Marshalltown Speedway was back in full swing Friday night after last week's wash out. The fans enjoyed some great racing action with new winners for the season in the Modifieds and Stock Car classes, while the SportMods, Hobbies and Mod Lites saw drivers return to victory lane.
Joel Huggins looked to be on his way to the winner's circle as he held down the point spot in the early going of the 15-lap Mod Lite feature. But, a caution waved at lap eight, bunching the cars and with some strong cars now on his bumper. It took but two laps before Josh May snatched the lead at the flagstand and from there on, pulled away from his competition. May took the win comfortably, his second of the season at Marshalltown. Joel Huggins held down the runner up spot, James May, the opening night winner, was third, fourth went to Chargin' Charlie Brown and Travis Stensland was scored in fifth.
The Hobby Stocks were up next for their 15-lapper. Tim Barber was scored the leader at lap one, but by lap two, the sixth place starter, Austin Luellen had put his ride into the top spot. A couple of yellows would fly but would be no hindrance to the Minburn, Iowa hot shoe, as he scored another victory to add to his numerous wins at various tracks. This was his third at Marshalltown as he won the Frostbuster special back on April 3, as well as the opening season race on April 10. Eric Stanton took the bridesmaid spot, racing through the pack from starting tenth. Third place was seventh place starter Andy Hicks, fourth went to eleventh place starter Nathan Ballard, and Dustin Graham came from twelfth, to take fifth.
The IMCA Northern SportMods had a healthy field of cars and required a B Main to whittle the starting lineup to 24 cars. That consolation race went to rookie Dusty Masolini. The feature began with a two-car battle between Brandon Williams and Ryan King. King took over the top spot at lap five, and from there on was sailing out front and looking to be stepping into victory lane for the first time ever at Marshalltown. But wait! Enter that dreaded yellow flag with just two laps remaining when rookie Jeramy McNace put his car in spin cycle. By this time, there were heavy hitters waiting in the wings right behind leader King. Williams was still holding down second but close at hand were Jenae Gustin and Clint Luellen. As the race resumed, Gustin took to the outside lane, and with that successful move, was leading at lap seventeen. King held on to the runner up spot, but was no doubt disappointed. The restart saw a lot of mixing up in the pack and Jared VanDeest took the opportunity and sneaked past cars to finish in third place. Fourth went to Sam Wieben who had started seventh on the restart and from eleventh on the starting grid, and Brandon Williams rounded out the top five. Gustin started twelfth and scored her second win at Marshalltown this year.
The Stock Cars ran all 18-laps of their feature event, caution free. As the first lap was about to be scored, a glance at turn four saw a mass of cars---- three and four-wide, maybe more, headed toward the flagstand. Jay Schmidt put his #19J across the line first at lap one. By lap three, who should be tailing Schmidt but the familiar #35 of Donovan Smith. Smith, who had started eighth was coming with a full head of steam! Schmidt held off Smith until lap six, but after that it was all the #35 out in front and gone. Second place finisher, Michael Jaennette made a good charge to the front after starting ninth, third went to another hard charger, Steve Meyer who came from tenth spot, fourth was early leader Jay Schmidt and veteran racer Jeff Wollam had a nice run to finish in fifth. Smith scored a win for the first time this year at the speedway.
The evening ended with the Modified feature. Jimmy Gustin wasted no time in taking the lead, immediately holding it down and keeping it all 20-laps to the finish line and the win. He had Adam Larson to contend with from lap nine on, but even with Larson trying everything he had, nothing worked and Larson had to be content with second place. Third went to Brian Irvine, the former successful IMCA Stock Car racer who jumped up to the Modified class this year and who came all the way from tenth starting spot to earn his good finish, fourth was Jon Snyder and Joel Rust, another rookie to the class this year, was fifth. As a note, Ronn Lauritzen finished sixth after getting a track tire caught under his ride during a caution at lap eight, and having to be lifted off the "debris". He was however, not the issue that brought out the caution and was able to rejoin the field on the restart in his running order....a lucky break for him.
Things will pick right back up next Friday night at the High Banks of Marshalltown. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:50 and racing at 7:30 p.m.
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