The final night of regular points racing concluded on Saturday at the Boone Speedway, with Season Championship features. Five champions were crowned for 2016...one repeating the feat from 2015.
The top 20 in points were locked into the features and if necessary, B mains would have been run to fill in the feature line up. None were needed. All classes also had extra laps added for the season ending finale.
Bryan Zehm started on the pole of the Mod Lite feature and led all 18-laps on his way to victory. Josh May, who started twelfth, finished in the runner up spot. A battle for third place between Joe Glick and Cory Sauerman ended when contact was made and resulted in Glick tumbling down the front stretch and bringing out a red flag. Glick was okay, but his night was done. Sauerman took over as the third place runner, and finished the race in third. Fourth went to Randy Bryan, and Joel Keenan rounded out the top five. Bryan Zehm is the 2016 track champion in the Mod Lites. He had six wins on the season and is certainly following in the footsteps of his father Ed Zehm's racing talent.
The Hobby Stocks ran a 15-lap feature, which went caution free. Quite ironic since they were the class that got scolded during the season for having lots of issues. Eric Stanton took the lead from Dustin Graham at lap eight and never looked back from there. Graham held second place. Aaron Rudolph made a last moment surge to just get by Solomon Bennett at the finish line as they went third and fourth in that order. Dustin Lynch completed the top five. Eric Stanton is the IMCA Hobby Stock track champion for 2016, defending his 2015 title. Stanton started the year off with a win, and finished it with only his second victory of the year.
A happy Jonathan Logue took a victory lap after winning the 20-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature, as well as sealing the track championship. Logue led the entire 20-laps chased by Randy Roberts who finished second. Chad Ryerson finished a distant third, fourth went to Cory Pestotnik, and Daniel Tasler was fifth. As a note, Jake McBirnie was scheduled to start third in the feature, but due to motor issues in hot laps, he was not able to start. Logue had six feature wins in 2016. Logue was sporting a new look with a throw-back to his father John's look from 2003. It's hard to miss on the track with day-glow orange trim.
The IMCA Stock Car feature win went to third place starter, Tyler Pickett. Pickett chased down front row starters Donavon Smith and Jay Schmidt, and made a nifty move to take the lead at lap eight. Pickett finished a comfortable distance in front of second place Schmidt. Last week's winner, Kevin Opheim made some noise as he raced from twenty-first starting spot, to finish third. Smith finished fourth and Josh Daniels was fifth. Donavon Smith, who had five wins this season, is the 2016 IMCA Stock Car track champion.
The final feature was the 25-lap main event for the IMCA Modifieds. Much of the show was at the front of the field with the two front row starters, Mike VanGenderen and Russ Dickerson battling it out. Dickerson flew to the early lead only to have the race go red at lap three when Bob Daniels tumbled off of turn three. He was okay. When the race resumed, Dickerson was still at the front of the pack, but VanGenderen was continuing his relentless pursuit. VanGenderen found his chance just after lap seventeen was scored. He was able to make the high side pass out of turn two, and was scored the leader at lap eighteen. He held that lead the remaining distance to the checkers and the win, Dickerson finishing a close second. Third place went to Chris Webb, veteran Denny Pittman was fourth and Dustin Smith raced his way from starting sixteenth, to a fifth place finish. Mike VanGenderen, took his seventh win of the season, and is the 2016 IMCA Modified track champion.
Next Saturday night will be the "Prelude to the Super Nationals" with a draw/redraw format. Anyone pre-entered for the Super Nationals will be eligible to race. Hot laps are scheduled for 6 with racing to follow. Then on Monday, September 5, the madness begins with the week-long running of the 34th Annual Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals. The entrance to the Speedway has some changes, with the haulers only entering off of Highway 30 at the east entrance. A new, longer drive has been configured to eliminate the sometimes, big backup on the highway. The fans, on the other hand, must enter only on the west entrance.
Lets all hope for some nicer and DRYER weather to end the Iowa racing season, Get out and find a race and support the sport we all love.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Opheim and Huggins post first wins at Boone Speedway
Saturday night found the pits packed at the Boone Speedway with 147 race cars that put on another great show for the big crowd on hand. Two drivers left with their first wins of the season, while three others came away with repeats from earlier.
One of the drivers getting his first ever win at Boone Speedway came out of the Mod Lite division when Joel Huggins took the checkers. Huggins led the entire 15-laps on his way to victory. Josh May started eighth and took the runner up spot after getting around third place finisher Mike Kennedy in the closing laps. Randy Bryan just held off Bryan Zehm at the finish line, as they went fourth and fifth respectively.
Jake McBirnie found his way back to the winner's circle in the IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap feature event. McBirnie started in the eighth position and by lap three, had the lead. From there on, he was captain of the ship, taking the comfortable win. Chad Ryerson came from thirteenth starting spot to finish second. and tenth place starter Jonathon Logue, was third. Fourth went to pole sitter Bill Wears, and first time visitor Colby Fett from Thompson, Iowa started twelfth, and rounded out the top five. This was McBirnie's seventh win of the season.
Jon Snyder took the win in the 20-lap Modified A main, but it was a drawn out affair with many yellows marring the feature event. The field finally found their racing rhythm, but not until a handful of cautions had flown with just five laps in the books. By that time, Snyder had made his way to the front of the pack and from there on, never relinquished the spot. He finished well ahead of second place Denny Pittman. John Logue started tenth, and finished third, Josh Truman was fourth, and point leader Mike VanGenderen was fifth. Snyder also won on season opening night.
Veteran competitor in the IMCA Stock Car class, Kevin Opheim, paid the Boone Speedway a visit, and found it to his liking in winning the 20-lap feature. Opheim, who is from Mason City, Iowa had to wrestle by Trent Murphy after dueling lap after lap, talking command with just three laps remaining. He held on to take the checkers and the win. Murphy had to be content with the runner up spot. Finishing a distant third was Robert Stofer, fourth went to Josh Daniels and visiting driver David Brandies from Wilton, Iowa, started twentieth and was fifth.
John Watson repeated his win from last week in the 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. He was able to finally get around leader Aaron Rudolph, who had led the entire race, with just two laps remaining, and secured the victory. Rudolph held second place, third went to Tyson Overton, point leader Eric Stanton was fourth, and Seth Janssen completed the top five. This was Watson's third feature win of the year.
