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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