ago when an issue with a generator in the pits, caused the awful accident.

Veteran NASCAR racer Ken Schrader was on hand last night too, racing in the Modified division.  However, after a third place finish in his heat, he was disqualified for being too light.  He did not race again, evidently choosing not to run a C main.

A Fall Special Series for points concluded last night with the point champions being named for those running at the year ending races put on by promoter Mike VanGenderen.  I believe those securing those championship points were Shaun Slaughter in the Sport Compacts, Dustin Griffiths in the Hobby Stocks, Brandon Dale in the SportMods, Mike Hughes in the Stock Cars, and Kyle Brown in the Modified.

There was lots of activities going on outside the racing action and it was all geared toward the young race fans.  Hayrack rides were given through the pits, and then the drivers that wanted to participate in handing out treats to the youngsters in their Halloween costumes all came to the front of the grandstands before racing action got underway.  The turnout of the drivers was amazing and no ghost or goblin could have been disappointed with the "loot" they received.  Great job drivers!  Those young ones are your fans!  There were also "cardboard boxcar races" as well, with the kids participating in footraces in their cardboard racers.  Thanks to some generous drivers (the one I know of for sure was Jeff Mueller) donating some of their accumulated trophies, some of the kiddos received some really impressive trophies to take home!

There was a meeting early in the day concerning a crate motor Late Model class racing next year at the Lee County Speedway.  We heard there were 17 drivers in attendance to hear the proposal.  They then announced during race time, that there will be weekly Late Model racing next year at the track. Many in the crowd showed their approval with that announcement.

Thanks to Mike VanGenderen and crew for another great Shiverfest to end our racing season in Iowa for 2015.  It was most likely our last race until next Spring....when we look forward to another dirt track racing season in Iowa.



  

Fall Challenge wins to Brown, VanderBeek, VanDerWal, Hughes, Slaughter and Tish

The Southern Iowa Speedway wrapped up their final night of racing for 2015 on Saturday.  Night #2 of the 29th Annual Musco Fall Challenge is now in the books.  Two repeat winners from Friday night went back to victory lane, while all other classes saw new faces stepping into the winner's circle. Some new drivers came to play, as well as some not returning, and the healthy car count of around 128 provided the crowd with plenty of good racing action.  

Sport Compact feature saw Shaun Slaughter take the win after suffering woes the previous night with a DNF.  Slaughter got around Adam Gates with one lap remaining, to take the victory.  Gates took the runner up spot, third went to Ryan Walker, just holding off Josh Barnes in fourth, and Brandon Lambert rounded out the top five spots.

The Iowa Sportsman Series was back in action again at the Monster Half Mile....running a 30-lap feature event.  Matt Deaton, who had led much of the race the previous night...only to suffer mechanical woes in the closing laps, leaped to the lead as the green flew.  But never count out Gene Tish.  Tish, who had started eighth out of the nine-car field, worked his way through the pack, reeled in leader Deaton, and then took command at lap fourteen.  From there on, he kept that top spot the remaining way to the checkers.  Deaton held on to the runner up spot, the two finishing well ahead of third place finisher Darin DeZwarte, fourth place Travis Dawson (the previous night winner) and Derrick Seddon in fifth.

The SportMod feature was 18-laps in length and there was another $1,000 awaiting the winner.  The "Hurryin', Scurryin', Missourian", Louis Lynch, led the troops in the opening laps.  When a yellow flew at lap four, it bunched up the field and for the restart, he had Logan Anderson close on his heels. The restart was Lynch's nemesis, as Anderson charged to corner one and took over the lead.  Two laps later, it was Curtis VanDerWal, who started seventh, making his way to nip at Anderson's heels and in the hunt.  By lap nine, VanDerWal had made the pass for the lead and from there, never looked back in scoring the win for the second night in a row.  Anderson, who had finished second to VanDerWal the previous night, again had to settle for the runner up spot.  Third was Colton Livezey, and Jason Hall and Brandon Dale were fourth and fifth.  This marked the tenth time in 2015 that VanDerWal had taken the checkers at Osky.

The Stock Cars went 22-laps for their main event.  The night before, Zack VanderBeek had chosen to re-qualify in hopes of better his starting spot from being locked into row four Saturday.  His lucky redraw from the heat, put him starting fourth on the grid.  'Beek wasted no time in taking command from that starting spot, leading by the time lap one was scored.  Meanwhile, the other Orange Crush car from Roger Kelderman's garage, the 10C of Cayden Carter had worked his way into the runner up spot, closed in on the leader and was trying everything to find a way around VanderBeek.  His attempts at getting under the leader in corner one just fell short of paying off at every attempt for the last eight laps.  VanderBeek would be the victor as the double checkers flew, Carter finishing as the runner up.  Finishing in third a good distance behind was night #1 winner, Mike Hughes.  Fourth was Elijah Zevenbergen who had started eighth, and veteran racer Johnny Spaw finished in fifth after starting twelfth.  Kelderman's Orange Crush team has had much success this year at the Southern Iowa Speedway....VanderBeek has won five times, while Carter has put it in victory lane six times.

The Modified feature was also 22 laps and with the 19G of  "G Money", Richie Gustin sitting on the pole, many thought he was going to take that money home as he has often done at the bigger paying shows in the past.  Tonight however, it was not to be.  Gustin did immediately jump to the lead bringing brother Jimmy Gustin along in second.  This would be how they would restart after a yellow at lap three.  However, by lap four, it was seventh place starter, "Downtown" Kyle Brown from State Center, moving up to take over second.  Brown, who had finished second the previous night had chosen to start in row four, and it was looking to be a good choice.  As the race drew on, Gustin once again pulled the field, Brown running in second and now it was Cayden Carter, (who had won the previous night and chosen to re-qualify...and started thirteenth) reeling in Brown.  Another yellow stopped the action at lap eleven when Tyler Vandekamp (announcer Tony Paris likes to call him the "Flying Fishstick") hit one of the tractor tires and spun out.  When action picked back up, Gustin was keeping hold of the top spot....until lap fourteen when Brown was able to make the pass into the lead.  Brown would then put some distance between himself and the pack.  Brown held that lead to the flying checkers and the $1,000 victory. In the waning laps, Carter was able to move by Gustin as they finished second and third.  Fourth went to Andrew Schroeder, who had started tenth, and rounding out the top five was twelfth place starter Tyler Groenendyk. Brown and Carter swapped the top two positions from their finish the night before.  This was Brown's second victory at Osky this year, having made the trip back in May pay off in a weekly race.

The night's racing ended with the running of the 16-lap Hobby Stock feature.  Mike Hughes, who was one of several drivers pulling double duty last night, and who usually pilots a Stock Car only at Osky, had chosen to lock himself into the feature after the win on Friday night, started in row four.  Second place finisher from Friday night, Nathan Ballard was not in the house last evening.

Steve Allen, a regular at the speedway, drew the pole position and would lead lap one, but when a yellow flew at lap three, it was Mike Hughes already in command as captain of the ship.  Two more yellows were no hindrance to Hughes, as he easily retained that lead the remaining distance to the finish and the win....his second in as many nights.  Dustin Griffiths moved up to finish in second place after starting deep in the field.  Third was the orange hatchback #66 of Norwalk's Brandon Cox, fourth went to numerous times IMCA National Champion Shannon Anderson (he finished second in the national points in 2015) and Casey Greubel, piloting his mom Gina's car, was fifth.  Hughes took home another $1,000 and after winning both the Stock Car and Hobby features the night before, completed a very successful weekend of racing.

I mentioned earlier that a few drivers pulled double duty, running in more than one class.  Those that we noted were Zack VanderBeek in both the Modified and Stock Car, Kyle Brown in the Modified and Stock Car class (he blew up leading his heat race last night in the Stock Car) Mike Hughes in the Stock Car and Hobby Stock divisions, and veteran racer who has much experience on both asphalt and dirt, Johnny Spaw, ran Modified and Stock Car.

Some of the new drivers making an appearance last evening were "Gentleman" Jim Waterman in the Modifieds, Greg Gill, Andrew Husted, Kevin Fee, and Mike McClure in the Stock Car class....and Howard Gordon, Jr. jumped in his brother Dan's car and raced in the Stock Car division.  New drivers in the SportMod class were Mike Hay, Kyle Hill and Jason Hall.  The Hobby Stocks had several new faces on the night too.  Brian Derry, Zach Swanson, Tommy Killen, Kenny Hay and Jacob Keiser ran and Bill Bonnett gave up his ride from the previous night to August Bach.  In the Sport Compacts, new faces were Larry Hopkins, Steve Struck, Brad Havel, Adam Gates, Jim Garrett, and Ashton Blaine.  Andy Peck was a new driver in the Iowa Sportsman class.

Thanks to promoter Mike VanGenderen and crew for the great weekend of racing provided at the Southern Iowa Speedway.  There was a definite nip in the air again last night and the breeze was coming toward the grandstand. Still, what better to be doing than sitting at a dirt track race on an October night in Iowa!  There are still specials to be found before things end in our neck of the woods.  Check out Positively Racing's calendar for a race you may want to attend.  

Hughes cashes in twice in one night at Osky Fall Challenge

It was a brisk, and breezy Friday night at the Southern Iowa Speedway for the 29th Musco Lighting Fall Challenge....Night #1.  Drivers in the Modified, Stock Car, SportMod and Hobby Stock classes were all racing for the $1,000 winning prize in each of those divisions.  One driver who was doing double duty, would cash in twice for a $2,000 payday.

