Saturday evening was a beautiful night to be sitting at what is more than likely, our last race of the 2016 season. It was Night #2 of the 30th Annual MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, The winners in the Modified, Stock Car, SportMod and Hobby Stocks went home again with the $1,000 prize money, the Sport Compact winner took home $250 and they all received the impressive trophies for their accomplishments.
The Sport Compacts ran their 10-lap feature first and found Darin Smith and Adam Gates sitting on the front row for the start. Smith grabbed the immediate lead, but by lap three, Gates had taken over. He soon had the #89 of Ron Kibbe to contend with and the two would then do battle for the lead the rest of the way to the checkers. Gates was successful in holding on for the win, Kibbe crossing in second place. Third went to Darin Smith, Levi Heath was fourth,and fifth went to Austen Becerra who was driving the 04 car of Trent Orwig, who had gone to Victory Lane the previous night. Orwig, had won when he was moved up from crossing in second due to a questionable driving situation dealt to Brad Havel. Ironically, the outcome of this race was also changed in a turn of events when it was announced that the original winner Adam Gates was found to be illegal with ported heads, and disqualified. This handed the win over to Ron Kibbe. It was great to see Kibbe then brought to Victory Lane to be awarded his rightful win and trophy.
The Stock Cars were up next and once again, it was Cayden Carter in the "Orange Crush" car owned by Roger Kelderman, putting a hurting on the field. Carter, who had won the Stock Car feature the previous night, started ninth on the field and had to catch leader John Oliver, Jr. Carter patiently and methodically picked off car after car, and was able to successfully make the pass into first place with four laps remaining. He then distanced himself from the field and took another comfortable win. Second place went to Derrick Agee, who I believe was driving brother Cody's #25 car, third went to seventh place starter, veteran racer Johnny Spaw, John Oliver, Jr. finished fourth and eleventh place starter Mike Hughes made it to fifth.
It was a rerun of the previous night in the SportMod feature when Curtis Van Der Wal won the marathon 16-lap event. It did not start off well, as it took three tries before lap one got in the books. Carter VanDenBerg held down the top spot when things finally got going and then the red flag was thrown at lap seven when Tony Johnson had an incident at the turn three exit area. I didn't see the incident, but when the car was finally pulled into the pits on a flatbed, it had to be a scary situation as the car was a mangled mess. Thankfully, driver Johnson was okay. When things picked back up, it didn't take but one lap before tenth starter Curtis Van Der Wal went to the lead. Two more cautions were no hindrance to his march to a repeat of his previous night's win. Logan Anderson finished second, Jason McDaniel raced his way from thirteenth starting spot, to finish third, Carter VanDenBerg finished fourth and Eric Flander came from ninth place, to finish fifth in his "rent a ride" car. Van Der Wal took home another $1,000 and another huge trophy for his feat.
It was another deja vu in the 20-lap Modified feature as Cayden Carter swept to his fourth win of the weekend. Carter pulled the #9 starting spot for the main event and was up on his elbows immediately. Andrew Schroeder led the early portion of the race but by lap three, he had a three-car battle behind him with Steve Stewart, Jimmy Gustin and now Carter jousting for position. Schroeder saw his comfortable lead vanish when at lap seven, Carter took command and sped off. Lap traffic looked to make it interesting about lap fourteen, drawing Schroeder closer. Carter, however, sliced through the lap cars expertly, maintaining his lead. At lap sixteen, a caution flew when Jimmy Gustin had motor issues and pulled off into the backstretch area, his night ending. On the restart, Carter had no trouble in keeping his lead, and would take the comfortable win. The 43 car of Derrick Stewart made good headway in the closing laps, and finished as the runner up. Third was veteran racer Bruce Hanford, and early leader Andrew Schroeder held off Colt Mather as they finished fourth and fifth respectively.
It was nearly another rerun in the 15-lap Hobby Stock feature as Dustin Griffiths looked destined to repeat from Friday night. However, it was Mike Hughes who spoiled that scenario. Griffths led from the start of the race, jumping to the lead from his outside pole starting spot. He had a comfortable lead until lap ten's caution threw a kink into his plans. Danny Thrasher was holding second place and right behind in third was Mike Hughes. Hughes, who had started tenth, was eager for the restart, and flew to the lead by lap eleven. Hughes then kept the lead to the checkers, winning by a comfortable margin. Griffiths had to settle for second, third was Thrasher, fourth went to Decorah, Iowa's Chris Hovden who often races in the USRA league, and Richard Yaw, driving the 21zc usually piloted by Cody Cleghorn, completed the top five.
Last evening, three new members were inducted into the Southern Iowa Speedway Hall of Fame. The former drivers all had successful careers, turning many laps at the historic half-mile. Larry "Pokie" West was best known from the past when he piloted his yellow #92 during his years of racing. Dean Hughes, father of current racer Mike Hughes, was remembered as he piloted a yellow #11 in both the Stock Car and Modifieds classes....a Mopar beating under the hood. The third inductee was Terry Schroeder, who joins brother Randy Schroeder from the first class of Hall of Famers. Schroeder piloted the #02 around the Monster Half-Mile during his successful racing career. Congratulations to all three drivers who now take their rightful place in the Hall of Fame.
There is still racing to be had around the area. Be sure and check the racing calendar at Positively Racing for a race you may like to attend. The Lee County Speedway in Donnellson will be holding their Fall Extravaganza on October 14 and 15. The following week on October 21 and 22, the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Missouri will be in action for their Fall Nationals. Then the annual Shiverfest will look to end the racing in our area at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson on Saturday October 29. As it stand right now, it appears we will not be able to make any of these great shows, and our 2016 racing season may be at a close. Hopefully, many of you will be able to attend.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Carter dominates Night 1 of the Fall Challenge
There was a definite chill in the air Friday night, for Night 1 of the 30th Annual Musco Lighting Fall Challenge at the big ole half-mile at the Southern Iowa Speedway. 123 cars came to play as the racing season in our area winds down.
Cayden Carter was a dominating presence in both the Modified and Stock Car classes, and Curtis Van Der Wal and Dustin Griffiths were the same in the SportMod and Hobby Stock classes. In a twist for an outcome in the finale of the evening, Trent Orwig went to Victory Lane in the Sport Compact class.
Todd Reitzler led the field of 26 Stock Cars for the first handful of laps of the feature, but Nathan Wood, who had been on his tail throughout, took command at lap six. As the race wore on, it became a three-car battle at the front...Wood still in command, but Cayden Carter and Mike Hughes were right there, waiting for a chance to pounce and take the lead. When a yellow flew with five laps remaining, it put the two tight on his tail for the restart. That was all it took for the "Orange Crush" machine of Cayden Carter. Carter made a nifty move out of corner four as they came to the flagstand at lap sixteen, diving low...not where he usually runs...got under Wood, and was scored the leader. Carter had no trouble in the final laps maintaining his lead, and scored another victory at the Speedway...his ninth in 2016 at the track. Wood finished in second place, Hughes was third, fourth went to John Oliver, Jr., and Todd Reitzler rounded out the top five. Carter took home the $1,000 prize and a huge (over six foot tall trophy) for his win.
Thirty-two SportMods called for two B-Mains to complete the 24-car starting field of their main event. Brett Lowry led the opening laps, but it didn't take long until tenth place starter Curtis Van Der Wal was showing his strength as he flew to the lead by lap three. Van Der Wal had no trouble in keeping that top spot, the remaining distance to the checkers and the win. Second place went to seventh place starter, Tim Plummer who was able to get around third place finisher Carter VandenBerg in the final lap. Fourth was Logan Anderson and "Speedy Bray", Brayton Carter, was fifth. In tonight's show, Van Der Wal, will be trying to match his two wins from last year's Fall Challenge. Van Der Wall also went away with the huge trophy plus $1,000.
Dustin Griffiths continued his winning ways in the Hobby Stock class, leading all sixteen laps of the caution free feature. He finished well ahead of the Bill Bonnett's #19 car---piloted last evening by Damon Murty. Mike Hughes started eleventh, and finished third, fourth was Danny Thrasher, and Scott Shull completed the top five. Griffiths, who is the 2016 track champion, will also be trying to match his two victories in last year's Fall Challenge when he takes to the track for Night #2 of the Fall Challenge. Hughes also received the impressive trophy and $1,000.
Thirty Modifieds came to try their hand at taming the Monster Half-Mile at Osky last night, and with her first try in the Modified, it looked as if "Mighty Miss" Jenae Gustin was going to do just that. Gustin, who started outside the front row in the draw-redraw show, jumped to the immediate lead, took to the topside of the track, and was rocketing off. Gustin ran precariously close to the wall in the corners, but was mastering the run up top perfectly. Meanwhile, Cayden Carter had moved his powerhouse from tenth spot, and was trying to run down Gustin. Gustin still had a comfortable lead with three laps of the 20-lap event remaining, but Carter was not about to give in. As they say, the only laps that counts in a win, is that final lap. Jenae Gustin ran nineteen of those twenty laps to perfection, but on that final lap, a touch to the wall, broke her momentum just enough for Carter to seize the moment, and slip by as they came out of corner four, taking the checkers first.
No doubt, second place was a disappointment for Gustin, who had many of the fans in the stands, cheering her on, but she certainly showed the boys how it can be done with a great run. Her half-brother, Jimmy Gustin, finished third, just holding off Colt Mather in fourth, and Jason Murray was fifth. Carter dominated the evening's racing, with his earlier Stock Car victory, and the Modified feature win. Carter went away with another $1,000 and a second huge trophy.
The night ended with the 10-lap Sport Compact feature. Brad Havel led from the drop of the green, and was chased the entire distance by Trent Orwig. Orwig maneuvered to the outside of Havel on the final lap and as the two approached the finish line, Havel made the outside lane very narrow, pinching Orwig to the wall with no where to go, and was able to cross the finish line in first place. Orwig crossed in second, third was Darren Smith from Wapello, fourth went to late arrival Jake Benischek, and Jason Breuklander was fifth. Just as the race was completed, the red flag was thrown, when it was announced that the #41 of Nathan Moody rolled his ride. He was okay. A short time later, another announcement was made that Brad Havel was being docked one position for questionable driving, and that sent Trent Orwig to Victory Lane. Orwig was awarded the $250 prize money and got the big trophy for the win.
A few notes on the evening: Young Dallon Murty, son of Stock Car racer Damon Murty, was piloting Damon's car last evening. The youngster looks destined to follow in his father's footsteps, as he didn't appear to be any rookie in the class. The long haul racer of the evening, was the 7N of Eric Boler, from Brandon, South Dakota. His night did not fare well, as he smacked the turn one wall in his heat, and was done for the evening.
Our plan is for Night 2 of the Fall Challenge where another full show in all classes will take place and a special ceremony honoring the three new inductees into the Southern Iowa Speedway Hall of Fame will take place. We look forward to seeing the three former racers, Pokie West, Dean Hughes, and Terry Schroeder take their rightful place into that honored class. Hot laps are scheduled for one hour earlier this evening, starting at 6 p.m., with racing to follow.
Cayden Carter was a dominating presence in both the Modified and Stock Car classes, and Curtis Van Der Wal and Dustin Griffiths were the same in the SportMod and Hobby Stock classes. In a twist for an outcome in the finale of the evening, Trent Orwig went to Victory Lane in the Sport Compact class.
Todd Reitzler led the field of 26 Stock Cars for the first handful of laps of the feature, but Nathan Wood, who had been on his tail throughout, took command at lap six. As the race wore on, it became a three-car battle at the front...Wood still in command, but Cayden Carter and Mike Hughes were right there, waiting for a chance to pounce and take the lead. When a yellow flew with five laps remaining, it put the two tight on his tail for the restart. That was all it took for the "Orange Crush" machine of Cayden Carter. Carter made a nifty move out of corner four as they came to the flagstand at lap sixteen, diving low...not where he usually runs...got under Wood, and was scored the leader. Carter had no trouble in the final laps maintaining his lead, and scored another victory at the Speedway...his ninth in 2016 at the track. Wood finished in second place, Hughes was third, fourth went to John Oliver, Jr., and Todd Reitzler rounded out the top five. Carter took home the $1,000 prize and a huge (over six foot tall trophy) for his win.
Thirty-two SportMods called for two B-Mains to complete the 24-car starting field of their main event. Brett Lowry led the opening laps, but it didn't take long until tenth place starter Curtis Van Der Wal was showing his strength as he flew to the lead by lap three. Van Der Wal had no trouble in keeping that top spot, the remaining distance to the checkers and the win. Second place went to seventh place starter, Tim Plummer who was able to get around third place finisher Carter VandenBerg in the final lap. Fourth was Logan Anderson and "Speedy Bray", Brayton Carter, was fifth. In tonight's show, Van Der Wal, will be trying to match his two wins from last year's Fall Challenge. Van Der Wall also went away with the huge trophy plus $1,000.
Dustin Griffiths continued his winning ways in the Hobby Stock class, leading all sixteen laps of the caution free feature. He finished well ahead of the Bill Bonnett's #19 car---piloted last evening by Damon Murty. Mike Hughes started eleventh, and finished third, fourth was Danny Thrasher, and Scott Shull completed the top five. Griffiths, who is the 2016 track champion, will also be trying to match his two victories in last year's Fall Challenge when he takes to the track for Night #2 of the Fall Challenge. Hughes also received the impressive trophy and $1,000.
Thirty Modifieds came to try their hand at taming the Monster Half-Mile at Osky last night, and with her first try in the Modified, it looked as if "Mighty Miss" Jenae Gustin was going to do just that. Gustin, who started outside the front row in the draw-redraw show, jumped to the immediate lead, took to the topside of the track, and was rocketing off. Gustin ran precariously close to the wall in the corners, but was mastering the run up top perfectly. Meanwhile, Cayden Carter had moved his powerhouse from tenth spot, and was trying to run down Gustin. Gustin still had a comfortable lead with three laps of the 20-lap event remaining, but Carter was not about to give in. As they say, the only laps that counts in a win, is that final lap. Jenae Gustin ran nineteen of those twenty laps to perfection, but on that final lap, a touch to the wall, broke her momentum just enough for Carter to seize the moment, and slip by as they came out of corner four, taking the checkers first.
No doubt, second place was a disappointment for Gustin, who had many of the fans in the stands, cheering her on, but she certainly showed the boys how it can be done with a great run. Her half-brother, Jimmy Gustin, finished third, just holding off Colt Mather in fourth, and Jason Murray was fifth. Carter dominated the evening's racing, with his earlier Stock Car victory, and the Modified feature win. Carter went away with another $1,000 and a second huge trophy.
The night ended with the 10-lap Sport Compact feature. Brad Havel led from the drop of the green, and was chased the entire distance by Trent Orwig. Orwig maneuvered to the outside of Havel on the final lap and as the two approached the finish line, Havel made the outside lane very narrow, pinching Orwig to the wall with no where to go, and was able to cross the finish line in first place. Orwig crossed in second, third was Darren Smith from Wapello, fourth went to late arrival Jake Benischek, and Jason Breuklander was fifth. Just as the race was completed, the red flag was thrown, when it was announced that the #41 of Nathan Moody rolled his ride. He was okay. A short time later, another announcement was made that Brad Havel was being docked one position for questionable driving, and that sent Trent Orwig to Victory Lane. Orwig was awarded the $250 prize money and got the big trophy for the win.
A few notes on the evening: Young Dallon Murty, son of Stock Car racer Damon Murty, was piloting Damon's car last evening. The youngster looks destined to follow in his father's footsteps, as he didn't appear to be any rookie in the class. The long haul racer of the evening, was the 7N of Eric Boler, from Brandon, South Dakota. His night did not fare well, as he smacked the turn one wall in his heat, and was done for the evening.
Our plan is for Night 2 of the Fall Challenge where another full show in all classes will take place and a special ceremony honoring the three new inductees into the Southern Iowa Speedway Hall of Fame will take place. We look forward to seeing the three former racers, Pokie West, Dean Hughes, and Terry Schroeder take their rightful place into that honored class. Hot laps are scheduled for one hour earlier this evening, starting at 6 p.m., with racing to follow.
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Murray takes $10,000 World Nationals win
Another World Nationals is in the books at the Marshalltown Speedway. Night three was completed on Saturday night and it was Jake Murray, Hartford, Iowa, taking home the Modified win, $10,000 and an impressive Championship belt. He is also now a two-time winner of the prestigious race. Murray started 17th on the starting line up and took the lead just before the halfway mark of the 50-lap race. Mike Mullen, the driver out of Suamico, Wisconsin, started fourteenth and finished as the runner up. He had to make up a lot of ground after slipping off the track earlier, and restarting in the rear. Marcus Yarie, Wausau, Wisconsin, came from twenty-second place, and finished in third. Fourth went to pole sitter, Terry Phillips, Springfield, Missouri native, and Green Bay, Wisconsin racer, Benji Lacrosse, qualified through a last chance race, started in twenty-fourth spot, and finished fifth. Jake Murray, who builds the Murray race cars out of his two-stall garage, also won the World Nationals back in 2013. Though Murray won the race for a second time, it was the first time winning under his own #48J, as in 2013, he was racing the #64 car he had built for Casey Greubel.