We heard from some of the locals last evening, that Boone had been dumped on the previous night with a deluge of rain. Thanks to the great drainage system of the track, it was groomed and ready to go. A pesky dip did keep appearing in corner one, but the "green machines" kept it in check as they made an appearance every few heats early on. By feature time, we did not notice the dip.
Several area and beyond tracks were rained out last night, adding to the big car count. Some tracks are also done with their season. We noticed several racers from the Sioux City area as well as drivers from Nebraska, Missouri, and Minnesota. Of course, more cars keep showing up about this time every year as they want to do a little testing before Super Nationals. Some of the out of town racers were Dave Plowman from Omaha, Nebraska in the Stock Car class, Brad Whitney from Trenton, Missouri has been coming the last couple of weeks and last night he was joined by fellow Missourian's Greg Kevhn in the Stock Cars, and Erik Maggard from Springfield, who was competing in the Modified division.
Dan Menk from Franklin, Minnesota raced his IMCA Modified as did Trent Loverude from New Ulm, Minnesota. Two California racers, who called Iowa home during the summer, were also in the house...the 174 of Ethan Dotson and 11L of Cody Laney have both done well piloting their IMCA Modifieds around the state, and Arizona native Tim Ward (4TW) was also racing his Modified. There were some real hot shoes in the Stock Car division as veteran racer Johnny Spaw (00), David Brandies (71B), Kevin Opheim (44K) and Randy Brands (271) came to play. Both Opheim and Brands are former Super National's champions. Several northwest Iowa racers made the drive to the Boone Speedway last evening. Dustin Smith, Dave Smith, and Daniel Smith drove from Lake City, Iowa to join their brother Donavon Smith (who races weekly at Boone) for some fun.
Next Saturday, August 27 is Season Championship night...drawing to a close the weekly point's racing. Most of the championships are all wrapped up except for the Hobby Stock class where Dustin Graham has a LONG shot at catching Eric Stanton. Mike VanGenderen wrapped up the Modified track championship, Stock Cars will have Donavon Smith winning, Jonathon Logue will be the SportMod Champion and Bryan Zehm has the Mod Lite title.
The following Saturday night, September 3, is the second "Prelude to the Super Nationals" show...a draw/redraw format, which will only allow cars to race that have pre-entered this year's Super Nationals. Then, on Monday, September 5, the 33rd running of the IMCA Super Nationals will start...and the madness shall begin!
One of the drivers getting his first ever win at Boone Speedway came out of the Mod Lite division when Joel Huggins took the checkers. Huggins led the entire 15-laps on his way to victory. Josh May started eighth and took the runner up spot after getting around third place finisher Mike Kennedy in the closing laps. Randy Bryan just held off Bryan Zehm at the finish line, as they went fourth and fifth respectively.
Jake McBirnie found his way back to the winner's circle in the IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap feature event. McBirnie started in the eighth position and by lap three, had the lead. From there on, he was captain of the ship, taking the comfortable win. Chad Ryerson came from thirteenth starting spot to finish second. and tenth place starter Jonathon Logue, was third. Fourth went to pole sitter Bill Wears, and first time visitor Colby Fett from Thompson, Iowa started twelfth, and rounded out the top five. This was McBirnie's seventh win of the season.
Jon Snyder took the win in the 20-lap Modified A main, but it was a drawn out affair with many yellows marring the feature event. The field finally found their racing rhythm, but not until a handful of cautions had flown with just five laps in the books. By that time, Snyder had made his way to the front of the pack and from there on, never relinquished the spot. He finished well ahead of second place Denny Pittman. John Logue started tenth, and finished third, Josh Truman was fourth, and point leader Mike VanGenderen was fifth. Snyder also won on season opening night.
Veteran competitor in the IMCA Stock Car class, Kevin Opheim, paid the Boone Speedway a visit, and found it to his liking in winning the 20-lap feature. Opheim, who is from Mason City, Iowa had to wrestle by Trent Murphy after dueling lap after lap, talking command with just three laps remaining. He held on to take the checkers and the win. Murphy had to be content with the runner up spot. Finishing a distant third was Robert Stofer, fourth went to Josh Daniels and visiting driver David Brandies from Wilton, Iowa, started twentieth and was fifth.
John Watson repeated his win from last week in the 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. He was able to finally get around leader Aaron Rudolph, who had led the entire race, with just two laps remaining, and secured the victory. Rudolph held second place, third went to Tyson Overton, point leader Eric Stanton was fourth, and Seth Janssen completed the top five. This was Watson's third feature win of the year.
We heard from some of the locals last evening, that Boone had been dumped on the previous night with a deluge of rain. Thanks to the great drainage system of the track, it was groomed and ready to go. A pesky dip did keep appearing in corner one, but the "green machines" kept it in check as they made an appearance every few heats early on. By feature time, we did not notice the dip.
Several area and beyond tracks were rained out last night, adding to the big car count. Some tracks are also done with their season. We noticed several racers from the Sioux City area as well as drivers from Nebraska, Missouri, and Minnesota. Of course, more cars keep showing up about this time every year as they want to do a little testing before Super Nationals. Some of the out of town racers were Dave Plowman from Omaha, Nebraska in the Stock Car class, Brad Whitney from Trenton, Missouri has been coming the last couple of weeks and last night he was joined by fellow Missourian's Greg Kevhn in the Stock Cars, and Erik Maggard from Springfield, who was competing in the Modified division.
Dan Menk from Franklin, Minnesota raced his IMCA Modified as did Trent Loverude from New Ulm, Minnesota. Two California racers, who called Iowa home during the summer, were also in the house...the 174 of Ethan Dotson and 11L of Cody Laney have both done well piloting their IMCA Modifieds around the state, and Arizona native Tim Ward (4TW) was also racing his Modified. There were some real hot shoes in the Stock Car division as veteran racer Johnny Spaw (00), David Brandies (71B), Kevin Opheim (44K) and Randy Brands (271) came to play. Both Opheim and Brands are former Super National's champions. Several northwest Iowa racers made the drive to the Boone Speedway last evening. Dustin Smith, Dave Smith, and Daniel Smith drove from Lake City, Iowa to join their brother Donavon Smith (who races weekly at Boone) for some fun.
