May 6, 2016
After Mother Nature ruined last week's racing at the Marshalltown Speedway, a great field of cars was eager for racing last evening. We counted 101 in the five regular classes plus nine Nostalgia cars that give a glimpse to the fans of the racing of yesteryear. It was also Cliff Chambers Memorial night, a night when Cliff is remember for all the things he contributed to the Marshalltown Speedway including promoting.
Jacob Murray put his new Murray car to the test on Friday night, and at the end of the night, had it sitting in Victory Lane. Murray won the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature, out running 26 other contenders. Murray started on the pole and led the entire race, maneuvering the slicked up track to take the win. Kyle Brown came from eighth starting spot to finish in second, just ahead of Ricky Thornton, Jr. in third. Racer Hulin finished fourth and Tim Ward rounded out the top five. Rumor is that Brown had his shocks claimed after the race.
Trent Murphy put his ride into the winner's circle in the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car feature. Murphy came from the fourth row and took a comfortable win over runner up Tyler Pickett. A close third was tenth place starter Donavon Smith, who just continues to methodically and patiently move his way toward the front. Steve Meyer came from eleventh to finish fourth and veteran Jeff Wollam had a good run to take fifth. It's been nice to see a veteran racer from more than a handful of years absence, Jerry Schipper, back behind the wheel, piloting the #89J. We watched him race at the old Eldora, Iowa track back in the day, and it's always fun to see a driver return to his passion.
Eric Stanton went home with his third win in a row at the speedway, in the IMCA Hobby Stock class. Stanton took the lead on lap one, and never looked back. He finished comfortably ahead of second place finisher, Tyson Overton, who battled by third place Leah Wroten in the closing laps. Fourth went to Dustin Graham and Gene Nicklas was fifth. Stanton did get an advantage when the initial start sent cars scrambling and the race was called a no go. This would send several cars to the tail, and Stanton moved up several rows to begin the race. He said in Jerry Vansickel's post race winner's circle interview, that he will soon have his own ride returning to the ring, after having a car destroyed at the Southern Iowa Speedway earlier this season. His "rent a ride" has been courtesy of Jamie Songer. Another great example of racer helping racer.
A marathon IMCA Northern SportMod feature ended with Jared VanDeest taking his second win of the season. VanDeest was twelfth in the starting line up, pestered early leader Joey Schaefer for several laps, and took over the top spot by lap nine. He kept the top spot, as the yellow/checkers flew to end the race. Cory Rose came from eighth starting spot to finish as the runner up, and Curt Hilmer was third. Jake McBirnie had to tag the field after an incident at the beginning of the race, and flew through the field to finish fourth. Joey Schaefer completed the top five.
The SportMods had a heck of a time even getting their race underway. It took SIX trys before they could get the first lap scored! Whether it was the dry, slick, dusty conditions of the track, or what, it seemed that the race would never get finished. Three more yellows would fly before the marathon race was called over. The race was called over under yellow/checkers when a car brought out yet another yellow. This was after approximately 30 minutes.
Joe Glick led the entire Mod Lite feature to capture his first ever win at the Marshalltown Speedway. Randy Bryan chased Glick most of the race and finished as the runner up. Charlie Brown, Josh May and Mike Morrill rounded out the top five. After checking back through to 2010 records, Glick now has a win at the track under his belt. He has been having a good season so far and running well wherever we have seen him. He already has a win at the Boone Speedway this year.
The Nostalgia feature event was won by the #100 car driven by Brandon Holt out of Mason City. It's always fun to see the cars we grew up watching, on the track again. They too had a bit of trouble keeping it going forward, several of them putting it in spin mode during the race. Not being familiar with some of the drivers, we did catch that many were from Mason City and with the Holt name! I believe it was #24 Matt Holt taking second place.
Racing continues next Friday night. Hot laps are 7 p.m. and racing at 7:30. Get out and find a race to attend somewhere. Check the calendar at Positively Racing for a race to attend....support the sport we all love!
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