Damon Murty claimed his second $1,000 win in as many nights in the Stock Car class. Murty led all but the first of the 25-lap feature to seal the victory. Mike Nichols, (who just may have clinched the IMCA National Stock Car title last night, going head to head with twentieth place finisher Travis VanStraten in the points battle), came from twelfth starting spot, to chase Murty for much of the race, but had to settle for second place. New London, Iowa's Jeff Mueller came from fourteenth, to finish third, fourth went to Oconto Falls, Wisconsin racer, Joe White who started twentieth, and Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Nebraska, completed the top five.
The 25-lap SportMod feature found Jared Boumeester from Waseca, Minnesota taking home the $1,000 prize. Boumeester, who ran strong both Friday and Saturday nights, found his way to the lead by lap ten and never looked back on his way to the checkers. Friday night's winner, Clint Luellen finished in the runner up spot, third went to Eric Flander, Pella, Iowa racer, who ran at the front all race long, fourth was eighth place starter Curtis Van Der Wal, Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Adam Armstrong started fourteenth, and charged through the field to finish fifth.
The 25-lap Hobby Stock feature had a strange turn of events at the finish line. Dustin Graham discovered it is good to be in the right place, at the right time after finding himself standing in victory lane. Graham was running third to Eric Stanton and Shannon Anderson as they came out of turn four looking at the checkers. The two lead cars became entangled as they neared the flag stand, and Graham saw his opportunity and scooted across the finish line in first place. Stanton was credited with second, third went to Justin Wacha, fourth to Calvin Dhondt, and Gary Pfantz was fifth. It appeared that Anderson was pushed across the finish line ahead of Stanton, but a check of the results shows that Anderson was scored with last place. Graham, who is from Boone, Iowa, had never won at Marshalltown. When asked who he would like to thank in Victory Lane, he said Eric Stanton and Shannon Anderson...in jest.
The nice crowd on hand was treated to some great racing at the Marshalltown high banks, all weekend. There was a stout field of cars in all four classes, and the competition was bar none. Wisconsin had a large contingency of racers make the trip down. Congratulations to all the winners over the three-day run of the 10th running of the World Nationals. I believe the name was changed from what was previously called Havoc on the High Banks when World Products stepped up to sponsor the event a few years back.
We'd also like to bring to light the Fire and Rescue units that were at the track all three days. They were from Columbus, Nebraska and did a fantastic job. You definitely could tell they knew what they were doing at a race track! They were stationed at each end of the track in their mobile units, in full protective gear, and at the ready at all times. We chatted with a few of them...men and women... before the racing began, and they were all dedicated to what they do. They traveled to the track with their rescue units in a large trailer.
It was a great time also visiting with racing friends and acquaintances during the three-day run. Enjoying the sport we all love with fellow fanatics, makes it more the fun! As the racing season winds down in our area, we hope to catch a few more events before calling it over. Check the racing calendar at www.positivelyracing.com and perhaps you will also find a race or two to attend before ending your racing year.
Damon Murty claimed his second $1,000 win in as many nights in the Stock Car class. Murty led all but the first of the 25-lap feature to seal the victory. Mike Nichols, (who just may have clinched the IMCA National Stock Car title last night, going head to head with twentieth place finisher Travis VanStraten in the points battle), came from twelfth starting spot, to chase Murty for much of the race, but had to settle for second place. New London, Iowa's Jeff Mueller came from fourteenth, to finish third, fourth went to Oconto Falls, Wisconsin racer, Joe White who started twentieth, and Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Nebraska, completed the top five.
The 25-lap SportMod feature found Jared Boumeester from Waseca, Minnesota taking home the $1,000 prize. Boumeester, who ran strong both Friday and Saturday nights, found his way to the lead by lap ten and never looked back on his way to the checkers. Friday night's winner, Clint Luellen finished in the runner up spot, third went to Eric Flander, Pella, Iowa racer, who ran at the front all race long, fourth was eighth place starter Curtis Van Der Wal, Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Adam Armstrong started fourteenth, and charged through the field to finish fifth.
The 25-lap Hobby Stock feature had a strange turn of events at the finish line. Dustin Graham discovered it is good to be in the right place, at the right time after finding himself standing in victory lane. Graham was running third to Eric Stanton and Shannon Anderson as they came out of turn four looking at the checkers. The two lead cars became entangled as they neared the flag stand, and Graham saw his opportunity and scooted across the finish line in first place. Stanton was credited with second, third went to Justin Wacha, fourth to Calvin Dhondt, and Gary Pfantz was fifth. It appeared that Anderson was pushed across the finish line ahead of Stanton, but a check of the results shows that Anderson was scored with last place. Graham, who is from Boone, Iowa, had never won at Marshalltown. When asked who he would like to thank in Victory Lane, he said Eric Stanton and Shannon Anderson...in jest.
The nice crowd on hand was treated to some great racing at the Marshalltown high banks, all weekend. There was a stout field of cars in all four classes, and the competition was bar none. Wisconsin had a large contingency of racers make the trip down. Congratulations to all the winners over the three-day run of the 10th running of the World Nationals. I believe the name was changed from what was previously called Havoc on the High Banks when World Products stepped up to sponsor the event a few years back.
We'd also like to bring to light the Fire and Rescue units that were at the track all three days. They were from Columbus, Nebraska and did a fantastic job. You definitely could tell they knew what they were doing at a race track! They were stationed at each end of the track in their mobile units, in full protective gear, and at the ready at all times. We chatted with a few of them...men and women... before the racing began, and they were all dedicated to what they do. They traveled to the track with their rescue units in a large trailer.
It was a great time also visiting with racing friends and acquaintances during the three-day run. Enjoying the sport we all love with fellow fanatics, makes it more the fun! As the racing season winds down in our area, we hope to catch a few more events before calling it over. Check the racing calendar at www.positivelyracing.com and perhaps you will also find a race or two to attend before ending your racing year.
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Night #2 World Nationals wins to Murty, Luellen, and Anderson
Night #2 of the World Nationals at the Marshalltown Speedway was held on Friday night. Full shows were run for the Stock Cars, SportMods and Hobby Stocks and there was qualifying for the 56 Modifieds on hand. Total car count was right at 140 cars.
The Hobby Stock feature went to Shannon Anderson. Anderson started third, and had the lead at lap three, never to look back. He led the entire 20-lap feature to secure the win and the $500 prize. Track champion Eric Stanton came from tenth starting spot to capture the runner up position. Clear Lake, Iowa's Chanse Hollatz finished third, fourth went to pole sitter Garrett Eilander, and eighth place starter Justin Lichty came home in fifth. Anderson won both nights of last years Hobby Stock World Nationals.
Clint Luellen claimed the $1,000 to win SportMod 25-lap feature. Luellen took the lead at lap five and held it the remainder of the way to the checkers. Austin Luellen chased his brother across the finish line to finish second. Third was seventh place starter, Joey Schaefer, Travis Peterson was fourth and Jared Boumeester from Waseca, Minnesota, was fifth. Luellen has won the second night of the past two World Nationals as well.
No stranger to getting around the high banks, it was Damon Murty taking another win in the 25-lap Stock Car main event and taking the $1,000. Murty ran down front runners Mike Nichols and Kyle Vanover with a handful of laps down. He planted his #99D on the topside of the track and had the lead at lap nine. Nichols and Vanover were battling it out for position, when Nichols dropped over the top of turns three and four, and Vanover kept the runner up spot to the checkers. Wisconsin racer,Travis VanStraten, a 2014 and 2015 World Nationals winner, motored all the way from twenty-second place, to finish third. Fourth was Joe White, Oconto Falls, Wisconsin and twelfth place starter, Trent Murphy rounded out the top five.
Fifty-six Modifieds ran two rounds of heats, their second being a reversal of the starting order from the first heat. They earned points through the heats and the top ten are locked into tomorrow night's $10,000 to win World Nationals feature. Terry Phillips sits atop the standings to secure a spot in tomorrow's finale. Richie Gustin, Jordan Grabouski, Kelly Shryock, Ethan Dotson, Kyle Brown, Kyle Strickler, Jesse Dennis, Jimmy Gustin, and Joel Rust round out the top ten locked into the feature.
Check www.marshalltownspeedway.com and click on World Nationals to see all the points and the qualifying heats for tonight's Modified feature. Night #3 of the World Nationals continues tonight, September 17, with full shows in the Stock Car, SportMod and Hobby Stocks, and the qualifying will continue in the Modifieds to complete the starting grid for the big $10,000 to win World Nationals Championship. Hot laps are 6:30 with racing at 7.
The Hobby Stock feature went to Shannon Anderson. Anderson started third, and had the lead at lap three, never to look back. He led the entire 20-lap feature to secure the win and the $500 prize. Track champion Eric Stanton came from tenth starting spot to capture the runner up position. Clear Lake, Iowa's Chanse Hollatz finished third, fourth went to pole sitter Garrett Eilander, and eighth place starter Justin Lichty came home in fifth. Anderson won both nights of last years Hobby Stock World Nationals.
Clint Luellen claimed the $1,000 to win SportMod 25-lap feature. Luellen took the lead at lap five and held it the remainder of the way to the checkers. Austin Luellen chased his brother across the finish line to finish second. Third was seventh place starter, Joey Schaefer, Travis Peterson was fourth and Jared Boumeester from Waseca, Minnesota, was fifth. Luellen has won the second night of the past two World Nationals as well.
No stranger to getting around the high banks, it was Damon Murty taking another win in the 25-lap Stock Car main event and taking the $1,000. Murty ran down front runners Mike Nichols and Kyle Vanover with a handful of laps down. He planted his #99D on the topside of the track and had the lead at lap nine. Nichols and Vanover were battling it out for position, when Nichols dropped over the top of turns three and four, and Vanover kept the runner up spot to the checkers. Wisconsin racer,Travis VanStraten, a 2014 and 2015 World Nationals winner, motored all the way from twenty-second place, to finish third. Fourth was Joe White, Oconto Falls, Wisconsin and twelfth place starter, Trent Murphy rounded out the top five.
Fifty-six Modifieds ran two rounds of heats, their second being a reversal of the starting order from the first heat. They earned points through the heats and the top ten are locked into tomorrow night's $10,000 to win World Nationals feature. Terry Phillips sits atop the standings to secure a spot in tomorrow's finale. Richie Gustin, Jordan Grabouski, Kelly Shryock, Ethan Dotson, Kyle Brown, Kyle Strickler, Jesse Dennis, Jimmy Gustin, and Joel Rust round out the top ten locked into the feature.
Check www.marshalltownspeedway.com and click on World Nationals to see all the points and the qualifying heats for tonight's Modified feature. Night #3 of the World Nationals continues tonight, September 17, with full shows in the Stock Car, SportMod and Hobby Stocks, and the qualifying will continue in the Modifieds to complete the starting grid for the big $10,000 to win World Nationals Championship. Hot laps are 6:30 with racing at 7.
Friday, September 16, 2016
Emerson and Strickler post inaugural World Nationals Late Model and Modified invitational wins
The Marshalltown Speedway began the three-night run of the 2016 World Nationals on Thursday night. It hosted the inaugural running of the Late Models as well as an invitational Modified event.
The $2,000 to win Late Model feature was led start to finish by John Emerson. Emerson finished a comfortable distance ahead of second place Andy Eckrich, who had started eighth. Sixth place starter Joel Zroslik finished third, fourth was Kevin Kile, and Marshalltown's own Darrel DeFrance completed the top five.
An invitational Modified race for drivers finishing in the top ten from last year's World Nationals championship race, as well as past Super Nationals/IMCA National points leader/World Nationals Modified Champion, and longest haul drivers were also included. North Carolina driver Kyle Strickler walked away with the win in this one. Terry Phillips was not able to catch the leader and had to be content with the runner up spot. Third went to Jake Murray, Mike Mullens was fourth and Jerry Wilinski rounded out the top five.
Somehow, the above two races got completed, just as a storm was approaching the track. The winds switched from the south, around to the north, and the temperature dropped. The winds became almost gale force, and how announcers Jerry Vansickel and Chet Christner (who was there for the Speed Shift broadcast) hung on in their perches in the announcer's booth, is beyond me. I was expecting to see the whole booth sail off it's mooring. Yes, we wimped out and took refuge in our vehicle behind the grandstands and listened to the two features on the radio.
A text from the Marshalltown Speedway this morning, says the races for Friday, September 16, are on as scheduled. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 with racing to follow. There will be qualifying in the Modifieds (these are open motors ONLY, for those of you who did not know) and a full show for the Stock Cars, SportMods and Hobby Stocks.
The $2,000 to win Late Model feature was led start to finish by John Emerson. Emerson finished a comfortable distance ahead of second place Andy Eckrich, who had started eighth. Sixth place starter Joel Zroslik finished third, fourth was Kevin Kile, and Marshalltown's own Darrel DeFrance completed the top five.
An invitational Modified race for drivers finishing in the top ten from last year's World Nationals championship race, as well as past Super Nationals/IMCA National points leader/World Nationals Modified Champion, and longest haul drivers were also included. North Carolina driver Kyle Strickler walked away with the win in this one. Terry Phillips was not able to catch the leader and had to be content with the runner up spot. Third went to Jake Murray, Mike Mullens was fourth and Jerry Wilinski rounded out the top five.
Somehow, the above two races got completed, just as a storm was approaching the track. The winds switched from the south, around to the north, and the temperature dropped. The winds became almost gale force, and how announcers Jerry Vansickel and Chet Christner (who was there for the Speed Shift broadcast) hung on in their perches in the announcer's booth, is beyond me. I was expecting to see the whole booth sail off it's mooring. Yes, we wimped out and took refuge in our vehicle behind the grandstands and listened to the two features on the radio.
A text from the Marshalltown Speedway this morning, says the races for Friday, September 16, are on as scheduled. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 with racing to follow. There will be qualifying in the Modifieds (these are open motors ONLY, for those of you who did not know) and a full show for the Stock Cars, SportMods and Hobby Stocks.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Notes from Super Nationals 2016
The 34th Annual IMCA Super Nationals held at Boone Speedway has come and gone. It was an unforgettable one for sure what with all of the torrential rains and long night's of racing, just to get them in. But get them in they did, but it was a marathon. I truly doubt that anyone else but Boone could have done so.
On Monday, September 5, there was IMCA Hobby Stock and Northern SportMod qualifying and a complete show for the IMCA Southern SportMods was on tap. This was the first time that the Southern SportMods had been to Boone and included in the Super National's lineup. Thirty-three drivers ran the event. Taking home the title as the Inaugural winner of the IMCA Southern SportMod championship was Jeffrey Abbey from Comanche, Texas. He passed Cody Smith from Kaufman, Texas with seven laps left in the 30-lapper, and pulled away to take the comfortable win. Smith finished as the runner up, Jake Upchurch from Grand Prairie, Texas took third, fourth went to Rodney White out of Ector, Texas, and Mickey Helms from Victoria, Texas made it a clean sweep for the state of Texas for the top five. Drivers in the class were also from Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Kansas.
Tuesday, September 6 had the IMCA Sport Compacts running their entire show and they came out in full force with a record 84 of the "half the cylinders, twice the fun" entrance. Qualifying also continued for the Hobby Stocks and the Northern SportMods. Last year's second place finisher, Josh Barnes, from Keokuk, Iowa started on the pole...by luck of the redraw...and led all of the 25-lap feature that went flag to flag. Mitch Bolton, Grand Junction, Colorado chased him across the line to take second place. Third was female entrant, Kimberly Abbott from Olin, Iowa, fourth went to Ramsey Meyer out of Pierce, Nebraska and Nate Coopman, Mankato, Minnesota and last year's Super Nationals champion, rounded out the top five.
Wednesday...and as far as I can piece it back together, this is what occurred. After some overnight rain, and then rain in the morning until after 2:30 p.m. it was time to break out the jet dryer. From my notes, it appears the first cars on the track for hot laps, was right at 6 p.m. and then the first race at 6:47 p.m. Unfortunately, all that got in for racing was a qualifying Northern SportMod A, and a qualifying Hobby Stock A....that was called complete at 14 laps down at approximately 7:25 p.m. It was announced that racing would begin on Thursday morning at 9 a.m., with the show picking up on Wednesday's schedule, where it left off and then running all of the Thursday show.
Thursday is somewhat of a blur. We raced from 9:43 in the morning, until 5:55 a.m.---20 hours and 12 minutes, and 126 non-stop races. Wednesday's show was completed, the grandstands cleared, and fans re-entered with their Thursday tickets. Thursday's regularly schedule IMCA Late Model show was the headliner.
The Late Models ran their championship 50-lap feature I'm guesstimating around midnight. Joel Callahan led the early portion of the race but each lap was seeing the familiar #77 of Jeff Aikey, inch closer to the front. A yellow flew at lap thirteen, and on the restart, Aikey surged past both leader Callahan and Jason Rauen who had been running second, to take the lead. It was all over from there on out as Aikey paced the field well ahead of any competition. Aikey scored a record sixth Super Nationals win. Callahan held on to the runner up spot, Rauen was third, Tyler Bruening took fourth and Joe Zrostlik rounded out the top five.
