It was such a pleasant night to be watching the races at our home away from home on Wednesdays, the Southern Iowa Speedway. By the size of the crowd, we weren't the only ones wanting some racing action on a beautiful night in June.
Racing action was fast and furious all night long. A last lap pass would give Colt Mather the win in the IMCA Modified class, and Mike Hughes stamped his name in the record books as only the second winner of the season in the IMCA Stock Cars. Curtis VanDerWal continues his dominance in the IMCA Northern SportMod ranks, and Dustin Griffiths in the Hobby Stocks, and Cody VanDusen in the Sport Compacts, made it back to back wins.
Eleven IMCA Sport Compacts were on hand but the 5P of Ryan Pohlmeier and the 41 of Nathan Moody were scratches in the 10-lap feature. Brad Havel jumped to the lead quickly, and Cody VanDusen tucked in right behind him. The two ran closely for several laps until VanDusen was able to make the pass as they crossed the flagstand at lap five. Havel fought back and regained the lead, and the tussle continued until the yellow flew at lap eight. That lap eight caution was a costly one for not only Bill Whalen, who blew up, spewing oil and parts just past the flagstand and into corner one, but also for leader Havel. When the race restarted, VanDusen seized the opportunity, and was able to make the pass as the went into corner two. He would hold that lead the rest of the way to the checkers and the win. Havel had to be content with the runner up spot, Shane Evans, who started eighth, finished third, fourth went to ninth place starter, Ryan Havel, and John Gill completed the top five. VanDusen followed up last weeks win, for his second win of the year.
It was an exciting finish to the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. August Bach looked to be in command from the drop of the green flag, sailing along as the leader of the pack, and pulling away. Then a caution flew at lap thirteen, bunching the field. Danny Thrasher had been chasing Bach for much of the race, and he had been fighting off Dustin Griffiths. When things got back to green flag racing, Griffiths got inside of Bach, just after lap fourteen, forging ahead. However, Bach wasn't done, and threw a slide on Griffiths in corner four and beat him to the finish line as the checkers flew. However, a post race inspection, found Bach to have an illegal rev limiter, and he was disqualified. This handed the win over to Griffiths....making it two in a row. Travis Bunnell was second, Danny Thrasher third, fourth went to Nick Ulin, and Bobby Greene rounded out the top five. This was the sixth win of the season for Griffiths. A new face in the class last evening was the 7 of Kirk Puttmann from Keota.
It was a short field of six IMCA Modifieds, but the racing up front was intense. Scott Dickey led the 16-lap feature early, with Colt Mather snapping at his heels. Then Andrew Schroeder got into the mix, and not to be out done, Arizona driver Ricky Thornton, Jr. (who is sitting on 99 wins in the IMCA Modified division) was wanting to make the Southern Iowa Speedway, win #100. Schroeder got around Mather to take over second place, and then a yellow came out at lap eleven for Greg Cox. Cox blew up and left oil on the race track for a second time of the night, requiring some "speedy dry" to be laid down. When the race got restarted, Mather saw his chance and grabbed it, regaining second place ahead of Schroeder. He wasn't done yet, however, and set his eyes on Dickey. He powered around Dickey on the backstretch, gaining the lead on lap fifteen, and then stretched the distance to take the comfortable win as the checkers flew. Dickey finished as the runner up, Andrew Schroeder just held off Ricky Thornton, Jr. as they crossed the finish line, third and fourth respectively. Jason Hall completed the top five. This marked Mather's third win at the Monster Half Mile in 2016.
The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars were up next for their 18-lapper. Mike Hughes grabbed the lead immediately and tossed off challenges from Louis Lynch, and Damon Murty on his way to the victory. Damon Murty and Louis Lynch did battle for the runner up spot, Murty winning out, Lynch going third. Fourth went to Derrick Agee, and Jason See was fifth. This marked the first night of regular season racing that Cayden Carter did not win. However, Carter was not in the house last night, thus, the bounty on his head will continue the next time he returns in the Stock Car class. A veteran racer, Randy Hemsley joined the Stock Car field last evening, racing the #7 car.
The night's racing ended with the 16-lap A main for the IMCA Northern SportMods. It looked to be Eric Flander's night as he made his way from fifth starting spot, to take over the lead from Danny Brau at lap two, and then put his "rent a ride" ( the 53 of Greg Strohman he races at Osky) out in front and was cruising along. Flander's good run looked a little bleaker when a yellow flew at lap eight when Cory VanZante broke a left front suspension in corner two. This bunched the field for the restart, putting the 1V of Curtis VanDerWal to breath down the leader's neck. VanDerWal pestered Flander for a couple of laps before making the move to the lead at lap thirteen. VanDerWal then sailed off into the sunset, taking another win. Flander took second over a distant Austin Paul in third, and Matthew VanGelder held off Jason McDaniel at the flagstand, as they went fourth and fifth in that order. A visiting Arizona racer, the 7G of Dennis Gates, from Claypool, Arizona came and put a few laps on the big ole half mile.
It was a beautiful night to be sitting in the grandstands with racing friends and watching the sport we all love. We were not only watching the racing action, but were also snapping pictures of the beautiful Iowa sunset in between times.
The 21st Annual IMCA Stock Car Shootout will be coming up next at the Southern Iowa Speedway. Tuesday, July 5 will be qualifying for the IMCA Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts. Then on Wednesday, July 6, there will be last chance qualifying and the features for all of the classes. Sport Compacts will be running for $750 to win, it's $1,000 to the winner of the Hobby Stock and SportMods, and the Stock Cars will have a $2,000 payday. Hot laps are 7 and racing at 7:30 both nights. Then on Thursday July 7, the Shootout moves to the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, the Modifieds replacing the Hobby Stocks in the line up. The Stock Car winner will receive $1,000. For more information check www.oskyspeedway and www.leecountyspeedway.com.
Many fans were pleased to hear that promoter Mike VanGenderen will be back doing the track prep at the Southern Iowa Speedway, not only for the Shootout, but for the remainder of the year. We look for a well groomed racing surface for the upcoming racing action.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Pickett picks up first Stock Car win
Saturday night's racing at the Boone Speedway found three drivers stepping into victory lane for the first time, while two others returned for the third and fourth times. Mike VanGenderen scored win number three in the Modifieds, Tyler Pickett finally got the elusive win in the Stock Car division, Daniel Tasler also won for the first time this season in the Northern SportMods, as did Chad LeGere in the Hobby Stocks. Bryan Zehm was victorious for the fourth time in 2016 in the Mod Lite class.
Bryan Zehm sailed to another win in the Mod Lite 15-lap feature. He took command at lap three and went virtually unchallenged in the flag to flag race. Finishing a distance behind in second was Randy Bryan, third went to Joe Glick, and fourth to Cory Sauerman. Jeff Stensland made his first appearance of the year, driving the #89 usually piloted by Travis Stensland, but scored as his normal #20. He raced it from tenth starting spot, to a top five finish. Zehm claimed his fourth feature win of the 2016 season.
One of the new faces gracing victory lane was Daniel Tasler, the winner of the IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Tasler started on the pole of the 18-lap event, and led all laps on the way to the win, not letting two caution bother him in the least. Chad Ryerson chased Tasler for most of the race to take the runner up spot. Third went to tenth place starter, Randy Roberts, Adam Shelman was fourth and Robert Moore completed the top five. This was Tasler's first win at Boone since 2013.
Another new winner came from the IMCA Hobby Stocks when Chad LeGere put his ride in the winner's circle. Shane Butler led the opening laps, but LeGere took over at lap four, and held it the remaining eight laps to the finish. Shane Butler held second, third went to Solomon Bennett, Aaron Rudolph started ninth and finished fourth and tenth place starter Eric Stanton, was fifth.
Mike VanGenderen went back to victory lane for the third time in the IMCA Modifieds. VanGenderen, who started tenth, caught leader Russ Dickerson at lap eight and kept pressuring him lap after lap. Finally, at lap sixteen of the 20-lap affair, he was able to make the successful pass into the lead. From there on, he held off Dickerson to take the win. Dickerson took the runner up spot, Jimmy Gustin finished a distant third, fourth went to Denny Pittman and Scott Davis started twelfth and was fifth. VanGenderen's win added another couple of points to his track point lead, over second place Gustin.
The evening's racing ended with the running of the non-stop 18-lap IMCA Stock Car A main. It took but four laps before eighth place starter Tyler Pickett gained the lead. Pickett never relinquished that top spot, keeping it to the flying checkers and the win. Jay Schmidt out fought Donavon Smith as they went second and third respectively. Matt West finished fourth and Trent Murphy, who started twelfth, put his hot rod to the top of the track, and finished in fifth. Pickett, who has won previously in the Hobby Stock class in year's past, finally snagged that elusive first win in the Stock Cars at Boone.
A nice crowd was on hand despite the sticky weather. It was Casey's night at the Speedway and their donuts were passed out as you came through the front gate. Later, a donut eating contest--donut hanging on a string, no hands allowed--entertained the crowd. There was also a "beautiful" pink outhouse on display...one of which will be used for the upcoming 4th of July "Eve of Destruction" spectacular. Trailer races, outhouse races, (similar to the Iowa State Fair outhouse races) roll over contests, and much more, will celebrate the 4th, along with fireworks! Check www.raceboone.com for more details.
Lots of racing action going on around the state as well as across the border. Find a race to enjoy in support of the sport we all love.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Murray claims Modified victory, Smith, Schaefer, Stanton and Morrill also win
It was a beautiful night for a race at the Marshalltown Speedway Friday, and there was exciting action in all five classes. Jacob Murray claimed his third win in the Modified class, Donavon Smith picked up another victory in the IMCA Stock Cars, Joey Schaefer won for the first time in the SportMod division, Eric Stanton got back on track, winning the Hobby Stock feature, and Mike Morrill made another youngster happy by giving away his winning trophy in the Mod Lites. It was also Shawn's Hay Grinding night at the races, and thanks to them, some lucky young ones went home with new bicycles.
Jacob Murray started ninth on the field for the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. He put his 48J ride to the topside and reeled in the front running cars quickly. When a yellow flew at lap four, Murray was already sitting in third place, behind Jake Strayer, and leader Jenae Gustin. When the race restarted, Murray put it to the top again, and passed both Strayer and Gustin, and was scored the leader at lap five. From there on, he shook off all challenges and swept to the win, his third of the season. Richie Gustin, who did not finish his heat race, and had to start dead last in 20th spot, flew through the pack to finish as runner up and hard charger of the race. Cody Laney, the Torrance, California racer who is back in the area for some Iowa racing, finished in third place. Fourth went to tenth place starter, Jimmy Gustin, and Jenae Gustin looked good with her fifth place finish. The racing Gustin family, finished second, fourth and fifth.
The always entertaining IMCA Stock Cars once again showed why they are called, The Class too Tough to Tame. There were hard fought battles going on throughout the field for the entire 20-lap feature. Dave Atcher nabbed the lead as the race went green, holding back Kyle Everts, and Jeff Wollam. By lap four, it was the familiar #35 of Donavon Smith, lurking in second place, after getting by both Wollam and Everts. When a yellow flew at lap eight, Smith was ready for the restart, and made the pass for the lead. He would then keep the rest of the pack at bay the remaining laps to the finish and the win. A good battled brewed in the closing laps between Atcher and eighth place starter Damon Murty, with Murty winning out for the runner up spot, Atcher going third. Fourth went to Jeff Wollam, and Michael Jaennette rounded out the top five. This was Smith's third win of the 2016 regular season.
