Racing action returned on Wednesday night at the Southern Iowa Speedway....and with a hint of summer in the air.
There seems to be no stopping Cayden Carter in the Stock Car class, and Dustin Griffiths in the Hobby Stocks isn't far behind. Ricky Thornton, Jr. made a return appearance, and made his presence known by snapping up another Modified victory. Brett Lowry scored his first win at Osky this season in the IMCA Northern SportMod division, and Jake Benischek took his second win of the season in the Sport Compact class.
Ricky Thornton, Jr., who hails from Chandler, Arizona, but is spending this season racing in Iowa, and calling Harcourt, Iowa his temporary summer home, snatched up his 20th win of the season in the IMCA Modified class.
Dennis LaVeine, who had a successful last weekend of racing, picking up two feature wins, led the early portion of the 20-lapper. He had Andrew "the Kool Aid Kid" Schroeder dogging him. Zack VanderBeek was soon throwing his hat into the ring, and challenging both for the lead. When a yellow flew at lap seven, VanderBeek had just taken over the top spot, and by the time the next lap was scored after the restart, Thornton took command. Thornton, who started eighth on the field, then pulled away in the latter part of the race, and scored the victory, his 20th of the year! VanderBeek held the runner up spot, Todd Shute, who made his first trip of the year to the big old half mile, came from tenth starting spot, to take third. Cayden Carter was fourth and Colt Mather just beat out Andrew Schroeder as they finished fifth and sixth respectively.
It was back to victory lane for the Orange Crush ride piloted by Cayden Carter in the IMCA Stock Car feature. The "Gasman" started in the fifth row, and was leading at lap four. He fought by early leader Nathan Wood to take over the top spot. A caution flew at lap seven, and on that restart, Carter just drove off from the rest of the field, taking the feature win in cruise mode. Mike Hughes was a distant second, ahead of Altoona, Iowa racer, Todd Inman. Fourth went to Todd Reitzler and Missouri's Louis Lynch came home in fifth.
This was Carter's fourth straight victory in the class, making it a perfect regular season at Osky.
Brett Lowry showed some dominance in the IMCA Northern SportMod 16 lap feature. Lowry grabbed the lead from last week's winner, Colton Livezey at lap two and never looked back on his way to the checkers. Livezey held the runner up spot over sixth place starter, Jason McDaniel in third, and a close fourth was Logan Anderson. Carter VandenBerg came from ninth to round out the top five. Lowry continued his recent momentum, as he had won two features over the past weekend.
The IMCA Hobby Stock 15-lap main event also saw no stranger returning to the winner's circle. Dustin Griffiths made it three in a row at the speedway. Griffiths caught and passed Travis Bunnell at lap ten, and never gave it up. Bunnell hung on to second place, while just holding off veteran Bill Bonnett in third. Fourth was August Bach and another veteran racer, Brad Stephens completed the top five.
Nine of the IMCA Sport Compacts came to play last evening. John Whalen led the field through the first handful of laps, but could not hold off the hard charging Jake Benischek. Benischek then went on to lead the last five laps, taking his second win of the season at the track. Last week's winner, Bill "Happy Feet" Whalen got by brother John Whalen, as they finished second and third. Fourth was Marshalltown's John Gill and Lukas Yoder from Kalona, was fifth.
It was Bill and Ray's Wrecker Service night at the races, and they threw in some extra cash for the features. There was also a candy dash for the youngsters, many who were "free" from school for the summer. It was wonderful to see the huge Stars and Stripes hanging from one of Bill and Ray's wreckers, flying at the edge of the infield.
During hot laps, the track had clouds of dust rolling, especially from the corners. It looked like an old Iowa State Fair day race! The fairboard has been preparing the track this year, but thankfully, promoter Mike VanGenderen opted to help out and watered the track more significantly after hot laps, and had the cars and track packers work it in. It was appreciated by the fans as well as the drivers, for the effort. It saved the track.
A colorful toter and hauler was a late arrival at the track. Casey Skyburg, out of Rapid City, South Dakota tagged the field of the IMCA Modified feature in his #90 ride.
Remember, no racing next Wednesday night at Osky. Then on Thursday, June 2, the Lucas Oil MLRA Late Models will bring their show to town, headlining the other regular weekly classes. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:45 and racing at 7:15. Check www.oskyspeedway.com or Southern Iowa Speedway Every Wednesday Night on Facebook, for more information.
Many specials coming up this Memorial Day weekend. May you all have a safe and fun holiday. Remember the reason for this time.
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