The Marshalltown Speedway saw some exciting, close finishes in several classes last night. Three were determined as they crossed the finish line. Two new drivers went to Victory Lane and another just keeps chalking up the wins at the speedway.
In the Mod Lite class, it was Chargin' Charlie Brown leading the field in the early laps. Bryan Zehm quickly got to the runner up spot after starting in the fifth row, and was applying pressure to the leader. Brown let his ride slip up the track in turn four just after lap eight was scored, allowing Zehm to grab the lead, and sending Brown back many positions before he gathered it back in. Mike Morrill had gotten to second place and was hounding the leader. It took but one lap for Morrill to get the job done, flying around the outside of Zehm and taking over the helm. Morrill kept hold of that lead, taking his ride home to the flying checkers. Randy Bryan got by Zehm in the final laps, as they were scored second and third in that order. Fourth went to Cory Sauerman and Josh May was fifth. This was Morrill's first win of the season at Marshalltown, but the young fans had not forgotten about his tradition of giving away his trophy. The youngsters lined up at the fence immediately after the finish of the race, hoping they'd be the lucky one.
The first heat of the night was the Mod Lites and it was an unfortunate one for James May. May took a wild ride in turn three and had to be transported. He was talking and alert. No word as of yet on how he is, but we hope he is doing well.
The IMCA Northern SportMods came to the track following the Mod Lite feature. This one was marred by yellow flags. Ryan King held down the lead in the early going, Then Brandon Williams took the lead away, but only briefly. Jared VanDeest had begun his charge to the front by taking to his preferred line at the top of the track, and made it pay off by lap eight when he took command. Two more yellows would fly before the race ended, and by then, everyone's eyes were on the 19J of Jenae Gustin. She had started tenth and was picking off cars left and right. With three laps remaining, Gustin made it to the runner up spot, but ran out of time for more. VanDeest took the win, Gustin having to be satisfied with second. Third was Brandon Williams, Travis Peterson was fourth and Clint Luellen rounded out the top five. This was VanDeest's third win at Marshalltown this season.
The Hobby Stock feature kept the yellow flags flying. By the time the third lap was scored, they had used up their double file restarts, and when yet another yellow flew on lap three, they were realigned in single file. By then, who but Austin Luellen should be captain of the ship. Luellen had started eighth and had quickly moved to the front, avoiding the mayhem that had ensued on the track. He had company behind him for the restart, as Eric Stanton had moved from ninth starting spot, to be sitting in second place. Stanton peeked for a way around Luellen the rest of the race, and as the two came out of corner four for the run to the checkers, Stanton fell just short of making his charge pay off. This time it was Luellen making the dive low as they approached the finish line, just beating Stanton to the finish line for the win. Tyson Overton, Tim Barber and Garrett Eilander finished third through fifth. Luellen has become a fixture in Victory Lane this year, taking his seventh feature win at the speedway this season.
The IMCA Stock Cars, the Class too Tough to Tame, again lived up to their name. Week in and week out, they put on a great show at most any track we attend. This one also ended with a near photo finish at the checkers. Traveler David Brandies, from Wilton, Iowa in eastern Iowa and two plus hours away, went home the victor in the 18-lap feature. Brandies, who made his second appearance at the track this season, took command by lap two and appeared to have it all wrapped up. Then enter a yellow flag at lap 16, setting up a green-white-checkered finish and what announcer Jerry Vansickel called "shoot out time". By then, Donavon Smith had fought his way into second place after battling with Steve Meyer and Michael Jaennette. The final charge to the finish was an exciting one! Smith gave it his all as they approached the checkers, but Brandies nosed out the win, Smith having to settle for the runner up spot. Third went to Steve Meyer, Jay Schmidt finished fourth from his twelfth starting spot, and Michael Jaennette was fifth. Brandies stepped into Victory Lane at Marshalltown for the second time this year, having won on his first appearance back on May 29th.
The 20 lap IMCA Modified feature kept on with the close finishes! Richie Gustin, the Gilman, Iowa hot shoe, got to the lead by lap six, taking over from early leader, Joel Bushore. Gustin went to the topside, which he seems to prefer, and was riding along happily. However, he was soon to have rookie to the class, Brian Irvine to contend with! Irvine, who had started in row five, made his way to the second spot, and began looking for any way around the leader. The final laps were a constant challenge between the two top runners, but it was Gustin just holding off Irvine as they crossed the finish line. Gustin took his second checkers at Marshalltown this year. Irvine took the close second place, followed by Josh Gilman in third, Adam Larson in fourth and early leader Joel Bushore was fifth.
Several new cars made the scene at the track last night. Brent Vanous from Quasqueton, Iowa ran in the Hobby Stock class, started dead last in the feature and made it to sixth place. In the Northern SportMod class, the #77 of Frank Packer made it an international show. He is from Sydney, Australia, and though he just could not get his car to run last night, it was nice to see him in attendance. In the Modified division, a driver got back into a race car for the first time in several season, as Jason Toppenberg strapped back into the driver's seat. Also in the Modifieds, driver from Bakersfield, California, Ethan Dawson has joined the Iowa racing and plans to be around for the summer session. Patrick Flanigan, and Colt Mather also made their first trip to the Marshalltown Speedway. Switching classes from the SportMod class up to the Modified ranks, was the CH19 of Colby Heishman with a new look in his new ride.
Racing continues next Friday night, with hot laps at 6:50 and racing at 7:30.
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