After Eric Stanton had his perfect streak ended last week by Gene Nicklas, he got back to victory lane this week by winning the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Stanton started eighth and by lap four, had claimed the lead. He then pulled away to win by a comfortable margin. Jamie Songer was scored in second place after starting seventh, and fellow Ankeny, Iowa racer Chad LeGere was third. Gary Pfantz was fourth, and Adam Petrzelka was fifth. Near the end of the race, Leah Wroten and last week's winner Gene Nicklas were battling for second place. Contact was made, and Nicklas went into spin mode...while Wroten continued on. Wroten crossed the line in second place, but we learned later, that she was penalized and was scored sixteenth.
Joey Schaefer took home the trophy in the 18-lap feature event for the IMCA Northern SportMod feature as well as $500, thanks to the extra money added by Speed Shift TV. Shaefer got the lead by lap three, and never looked back on his way to victory lane. A distance behind in second was 17th place starter, Jared VanDeest, and tenth place starter Brayton Carter made the trip up from Oskaloosa and was third. His cousin Carter VanDenBerg, also from Oskaloosa, rallied through the field after a bad start sent him positions backward, to take fourth and Jake McBirnie completed the top five. This was Schaefer's first win at Marshalltown in the SportMod class.
Mike Morrill went home with the winning money in the Mod Lite feature, but minus his trophy...as usual. Morrill led all twelve laps of the caution free feature to take the win. Joe Glick finished a distant second, third went to Randy Bryan, last week's winner Travis Stensland was fourth, and fifth went to Eric Turner. Morrill presented his trophy, as he always does, to a lucky youngster eagerly waiting to be picked at the flag stand. Morrill claimed his third feature win of the 2016 season.
Get out and attend a race somewhere in support of the sport we all love.
Jacob Murray started ninth on the field for the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. He put his 48J ride to the topside and reeled in the front running cars quickly. When a yellow flew at lap four, Murray was already sitting in third place, behind Jake Strayer, and leader Jenae Gustin. When the race restarted, Murray put it to the top again, and passed both Strayer and Gustin, and was scored the leader at lap five. From there on, he shook off all challenges and swept to the win, his third of the season. Richie Gustin, who did not finish his heat race, and had to start dead last in 20th spot, flew through the pack to finish as runner up and hard charger of the race. Cody Laney, the Torrance, California racer who is back in the area for some Iowa racing, finished in third place. Fourth went to tenth place starter, Jimmy Gustin, and Jenae Gustin looked good with her fifth place finish. The racing Gustin family, finished second, fourth and fifth.
The always entertaining IMCA Stock Cars once again showed why they are called, The Class too Tough to Tame. There were hard fought battles going on throughout the field for the entire 20-lap feature. Dave Atcher nabbed the lead as the race went green, holding back Kyle Everts, and Jeff Wollam. By lap four, it was the familiar #35 of Donavon Smith, lurking in second place, after getting by both Wollam and Everts. When a yellow flew at lap eight, Smith was ready for the restart, and made the pass for the lead. He would then keep the rest of the pack at bay the remaining laps to the finish and the win. A good battled brewed in the closing laps between Atcher and eighth place starter Damon Murty, with Murty winning out for the runner up spot, Atcher going third. Fourth went to Jeff Wollam, and Michael Jaennette rounded out the top five. This was Smith's third win of the 2016 regular season.
After Eric Stanton had his perfect streak ended last week by Gene Nicklas, he got back to victory lane this week by winning the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Stanton started eighth and by lap four, had claimed the lead. He then pulled away to win by a comfortable margin. Jamie Songer was scored in second place after starting seventh, and fellow Ankeny, Iowa racer Chad LeGere was third. Gary Pfantz was fourth, and Adam Petrzelka was fifth. Near the end of the race, Leah Wroten and last week's winner Gene Nicklas were battling for second place. Contact was made, and Nicklas went into spin mode...while Wroten continued on. Wroten crossed the line in second place, but we learned later, that she was penalized and was scored sixteenth.
Joey Schaefer took home the trophy in the 18-lap feature event for the IMCA Northern SportMod feature as well as $500, thanks to the extra money added by Speed Shift TV. Shaefer got the lead by lap three, and never looked back on his way to victory lane. A distance behind in second was 17th place starter, Jared VanDeest, and tenth place starter Brayton Carter made the trip up from Oskaloosa and was third. His cousin Carter VanDenBerg, also from Oskaloosa, rallied through the field after a bad start sent him positions backward, to take fourth and Jake McBirnie completed the top five. This was Schaefer's first win at Marshalltown in the SportMod class.
Mike Morrill went home with the winning money in the Mod Lite feature, but minus his trophy...as usual. Morrill led all twelve laps of the caution free feature to take the win. Joe Glick finished a distant second, third went to Randy Bryan, last week's winner Travis Stensland was fourth, and fifth went to Eric Turner. Morrill presented his trophy, as he always does, to a lucky youngster eagerly waiting to be picked at the flag stand. Morrill claimed his third feature win of the 2016 season.
Get out and attend a race somewhere in support of the sport we all love.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Carter's double dip at Osky
All five regular divisions were in competition at the Southern Iowa Speedway Wednesday night, plus some of the Mississippi Valley Vintage Sprint racers. By evening's end, not one, but two Carter's would be standing in Victory Lane...one for the first time this season,... the other, for the eighth time. New winners came from both the Modified and Sport Compact classes, and Dustin Griffiths scored his fifth victory in the Hobby Stock division.
Earlier this year, Cody VanDusen crossed the finish line in first place in the IMCA Sport Compact division, only to be disqualified for an infraction. Last evening, VanDusen took the checkers again, and this time, he was the official winner. VanDusen led all but the first lap of the ten-lap event, and won by a comfortable margin. A distance behind for second, was last week's winner, Shane Evans. Opening lap leader, Brad Havel, finished in third, fourth went to John Gill and "Happy Feet", Bill Whalen, rounded out the top five.
Dustin Griffiths wasted no time in getting to the front of the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Griffiths started fourth and had the lead immediately. From then on, he kept command all the way to the checkers, and the win. Danny Thrasher, who had won last week, finished a distant runner up. Third was Nick Ulin, Scott Shull was fourth and Steve Allen completed the top five. This was Griffiths' fifth win at the Speedway in 2016.
There was a bounty on the head of Cayden Carter in the IMCA Stock Car class. Carter, who has been tearing up the track in the class this year...winning all regular season races at Osky, had that hanging over him last evening. Twelve other drivers, were seeking that extra money and the chance to end that streak. Also, the first three finishers for the night, were awarded first place money.
Zack VanderBeek, driving the second hot rod belonging to Nathan Wood, shot off to the lead in the 18-lap feature. He was soon being challenged by the likes of Mike Hughes and Damon Murty....but the familiar "Orange Crush",driven by Cayden Carter, soon came into the picture, as did Nathan Wood. Hughes took command at lap eight, then tried to shake off the pack behind him. Moments later, it was Cayden Carter nipping at his heels. Carter swung to the outside as they ran down the backstretch, and was scored the leader at lap thirteen. Carter would then cruise home to yet another victory, his eighth of the season....perfect still. Damon Murty, the Chelsea Charger, started tenth, and finished second. Third went to Derrick Agee, the Moberly, Missouri racer who has made the Southern Iowa Speedway his Wednesday night home in 2016, was third. Fourth went to fellow Missourian, Louis Lynch, and hometown boy, Donnie Pearson, was fifth. The bounty remains on Carter. Who, if anyone, will end his perfect season? Stay tuned!
The 16-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature came next. By lap three, Brayton Carter, who had started ninth, was in command. Carter stretched his lead, as the race went green the remaining laps, taking the win. There was a hard fought battle for position behind him, but it was Brett Lowry winning that joust, to finish as the runner up. Matthew VanGelder took third, over Curtis VanDerWal in fourth, and Eric "Spud" Flander, driving the #53 car as of late, finished in fifth. This was Carter's first win at Osky in 2016.
The IMCA Modifieds were guaranteed $150 if they finished on the lead lap last evening. Ten drivers were up for that deal. The "Kool Aid Kid", Andrew Schroeder, shot to the immediate lead, soon to be chased by Zack VanderBeek, and Colt Mather. The three went three-wide down the back shoot on lap eight, and when they crossed the finish line, it was Mather at the helm of the ship, VanderBeek had taken second and Schroeder fell to third. Mather and VanderBeek would swap the lead a couple of times, before VanderBeek finally established the lead at lap eleven. From there on, he would extend that lead, winning by a comfortable margin. Cayden Carter would get by Mather in the closing moments, as they finished second and third respectively. Fourth went to Scott Dickey, and Andrew Schroeder was fifth. This was VanderBeek's first win in the Modified this year, and I believe it to be his first Modified win since the 2011 season at Osky.
It was a hot and sweltering night at the races. The little breeze that had provided some relief earlier, was gone later....the red, white and blue hanging limp at the flagpole. As uncomfortable as it was for the fans, it had to be miserable for the drivers.
It was Dave Lowry Memorial night at the races, in honor of the man who did much to support racing in years gone by. There were kid's rides in the race cars at intermission, and some added entertainment was the Mississippi Valley Vintage sprint cars in exhibition. Unfortunately, I do not have the names of any of the drivers, but the winner of their main event, was the bright yellow #88, blowing away the field.
Earlier this year, Cody VanDusen crossed the finish line in first place in the IMCA Sport Compact division, only to be disqualified for an infraction. Last evening, VanDusen took the checkers again, and this time, he was the official winner. VanDusen led all but the first lap of the ten-lap event, and won by a comfortable margin. A distance behind for second, was last week's winner, Shane Evans. Opening lap leader, Brad Havel, finished in third, fourth went to John Gill and "Happy Feet", Bill Whalen, rounded out the top five.
Dustin Griffiths wasted no time in getting to the front of the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Griffiths started fourth and had the lead immediately. From then on, he kept command all the way to the checkers, and the win. Danny Thrasher, who had won last week, finished a distant runner up. Third was Nick Ulin, Scott Shull was fourth and Steve Allen completed the top five. This was Griffiths' fifth win at the Speedway in 2016.
There was a bounty on the head of Cayden Carter in the IMCA Stock Car class. Carter, who has been tearing up the track in the class this year...winning all regular season races at Osky, had that hanging over him last evening. Twelve other drivers, were seeking that extra money and the chance to end that streak. Also, the first three finishers for the night, were awarded first place money.
Zack VanderBeek, driving the second hot rod belonging to Nathan Wood, shot off to the lead in the 18-lap feature. He was soon being challenged by the likes of Mike Hughes and Damon Murty....but the familiar "Orange Crush",driven by Cayden Carter, soon came into the picture, as did Nathan Wood. Hughes took command at lap eight, then tried to shake off the pack behind him. Moments later, it was Cayden Carter nipping at his heels. Carter swung to the outside as they ran down the backstretch, and was scored the leader at lap thirteen. Carter would then cruise home to yet another victory, his eighth of the season....perfect still. Damon Murty, the Chelsea Charger, started tenth, and finished second. Third went to Derrick Agee, the Moberly, Missouri racer who has made the Southern Iowa Speedway his Wednesday night home in 2016, was third. Fourth went to fellow Missourian, Louis Lynch, and hometown boy, Donnie Pearson, was fifth. The bounty remains on Carter. Who, if anyone, will end his perfect season? Stay tuned!