Also running last evening, were the Iowa Sportsman Series.  This is a traveling series that we see at several area tracks during the season.  They brought 11 drivers to run their 30-lap feature.  A driver we see run a stock car at the Marshalltown Speedway, Matt Deaton, was looking to take home the prize for the night as he led the feature easily, until lap 23 when he was suddenly off power....and out of the race.  When things picked up then, it was the 77 of Travis Dawson inheriting the lead, but he had big time company in the 54 of Gene Tish.   Tish would do everything he could to find a way around Dawson those final few laps, but it was all in vain as Dawson took home the trophy on this night.  Tish was the runner up, Darin DeZwarte took third place, fourth went to Paul Meiners, and fifth was Wayne Webert.

Ryan Havel took the win in the 10-lap Sport Compact class.  He passed early leader Brandon Lambert and then pulled away to take the checkers.  It was a real battle at times for 2-4 positions, but winning out for the runner up position was Bill Whalen (who was piloting his brother John's car), Josh Barnes took third place, Lambert fell back to finish fourth, and Darin Smith rounded out the top five.  Fifteen cars raced in the Sport Compact division last evening.  

B mains were run for the Modified (29 cars), Stock Car(29 cars), and SportMod (33 cars), each taking four cars to tag the field of their respective main event.

The SportMod's ran their 18-lap feature immediately after the B features were completed, in the fast moving program last night.  Logan Anderson, who houses his car "just across the road from turn one", jumped to the lead from his outside front row starting spot and looked strong as he led the troops through lap ten, keeping pole starter Tim Plummer at bay.  That lap 10 may have been Anderson's downfall when the yellow flew for Plummer, who went into spin mode trying to deal with lap traffic. This tightened up the field for the restart and numerous times track champion, Curtis VanDerWal wasted no time in pulling to the rear of Anderson's bumper when the race went green.  Those final laps run to the checkers was an all out dog fight between the two.  VanDerWal was able to make the pass in the final lap but Anderson wasn't quite done as he tried the slide out of turn four and also dealing with a lap car, on that final charge to the checkers.  It wasn't to be however, and VanDerWal made it to the checkers first for another win at the track.  Anderson had to be content with the runner up spot, third went to Jason McDaniel, Brayton Carter took fourth with a nice run from his eleventh place starting spot, and Des Moines driver Glenn Gladson, completed the top five positions.

The Stock Cars went 22 laps in their main event and ironically, the two sitting on the front row for the start were two of the best at Osky....Zack VanderBeek and Mike Hughes.  Hughes was able to get the drop on VanderBeek, taking the lead from the get-go.  Hughes would never relinquish that top spot, though VanderBeek tried everything for a way around the leader, but to no avail.  Hughes took the win and VanderBeek was the runner up.  Cayden Carter reeled in the leaders from his ninth starting spot, but could muster no better than third place at the finish.  Fourth went to the hot shoe from Ocheyedan, Iowa, Elijah Zevenbergen, who had started twelfth, and John Oliver, Jr. rounded out the top five.  The race was non-stop, going flag to flag.

The Modifieds also ran a 22 lap feature.  The opening laps were led by front row starters Carter VandenBerg and Andrew Schroeder, but soon it was "G Money", Richie Gustin rushing past and into the lead.  Gustin continued his lead, content to let a pack of cars battle it out behind him.  That pack included Vandenberg, Schroeder, ninth place starter Cayden Carter, eighth place starter Kyle Brown, and Tyler Groenendyk.  Carter and Brown "found something" on the bottom of the track and both reeled in Gustin.  Carter took over the lead with a handful of laps remaining, and Brown followed to take over the runner up spot.  Carter stamped his name in the books with a win at the Fall Challenge, and Brown took second place.  Richie Gustin finished third, VandenBerg was fourth and Schroeder was fifth.

The night's racing ended with 16-laps of Hobby Stock racing.  Bobby Greene and Mike Hughes (who was doing double duty...running Stock Car and Hobby) were the lucky one's drawing the front row for the start.  Hughes grabbed the immediate lead and then checked out from the rest of the pack.  When a yellow flew at lap twelve, this bunched up the field, putting second place runner, Nathan Ballard on the leader's tail for the restart.  This wasn't a bother at all to Hughes, as he motored off and distanced himself from the pack in taking the comfortable win.  Ballard was the runner up, third went to ninth place starter Dustin Griffiths, fourth was Nick Ulin and Shannon Anderson finished fifth.  The win for Hughes made it two on the night after his earlier Stock Car victory and another $1,000 in his pocket.

A few notes on the night:  Fellow PR'er, Jeff Broeg mentioned to me that Tim Plummer from Norway, Iowa has an asphalt background, and a little digging on my part found that he has several track titles at Hawkeye Downs.  He is also the nephew of the 1983 IMCA Modified Champion, Mike Schulte.

The top two finishers in the features last evening were given the option of locking themselves in to tonight's feature, but starting in row four.  Otherwise, they could try to re-qualify tonight to better their starting position.  I heard two drivers say that they would try to do just that.  Zack VanderBeek in the Stock Car class and Cayden Carter in the Modified will be starting from square one in hopes of starting further up in their A feature tonight.  Both VanDeWal and Anderson in the SportMods opted to start in row four for tonight's A main as did Mike Hughes in the Stock Car and Kyle Brown in the Modified. I did not catch the decisions in the Hobby Stock class.

We will do it all over again tonight at the Monster Half Mile.  Hot laps are scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight and racing to follow.  Hope to see some of you there.  Come and support your favorite drivers and the dirt track racing we all love.

Season Championship night at Southern Iowa Speedway

The regular season drew to a close at the Southern Iowa Speedway on Wednesday night with the crowning of this year's track champions.  Heats were run as usual and all classes lined up via the invert as they had done weekly.

The IMCA Sport Compacts had a nice field of 11 cars which included several new faces.  One of those new faces, the #00 of Shaun Slaughter made his trip from Iowa City pay off, winning the feature in convincing fashion.  Slaughter started sixth, had the lead by lap one, and was never threatened on his way to victory.  Another new driver, the 11H of Brad Havel, also of Iowa City was second and Ryan Havel made it a top three for drivers from Iowa City.  Bob Lake made his first appearance at Osky this season, and the Lone Tree driver finished in fourth, and Matt Moore finished fifth.  Bill Whalen, Jr. is the track champion for 2015.

The IMCA Northern SportMods ran next and this one did not get off to a good start.  When the initial start went green, fifth place starter Jason McDaniel didn't make it far as his car went into the turn one wall and his night was done.  When things once again returned to the green flag flying, this time it was the 352 of Charlie Weber spinning out in front of the entire pack of cars in turn two....several getting caught up in the melee and ending their night as well.  One of those was point leader Curtis VanDerWal who appeared to be hit head on and also involving Austin Paul, Corey VanZante, Casey Lancaster and visitor of the night, Ed Hamilton from Atlantic.  The third try to get things under way was the charm and the field would go flag-to-flag.  Brayton Carter took the win after getting to the lead at lap two; stretching his lead to more than a straight away at the finish line.  Logan Anderson was the runner up, Charlie Weber recouped to finish third, fourth went to Trent Brink and Colton Livezey was fifth.  "Speedy Bray", Brayton Carter, who started eighth on the grid, won for the first time at the Southern Iowa Speedway, and did it in convincing fashion! Curtis VanDerWal is the 2015 track champion...putting together a string of at least a handful of consecutive titles.

The IMCA Modified feature was dominated by Scott Dickey who led all laps on his way to standing in the the winner's circle.  Some drivers rode a fine line in the corners, some slapping their rear quarter panels against the unforgiving wall.  Second place finisher Cayden Carter got his right rear quarter panel tucked under by kissing that wall.  Third place finisher Andrew Schroeder had even more evidence show when he got a little too high in that corner as well....his rear deck was doubled up.  Fourth place went to Carter VandenBerg, and surprise visitor from Keokuk, Tommy Elston finished fifth.  Elston is known more recently for piloting a late model.  The track champion in the Modified division for 2015 is Cayden Carter.

A new winner emerged from the IMCA Hobby Stock ranks when Brandon Lee Potts got his very first win at Osky.  Potts led from lap one and steadily held his course to the finish and the win.  Craig Brown finished in second place, third was Steve Allen, Danny Thrasher was fourth and Dale Porter was fifth.  Point leader going into the night, Dustin Griffiths suffered a flat tire and did not finish, but had plenty of cushion in his lead.  Griffiths is the track champion, repeating from last year.

The IMCA Stock Cars ran last.....and with two drivers TIED in points, and knowing how the Stock Cars always produce great racing, the crowd was really anticipating this one.  The two drivers that were vying for a track title were Cayden Carter and Mike Hughes...two crowd favorites at the track, and both sitting on 480 points each.  Those two drivers would start eighth and ninth on the starting field.

Zack VanderBeek quickly took the lead from his fourth starting position and just a couple of laps later, it was the "Orange Crush" machine #10cc driven by Carter settling into second place.  VanderBeek never faltered with his lead, though Carter threw everything at him....high, low, and in between---nothing worked. VanderBeek took the checkers and his fourth win of the year.  Carter finished as the runner up, and at the flag, Mike Hughes slipped around Jerry Pilcher as they finished third and fourth in that order.  Nathan Wood rounded out the top five.  By finishing just one spot in front of Hughes, Cayden Carter won the track championship for the second time in a row, and secured his second track championship of the year at Osky after his earlier Modified title.

I mentioned earlier some new drivers showing up to race last night.  Some others were Tony Johnson, long time racer from the area, who raced his SportMod for the first time this season.  In the Stock Car class, Tony Oliver, Des Moines, and Anthony Cassat from Bloomfield ran for the first time at the track.

Knoxville Raceway is holding it's annual Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals starting tonight (Thursday) and running through Saturday.  Last night, we saw five of those participants hot lapping on the Monster Half Mile.  They were Billy Moyer, Ryan Gustin, Matt Furman, Paul Glendenning and later, Billy Moyer, Jr.  Furman suffered what may be significant damage when his ride appeared to break, and was unable to turn, and he went head on into the turn one wall.

