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.
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