The 16-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature came next. By lap three, Brayton Carter, who had started ninth, was in command. Carter stretched his lead, as the race went green the remaining laps, taking the win. There was a hard fought battle for position behind him, but it was Brett Lowry winning that joust, to finish as the runner up. Matthew VanGelder took third, over Curtis VanDerWal in fourth, and Eric "Spud" Flander, driving the #53 car as of late, finished in fifth. This was Carter's first win at Osky in 2016.
The IMCA Modifieds were guaranteed $150 if they finished on the lead lap last evening. Ten drivers were up for that deal. The "Kool Aid Kid", Andrew Schroeder, shot to the immediate lead, soon to be chased by Zack VanderBeek, and Colt Mather. The three went three-wide down the back shoot on lap eight, and when they crossed the finish line, it was Mather at the helm of the ship, VanderBeek had taken second and Schroeder fell to third. Mather and VanderBeek would swap the lead a couple of times, before VanderBeek finally established the lead at lap eleven. From there on, he would extend that lead, winning by a comfortable margin. Cayden Carter would get by Mather in the closing moments, as they finished second and third respectively. Fourth went to Scott Dickey, and Andrew Schroeder was fifth. This was VanderBeek's first win in the Modified this year, and I believe it to be his first Modified win since the 2011 season at Osky.
It was a hot and sweltering night at the races. The little breeze that had provided some relief earlier, was gone later....the red, white and blue hanging limp at the flagpole. As uncomfortable as it was for the fans, it had to be miserable for the drivers.
It was Dave Lowry Memorial night at the races, in honor of the man who did much to support racing in years gone by. There were kid's rides in the race cars at intermission, and some added entertainment was the Mississippi Valley Vintage sprint cars in exhibition. Unfortunately, I do not have the names of any of the drivers, but the winner of their main event, was the bright yellow #88, blowing away the field.
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Davis posts first Modified win at Boone, Smith, Logue and Marshall go back-to-back
A nice crowd was on hand for a great night of racing Saturday at the Boone Speedway. Three drivers would walk away with back-to-back wins, and a new face visited victory lane in the Modified division. There were 104 cars checked into the pits for a night of racing.
There was three-wide racing early in the Mod Lite 15-lap feature as Travis Stensland, Joel Keenan and Randy Bryan flew down the backstretch in pursuit of then leader Kevin Grisham. At lap seven, Stensland took command, had to weather through two cautions, but kept the lead to the checkers flying. Randy Bryan started seventh and finished as the runner up, third went to eighth place starter, Bryan Zehm, Joel Keenan was fourth and ninth place starter Angelo Montgomery, was fifth. This was Stensland second feature win of 2016.
Up next was the IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap A main event. Daniel Tasler was the man in charge through the halfway mark of the race, but a hard charging Jonathan Logue had been in hot pursuit for most of those laps. Logue, who started ninth, began reeling in Tasler quickly. The two battled side-by-side for several laps before Logue was finally able to establish the lead on lap eleven. He would hold that top spot the remainder of the way to the checkers and the win. Randy Roberts finished in second place after starting tenth, third was eighth place starter Jake McBirnie, early leader Daniel Tasler was fourth, and Andy Tiernan rounded out the top five. Logue matched his win from last week, and also won on opening point's night.
Ross Marshall won for the first time at Boone last week in the IMCA Hobby Stock division, and found it to his liking as he also took back-to-back wins. Marshall started eighth, and by lap five, was leading the pack. He had company close at hand as Solomon Bennett and Eric Stanton were tight on his tail. He persevered however, held them at bay, and took his second consecutive win. Bennett finished as the runner up, and Stanton was third. Aaron Rudolph took fourth and Dustin Graham completed the top five.
Scott Davis came away with his first win at Boone in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. Davis would lead all laps on his way to that victory. Josh Truman finished second, third place went to eleventh place starter, and point leader, Mike VanGenderen, fourth was Matthew Meinecke, and Cole Ferguson rounded out the top five. Kyle Brown was in John Logue's car after suffering much damage to his own ride on Tuesday night at West Liberty, and came home in sixth place. Davis, who has numerous wins in the past in the Stock Car and SportMod divisions, scored his first ever win at Boone in the Modified class.
The evening's events concluded with the running of the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car A main. Two cars quickly shot to the front. Jay Schmidt started eighth and had the lead at lap five, with eleventh place starter Donavon Smith attached to his rear bumper. Schmidt couldn't shake off Smith, who finally sneaked underneath him to take over as captain of the ship on lap ten. Smith would hold tight to that lead the rest of the way to the win. Schmidt finished second, Rod Richards started tenth and finished in third place, fourth went to Josh Daniels, and Wayne Gifford was fifth. Smith, who is the point leader, also matched his win from last week, and his fourth of the season.
Get out and attend a race in support of the sport we all love.
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Nicklas ends Stanton's win streak
It was another warm night for racing at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday. Adam Larson went home with a win in the IMCA Modified class, and Donavon Smith won the Stock Car feature. Sam Wieben was the winner in the SportMod division, Gene Nicklas won the Hobby Stock feature, ending Eric Stanton's perfect season, and Travis Stensland snagged the Mod Lite feature.
Joel Huggins led the opening laps of the 12-lap Mod Lite main event, but Travis Stensland made quick headway from his tenth starting spot, taking over as captain of the ship at lap eight. He would sail home to the checkers and the win as the race went caution free. Huggins finished as the runner up, Mike Morrill was third, fourth went to Joe Glick and Randy Bryan finished fifth. This was Stensland's first win at Marshalltown this season.
Up next was the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Jayme Duinink led the early portion of the race, and was soon having to hold back the fast charging Sam Wieben. Wieben, who started eighth, bothered Duinink relentlessly until finally making the pass on the topside, and taking the lead at lap seven. Wieben still led when a yellow flew at lap fourteen, but he was able to hold the lead on the restart, and kept it to the checkers flying. Randy Roberts was second, after starting ninth, Jared VanDeest started eleventh and finished third, and Jake McBirnie and Curt Hilmer were fourth and fifth respectively. Wieben claimed his third win at Marshalltown this year.
Gene Nicklas was the happy camper in victory lane after the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Nicklas took command from David Simpson at lap four, and led all the remaining laps to the finish. His comfortable lead vanished when a caution came out on lap thirteen for debris, and bunched the field. Would this be a repeat of last week, when it was looking as if there would be no way Eric Stanton could win, but he pulled off the miracle? On the restart, Eric Stanton passed two cars, going from fourth to second and was looking for another spectacular win to keep his streak alive, but on this night, it wasn't to be, and he had to settle for second. This ended his perfect season at seven wins in a row. Leah Wroten raced from seventh starting spot to finish in third place, fourth went to Gary Pfantz, and early leader David Simpson completed the top five.
Gene Nicklas had not won at Marshalltown since July 12th of 2013, according to my records. However, I believe he had not raced full time since then. After a little "donut" celebration on the front stretch, he thanked his sponsors, and supporters profusely. His win ended Eric Stanton's remarkable run of seven wins in a row.
Donavon Smith started ninth in the IMCA 20-lap Stock Car A main, and powered his way methodically to the front. He had to work his way by Michael Jaennette and Dave Atcher, to take the lead at lap nine. His dominate lead almost ended in disaster in the closing moments when a lap car sitting sideways on the back stretch, began to roll down the track in front of him. A narrow miss, and Smith was home free, and took the checkers. Damon Murty, last week's winner, raced his way from thirteenth, to finish as the runner up. Third went to tenth place starter, Austin Evens, fourth was Michael Jaennette and eleventh place starter, Todd Reitzler, was fifth. This was Smith's second regular season win, in addition to winning the Frostbuster preseason special.
Adam Larson used the topside of the race track to take home his first win of the season in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. Larson started eighth and was leading by lap seven. He put distance between himself and the pack until the closing laps when Joel Rust reeled him in. Rust's attempt for more failed, and he had to be content with a second place finish. Third went to Trent Jackson who had started sixth, fourth was tenth starter Jacob Murray and Jon Snyder started ninth, and rounded out the top five.
Two traveling Californians were in the house last night, racing in the Modified division. The black #11 of Cody Laney from Torrance, California, and the 174 (looks like just #1) of Ethan Dotson, from Bakersfield. Dotson was in Iowa last season racing for most of the year, but this is Laney's first run on the tracks of Iowa.
Get out and attend a race and support the sport we all love.
Joel Huggins led the opening laps of the 12-lap Mod Lite main event, but Travis Stensland made quick headway from his tenth starting spot, taking over as captain of the ship at lap eight. He would sail home to the checkers and the win as the race went caution free. Huggins finished as the runner up, Mike Morrill was third, fourth went to Joe Glick and Randy Bryan finished fifth. This was Stensland's first win at Marshalltown this season.
Up next was the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Jayme Duinink led the early portion of the race, and was soon having to hold back the fast charging Sam Wieben. Wieben, who started eighth, bothered Duinink relentlessly until finally making the pass on the topside, and taking the lead at lap seven. Wieben still led when a yellow flew at lap fourteen, but he was able to hold the lead on the restart, and kept it to the checkers flying. Randy Roberts was second, after starting ninth, Jared VanDeest started eleventh and finished third, and Jake McBirnie and Curt Hilmer were fourth and fifth respectively. Wieben claimed his third win at Marshalltown this year.
Gene Nicklas was the happy camper in victory lane after the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Nicklas took command from David Simpson at lap four, and led all the remaining laps to the finish. His comfortable lead vanished when a caution came out on lap thirteen for debris, and bunched the field. Would this be a repeat of last week, when it was looking as if there would be no way Eric Stanton could win, but he pulled off the miracle? On the restart, Eric Stanton passed two cars, going from fourth to second and was looking for another spectacular win to keep his streak alive, but on this night, it wasn't to be, and he had to settle for second. This ended his perfect season at seven wins in a row. Leah Wroten raced from seventh starting spot to finish in third place, fourth went to Gary Pfantz, and early leader David Simpson completed the top five.
Gene Nicklas had not won at Marshalltown since July 12th of 2013, according to my records. However, I believe he had not raced full time since then. After a little "donut" celebration on the front stretch, he thanked his sponsors, and supporters profusely. His win ended Eric Stanton's remarkable run of seven wins in a row.
Donavon Smith started ninth in the IMCA 20-lap Stock Car A main, and powered his way methodically to the front. He had to work his way by Michael Jaennette and Dave Atcher, to take the lead at lap nine. His dominate lead almost ended in disaster in the closing moments when a lap car sitting sideways on the back stretch, began to roll down the track in front of him. A narrow miss, and Smith was home free, and took the checkers. Damon Murty, last week's winner, raced his way from thirteenth, to finish as the runner up. Third went to tenth place starter, Austin Evens, fourth was Michael Jaennette and eleventh place starter, Todd Reitzler, was fifth. This was Smith's second regular season win, in addition to winning the Frostbuster preseason special.
Adam Larson used the topside of the race track to take home his first win of the season in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. Larson started eighth and was leading by lap seven. He put distance between himself and the pack until the closing laps when Joel Rust reeled him in. Rust's attempt for more failed, and he had to be content with a second place finish. Third went to Trent Jackson who had started sixth, fourth was tenth starter Jacob Murray and Jon Snyder started ninth, and rounded out the top five.
Two traveling Californians were in the house last night, racing in the Modified division. The black #11 of Cody Laney from Torrance, California, and the 174 (looks like just #1) of Ethan Dotson, from Bakersfield. Dotson was in Iowa last season racing for most of the year, but this is Laney's first run on the tracks of Iowa.