Next Saturday, August 27 is Season Championship night...drawing to a close the weekly point's racing. Most of the championships are all wrapped up except for the Hobby Stock class where Dustin Graham has a LONG shot at catching Eric Stanton. Mike VanGenderen wrapped up the Modified track championship, Stock Cars will have Donavon Smith winning, Jonathon Logue will be the SportMod Champion and Bryan Zehm has the Mod Lite title.
The following Saturday night, September 3, is the second "Prelude to the Super Nationals" show...a draw/redraw format, which will only allow cars to race that have pre-entered this year's Super Nationals. Then, on Monday, September 5, the 33rd running of the IMCA Super Nationals will start...and the madness shall begin!
Sunday, August 14, 2016
VanGenderen repeats in thrilling Modified finish at Boone
One hundred and thirty race cars checked into the pits at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night, and the big crowd on hand did not go home disappointed with the racing action. It was a spectacular finish to the Modified feature, as Mike VanGenderen repeated his win from last week. Josh May also matched his win from last Saturday night, winning the Mod Lite feature. John Watson hadn't seen the checkers since the end of May, but returned to the winner's circle in the IMCA Hobby Stock class. Trent Murphy won for the first time this season in the IMCA Stock Cars, and taking his first ever win at the Boone Speedway was IMCA Northern SportMod feature winner, Adam Armstrong.
Josh May started eighth in the 15-lap Mod Lite feature and had to chase down leader Joel Huggins. He took command at lap ten and never looked back on his way to victory. Point leader Bryan Zehm finished second after starting ninth, third went to tenth place starter, Mike Morrill, Joel Huggins finished fourth, and Angelo Montgomery was fifth. May, who also won last week, now has four feature wins this season.
Adam Armstrong, who is from Beatrice, Nebraska, but now calls Carlisle, Iowa home, was dominate in winning the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Armstrong started eighth and had the lead at lap five, and then pulled away to a healthy lead, taking the win by a near straight away. Curtis Veber finished as the runner up, and Jonathon Logue came from eleventh starting spot to finish third. Chad Ryerson started sixteenth and had a great run through the pack, to finish fourth, and rounding out the top five, was first time visiting racer, Chad Shaw. I believe Shaw is from Trimble, Missouri. Since Armstrong has moved to Iowa, he has been quite successful in his racing campaign. For a while, he was racing a Hobby Stock and winning with it, while waiting for his SportMod to be repaired. Since back in his black and green SportMod, he has won several times around the state, and just may be a force to be reckoned with come Super Nationals. He had just won the Harris Clash on Tuesday night in Webster City---in dominating fashion. This was his first time winning at the Boone Speedway.
Josh Truman led the early portion of the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature but with just six laps in the books, he was having to hold back Al Wolfgram. A few laps later, point leader Mike VanGenderen, who had started twelfth, was throwing his hat into the ring and up to third. The remainder of the race was a three-car battle among the three drivers...and it was a shoot out to the finish! As the three cars came out of turn four with the checkers unfurling, VanGenderen shot from third place, split the two cars, and emerged the winner. The fans were on their feet with the spectacular finish! Truman had to settle for second, and Wolfgram for third. Fourth and fifth went to two veteran drivers, Randy Havlik, (who has just recently brought out a Modified ride, switching from a Late Model) and Denny Pittman respectively. VanGenderen repeated his win from last week, and has now been in victory lane six times during the season. He stretched his point lead by a healthy amount with the win last night.
Trent Murphy came from eleventh starting spot to take the win in the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car class. Murphy, who has not been a weekly competitor at Boone this year, passed Josh Daniels at lap eleven and then pulled away to take the comfortable win, his first this year. Daniels finished as the runner up, new driver Todd Fisher started thirteenth, and finished third, fourth went to early leader Brad Whitney from Missouri, and Wayne Gifford started twenty-fourth after issues in his heat race and had to qualify through a B Main, and rounded out the top five.
The 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock A Main completed the evening's races and when all was said and done, it was John Watson taking the win. Watson had to fight his way past last week's winner Dustin Lynch, taking command at lap nine and then holding it the rest of the way to the flying checkers. Seth Janssen finished second over Solomon Bennett in third. Dustin Graham was fourth and Chad Legere was fifth. Watson won for the second time this year.
There was a healthy contingency of cars last night at Boone, even with the Night of a 1,000 Stars going on at the Hancock County Speedway in Britt. It appears there are new drivers showing up each week to get a little "test and tune" in before the 2016 Super Nationals.
A new flagman was getting a little practice in prior to the upcoming Super Nationals as well. Logan Kelly, from Fairmont, Minnesota was assisting Grant Oskvig on the flagstand. He also helped at last year's Super Nationals I believe.
Find a race to attend in support of the the sport we all love!
Josh May started eighth in the 15-lap Mod Lite feature and had to chase down leader Joel Huggins. He took command at lap ten and never looked back on his way to victory. Point leader Bryan Zehm finished second after starting ninth, third went to tenth place starter, Mike Morrill, Joel Huggins finished fourth, and Angelo Montgomery was fifth. May, who also won last week, now has four feature wins this season.
Adam Armstrong, who is from Beatrice, Nebraska, but now calls Carlisle, Iowa home, was dominate in winning the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Armstrong started eighth and had the lead at lap five, and then pulled away to a healthy lead, taking the win by a near straight away. Curtis Veber finished as the runner up, and Jonathon Logue came from eleventh starting spot to finish third. Chad Ryerson started sixteenth and had a great run through the pack, to finish fourth, and rounding out the top five, was first time visiting racer, Chad Shaw. I believe Shaw is from Trimble, Missouri. Since Armstrong has moved to Iowa, he has been quite successful in his racing campaign. For a while, he was racing a Hobby Stock and winning with it, while waiting for his SportMod to be repaired. Since back in his black and green SportMod, he has won several times around the state, and just may be a force to be reckoned with come Super Nationals. He had just won the Harris Clash on Tuesday night in Webster City---in dominating fashion. This was his first time winning at the Boone Speedway.
