The races at Marshalltown Speedway got one up on Mother Nature on Friday night. We watched the billowing clouds roll to the north and during the final features, the lightning was flashing. The program was hurried along, the features following right on the heels of the heats, and the victory lane interviews and pictures were eliminated. One driver continues his domination at the track, and his brother matched a win in another class. A first time winner saw victory lane in the stock car class while two other drivers, got wins number two for the year.
The Mod Lites ran their 15-lap main event first. Jimmy May wasted little time in taking the lead at lap four after starting in row four. From then on, he began distancing himself from the rest of the field, and took the win in comfortable fashion. Mike Morrill took the runner up spot, third went to Cory Sauerman, fourth was early leader Justin Whitehead, and Randy Bryan finished fifth. This was Jimmy May's second win of the season.
The Hobby Stocks did not get a lap in of their 15-lapper as several cars piled up in turn two just after the race went green. When the track was cleared and the race did get underway, it was Gary Pfantz leading the pack the first few laps, but by lap four, the familiar blue #3A of Austin Luellen had taken command. Luellen had no trouble in weathering two more yellows on his way to the checkers, taking the win by a comfortable margin. Finishing second was Eric Stanton who was involved in the opening lap mess....retired to the pits and tagged the field with his car looking like it had been opened on the right rear with a can opener. Third place was Travis Overton, fourth was early leader Gary Pfantz, and Dustin Lynch was fifth. This was Luellen's fifth win of the regular season, and only he and Eric Stanton claim wins in the Hobby Stock class at Marshalltown this year.
Things never seem to work out when you are trying to hurry things along. It took the IMCA Northern SportMods three tries to get past lap one. The early race found Scott Williams holding back Sam Wieben, but by lap four, Wieben had taken command, and by lap five, it was a three-car race between Wieben, Clint Luellen and Colby Heishman. Luellen swung to the outside and made the pass for the lead by lap ten and was happy to let Wieben and Heishman hash it out for the runner up spot. Luellen kept command of the ship the rest of the way to the checkers, scoring his second win of the season, and matching his brother Austin's earlier win in the Hobby Stock division. It was a real fight to the finish for second and third, but in the end it was Wieben holding back Heishman. Fourth was Brandon Williams and Jared VanDeest completed the top five.
The 18-lap IMCA Stock Car feature only got one lap in the books until they had a yellow fly...but it would be the only caution of their race. David Brandies from Wilton, Iowa, who had returned to the track after his first appearance two weeks ago, started on the pole and led the entire race and taking the win. He had some cars furiously contending behind him for much of the race though. Donavon Smith and Trent Murphy were neck and neck for the last handful of laps, each trying to establish the runner up position, and throwing his hat in the ring as well was Michael Jaennette. The final run to the finish line saw Trent Murphy just squeaking out second place over Smith in third. Jaennette finished a close fourth and Robert Stofer made his first trip to Marshalltown of the regular season, and took fifth place.
The IMCA Modifieds kept the "one lap in, and a yellow" going for the night too. Kyle Brown ended up in spin mode in corner one just after lap one was scored, and had to tag the field for the restart. Kyle Krampe started on the pole and led early, but Jake Strayer had other ideas. He quickly moved to the point position, would have to endure a couple more yellow flag restarts, but never got rattled. He kept hold of the top spot the entire way to the win. Jimmy Gustin battled by Adam Larson in the final laps, made a run at Strayer, but had to settle for second. Larson finished third, fourth went to Ronn Lauritzen and Josh "Happy" Gilman came from row five to finish in fifth. This was Strayer's second win at Marshalltown this year.
The Quads also had a turn on the track tonight, running heat races and a feature, but we headed out before the feature was completed. We have an early call for a special occasion tomorrow morning....our grandson's preschool graduation.
Don't forget that the next race at the Marshalltown Speedway will be this coming Tuesday, June 2, when the Boy's of Summer will be coming to town. The IMCA Deery Brothers Late Models will be making their annual appearance. Also on the docket are the IMCA Northern SportMods and Legend cars. Grandstands open at 5, hot laps are 7 with racing to follow.
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