Get out and attend a race and support the sport we all love.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Mather goes back-to-back, Carter is still perfect
Though it was a hot and sultry night for racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway on Wednesday, the saving grace was the breeze from the north, offering a bit of relief to all. Colt Mather won in the Modified division for the second time in a row, and Cayden Carter is still keeping his perfect streak going in the IMCA Stock Cars. A new face stepped into Victory Lane in the SportMod class with Austin Paul's win. Danny Thrasher made it back-to-back wins in the Hobby Stock division and Shane Evans won for the second time in 2016 in the Sport Compacts. All five features went caution free.
John Whalen led the opening laps of the Sport Compact feature, but relinquished it at lap four to Shane Evans. From there on, Evans drove off from the field, scoring the win by a comfortable margin. Bill Whalen, Jr. started ninth and finished as the runner up, third went to brother John Whalen, fourth was Lincoln Schrock and Jason Breuklander rounded out the top five. Evans started in the fifth row and hustled quickly to the front to score his second win at Osky this year.
Up next was the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Nick Ulin jumped to the lead from his third place starting position and held it until lap seven. That would be when Danny Thrasher made the pass for the lead. He stretched that lead the remaining laps to take the easy win. Ulin would hold on to second place, and Dustin Griffiths was third. Steve Allen was fourth and August Bach, fifth. Thrasher also won last week, making it back to back wins.
Going into the IMCA Stock Car feature last night, Cayden Carter had been the star of the class...winning all previous six A mains. By the time that 16-lap feature was over, Carter was once again in the winner's circle. He started fifth and made the pass on Mike Hughes for the lead in turn one just after lap four was scored. From there on, it was clear and easy sailing for the young man, as he finished well ahead of second place Mike Hughes. Derrick Agee was third and Louis Lynch, was fourth---a pair of Missouri racers, and Todd Reitzler completed the top five. Carter continues his perfect status on the regular season. The only time Carter has not won at the track this year, was the pre-season Frostbuster back on March 30 when Derrick Agee won...and Carter was second.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran their 16-lap feature next. Austin Paul took command immediately from his outside front row starting spot. From then on, he held that coveted spot all the way to the finish, and his first win at Osky this year. He put a good distance between himself and the rest of the field through most of the event, until the final two laps when sixth place starter Curtis VanDerWal finally got Paul reeled in. It was close at the finish line, but VanDerWal had to be content with the runner up spot. Third went to sixth place starter, Carter VandenBerg. fourth to Matthew VanGelder and Jason McDaniel rounded out the top five.
There were only seven cars present in the IMCA Modified class last evening, and three of those cars were travelers from afar. Two Californians stopped by, racing in Iowa for the first time as they plan to be in the area for some fun this summer. The #11 of Cody Laney out of Torrance, California, and Ethan Dotson #174 (the 74 is so small it appears to be #1) from Bakersfield. Dotson was in our area last racing season getting time behind the wheel on our dirt ovals. Kyle Strickeler, "The High Side Tickler" from Mooresville, North Carolina was also in the house. He had just picked up his new Harris Auto Racing chassis and gave it a test run on the Monster Half Mile.
The 16-lap feature began with Scott Dickey pulling to the lead from the pole position. Fourth place starter, and last week's winner, Colt Mather, tucked into second place and began the chase. Mather began closing the gap, reeling in Dickey lap after lap. Mather peeked under Dickey as they went down the back stretch on lap thirteen, and was leading when they passed the finish line on lap fourteen. He would keep the lead to the checkers and the win. Dickey had to settle for the runner up spot. Zack VanderBeek took third, Kyle Strickler tickled the topside at times, testing his new ride, and came home in fourth place, and visiting Cody Laney was fifth. Mather won for the second time this season, going back-to-back.
The racing action was completed at 8:59 p.m. Much of that was due to not having any cautions in any of the features...almost unheard of. It was a short field of cars also, perhaps due in part to the heat and the fact that some missing cars had raced the previous night, elsewhere.
We were joined in the stands by IMCA's Western Region Director, Paul Vetter, from California last evening. He made his usual week's pilgrimage to Iowa for racing Iowa style.
Get out and attend a race somewhere to promote the sport we all love.
John Whalen led the opening laps of the Sport Compact feature, but relinquished it at lap four to Shane Evans. From there on, Evans drove off from the field, scoring the win by a comfortable margin. Bill Whalen, Jr. started ninth and finished as the runner up, third went to brother John Whalen, fourth was Lincoln Schrock and Jason Breuklander rounded out the top five. Evans started in the fifth row and hustled quickly to the front to score his second win at Osky this year.
Up next was the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Nick Ulin jumped to the lead from his third place starting position and held it until lap seven. That would be when Danny Thrasher made the pass for the lead. He stretched that lead the remaining laps to take the easy win. Ulin would hold on to second place, and Dustin Griffiths was third. Steve Allen was fourth and August Bach, fifth. Thrasher also won last week, making it back to back wins.
Going into the IMCA Stock Car feature last night, Cayden Carter had been the star of the class...winning all previous six A mains. By the time that 16-lap feature was over, Carter was once again in the winner's circle. He started fifth and made the pass on Mike Hughes for the lead in turn one just after lap four was scored. From there on, it was clear and easy sailing for the young man, as he finished well ahead of second place Mike Hughes. Derrick Agee was third and Louis Lynch, was fourth---a pair of Missouri racers, and Todd Reitzler completed the top five. Carter continues his perfect status on the regular season. The only time Carter has not won at the track this year, was the pre-season Frostbuster back on March 30 when Derrick Agee won...and Carter was second.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran their 16-lap feature next. Austin Paul took command immediately from his outside front row starting spot. From then on, he held that coveted spot all the way to the finish, and his first win at Osky this year. He put a good distance between himself and the rest of the field through most of the event, until the final two laps when sixth place starter Curtis VanDerWal finally got Paul reeled in. It was close at the finish line, but VanDerWal had to be content with the runner up spot. Third went to sixth place starter, Carter VandenBerg. fourth to Matthew VanGelder and Jason McDaniel rounded out the top five.
There were only seven cars present in the IMCA Modified class last evening, and three of those cars were travelers from afar. Two Californians stopped by, racing in Iowa for the first time as they plan to be in the area for some fun this summer. The #11 of Cody Laney out of Torrance, California, and Ethan Dotson #174 (the 74 is so small it appears to be #1) from Bakersfield. Dotson was in our area last racing season getting time behind the wheel on our dirt ovals. Kyle Strickeler, "The High Side Tickler" from Mooresville, North Carolina was also in the house. He had just picked up his new Harris Auto Racing chassis and gave it a test run on the Monster Half Mile.
The 16-lap feature began with Scott Dickey pulling to the lead from the pole position. Fourth place starter, and last week's winner, Colt Mather, tucked into second place and began the chase. Mather began closing the gap, reeling in Dickey lap after lap. Mather peeked under Dickey as they went down the back stretch on lap thirteen, and was leading when they passed the finish line on lap fourteen. He would keep the lead to the checkers and the win. Dickey had to settle for the runner up spot. Zack VanderBeek took third, Kyle Strickler tickled the topside at times, testing his new ride, and came home in fourth place, and visiting Cody Laney was fifth. Mather won for the second time this season, going back-to-back.
The racing action was completed at 8:59 p.m. Much of that was due to not having any cautions in any of the features...almost unheard of. It was a short field of cars also, perhaps due in part to the heat and the fact that some missing cars had raced the previous night, elsewhere.
We were joined in the stands by IMCA's Western Region Director, Paul Vetter, from California last evening. He made his usual week's pilgrimage to Iowa for racing Iowa style.
Get out and attend a race somewhere to promote the sport we all love.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Kay takes Deery at West Liberty, Abelson makes long haul to win HDT
We opted to take the trip over to the West Liberty Raceway on Tuesday night, a track we hadn't been to for 20 years. Justin Kay would take the win in the Deery Brothers Summer Series Late Model 40-lap event, and Chris Abelson made his five hour trip from Sioux City pay off by winning the 30-lap Hawkeye Dirt Tour for the IMCA Modifieds.
A nice field of 23 strong contenders were in the HDT Modified division. They ran three heats with the top four from each, eligible for the redraw for starting position for the 30-lap feature. Jake Murray from Hartford, and Derek Walker from Riverside, were the lucky ones to start on the front row.
Justin Kay started third behind the pole sitter and took command of the race at lap five. His night would end when he pulled off under caution at lap eleven, when several cars got together in turn two.
The lead was handed over to Jake Murray, with Chris Abelson waiting in the wings in second as the race restarted.
Another caution flew at lap fourteen, and Abelson was now the leader of the pack, Murray falling to second. The caution arouse when another incident happened in turn two. The race was eventually red flagged as the car of Derek Walker was sitting atop that of Kyle Brown. We heard later, that Brown had a left rear hub break, and Walker launched over him.
When the race resumed, Abelson shot off from the pack, the race going green the remainder of the way, and he took the comfortable win. Jake Murray finished as the runner up, veteran racer Kelly Shryock started seventeenth and finished third, fifteenth place starter Kurt Kile, was fourth, and Chirs Zogg just beat Hunter Marriott to the finish line, as they went fifth and sixth.
This was the first time that Abelson had even seen the West Liberty Raceway, but he mastered it on his first try.
Twenty-seven Deery Late Models were on hand. They ran four heat races, a B Main. The usual pizza box draw for the top twelve in the heats, set the starting grid for the first six rows. Justin Kay ended up with the #1 spot, Denny Eckrich along side him.
Denny Eckrich took the lead as the race went green; Kay falling in behind him. He held that lead until Kay was able to make the pass on lap nineteen, and he was leading when the only yellow flew on lap twenty, when Chad Halladay and Ironman Darrel DeFrance tangled. By this time, the winds shifted and everyone was in hopes that the storm clouds all around would hold back until the finish of the race. They did.
When the green dropped for the restart, Kay maintained his lead, but Scott Fitzpatrick moved by Denny Eckrich, to take over the runner up spot. The running order of the top three stayed the same until the checkers flew with Kay taking the win in comfortable fashion. Fitzpatrick and Eckrich were second and third. Tyler Droste started eleventh and finished in fourth place, and Kevin Kile rounded out the top five.
Winner Kay did double duty tonight, also racing in the HDT contest, but had to exit early with issues. We noticed Kay wasn't in his familiar looking #15K in the Late Model, and I believe we understood that he was piloting the car that Brian Birkhofer has in the past.
There was a shower about an hour before race time, but thankfully, it was done and over with. But the looming clouds were all around and the radar was colorful. We got word that the USMTS race at the Iowa State Fairgrounds track in Des Moines, had been rained out...it had poured there, and by the time we left the track and got on I80, we hit heavy rain. Sometimes...things work out, and this wasn't one of those "wild goose chases" that so many of us race fans have had!
We are in the thick of our Iowa racing season. Find a race to attend and support the sport we all love.
A nice field of 23 strong contenders were in the HDT Modified division. They ran three heats with the top four from each, eligible for the redraw for starting position for the 30-lap feature. Jake Murray from Hartford, and Derek Walker from Riverside, were the lucky ones to start on the front row.
Justin Kay started third behind the pole sitter and took command of the race at lap five. His night would end when he pulled off under caution at lap eleven, when several cars got together in turn two.
The lead was handed over to Jake Murray, with Chris Abelson waiting in the wings in second as the race restarted.
Another caution flew at lap fourteen, and Abelson was now the leader of the pack, Murray falling to second. The caution arouse when another incident happened in turn two. The race was eventually red flagged as the car of Derek Walker was sitting atop that of Kyle Brown. We heard later, that Brown had a left rear hub break, and Walker launched over him.