Friday was another one of those days when Mother Nature was throwing a fit. Racing did begin at 2:16 p.m. with the sky growing darker, and darker by the minute. The ominous clouds, turned into a downpour somewhere around 7:30 p.m. and racing was put on hold, until further notice. When the rain finally stopped, and the jet dryer was sent out to do it's "squeegeeing" (throw in a heart stopping moment when it quit on the track, only to have to have a broken wire replaced) then the John Deere's farming the track, and racing resumed at 11:40 p.m. Here we go again!
The format for Friday's show was also adjusted, pushing some of the action originally scheduled for Friday, into the Saturday show. Racing for the adjusted Friday show ended at 2:38 a.m.
Saturday was the Big Dance day, but before getting into the Saturday schedule, the Friday schedule was still to be completed. That began at 9:24 a.m. running until 1:50 p.m. Once again, the grandstand was cleared and Saturday's ticket holders were allowed to enter.
The track was re-farmed, and after the points were recalculated for Saturday's racing, we were off and running again at about 4 p.m.
It was a full show of championship Super National racing then. Race of Champions was for the IMCA Hobby Stocks, Northern SportMods, Stock Cars, and Modifieds. Hobby Stock winner was Brandon Nielsen from Spencer, Iowa. The Northern SportMod R.O.C. winner was Lanesboro, Iowa racer, Doug Smith. The Stock Car champion was defending Super Nationals winner, Dustin Larson from Rushmore, Minnesota. Ricky Thornton, Jr. who spent his summer racing in Iowa while living in Harcourt, Iowa, but calls Chandler, Arizona home, took the Modified Race of Champions trophy.
The Modified Fast Shafts All Star race was an exciting one! Ricky Thornton, Jr. took the immediate lead from his middle front-row starting spot. While he sailed along at the point, Marshalltown's Jimmy Gustin was FLYING through the field. Gustin started inside row five, and caught Thorton by lap ten. Then the battle began! After a yellow flew at lap twenty-three, Gustin got up on the wheel once more, and it didn't take long until he snagged the lead. Gustin then held on to that coveted spot, and took the All Star feature win.
The first of four championship races began with the IMCA Hobby Stocks. Andrew Burg put his stamp on a Super Nationals win by leading the 30-lap feature from start to finish. Second place finisher, John Watson, chased him the entire distance. Shannon Anderson made it from starting thirteenth, to claim third, fourth was Nashua, Iowa's Matt White, who started ninth, and hometown racer Dustin Graham took fifth.
The Northern SportMod "Big Dance" winner went to Doug Smith. Smith made the pass on last year's winner, Clint Luellen to take command and then went on to pull away, taking the double checkers by a lengthy margin. Luellen held the runner up spot, third went to Randy Roberts, Daniel Gottschalk was fourth and Tyler Soppe finished fifth. As a note, the second through fifth place winners were all sporting the #3.
Elijah Zevenbergen, from Ocheyedan, Iowa, an IMCA Stock Car racer that has been quite successful on the Dakota Series tour as well as his own area racing, put his name in the Super Nationals record book by winning the 30-lap feature. Zevenbergen, who had never raced at Boone, out ran second place finisher, Mike Nichols, and took the comfortable win. Third place finisher was Derek Green. Green, from Granada, Minnesota, started tenth. Fourth was Adair, Iowa's Marcus Fagan, and last year's winner, Dustin Larson from Rushmore, Minnesota, hiked up his left front and motored from nineteenth, to a top five finish.
The grand finale was the 40-lap IMCA Modified feature. The front row was Mike VanGenderen, Jay Noteboom, and Ricky Thornton, Jr., with a lot of heavy hitters looming behind them. Thornton quickly grabbed the lead but by lap thirteen, Mike VanGenderen had become the man at the helm. Then who was that car charging from fifteenth spot, to grab third place, but Jimmy Gustin, your earlier popular All Star winner. Gustin wasn't content to run third, so snapped up the lead at lap seventeen and roared off with now Thornton in tow, and VanGenderen in third and wanting more. A yellow flew at lap twenty-two that involved VanGenderen in an unavoidable situation. This put him to tag the field, and basically, out of the running. When things picked back up after the caution, Gustin and Thornton went to battle. Thornton finally gained the advantage and the lead at lap twenty seven, and after that he stayed out in front and took the checkers for the win. Chris Abelson slipped by Gustin in the final laps, as they finished second and third in that order. Fourth place finisher was Jordan Grabouski from Beatrice, Nebraska and former Super Nationals and IMCA National Champion, Dylan Smith, also from Beatrice, Nebraska, was fifth.
Racing concluded at 12:29 a.m. on what turned out to be a beautiful day and night for racing. It would have all gone a lot more smoothly had not Mother Nature threw a fit, but with the dedicated track workers, the three great announcers, Ryan Clark, Jerry Vansickel and Chad Meyer who had to be dragging, and all the staff, it all got completed.....somehow! Super Nationals 2016 is in the books with more than just a couple of firsts.
I always like to stick around for the motor auctions done immediately after the races are done. The Hobby Stock motor of Andrew Burg went for $1,600, Doug Smith's Northern SportMod went for $4,100, Elijah Zevenbergen's Stock Car motor went for $6,000 and Ricky Thornton, Jr.'s Modified motor went for $6,500.
So ends another Super Nationals. It was a marathon, but we made it through. I can say I saw ever race...though I may have nodded off during some of them. It was still a fun time despite the rain, as we once again connected with racing friends we see but once a year, to say nothing of seeing some fantastic racing with a record 906 race cars.
Still some end of season racing to be found in our area. Check the race calendar at Positively Racing and find a race to support the sport we all love.
On Monday, September 5, there was IMCA Hobby Stock and Northern SportMod qualifying and a complete show for the IMCA Southern SportMods was on tap. This was the first time that the Southern SportMods had been to Boone and included in the Super National's lineup. Thirty-three drivers ran the event. Taking home the title as the Inaugural winner of the IMCA Southern SportMod championship was Jeffrey Abbey from Comanche, Texas. He passed Cody Smith from Kaufman, Texas with seven laps left in the 30-lapper, and pulled away to take the comfortable win. Smith finished as the runner up, Jake Upchurch from Grand Prairie, Texas took third, fourth went to Rodney White out of Ector, Texas, and Mickey Helms from Victoria, Texas made it a clean sweep for the state of Texas for the top five. Drivers in the class were also from Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Kansas.
Tuesday, September 6 had the IMCA Sport Compacts running their entire show and they came out in full force with a record 84 of the "half the cylinders, twice the fun" entrance. Qualifying also continued for the Hobby Stocks and the Northern SportMods. Last year's second place finisher, Josh Barnes, from Keokuk, Iowa started on the pole...by luck of the redraw...and led all of the 25-lap feature that went flag to flag. Mitch Bolton, Grand Junction, Colorado chased him across the line to take second place. Third was female entrant, Kimberly Abbott from Olin, Iowa, fourth went to Ramsey Meyer out of Pierce, Nebraska and Nate Coopman, Mankato, Minnesota and last year's Super Nationals champion, rounded out the top five.
Wednesday...and as far as I can piece it back together, this is what occurred. After some overnight rain, and then rain in the morning until after 2:30 p.m. it was time to break out the jet dryer. From my notes, it appears the first cars on the track for hot laps, was right at 6 p.m. and then the first race at 6:47 p.m. Unfortunately, all that got in for racing was a qualifying Northern SportMod A, and a qualifying Hobby Stock A....that was called complete at 14 laps down at approximately 7:25 p.m. It was announced that racing would begin on Thursday morning at 9 a.m., with the show picking up on Wednesday's schedule, where it left off and then running all of the Thursday show.
Thursday is somewhat of a blur. We raced from 9:43 in the morning, until 5:55 a.m.---20 hours and 12 minutes, and 126 non-stop races. Wednesday's show was completed, the grandstands cleared, and fans re-entered with their Thursday tickets. Thursday's regularly schedule IMCA Late Model show was the headliner.
The Late Models ran their championship 50-lap feature I'm guesstimating around midnight. Joel Callahan led the early portion of the race but each lap was seeing the familiar #77 of Jeff Aikey, inch closer to the front. A yellow flew at lap thirteen, and on the restart, Aikey surged past both leader Callahan and Jason Rauen who had been running second, to take the lead. It was all over from there on out as Aikey paced the field well ahead of any competition. Aikey scored a record sixth Super Nationals win. Callahan held on to the runner up spot, Rauen was third, Tyler Bruening took fourth and Joe Zrostlik rounded out the top five.
Friday was another one of those days when Mother Nature was throwing a fit. Racing did begin at 2:16 p.m. with the sky growing darker, and darker by the minute. The ominous clouds, turned into a downpour somewhere around 7:30 p.m. and racing was put on hold, until further notice. When the rain finally stopped, and the jet dryer was sent out to do it's "squeegeeing" (throw in a heart stopping moment when it quit on the track, only to have to have a broken wire replaced) then the John Deere's farming the track, and racing resumed at 11:40 p.m. Here we go again!
The format for Friday's show was also adjusted, pushing some of the action originally scheduled for Friday, into the Saturday show. Racing for the adjusted Friday show ended at 2:38 a.m.
Saturday was the Big Dance day, but before getting into the Saturday schedule, the Friday schedule was still to be completed. That began at 9:24 a.m. running until 1:50 p.m. Once again, the grandstand was cleared and Saturday's ticket holders were allowed to enter.
The track was re-farmed, and after the points were recalculated for Saturday's racing, we were off and running again at about 4 p.m.
It was a full show of championship Super National racing then. Race of Champions was for the IMCA Hobby Stocks, Northern SportMods, Stock Cars, and Modifieds. Hobby Stock winner was Brandon Nielsen from Spencer, Iowa. The Northern SportMod R.O.C. winner was Lanesboro, Iowa racer, Doug Smith. The Stock Car champion was defending Super Nationals winner, Dustin Larson from Rushmore, Minnesota. Ricky Thornton, Jr. who spent his summer racing in Iowa while living in Harcourt, Iowa, but calls Chandler, Arizona home, took the Modified Race of Champions trophy.
The Modified Fast Shafts All Star race was an exciting one! Ricky Thornton, Jr. took the immediate lead from his middle front-row starting spot. While he sailed along at the point, Marshalltown's Jimmy Gustin was FLYING through the field. Gustin started inside row five, and caught Thorton by lap ten. Then the battle began! After a yellow flew at lap twenty-three, Gustin got up on the wheel once more, and it didn't take long until he snagged the lead. Gustin then held on to that coveted spot, and took the All Star feature win.
The first of four championship races began with the IMCA Hobby Stocks. Andrew Burg put his stamp on a Super Nationals win by leading the 30-lap feature from start to finish. Second place finisher, John Watson, chased him the entire distance. Shannon Anderson made it from starting thirteenth, to claim third, fourth was Nashua, Iowa's Matt White, who started ninth, and hometown racer Dustin Graham took fifth.
The Northern SportMod "Big Dance" winner went to Doug Smith. Smith made the pass on last year's winner, Clint Luellen to take command and then went on to pull away, taking the double checkers by a lengthy margin. Luellen held the runner up spot, third went to Randy Roberts, Daniel Gottschalk was fourth and Tyler Soppe finished fifth. As a note, the second through fifth place winners were all sporting the #3.
Elijah Zevenbergen, from Ocheyedan, Iowa, an IMCA Stock Car racer that has been quite successful on the Dakota Series tour as well as his own area racing, put his name in the Super Nationals record book by winning the 30-lap feature. Zevenbergen, who had never raced at Boone, out ran second place finisher, Mike Nichols, and took the comfortable win. Third place finisher was Derek Green. Green, from Granada, Minnesota, started tenth. Fourth was Adair, Iowa's Marcus Fagan, and last year's winner, Dustin Larson from Rushmore, Minnesota, hiked up his left front and motored from nineteenth, to a top five finish.
The grand finale was the 40-lap IMCA Modified feature. The front row was Mike VanGenderen, Jay Noteboom, and Ricky Thornton, Jr., with a lot of heavy hitters looming behind them. Thornton quickly grabbed the lead but by lap thirteen, Mike VanGenderen had become the man at the helm. Then who was that car charging from fifteenth spot, to grab third place, but Jimmy Gustin, your earlier popular All Star winner. Gustin wasn't content to run third, so snapped up the lead at lap seventeen and roared off with now Thornton in tow, and VanGenderen in third and wanting more. A yellow flew at lap twenty-two that involved VanGenderen in an unavoidable situation. This put him to tag the field, and basically, out of the running. When things picked back up after the caution, Gustin and Thornton went to battle. Thornton finally gained the advantage and the lead at lap twenty seven, and after that he stayed out in front and took the checkers for the win. Chris Abelson slipped by Gustin in the final laps, as they finished second and third in that order. Fourth place finisher was Jordan Grabouski from Beatrice, Nebraska and former Super Nationals and IMCA National Champion, Dylan Smith, also from Beatrice, Nebraska, was fifth.
Racing concluded at 12:29 a.m. on what turned out to be a beautiful day and night for racing. It would have all gone a lot more smoothly had not Mother Nature threw a fit, but with the dedicated track workers, the three great announcers, Ryan Clark, Jerry Vansickel and Chad Meyer who had to be dragging, and all the staff, it all got completed.....somehow! Super Nationals 2016 is in the books with more than just a couple of firsts.
I always like to stick around for the motor auctions done immediately after the races are done. The Hobby Stock motor of Andrew Burg went for $1,600, Doug Smith's Northern SportMod went for $4,100, Elijah Zevenbergen's Stock Car motor went for $6,000 and Ricky Thornton, Jr.'s Modified motor went for $6,500.
So ends another Super Nationals. It was a marathon, but we made it through. I can say I saw ever race...though I may have nodded off during some of them. It was still a fun time despite the rain, as we once again connected with racing friends we see but once a year, to say nothing of seeing some fantastic racing with a record 906 race cars.
Still some end of season racing to be found in our area. Check the race calendar at Positively Racing and find a race to support the sport we all love.
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Gustin, Schmidt, Sproul and Burg take Prelude to the Super Nationals wins
The Boone Speedway held the Prelude to the Super Nationals on Saturday night and 288 drivers that were pre-entered for the 2016 Super Nationals, used their option to test and tune for next week's spectacle of dirt track racing.
Jimmy Gustin took the win in the IMCA Modified division, with hopes of keeping up that momentum going into next week. Jay Schmidt wasn't racing his own car in the IMCA Stock Car class, but still parked it in victory lane. Kansas racer Dakota Sproul looked strong in taking the IMCA Northern SportMod victory, and Andrew Burg took a dominating win in the IMCA Hobby Stock feature.
Jimmy Gustin grabbed the lead from Eric Elliott at lap eight of the 30-lap IMCA Modified feature and from there on, never looked back on his way to the win. Elliott finished a distant runner up, track champion Mike VanGenderen finished third, fourth went to Joel Bushore and Russ Dickerson rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran a 25-lap feature event. Pole sitter Dakota Sproul, from Ellis, Kansas took command quickly and went on to hold that coveted spot the rest of the way to the checkers. Tyler Watts from Beloit, Kansas chased Sproul the entire race, but had to be content with a second place finish. Jake McBirnie finished a close third, fourth was Austin Luellen, and eighteenth place starter, Daniel Gottschalk, another Ellis, Kansas racer, was fifth.
The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars went 25-laps in their main event. Jay Schmidt, a familiar name at the Boone Speedway, came away with the win, but not in his own car. Schmidt, who was driving the 56T of Justin Temeyer, started fourteenth and had the lead at lap fifteen. From there on, he stretched his lead, and took the comfortable win. Track champion, Donavon Smith was second, Norton, Kansas racer Casey Woken started tenth, and finished third, and fourth went to another Norton, Kansas driver, Jason Davis. Former Super Nationals Stock Car champion, Brandon Czarapata from Pulaski, Wisconsin came from twentieth starting position to finish fifth.
Andrew Burg led the entire 25-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature to score the win. Burg finished well ahead of second place Eric Stanton, the Boone Speedway track champion. Former Super National and IMCA National Hobby Stock champion, Shannon Anderson came home in third place. Beatrice, Nebraska's Jesse VanLaningham was fourth and Solomon Bennett completed the top five.
The Boone Speedway already looked like "Boone South" upon arrival. The pits and camping spots were already pretty well filled, with more arriving all night long.
Fifteen states, plus Iowa, were represented last night. We noted that Kansas drivers put their stamp on the track, with some good runs all night long.
Jay Schmidt was driving Justin Temeyers car last night. The story we understood was that he wanted Jay to hot lap it and find out what the issue was that he'd been having. Schmidt said, "why not race it and find out", so he did.....and sat it in victory lane! Look for Schmidt to be in his own 19J machine for the up coming Super Nationals though.
It's great to see all the cars and many with new wraps....some not so, and well rubbed. Some cars with their usual look, were completely different. One of note was the 9E of Eric Elliott, which was all red. It may be sporting a more completed wrap by Wednesday when the IMCA Modifieds start their qualifying. The theme for the cars this year is to represent their home state. The OZ car of Hoisington, Kansas driver Mike Petersille was quite clever with its Wizard of Oz wrap.
