There was exciting racing action at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night, as it shared the Central Iowa Fairgrounds with the county fair. New drivers earned their way into the winner's circle while three others made return visits.
Josh May was one of those returning drivers as he took the win in the 12-lap Mod Lite feature. May took command at lap four and from there on, never looked back. He finished comfortably ahead of second place Mike Morrill, who had started ninth. Third place went to Travis Stensland, fourth was Joel Huggins, who had to race his way back through the field after a lap one spin, and Cory Sauerman started tenth, and completed the top five. May also won last week.
The 18-lap IMCA SportMod feature came next. Chase Rudolf took the lead as the green flag flew, and was looking strong. By lap five, he had Jared VanDeest to contend with but continued to keep his lead. VanDeest was relentless however, pestering Rudolf continually, until finally making it pay off at lap twelve, when he grabbed the lead. VanDeest was able to distance himself from the pack in the final handful of laps, and took the checkers and the win. Eleventh place starter, Cory Rose, was the runner up, and early leader Chase Rudolf was third. It was a fight for fourth and fifth---Sam Wieben winning out over thirteenth starter, Dan Drury. VanDeest started twelfth and won for the fourth time in the 2016 season.
The IMCA 15-lap Hobby Stock main event went to Adam Armstrong. Armstrong, who has been racing an IMCA SportMod this season, jumped back into his Hobby Stock for the night, and made the switch seem effortless. He had the lead at lap seven, and then pulled away the remaining laps to take the easy win. Lady racer Leah Wroten started ninth, and took the runner up spot. Gene Nicklas took third, Matt Pohlman started thirteenth and finished fourth, and Jack Phillips rounded out the top five. Armstrong, who is from Beatrice, Nebraska, recently moved to Carlisle, Iowa. He pulled out his Hobby Stock to race, after damaging his SportMod. His father Roy, is also a successful racer back home in Beatrice.
There was fast and furious racing in the IMCA 20-lap Stock Car A main. Todd Reitzler led the race immediately, but suddenly at lap two, there was the 99D of the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty on his tail. Murty, who had started twelfth, flew around the topside on his charge, and began dogging Reitzler. Meanwhile, Donavon Smith had also made big advances, getting to third and pressuring both Reitzler and Murty. At lap nine, Reitzler's night turned into a nightmare, when his car appeared to dig into the entry of turn one, and then he took a huge ride as the car rolled. Thankfully, Reitzler emerged from the car unhurt. When racing action picked back up, Murty was now the leader with Smith in second. Murty returned to his topside run, Smith trying the low line, but it was all Murty's race from there on out, as he crossed under the checkers first once again. Smith kept the runner up spot, and third went to tenth starter, Steve Meyer. Fourth was Dave Atcher, who made a great comeback after an early race incident called for a trip to the pits for a tire change, and Tyler Pickett was fifth. This was Murty's fourth win at Marshalltown this year, and a repeat of last week's victory. It marked his 208th career win.
No one should have been disappointed with the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature action! Trent Jackson and Jimmy Gustin wowed the crowd with lap after lap of close racing. Jackson took the lead at lap five, Gustin getting to second by lap seven, and from there on out, the chase was on. Gustin followed in Jackson's tire tracks, tormenting him unrelentingly. Gustin tried a last second slide under the leader coming out of turn four as they looked ahead at the checkers, but it wasn't to be. Jackson took the win, and Gustin had to be satisfied with second on this night. Jacob Murray finished third from starting eighth, Joel Rust came from tenth starting spot to take a fourth place finish, and seventh place starter, Ronn Lauritzen,was fifth. Jackson, who has raced both a modified and a late model at the Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa a number of years ago, scored his first win at Marshalltown.
It was a surprise to see Modified driver Tommy Fain at the Speedway last evening. Fain, is from Abilene, Texas. We thought perhaps he was on his way to run the Dakota series, but after chatting with him in the pits, found he had just picked up a new car in Wisconsin. It is an MB Customs built by legendary Jimmy Mars in Menomonie, Wisconsin. He had raced in Algona the night before, and plans to make a stop at the Boone Speedway tonight, before heading home. We visit with Fain every year at the Super Nationals when he has always been a spectator. This year, he will be competing.
Racing concluded at 10:08 p.m. and no fan should have gone home not getting their money's worth after witnessing the night's racing program.
Check the calendar at Positively Racing. There are many specials coming up as well as continuing weekly racing programs. Find a race to enjoy and support the sport we all love.
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