When the race resumed, Abelson shot off from the pack, the race going green the remainder of the way, and he took the comfortable win. Jake Murray finished as the runner up, veteran racer Kelly Shryock started seventeenth and finished third, fifteenth place starter Kurt Kile, was fourth, and Chirs Zogg just beat Hunter Marriott to the finish line, as they went fifth and sixth.
This was the first time that Abelson had even seen the West Liberty Raceway, but he mastered it on his first try.
Twenty-seven Deery Late Models were on hand. They ran four heat races, a B Main. The usual pizza box draw for the top twelve in the heats, set the starting grid for the first six rows. Justin Kay ended up with the #1 spot, Denny Eckrich along side him.
Denny Eckrich took the lead as the race went green; Kay falling in behind him. He held that lead until Kay was able to make the pass on lap nineteen, and he was leading when the only yellow flew on lap twenty, when Chad Halladay and Ironman Darrel DeFrance tangled. By this time, the winds shifted and everyone was in hopes that the storm clouds all around would hold back until the finish of the race. They did.
When the green dropped for the restart, Kay maintained his lead, but Scott Fitzpatrick moved by Denny Eckrich, to take over the runner up spot. The running order of the top three stayed the same until the checkers flew with Kay taking the win in comfortable fashion. Fitzpatrick and Eckrich were second and third. Tyler Droste started eleventh and finished in fourth place, and Kevin Kile rounded out the top five.
Winner Kay did double duty tonight, also racing in the HDT contest, but had to exit early with issues. We noticed Kay wasn't in his familiar looking #15K in the Late Model, and I believe we understood that he was piloting the car that Brian Birkhofer has in the past.
There was a shower about an hour before race time, but thankfully, it was done and over with. But the looming clouds were all around and the radar was colorful. We got word that the USMTS race at the Iowa State Fairgrounds track in Des Moines, had been rained out...it had poured there, and by the time we left the track and got on I80, we hit heavy rain. Sometimes...things work out, and this wasn't one of those "wild goose chases" that so many of us race fans have had!
We are in the thick of our Iowa racing season. Find a race to attend and support the sport we all love.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Dickerson posts first Modified victory, Marshall wins for first time ever in Hobby Stocks
It was a hot and sultry night at the Boone Speedway on Saturday, and the racing action was hot as well. Russ Dickerson went home with his first win of the season in the Modified division, and Randy Bryan also won his first feature of the year in the Mod Lites. Donavon Smith was victorious for the third time in the IMCA Stock Car class, Jonathan Logue won his second feature in the SportMods, and Ross Marshall stepped into victory lane for the first time ever at Boone in the IMCA Hobby Stocks.
Feature racing kicked off with the 15-lap Mod Lite A main. Joe Glick led the troops through the first seven laps, holding off a fast charging Randy Bryan. Bryan, who had started eighth, made the pass on the outside of Glick to take the lead at lap eight. Bryan would keep that lead to the checkers for the win. Bryan Zehm came from tenth starting spot, to finish as the runner up. Third went to Travis Stensland, Joe Glick was fourth and Justin Rankin completed the top five. Bryan won for the first time in 2016.
Earlier, sixth place starter, Cory Sauerman, had already made it into fourth, when he blew up----leaving a big streak of oil from turn four, to the flagstand. The "Boone dirt wagon", (three men with shovels/buckets, being pulled slowly via tractor) made quick work of getting it covered, and we were back to racing quickly.
Curtis Veber was the early leader in the IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap event. Jake McBirnie came from ninth starting spot, to take command at lap six. McBirnie was looking strong, but was soon being challenged by tenth place starter, Jonathan Logue. Logue continued to pressure McBirnie, looking to his outside for a way around, when suddenly at lap fifteen, McBirnie slowed, and pulled into the infield. This handed the lead over to Logue, who motored the rest of the way home untouched, for the win. Randy Roberts came from twelfth starting spot to finish as the runner up, third went to Andy Tiernan, who just beat fourth place Thor Anderson at the finish line, and Adam Shelman took fifth place. The race went flag to flag. This was Logue's second win of the season.
Shawn Wirtz led the opening laps of the 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock A main. He was quickly challenged by Ross Marshall. Marshall was able to slip under Wirtz to take the lead on lap five. From there on, Marshall pulled away for a convincing win----his first ever at Boone. Wirtz finished in second ahead of Jordan Peters in third, twelfth place starter Eric Stanton, was fourth and Todd Bass rounded out the top five. Though I am not positive, I believe this could have been Marshall's first career win. Always nice to see that happen.
The 20-lap IMCA Modified feature was up next. Russ Dickerson got by early leader Kent Croskey, and took charge by lap five, after starting eighth. He was then content to let the others duke it out behind him, and took an easy win. Three drivers were fighting it out for second place as Dickerson rode comfortably ahead. Putting on a fine show for the fans were veteran Denny Pittman, point leader Mike VanGenderen, and Jimmy Gustin, last year's track champion. Pittman held back VanGenderen until the final lap, when VanGenderen surged past to finish second, Pittman taking third. A close fourth went to Jimmy Gustin, and Matthew Meinecke was fifth. The race went caution free after an initial "no start". Dickerson posted his first win of the season at the speedway.
Those that left early missed an exciting finish to the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car finale. Rookie to the class, Cody Gustoff took advantage of his pole starting position, jumping to the immediate lead. Craig Carlson, who had started right behind Gustoff, began pestering him and took over as leader at lap six. Carlson kept command of his lead, but in the closing moments had Donavon Smith, Jay Schmidt, and Tyler Pickett in a cluster behind him. Smith dogged Carlson until the final lap, when he was able to get under him on the backstretch, beating him to the checkers for the win. Carlson held on to second, Jay Schmidt, who started in row eleven after having heat race woes, finished in third, Tyler Pickett finished fourth from his eighth starting spot, and Brad Te Grotenhuis, the driver out of Orange City who races Boone weekly, (a 172 mile trip) took fifth. This was Smith's third win of the year.
The car count was a bit shorter than usual last evening, speculating that the heat and humidity had something to do with that. However, those racers and the fans who did brave the heat, saw some good, close action as usual. The show was completed right at 10 p.m.
Several specials are coming up this week, some on top of each other. This is always a hard decision to make as to where to go. Check the calendar at Positively Racing, and choose your race. Mother Nature may dictate in some cases, and make the decision for you.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
DeFrance takes Late Model win, Ward scores first Modified victory and Stanton stays perfect in Hobby Stocks
Marshalltown Speedway welcomed back the IMCA Late Models Friday, for the second time this week, following up the Deery Brothers Summer Series held on Tuesday. Darrel DeFrance went home with a win on his hometown track in the Late Models, Tim Ward, the visiting Arizonian, won for the first time in the Modifieds, as did Travis Peterson in the IMCA Northern SportMod division. Damon Murty won his first regular season race at Marshalltown in the Stock Cars, Joel Glick captured his second win of the season in the Mod Lites, and Eric Stanton remains perfect in the Hobby Stocks for the 2016 season.
Hometown boy, Darrel DeFrance led all 25 laps in the IMCA Late Model feature. DeFrance set sail and was never challenged on his way to victory. Jerry King chased DeFrance for much of the race to finish as the runner up. Third place went to sixth place starter, Paul Nagel, Justin Mitchell started tenth and finished in fourth place, and Curtis Glover rounded out the top five. Only one yellow at lap three slowed the racing action, but it was no hindrance to DeFrance, as he rocketed off on the restart, and put the 99D to the rim of the track. This was the first of eight Late Model races to be held at the High Banks this year.
Tim Ward, snagged his first win at Marshalltown this year in the IMCA Modified class. The young man from Arizona who is calling Harcourt, Iowa home this Iowa racing season, didn't have it easy in doing so. Ward started twelfth and had to pass a lot of stout competition. Eric Elliott led much of the first portion of the 20-lap feature, but Ward took command at the halfway mark and walked away in the closing portion to take a comfortable win. Twelfth place starter, Richie Gustin, driving Shawn Ritter's car, finished in second, third went to Tom Berry who started seventh, early leader Elliott was fourth, and Jacob Murray finished fifth from starting eighth.
The IMCA Stock Cars ran as a support class on Tuesday for the Deery Brothers Late Model and Hawkeye Dirt Tour doubleheader. Damon Murty took home the win then. Tonight, he won for the second time in a week, this time for a regular points show. Murty started tenth, took over the lead at lap thirteen from then leader Steve Meyer, and pulled away at the end for the easy win. Meyer took the runner up spot, Tyler Pickett started twelfth and finished in third place, fourth went to sixth place starter, Jeff Wollam, and Donavon Smith finished fifth after starting fourteenth. The race went flag to flag.
Travis Peterson finally got that elusive first win in the IMCA Northern Sport Mod class. Peterson grabbed the lead from his fifth place starting position at lap three, and led the rest of the way to the checkers. Sam Wieben just got by Cory Rose at the finish line, as they were scored second and third in that order. Fourth place finisher was Jared VanDeest and Ethan Braaksma completed the top five.
In the IMCA Hobby Stock feature, Eric Stanton was looking to keep his perfect season going, as he debuted his new car. Stanton started eighth and battled his way to third place by lap seven. However, he had visiting driver Ryan Grochala and August Bach to contend with if he was going to keep the streak alive. He swung his ride to the topside and as the three raced to the checkers, Stanton was able to get the momentum out of corner four, beating both to the finish line for the win. Grochala was second over Bach in third, Gary Pfantz took fourth place and Dustin Graham was fifth. This was Stanton's seventh win of the regular season at Marshalltown.
Joe Glick won for the second time this season in the Mod Lite class. Glick took command at lap three of the 12-lap feature, and kept it the remaining distance to the win. Mike Morrill finished in second, Randy Bryan was third, fourth went to Joel Huggins, and Kevin Grisham was fifth.
Notes of the evening: Fourteen Late Models were on hand. Richie Gustin for some reason, did not run his heat or feature. The summer heat was evident last night, with a strong southerly breeze. I don't think anyone was thinking that rain could hamper the night's racing, but the "zero percent chance" of rain, suddenly changed as a BIG blob showed up on radar to the north. The winds also changed about Modified feature time, and began blowing from the north. Thankfully, nothing more than Mother Nature's light show came of it during the races. However, we heard later that Marshalltown had strong winds and 3.75 inches over night. In the Mod Lite division, Larry Sorenson went for a ride, clipping a car sitting between turns one and two, and barrel rolled several times. He emerged from his ride, unhurt. There were several visiting drivers that normally race at Des Moines on Friday night's. Due to the World Pork Expo, there was no racing at the Iowa State Fair Speedway. Many of the Late Model racers normally raced at Des Moines, but some of the other classes also had visiting racers. We noticed Ryan Grochala and August Bach in the Hobby Stocks, Ben Wilson in the SportMod division, Damon Murty and Donovan Nunnikhoven in the Stock Cars, and Scott Davis in Modifieds.
Be sure and check the calendar at www.positivelyracing.com for the many racing events going on in our area now.
Hometown boy, Darrel DeFrance led all 25 laps in the IMCA Late Model feature. DeFrance set sail and was never challenged on his way to victory. Jerry King chased DeFrance for much of the race to finish as the runner up. Third place went to sixth place starter, Paul Nagel, Justin Mitchell started tenth and finished in fourth place, and Curtis Glover rounded out the top five. Only one yellow at lap three slowed the racing action, but it was no hindrance to DeFrance, as he rocketed off on the restart, and put the 99D to the rim of the track. This was the first of eight Late Model races to be held at the High Banks this year.