Be sure and check the racing calendar at Positively Racing as there are many racing events going on not only this coming weekend, but for several weekends yet.  We are hoping the area racing season continues for a while!  It could be a long, cold winter!

Southern Iowa Speedway - Osky Season Championships

Unofficial results:

Modified

1. 40 Scott Dickey
2. 10C Cayden Carter
3. 02 Andrew Schroeder
4. 7V Carter VandenBerg
5. 45 Tommy Elston
6. 22 Brandon Banks
DNF: 9X Tyler Groenendyk

Track Champion - 10C Cayden Carter

Stock Car

1. 33Z Zack VanderBeek
2. 10CC Cayden Carter
3. 11 Mike Hughes
4. 72 Jerry Pilcher
5. Nathan Wood
6. 22R Todd Reitzler
7. 18 Kris Walker
8. 12 Doug Sylvester
9. 54 Mike Brown
10. 22X Troy Oliver
11. 15A Anthony Passat
DNF:  17 Brock Welch
DNS: 10R Ryan Fullenkamp

Track Champion - 10CC Cayden Carter

SportMod

1. 01 Brayton Carter
2. 9A Logan Anderson
3. 352 Charlie Weber
4. 84B Trent Brink
5. 29 Colton Livezey
6. A5 Austin Paul
7. 53 Greg Strohman
8. 20 Danny Brau
9. 26 Scott Brau
DNF: 27L Casey Lancaster
          1V Curtis VanDerWal
          272 Ed Hamilton, Atlantic, Iowa
          34Z Corey VanZante
         85 Jason McDaniel

Track Champion - 1V Curtis VanDerWal

Hobby Stock

1. 2 Brandon Lee Potts - 1st time winning at Osky
2. 69 Craig Brown
3. 3s Steve Allen
4. 84 Danny Thrasher
5. 10 Dale Porter
6. 3 Travis Bunnell
7. 55 Brad Stephens
8. 14 Christian Huffman
DNF: 224 Casey Greubel
          10G Dustin Griffiths
           9 Jared Stephens
DNS: 73 Aaron Martin

Track Champion - 10G Dustin Griffiths

Sport Compact

1. Shaun Slaughter
2. 11H Brad Havel
3. 0 Ryan Havel
4. B0 Bob Lake
5. 2M Matt Moore
6. 33J Jon Girdley
7. 07 Bill Whalen
8. 04 Trent Orwig
9. 18 Renny McCartey
10. 22M Curt Myers
DNF: 33G Matt Girdley

Track Champion - 07 Bill Whalen

A 2-for-1 Saturday at Marshalltown World Nationals

The rain all day on Friday made it necessary to scrap the first of the 2 day show at the Marshalltown Speedway for their World Nationals.  With drivers from all over the US, it was determined that Saturday would be a 2-for-1 day with show #1 beginning at 1 p.m. and the day 2 show beginning after points were calculated for the Modifieds and the track had been re-worked.

Yes, we all know how afternoon racing goes in our neck of the woods....and with the wind blowing toward the grandstands, that first segment of racing had everyone just covered in dirt.  It wasn't our first time, and it won't be the last.

Segment #1, or what should have been run on Friday, had heats and features for the Stock Cars, SportMods and Hobby Stocks.  In the non-crate Modifieds, there were seven heats...twice.  The first go around and then the second was lined up in reverse of the first heat's lineup.  Passing points were awarded for the Modifieds and the top ten in points, were locked into the big $10,000 to win show.

The Hobby Stock's had a 20-lap feature.  Benji Irvine and Shannon Anderson were the front runners early in the race, and Anderson's persistent pestering of Irvine gained him the front spot by lap ten.  Then, with about a dozen laps in the books, the two would go into a "tandem" spin in turns three and four, and somehow, Anderson hardly faltered! He kept it going and never relinquished his top spot.  Irvine, wasn't as lucky, and lost many positions.  Anderson had a brief challenge by Adam Armstrong, who was piloting the brightly colored #224 usually raced by female competitor Gina Greubel, but Anderson would pull away at the end, and take the easy win.  Armstrong, who had nearly destroyed his own car at the recent Super Nationals, looked good with his second place finish in the borrowed car.  Third was Weston Koop, fourth went to Jamie Songer and Bill Bonnett piloting the second car of Songer, was fifth.  The win was worth $500 to Anderson.

The SportMod feature was led from start to finish by Jake McBirnie.  McBirnie started on the pole on his way to the 20-lap feature and $1,000 pay off.  Tracy Wassenberg dogged McBirnie at times, but in the end had to be content with the runner up spot.  Third went to Travis Peterson, fourth to Kansas driver Tyler Frye and Jared VanDeest completed the top five.

Greg Wichman from Bondul, Wisconsin started the 25-lap feature for the Stock Cars from the pole. On lap eleven, it was the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty taking over the point spot, only to have Hortonville, Wisconsin's Travis VanStraten follow him around Wichman to take over the runner up spot.  VanStraten, who is tied for IMCA National points with Mike Nichols, took a peek under Murty with about a handful of laps remaining, contact was made and third running Wichman seized the moment, and flew around both and into the lead.  Murty regained control, keeping second place, but VanStraten suffered a flat and retired from the race.  Murty tried his darnedest to catch leader Wichman but twas all in vain.  Wichman took the $1,000 victory and Murty finished in second place.  Third was Johnny Spaw, a veteran in racing who has done his fair share of racing asphalt as well as dirt track racing.  fourth was Randy Brands, and Shawano, Wisconsin's Mike Schmidt rounded out the top five.

With the three features completed, as well as the two rounds of Modified heats, the first show of the day was completed at 4:45 p.m.

The second race program of the day began around 6:15 p.m. when the top ten in points of the Modifieds were calculated and those ten drivers brought to the front stretch to determine the starting order for a later 10-lap dash.  That dash would then determine the starting order for the $10,000 to win World Nationals.  Top in points was North Carolina's Kyle "The High Side Tickler" Strickler and when he picked up the #10 under the bottle of oil, he made it a complete reverse for starting order....giving the point spot for the dash to Ricky Thornton, Jr. from Arizona.  Thornton would later win that dash, putting him on the pole for the feature.

The first feature of the night was again the Hobby Stocks for 20-laps.  Weston Koop led lap one but Adam Armstrong put his "rent a ride" #224 car to the top spot by lap two.  When the second of three yellows flew at lap nine, there was the familiar #78 of Shannon Anderson lurking in third place behind Koop.  It took but a couple of laps until Anderson was able to make his move into first place.  From there on out, he went untouched on his way to his second win of the day and another $500 in his pocket.  Benji Irvine took his #79 from thirteenth starting spot, to finish as the runner up, Adam Armstrong went third, fourth was Dustin Elliott and ninth place starter Nick Ulin finished in fifth.  Anderson, who had started twelfth, said in victory lane that he has had a hard time in the past getting a win at Marshalltown...having only had two previously. Then there he was in the winner's circle twice on the same day!

Another $1,000 awaited the winner of the 20-lap SportMod feature.  Another driver in a "rent a ride" car, Joel Rust, who raced a Modified during the season, was piloting the SportMod usually raced by Marty Rouse. Rust led the early portion of the A feature.  He was challenged almost immediately by Clint Luellen, the recent Super Nationals winner.  Luellen swung to the topside and rode a fine line trying to reel in Rust.  He got the job done by lap twelve and from there on kept it to the front, taking the win.  Rust would finish as the runner up, third went to Belleville, Kansas racer Tyler Frye, who had started twelfth, Wisconsin's Tracy Wassenberg finished fourth after starting deep in the field in fifteenth. Another Wisconsinite, Vince Engebregtsen raced from ninth starting spot to finish fifth.

Twenty-five laps was up next for the Stock Cars and it was also another $1,000 for the winner.  It was Damon Murty and Donavon Smith sitting on the front row for the start. and directly behind was the winner of the first feature, Greg Wichman,  and the 2T of Travis VanStraten.  This was looking to be a good one!

The Stock Cars never disappoint.  Murty and Smith duked it out in the opening laps, and then VanStraten slipped by for the runner up spot, setting his sights on front running Murty.  A car that had spun into the infield and then pulled out onto the track in front of leader Murty, may or may not have been a factor in allowing VanStraten to close in and then at lap ten, get under Murty to take over the lead.  In the closing laps, VanStraten put distance between himself and the field and secured the win.  Murty finished second for the second time of the day, Smith was third, Randy Brands came from fourteenth starting spot to finish fourth and Wayne Gifford was fifth.  VanStraten said in his victory lane interview that he had watched last year's World Nationals and liked the looks of the track.  He said it didn't disappoint as there were multiple grooves and he loved it.

The field of 24 was set for the 50-lap World National Modified feature.  The top ten in points from the first program were already locked into the feature and their starting spots were set by the 10-lap dash earlier. Then five heats qualified two each that went directly to the feature for a total of 20 cars.  A "Final Four" last chance Qualifier pitted 3-6 place finishers from the earlier heats.  Those final four were Jordan Grabouski, Jacob Murray, and Wisconsin racers Jake Hartung and Jerry Wilinski, and the 24-car field was set.

The feature went 50-lap with only one caution. That came at lap two when the 33 of Gladstone, Illinois driver, Brandon Rothzen was pushed into the front stretch wall, ending his race early.  Ricky Thornton, Jr. was happy for his pole starting position as the Chandler, Arizona racer led all 50 laps on his way to the $10,000 check.  At one point in the second half of the race, last year's World winner, Benji LaCrosse was poised to reel in leader Thornton, but had that run come up short.  LaCrosse, who started seventeenth, had to be content with second place this year.  Veteran race Terry Phillips, from Springfield, Missouri, and who has a stellar list of racing accomplishments in both Late Models and Modifieds, took his #75 from thirteenth starting position, to a third place finish.  Fourth went to North Carolina's Kyle Strickler, recent Super Nationals winner, and Todd Shute took fifth place.