The 34th Annual Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals begins on Labor Day, Monday, September 5 and runs through Saturday, September 10 at the Boone Speedway. Check www.raceboone.com for all the details of America's Racin' Vacation. The daily schedules are all listed. Please note that the IMCA Late Models will not be running on Labor Day as has been their tradition. Rain changed things around last year, and moving them to Thursday's program worked well, and the call was made to make the move permanent. Racing is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. each day. Please take heed of the grandstand rules as well. It is posted that there will be no blankets allowed until 6 p.m. each night and only seat cushion/pillows are allowed...and with NO backs.... not even those that fold down. As far as I know, only Friday and Saturday have reserved seating on the grandstand side, so you can sit on a numbered seat until then.
Please Mother Nature....be kind to the 2016 Super Nationals. Fingers crossed! Hope to see many of you there. Please stop us and say, "Hi". We look forward to seeing racing friends and drivers that we see each year in all the craziness that is the Super Nationals!
Jimmy Gustin took the win in the IMCA Modified division, with hopes of keeping up that momentum going into next week. Jay Schmidt wasn't racing his own car in the IMCA Stock Car class, but still parked it in victory lane. Kansas racer Dakota Sproul looked strong in taking the IMCA Northern SportMod victory, and Andrew Burg took a dominating win in the IMCA Hobby Stock feature.
Jimmy Gustin grabbed the lead from Eric Elliott at lap eight of the 30-lap IMCA Modified feature and from there on, never looked back on his way to the win. Elliott finished a distant runner up, track champion Mike VanGenderen finished third, fourth went to Joel Bushore and Russ Dickerson rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran a 25-lap feature event. Pole sitter Dakota Sproul, from Ellis, Kansas took command quickly and went on to hold that coveted spot the rest of the way to the checkers. Tyler Watts from Beloit, Kansas chased Sproul the entire race, but had to be content with a second place finish. Jake McBirnie finished a close third, fourth was Austin Luellen, and eighteenth place starter, Daniel Gottschalk, another Ellis, Kansas racer, was fifth.
The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars went 25-laps in their main event. Jay Schmidt, a familiar name at the Boone Speedway, came away with the win, but not in his own car. Schmidt, who was driving the 56T of Justin Temeyer, started fourteenth and had the lead at lap fifteen. From there on, he stretched his lead, and took the comfortable win. Track champion, Donavon Smith was second, Norton, Kansas racer Casey Woken started tenth, and finished third, and fourth went to another Norton, Kansas driver, Jason Davis. Former Super Nationals Stock Car champion, Brandon Czarapata from Pulaski, Wisconsin came from twentieth starting position to finish fifth.
Andrew Burg led the entire 25-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature to score the win. Burg finished well ahead of second place Eric Stanton, the Boone Speedway track champion. Former Super National and IMCA National Hobby Stock champion, Shannon Anderson came home in third place. Beatrice, Nebraska's Jesse VanLaningham was fourth and Solomon Bennett completed the top five.
The Boone Speedway already looked like "Boone South" upon arrival. The pits and camping spots were already pretty well filled, with more arriving all night long.
Fifteen states, plus Iowa, were represented last night. We noted that Kansas drivers put their stamp on the track, with some good runs all night long.
Jay Schmidt was driving Justin Temeyers car last night. The story we understood was that he wanted Jay to hot lap it and find out what the issue was that he'd been having. Schmidt said, "why not race it and find out", so he did.....and sat it in victory lane! Look for Schmidt to be in his own 19J machine for the up coming Super Nationals though.
It's great to see all the cars and many with new wraps....some not so, and well rubbed. Some cars with their usual look, were completely different. One of note was the 9E of Eric Elliott, which was all red. It may be sporting a more completed wrap by Wednesday when the IMCA Modifieds start their qualifying. The theme for the cars this year is to represent their home state. The OZ car of Hoisington, Kansas driver Mike Petersille was quite clever with its Wizard of Oz wrap.
The 34th Annual Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals begins on Labor Day, Monday, September 5 and runs through Saturday, September 10 at the Boone Speedway. Check www.raceboone.com for all the details of America's Racin' Vacation. The daily schedules are all listed. Please note that the IMCA Late Models will not be running on Labor Day as has been their tradition. Rain changed things around last year, and moving them to Thursday's program worked well, and the call was made to make the move permanent. Racing is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. each day. Please take heed of the grandstand rules as well. It is posted that there will be no blankets allowed until 6 p.m. each night and only seat cushion/pillows are allowed...and with NO backs.... not even those that fold down. As far as I know, only Friday and Saturday have reserved seating on the grandstand side, so you can sit on a numbered seat until then.
Please Mother Nature....be kind to the 2016 Super Nationals. Fingers crossed! Hope to see many of you there. Please stop us and say, "Hi". We look forward to seeing racing friends and drivers that we see each year in all the craziness that is the Super Nationals!
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Inaugural Showdown at MoTown dominated by area racers
Friday night was the Inaugural "Showdown at MoTown" with 109 cars filling the pits for the after season special event. They came from all parts of Iowa as well as Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Arizona, Oregon, Texas, California and Canada. By night's end however, it was area racers that claimed the wins in all five divisions on the High Banks.
It was Austin Luellen taking home the win in the 20-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature event. Luellen started eighth and had to run down front runners Shawn Cooney, Jared VanDeest and Curtis Van Der Wal. He passed leader Shawn Cooney with just two laps remaining to take command of the race, holding it to the flying checkers and the win. Cooney claimed the runner up spot, Van Der Wal was third, fourth went to tenth place starter, Clint Luellen, and Pella, Iowa driver Matt Van Gelder was fifth. Austin Luellen also won the final race of the regular season at Marshalltown Speedway.
Eric Stanton continued his dominating year in the IMCA Hobby Stock class, grabbing another win in the 18-lap A feature. By luck of the redraw, Stanton started on the pole, and led all laps on his way to victory. The win marked the twelfth time this year he had stepped into Victory Lane at the Speedway. Jamie Schirm, Dexter, Iowa racer, had a fine showing as he raced from eighth starting spot, to finish second. Third was Tyson Overton, Damon Richards from David City, Nebraska was fourth and Mason City's Weston Koop completed the top five.
The 20-lap IMCA Stock Car feature went to Trent Murphy, another driver who raced at the Marshalltown Speedway during the season. Murphy led all 20-laps on his way to the winner's circle. A hard charging Damon Murty started eleventh and pressured Murphy in the final handful of laps, but had to be content with a second place finish. Third went to Todd Reitzler, Steve Meyer was fourth and Kyle Everts rounded out the top five. Murphy also visited Victory Lane twice during the regular season.
Seven IMCA Late Models took to the track for their 15-lap feature. Todd Cooney got the upper hand immediately, leading at lap one from his fifth starting position. Sean Johnson started seventh and by lap eight, made the move under Cooney to gain the lead. Cooney, who was running hard in an attempt to gain back the lead, slid off of turn two, two laps later, bringing out the caution, and putting him to the tail for the restart. Johnson pulled away on the restart of the race and took the comfortable win. Cooney made up ground after his incident, and finished in second. Third was Darrin Ackerman who just held off fourth place finisher, Ryan Griffith, and Doug McCollough was fifth.
The night's finale was the 25-lap IMCA Modified feature. With 35 cars in attendance, it took two B-mains to complete the 24-car starting field. Jimmy Gustin was the lucky recipient of the pole for the start of the race and he immediately flew to the lead. Tim Ward tucked in behind him to run second and Jenae Gustin tagged into third. The three cars remained in that order when Corning, Iowa's Jesse Dennis took a tumble off of corner one, halting the racing action. Dennis was okay but his night was done. When the action picked back up, Gustin kept hold of the lead with Ward pestering him, but it was to no avail as Gustin took the double checkers and the win. Ward had to settle for the runner up spot. Third place went to Medford, Oregon's Tom Berry. Berry started twenty-fourth, set his car on the topside, and ran out of laps to garner more than third. Fourth place was Jenae Gustin and Scott Simatovich was fifth. Ironically, this was Jimmy Gustin's first win at Marshalltown in 2016.
There was a great crowd on hand, filling the stands for the first Showdown at MoTown. Many drivers coming for the Super Nationals were already in the area and opted to try their hand at taming the High Banks. There was a hint of fall in the air and by the end of the evening, most fans were glad for a sweatshirt or jacket.
The next racing action at the Marshalltown Speedway will be September 15-17 for the 10th Annual World Nationals. Check www.marshalltownspeedway.com for details. But before that, there will be a lot of racing west of Marshalltown at the Boone Speedway. Tonight is the "Prelude to the Super Nationals" and any driver pre-entered for the 2016 Super Nationals, is allowed to race the draw/redraw show. Last year, this race drew close to 300 entrants. Expect more tonight. Then on Labor Day Monday, the craziness really begins with the 34th Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals. A record number of pre-registered cars of over 800, have already made plans to attend. It's a spectacle of racing, and if you haven't experienced it, it's something you should try and take in at least once. Check www.raceboone.com for a plethora of information about the week-long event. We will be there all week long....our 29th year of attending the Super Nationals. Hope to see some of you there!
It was Austin Luellen taking home the win in the 20-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature event. Luellen started eighth and had to run down front runners Shawn Cooney, Jared VanDeest and Curtis Van Der Wal. He passed leader Shawn Cooney with just two laps remaining to take command of the race, holding it to the flying checkers and the win. Cooney claimed the runner up spot, Van Der Wal was third, fourth went to tenth place starter, Clint Luellen, and Pella, Iowa driver Matt Van Gelder was fifth. Austin Luellen also won the final race of the regular season at Marshalltown Speedway.
Eric Stanton continued his dominating year in the IMCA Hobby Stock class, grabbing another win in the 18-lap A feature. By luck of the redraw, Stanton started on the pole, and led all laps on his way to victory. The win marked the twelfth time this year he had stepped into Victory Lane at the Speedway. Jamie Schirm, Dexter, Iowa racer, had a fine showing as he raced from eighth starting spot, to finish second. Third was Tyson Overton, Damon Richards from David City, Nebraska was fourth and Mason City's Weston Koop completed the top five.
The 20-lap IMCA Stock Car feature went to Trent Murphy, another driver who raced at the Marshalltown Speedway during the season. Murphy led all 20-laps on his way to the winner's circle. A hard charging Damon Murty started eleventh and pressured Murphy in the final handful of laps, but had to be content with a second place finish. Third went to Todd Reitzler, Steve Meyer was fourth and Kyle Everts rounded out the top five. Murphy also visited Victory Lane twice during the regular season.
Seven IMCA Late Models took to the track for their 15-lap feature. Todd Cooney got the upper hand immediately, leading at lap one from his fifth starting position. Sean Johnson started seventh and by lap eight, made the move under Cooney to gain the lead. Cooney, who was running hard in an attempt to gain back the lead, slid off of turn two, two laps later, bringing out the caution, and putting him to the tail for the restart. Johnson pulled away on the restart of the race and took the comfortable win. Cooney made up ground after his incident, and finished in second. Third was Darrin Ackerman who just held off fourth place finisher, Ryan Griffith, and Doug McCollough was fifth.
The night's finale was the 25-lap IMCA Modified feature. With 35 cars in attendance, it took two B-mains to complete the 24-car starting field. Jimmy Gustin was the lucky recipient of the pole for the start of the race and he immediately flew to the lead. Tim Ward tucked in behind him to run second and Jenae Gustin tagged into third. The three cars remained in that order when Corning, Iowa's Jesse Dennis took a tumble off of corner one, halting the racing action. Dennis was okay but his night was done. When the action picked back up, Gustin kept hold of the lead with Ward pestering him, but it was to no avail as Gustin took the double checkers and the win. Ward had to settle for the runner up spot. Third place went to Medford, Oregon's Tom Berry. Berry started twenty-fourth, set his car on the topside, and ran out of laps to garner more than third. Fourth place was Jenae Gustin and Scott Simatovich was fifth. Ironically, this was Jimmy Gustin's first win at Marshalltown in 2016.
There was a great crowd on hand, filling the stands for the first Showdown at MoTown. Many drivers coming for the Super Nationals were already in the area and opted to try their hand at taming the High Banks. There was a hint of fall in the air and by the end of the evening, most fans were glad for a sweatshirt or jacket.
The next racing action at the Marshalltown Speedway will be September 15-17 for the 10th Annual World Nationals. Check www.marshalltownspeedway.com for details. But before that, there will be a lot of racing west of Marshalltown at the Boone Speedway. Tonight is the "Prelude to the Super Nationals" and any driver pre-entered for the 2016 Super Nationals, is allowed to race the draw/redraw show. Last year, this race drew close to 300 entrants. Expect more tonight. Then on Labor Day Monday, the craziness really begins with the 34th Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals. A record number of pre-registered cars of over 800, have already made plans to attend. It's a spectacle of racing, and if you haven't experienced it, it's something you should try and take in at least once. Check www.raceboone.com for a plethora of information about the week-long event. We will be there all week long....our 29th year of attending the Super Nationals. Hope to see some of you there!
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Season Championship night at the Southern Iowa Speedway
It had been a long four weeks since the Southern Iowa Speedway had raced a regular season race, due to unscheduled shows. Wednesday night was season championship night to close out the 2016 season. Five track champions were crowned with two divisions being decided at the finish. Three new Hall of Fame inductees were also announced.
Season championship night, most tracks don't run heats and will line the feature events up by points, but last night at Osky, all classes ran heats AND started their features by the regular invert of points as they do on a regular night. The drivers were introduced on the front stretch, allowing fans to salute them.
The IMCA Sport Compacts found Brad Havel stepping into victory lane for the first time at the Southern Iowa Speedway. Havel led all ten laps on his way to the win. Josh Barnes finished second after starting ninth, James Roose was third, fourth went to fifth place starter Levi Heath and Bill Whalen, Jr. completed the top five.
Going into the Sport Compact feature, it was Shane Evans leading Bill Whalen by nine points. Evans dropped out of the race and Whalen finished fifth. A calculation of results found Evans hanging on by ONE point, to take the track championship.
The IMCA Hobby Stock 14-lap A main went to Dustin Griffith. Griffith, who was the point leader going into the race, started seventh. He caught a four-pack of cars, Bradley Graham, Danny Thrasher, Scott Shull and Nick Ulin and had to battle past them to get to the lead at lap six. He then held that lead to the flying checkers and the win. Nick Ulin just barely beat out Thrasher at the finish line as they went second and third respectively. Scott Shull and Bradley Graham rounded out the top five. Dustin Griffith is the track champion for the third year in a row.
Seventeen IMCA Northern SportMods ran the 15-lap feature. Dakota Simmons and Colton Livezey began the run from the front row. Livezey overtook Simmons by lap two, taking the lead, but he had Curtis Van Der Wal closing in fast. Van Der Wal got to second and began reeling in the leader. With a lap to go, and a lap car blocking the leaders, Van Der Wal used it to his advantage, and grabbed the lead as lap fourteen was scored. He kept it that final lap and scored the win. Livezey had to settle for the runner up spot. Third went to Cory Van Zante, Austin Paul was fourth and Matt Van Gelder rounded out the top five. Curtis Van Der Wal is the track champion, defending his title from 2015.
The 15-lap IMCA Stock Car feature was the one that decided the track championship at the finish line! Going into the night, Louis Lynch, the "Hurryin' Missourian", was three points up on local fan favorite Mike Hughes. Hughes started fourth on the grid and Lynch fifth. Hughes flew to the lead by lap one and was looking determined to gain those few points to snatch away the championship from Lynch. Wood tucked in right behind Hughes to run second. The rest of the race was a close battle between Hughes and Wood, with Hughes keeping the advantage....UNTIL, the final run to the finish line found Wood just edging out Hughes for the win! That final surge past Hughes ended up giving the track championship to Louis Lynch...by ONE point. Todd Reitzler finished third, Lynch was fourth and Mike Brown was fifth. If Hughes had won, they would have been tied, but with a win under his belt at the track and none by Lynch, the title would have gone to Hughes.
It was ironic that Colt Mather is the 2016 track champion at the Southern Iowa Speedway, but he was not able to start the feature due to issues in his heat, and luckily far enough ahead of second place in points, Andrew Schroeder, that it did not matter. Schroeder easily won the night's feature as he finished well ahead of Cayden Carter in second. Third went to Dakota Hayden and Scott Dickey was fourth. Fifth place Gordy Head did not finish, nor did David Sndyer from Greentop, Missouri.
Three new inductees into the Southern Iowa Speedway Hall of Fame were announced last night. They are Pokey West, Terry Schroeder and Dean Hughes. They will be inducted on the second night of the Fall Challenge, on Saturday night, October 8. The Fall Challenge is October 7 and 8 this year and will be the next and last race event at the track for 2016.
There are a lot of specials still around our area, so get out to a track and support the sport we all love.
Season championship night, most tracks don't run heats and will line the feature events up by points, but last night at Osky, all classes ran heats AND started their features by the regular invert of points as they do on a regular night. The drivers were introduced on the front stretch, allowing fans to salute them.