Tim Ward, snagged his first win at Marshalltown this year in the IMCA Modified class. The young man from Arizona who is calling Harcourt, Iowa home this Iowa racing season, didn't have it easy in doing so. Ward started twelfth and had to pass a lot of stout competition. Eric Elliott led much of the first portion of the 20-lap feature, but Ward took command at the halfway mark and walked away in the closing portion to take a comfortable win. Twelfth place starter, Richie Gustin, driving Shawn Ritter's car, finished in second, third went to Tom Berry who started seventh, early leader Elliott was fourth, and Jacob Murray finished fifth from starting eighth.
The IMCA Stock Cars ran as a support class on Tuesday for the Deery Brothers Late Model and Hawkeye Dirt Tour doubleheader. Damon Murty took home the win then. Tonight, he won for the second time in a week, this time for a regular points show. Murty started tenth, took over the lead at lap thirteen from then leader Steve Meyer, and pulled away at the end for the easy win. Meyer took the runner up spot, Tyler Pickett started twelfth and finished in third place, fourth went to sixth place starter, Jeff Wollam, and Donavon Smith finished fifth after starting fourteenth. The race went flag to flag.
Travis Peterson finally got that elusive first win in the IMCA Northern Sport Mod class. Peterson grabbed the lead from his fifth place starting position at lap three, and led the rest of the way to the checkers. Sam Wieben just got by Cory Rose at the finish line, as they were scored second and third in that order. Fourth place finisher was Jared VanDeest and Ethan Braaksma completed the top five.
In the IMCA Hobby Stock feature, Eric Stanton was looking to keep his perfect season going, as he debuted his new car. Stanton started eighth and battled his way to third place by lap seven. However, he had visiting driver Ryan Grochala and August Bach to contend with if he was going to keep the streak alive. He swung his ride to the topside and as the three raced to the checkers, Stanton was able to get the momentum out of corner four, beating both to the finish line for the win. Grochala was second over Bach in third, Gary Pfantz took fourth place and Dustin Graham was fifth. This was Stanton's seventh win of the regular season at Marshalltown.
Joe Glick won for the second time this season in the Mod Lite class. Glick took command at lap three of the 12-lap feature, and kept it the remaining distance to the win. Mike Morrill finished in second, Randy Bryan was third, fourth went to Joel Huggins, and Kevin Grisham was fifth.
Notes of the evening: Fourteen Late Models were on hand. Richie Gustin for some reason, did not run his heat or feature. The summer heat was evident last night, with a strong southerly breeze. I don't think anyone was thinking that rain could hamper the night's racing, but the "zero percent chance" of rain, suddenly changed as a BIG blob showed up on radar to the north. The winds also changed about Modified feature time, and began blowing from the north. Thankfully, nothing more than Mother Nature's light show came of it during the races. However, we heard later that Marshalltown had strong winds and 3.75 inches over night. In the Mod Lite division, Larry Sorenson went for a ride, clipping a car sitting between turns one and two, and barrel rolled several times. He emerged from his ride, unhurt. There were several visiting drivers that normally race at Des Moines on Friday night's. Due to the World Pork Expo, there was no racing at the Iowa State Fair Speedway. Many of the Late Model racers normally raced at Des Moines, but some of the other classes also had visiting racers. We noticed Ryan Grochala and August Bach in the Hobby Stocks, Ben Wilson in the SportMod division, Damon Murty and Donovan Nunnikhoven in the Stock Cars, and Scott Davis in Modifieds.
Be sure and check the calendar at www.positivelyracing.com for the many racing events going on in our area now.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Carter stays perfect in Stock Cars, Mather scores first Modified win
The weather was near perfect on Wednesday for racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway. Colt Mather would score his first Modified win at the Speedway in 2016, and first wins of the season also went to Danny Thrasher in the Hobby Stock Class and Ryan Havel in the Sport Compact division. Curtis VanDerWal scored his fourth SportMod feature, and Cayden Carter continues his reign as master of the Stock Car class.....six in a row.
Only nine IMCA Modifieds appeared on Wednesday night. All nine started but the field was quickly down to seven when Andrew Schroeder was off the pace and then Brandon Banks exited with mechanical issues.
Scott Dickey and Tyler Groenendyk sat on the front row for the start of the 18-lap feature. Cayden Carter, who started third, quickly overtook the two, and was in the lead at lap one. Colt Mather had started alongside Carter, and was right on his tail at lap two. The two drivers put on quite the show for the lead. Mather's constant pestering of Carter finally paid off when he took the lead at lap ten. He held that lead then the rest of the way to the checkers and the win. Carter had to be content with second. There was a good battle for third place between visiting Jesse Dennis from Prescott, located in southwest Iowa, and local hot shoe, Zack VanderBeek. Jesse Dennis was able to hold back VanderBeek, as they finished third and fourth respectively. Tyler Groenendyk rounded out the top five. Mather took his first win at Osky this year.
Cayden Carter has dominated in the IMCA Stock Car class at the Southern Iowa Speedway this year. His dominance prevailed again last night as he won his sixth feature in a row, making for a perfect regular season. Carter was patient, working his way from fifth starting position, and finally catching leader Nathan Wood. Wood held Carter at bay through his constant pressuring, still leading at lap fifteen of the eighteen lap race. The two went side by side down the backstretch, and this time, it was Carter gaining the advantage as they raced out of turn four on lap sixteen. Carter then held that lead and once again took the checkers. Nathan Wood finished what had to be, a disappointing second....so close to that elusive win. A good distance behind in third place was Louis Lynch, the "Hurryin' Scurryin" Missourian" as announcer Tony Paris likes to call him. Close at hand for fourth was Grinnell's Todd Reitzler, and fifth place Donnie Pearson. The race went flag to flag.
And so......Carter continues his reign at Osky. Not that this is an unusually outstanding year for Carter as a look back over the last couple years, (according to my unofficial records) shows nine wins in 2014, plus a Frostbuster win, and six wins in 2015.
Another driver who has put his stamp on the big ole half-mile oval, is Curtis VanDerWal. VanDerWal started tenth on the grid in the 16-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature and scrambled through the pack to catch Matt VanGelder with a dozen laps down. From then on, he pulled away for yet another feature win. VanGelder, who had led most of the race, finished as the runner up. Third went to Eric Flander, who has been in the "rent-a-ride" car formerly piloted by Greg Strohman. Austin Paul finished fourth, and Carter VandenBerg started ninth and finished fifth. The feature went caution free. VanDerWal put his #V1 in victory lane for the fourth time this season. My records show that he had ten wins in 2015, six in 2014 and ten in 2013.
The IMCA Hobby Stock went 15-lap in their feature event. Jamie Songer led the troops through the first handful of laps. Then veteran racer Bill Bonnett made the pass under Songer to take over the top spot on lap six. The race got real interesting soon, with a four-car breakaway---Bonnett leading with Dustin Griffiths, Danny Thrasher and Nick Ulin hot on his tail. A three-wide battle coming out of corner four saw Thrasher make the surge into the lead at lap fourteen, which he would keep to the checkers and the win. It was a very close battle for second place at the flagstand. Dustin Griffiths was scored in second, ahead of Bonnett who was officially scored third. All in our grandstand area, saw the reverse of second and third place, but angles and the official finish line makes a difference. Ulin took fourth place over Travis Bunnell in fifth. This was Thrasher's first win of 2016.
The IMCA Sport Compact's are having a good car count at Osky this year. Eleven came to try their hand last evening. A new winner emerged from the fray in the ten-lapper. It was Ryan Havel overtaking John Whalen at lap six, and keeping it to the checkers. Havel started tenth on the starting grid. Shane Evans chased Havel to the line for second place. Third went to John Gill and John Whalen was fourth. Brad Havel crossed the line in fifth, but it was announced he was penalized for causing Lincoln Schrock going for a spin on the final lap, so fifth was awarded to Jason Breuklander.
There was an entertaining intermission last night as several drivers participated in a wheelbarrow race...one driver pushing, the other riding in the wheelbarrow.....and then switching after a "lap".
The ultimate winners after several rounds, were Tyler Groenendyk and Danny Thrasher over Colton Livezey and Trent Brink.
We had no idea that we would have to keep an eye on the radar last night, (no chance of rain predicted) but a quick moving mass was moving from the north. Thankfully, it slid to the east of the track, and we saw no more than a few flashes of lightning in the distance.
The heat is coming back to our area, along with humidity. For those racing the rest of the week and upcoming weekend, be safe while you enjoy the races.
Only nine IMCA Modifieds appeared on Wednesday night. All nine started but the field was quickly down to seven when Andrew Schroeder was off the pace and then Brandon Banks exited with mechanical issues.
Scott Dickey and Tyler Groenendyk sat on the front row for the start of the 18-lap feature. Cayden Carter, who started third, quickly overtook the two, and was in the lead at lap one. Colt Mather had started alongside Carter, and was right on his tail at lap two. The two drivers put on quite the show for the lead. Mather's constant pestering of Carter finally paid off when he took the lead at lap ten. He held that lead then the rest of the way to the checkers and the win. Carter had to be content with second. There was a good battle for third place between visiting Jesse Dennis from Prescott, located in southwest Iowa, and local hot shoe, Zack VanderBeek. Jesse Dennis was able to hold back VanderBeek, as they finished third and fourth respectively. Tyler Groenendyk rounded out the top five. Mather took his first win at Osky this year.
Cayden Carter has dominated in the IMCA Stock Car class at the Southern Iowa Speedway this year. His dominance prevailed again last night as he won his sixth feature in a row, making for a perfect regular season. Carter was patient, working his way from fifth starting position, and finally catching leader Nathan Wood. Wood held Carter at bay through his constant pressuring, still leading at lap fifteen of the eighteen lap race. The two went side by side down the backstretch, and this time, it was Carter gaining the advantage as they raced out of turn four on lap sixteen. Carter then held that lead and once again took the checkers. Nathan Wood finished what had to be, a disappointing second....so close to that elusive win. A good distance behind in third place was Louis Lynch, the "Hurryin' Scurryin" Missourian" as announcer Tony Paris likes to call him. Close at hand for fourth was Grinnell's Todd Reitzler, and fifth place Donnie Pearson. The race went flag to flag.
And so......Carter continues his reign at Osky. Not that this is an unusually outstanding year for Carter as a look back over the last couple years, (according to my unofficial records) shows nine wins in 2014, plus a Frostbuster win, and six wins in 2015.
Another driver who has put his stamp on the big ole half-mile oval, is Curtis VanDerWal. VanDerWal started tenth on the grid in the 16-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature and scrambled through the pack to catch Matt VanGelder with a dozen laps down. From then on, he pulled away for yet another feature win. VanGelder, who had led most of the race, finished as the runner up. Third went to Eric Flander, who has been in the "rent-a-ride" car formerly piloted by Greg Strohman. Austin Paul finished fourth, and Carter VandenBerg started ninth and finished fifth. The feature went caution free. VanDerWal put his #V1 in victory lane for the fourth time this season. My records show that he had ten wins in 2015, six in 2014 and ten in 2013.
The IMCA Hobby Stock went 15-lap in their feature event. Jamie Songer led the troops through the first handful of laps. Then veteran racer Bill Bonnett made the pass under Songer to take over the top spot on lap six. The race got real interesting soon, with a four-car breakaway---Bonnett leading with Dustin Griffiths, Danny Thrasher and Nick Ulin hot on his tail. A three-wide battle coming out of corner four saw Thrasher make the surge into the lead at lap fourteen, which he would keep to the checkers and the win. It was a very close battle for second place at the flagstand. Dustin Griffiths was scored in second, ahead of Bonnett who was officially scored third. All in our grandstand area, saw the reverse of second and third place, but angles and the official finish line makes a difference. Ulin took fourth place over Travis Bunnell in fifth. This was Thrasher's first win of 2016.