Josh Truman led the early portion of the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature but with just six laps in the books, he was having to hold back Al Wolfgram. A few laps later, point leader Mike VanGenderen, who had started twelfth, was throwing his hat into the ring and up to third. The remainder of the race was a three-car battle among the three drivers...and it was a shoot out to the finish! As the three cars came out of turn four with the checkers unfurling, VanGenderen shot from third place, split the two cars, and emerged the winner. The fans were on their feet with the spectacular finish! Truman had to settle for second, and Wolfgram for third. Fourth and fifth went to two veteran drivers, Randy Havlik, (who has just recently brought out a Modified ride, switching from a Late Model) and Denny Pittman respectively. VanGenderen repeated his win from last week, and has now been in victory lane six times during the season. He stretched his point lead by a healthy amount with the win last night.
Trent Murphy came from eleventh starting spot to take the win in the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car class. Murphy, who has not been a weekly competitor at Boone this year, passed Josh Daniels at lap eleven and then pulled away to take the comfortable win, his first this year. Daniels finished as the runner up, new driver Todd Fisher started thirteenth, and finished third, fourth went to early leader Brad Whitney from Missouri, and Wayne Gifford started twenty-fourth after issues in his heat race and had to qualify through a B Main, and rounded out the top five.
The 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock A Main completed the evening's races and when all was said and done, it was John Watson taking the win. Watson had to fight his way past last week's winner Dustin Lynch, taking command at lap nine and then holding it the rest of the way to the flying checkers. Seth Janssen finished second over Solomon Bennett in third. Dustin Graham was fourth and Chad Legere was fifth. Watson won for the second time this year.
There was a healthy contingency of cars last night at Boone, even with the Night of a 1,000 Stars going on at the Hancock County Speedway in Britt. It appears there are new drivers showing up each week to get a little "test and tune" in before the 2016 Super Nationals.
A new flagman was getting a little practice in prior to the upcoming Super Nationals as well. Logan Kelly, from Fairmont, Minnesota was assisting Grant Oskvig on the flagstand. He also helped at last year's Super Nationals I believe.
Find a race to attend in support of the the sport we all love!
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Last lap mishap puts Rust in the winner's circle at 25th Harris Clash
The Harris Clash is always one of our "must see" races every year, and last night's 25th running back at the Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City--- the track where it all began---was a thriller! Sixty-six IMCA Modifieds, and 51 IMCA Northern SportMods were in the house, representing 11 states (by my count) and Australia.
Six heat races and three B Mains were run for both the Modifieds and SportMods. Two from each of the heats, qualified for the A main and four from each of the B's, went on. There was also a special "Dash at the Clash" race before the two A mains were run. It pitted ten Modified drivers that had won at different Midwest tracks on a designated "Dash at the Clash" qualifier. Drivers drew for their starting positions in the ten-lap dash. The ten drivers were Ricky Thornton, Jr., John Logue, Luke Lemmens, Josh Ruby, Scott Hogan, Kelly Shryock, Jeremy Mills, Rob VanMill, Ethan Dotson, and Chris Abelson. Chris Abelson and John Logue drew the front row for the start. Much of the race became a duel between Abelson and fifth place starter, Ricky Thornton, Jr. Abelson came out the victor in the Inaugural Dash at the Clash, earning himself $500. Thornton was the runner up and Kelly Shryock took third after starting eighth.
Jake Sachau, Randy Roberts, Adam Armstrong, Shane Swanson, Doug Smith and Nick Meyer were all heat race winners in the Northern SportMods. The B main winners were Brett Lowry, Jack Housley, and Erik Laudenschlager.
Randy Roberts and Adam Armstrong started on the front row of the 20-lap feature and Armstrong immediately grabbed the lead. Armstrong's healthy lead disappeared when a yellow flew at lap seven, tightening the field for the restart. It was no concern to Armstrong however, as he motored off from the pack, sailing along on the topside and took the checkers, untouched. Sixth place starter, Jake Sachau finished a distant runner up, track champion Ty Griffith came from ninth starting spot, to finish third, Brett Lowry started thirteenth, and finished fourth and Nick Meyer completed the top five. The win earned Armstrong a healthy $1,000. Armstrong, who is from Beatrice, Nebraska is now calling Carlisle, Iowa home. He has had much success at the Beatrice Speedway in both the IMCA Hobby Stock and the SportMod classes.
The IMCA Modified heat winners were Chase Ellingson, Kelly Shryock, Chris Abelson, Josh Ruby, Richie Gustin, and Ryan Ruter. The three B main wins went to Tom Berry, track champion Tim Ward, and Cory Dripps. The luck of the draw pitted Kelly Shryock and Chris Abelson to lead the field to the green in the 25-lap feature. Those two were the whole show up front, while Joel Rust ran in third, watching the two go at it. Abelson led Shryock all of the race, with the #3 attached to his bumper. On the final lap, Shryock made his move, pulling alongside Abelson as they entered turn one. Then---contact was made...Abelson went spinning, Shryock slowed with a possible flat tire, and Joel Rust was able to slip between the two, and lead the final 3/4 lap circuit to the checkers and the $2,000 win. Josh Ruby, who had run fourth most of the race, took second, and Richie Gustin took third from starting eleventh. Twelfth place starter, Ryan Ruter came home in fourth and track champion, Tim Ward finished fifth after starting fourteenth.
It was an exciting finish to the race to say the least! The grandstand was abuzz after the race was completed...many opinions flying as to what just happened! There was no doubt however, as to who was the winner, as Joel Rust, young Grundy Center, Iowa racer, stood in Victory Lane! So ended the 25th running of the Harris Clash, and Rust's name is now the latest in a long line of prestigious winners.
There was a great crowd on hand at the historic Hamilton County Speedway, and it took us a good 40 minutes just to get out of the parking lot after the race was completed. We wonder just how many made an early exit and found out later, the outcome of the race to be a lot different than they had anticipated! It just goes to show, it's never over, until it's over!
There is still a lot of racing in the area this week. Tonight, the Hawkeye Dirt Tour for IMCA Modifieds closes out it's season at the Buena Vista Speedway in Alta, Iowa. Then there are three consecutive nights of racing at the Hancock County Speedway in Britt, Iowa. Thursday is the Night of a 1,000 Stars, Friday the Night of 10,000 Stars and Saturday, the All Stars. Of course, there is still weekly racing going on as well. Find a race to enjoy!