We were much more comfortable in the grandstand area with the second day's racing as the track quieted down from the earlier dust flying.  The track rubbered over and the bit of dust we saw rising was not a bother as the wind died down.  The racing was completed at 10:10 p.m.  This race closed the doors on the Marshalltown Speedway for 2015.  Quite an end to the year's racing at the track.  Over 150 cars competed yesterday, from a dozen or more states.

There are still races to be found in our area before the racing season calls it quits.  Check the racing calendar at www.positivelyracing.com for several specials coming up in the surrounding area.  We hope to catch a few of them.

2015 Super Nationals Notes

Another IMCA Super Nationals has come and gone.  To look back and recall the first time we attended the event at Boone Speedway back in 1988, it's absolutely amazing how it has grown.  Back then, it was a four day event, and you could arrive at the track each night just like a regular race night at the track.  Now, the south side of Hwy. 30 is "Boone South".

Of course, Mother Nature had to rear her ugly head with a deluge of rain on Sunday night before the first day of Super Nationals on Labor Day. This brought about a change in Monday's format before things even began.  The Deery Brothers Late Models were pushed back to Thursday night's program with the hopes of the grounds being more fit for their arrival.  Some of the pit areas were mud bogs, and though it didn't rain again to cause any major problems, (it did sprinkle just enough on Thursday night to delay the racing for maybe an hour and a half) there were areas in the pits as well as camping and parking areas that never were usable.

Monday's show still had to be delayed due to the rain.  The track crew worked the track continuously from the time it stopped raining in the wee hours of the morning, until the first heats were on the track at 3:35 p.m.  The corners were rough, especially turns one and two, and even with the constant attention to the track surface, those ruts were there for two or three days.  Finally, they got ironed out. Monday's show qualified inside and middle 8 rows for the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and the inside row of 8 for the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods.  The two Hobby Stock features were won by Mike Pruitt from Redfield who came from starting twelfth, and Des Moines' John Watson who started sixth.  The Northern SportMod winner was Nebraskan Kyle Prauner who started on the outside front row and led the entire 20-laps. Racing was done at 11 something.  Yeah...I forgot to write it down.

Tuesday, the track was again worked continuously until race time which began shortly after 2 p.m.  On this day, the first of the Super National's winners was crowned, that being in the Mach-1 Sport Compact class.  Qualifying for the big dance continued in the Hobby Stocks and Northern SportMods as well.  The outside row of 8 for the Hobby Stocks was completed and the middle and outside rows for the Northern SportMods was set.

In the IMCA Sport Compact Big Dance, Nate Coopman from Mankato, Minnesota started on the outside of row four in the 3-wide format and claimed his first Super National's championship after four years of trying.  Second was Josh Barnes from Keokuk, Iowa who started deep in the field in 17th starting spot, Matt Brehmer from Sobieski, Wisconsin finished in third coming from the middle of row six, fourth was Wilton, Iowa's Ryan Walker who started sixth, and rounding out the top five was Ramsey Meyer from Pierce, Nebraska who, started in the middle of row nine.

Tuesday's winner in the Hobby Stock qualifying feature was Andrew Burg.  The two qualifying feature winners in the Northern SportMod class were Clint Luellen, Minburn, Iowa and 16 year old Lucas Lamberies from Clintonville, Wisconsin.  Racing was completed at 12:33 a.m.

Wednesday's program had the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars as well as the Xtreme Motor Sports Modifieds racing for the first time.  There were 192 Stock Cars and 277 Modifieds checked in.  This was a record for the Stock Cars.  The IMCA Hobby Stocks and the Northern SportMods saw their  final six starting spots for Saturday's main event stamped into the books.  They would be tagging the tail of the starting feature. Adam Armstrong from Beatrice, Nebraska rallied back after suffering a roll over accident on Monday that left him with a very damaged race car, to win the final Qualifier.  In the SportMods it was Boone driver Jake McBirnie with the win.

There were 20 heats of IMCA Stock Cars and 30 heats of IMCA Modifieds on Wednesday night.  Two features were run for each class, qualifying only 4 cars each for Saturday's "Big Dance".  The two Stock Car features went to Sioux City's Chris Mills and Harlan, Iowa's Mike Nichols.  Kody Scholpp from Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada won the first of the two Modified features.  He has quite the story after suffering severe injuries less than two years ago in a vehicle accident that left him wondering if he would ever walk again, let alone race.  The second of the features went to Williston, North Dakota driver, Mike Hagen.

Racing was completed on Wednesday night just a few minutes after midnight.  Thankfully the threatening skies parted....as they often do at Boone, and the rain went around the track.

Thursday was the longest day of racing.  There were also pesky sprinkles that interrupted the racing a couple of times...though nothing heavy.  The cars had to be pulled from the track twice, but the tractors immediately took to the surface and the track was never lost.  The IMCA Deery Brothers Late Models had their rescheduled full show that was pushed back from Monday's original date.  Qualifying also continued for the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars and SportMods.

The Deery Brothers Late Model 50-lap feature was the BEST we have every witnessed! There was more "sliders than at White Castle" as announcer Jerry Vansickel put it!  More swapping back and forth than we could have ever imagined took place in this feature.  But in the end....it was Jeff Aikey from Waterloo stepping on the podium as the Champion for the fifth time at the Super Nationals.  Aikey had to work his way from starting fifteenth and did not take the lead until lap 38.  Prior to that it was Justin Kay, Richie Gustin and Todd Cooney swapping sliders for the lead.  This continued through most of the race and had the crowd enthralled!  Following Aikey across to finish as the runner up was Deery point leader Justin Kay, third was rookie to the division and a guy who has justly proven himself a real contender in this class, Richie Gustin.  Fourth went to another young participant who is already proving himself as well, Tyler Droste, and fifth was Dubuque's Joel Callahan.

The qualifying for Saturday's feature continued for the IMCA Modifieds and Stock Cars...with eight going to the middle row.  Two more A's were run for each of the classes with four going from each.  The Modified winners were last year's Super Nationals champion, Kyle Strickler from North Carolina and Beatrice, Nebraska's Jordan Grabouski.  In the Stock Cars, the winners were Britt, Iowa's Heath Tulp and Lynn Panos from Calmar, Iowa.  Racing was completed at 1:51 a.m.

On Friday, the outside row of eight qualified for the IMCA Modifieds and the IMCA Stock Cars.  It was also the prestigious Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational.  The two features for the Modifieds were won by Walnut, Iowa's Nick Deal and "Gasman" Cayden Carter from Oskaloosa.  Stock features went to a pair of Minnesota brothers, Dustin Larson and Jeff Larson.  The All-Star Invitational was led the entire 30 laps by Marshalltown, Iowa's Jammin' Jimmy Gustin.  Gustin started on the inside of row three and grabbed the lead immediately, and was never threatened on his way to the checkers. Racing was completed at 1:05 am.

Saturday was the dawn of the "Big Dance".  The day's racing would include the final nine qualifying spots for the IMCA Modifieds and the final six for the IMCA Stock Cars.  There was also the Race of Champions for Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods and Hobby Stocks.  The Race of Champions for the IMCA Hobby Stocks was won by Fort Dodge racer Myles Michehl who led all ten laps.  The SportMod Race of Champions went to 16 year old Lucas Lamberies from Clintonville, Wisconsin who also led the entire ten lap race.  The IMCA Stock Cars saw Beatrice, Nebraska driver Kyle Vanover lead the entire race EXCEPT for the final run to the checkers when veteran racer Kevin Opeheim from Mason City nipped him at the finish line for the win.  Dustin Smith was the victor in the Modified Race of Champions.  He led the entire ten laps as well.

Now it was time for the Super National championship events...what we had all been waiting to see come to fruition the whole week.  The first up was the 30 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature.  Jason Wilkinson from Neligh, Nebraska took home his second Super Nationals championship in this one.  Andrew Burg, a regular at the speedway was second.  Third went to Brandon Nielsen from Spencer, Iowa who started in the middle of the fifth row, fourth was John Watson, another Boone Speedway Saturday night regular and Corey Madden from Avoca, Iowa was fifth.

After 30-lap of the IMCA Northern SportMod "Big Dance", it was Clint Luellen standing tall on the winner's podium.  It was a three-car battle between him, Jonathon Logue and Mike Meyer in the latter portion of the race.  Luellen won the battle for the win over second place Logue and Meyer in third.  Fourth went to Lucas Lamberies, the 16 year old from Wisconsin, and Ellis, Kansas driver Daniel Gottschalk was fifth.

The 30-lap Dance for the IMCA Stock Cars turned out to be mostly a race between the two Larson brothers from Minnesota.  Dustin Larson was the man in charge as the race went green and brother Jeff Larson tucked in right behind.  The two raced in that order until going down the backstretch on the final lap....contact was made, leader Dustin Larson escaping unscathed but Jeff Larson suffering a tire deflating.  Mike Nichols seized the opportunity and got around the slowing Larson to finish as the runner up, as did Sioux City's Chris Mills who finished third.  Jeff Larson made it across the finish line to garner fourth place.  Lynn Panos rounded out the top five.

The grand finale, the IMCA Modified feature completed the night's racing.  After driver introductions, and a bit of well deserved pomp and circumstance for the 33 drivers about to "dance", the green flag fell.  Mike Hagen, Williston, North Dakota and the pole sitter and Josh Most, the driver from Red Oak, Iowa who races just about anything, battled back and forth for the lead in the early portion of the 30-lap race.  But, at lap eight, it was the 8K of Kyle Strickler, from Mooresville, North Carolina leading.  From there on out, he never relinquished the lead and secured his second Super National's championship in as many years.  He started in the middle of row two.  Second place was a former Super Nationals champion from 2013, Osceola, Nebraska racer Dylan Smith who had started tenth.  Third place finisher Ricky Thornton from Chandler, Arizona came from the inside of row seven.  Fourth place was Beatrice, Nebraskan, Jordon Grabouski and Ankeny, Iowa's Adam Larson started on the outside of row six and made it to fifth place.