The IMCA Sport Compacts found Brad Havel stepping into victory lane for the first time at the Southern Iowa Speedway. Havel led all ten laps on his way to the win. Josh Barnes finished second after starting ninth, James Roose was third, fourth went to fifth place starter Levi Heath and Bill Whalen, Jr. completed the top five.
Going into the Sport Compact feature, it was Shane Evans leading Bill Whalen by nine points. Evans dropped out of the race and Whalen finished fifth. A calculation of results found Evans hanging on by ONE point, to take the track championship.
The IMCA Hobby Stock 14-lap A main went to Dustin Griffith. Griffith, who was the point leader going into the race, started seventh. He caught a four-pack of cars, Bradley Graham, Danny Thrasher, Scott Shull and Nick Ulin and had to battle past them to get to the lead at lap six. He then held that lead to the flying checkers and the win. Nick Ulin just barely beat out Thrasher at the finish line as they went second and third respectively. Scott Shull and Bradley Graham rounded out the top five. Dustin Griffith is the track champion for the third year in a row.
Seventeen IMCA Northern SportMods ran the 15-lap feature. Dakota Simmons and Colton Livezey began the run from the front row. Livezey overtook Simmons by lap two, taking the lead, but he had Curtis Van Der Wal closing in fast. Van Der Wal got to second and began reeling in the leader. With a lap to go, and a lap car blocking the leaders, Van Der Wal used it to his advantage, and grabbed the lead as lap fourteen was scored. He kept it that final lap and scored the win. Livezey had to settle for the runner up spot. Third went to Cory Van Zante, Austin Paul was fourth and Matt Van Gelder rounded out the top five. Curtis Van Der Wal is the track champion, defending his title from 2015.
The 15-lap IMCA Stock Car feature was the one that decided the track championship at the finish line! Going into the night, Louis Lynch, the "Hurryin' Missourian", was three points up on local fan favorite Mike Hughes. Hughes started fourth on the grid and Lynch fifth. Hughes flew to the lead by lap one and was looking determined to gain those few points to snatch away the championship from Lynch. Wood tucked in right behind Hughes to run second. The rest of the race was a close battle between Hughes and Wood, with Hughes keeping the advantage....UNTIL, the final run to the finish line found Wood just edging out Hughes for the win! That final surge past Hughes ended up giving the track championship to Louis Lynch...by ONE point. Todd Reitzler finished third, Lynch was fourth and Mike Brown was fifth. If Hughes had won, they would have been tied, but with a win under his belt at the track and none by Lynch, the title would have gone to Hughes.
It was ironic that Colt Mather is the 2016 track champion at the Southern Iowa Speedway, but he was not able to start the feature due to issues in his heat, and luckily far enough ahead of second place in points, Andrew Schroeder, that it did not matter. Schroeder easily won the night's feature as he finished well ahead of Cayden Carter in second. Third went to Dakota Hayden and Scott Dickey was fourth. Fifth place Gordy Head did not finish, nor did David Sndyer from Greentop, Missouri.
Three new inductees into the Southern Iowa Speedway Hall of Fame were announced last night. They are Pokey West, Terry Schroeder and Dean Hughes. They will be inducted on the second night of the Fall Challenge, on Saturday night, October 8. The Fall Challenge is October 7 and 8 this year and will be the next and last race event at the track for 2016.
There are a lot of specials still around our area, so get out to a track and support the sport we all love.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Five track champions crowned at Boone Speedway
The final night of regular points racing concluded on Saturday at the Boone Speedway, with Season Championship features. Five champions were crowned for 2016...one repeating the feat from 2015.
The top 20 in points were locked into the features and if necessary, B mains would have been run to fill in the feature line up. None were needed. All classes also had extra laps added for the season ending finale.
Bryan Zehm started on the pole of the Mod Lite feature and led all 18-laps on his way to victory. Josh May, who started twelfth, finished in the runner up spot. A battle for third place between Joe Glick and Cory Sauerman ended when contact was made and resulted in Glick tumbling down the front stretch and bringing out a red flag. Glick was okay, but his night was done. Sauerman took over as the third place runner, and finished the race in third. Fourth went to Randy Bryan, and Joel Keenan rounded out the top five. Bryan Zehm is the 2016 track champion in the Mod Lites. He had six wins on the season and is certainly following in the footsteps of his father Ed Zehm's racing talent.
The Hobby Stocks ran a 15-lap feature, which went caution free. Quite ironic since they were the class that got scolded during the season for having lots of issues. Eric Stanton took the lead from Dustin Graham at lap eight and never looked back from there. Graham held second place. Aaron Rudolph made a last moment surge to just get by Solomon Bennett at the finish line as they went third and fourth in that order. Dustin Lynch completed the top five. Eric Stanton is the IMCA Hobby Stock track champion for 2016, defending his 2015 title. Stanton started the year off with a win, and finished it with only his second victory of the year.
A happy Jonathan Logue took a victory lap after winning the 20-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature, as well as sealing the track championship. Logue led the entire 20-laps chased by Randy Roberts who finished second. Chad Ryerson finished a distant third, fourth went to Cory Pestotnik, and Daniel Tasler was fifth. As a note, Jake McBirnie was scheduled to start third in the feature, but due to motor issues in hot laps, he was not able to start. Logue had six feature wins in 2016. Logue was sporting a new look with a throw-back to his father John's look from 2003. It's hard to miss on the track with day-glow orange trim.
The IMCA Stock Car feature win went to third place starter, Tyler Pickett. Pickett chased down front row starters Donavon Smith and Jay Schmidt, and made a nifty move to take the lead at lap eight. Pickett finished a comfortable distance in front of second place Schmidt. Last week's winner, Kevin Opheim made some noise as he raced from twenty-first starting spot, to finish third. Smith finished fourth and Josh Daniels was fifth. Donavon Smith, who had five wins this season, is the 2016 IMCA Stock Car track champion.
The final feature was the 25-lap main event for the IMCA Modifieds. Much of the show was at the front of the field with the two front row starters, Mike VanGenderen and Russ Dickerson battling it out. Dickerson flew to the early lead only to have the race go red at lap three when Bob Daniels tumbled off of turn three. He was okay. When the race resumed, Dickerson was still at the front of the pack, but VanGenderen was continuing his relentless pursuit. VanGenderen found his chance just after lap seventeen was scored. He was able to make the high side pass out of turn two, and was scored the leader at lap eighteen. He held that lead the remaining distance to the checkers and the win, Dickerson finishing a close second. Third place went to Chris Webb, veteran Denny Pittman was fourth and Dustin Smith raced his way from starting sixteenth, to a fifth place finish. Mike VanGenderen, took his seventh win of the season, and is the 2016 IMCA Modified track champion.
Next Saturday night will be the "Prelude to the Super Nationals" with a draw/redraw format. Anyone pre-entered for the Super Nationals will be eligible to race. Hot laps are scheduled for 6 with racing to follow. Then on Monday, September 5, the madness begins with the week-long running of the 34th Annual Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals. The entrance to the Speedway has some changes, with the haulers only entering off of Highway 30 at the east entrance. A new, longer drive has been configured to eliminate the sometimes, big backup on the highway. The fans, on the other hand, must enter only on the west entrance.
Lets all hope for some nicer and DRYER weather to end the Iowa racing season, Get out and find a race and support the sport we all love.
The top 20 in points were locked into the features and if necessary, B mains would have been run to fill in the feature line up. None were needed. All classes also had extra laps added for the season ending finale.
Bryan Zehm started on the pole of the Mod Lite feature and led all 18-laps on his way to victory. Josh May, who started twelfth, finished in the runner up spot. A battle for third place between Joe Glick and Cory Sauerman ended when contact was made and resulted in Glick tumbling down the front stretch and bringing out a red flag. Glick was okay, but his night was done. Sauerman took over as the third place runner, and finished the race in third. Fourth went to Randy Bryan, and Joel Keenan rounded out the top five. Bryan Zehm is the 2016 track champion in the Mod Lites. He had six wins on the season and is certainly following in the footsteps of his father Ed Zehm's racing talent.
The Hobby Stocks ran a 15-lap feature, which went caution free. Quite ironic since they were the class that got scolded during the season for having lots of issues. Eric Stanton took the lead from Dustin Graham at lap eight and never looked back from there. Graham held second place. Aaron Rudolph made a last moment surge to just get by Solomon Bennett at the finish line as they went third and fourth in that order. Dustin Lynch completed the top five. Eric Stanton is the IMCA Hobby Stock track champion for 2016, defending his 2015 title. Stanton started the year off with a win, and finished it with only his second victory of the year.
A happy Jonathan Logue took a victory lap after winning the 20-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature, as well as sealing the track championship. Logue led the entire 20-laps chased by Randy Roberts who finished second. Chad Ryerson finished a distant third, fourth went to Cory Pestotnik, and Daniel Tasler was fifth. As a note, Jake McBirnie was scheduled to start third in the feature, but due to motor issues in hot laps, he was not able to start. Logue had six feature wins in 2016. Logue was sporting a new look with a throw-back to his father John's look from 2003. It's hard to miss on the track with day-glow orange trim.
The IMCA Stock Car feature win went to third place starter, Tyler Pickett. Pickett chased down front row starters Donavon Smith and Jay Schmidt, and made a nifty move to take the lead at lap eight. Pickett finished a comfortable distance in front of second place Schmidt. Last week's winner, Kevin Opheim made some noise as he raced from twenty-first starting spot, to finish third. Smith finished fourth and Josh Daniels was fifth. Donavon Smith, who had five wins this season, is the 2016 IMCA Stock Car track champion.
The final feature was the 25-lap main event for the IMCA Modifieds. Much of the show was at the front of the field with the two front row starters, Mike VanGenderen and Russ Dickerson battling it out. Dickerson flew to the early lead only to have the race go red at lap three when Bob Daniels tumbled off of turn three. He was okay. When the race resumed, Dickerson was still at the front of the pack, but VanGenderen was continuing his relentless pursuit. VanGenderen found his chance just after lap seventeen was scored. He was able to make the high side pass out of turn two, and was scored the leader at lap eighteen. He held that lead the remaining distance to the checkers and the win, Dickerson finishing a close second. Third place went to Chris Webb, veteran Denny Pittman was fourth and Dustin Smith raced his way from starting sixteenth, to a fifth place finish. Mike VanGenderen, took his seventh win of the season, and is the 2016 IMCA Modified track champion.
Next Saturday night will be the "Prelude to the Super Nationals" with a draw/redraw format. Anyone pre-entered for the Super Nationals will be eligible to race. Hot laps are scheduled for 6 with racing to follow. Then on Monday, September 5, the madness begins with the week-long running of the 34th Annual Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals. The entrance to the Speedway has some changes, with the haulers only entering off of Highway 30 at the east entrance. A new, longer drive has been configured to eliminate the sometimes, big backup on the highway. The fans, on the other hand, must enter only on the west entrance.
Lets all hope for some nicer and DRYER weather to end the Iowa racing season, Get out and find a race and support the sport we all love.
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Opheim and Huggins post first wins at Boone Speedway
Saturday night found the pits packed at the Boone Speedway with 147 race cars that put on another great show for the big crowd on hand. Two drivers left with their first wins of the season, while three others came away with repeats from earlier.
One of the drivers getting his first ever win at Boone Speedway came out of the Mod Lite division when Joel Huggins took the checkers. Huggins led the entire 15-laps on his way to victory. Josh May started eighth and took the runner up spot after getting around third place finisher Mike Kennedy in the closing laps. Randy Bryan just held off Bryan Zehm at the finish line, as they went fourth and fifth respectively.
Jake McBirnie found his way back to the winner's circle in the IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap feature event. McBirnie started in the eighth position and by lap three, had the lead. From there on, he was captain of the ship, taking the comfortable win. Chad Ryerson came from thirteenth starting spot to finish second. and tenth place starter Jonathon Logue, was third. Fourth went to pole sitter Bill Wears, and first time visitor Colby Fett from Thompson, Iowa started twelfth, and rounded out the top five. This was McBirnie's seventh win of the season.
Jon Snyder took the win in the 20-lap Modified A main, but it was a drawn out affair with many yellows marring the feature event. The field finally found their racing rhythm, but not until a handful of cautions had flown with just five laps in the books. By that time, Snyder had made his way to the front of the pack and from there on, never relinquished the spot. He finished well ahead of second place Denny Pittman. John Logue started tenth, and finished third, Josh Truman was fourth, and point leader Mike VanGenderen was fifth. Snyder also won on season opening night.
Veteran competitor in the IMCA Stock Car class, Kevin Opheim, paid the Boone Speedway a visit, and found it to his liking in winning the 20-lap feature. Opheim, who is from Mason City, Iowa had to wrestle by Trent Murphy after dueling lap after lap, talking command with just three laps remaining. He held on to take the checkers and the win. Murphy had to be content with the runner up spot. Finishing a distant third was Robert Stofer, fourth went to Josh Daniels and visiting driver David Brandies from Wilton, Iowa, started twentieth and was fifth.
John Watson repeated his win from last week in the 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. He was able to finally get around leader Aaron Rudolph, who had led the entire race, with just two laps remaining, and secured the victory. Rudolph held second place, third went to Tyson Overton, point leader Eric Stanton was fourth, and Seth Janssen completed the top five. This was Watson's third feature win of the year.
We heard from some of the locals last evening, that Boone had been dumped on the previous night with a deluge of rain. Thanks to the great drainage system of the track, it was groomed and ready to go. A pesky dip did keep appearing in corner one, but the "green machines" kept it in check as they made an appearance every few heats early on. By feature time, we did not notice the dip.
Several area and beyond tracks were rained out last night, adding to the big car count. Some tracks are also done with their season. We noticed several racers from the Sioux City area as well as drivers from Nebraska, Missouri, and Minnesota. Of course, more cars keep showing up about this time every year as they want to do a little testing before Super Nationals. Some of the out of town racers were Dave Plowman from Omaha, Nebraska in the Stock Car class, Brad Whitney from Trenton, Missouri has been coming the last couple of weeks and last night he was joined by fellow Missourian's Greg Kevhn in the Stock Cars, and Erik Maggard from Springfield, who was competing in the Modified division.
Dan Menk from Franklin, Minnesota raced his IMCA Modified as did Trent Loverude from New Ulm, Minnesota. Two California racers, who called Iowa home during the summer, were also in the house...the 174 of Ethan Dotson and 11L of Cody Laney have both done well piloting their IMCA Modifieds around the state, and Arizona native Tim Ward (4TW) was also racing his Modified. There were some real hot shoes in the Stock Car division as veteran racer Johnny Spaw (00), David Brandies (71B), Kevin Opheim (44K) and Randy Brands (271) came to play. Both Opheim and Brands are former Super National's champions. Several northwest Iowa racers made the drive to the Boone Speedway last evening. Dustin Smith, Dave Smith, and Daniel Smith drove from Lake City, Iowa to join their brother Donavon Smith (who races weekly at Boone) for some fun.
Next Saturday, August 27 is Season Championship night...drawing to a close the weekly point's racing. Most of the championships are all wrapped up except for the Hobby Stock class where Dustin Graham has a LONG shot at catching Eric Stanton. Mike VanGenderen wrapped up the Modified track championship, Stock Cars will have Donavon Smith winning, Jonathon Logue will be the SportMod Champion and Bryan Zehm has the Mod Lite title.
The following Saturday night, September 3, is the second "Prelude to the Super Nationals" show...a draw/redraw format, which will only allow cars to race that have pre-entered this year's Super Nationals. Then, on Monday, September 5, the 33rd running of the IMCA Super Nationals will start...and the madness shall begin!
One of the drivers getting his first ever win at Boone Speedway came out of the Mod Lite division when Joel Huggins took the checkers. Huggins led the entire 15-laps on his way to victory. Josh May started eighth and took the runner up spot after getting around third place finisher Mike Kennedy in the closing laps. Randy Bryan just held off Bryan Zehm at the finish line, as they went fourth and fifth respectively.
Jake McBirnie found his way back to the winner's circle in the IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap feature event. McBirnie started in the eighth position and by lap three, had the lead. From there on, he was captain of the ship, taking the comfortable win. Chad Ryerson came from thirteenth starting spot to finish second. and tenth place starter Jonathon Logue, was third. Fourth went to pole sitter Bill Wears, and first time visitor Colby Fett from Thompson, Iowa started twelfth, and rounded out the top five. This was McBirnie's seventh win of the season.
Jon Snyder took the win in the 20-lap Modified A main, but it was a drawn out affair with many yellows marring the feature event. The field finally found their racing rhythm, but not until a handful of cautions had flown with just five laps in the books. By that time, Snyder had made his way to the front of the pack and from there on, never relinquished the spot. He finished well ahead of second place Denny Pittman. John Logue started tenth, and finished third, Josh Truman was fourth, and point leader Mike VanGenderen was fifth. Snyder also won on season opening night.
Veteran competitor in the IMCA Stock Car class, Kevin Opheim, paid the Boone Speedway a visit, and found it to his liking in winning the 20-lap feature. Opheim, who is from Mason City, Iowa had to wrestle by Trent Murphy after dueling lap after lap, talking command with just three laps remaining. He held on to take the checkers and the win. Murphy had to be content with the runner up spot. Finishing a distant third was Robert Stofer, fourth went to Josh Daniels and visiting driver David Brandies from Wilton, Iowa, started twentieth and was fifth.