Six heat races and three B Mains were run for both the Modifieds and SportMods. Two from each of the heats, qualified for the A main and four from each of the B's, went on. There was also a special "Dash at the Clash" race before the two A mains were run. It pitted ten Modified drivers that had won at different Midwest tracks on a designated "Dash at the Clash" qualifier. Drivers drew for their starting positions in the ten-lap dash. The ten drivers were Ricky Thornton, Jr., John Logue, Luke Lemmens, Josh Ruby, Scott Hogan, Kelly Shryock, Jeremy Mills, Rob VanMill, Ethan Dotson, and Chris Abelson. Chris Abelson and John Logue drew the front row for the start. Much of the race became a duel between Abelson and fifth place starter, Ricky Thornton, Jr. Abelson came out the victor in the Inaugural Dash at the Clash, earning himself $500. Thornton was the runner up and Kelly Shryock took third after starting eighth.
Jake Sachau, Randy Roberts, Adam Armstrong, Shane Swanson, Doug Smith and Nick Meyer were all heat race winners in the Northern SportMods. The B main winners were Brett Lowry, Jack Housley, and Erik Laudenschlager.
Randy Roberts and Adam Armstrong started on the front row of the 20-lap feature and Armstrong immediately grabbed the lead. Armstrong's healthy lead disappeared when a yellow flew at lap seven, tightening the field for the restart. It was no concern to Armstrong however, as he motored off from the pack, sailing along on the topside and took the checkers, untouched. Sixth place starter, Jake Sachau finished a distant runner up, track champion Ty Griffith came from ninth starting spot, to finish third, Brett Lowry started thirteenth, and finished fourth and Nick Meyer completed the top five. The win earned Armstrong a healthy $1,000. Armstrong, who is from Beatrice, Nebraska is now calling Carlisle, Iowa home. He has had much success at the Beatrice Speedway in both the IMCA Hobby Stock and the SportMod classes.
The IMCA Modified heat winners were Chase Ellingson, Kelly Shryock, Chris Abelson, Josh Ruby, Richie Gustin, and Ryan Ruter. The three B main wins went to Tom Berry, track champion Tim Ward, and Cory Dripps. The luck of the draw pitted Kelly Shryock and Chris Abelson to lead the field to the green in the 25-lap feature. Those two were the whole show up front, while Joel Rust ran in third, watching the two go at it. Abelson led Shryock all of the race, with the #3 attached to his bumper. On the final lap, Shryock made his move, pulling alongside Abelson as they entered turn one. Then---contact was made...Abelson went spinning, Shryock slowed with a possible flat tire, and Joel Rust was able to slip between the two, and lead the final 3/4 lap circuit to the checkers and the $2,000 win. Josh Ruby, who had run fourth most of the race, took second, and Richie Gustin took third from starting eleventh. Twelfth place starter, Ryan Ruter came home in fourth and track champion, Tim Ward finished fifth after starting fourteenth.
It was an exciting finish to the race to say the least! The grandstand was abuzz after the race was completed...many opinions flying as to what just happened! There was no doubt however, as to who was the winner, as Joel Rust, young Grundy Center, Iowa racer, stood in Victory Lane! So ended the 25th running of the Harris Clash, and Rust's name is now the latest in a long line of prestigious winners.
There was a great crowd on hand at the historic Hamilton County Speedway, and it took us a good 40 minutes just to get out of the parking lot after the race was completed. We wonder just how many made an early exit and found out later, the outcome of the race to be a lot different than they had anticipated! It just goes to show, it's never over, until it's over!
There is still a lot of racing in the area this week. Tonight, the Hawkeye Dirt Tour for IMCA Modifieds closes out it's season at the Buena Vista Speedway in Alta, Iowa. Then there are three consecutive nights of racing at the Hancock County Speedway in Britt, Iowa. Thursday is the Night of a 1,000 Stars, Friday the Night of 10,000 Stars and Saturday, the All Stars. Of course, there is still weekly racing going on as well. Find a race to enjoy!
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Byers and Lynch take first wins at Boone
It was another fast paced night of racing at the Boone Speedway Saturday evening, with 137 cars packing the pits. Two drivers would come away with their first wins at the track, while three others would repeat from earlier. There was also an added bonus in a TiLUBE sponsored Modified challenge race, with one driver walking away with $1,200.
Josh May started eighth in the 15-lap Mod Lite feature and had the lead by lap four. He never looked back from there on, stretching his lead and taking the comfortable win. Pole sitter Kevin Grisham finished in the runner up spot, Randy Bryan was third, Joe Glick finished fourth, and last week's winner Bryan Zehm, was fifth. The race went flag to flag.
TiLUBE/TiLUBE Motorsports sponsored a "Last Man Standing" Modified challenge next. It pitted the twelve drivers with the fastest lap times on the transponder program from the heats. The drivers qualifying were Dustin Smith, Russ Dickerson, Chris Webb, Al Wolfgram, Jon Snyder, Bob Daniels, John Logue, Josh Truman, Eric Elliott, Joel Bushore, Tony Cox, and Gatlin Leytham. The drivers drew for starting positions. The race went 15 laps and the last place runner had to drop out each lap after the third lap. First time visitor to the track this season, Dustin Smith from Lake City, Iowa went home with the victory, out running Russ Dickerson in second place. The winner received $1,000 and got an extra $200 bonus if running a non-crate. Smith went home with $1,200.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran their usual 18-lap feature. Jake McBirnie took command of the race after getting by Jonathon Logue at lap five and keeping it to the checkers and the win. Logue held down second place, just barely beating tenth place starter Adam Armstrong in third. Fourth went to Daniel Tasler and Randy Roberts came from twentieth starting spot, after having to qualify through a B main, to finish fifth. McBirnie has won for the last three consecutive Saturday nights, and made it his sixth over all for the season.
The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars were up next for their 18-lap A Main. It was led from start to finish by Indianola, Iowa racer, Steve Byers. Matt West chased Byers the entire distance, but could only muster a second place finish. Josh Daniels took third, Devin Smith started twenty-second and surged by Wayne Gifford in the waning moments, as they went fourth and fifth respectively. This was Byers' first career win in the Stock Car class in his rookie year.