The IMCA Sport Compact's are having a good car count at Osky this year. Eleven came to try their hand last evening. A new winner emerged from the fray in the ten-lapper. It was Ryan Havel overtaking John Whalen at lap six, and keeping it to the checkers. Havel started tenth on the starting grid. Shane Evans chased Havel to the line for second place. Third went to John Gill and John Whalen was fourth. Brad Havel crossed the line in fifth, but it was announced he was penalized for causing Lincoln Schrock going for a spin on the final lap, so fifth was awarded to Jason Breuklander.
There was an entertaining intermission last night as several drivers participated in a wheelbarrow race...one driver pushing, the other riding in the wheelbarrow.....and then switching after a "lap".
The ultimate winners after several rounds, were Tyler Groenendyk and Danny Thrasher over Colton Livezey and Trent Brink.
We had no idea that we would have to keep an eye on the radar last night, (no chance of rain predicted) but a quick moving mass was moving from the north. Thankfully, it slid to the east of the track, and we saw no more than a few flashes of lightning in the distance.
The heat is coming back to our area, along with humidity. For those racing the rest of the week and upcoming weekend, be safe while you enjoy the races.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Marshalltown Speedway doubleheader wins to Guss and Rust
There was a packed house Tuesday night at the Marshalltown Speedway to witness the doubleheader of the IMCA Deery Brothers Late Models and the Hawkeye Dirt Tour Modifieds, along with the IMCA Stock Cars. No fan should have gone home disappointed! Thirty-three Late Models, thirty-nine Modifieds and 14 supporting cast IMCA Stock Cars put on an entertaining night of racing.
Veteran racer Ray Guss, Jr. went home with the hardware in the 50-lap Miller Lite 50, for the Deery Late Models, Joel Rust grabbed his second win in as many HDT races, and no stranger to victory lane, The Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty, chalked up another win in the IMCA Stock Cars.
The top twelve qualifiers from the four Deery heats drew the traditional pizza box containing a hidden starting position. After a little passing back and forth....some good decisions, some not so good....it was Joel Callahan starting on the pole, along side Ray Guss, Jr.
Joel Callahan took the initial lead for lap one, but at lap two, it was Ray Guss, Jr. putting his #58 to the point. From there on, he never relinquished that coveted spot, stretching his lead, even through heavy lap traffic, to take the comfortable win. Tyler Droste came from eighth starting spot to finish as the runner up. Ryan Dolan finished in third, fourth went to Joel Callahan and rookie Cayden Carter was fifth. Guss went home with $2,000 in his pocket for the win.
A Non-Qualifiers 10-lap dash for the Deery was held for those cars not making the feature. Veteran racer Greg Kastli came home the victor and $300 for his win.
The Hawkeye Dirt Tour for the IMCA Modifieds had a 30-lap feature. Fourth place starter, Brian Irvine took the lead out of turn two as the race went green, and by lap three, he had Joel Rust running him down. Rust took command of the ship at lap eight, but could never really shake off Irvine on his heels. A last second thrust fell just short for Irvine, and Rust took the win, Irvine going second. Kyle Brown came from tenth starting spot, to finish in third. Fourth was Jake Murray who started twelfth, and Ryan Gustin, in the Shawn's Hay Grinding ride normally driven by Shawn Ritter, started deep in the field to round out the top five.
Rust, who won the HDT opener at Vinton, made it back to back wins in the series. He pocketed $1,000 for his victory.
Rust, who won the HDT opener at Vinton, made it back to back wins in the series. He pocketed $1,000 for his victory.
The IMCA Stock Cars were the support class for the two traveling series. They brought 14 cars to the track for a 20-lap feature. It provided the close racing action that is always associated with the Class too Tough to Tame. Jay Schmidt and Tyler Pickett went at it in the early part of the race, racing side by side, lap after lap. Then Damon Murty threw his hat in the ring and got in on the action, and all three jousted for position. Not to be out done, Jeff Wollam joined in as well. Murty was able to take command as the laps wound down, and secured the win. Jay Schmidt finished a close second, just ahead of Tyler Pickett and Jeff Wollam in third and fourth, and Dave Atcher completed the top five. This was career win #202 for Damon Murty, and put $500 in his pocket.
A few notes on the night: The Ironman, Darrel DeFrance continues his streak of attending all of the Deery Brothers Summer Series races. Last night marked #456 for the Marshalltown driver. He finished tenth in last night's feature. A scary moment in one of the Consy races for the Deery Late Models found Todd Cooney rolling his ride off of the top of turns one and two. Word is that he is fine, but very sore this morning. The HDT series will have their second race of the week on Thursday, June 9, at the Kossuth County Speedway in Algona, Iowa. Promoter Toby Kruse should have been very pleased with the turn out last night....both in the stands and in the pits. Great car counts for both the Deery Brothers and the HDT.
There is lots of racing going on in our area. Get out and find a race to attend in support of the sport we all love.
A few notes on the night: The Ironman, Darrel DeFrance continues his streak of attending all of the Deery Brothers Summer Series races. Last night marked #456 for the Marshalltown driver. He finished tenth in last night's feature. A scary moment in one of the Consy races for the Deery Late Models found Todd Cooney rolling his ride off of the top of turns one and two. Word is that he is fine, but very sore this morning. The HDT series will have their second race of the week on Thursday, June 9, at the Kossuth County Speedway in Algona, Iowa. Promoter Toby Kruse should have been very pleased with the turn out last night....both in the stands and in the pits. Great car counts for both the Deery Brothers and the HDT.
There is lots of racing going on in our area. Get out and find a race to attend in support of the sport we all love.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Logue logs back to back Modified wins, Schmidt takes close Stock Car victory
Weekly action continued at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night,
under a constantly changing sky. John Logue put his ride back in
victory lane in the IMCA Modified feature for the second time in a row,
Jay Schmidt scored a repeat victory in the IMCA Stock Car ranks, and
Chad Ryerson in the IMCA Northern SportMod division, David Rieks in the
IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Travis Stensland in the Mod Lite class, all won
for the first time in 2016.
Five time Super Nationals winner, John Logue, started seventh and had his familiar #69 in the lead by lap eight of the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. He never relinquished that lead on his way to the checkers and the win. He had big time company behind him fighting it out tooth and nail for position. It was Jimmy Gustin, eleventh place starter, winning the battle to take the runner up spot. Point leader Mike VanGenderen finished third from his twelfth place starting spot. Russ Dickerson came from eighteenth, to finish fourth, and Kyle Brown rounded out the top five. Logue repeated his win from last week.
Jay Schmidt captured his second win of the season in the IMCA Stock Car class. He wasted no time in getting to the front, grabbing the lead by lap two from his sixth starting spot. He stretched his lead, looking comfortable out front, until a caution at lap fifteen of the 18-lap race, bunched the field. It was Donavon Smith then close at hand in second for the restart. Smith pestered Schmidt, making attempts at a pass, but Schmidt kept his poise, and stuck his nose across the finish line first for the win. Smith held the runner up spot over Matt West in third, Tyler Pickett in fourth and Wayne Gifford in fifth.
The 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature found a new face visiting victory lane this season. Chad Ryerson started sixth and took the lead at lap six, never to relinquish it the remainder of the race for the win. He caught and passed early leader Curtis Veber, then held off a hard charging Jake McBirnie most of the second half of the race. However, McBirnie made a sudden exit with mechanical issues in the final lap. Last week's winner, Randy Roberts came home in second place after starting tenth, Brandon Williams was third, fourth went to Jonathan Logue and Thor Anderson completed the top five.
The IMCA 12-lap Hobby Stock feature went to David Rieks. Rieks, who had earlier won his heat race comfortably, continued his strong night in the feature. He took command at lap five, and was chased most of the distance by Russ Marshall who fell just short for a runner up finish. Tenth place starter, Dustin Graham finished third, fourth went to pole sitter Seth Butler, and Jordan Peters finished fifth. This was Rieks' first win of the 2016 season at Boone.
Travis Stensland led the Mod Lite 15-lap feature flag to flag for his first win at the track this season. Last week's winner Bryan Zehm, started tenth and finished a very close second. Cory Sauerman was third, Joel Keenan took fourth and Randy Bryan finished fifth. The race went caution free.
We watched the ever changing sky all night long at Boone. Very cloudy and overcast, then even darker, then blue sky with a beautiful sunset, and then another bank of clouds rolled in. Thankfully, nothing came from the clouds and it all moved east. We got word that both Independence and West Liberty had to cancel their shows.
Weekly racing continues next Saturday night, June 11 with racing in all five divisions. Hot laps are 6:45 and racing at 7:30.
Five time Super Nationals winner, John Logue, started seventh and had his familiar #69 in the lead by lap eight of the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. He never relinquished that lead on his way to the checkers and the win. He had big time company behind him fighting it out tooth and nail for position. It was Jimmy Gustin, eleventh place starter, winning the battle to take the runner up spot. Point leader Mike VanGenderen finished third from his twelfth place starting spot. Russ Dickerson came from eighteenth, to finish fourth, and Kyle Brown rounded out the top five. Logue repeated his win from last week.
Jay Schmidt captured his second win of the season in the IMCA Stock Car class. He wasted no time in getting to the front, grabbing the lead by lap two from his sixth starting spot. He stretched his lead, looking comfortable out front, until a caution at lap fifteen of the 18-lap race, bunched the field. It was Donavon Smith then close at hand in second for the restart. Smith pestered Schmidt, making attempts at a pass, but Schmidt kept his poise, and stuck his nose across the finish line first for the win. Smith held the runner up spot over Matt West in third, Tyler Pickett in fourth and Wayne Gifford in fifth.
The 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature found a new face visiting victory lane this season. Chad Ryerson started sixth and took the lead at lap six, never to relinquish it the remainder of the race for the win. He caught and passed early leader Curtis Veber, then held off a hard charging Jake McBirnie most of the second half of the race. However, McBirnie made a sudden exit with mechanical issues in the final lap. Last week's winner, Randy Roberts came home in second place after starting tenth, Brandon Williams was third, fourth went to Jonathan Logue and Thor Anderson completed the top five.
The IMCA 12-lap Hobby Stock feature went to David Rieks. Rieks, who had earlier won his heat race comfortably, continued his strong night in the feature. He took command at lap five, and was chased most of the distance by Russ Marshall who fell just short for a runner up finish. Tenth place starter, Dustin Graham finished third, fourth went to pole sitter Seth Butler, and Jordan Peters finished fifth. This was Rieks' first win of the 2016 season at Boone.
Travis Stensland led the Mod Lite 15-lap feature flag to flag for his first win at the track this season. Last week's winner Bryan Zehm, started tenth and finished a very close second. Cory Sauerman was third, Joel Keenan took fourth and Randy Bryan finished fifth. The race went caution free.
We watched the ever changing sky all night long at Boone. Very cloudy and overcast, then even darker, then blue sky with a beautiful sunset, and then another bank of clouds rolled in. Thankfully, nothing came from the clouds and it all moved east. We got word that both Independence and West Liberty had to cancel their shows.
Weekly racing continues next Saturday night, June 11 with racing in all five divisions. Hot laps are 6:45 and racing at 7:30.
