It was an absolutely beautiful night to be sitting at the races at the Southern Iowa Speedway last night. After suffering a rain out the previous week, it was a welcome contrast! An eighth different driver won in the Modified division, and if you add in the Frostbuster special, that make nine different faces gracing Victory Lane at Osky. All other classes saw returning winners, one winning for the fifth time this season, but his night still did not end on a good note. Extra racing action was also on tap as the Stock Cars ran a King of the Hill contest, and the SportMods ran an Australian Pursuit.
The Sport Compact division had eight cars on hand. On this night, Bill Whalen got back to his winning ways, capturing the feature win in dominating fashion. Whalen, still piloting his son's #07 car, finished comfortably ahead of his brother John Whalen who was second. Third went to Jon Girdley, fourth was William Michel and Trent Orwig did not finish, but was scored in fifth. Also not finishing were Curt Myers and new drivers Ryan Havel and Jordan Leeper. This was Whalen's second win at Osky this year.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran their usual 16-lap feature. It was looking as if Cory VanZante was on his way to finally getting that very first win under his belt. VanZante took the lead just after lap four had been scored and was running his line perfectly as the laps began to wind down. Meanwhile, ninth place starter and point leader Curtis VanDerWal, was on the hunt and reeling in VanZante. The gap was really closed when in the waning laps, enter a lap car. This allowed VanDerWal to take advantage of the situation, and after taking the white flag, he was able to slip by VanZante on the back stretch and then continue his lead to the checkers and the win. VanZante finished what had to be a disappointing second. Third went to eighth place starter Brayton Carter, fourth was Logan Anderson and Brett Lowry was fifth. The race went caution free. This was VanDerWal's fifth win of the season. Shortly after the feature had been completed, it was announced that VanDerWal had been claimed by Brett Lowry, and he agreed to sell his motor. This is the first motor claim we can recall seeing in many years.
The always entertaining IMCA Stock Cars began their race with the usual clump of cars going multi-wide and deep, all vying for a top spot. By lap two, Cayden Carter had claimed the top spot after starting seventh on the grid, and then began to distance himself from the cluster of cars still battling behind him. The third and final caution of the 18-lap race came at lap twelve and by then, Nathan Wood had gotten to Carter's bumper and was eager for the restart. However, waiting in the wings and lurking behind him were Mike Hughes, Damon Murty and Brad Pinkerton. Things were about to get interesting! The final laps saw cars swapping back and forth behind leader Carter, and he was content to let it happen as he sailed home comfortably to the win. Brad Pinkerton finished as the runner up after starting tenth, Murty went from ninth to finish third, Nathan Wood got shuffled back in the final laps to finish fourth after he had started eighth, and Mike Hughes completed the top five. This was Carter's second win at the track this year in the Stock Car division.
The IMCA Hobby Stock main event was won by Dustin Griffths. Griffths, who is leading points, started twelfth, ran down then leader Bill Bonnett at lap ten, taking the lead and holding it to the finish and the win. Bill Bonnett's attempts at regaining the lead were not successful, and he had to settle for the runner up spot. Third went to Craig Brown, Nick Ulin started eleventh and finished fourth and Jamie Songer rounded out the top five. Griffiths claimed his third win this year and stretched his point lead.
Brandon Banks won the 18-lap IMCA Modified feature and did it in convincing fashion! Banks, who led all laps, won by a straight away. Colt Mather made his first appearance at the track this season, and went home with a second place finish. Third was Carter VanDenBerg who was looking to repeat his win from the last weekly race, fourth was Cayden Carter and Tyler Groenendyke was fifth. Banks won for the first time at the Monster half-mile this season. The race went flag to flag.
Earlier, a King of the Hill for the Stock Cars was held as well as an Australian Pursuit for the SportMods. Eleven cars participated in the Stock Car contest and it ended with the crowd enthused when the final winner was determined among THREE cars in the final go around. Those drivers were Nathan Wood, Damon Murty and Shane Weller. Nathan Wood came away with the win and $150 richer. The SportMod Australian Pursuit was quickly over when Curtis VanDerWal moved past car after car, and took the win.
Racing continues next Wednesday night, June 24 at the Southern Iowa Speedway when all regular classes will be in competition along with the IMCA Late Models. It's also a special night as fans and drivers can vote for the Hall of Fame nominees. Three new drivers will be inducted this year during the Southern Iowa Fair race.
We plan to head to the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson tonight. Top billing is the Hawkeye Dirt Tour for IMCA Modifieds. They will be racing for $1,000 and getting their name on the ballot for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational race at the IMCA Super Nationals. Hot laps are 6:45 and racing at 7:15.
No comments:
Post a Comment