The 20-lap IMCA Modified feature had some strange turns of event before it was all said and done. Joel Bushore and Jon Snyder were running first and second through the halfway mark of the race when the ailing car of Darren Huntley was trying to exit from the track on the front stretch...right in front of the two leaders that were running the high side. The collision was unavoidable, and it took both Bushore and Snyder out of the game. This handed the lead on the restart over to Gatlin Leytham with Al Wolfgram, Eric Elliott and point leader Mike VanGenderen, close at hand. Just a lap later, Elliott made contact with Laythem and Wolfgram on the front stretch, sending them spinning into the infield, and he found himself black flagged for the incident. With just three laps remaining, VanGenderen was now in the lead with Russ Dickerson breathing down his neck. VanGenderen was able to hold the lead at the finish line, by mere inches, and took the win. The transponders told the tale and VanGenderen won by a tick of the timer. Dickerson had to be content with second place. Third was Chris Webb, John Logue, sporting a new white with red Harris car, started twenty-third, and finished fourth, and Tony Cox completed the top five. This was VanGenderen's fifth win of the season.
Racing concluding with the running of the 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. The cars did not complete the first lap before the race was halted. Brian Derry started on the front row, and spun around facing traffic on the top of turn three before a lap was scored. He was hit head on by Korbin Nourse and then Steven Doss, trying to avoid them, rolled his car off the top of the corner, bringing out the red flag. He was okay. When racing action got back underway, Dustin Lynch quickly got to the lead and held firmly to that coveted spot the remainder of the race to take the win. Chad Legere finished in the runner up spot, third went to Shaun Wirtz, fourth to point leader Eric Stanton, and Tyson Overton was fifth. This was Lynch's first win at Boone this year.
There seemed to be a lot of incidents all over the track last night. We noted everyone was taking a pretty bumpy ride in corner one, until they learned to avoid the hole/dip. There were a lot of visiting drivers last night...some due to Webster City's season being over, and some perhaps just to get in a little testing prior to Super Nationals. There were 33 Hobby Stocks, 30 Modifieds and Stock Cars, 26 Northern SportMods and 18 Mod Lites, making for a great field of competitors.
Things are beginning to gear up for the 34th running of the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals coming up September 5-10. It will be here before you know it. For more information you can go to www.raceboone.com and click on the Super Nationals button at the top of the page. We hear that pre-registration of cars is up from last year. This year, an extra class has been added---the IMCA Southern SportMods will join the line up and their entire program will be run on Monday, September 5. But...prior to the Super Nationals, on Saturday night, September 3, it will be a draw-redraw "open" night deemed the "Prelude to the Super Nationals. Last year's Inaugural Prelude had close to 300 cars...expect more this year.
Get out to a race somewhere, and support the sport we all love.
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Cooney takes Marshalltown Late Model win
After more than four inches of rain on Thursday evening, and the infield a muddy bog with a pond that the Canada geese enjoyed earlier, the Marshalltown Speedway still pulled off a full night of racing Friday. A full pit of 116 cars, that included the IMCA Late Models in their first of five consecutive weekly appearances, put on a great night of exciting racing action for the fans.
Josh May took a trip back to victory lane, winning the twelve lap non-stop Mod Lite feature. May took the lead from Joel Huggins at lap five, and from there on, never looked back on his way to the checkers. Cory Sauerman started the feature at the tail, and worked his way through the pack to take the runner up spot. Third went to early leader, Joel Huggins, fourth was Travis Stensland, and Randy Bryan was fifth. This was May's fifth win of the season. After having issues in his heat race, and not finishing, he thanked his sister Chelsea, who drives the 18M machine, for being able to borrow parts from her ride, in order to make the feature.
Austin Luellen, Minburn, Iowa driver, made the trip back to Marshalltown after a long absence. He started eleventh on the grid in the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod A main and inherited the lead at lap six when the front runners tangled, bringing out a yellow. Luellen went on to lead the remaining laps and take the win. Finishing a distant second place was Travis Petersen. Jared VanDeest, who had to tag the field after he was a non-starter in his heat, flew through the field to finish third. Twelfth place starter Jonathon Logue finished fourth and Taylor Musselman was fifth.
This was Luellen's first win at Marshalltown in 2016.
Eric Stanton went home with his eleventh IMCA Hobby Stock win under his belt, winning the 15-lap feature event. Stanton caught early leader Leah Wroten at lap six, and then, with a little rubbin' is racin', made the pass into the lead, two laps later. Stanton kept that top spot to the checkers flying. Visiting racer Ryan Grochala raced his way from twelfth starting spot, to take the runner up position, Leah Wroten recovered nicely after a late race skirmish that caused her to fall back momentarily, and got back up to third, Jamie Songer started eleventh and finished fourth, and Luke Bird, who raced for the first time at the speedway last week, finished fifth after starting seventeenth.
Damon Murty used his usual top side of the track and made it work once again, winning the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car A main. He had to catch veteran racer Jeff Wollam in doing so. Wollam led from the drop of the green, but Murty had him at the flag stand on lap eight. For there on, Murty distanced himself from the field, and took the easy win. Another visiting racer, Dave Brandies from Wilton, Iowa, raced his way to score the runner up spot after starting eleventh. Wollam took third place, fourth was Dave Atcher and point leader Donavon Smith, rounded out the top five.
After winning his first Modified feature a month ago, Trent Jackson repeated the feat, scoring his second feature of the year. Jackson took the lead from Rod Clement with a handful of laps in the book, and never relinquished it, taking the comfortable win over point leader, Jacob Murray in second place. Third place went to Jimmy Gustin, Ronn Lauritzen was fourth and Joel Rust took fifth.
The grand finale of the evening was 25-laps of IMCA Late Model feature racing. This one did not start well when the front row of Ben Seeman and Emerson got together just after the race went green. This relegated them to the tail for the restart. When things did get back underway, it was hometown boy Darrel DeFrance grabbing the lead. By lap three, Todd Cooney had moved from his sixth row starting position, to tag on to DeFrance's tail. DeFrance held him off for a few more laps until Cooney's move out of turn four put him into the lead as they crossed the finish line at lap seven. Cooney then hummed along on the topside, the rest of the way to the checkers, scoring the comfortable win. Luke Goedert took second, third was Richie Gustin, Darrel DeFrance was fourth and John Emerson finished fifth.