There were 876 cars at this year's Super Nationals, a record, representing 25 different states plus Canada and Australia.  We thank each and every one of them who came.  There were some scary moments throughout the week, but none more so than when Jamie Johnson shot....I mean SHOT off of corner three in his modified last chance heat on the final night.  Johnson, from Waterloo, Iowa rolled violently after leaving one side of his car danging in a tree and his car ending up nearly out of the race track grounds near the west side road.  He does have injuries we've heard, which include a broken leg or ankle, a concussion and some compression fractures of his spine.  This is all second hand.  As he left the grounds in the ambulance, we understood that he gave a "thumbs up" and we wish him a speedy recovery.

It's been tradition that we stick around for the engine auctions after the races, and we did so again this year.  The winning Hobby Stock of Jason Wilkinson went for $2,100, Clint Luellen's SportMod brought $2,300, Dustin Larson's Stock Car was $5,400 and Kyle Strickler's Modified went for $5,500.

We also celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on September 11, at the Super Nationals this year. Quite appropriate for us two race fans who grew up going to the dirt tracks in the area.  No better place to do so.

There are still a few specials left around our area to help satisfy the drivers and fans.  Check the calendar at www.positivelyracing.com for a race you may wish to attend.  

Kyle Brown posts Inaugural Prelude win at Boone

The craziness had already begun when we arrived at the Boone Speedway on Saturday.  The pits were filled, more kept arriving, and the camping area was filling up.  Boone South, as it's called this time of year, was springing up.

This was the first year for "The Prelude to the Super Nationals".  It's been a yearly thing for drivers to arrive by the Saturday prior to Super Nationals, that always begins on Labor Day. Usually, that Saturday is season championship night, and those drivers without having points during the season at Boone, could not run, but only hot lap.  This year, season championships had wound up back on August 29, and the Prelude was flung wide open.  The IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods and Hobby Stocks were all on tap.  When all was said and done, it was Iowa drivers taking all the wins.

Sixty-four IMCA Hobby Stocks ran.  Six heats and three B mains later and it was time to roll out the 20-lap feature. Ironically, the track champion Eric Stanton drew the outside front row to start and from there on, he would be the guy at the helm the entire distance, and took the win.  Adam Armstrong out of Beatrice, Nebraska tailed Stanton all those 20-laps and finished second.  Two more Boone regulars, John Watson and Tyson Overton were third and fourth.  Jeremy Wegner from Graettinger was fifth.  The race went flag-to-flag.

Seventy-five IMCA Northern SportMods vied for a spot to run their 20-lap A main.  Ten heats and four B mains determined its starting line up.  Sam Wieben led the early portion with Danny Dvorak giving him fits.  Dvorak took over after a slip up by Wieben and Doug Smith then made his way up to make a charge on the leader.  Smith got the job done with a few laps remaining and sailed home to the win.  Wieben made a recovery to take a shot at Smith on the final lap, but had to be content with the runner up spot.  Nick Meyer came home in third, fourth went to Minot, North Dakota driver Erik Laudenschlager and Sherill, Iowa's Tyler Soppe was fifth.

The 48 IMCA Stock Cars were weeded down to a 24 car starting field for their main event, through six heats and three B mains.  This one turned into a three-car race for the most part.  Jason Minnehan grabbed the immediate lead from his outside front row starting position and looked strong.  By lap nine, eleventh place starter Trent Murphy was riding his bumper and the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty had been picking off cars left and right, running high on the track. He had moved to third from starting deep in the field in eighteenth.  The 25-lap race would end with Murphy pulling away to take the comfortable win.  Minnehan finished second, Murty in third.  Fourth went to Rod Richards and fifth to Brandon Pruitt.

Many IMCA Modified drivers chose to begin their Racin' Vacation by running the $1,000 to win 25-lap feature.  Some also chose to just watch.Vinton's Scott Hogan was one we observed sitting in the grandstands. Ninety Modifieds ran, which took ten heats and seven B mains to ready the feature.

Scott Davis took command from his pole starting spot when the race went green.  With a handful of laps in the books, Davis had Kyle Brown hot on his tail.  Brown set his ride high on the track and kept digging and digging, finally make the pass at lap sixteen.   The final few circuits, Brown had Todd Shute making every attempt to get around him, but Brown slammed the door.  The double checkers went to Brown and Shute finished a close second.  Mike VanGenderen had been an early contender for a top spot, but a spin in turn four set him back many positions.  He made a remarkable recovery to finish third.  Fourth was Scott Davis and Arizona driver, Tim Ward rounded out the top five.

Let the party begin!  As I write, the pre tech is already going on at the Boone Speedway.  Tomorrow is the start of the 7 day IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals....the 33rd annual.  This is a must on our calendar every year, having made all 28 years it has been held at Boone.  We tell people who have never experienced the Super Nationals, they should at least see it once.  The cars, the drivers, the fans!  Expect at least 800 cars from far and wide.  Can't wait!  Gotta go pack!

Track title in Modifieds comes right down to the wire!

It was Larry Wollam Season Championship night Friday at the Marshalltown Speedway.  The Modified feature winner, Chris Abelson, showed once again why he is leading national IMCA points....taking his third consecutive win and doing it again in dominating fashion.  The domination didn't stop with that class as Josh May in the Mod Lite class won his fifth in a row, and after winning his first ever Late Model feature just a few weeks ago, Richie Gustin has stamped his name on the track, winning for the third time in as many weeks.

The top ten in points in the five regular classes were locked into their feature events and would start straight up.  Qualifying heats for all others, determined their starting positions.  

The Mod Lite feature and track championship went to Josh May.  May has had a great season, winning ten times at the high banks this year.  He led the 15-lap feature from start to finish without a threat.  Second went to Travis Stensland, Mike Morrill was third and Joe Glick and Jason Whitehead rounded the top five.  Interestingly, three Micro Mods (they run weekly at the Benton County Speedway) were allowed to tag the field, but were not scored.  We noticed the 6E of Don Erger actually crossed the finish line in fourth position.  Erger is a veteran racer, formerly racing in the Modified class.  

The IMCA Northern SportMod point leader, Jared VanDeest, had no problem in racing his way to another feature win, leading the 18-lapper flag-to-flag.  Second place was Jayme Duinink and just after the finish line, was spun to the infield.  Third place finisher, Brandon Williams was the official cause of that incident, and was soon penalized for the incident, sending him to finish last of the running cars.  This handed third over to Travis Peterson, fourth to Sam Wieben and DJ Robinson was fifth.  VanDeest thanked...well, just about everyone...in victory lane for supporting him on his way to the track championship. It's nice to know that a driver appreciates not only those that physically and monetarily help out, but also the fans who cheer them on each week. 

The two drivers who had often stepped into the winner's circle at Marshalltown in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, duked it out last night for the win.  Austin Luellen, who has been absent for a few weeks, ( I believe he pretty much destroyed his car at Harlan a while back) ran down point leader Eric Stanton, passed him and pulled away for an easy win.  Stanton finished in the runner up spot, but took the track championship.  He went into the night with such a huge point lead, he wouldn't have even had to show up.  Between the two drivers, Stanton had been the victor five times, and Luellen, nine times in the 2015 season.  Third place finisher in the feature was Gary Pfantz, fourth was Gene Nicklas, and Garrett Eilander was fifth.

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars, saw point leader Donavon Smith take the win untouched.  Steve Meyer trailed him in the distance to take the runner up spot.  Close on Meyer's tail in third, was Michael Jaennette.  Fourth was Larry Wollam, who had a good run last night in a race that honors his late father, and Damon Murty, the Chelsea Charger completed the top five.  Smith ended the season with eight wins at the track and his second straight track title.  

There was all sorts of scenarios in the IMCA Modified feature last night....flipping the point lead back and forth between THREE drivers.  Going into the night, Jimmy Gustin led the points by five  over Ronn Lauritzen and seven points over Josh Gilman.  With the three drivers starting the feature 1-2-3...you knew it was going to get interesting.  Then throw the driver who has been making an appearance the last three weeks, IMCA National point leader Chris Abelson from Sioux City, into the mix, and you just knew it was going to be hot and heavy up front! That it was!  

When the race went green, Ronn Lauritzen powered his "Frozen" ride into the lead and Gustin and Gilman settled into second and third.  Lauritzen was holding a good lead when at lap seven.....Gustin slipped off of turn one!  This brought out the yellow, Gustin had to tag the field and at the moment, this put Lauritzen with the point lead.  Abelson had already moved from starting tenth, to run in third behind Gilman.  When the race restarted, there was a bit of pushing and shoving (rubbin' is racin' you know) and by the time lap eight was scored, Gilman was leading, Abelson was second, Jake Strayer had moved to third, and Lauritzen had gotten shuffled back into fourth.  Now.....Gilman was the point leader! 

There was a final yellow flag at lap fourteen, and Gilman still led, Abelson was second and Lauritzen had moved back into third place.  Now....Lauritzen and Gilman were tied for the point lead.  Oh wait....hold on!  Who was that lurking in sixth place?  Oh gosh....it was Jimmy Gustin!  He only needed to get back to fifth, and he would again be the point leader. Was there any doubt?  

When things went green again, Abelson made his move around Gilman, taking the point spot.  Lauritzen powered his way past Gilman and took back second place.  The race went green the rest of the distance and Abelson won for the third time in as many visits to the track.  Lauritzen finished in second place, visiting Canadian driver Kody Scholpp started tenth and looked good in his run to finish in third, and there was that Jammin' Jimmy Gustin in fourth place....good enough to regain his points lead and take the track championship, and Jake Strayer finished in fifth. 