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Wollam wins at Marshalltown
Two drivers, Ricky Thornton, Jr. in the Modified division, and Jeff Wollam in Stock Cars, scored first wins of the 2016 season at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night. Sam Wieben scored his second SportMod feature win, and Mike Morrill won for the second time in the Mod Lite class. The man who has been unstoppable in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, Eric Stanton, kept his perfect season going by winning for the sixth time in a row. The track also won, beating Mother Nature as lightning flashed through the sky.
Ricky Thornton, Jr., the Candler, Arizona driver who is calling Iowa home for the summer, made his presence known in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. Thornton started thirteenth and grabbed the lead away from last week's winner Eric Elliott at lap nine. From there on, Thornton took his ride to the topside and never looked back on his way to the checkers. Jake Murray finished second from starting ninth, and third went to eleventh place starter Jimmy Gustin, who suddenly appeared in the picture with about a handful of laps left. Kyle Brown finished fourth after starting seventh, and Ronn Lauritzen came from tenth starting spot, to round out the top five. Murray, Gustin and Brown fought it out three-wide in the closing laps.
We've seen Thornton win at various tracks this season as he hones his racing skills on the black dirt of Iowa, but this was his first victory at Marshalltown.
Veteran racer Jeff Wollam returned to victory lane in the IMCA Stock Car division. Wollam, who had run in the top three all night long, made the last lap pass on the back stretch, slipping under Donavon Smith and beating him to the checkers for the win. Smith, had to settle for the runner up spot, third went to Tyler Pickett, fourth to tenth place starter Austin Evens, and Steve Meyer started eighth and finished fifth.
Wollam, who has many wins over his racing career at the Marshalltown Speedway, stepped back into the winner's circle for the first time (according to my records) since August 8, 2011. On that night, I noted that he said it was the first time since August of 2008. Congrats to Wollam for the fine run and victory.
Young Ethan Braaskma started fifth and led the pack of IMCA Northern SportMods in their 18-lap feature through the first eleven laps. The caution at lap eleven was Braaksma's nemesis and Sam Wieben's good fortune. On the restart, Wieben, who had started in row four, got the jump on Braaksma and flew to the lead. Wieben held the top spot to the checkers and the win. Last week's winner Jared VanDeest came from twelfth starting spot to finish second and Braaksma held third. It was a tight finish for fourth and fifth, with Cory Rose just beating out Travis Peterson. Wieben won for the second time at the track this year.
Eric Stanton has been unstoppable in the IMCA Hobby Stock division and it was no different on Friday night. He took the win for the sixth straight time, making for a perfect regular season. Stanton started ninth and was in the lead at lap four, keeping it the remaining eleven laps to the checkers flying. Gene Nicklas finished as the runner up, third went to Dustin Graham, Gary Pfantz was fourth and lady racer Leah Wroten was fifth.
Mike Morrill made it back to back feature wins in the Mod Lite class. Morrill led all fifteen laps on the way to victory in the caution free race. Josh May finished second, over Randy Bryan in third, Joel Glick was fourth and Eric Turner rounded out the top five.
The program was moved right along last night, starting a bit early, and done at 9:12 p.m. Radar showed "stuff" moving closer and closer all evening, but the only raindrops we felt was after the races while roaming the pits. There was a bit of a glitch during the racing program when the corner lights suddenly went out. What do you do then? You position two vehicles with caution lights in the infield corners and proceed from there. Worked fine.
Next up at the Marshalltown Speedway is the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models and the IMCA Hawkeye Dirt Tour for IMCA Modifieds on Tuesday, June 7. Also racing will be the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars. Hot laps are 7 p.m. with racing to follow. Then regular Friday night racing returns on June 10 with racing in all five regular divisions. The green flag drops at 7:30.
Ricky Thornton, Jr., the Candler, Arizona driver who is calling Iowa home for the summer, made his presence known in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. Thornton started thirteenth and grabbed the lead away from last week's winner Eric Elliott at lap nine. From there on, Thornton took his ride to the topside and never looked back on his way to the checkers. Jake Murray finished second from starting ninth, and third went to eleventh place starter Jimmy Gustin, who suddenly appeared in the picture with about a handful of laps left. Kyle Brown finished fourth after starting seventh, and Ronn Lauritzen came from tenth starting spot, to round out the top five. Murray, Gustin and Brown fought it out three-wide in the closing laps.
We've seen Thornton win at various tracks this season as he hones his racing skills on the black dirt of Iowa, but this was his first victory at Marshalltown.
Veteran racer Jeff Wollam returned to victory lane in the IMCA Stock Car division. Wollam, who had run in the top three all night long, made the last lap pass on the back stretch, slipping under Donavon Smith and beating him to the checkers for the win. Smith, had to settle for the runner up spot, third went to Tyler Pickett, fourth to tenth place starter Austin Evens, and Steve Meyer started eighth and finished fifth.
Wollam, who has many wins over his racing career at the Marshalltown Speedway, stepped back into the winner's circle for the first time (according to my records) since August 8, 2011. On that night, I noted that he said it was the first time since August of 2008. Congrats to Wollam for the fine run and victory.
Young Ethan Braaskma started fifth and led the pack of IMCA Northern SportMods in their 18-lap feature through the first eleven laps. The caution at lap eleven was Braaksma's nemesis and Sam Wieben's good fortune. On the restart, Wieben, who had started in row four, got the jump on Braaksma and flew to the lead. Wieben held the top spot to the checkers and the win. Last week's winner Jared VanDeest came from twelfth starting spot to finish second and Braaksma held third. It was a tight finish for fourth and fifth, with Cory Rose just beating out Travis Peterson. Wieben won for the second time at the track this year.
Eric Stanton has been unstoppable in the IMCA Hobby Stock division and it was no different on Friday night. He took the win for the sixth straight time, making for a perfect regular season. Stanton started ninth and was in the lead at lap four, keeping it the remaining eleven laps to the checkers flying. Gene Nicklas finished as the runner up, third went to Dustin Graham, Gary Pfantz was fourth and lady racer Leah Wroten was fifth.
Mike Morrill made it back to back feature wins in the Mod Lite class. Morrill led all fifteen laps on the way to victory in the caution free race. Josh May finished second, over Randy Bryan in third, Joel Glick was fourth and Eric Turner rounded out the top five.
The program was moved right along last night, starting a bit early, and done at 9:12 p.m. Radar showed "stuff" moving closer and closer all evening, but the only raindrops we felt was after the races while roaming the pits. There was a bit of a glitch during the racing program when the corner lights suddenly went out. What do you do then? You position two vehicles with caution lights in the infield corners and proceed from there. Worked fine.
Next up at the Marshalltown Speedway is the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models and the IMCA Hawkeye Dirt Tour for IMCA Modifieds on Tuesday, June 7. Also racing will be the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars. Hot laps are 7 p.m. with racing to follow. Then regular Friday night racing returns on June 10 with racing in all five regular divisions. The green flag drops at 7:30.
Friday, June 3, 2016
Stovall stomps the field for MLRA win
It was a rare Thursday night of racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway last evening, as the regular show was moved for the visiting Lucas Oil MLRA Late Models in town. They are in the area for a three night run that was kicked off at Osky. They move to the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson tonight, and end Saturday night in Moberly, Missouri at the Randolph County Raceway.
Jesse Stovall dominated the MLRA feature, and Ricky Thornton, Jr., the visiting Arizona driver showed his dominance as well in the IMCA Modified feature. Cayden Carter continues his perfect season in the IMCA Stock Car ranks, Curtis VanDerWal took his third win in the IMCA Northern SportMod division, Dustin Griffiths made it four in a row by winning the IMCA Hobby Stock A main, and Bill "Happy Feet" Whalen, danced on the roof of his Sport Compact ride in victory lane.
Twenty-six Lucas Oil MLRA Late Models were in the house last night. They ran three heats, those winners being Jordan Yaggy from Rochester, Minnesota, Jesse Stovall, Billings, Missouri, and Chad Simpson from Mount Vernon, Iowa. The B main went to Chris Simpson from Oxford, Iowa.
Jesse Stovall got the pole spot via passing points, for the 30-lap main. Stovall rocketed off from the field immediately. A yellow at lap ten and seventeen made no difference to Stovall, as he slammed the pedal down and was gone once again. He took the win in easy fashion. Jordan Yaggy, the Rochester, Minnesota racer, trailed Stovall for much of the race, but had to settle for the runner up spot. Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, came home in third place, Chad Simpson was fourth and Wisconsin's Jimmy Mars started twelfth, and took fifth.
The IMCA Modified found Ricky Thornton, Jr. standing in the winner's circle for the third time this season. Thornton, who hails from Chandler, Arizona is staying in Harcourt, Iowa this racing season and putting his mark on several area tracks. He started sixth, had to fight around visiting Missouri driver, Hunter Marriott, and then caught and passed Colt Mather on lap thirteen of the 20-lapper. With that accomplished, he drove off from the field, and took the checkers by an ample margin. Mather held on to the runner up spot, but had to fend off Richie Gustin, who was piloting the Shawn Ritter ride, in third. Fourth went to eighth place starter, Jake Murray, and Hunter Marriott rounded out the top five.
Cayden Carter continued his perfect season in the IMCA Stock Car class, winning for the fifth time this year. Carter got to start on the pole, due to the entire show being draw/redraw last night. From there on, he just drove off from the field, cruising along untouched to the checkers. Nathan Wood brought his purple machine, instead of his normal red ride, and took home the runner up spot. Third went to Derrick Agee, fourth to Mike Hughes, and Todd Reitzler rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Northern SportMod 16-lap feature was looking to have Brett Lowry repeat his win from last week. However, Curtis VanDerWal had other ideas. Lowry had a straight away lead on the field when Colton Livezey went into spin mode just out of turn four, bringing out the yellow on lap eight. By this time, VanDerWal had made his way into second from starting seventh, and was, no doubt, more than grateful to see the yellow fly. By lap nine, VanDerWal had slipped under Lowry, and into the lead. He would go on to the comfortable win, his third of the season, and Lowry would finish in second. Carter VandenBerg started ninth, and finished a close third. Fourth went to Jason McDaniel, and Matthew VanGelder completed the top five.
Several drivers seem to be unstoppable at the Big Old Half Mile this year, and Dustin Griffiths in the IMCA Hobby Stock class is one of them. Griffiths had to battle several opponents for the top spot, before settling into the lead at lap ten of the fifteen lapper. He won the battle with Jamie Songer and Bill Bonnett for third, then caught and passed Brad Stephens, and then leader Danny Thrasher. He would keep that lead from there on, taking the win. Stephens kept second, Bill Bonnett was third, Thrasher fourth, and Songer took fifth. Griffiths scored the win for the fourth consecutive time.
Bill "Happy Feet" Whalen lived up to his nickname, as he danced on top of his race car in victory lane after winning the IMCA Sport Compact feature. Whalen was another lucky recipient of the draw/redraw format last evening, drawing the pole. He led the the first four laps, until seventh place starter Brad Havel came calling, and took command. Whalen stuck close to Havel and was able to make the move to the lead with just a lap remaining, keeping it to the checkers. Shane Evans just beat Havel to the finish line, as they went second and third in that order. John Gill came from ninth starting spot, to finish fourth and Lincoln Schrock was fifth.
It was much appreciated by fans and drivers alike, that the MLRA Late Models ran their 30-lap feature early, allowing both an early exit if they so desired. Great call by promoter Mike VanGenderen. They move to the Lee County Speedway tonight, for the second of their three race series. Lee County is fast gaining a reputation as being one of the raciest tracks on their schedule.
Check out the racing calendar at Positively Racing for a race to attend. There are many special events going on now, as well as weekly racing. Find a race to enjoy.
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