There were many "non-regular" racers in the house last night. Many are making the trip to race at Marshalltown since their regular Friday night track, the Iowa State Fair Speedway, is done for the season. Others making a longer haul were Schuyler Nahre from Indianapolis, Indiana, who raced his 22 Modified, the 5B Modified of Austin Bishop from Manchester, and the 1M SportMod of Mitch Manternach from Earlville.
The month of August has lots of races scheduled on the calendar. Get out and support the sport we all enjoy.
Josh May took a trip back to victory lane, winning the twelve lap non-stop Mod Lite feature. May took the lead from Joel Huggins at lap five, and from there on, never looked back on his way to the checkers. Cory Sauerman started the feature at the tail, and worked his way through the pack to take the runner up spot. Third went to early leader, Joel Huggins, fourth was Travis Stensland, and Randy Bryan was fifth. This was May's fifth win of the season. After having issues in his heat race, and not finishing, he thanked his sister Chelsea, who drives the 18M machine, for being able to borrow parts from her ride, in order to make the feature.
Austin Luellen, Minburn, Iowa driver, made the trip back to Marshalltown after a long absence. He started eleventh on the grid in the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod A main and inherited the lead at lap six when the front runners tangled, bringing out a yellow. Luellen went on to lead the remaining laps and take the win. Finishing a distant second place was Travis Petersen. Jared VanDeest, who had to tag the field after he was a non-starter in his heat, flew through the field to finish third. Twelfth place starter Jonathon Logue finished fourth and Taylor Musselman was fifth.
This was Luellen's first win at Marshalltown in 2016.
Eric Stanton went home with his eleventh IMCA Hobby Stock win under his belt, winning the 15-lap feature event. Stanton caught early leader Leah Wroten at lap six, and then, with a little rubbin' is racin', made the pass into the lead, two laps later. Stanton kept that top spot to the checkers flying. Visiting racer Ryan Grochala raced his way from twelfth starting spot, to take the runner up position, Leah Wroten recovered nicely after a late race skirmish that caused her to fall back momentarily, and got back up to third, Jamie Songer started eleventh and finished fourth, and Luke Bird, who raced for the first time at the speedway last week, finished fifth after starting seventeenth.
Damon Murty used his usual top side of the track and made it work once again, winning the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car A main. He had to catch veteran racer Jeff Wollam in doing so. Wollam led from the drop of the green, but Murty had him at the flag stand on lap eight. For there on, Murty distanced himself from the field, and took the easy win. Another visiting racer, Dave Brandies from Wilton, Iowa, raced his way to score the runner up spot after starting eleventh. Wollam took third place, fourth was Dave Atcher and point leader Donavon Smith, rounded out the top five.
After winning his first Modified feature a month ago, Trent Jackson repeated the feat, scoring his second feature of the year. Jackson took the lead from Rod Clement with a handful of laps in the book, and never relinquished it, taking the comfortable win over point leader, Jacob Murray in second place. Third place went to Jimmy Gustin, Ronn Lauritzen was fourth and Joel Rust took fifth.
The grand finale of the evening was 25-laps of IMCA Late Model feature racing. This one did not start well when the front row of Ben Seeman and Emerson got together just after the race went green. This relegated them to the tail for the restart. When things did get back underway, it was hometown boy Darrel DeFrance grabbing the lead. By lap three, Todd Cooney had moved from his sixth row starting position, to tag on to DeFrance's tail. DeFrance held him off for a few more laps until Cooney's move out of turn four put him into the lead as they crossed the finish line at lap seven. Cooney then hummed along on the topside, the rest of the way to the checkers, scoring the comfortable win. Luke Goedert took second, third was Richie Gustin, Darrel DeFrance was fourth and John Emerson finished fifth.
There were many "non-regular" racers in the house last night. Many are making the trip to race at Marshalltown since their regular Friday night track, the Iowa State Fair Speedway, is done for the season. Others making a longer haul were Schuyler Nahre from Indianapolis, Indiana, who raced his 22 Modified, the 5B Modified of Austin Bishop from Manchester, and the 1M SportMod of Mitch Manternach from Earlville.
The month of August has lots of races scheduled on the calendar. Get out and support the sport we all enjoy.
Thursday, August 4, 2016
Schroeder, Wood, Shull and Roose take first wins at Osky, Van Der Wal chalks up another
The Southern Iowa Speedway finally got back in action on Wednesday night. The track has been silent since July 5 due to rain outs and non-scheduled nights around the fair. It was a long absence for the fans and drivers alike.
There was all sorts of attrition in the Sport Compact feature and when all was said and done, only three of the ten cars in action were left running...and one of those was spewing smoke. John Whalen led the first lap, only to have Brad Havel take over at lap two. Havel then put distance between himself and the rest of the field. Lap seven found a melee in turn four between John Whalen, brother Bill Whalen, Jr. and Ryan Havel. The three wound up tangled at the fence, in turn four with much damage and all done for the evening. Prior to this, cars had been dropping out of the race, left and right. When the race restarted, it left only leader Brad Havel, James Roose, Brandon Allison and Levi Heath still in the game. Havel kept command the first lap after the restart, but then he too was out with mechanical issues...handing the lead over to James Roose, Levi Heath was in second and reeling in the leader, but then smoke began flowing from his ride! Roose held the lead and took the checkers...his first ever at Osky, Heath's smoking machine faltered more in the closing moments, allowing Brandon Allison to pass him and take second, leaving Heath limping across the line in third.
Two Stock Car drivers put on a heck of a show for the fans in their 18-lap feature. Brock Welch was scheduled to start on the pole, but opted to start at the tail...moving the field alignment up. Mike Hughes took full advantage of that switch up, and grabbed the immediate lead. Following him through, was Nathan Wood who tagged in right behind him. From there on out, it was a shoot out between the two! At lap three, Wood had the advantage, but Hughes had no plan to go away. He would pull Wood on the back stretch, only to have Wood get the lead back by the time they passed the finish line. This would happen over and over---the two running door handle to door handle, before Wood was finally able gain a bit of breathing room. He would then take his #52 on to the flying checkers and his first win at Osky this season. Hughes held the runner up spot easily over Derrick Agee, who was third. Fourth went to Donnie Pearson, and Louis Lynch completed the top five in the race that went flag to flag. You may be wondering what about Cayden Carter, the driver who has been unstoppable at Osky this season. Carter was out of the race in the early portion of the race, suffering a flat tire. Wood was a happy camper in Victory Lane, finally getting that elusive win. He thanked Kyle Brown and Harris Auto Racing for fixing him up this past week. We understand it was a whole new front end.