John Watson repeated his win from last week in the 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. He was able to finally get around leader Aaron Rudolph, who had led the entire race, with just two laps remaining, and secured the victory. Rudolph held second place, third went to Tyson Overton, point leader Eric Stanton was fourth, and Seth Janssen completed the top five. This was Watson's third feature win of the year.
We heard from some of the locals last evening, that Boone had been dumped on the previous night with a deluge of rain. Thanks to the great drainage system of the track, it was groomed and ready to go. A pesky dip did keep appearing in corner one, but the "green machines" kept it in check as they made an appearance every few heats early on. By feature time, we did not notice the dip.
Several area and beyond tracks were rained out last night, adding to the big car count. Some tracks are also done with their season. We noticed several racers from the Sioux City area as well as drivers from Nebraska, Missouri, and Minnesota. Of course, more cars keep showing up about this time every year as they want to do a little testing before Super Nationals. Some of the out of town racers were Dave Plowman from Omaha, Nebraska in the Stock Car class, Brad Whitney from Trenton, Missouri has been coming the last couple of weeks and last night he was joined by fellow Missourian's Greg Kevhn in the Stock Cars, and Erik Maggard from Springfield, who was competing in the Modified division.
Dan Menk from Franklin, Minnesota raced his IMCA Modified as did Trent Loverude from New Ulm, Minnesota. Two California racers, who called Iowa home during the summer, were also in the house...the 174 of Ethan Dotson and 11L of Cody Laney have both done well piloting their IMCA Modifieds around the state, and Arizona native Tim Ward (4TW) was also racing his Modified. There were some real hot shoes in the Stock Car division as veteran racer Johnny Spaw (00), David Brandies (71B), Kevin Opheim (44K) and Randy Brands (271) came to play. Both Opheim and Brands are former Super National's champions. Several northwest Iowa racers made the drive to the Boone Speedway last evening. Dustin Smith, Dave Smith, and Daniel Smith drove from Lake City, Iowa to join their brother Donavon Smith (who races weekly at Boone) for some fun.
Next Saturday, August 27 is Season Championship night...drawing to a close the weekly point's racing. Most of the championships are all wrapped up except for the Hobby Stock class where Dustin Graham has a LONG shot at catching Eric Stanton. Mike VanGenderen wrapped up the Modified track championship, Stock Cars will have Donavon Smith winning, Jonathon Logue will be the SportMod Champion and Bryan Zehm has the Mod Lite title.
The following Saturday night, September 3, is the second "Prelude to the Super Nationals" show...a draw/redraw format, which will only allow cars to race that have pre-entered this year's Super Nationals. Then, on Monday, September 5, the 33rd running of the IMCA Super Nationals will start...and the madness shall begin!
Sunday, August 14, 2016
VanGenderen repeats in thrilling Modified finish at Boone
One hundred and thirty race cars checked into the pits at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night, and the big crowd on hand did not go home disappointed with the racing action. It was a spectacular finish to the Modified feature, as Mike VanGenderen repeated his win from last week. Josh May also matched his win from last Saturday night, winning the Mod Lite feature. John Watson hadn't seen the checkers since the end of May, but returned to the winner's circle in the IMCA Hobby Stock class. Trent Murphy won for the first time this season in the IMCA Stock Cars, and taking his first ever win at the Boone Speedway was IMCA Northern SportMod feature winner, Adam Armstrong.
Josh May started eighth in the 15-lap Mod Lite feature and had to chase down leader Joel Huggins. He took command at lap ten and never looked back on his way to victory. Point leader Bryan Zehm finished second after starting ninth, third went to tenth place starter, Mike Morrill, Joel Huggins finished fourth, and Angelo Montgomery was fifth. May, who also won last week, now has four feature wins this season.
Adam Armstrong, who is from Beatrice, Nebraska, but now calls Carlisle, Iowa home, was dominate in winning the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Armstrong started eighth and had the lead at lap five, and then pulled away to a healthy lead, taking the win by a near straight away. Curtis Veber finished as the runner up, and Jonathon Logue came from eleventh starting spot to finish third. Chad Ryerson started sixteenth and had a great run through the pack, to finish fourth, and rounding out the top five, was first time visiting racer, Chad Shaw. I believe Shaw is from Trimble, Missouri. Since Armstrong has moved to Iowa, he has been quite successful in his racing campaign. For a while, he was racing a Hobby Stock and winning with it, while waiting for his SportMod to be repaired. Since back in his black and green SportMod, he has won several times around the state, and just may be a force to be reckoned with come Super Nationals. He had just won the Harris Clash on Tuesday night in Webster City---in dominating fashion. This was his first time winning at the Boone Speedway.
Josh Truman led the early portion of the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature but with just six laps in the books, he was having to hold back Al Wolfgram. A few laps later, point leader Mike VanGenderen, who had started twelfth, was throwing his hat into the ring and up to third. The remainder of the race was a three-car battle among the three drivers...and it was a shoot out to the finish! As the three cars came out of turn four with the checkers unfurling, VanGenderen shot from third place, split the two cars, and emerged the winner. The fans were on their feet with the spectacular finish! Truman had to settle for second, and Wolfgram for third. Fourth and fifth went to two veteran drivers, Randy Havlik, (who has just recently brought out a Modified ride, switching from a Late Model) and Denny Pittman respectively. VanGenderen repeated his win from last week, and has now been in victory lane six times during the season. He stretched his point lead by a healthy amount with the win last night.
Trent Murphy came from eleventh starting spot to take the win in the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car class. Murphy, who has not been a weekly competitor at Boone this year, passed Josh Daniels at lap eleven and then pulled away to take the comfortable win, his first this year. Daniels finished as the runner up, new driver Todd Fisher started thirteenth, and finished third, fourth went to early leader Brad Whitney from Missouri, and Wayne Gifford started twenty-fourth after issues in his heat race and had to qualify through a B Main, and rounded out the top five.
The 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock A Main completed the evening's races and when all was said and done, it was John Watson taking the win. Watson had to fight his way past last week's winner Dustin Lynch, taking command at lap nine and then holding it the rest of the way to the flying checkers. Seth Janssen finished second over Solomon Bennett in third. Dustin Graham was fourth and Chad Legere was fifth. Watson won for the second time this year.
There was a healthy contingency of cars last night at Boone, even with the Night of a 1,000 Stars going on at the Hancock County Speedway in Britt. It appears there are new drivers showing up each week to get a little "test and tune" in before the 2016 Super Nationals.
A new flagman was getting a little practice in prior to the upcoming Super Nationals as well. Logan Kelly, from Fairmont, Minnesota was assisting Grant Oskvig on the flagstand. He also helped at last year's Super Nationals I believe.
Find a race to attend in support of the the sport we all love!
Josh May started eighth in the 15-lap Mod Lite feature and had to chase down leader Joel Huggins. He took command at lap ten and never looked back on his way to victory. Point leader Bryan Zehm finished second after starting ninth, third went to tenth place starter, Mike Morrill, Joel Huggins finished fourth, and Angelo Montgomery was fifth. May, who also won last week, now has four feature wins this season.
Adam Armstrong, who is from Beatrice, Nebraska, but now calls Carlisle, Iowa home, was dominate in winning the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Armstrong started eighth and had the lead at lap five, and then pulled away to a healthy lead, taking the win by a near straight away. Curtis Veber finished as the runner up, and Jonathon Logue came from eleventh starting spot to finish third. Chad Ryerson started sixteenth and had a great run through the pack, to finish fourth, and rounding out the top five, was first time visiting racer, Chad Shaw. I believe Shaw is from Trimble, Missouri. Since Armstrong has moved to Iowa, he has been quite successful in his racing campaign. For a while, he was racing a Hobby Stock and winning with it, while waiting for his SportMod to be repaired. Since back in his black and green SportMod, he has won several times around the state, and just may be a force to be reckoned with come Super Nationals. He had just won the Harris Clash on Tuesday night in Webster City---in dominating fashion. This was his first time winning at the Boone Speedway.
Josh Truman led the early portion of the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature but with just six laps in the books, he was having to hold back Al Wolfgram. A few laps later, point leader Mike VanGenderen, who had started twelfth, was throwing his hat into the ring and up to third. The remainder of the race was a three-car battle among the three drivers...and it was a shoot out to the finish! As the three cars came out of turn four with the checkers unfurling, VanGenderen shot from third place, split the two cars, and emerged the winner. The fans were on their feet with the spectacular finish! Truman had to settle for second, and Wolfgram for third. Fourth and fifth went to two veteran drivers, Randy Havlik, (who has just recently brought out a Modified ride, switching from a Late Model) and Denny Pittman respectively. VanGenderen repeated his win from last week, and has now been in victory lane six times during the season. He stretched his point lead by a healthy amount with the win last night.
Trent Murphy came from eleventh starting spot to take the win in the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car class. Murphy, who has not been a weekly competitor at Boone this year, passed Josh Daniels at lap eleven and then pulled away to take the comfortable win, his first this year. Daniels finished as the runner up, new driver Todd Fisher started thirteenth, and finished third, fourth went to early leader Brad Whitney from Missouri, and Wayne Gifford started twenty-fourth after issues in his heat race and had to qualify through a B Main, and rounded out the top five.
The 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock A Main completed the evening's races and when all was said and done, it was John Watson taking the win. Watson had to fight his way past last week's winner Dustin Lynch, taking command at lap nine and then holding it the rest of the way to the flying checkers. Seth Janssen finished second over Solomon Bennett in third. Dustin Graham was fourth and Chad Legere was fifth. Watson won for the second time this year.
There was a healthy contingency of cars last night at Boone, even with the Night of a 1,000 Stars going on at the Hancock County Speedway in Britt. It appears there are new drivers showing up each week to get a little "test and tune" in before the 2016 Super Nationals.
A new flagman was getting a little practice in prior to the upcoming Super Nationals as well. Logan Kelly, from Fairmont, Minnesota was assisting Grant Oskvig on the flagstand. He also helped at last year's Super Nationals I believe.
Find a race to attend in support of the the sport we all love!
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Last lap mishap puts Rust in the winner's circle at 25th Harris Clash
The Harris Clash is always one of our "must see" races every year, and last night's 25th running back at the Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City--- the track where it all began---was a thriller! Sixty-six IMCA Modifieds, and 51 IMCA Northern SportMods were in the house, representing 11 states (by my count) and Australia.
Six heat races and three B Mains were run for both the Modifieds and SportMods. Two from each of the heats, qualified for the A main and four from each of the B's, went on. There was also a special "Dash at the Clash" race before the two A mains were run. It pitted ten Modified drivers that had won at different Midwest tracks on a designated "Dash at the Clash" qualifier. Drivers drew for their starting positions in the ten-lap dash. The ten drivers were Ricky Thornton, Jr., John Logue, Luke Lemmens, Josh Ruby, Scott Hogan, Kelly Shryock, Jeremy Mills, Rob VanMill, Ethan Dotson, and Chris Abelson. Chris Abelson and John Logue drew the front row for the start. Much of the race became a duel between Abelson and fifth place starter, Ricky Thornton, Jr. Abelson came out the victor in the Inaugural Dash at the Clash, earning himself $500. Thornton was the runner up and Kelly Shryock took third after starting eighth.
Jake Sachau, Randy Roberts, Adam Armstrong, Shane Swanson, Doug Smith and Nick Meyer were all heat race winners in the Northern SportMods. The B main winners were Brett Lowry, Jack Housley, and Erik Laudenschlager.
Randy Roberts and Adam Armstrong started on the front row of the 20-lap feature and Armstrong immediately grabbed the lead. Armstrong's healthy lead disappeared when a yellow flew at lap seven, tightening the field for the restart. It was no concern to Armstrong however, as he motored off from the pack, sailing along on the topside and took the checkers, untouched. Sixth place starter, Jake Sachau finished a distant runner up, track champion Ty Griffith came from ninth starting spot, to finish third, Brett Lowry started thirteenth, and finished fourth and Nick Meyer completed the top five. The win earned Armstrong a healthy $1,000. Armstrong, who is from Beatrice, Nebraska is now calling Carlisle, Iowa home. He has had much success at the Beatrice Speedway in both the IMCA Hobby Stock and the SportMod classes.
The IMCA Modified heat winners were Chase Ellingson, Kelly Shryock, Chris Abelson, Josh Ruby, Richie Gustin, and Ryan Ruter. The three B main wins went to Tom Berry, track champion Tim Ward, and Cory Dripps. The luck of the draw pitted Kelly Shryock and Chris Abelson to lead the field to the green in the 25-lap feature. Those two were the whole show up front, while Joel Rust ran in third, watching the two go at it. Abelson led Shryock all of the race, with the #3 attached to his bumper. On the final lap, Shryock made his move, pulling alongside Abelson as they entered turn one. Then---contact was made...Abelson went spinning, Shryock slowed with a possible flat tire, and Joel Rust was able to slip between the two, and lead the final 3/4 lap circuit to the checkers and the $2,000 win. Josh Ruby, who had run fourth most of the race, took second, and Richie Gustin took third from starting eleventh. Twelfth place starter, Ryan Ruter came home in fourth and track champion, Tim Ward finished fifth after starting fourteenth.
It was an exciting finish to the race to say the least! The grandstand was abuzz after the race was completed...many opinions flying as to what just happened! There was no doubt however, as to who was the winner, as Joel Rust, young Grundy Center, Iowa racer, stood in Victory Lane! So ended the 25th running of the Harris Clash, and Rust's name is now the latest in a long line of prestigious winners.
There was a great crowd on hand at the historic Hamilton County Speedway, and it took us a good 40 minutes just to get out of the parking lot after the race was completed. We wonder just how many made an early exit and found out later, the outcome of the race to be a lot different than they had anticipated! It just goes to show, it's never over, until it's over!
There is still a lot of racing in the area this week. Tonight, the Hawkeye Dirt Tour for IMCA Modifieds closes out it's season at the Buena Vista Speedway in Alta, Iowa. Then there are three consecutive nights of racing at the Hancock County Speedway in Britt, Iowa. Thursday is the Night of a 1,000 Stars, Friday the Night of 10,000 Stars and Saturday, the All Stars. Of course, there is still weekly racing going on as well. Find a race to enjoy!
Six heat races and three B Mains were run for both the Modifieds and SportMods. Two from each of the heats, qualified for the A main and four from each of the B's, went on. There was also a special "Dash at the Clash" race before the two A mains were run. It pitted ten Modified drivers that had won at different Midwest tracks on a designated "Dash at the Clash" qualifier. Drivers drew for their starting positions in the ten-lap dash. The ten drivers were Ricky Thornton, Jr., John Logue, Luke Lemmens, Josh Ruby, Scott Hogan, Kelly Shryock, Jeremy Mills, Rob VanMill, Ethan Dotson, and Chris Abelson. Chris Abelson and John Logue drew the front row for the start. Much of the race became a duel between Abelson and fifth place starter, Ricky Thornton, Jr. Abelson came out the victor in the Inaugural Dash at the Clash, earning himself $500. Thornton was the runner up and Kelly Shryock took third after starting eighth.
Jake Sachau, Randy Roberts, Adam Armstrong, Shane Swanson, Doug Smith and Nick Meyer were all heat race winners in the Northern SportMods. The B main winners were Brett Lowry, Jack Housley, and Erik Laudenschlager.
Randy Roberts and Adam Armstrong started on the front row of the 20-lap feature and Armstrong immediately grabbed the lead. Armstrong's healthy lead disappeared when a yellow flew at lap seven, tightening the field for the restart. It was no concern to Armstrong however, as he motored off from the pack, sailing along on the topside and took the checkers, untouched. Sixth place starter, Jake Sachau finished a distant runner up, track champion Ty Griffith came from ninth starting spot, to finish third, Brett Lowry started thirteenth, and finished fourth and Nick Meyer completed the top five. The win earned Armstrong a healthy $1,000. Armstrong, who is from Beatrice, Nebraska is now calling Carlisle, Iowa home. He has had much success at the Beatrice Speedway in both the IMCA Hobby Stock and the SportMod classes.
The IMCA Modified heat winners were Chase Ellingson, Kelly Shryock, Chris Abelson, Josh Ruby, Richie Gustin, and Ryan Ruter. The three B main wins went to Tom Berry, track champion Tim Ward, and Cory Dripps. The luck of the draw pitted Kelly Shryock and Chris Abelson to lead the field to the green in the 25-lap feature. Those two were the whole show up front, while Joel Rust ran in third, watching the two go at it. Abelson led Shryock all of the race, with the #3 attached to his bumper. On the final lap, Shryock made his move, pulling alongside Abelson as they entered turn one. Then---contact was made...Abelson went spinning, Shryock slowed with a possible flat tire, and Joel Rust was able to slip between the two, and lead the final 3/4 lap circuit to the checkers and the $2,000 win. Josh Ruby, who had run fourth most of the race, took second, and Richie Gustin took third from starting eleventh. Twelfth place starter, Ryan Ruter came home in fourth and track champion, Tim Ward finished fifth after starting fourteenth.