Abelson claimed his 30th feature win of 2015 , and now time will only tell (track titles, etc. will be determining factors) to see if he will win the National title over Arizona driver Ricky Thornton, Jr. who is only a couple of points behind.  The ending track points, gave Jimmy Gustin the track title, Ronn Lauritzen ending in second place by three points.  Gilman ended up third by nine points.

The IMCA Late Models came back to the high banks of Marshalltown Speedway for the third time.  Richie Gustin had won his first ever Late Model feature back on August 14, doing it in a dominating way and following up again on August 21 in the same fashion.  This brought about a "$500 bounty" on his head....going to anyone who could beat him.  Nope....didn't happen last night.  Gustin started sixth and by lap five, was leading.  Gustin went on to win the feature untouched.  Todd Cooney came from eighth starting spot, to finish second.  Third place was Jeremy Grady, fourth went to Robert See and veteran racer Greg Kastli was fifth.

So comes the end to another season of racing at the Marshalltown Speedway.  That's not the end of racing on the high banks this year though.  Mark your calendars for September 17-19 for the World Nationals.  The 17th will be practice only.  The Modifieds will be running for $10,000 to win.  The Stock Cars, SportMods and Hobby Stocks will have full shows on each of the days.  For more information check www.marshalltownspeedway.com.  

Sobbing for the win at Webster City USMTS

We don't often get the chance to see the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) in our neck of the woods, so when we found out the "Mighty Mods" were running at the historic 1/2 mile at the the Hamilton County Speedway on September 2, off we went.  The United States Racing Association (USRA) Stock Cars and B Mods also ran.  Both associations are headed by Todd and Janet Staley, who call Webster City home when they are not on the racing trail. The USMTS is  into their "Hunt for the Casey's Cup" and the Stock Cars and B Mods are racing in their "Iron Man" Series.

The USRA B Mods ran their 20-lap feature first.  Andy Bryant from Fort Scott, Kansas and Dakota Foster out of Gardner, Kansas sat on the front row for the start of the A main event.  The race went yellow with just a couple of laps in when Hawkeye, Iowa's Brett Bumgardner experienced mechanical issues.  We had noted that he was throwing sparks almost immediately and then the smoke appeared.  This would be the only yellow of the race, and pole starter Andy Bryant never relinquished his top spot, taking the win. Foster gave chase to the leader the entire distance, but settled for second place.  Third was Ben Moudry from Cottage Grove, Minnesota, fourth went to Allison, Iowa's Trevor Fecht, and hometown driver, Brandon Toftee rounded out the top five.

The USRA Stock Cars also ran a 20-lap main event.  We enjoyed watching two veteran drivers race last night and they sat on the front row, side-by-side---Steve Jackson and Tom Schmitt.  Schmitt got the drop on Jackson at the drop of the green and this would be how they would remain the entire flag-to-flag race.  Schmitt took the comfortable win, Jackson going second.  Third was another successful driver as of late, Elijah Zevenbergen from Ocheyedan.  Fourth went to sixth place starter Kyle Falck from Decorah, and a driver we see often in our area, Nathan Wood, drove his hot rod from eighth starting spot, to finish fifth.

It's always a beautiful sight to see the USMTS cars go 4-wide in their salute to the fans before the start of their feature---along with the stirring rendition of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA".  Twenty-two of the "Mighty Mods" took the green flag for the start of their 30-lap A main, paying $3,000 to the winner.

Jesse Sobbing, the driver that now calls Malvern, Iowa home, located in the southwestern part of the state, started pole position, with Manhattan, Kansas driver Grant Junghans beside him. Junghans snatched the coveted #1 spot, with Sobbing tucking into second.  With about ten laps in the books, a jump of the cushion by Junghans sent him back some positions, and Sobbing took command with Johnny Scott (Las Cruces, NM) slipping into second place.  The cement barriers which circle the track and the berm were nemeses for many last evening. Point leader Rodney Sanders from Happy, Texas had been running in third place, when he too jumped the cushion in turns one and two, and found himself in spin mode, resulting in a call for the wrecker.  Sanders wasn't done yet however, as after a bit of inspection on the track, drove off and tagged the field.

More quality drivers also had to call it a night.  Ryan Gustin had made a return to the USMTS, jumping back in a modified for the evening.  His night ended when he had smoke roll from his machine, and about the same time, Jason Krohn (Slayton, MN) also had to exit the race with mechanical woes.

Mechanical issued continued when at lap twenty-four, Casey Arneson, Fargo ND also puffed a motor.  This brought out the fifth and final yellow flag of the 30-lap feature.  Sobbing was still solidly holding down the lead, with Johnny Scott running in second.  Riding in third was seventh place starting and rookie to the USMTS this season, Dan Ebert from Lake Shore, MN.  Jason Hughes, from Watts, Oklahoma and who appeared to be a crowd favorite, at least in our area of the grandstand, was sitting in fourth.

The final six laps, Sobbing kept a tight hold on his #1 spot, and took the win.  Johnny Scott followed him across the line to score the runner up spot.  Third went to Dan Ebert with an impressive showing for a rookie.  Fifteenth place starter, Cory Crapser from Chippewa Falls, WI (sporting a spiffy newly wrapped car touting Sour Patch Kids candy....ironically, I was eating some last night) finished in fourth and Jason Hughes was fifth.  Rodney Sanders made a nice recovery after his incident in turn two and tagging the field, and made a sixth place come back.

The USMTS has four of their five-race swing in the area remaining.  Tonight they head to Fairmont, Minnesota, Friday it will be Chateau Speedway in Lansing, Minnesota, Saturday finds them at Deer Creek Speedway just across the Iowa border in Spring Valley, Minnesota and Sunday it winds up in Cresco, Iowa.  For more information on the both series of racing check out www.usmts.com and www.usraracing.com.

Season Championship night at Boone Speedway

The five inches of rain that fell in the Boone area on Friday, was not an issue with the Boone Speedway track Saturday night.  We arrived early and the track appeared ready, but before the night's action began, the water truck made a couple of tours around the track and another session of grooming took place.  It was a heavy, fast track and thankfully, it was kind, without any blown motors.

It was season championship night and KCWI and WalMart night---wrapping up the regular season of racing for 2015.  There were no heat races run and only one B was needed to fill in the final four cars in the SportMod class. The top 20 in points were already locked in to their features.  Only drivers that had points previously this year, were allowed to run.  Before the individual features were run, there were driver introductions on the front stretch, allowing fans a chance to show their appreciation.

Josh May had the track title wrapped up last night before he even ran the Mod Lite feature.  Going into the night, he led Bryan Zehm by 42 points.  He would put an exclamation point on that by leading all 18-laps and stamping another win in the books.  Zehm finished in second place, third went to Travis Stensland, fourth to thirteenth place starter, Cory Dennis, and Cory Sauerman was fifth.  The race went caution free.  This was May's fifth win at the track in 2015.

Extra laps were added to all features last night, and the IMCA Hobby Stocks ran 15 laps instead of their usual 12.  Eric Stanton had no trouble in securing the win, leading all laps in another caution free race.  Second was Aaron Rudolph, third was Dustin Graham, fourth went to Andrew Burg and John Watson completed the top five.  Eric Stanton took his fifth win of the year, and is the 2015 Hobby Stock track champion.

The IMCA Northern SportMod's 20 lap feature went to Jonathon Logue.  Logue slipped under Jake McBirnie with two laps to go, marking his fifth win at the track.  McBirnie finished second, third went to Doug Smith, and Randy Roberts and Sam Wieben rounded out the top five.  Jake McBirnie, sporting a new car...or at least a new wrap, but keeping his cool blue chrome look, is the 2015 SportMod track champion.  This race also went flag-to-flag.

Jay Schmidt has had his eye on an IMCA Stock Car track championship at Boone for quite sometime now.  Going into the night, he held a 13 point lead, the closest of any of the classes. His closest rival, Donavon Smith, started alongside him in second place.  When the 20-lap race went green, Smith quickly took over the point position, Schmidt settling into second.  The first yellow of the night came at lap fourteen when Reid Keller came to a stop, unable to successfully exit the track.  Another yellow flew at lap 18 when veteran Kevin Opheim sat in turn four.  This would set up a green-white-checkered finish.  Smith had no issue with the restart situation, keeping his lead to the checkers and the win.  However, third and fourth place runners, Rod Richards and Wayne Gifford were able to get the upper hand on second place running Schmidt, both passing him with a lap remaining.  Richards took the runner up spot, Gifford was third and Schmidt held fourth.  Rookie to the class, Tyler Pickett finished fifth.  This was Smith's second win of the season, but it was Jay Schmidt finally getting his track championship crown in the Stock Car class.

The final feature of the evening was the IMCA Modifieds.  They ran a 25-lap feature.  Jammin' Jimmy Gustin enjoyed his pole starting spot as the point leader, and led all laps to take his fifth win of the regular season.  Mike VanGenderen, running his red chrome Hawkeye Dirt Tour crate car, started sixth and held it wide open on the heavy track, to take second place.  Third went to Scott Davis, and Eric Elliott and Jon Snyder rounded out the top five.  Gustin won the track title for the fourth consecutive year.

Earlier in the evening, we were able to sign a "farewell banner" for long time racer Rick Ringgenberg.  Ringgenberg is retiring after Super Nationals....ending a 25-year career behind the wheel of a race car.  We first recall him piloting a Hobby Stock, but he has been in the IMCA Northern SportMod class in more recent years.  His name has been a staple on the list of drivers at Boone and he will be missed.  Enjoy your retirement Rick.

A new, large section of bleachers is going up for the pit area, promised to be ready for Super Nationals.  It sits in corner one and will be available to the pits only.  It is our understanding, that a reserved seat can be purchased, affording those in the pits a guaranteed spot to watch the races.

Mark your calendars for a big event next Saturday night, September 5, at the track.  It will be "The Prelude to the Super Nationals" and with the weekly racing wrapped up, it will be a draw/redraw format, open to all drivers.  There will be many drivers already here for the Super Nationals that start on Monday, September 7 so look for a large field of cars in all classes.  Hot laps are 6:45 and racing at 7:30.  This will begin the hustle and bustle of the next week with the running of six nights of the 33rd IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals.  Sunday, September 6, pre-tech will be from 10-4 for the IMCA Hobby Stocks and the IMCA Northern SportMods....the two classes qualifying on Labor Day. Labor Day will also have a full show for the IMCA Deery Brothers Late Models.  For more information on the "Prelude" race as well as the Super Nationals, go to www.imca.com or www.raceboone.com.  Thanks for reading!

    

Hughes and Anderson take first wins of season at Osky

After a two week absence, the Southern Iowa Speedway was back in action on Wednesday.  A nice crowd came out to watch the racing on a beautiful, late August night.

Seven IMCA Sport Compacts competed in their 10-lap feature event.  When the first lap was in the books, it was the #77 leading, but on this evening instead of John Whalen behind the wheel, it was brother Bill Whalen piloting the car....taking the reins for the evening while John battles some health issues.  Whalen wasn't long to be the lead car however, as Keokuk, Iowa's Josh Barnes was in the house, and at lap two, Barnes took command.  He would hold the lead the remaining distance to the checkers flying, securing his second win, on his second visit to the track in 2015.  Bill Whalen was second, third went to Ryan Havel, fourth was Trent Orwig and Curt Myers was fifth.  Jon Girdley and Matt Moore did not finish.

All eighteen IMCA Northern SportMods took the green flag in their 16-lap A main.  This one was won in convincing fashion by Logan Anderson. The only blemish in this race was a no go situation on the initial start when the A5 of Austin Paul was off power and out of the race.  Anderson took the lead away from Charlie Weber as lap two was scored.  From there on, Anderson stretched his lead, as the race went green to the checkers---winning by more than a straightaway. Charlie Weber was the runner up, chasing Anderson the entire race from a distance.  Brayton Carter was third, Jason McDaniel fourth, and Curtis Van Der Wal was fifth.  This was Anderson's first win at Osky.

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars were up next.  This class never fails to put on a great show for the fans.  The race did not get off on a good foot however.  When the green flew for the start of the race, the pack of cars entered turn one, only to have Donnie Pearson lose the handle on his ride.  A number of cars piled up with no where to go.  Six or seven cars were involved, and some had to call it a night because of damage.  Among those were Nathan Wood, Jerry Pilcher, Daniel Hilsabeck (who was in a #76 car instead of his usual ride #77N....I suspect it was the car usually run by Trent Partridge from Elk Horn, Iowa) and point leader Cayden Carter was soon to exit with too much damage as well.  When things did get started, it was a pack of cars vying for position all over the track.... in a "throw a blanket over them" fashion.  Jason See led the field but close company was Brad Pinkerton, and Damon Murty.  When a yellow flew at lap six when Pinkerton ended up in the turn one wall, See was still holding down the point spot.  When the race returned to green, it was an all out shoot out for position up front!  Murty took the lead but Todd Reitzler wasn't done!  The two swapped back and forth for the number one spot, and then Mike Hughes joined in for a three car battle.  Those three cars gave the fans their money's worth....running three wide at times.  Mike Hughes finally established the lead at lap thirteen and held Murty off at the checkers.  Hughes won for the first time at Osky in this his rookie year in the Stock  Car class....though having many, many wins in the Hobby Stock division in years past.  Murty had to settle for runner up, Todd Reitzler was a close third and Jason See was fourth.  Kris Walker started deep in the field and finished in fifth.

Danny Thrasher took the win in the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock event.  Thrasher took command at lap three and never gave it up.  Travis Bunnell chased Thrasher most of the distance and finished in second.  Third went to veteran racer Brad Stephens who had started in eleventh position, point leader Dustin Griffiths recouped after tagging the field after a work area visit, and finished a close fourth, and fifth went to Steve Allen.  Craig Brown---with a right door dangling---was sixth.  This was Thrasher's second win of the regular season, plus also winning the Frostbuster.

Eleven IMCA Modifieds were on hand with several visiting drivers trying their hand on the Monster Half Mile.  Earlier in the evening during hot laps, one of those cars was eliminated when the 93L car...looking much like a car that Wayne Larson would have raced, appeared to have the throttle stick...sending it into the turn one wall. It came to the track along with the 2L of Adam Larson who was also competing.  Two other drivers came from far away....the #74S of Chris Sieweke from Santa Rosa, California and the #11X driven by Tom Berry from Medford, Oregon.  Both drivers are already in the area for the upcoming IMCA Super Nationals.  It was also great to see Ron VerBeek racing at Osky again.  He was in the #29 car with "Franz" on the side.

Colt Mather went home with another Modified victory---matching his win from the last time the Southern Iowa Speedway held a weekly show.  Turn one was not friendly to many drivers last night.  Adam Larson was done early when he could not avoid a spinning Ryan Fullenkamp in turn one just after lap one was scored.  When action resumed, it was the "Kool Aid Kid", Andrew Schroeder leading.  By lap two, Colt Mather was closing to his bumper.  Mather knocked on Schroeder's door, and made his persistence pay off, taking the lead as they approached the flagstand as lap nine was scored.  Mather would keep his lead the remainder of the race, scoring the win.  Second place went to Cayden Carter.  Carter was able to slip by Schroeder on the final lap of a green-white-checkered finish.  Following third place Schroeder to finish fourth was Tyler Groenendyk and Carter VandenBerg completed the top five.

There is just one more regular season race remaining at Osky this year, that being the Season Championships on September 23.  Please note, there will be no weekly racing until that date.  There is a tight points battle going on in the Modified and Stock Car classes.   In the Modifieds, Cayden Carter holds a five point lead over Tyler Groenendyk and Carter VandenBerg, tied for second and third place, and Andrew Schroeder sits just six points out.  An event tighter points battle is brewing in the Stock Car division.  Going into the night, Cayden Carter held a ten point lead over Mike Hughes.  Carter's bad luck put him out early in the feature and with Hughes winning, it's now Hughes with a one point margin over Carter.  All other classes seems to be wrapped up---Curtis Van Der Wal leads SportMod points by 37 over Brayton Carter, Dustin Griffiths is 27 up on Travis Bunnell and Bill Whalen has a 41 point lead over his closest rival, Curt Myers.

As mentioned before, please remember there will not be another weekly race until September 23rd at Osky when it will be the season final.  Also mark your calendar for October 2-3 for the Musco Fall Challenge....always a great end of the season race.  Thanks for reading!

Osky - 8-26-15

Unofficial results:

Modified

1. 8 Colt Mather
2. 10C Cayden Carter
3. 02 Andrew Schroeder
4. 9X Tyler Groenendyk
5. 7V Carter VandenBerg
6. 29 Ron VerBeek
7. 11X Tom Berry - Medford, Oregon
DNF: 7K Ryan Fullenkamp
          74S Chris Siewerke - Santa Rosa, California
          2L Adam Larson
DNS: 93L Brandon Brinton

Stock Car

1. 11 Mike Hughes
2. 99D Damon Murty
3. 22R Todd Reitzler
4. 79S Jason See
5. 18 Kris Walker
6. 19 Donnie Pearson
7. 12 Doug Sylvester
8. 54 Mike Brown
DNF: 17P Brad Pinkerton
          4M Mike McClure
         10CC Cayden Carter
         72 Jerry Pilcher
         76 Daniel Hilsabeck
         52 Nathan Wood

SportMod

1. 9A Logan Anderson
2. 352 Charlie Weber
3. 01 Brayton Carter
4. 85 Jason McDaniel
5. 1V Curtis Van Der Wal
6. 95J Jason Hall
7. 29 Colton Livezey
8. 34Z Cory VanZante
9. 16 Matthew VanGelder
10. 72 Brett Lowry
11. 27L Casey Lancaster
12. 25 Scott VanBuskirk
13. 84B Trent Brink
14. 20 Danny Brau
15. 53 Greg Strohman
16. 26 Scott Brau
17. 22B Aaron Bridgeman
DNF: A5 Austin Paul

Hobby Stock

1. 84 Danny Thrasher
2. 3 Travis Bunnell
3. 55 Brad Stephens
4. 10G Dustin Griffiths
5. 3S Steve Allen
6. 69 Craig Brown
7. 14 Christian Huffman
8. 43J John Irwin
DNF: 9 Jared Stephens
         32T Bobby Greene
         73 Aaron Martin
         10 Dale Porter
          2 Brandon Potts
DNS: 15W Clayton Webster

Sport Compact

1. 13B Josh Barnes
2. 77 BILL Whalen (driving John's car)
3. 0 Ryan Havel
4. 33G Trent Orwig
5. 22M Curt Myers
DNF: 33 Jon Gridley
          2M Matt Moore

Gustin, Abelson, Murty and May repeat wins from last week

It was a lively night of racing again last evening at the Marshalltown Speedway.  By my count, 111 cars came to play on the High Banks.  The track was host once again to the IMCA Late Models, and with several area tracks already done for the season, extra cars were on hand to entertain the nice crowd.  Four drivers repeated their wins from last week and a SportMod driver finally got his first win at the Marshalltown track.

The first driver repeating his win from last week came out of the Mod Lite division.  Josh May hustled his ride to the front from his eighth place starting position and into the lead by lap three.  That's where he kept his #99 the rest of the way to the win.  Travis Stensland chased May most of the 15 laps to finish as the runner up.  Third went to Joe Glick, Bryan Zehm came from tenth starting spot to finish fourth and Chargin' Charlie Brown completed the top five.  May not only repeated his win from last week, but marked his fourth consecutive win, and his ninth of the year.