It was an exciting finish to the race to say the least! The grandstand was abuzz after the race was completed...many opinions flying as to what just happened! There was no doubt however, as to who was the winner, as Joel Rust, young Grundy Center, Iowa racer, stood in Victory Lane! So ended the 25th running of the Harris Clash, and Rust's name is now the latest in a long line of prestigious winners.
There was a great crowd on hand at the historic Hamilton County Speedway, and it took us a good 40 minutes just to get out of the parking lot after the race was completed. We wonder just how many made an early exit and found out later, the outcome of the race to be a lot different than they had anticipated! It just goes to show, it's never over, until it's over!
There is still a lot of racing in the area this week. Tonight, the Hawkeye Dirt Tour for IMCA Modifieds closes out it's season at the Buena Vista Speedway in Alta, Iowa. Then there are three consecutive nights of racing at the Hancock County Speedway in Britt, Iowa. Thursday is the Night of a 1,000 Stars, Friday the Night of 10,000 Stars and Saturday, the All Stars. Of course, there is still weekly racing going on as well. Find a race to enjoy!
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Byers and Lynch take first wins at Boone
It was another fast paced night of racing at the Boone Speedway Saturday evening, with 137 cars packing the pits. Two drivers would come away with their first wins at the track, while three others would repeat from earlier. There was also an added bonus in a TiLUBE sponsored Modified challenge race, with one driver walking away with $1,200.
Josh May started eighth in the 15-lap Mod Lite feature and had the lead by lap four. He never looked back from there on, stretching his lead and taking the comfortable win. Pole sitter Kevin Grisham finished in the runner up spot, Randy Bryan was third, Joe Glick finished fourth, and last week's winner Bryan Zehm, was fifth. The race went flag to flag.
TiLUBE/TiLUBE Motorsports sponsored a "Last Man Standing" Modified challenge next. It pitted the twelve drivers with the fastest lap times on the transponder program from the heats. The drivers qualifying were Dustin Smith, Russ Dickerson, Chris Webb, Al Wolfgram, Jon Snyder, Bob Daniels, John Logue, Josh Truman, Eric Elliott, Joel Bushore, Tony Cox, and Gatlin Leytham. The drivers drew for starting positions. The race went 15 laps and the last place runner had to drop out each lap after the third lap. First time visitor to the track this season, Dustin Smith from Lake City, Iowa went home with the victory, out running Russ Dickerson in second place. The winner received $1,000 and got an extra $200 bonus if running a non-crate. Smith went home with $1,200.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran their usual 18-lap feature. Jake McBirnie took command of the race after getting by Jonathon Logue at lap five and keeping it to the checkers and the win. Logue held down second place, just barely beating tenth place starter Adam Armstrong in third. Fourth went to Daniel Tasler and Randy Roberts came from twentieth starting spot, after having to qualify through a B main, to finish fifth. McBirnie has won for the last three consecutive Saturday nights, and made it his sixth over all for the season.
The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars were up next for their 18-lap A Main. It was led from start to finish by Indianola, Iowa racer, Steve Byers. Matt West chased Byers the entire distance, but could only muster a second place finish. Josh Daniels took third, Devin Smith started twenty-second and surged by Wayne Gifford in the waning moments, as they went fourth and fifth respectively. This was Byers' first career win in the Stock Car class in his rookie year.
The 20-lap IMCA Modified feature had some strange turns of event before it was all said and done. Joel Bushore and Jon Snyder were running first and second through the halfway mark of the race when the ailing car of Darren Huntley was trying to exit from the track on the front stretch...right in front of the two leaders that were running the high side. The collision was unavoidable, and it took both Bushore and Snyder out of the game. This handed the lead on the restart over to Gatlin Leytham with Al Wolfgram, Eric Elliott and point leader Mike VanGenderen, close at hand. Just a lap later, Elliott made contact with Laythem and Wolfgram on the front stretch, sending them spinning into the infield, and he found himself black flagged for the incident. With just three laps remaining, VanGenderen was now in the lead with Russ Dickerson breathing down his neck. VanGenderen was able to hold the lead at the finish line, by mere inches, and took the win. The transponders told the tale and VanGenderen won by a tick of the timer. Dickerson had to be content with second place. Third was Chris Webb, John Logue, sporting a new white with red Harris car, started twenty-third, and finished fourth, and Tony Cox completed the top five. This was VanGenderen's fifth win of the season.
Racing concluding with the running of the 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. The cars did not complete the first lap before the race was halted. Brian Derry started on the front row, and spun around facing traffic on the top of turn three before a lap was scored. He was hit head on by Korbin Nourse and then Steven Doss, trying to avoid them, rolled his car off the top of the corner, bringing out the red flag. He was okay. When racing action got back underway, Dustin Lynch quickly got to the lead and held firmly to that coveted spot the remainder of the race to take the win. Chad Legere finished in the runner up spot, third went to Shaun Wirtz, fourth to point leader Eric Stanton, and Tyson Overton was fifth. This was Lynch's first win at Boone this year.
There seemed to be a lot of incidents all over the track last night. We noted everyone was taking a pretty bumpy ride in corner one, until they learned to avoid the hole/dip. There were a lot of visiting drivers last night...some due to Webster City's season being over, and some perhaps just to get in a little testing prior to Super Nationals. There were 33 Hobby Stocks, 30 Modifieds and Stock Cars, 26 Northern SportMods and 18 Mod Lites, making for a great field of competitors.
Things are beginning to gear up for the 34th running of the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals coming up September 5-10. It will be here before you know it. For more information you can go to www.raceboone.com and click on the Super Nationals button at the top of the page. We hear that pre-registration of cars is up from last year. This year, an extra class has been added---the IMCA Southern SportMods will join the line up and their entire program will be run on Monday, September 5. But...prior to the Super Nationals, on Saturday night, September 3, it will be a draw-redraw "open" night deemed the "Prelude to the Super Nationals. Last year's Inaugural Prelude had close to 300 cars...expect more this year.
Get out to a race somewhere, and support the sport we all love.
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Cooney takes Marshalltown Late Model win
After more than four inches of rain on Thursday evening, and the infield a muddy bog with a pond that the Canada geese enjoyed earlier, the Marshalltown Speedway still pulled off a full night of racing Friday. A full pit of 116 cars, that included the IMCA Late Models in their first of five consecutive weekly appearances, put on a great night of exciting racing action for the fans.
Josh May took a trip back to victory lane, winning the twelve lap non-stop Mod Lite feature. May took the lead from Joel Huggins at lap five, and from there on, never looked back on his way to the checkers. Cory Sauerman started the feature at the tail, and worked his way through the pack to take the runner up spot. Third went to early leader, Joel Huggins, fourth was Travis Stensland, and Randy Bryan was fifth. This was May's fifth win of the season. After having issues in his heat race, and not finishing, he thanked his sister Chelsea, who drives the 18M machine, for being able to borrow parts from her ride, in order to make the feature.
Austin Luellen, Minburn, Iowa driver, made the trip back to Marshalltown after a long absence. He started eleventh on the grid in the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod A main and inherited the lead at lap six when the front runners tangled, bringing out a yellow. Luellen went on to lead the remaining laps and take the win. Finishing a distant second place was Travis Petersen. Jared VanDeest, who had to tag the field after he was a non-starter in his heat, flew through the field to finish third. Twelfth place starter Jonathon Logue finished fourth and Taylor Musselman was fifth.
This was Luellen's first win at Marshalltown in 2016.
Eric Stanton went home with his eleventh IMCA Hobby Stock win under his belt, winning the 15-lap feature event. Stanton caught early leader Leah Wroten at lap six, and then, with a little rubbin' is racin', made the pass into the lead, two laps later. Stanton kept that top spot to the checkers flying. Visiting racer Ryan Grochala raced his way from twelfth starting spot, to take the runner up position, Leah Wroten recovered nicely after a late race skirmish that caused her to fall back momentarily, and got back up to third, Jamie Songer started eleventh and finished fourth, and Luke Bird, who raced for the first time at the speedway last week, finished fifth after starting seventeenth.
Damon Murty used his usual top side of the track and made it work once again, winning the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car A main. He had to catch veteran racer Jeff Wollam in doing so. Wollam led from the drop of the green, but Murty had him at the flag stand on lap eight. For there on, Murty distanced himself from the field, and took the easy win. Another visiting racer, Dave Brandies from Wilton, Iowa, raced his way to score the runner up spot after starting eleventh. Wollam took third place, fourth was Dave Atcher and point leader Donavon Smith, rounded out the top five.
After winning his first Modified feature a month ago, Trent Jackson repeated the feat, scoring his second feature of the year. Jackson took the lead from Rod Clement with a handful of laps in the book, and never relinquished it, taking the comfortable win over point leader, Jacob Murray in second place. Third place went to Jimmy Gustin, Ronn Lauritzen was fourth and Joel Rust took fifth.
The grand finale of the evening was 25-laps of IMCA Late Model feature racing. This one did not start well when the front row of Ben Seeman and Emerson got together just after the race went green. This relegated them to the tail for the restart. When things did get back underway, it was hometown boy Darrel DeFrance grabbing the lead. By lap three, Todd Cooney had moved from his sixth row starting position, to tag on to DeFrance's tail. DeFrance held him off for a few more laps until Cooney's move out of turn four put him into the lead as they crossed the finish line at lap seven. Cooney then hummed along on the topside, the rest of the way to the checkers, scoring the comfortable win. Luke Goedert took second, third was Richie Gustin, Darrel DeFrance was fourth and John Emerson finished fifth.
There were many "non-regular" racers in the house last night. Many are making the trip to race at Marshalltown since their regular Friday night track, the Iowa State Fair Speedway, is done for the season. Others making a longer haul were Schuyler Nahre from Indianapolis, Indiana, who raced his 22 Modified, the 5B Modified of Austin Bishop from Manchester, and the 1M SportMod of Mitch Manternach from Earlville.
The month of August has lots of races scheduled on the calendar. Get out and support the sport we all enjoy.
Josh May took a trip back to victory lane, winning the twelve lap non-stop Mod Lite feature. May took the lead from Joel Huggins at lap five, and from there on, never looked back on his way to the checkers. Cory Sauerman started the feature at the tail, and worked his way through the pack to take the runner up spot. Third went to early leader, Joel Huggins, fourth was Travis Stensland, and Randy Bryan was fifth. This was May's fifth win of the season. After having issues in his heat race, and not finishing, he thanked his sister Chelsea, who drives the 18M machine, for being able to borrow parts from her ride, in order to make the feature.
Austin Luellen, Minburn, Iowa driver, made the trip back to Marshalltown after a long absence. He started eleventh on the grid in the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod A main and inherited the lead at lap six when the front runners tangled, bringing out a yellow. Luellen went on to lead the remaining laps and take the win. Finishing a distant second place was Travis Petersen. Jared VanDeest, who had to tag the field after he was a non-starter in his heat, flew through the field to finish third. Twelfth place starter Jonathon Logue finished fourth and Taylor Musselman was fifth.
This was Luellen's first win at Marshalltown in 2016.
Eric Stanton went home with his eleventh IMCA Hobby Stock win under his belt, winning the 15-lap feature event. Stanton caught early leader Leah Wroten at lap six, and then, with a little rubbin' is racin', made the pass into the lead, two laps later. Stanton kept that top spot to the checkers flying. Visiting racer Ryan Grochala raced his way from twelfth starting spot, to take the runner up position, Leah Wroten recovered nicely after a late race skirmish that caused her to fall back momentarily, and got back up to third, Jamie Songer started eleventh and finished fourth, and Luke Bird, who raced for the first time at the speedway last week, finished fifth after starting seventeenth.
Damon Murty used his usual top side of the track and made it work once again, winning the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car A main. He had to catch veteran racer Jeff Wollam in doing so. Wollam led from the drop of the green, but Murty had him at the flag stand on lap eight. For there on, Murty distanced himself from the field, and took the easy win. Another visiting racer, Dave Brandies from Wilton, Iowa, raced his way to score the runner up spot after starting eleventh. Wollam took third place, fourth was Dave Atcher and point leader Donavon Smith, rounded out the top five.
After winning his first Modified feature a month ago, Trent Jackson repeated the feat, scoring his second feature of the year. Jackson took the lead from Rod Clement with a handful of laps in the book, and never relinquished it, taking the comfortable win over point leader, Jacob Murray in second place. Third place went to Jimmy Gustin, Ronn Lauritzen was fourth and Joel Rust took fifth.
The grand finale of the evening was 25-laps of IMCA Late Model feature racing. This one did not start well when the front row of Ben Seeman and Emerson got together just after the race went green. This relegated them to the tail for the restart. When things did get back underway, it was hometown boy Darrel DeFrance grabbing the lead. By lap three, Todd Cooney had moved from his sixth row starting position, to tag on to DeFrance's tail. DeFrance held him off for a few more laps until Cooney's move out of turn four put him into the lead as they crossed the finish line at lap seven. Cooney then hummed along on the topside, the rest of the way to the checkers, scoring the comfortable win. Luke Goedert took second, third was Richie Gustin, Darrel DeFrance was fourth and John Emerson finished fifth.
There were many "non-regular" racers in the house last night. Many are making the trip to race at Marshalltown since their regular Friday night track, the Iowa State Fair Speedway, is done for the season. Others making a longer haul were Schuyler Nahre from Indianapolis, Indiana, who raced his 22 Modified, the 5B Modified of Austin Bishop from Manchester, and the 1M SportMod of Mitch Manternach from Earlville.
The month of August has lots of races scheduled on the calendar. Get out and support the sport we all enjoy.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Schroeder, Wood, Shull and Roose take first wins at Osky, Van Der Wal chalks up another
The Southern Iowa Speedway finally got back in action on Wednesday night. The track has been silent since July 5 due to rain outs and non-scheduled nights around the fair. It was a long absence for the fans and drivers alike.
There was all sorts of attrition in the Sport Compact feature and when all was said and done, only three of the ten cars in action were left running...and one of those was spewing smoke. John Whalen led the first lap, only to have Brad Havel take over at lap two. Havel then put distance between himself and the rest of the field. Lap seven found a melee in turn four between John Whalen, brother Bill Whalen, Jr. and Ryan Havel. The three wound up tangled at the fence, in turn four with much damage and all done for the evening. Prior to this, cars had been dropping out of the race, left and right. When the race restarted, it left only leader Brad Havel, James Roose, Brandon Allison and Levi Heath still in the game. Havel kept command the first lap after the restart, but then he too was out with mechanical issues...handing the lead over to James Roose, Levi Heath was in second and reeling in the leader, but then smoke began flowing from his ride! Roose held the lead and took the checkers...his first ever at Osky, Heath's smoking machine faltered more in the closing moments, allowing Brandon Allison to pass him and take second, leaving Heath limping across the line in third.
Two Stock Car drivers put on a heck of a show for the fans in their 18-lap feature. Brock Welch was scheduled to start on the pole, but opted to start at the tail...moving the field alignment up. Mike Hughes took full advantage of that switch up, and grabbed the immediate lead. Following him through, was Nathan Wood who tagged in right behind him. From there on out, it was a shoot out between the two! At lap three, Wood had the advantage, but Hughes had no plan to go away. He would pull Wood on the back stretch, only to have Wood get the lead back by the time they passed the finish line. This would happen over and over---the two running door handle to door handle, before Wood was finally able gain a bit of breathing room. He would then take his #52 on to the flying checkers and his first win at Osky this season. Hughes held the runner up spot easily over Derrick Agee, who was third. Fourth went to Donnie Pearson, and Louis Lynch completed the top five in the race that went flag to flag. You may be wondering what about Cayden Carter, the driver who has been unstoppable at Osky this season. Carter was out of the race in the early portion of the race, suffering a flat tire. Wood was a happy camper in Victory Lane, finally getting that elusive win. He thanked Kyle Brown and Harris Auto Racing for fixing him up this past week. We understand it was a whole new front end.
The 16-lap IMCA Northern Sportmod feature was up next and it was another non-stop affair. Cory Van Zante looked poised to get his first win at Osky, as he led from early on and pulled away from the pack. But...point leader Curtis Van Der Wal was having none of that, hungry for yet another win. He began reeling in Van Zante, and by lap twelve, had caught and passed him, to take command of the race. Van Der Wal would hold that lead, scoring his sixth feature win of the season. Van Zante took the runner up spot, third went to Brayton Carter, fourth to Brett Lowry and Trent Brink rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Modifieds had a short field last evening, just nine cars, but it had some muscle in the field. This race also went caution free, and for all but the first lap, it was Andrew Schroeder "showing the way", as announcer Tony Paris says. Colt Mather chased Schroeder for most of the 16-laps, but had to settle for a distant second place. Third went to southwest Iowa racer, Jesse Dennis, Tyler Groenendyk was fourth, and it was great to see "a flash from the past", Ron VerBeek racing the car #29 last night, and finish fifth. This was Schroeder's first win at the Southern Iowa Speedway this year. Two visiting California drivers were in the house last night, trying their hand at the Monster Half-Mile. Their luck wasn't the best, as Lance Mari from Imperial, California, did not start the feature, and Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, California, did not finish.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks finished off the night's feature racing with a 15-lap event. Scott Shull got the drop on the field when the race went green, and would lead all laps on the way to victory. A yellow at lap seven bunched the field, Shull leading with Danny Thrasher, and Dustin Griffiths tucked in behind for the restart. Shull still got the drop and was looking comfortable out in front when another yellow with a lap remaining reared it's ugly head. This set up a "bonus lap" green-white-checkered finish. Shull held tight to that lead the remainder of the race, taking the win...his first ever at Osky. Griffiths got by Thrasher in the waning moments, as they went second and third in that order. Fourth was Nick Ulin and Bobby Greene was fifth.
So ended another night of regular season racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway. It was the last night of Wednesday racing until August 31, when it will be season championship night. The track will be hosting the Front Row Challenge for 410 sprint cars and $20,000 to win on Monday, August 8. For more info on that event, check out www.oskychallenges.com.
Find some races to attend and help support the sport we all love.
There was all sorts of attrition in the Sport Compact feature and when all was said and done, only three of the ten cars in action were left running...and one of those was spewing smoke. John Whalen led the first lap, only to have Brad Havel take over at lap two. Havel then put distance between himself and the rest of the field. Lap seven found a melee in turn four between John Whalen, brother Bill Whalen, Jr. and Ryan Havel. The three wound up tangled at the fence, in turn four with much damage and all done for the evening. Prior to this, cars had been dropping out of the race, left and right. When the race restarted, it left only leader Brad Havel, James Roose, Brandon Allison and Levi Heath still in the game. Havel kept command the first lap after the restart, but then he too was out with mechanical issues...handing the lead over to James Roose, Levi Heath was in second and reeling in the leader, but then smoke began flowing from his ride! Roose held the lead and took the checkers...his first ever at Osky, Heath's smoking machine faltered more in the closing moments, allowing Brandon Allison to pass him and take second, leaving Heath limping across the line in third.
Two Stock Car drivers put on a heck of a show for the fans in their 18-lap feature. Brock Welch was scheduled to start on the pole, but opted to start at the tail...moving the field alignment up. Mike Hughes took full advantage of that switch up, and grabbed the immediate lead. Following him through, was Nathan Wood who tagged in right behind him. From there on out, it was a shoot out between the two! At lap three, Wood had the advantage, but Hughes had no plan to go away. He would pull Wood on the back stretch, only to have Wood get the lead back by the time they passed the finish line. This would happen over and over---the two running door handle to door handle, before Wood was finally able gain a bit of breathing room. He would then take his #52 on to the flying checkers and his first win at Osky this season. Hughes held the runner up spot easily over Derrick Agee, who was third. Fourth went to Donnie Pearson, and Louis Lynch completed the top five in the race that went flag to flag. You may be wondering what about Cayden Carter, the driver who has been unstoppable at Osky this season. Carter was out of the race in the early portion of the race, suffering a flat tire. Wood was a happy camper in Victory Lane, finally getting that elusive win. He thanked Kyle Brown and Harris Auto Racing for fixing him up this past week. We understand it was a whole new front end.
The 16-lap IMCA Northern Sportmod feature was up next and it was another non-stop affair. Cory Van Zante looked poised to get his first win at Osky, as he led from early on and pulled away from the pack. But...point leader Curtis Van Der Wal was having none of that, hungry for yet another win. He began reeling in Van Zante, and by lap twelve, had caught and passed him, to take command of the race. Van Der Wal would hold that lead, scoring his sixth feature win of the season. Van Zante took the runner up spot, third went to Brayton Carter, fourth to Brett Lowry and Trent Brink rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Modifieds had a short field last evening, just nine cars, but it had some muscle in the field. This race also went caution free, and for all but the first lap, it was Andrew Schroeder "showing the way", as announcer Tony Paris says. Colt Mather chased Schroeder for most of the 16-laps, but had to settle for a distant second place. Third went to southwest Iowa racer, Jesse Dennis, Tyler Groenendyk was fourth, and it was great to see "a flash from the past", Ron VerBeek racing the car #29 last night, and finish fifth. This was Schroeder's first win at the Southern Iowa Speedway this year. Two visiting California drivers were in the house last night, trying their hand at the Monster Half-Mile. Their luck wasn't the best, as Lance Mari from Imperial, California, did not start the feature, and Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, California, did not finish.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks finished off the night's feature racing with a 15-lap event. Scott Shull got the drop on the field when the race went green, and would lead all laps on the way to victory. A yellow at lap seven bunched the field, Shull leading with Danny Thrasher, and Dustin Griffiths tucked in behind for the restart. Shull still got the drop and was looking comfortable out in front when another yellow with a lap remaining reared it's ugly head. This set up a "bonus lap" green-white-checkered finish. Shull held tight to that lead the remainder of the race, taking the win...his first ever at Osky. Griffiths got by Thrasher in the waning moments, as they went second and third in that order. Fourth was Nick Ulin and Bobby Greene was fifth.
So ended another night of regular season racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway. It was the last night of Wednesday racing until August 31, when it will be season championship night. The track will be hosting the Front Row Challenge for 410 sprint cars and $20,000 to win on Monday, August 8. For more info on that event, check out www.oskychallenges.com.
Find some races to attend and help support the sport we all love.
Monday, August 1, 2016
Leisurely night of racing at the Benton County Speedway
We seldom go racing on Sunday's, but on a whim, opted to head east to the Benton County Speedway for a little racing action. It was a night where the late daughter of racer Buck Swanson was honored on the date of her passing.
The night's features started with the running of the Micro Mods. This is the only track we see these race, but more often than not, the winner is veteran racer Don Erger...as it was again last evening. Erger started fourth, but already had the lead at lap one. Then on lap two, the race was red-flagged when Scott Beaty went for a ride, rolling his #13 in corner one. He was okay. When the race went back to green, Erger maintained his lead, and scored the 12-lap feature victory. Cole McNeal made his way to second from starting sixth, and tried to reel in Erger. It was to no avail, and he had to settle for the runner up spot. Third went to heat winner Kaden Reynolds, fourth was Dallon Murty, son of Stock Car racer, Damon Murty, and Derrick Knutsen was fifth. Erger is the point leader.
It was an exciting finish to the IMCA Stock Car 16-lapper, but in the end, it was once again Damon Murty standing in victory lane. He is also a driver we see win at the track most of the time we happen to be there. Murty started in row five and let some of the field ahead get sorted out before he began his usual ride at the rim of the track. Curtis Roster had taken the lead with a handful of laps in the books, with Austin Evens and Scooter Dulin stalking him. Murty began closing in on the top runners, and when leader Roster was out of the game after suffering a flat, it was Murty quick to get to the top spot when lap nine was scored. Then it became a shoot out between Murty and Dulin. That would end when Dulin went for a spin, bringing out a yellow at lap thirteen. By that time, it was Justin Stander at the ready on the restart, and he was able to make the move around Murty to take over first. He held on for two laps, but then Murty made his patented topside move on the final lap, sweeping around corners three and four, and beating everyone to the checkers for the win. Scott Pippert got around Stander in the closing moments, as they went second and third. Curtis Roster rallied back after having to change a tire, and finished fourth, just ahead of fifth place Norm Chesmore, who maintains his point lead. I believe this was career win #211 for Murty.
After that exciting finish in the Stock Cars, it was on to the 16-lap SportMod A main. Curt Hilmer held down the lead through lap six. That would be when the race was halted for medical assistance in the grandstand. When the race restarted, second place runner Danny Dvorak, was able to nose under Hilmer and take over the top spot. He then extended that lead, taking the comfortable win. The two #22's had been doing battle for the runner up spot, and it was Matt Petrzelka winning the war for second, over Curt Hilmer in third. Fourth was Kurt Hogan and Tony Olson, point leader, completed the top five.
Shawn Ritter held down the lead in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature the first five laps. At lap eight, it was Patrick Flannagan getting the pass for the lead on the backstretch. Then as the two entered turn one, contact was made bringing out a yellow, and their run at the front was ended. Tony Snyder then inherited the lead with young Ryan Maitland running second. Maitland was then able to move around Snyder, taking over the helm at lap thirteen, and Ronn Lauritzen soon followed suite, taking over second. Lauritzen closed in on Maitland, but was not able to do more than that, as 17 year old Maitland scored the victory, Lauritzen, the track point leader, going second. Snyder held third place, over Scott Hogan in fourth and younger brother (15 years old) of the winner, Brandon Maitland, was fifth.
Nathan Ballard took home the IMCA Hobby Stock win in the 15-lap evening finale. He had command at lap six and kept it to the finish...though having to endure five restarts due to cautions. Ballard started eighth on his march to victory, finishing ahead of second place Brett Vanous. Leah Wroten finished third, Matt Pohlman came from starting near the back of the pack, to finish fourth, and Justin Wacha was fifth. Ballard is the track point leader.
It's nice to get back on the road home early on a Sunday evening after Vinton's fast-running show. The first heat was on the track at 6:15 and the show was completed just a tick after 8:30 p.m. If you haven't made the trip over to the Benton County Speedway, you may want to try and make one of their remaining Sunday shows.
The night's features started with the running of the Micro Mods. This is the only track we see these race, but more often than not, the winner is veteran racer Don Erger...as it was again last evening. Erger started fourth, but already had the lead at lap one. Then on lap two, the race was red-flagged when Scott Beaty went for a ride, rolling his #13 in corner one. He was okay. When the race went back to green, Erger maintained his lead, and scored the 12-lap feature victory. Cole McNeal made his way to second from starting sixth, and tried to reel in Erger. It was to no avail, and he had to settle for the runner up spot. Third went to heat winner Kaden Reynolds, fourth was Dallon Murty, son of Stock Car racer, Damon Murty, and Derrick Knutsen was fifth. Erger is the point leader.
It was an exciting finish to the IMCA Stock Car 16-lapper, but in the end, it was once again Damon Murty standing in victory lane. He is also a driver we see win at the track most of the time we happen to be there. Murty started in row five and let some of the field ahead get sorted out before he began his usual ride at the rim of the track. Curtis Roster had taken the lead with a handful of laps in the books, with Austin Evens and Scooter Dulin stalking him. Murty began closing in on the top runners, and when leader Roster was out of the game after suffering a flat, it was Murty quick to get to the top spot when lap nine was scored. Then it became a shoot out between Murty and Dulin. That would end when Dulin went for a spin, bringing out a yellow at lap thirteen. By that time, it was Justin Stander at the ready on the restart, and he was able to make the move around Murty to take over first. He held on for two laps, but then Murty made his patented topside move on the final lap, sweeping around corners three and four, and beating everyone to the checkers for the win. Scott Pippert got around Stander in the closing moments, as they went second and third. Curtis Roster rallied back after having to change a tire, and finished fourth, just ahead of fifth place Norm Chesmore, who maintains his point lead. I believe this was career win #211 for Murty.
After that exciting finish in the Stock Cars, it was on to the 16-lap SportMod A main. Curt Hilmer held down the lead through lap six. That would be when the race was halted for medical assistance in the grandstand. When the race restarted, second place runner Danny Dvorak, was able to nose under Hilmer and take over the top spot. He then extended that lead, taking the comfortable win. The two #22's had been doing battle for the runner up spot, and it was Matt Petrzelka winning the war for second, over Curt Hilmer in third. Fourth was Kurt Hogan and Tony Olson, point leader, completed the top five.
Shawn Ritter held down the lead in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature the first five laps. At lap eight, it was Patrick Flannagan getting the pass for the lead on the backstretch. Then as the two entered turn one, contact was made bringing out a yellow, and their run at the front was ended. Tony Snyder then inherited the lead with young Ryan Maitland running second. Maitland was then able to move around Snyder, taking over the helm at lap thirteen, and Ronn Lauritzen soon followed suite, taking over second. Lauritzen closed in on Maitland, but was not able to do more than that, as 17 year old Maitland scored the victory, Lauritzen, the track point leader, going second. Snyder held third place, over Scott Hogan in fourth and younger brother (15 years old) of the winner, Brandon Maitland, was fifth.
Nathan Ballard took home the IMCA Hobby Stock win in the 15-lap evening finale. He had command at lap six and kept it to the finish...though having to endure five restarts due to cautions. Ballard started eighth on his march to victory, finishing ahead of second place Brett Vanous. Leah Wroten finished third, Matt Pohlman came from starting near the back of the pack, to finish fourth, and Justin Wacha was fifth. Ballard is the track point leader.
It's nice to get back on the road home early on a Sunday evening after Vinton's fast-running show. The first heat was on the track at 6:15 and the show was completed just a tick after 8:30 p.m. If you haven't made the trip over to the Benton County Speedway, you may want to try and make one of their remaining Sunday shows.
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Vanover comes over to Boone and goes home a winner
It was Christmas in July Saturday night at the Boone Speedway, and the drivers getting the wins were as happy as the youngsters were getting to see Santa. Modified racer Albert "Pep" Wolfgram and SportMod driver Jake McBirnie made it back-to-back wins, and driver Bryan Zehm repeated earlier wins. Andrew Burg made a return visit to the Speedway pay off by capturing his first Hobby Stock win, and Kyle Vanover, Stock Car racer from Nebraska, made his first visit to the track pay off, taking home the hardware.
Bryan Zehm just barely held off a hard charging Josh May at the finish line, to score the win in the 15-lap Mod Lite main event. Zehm grabbed the lead at lap seven and had May right on his tail a few laps later. The two, who started side by side in row five, battled each other in the closing laps, right to the finish line, with the transponders telling the tale in a photo finish... Zehm won by 3/1000 of a second. Following second place May was Randy Bryan in third, fourth went to Cory Sauerman and Joel Keenan started dead last in 20th spot, and finished fifth. This was Zehm's fifth win at Boone Speedway this season and is the point leader.
It was 18-laps of IMCA Northern SportMod racing up next which provided the fans with some exciting, close racing up front. Cory Pestotnik led the first three circuits, but Andy Tiernan took over the top spot at lap four. When a yellow flew at lap thirteen, McBirnie had taken command with Tiernan, Jonathon Logue and Pestotnik in hot pursuit. When the race went green, McBirnie held the lead and in the final few laps, he pulled away to score the comfortable win,...his second in as many weeks. Logue finished as the runner up, Tiernan was third, Randy Roberts was fourth and Pestotnik rounded out the top five. This was McBirnie's fifth win of the season, plus also scoring the preseason Frostbuster special. Jonathon Logue is the point leader in the SportMod division going into the final month of point racing.
Last week, Al "Pep" Wolfgram won his first career race in the IMCA Modifieds. Saturday night, Wolfgram found himself right back in the winner's circle at Boone. In fact, he made it look easy, leading all but the first lap on his march to the win in the 20-lap feature. Wolfgram stretched his lead, happy to let a distant pack of four cars sort it out for positions two through five. Russ Dickerson made a last second pass out of turn four to take the runner up spot, just getting around third place finisher, Tony Cox. Point leader, Mike VanGenderen started tenth and placed fourth, and Jimmy Gustin started ninth, and finished fifth. The race went flag-to-flag.
The 18-lap IMCA Stock Car A main saw Bryan Snell motor off to the lead from his pole starting spot, holding Don Vis at bay. Meanwhile, moving quickly to the front was first time visiting Beatrice, Nebraska racer, Kyle Vanover, and Lake City, Iowa's Donavon Smith. Vanover gained the upper hand at lap ten and just two laps later, with a fierce battle ensuing between Snell, Smith, and Vis, Snell found himself with no where to go as the three went three-wide, slipping off and rolling over the top of corners three and four....bringing out the red flag. Snell was okay, but his night was ended. When things resumed, Vanover maintained his lead, the rest of the way to the checkers. Finishing a close second, was point leader, Donavon Smith, third went to Robert Stofer, Trent Murphy came from tenth starting spot, to finish fourth and Wayne Gifford, last week's winner, started ninth, and finished in fifth. Vanover, who races weekly at Beatrice Speedway in Beatrice, Nebraska has been to at least the last three Super Nationals, making the feature all three times, with a best finish of fourth place in the big dance in 2013. He is no stranger to the speed plant.
Another new face visited Boone Speedway's victory lane in the IMCA Hobby Stock division. Andrew Burg started on the pole, and held that top spot the entire 12 laps to take the checkers. Solomon Bennett took second, over Shaun Wirtz in third, fourth was Matt McDonald, and point leader, Eric Stanton, rounded out the top five.
The running order of the features has been changed up the last couple of weeks, with the Hobby Stocks running their feature last....until they could "get their act back together", is what we've heard, as there have been many cautions as of late.
Last night was the last regular flagging night for flagman Nick Brueklander. Brueklander, who honed his flagging skills by standing atop Bill Davis, Sr's. trailer back in the early '90's, is moving to Minnesota due to a job promotion. We use to watch him atop Davis's trailer, down in turn four at Eldora, Iowa on Sunday nights. Word is, he will be back for the Super Nationals.
It's hard to believe how quickly the racing season is winding down. The month of August will be a busy one with specials all around. Several tracks have or soon will be, done with their weekly racing programs, but specials abound. Get out to a track and enjoy the sport we all love.
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