The IMCA Northern SportMods ran their 18-lap event next and it was the bright blue chrome #82 of Jake McBirnie sitting in victory lane at the end of the race.  McBirnie led all laps on his way to securing his first win at the Marshalltown track.  The race was marred by yellow flags, but McBirnie had no trouble in keeping his ride at the front.  Jared VanDeest finished as the runner up after starting seventh, third went to eighth place starter Clint Luellen, Travis Peterson was fourth and ninth place starter Jenae Gustin rounded out the top five.  

The IMCA Hobby Stocks ran their 15-lap feature caution free.  Bill Bonnett led the opening laps.  He was piloting the pink ride of Gina Greubel's #224 last night....with a 19X slapped on the side. By lap five, Austin Luellen had taken command and this would be where he would stay to the checkers.  He stretched his lead to finish well ahead of second place finisher and point leader Eric Stanton.  Third went to Benji Irvine who started eleventh, early leader Bonnett finished fourth and Garrett Eilander was fifth.  Luellen won for the eighth time of the regular season, and also won the Frostbuster.

The IMCA Stock Cars never fail to provide excitement in their 18-lap features.  From the drop of the green, it was packs of cars running so tightly, jockeying for position, and a lot of  "racing is rubbin" going on.  Three and four wide racing was leaving you wondering if and when, disaster would strike. Casey Greubel led the first two laps, Todd Reitzler crossed the line as the leader at lap three, and lap four saw veteran Jeff Wollam at the helm.  When the only yellow of the race flew at lap five, Wollam was still in command,  but as the race restarted, it was a free for all going on behind him!  Reitzler, Damon Murty and Donovan Smith were duking it out!  Murty took over as captain of the ship at lap nine and from there on, kept it to the checkers and the win.  Donavon Smith, who started alongside Murty in row five, methodically worked his way on the low side of the track, to finish in second place.  Third went to a hard charging Michael Jaennette, Tyler Pickett was fourth and Jeff Wollam was fifth.  Murty won for the second time in as many weeks, marking his 23rd win of the year over all and quickly closing in on his 200th career win...sitting at 195 right now.  Donavon Smith continues to hold a comfortable point lead.

National IMCA Modified point leader, Chris Abelson from Sioux City, returned to Marshalltown last night, seeking another win.  He did just that, repeating from last week.  Early leader Tom Berry  from Medford, Oregon, led the early laps, but it was the #1X of Abelson taking over with a handful of laps down.  Abelson, who had started tenth, put his ride to the topside and cruised to another victory.  Jake Strayer started sixth and came home as the runner up, third went to "Uncle Ronnie" Lauritzen who started ninth, Josh Gilman came from eighth place to finish fourth and Scott Simatovich rounded out the top five.  Abelson, deemed the "Sioux City Excitement", showed once again, why he is leading IMCA points.  

The evening ended with the running of the 20-lap IMCA Late Model feature.  Thirteen drivers were on hand to compete.  After a "no go" on the initial start and a yellow with just one lap in, Richie Gustin made quick work of passing leader Jason Hahne.  When another yellow flew at lap seven, Gustin was firmly in first place, but he now had Todd Cooney tailing him.  Cooney lost a bit of ground when he let his right rear drop off of the turn four banking, but gathered it back in and kept his second place position.  Running third, was home town favorite, Darrel DeFrance.  Gustin was not to be denied on this night, and would continue his lead to the checkers and the win...repeating last week's win.  Cooney finished as the runner up, DeFrance, who briefly held second, fell back in the final laps to finish third.  Fourth went to Jason Hahne and Raymond, Iowa's Chris Snyder was fifth.  

We've noticed several Modified drivers from out of state already in the area who plan to run Super Nationals. Last night, the 74S of Chris Siewerke from Santa Rosa, California was once again racing, and this week the 11X, of Tom Berry from Medord, Oregon came to test the waters at Marshalltown. Another driver who makes the yearly trek to come race Super Nationals was just observing last night. David Pries along with wife Kim, have been coming for several years, making their way from Medaryville, Indiana, doing it "old school", towing his #D27 on an open trailer.  Look for all of the above if you are at Super Nationals this year.  

There was a hint of Fall in the air last night and with a stiff breeze from the south, those that did not come prepared with a sweatshirt or jacket, may not have been comfortable!  The racing was great though, and hopefully all of the fans were able to stay to the end to see some great racing.  

Racing continues next Friday night at the Marshalltown Speedway.....AND....the Late Models will be returning again!  Mark your calendars and make the trip to the track.  Hot laps are 6:50 and racing at 7:30.  See you there!  Thanks for reading.     

Packed pits provides full night of racing at Boone

Anyone that came to the Boone Speedway last night, got more than their money's worth of racing.  The pits were packed with 156 race cars and the bonus of three make up features provided for a full night of some excellent racing.  The Stock Car class saw a driver go home with two wins for the night, while three other drivers grabbed their first wins at the Speedway this season.

Things kicked off with the three make up features from last week.  Mother Nature had intervened during the running of the Hobby Stock feature, six laps into their A main, and the Stock Car and Modified features were yet to be run as well.

Eric Stanton was the leader at the six lap mark in the Hobby Stock make up feature.  He had no trouble in maintaining that lead the remaining six laps to the checkers.  He was the first feature winner of the night, taking the comfortable win over Korbin Nourse in the runner up spot.  Third was Kevin Derry, John Watson was fourth and Brandon Pitts was fifth.  Stanton marked his third trip to the winner's circle this year.

Veteran racer Robert Avery snared his second win of the year, winning the make up feature for the IMCA Modifieds.  Avery led all twenty laps in his win.  He beat another veteran racer, Denny Pittman, "all the way from Jamaica (Iowa)", who was second.  Third went to Eric Elliott, fourth to Russ Dickerson and Joel Bushore was fifth.

The final make up feature was the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car A main.  Front row starters, Lonnie Hodges and Ben Wadling duked it out during the early portion of the race.  Terry Pruitt quickly got to the third spot and was soon challenging for the lead.  He moved to the runner up spot shortly, and kept dogging leader Hodges, peeking to the inside.  His persistence paid off with three laps to go, taking command of the race---keeping it to the finish line and the win.  Rookie IMCA National point leader in the Stock Car division, Tyler Pickett worked his way from eighth starting spot, to take the runner up position.  Hodges held on to score third place, fourth went to tenth place starter, Trent Murphy, and track point leader Jay Schmidt finished fifth after starting eleventh on the grid.  This was Pruitt's second win of the season at Boone.....but, he wasn't done yet!

The track was "farmed" after the make up features, prepping for the upcoming seventeen heats and seven B mains coming for the night's regular racing program.

The Mod Lites ran the first regular night's feature.  They kicked things off by running their 15-lap feature, caution free.  Randy Bryan put his #64 into Victory Lane for the very first time this season, leading all but the opening laps, pulling away from the competition, and taking the comfortable win. Following a good distance behind him in second, was point leader Josh May.  Third went to early leader Cory Dennis, who had rolled his car last week on the front stretch, fourth was Joe Glick and Kevin Grisham was fifth.

Brandon Williams won the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature.  He had to tussle with Cory Rose to get the job done however.  Williams grabbed the lead at lap fourteen after the two ran side by side for numerous laps.  Rose held on to finish second, Jonathan Logue started tenth and ran down the leaders, but had to be content with third place.  Fourth went to Rookie Cory Pestotnik and Doug Smith came from starting eleventh, to finish fifth.  This was Williams' second win this year.

In the 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock main event, it was John Watson taking the win.  He had to pass Brandon Pitts to take over the lead at lap ten, and would hold it the remaining two laps to the finish. Seth Janssen finished as the runner up, Aaron Rudolph finished third after starting tenth, fourth went to point leader Eric Stanton, and Matt McDonald rounded out the top five.  Earlier leader Pitts got shuffled back when being pushed high in turn two after the restart for a caution at lap nine, and finished sixth.  Surprisingly, this was John Watson's first win at the track this year.

Dustin Smith, the Lake City driver, one of the racing brothers from that area, made his first trip to Boone last week, returned and went home with a win under his belt in the IMCA 20-lap Modified A main.  He battled with his front row starting partner, Nick Roberts until he was able to take command at lap thirteen.  From there on, he kept hold of the coveted #1 spot, all the way to secure his first win at the track.  Make up feature winner, Robert Avery had a good night, finishing second.  Third was Roberts, Jon Snyder took fourth and Russ Dickerson came from starting tenth, to finish in fifth.

The final feature, the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car feature, was nearly a repeat performance from the make up feature.  It was Lonnie Hodges and Ben Wadling duking it out in the first portion of the race, Wadling establishing the lead at lap ten.  He had company close at hand however, as Terry Pruitt was now on his tail after passing Hodges.  Pruitt looked under Wadling for a way around, finally making it pay off with two laps remaining.  He held tight to the lead the rest of the way to the checkers, sealing his second win of the night....his third of the season.  Wadling finished as the runner up, eleventh place starter, "Hot" Rod Richards made a late race surge to finish third, fourth went to sixteenth place starter, Trent Murphy, and point leader Jay Schmidt raced his machine all the way from starting twenty-second, to take a top five.  He continues his point lead.

There were a lot of traveling drivers checked into the pits last evening.  Some that had already had their season end at their home tracks and some that had started their "Racing Vacation" early, coming from as far away as California and Oregon and planning to stay for the upcoming 33rd Annual IMCA Super Nationals.  I counted at least two dozen drivers making their first appearance at the track last night.

Next Saturday is another regular night at the Boone Speedway.  Hot laps are 6:45 and racing at 7:30.