The 16-lap IMCA Northern Sportmod feature was up next and it was another non-stop affair. Cory Van Zante looked poised to get his first win at Osky, as he led from early on and pulled away from the pack. But...point leader Curtis Van Der Wal was having none of that, hungry for yet another win. He began reeling in Van Zante, and by lap twelve, had caught and passed him, to take command of the race. Van Der Wal would hold that lead, scoring his sixth feature win of the season. Van Zante took the runner up spot, third went to Brayton Carter, fourth to Brett Lowry and Trent Brink rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Modifieds had a short field last evening, just nine cars, but it had some muscle in the field. This race also went caution free, and for all but the first lap, it was Andrew Schroeder "showing the way", as announcer Tony Paris says. Colt Mather chased Schroeder for most of the 16-laps, but had to settle for a distant second place. Third went to southwest Iowa racer, Jesse Dennis, Tyler Groenendyk was fourth, and it was great to see "a flash from the past", Ron VerBeek racing the car #29 last night, and finish fifth. This was Schroeder's first win at the Southern Iowa Speedway this year. Two visiting California drivers were in the house last night, trying their hand at the Monster Half-Mile. Their luck wasn't the best, as Lance Mari from Imperial, California, did not start the feature, and Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, California, did not finish.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks finished off the night's feature racing with a 15-lap event. Scott Shull got the drop on the field when the race went green, and would lead all laps on the way to victory. A yellow at lap seven bunched the field, Shull leading with Danny Thrasher, and Dustin Griffiths tucked in behind for the restart. Shull still got the drop and was looking comfortable out in front when another yellow with a lap remaining reared it's ugly head. This set up a "bonus lap" green-white-checkered finish. Shull held tight to that lead the remainder of the race, taking the win...his first ever at Osky. Griffiths got by Thrasher in the waning moments, as they went second and third in that order. Fourth was Nick Ulin and Bobby Greene was fifth.
So ended another night of regular season racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway. It was the last night of Wednesday racing until August 31, when it will be season championship night. The track will be hosting the Front Row Challenge for 410 sprint cars and $20,000 to win on Monday, August 8. For more info on that event, check out www.oskychallenges.com.
Find some races to attend and help support the sport we all love.
There was all sorts of attrition in the Sport Compact feature and when all was said and done, only three of the ten cars in action were left running...and one of those was spewing smoke. John Whalen led the first lap, only to have Brad Havel take over at lap two. Havel then put distance between himself and the rest of the field. Lap seven found a melee in turn four between John Whalen, brother Bill Whalen, Jr. and Ryan Havel. The three wound up tangled at the fence, in turn four with much damage and all done for the evening. Prior to this, cars had been dropping out of the race, left and right. When the race restarted, it left only leader Brad Havel, James Roose, Brandon Allison and Levi Heath still in the game. Havel kept command the first lap after the restart, but then he too was out with mechanical issues...handing the lead over to James Roose, Levi Heath was in second and reeling in the leader, but then smoke began flowing from his ride! Roose held the lead and took the checkers...his first ever at Osky, Heath's smoking machine faltered more in the closing moments, allowing Brandon Allison to pass him and take second, leaving Heath limping across the line in third.
Two Stock Car drivers put on a heck of a show for the fans in their 18-lap feature. Brock Welch was scheduled to start on the pole, but opted to start at the tail...moving the field alignment up. Mike Hughes took full advantage of that switch up, and grabbed the immediate lead. Following him through, was Nathan Wood who tagged in right behind him. From there on out, it was a shoot out between the two! At lap three, Wood had the advantage, but Hughes had no plan to go away. He would pull Wood on the back stretch, only to have Wood get the lead back by the time they passed the finish line. This would happen over and over---the two running door handle to door handle, before Wood was finally able gain a bit of breathing room. He would then take his #52 on to the flying checkers and his first win at Osky this season. Hughes held the runner up spot easily over Derrick Agee, who was third. Fourth went to Donnie Pearson, and Louis Lynch completed the top five in the race that went flag to flag. You may be wondering what about Cayden Carter, the driver who has been unstoppable at Osky this season. Carter was out of the race in the early portion of the race, suffering a flat tire. Wood was a happy camper in Victory Lane, finally getting that elusive win. He thanked Kyle Brown and Harris Auto Racing for fixing him up this past week. We understand it was a whole new front end.
The 16-lap IMCA Northern Sportmod feature was up next and it was another non-stop affair. Cory Van Zante looked poised to get his first win at Osky, as he led from early on and pulled away from the pack. But...point leader Curtis Van Der Wal was having none of that, hungry for yet another win. He began reeling in Van Zante, and by lap twelve, had caught and passed him, to take command of the race. Van Der Wal would hold that lead, scoring his sixth feature win of the season. Van Zante took the runner up spot, third went to Brayton Carter, fourth to Brett Lowry and Trent Brink rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Modifieds had a short field last evening, just nine cars, but it had some muscle in the field. This race also went caution free, and for all but the first lap, it was Andrew Schroeder "showing the way", as announcer Tony Paris says. Colt Mather chased Schroeder for most of the 16-laps, but had to settle for a distant second place. Third went to southwest Iowa racer, Jesse Dennis, Tyler Groenendyk was fourth, and it was great to see "a flash from the past", Ron VerBeek racing the car #29 last night, and finish fifth. This was Schroeder's first win at the Southern Iowa Speedway this year. Two visiting California drivers were in the house last night, trying their hand at the Monster Half-Mile. Their luck wasn't the best, as Lance Mari from Imperial, California, did not start the feature, and Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, California, did not finish.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks finished off the night's feature racing with a 15-lap event. Scott Shull got the drop on the field when the race went green, and would lead all laps on the way to victory. A yellow at lap seven bunched the field, Shull leading with Danny Thrasher, and Dustin Griffiths tucked in behind for the restart. Shull still got the drop and was looking comfortable out in front when another yellow with a lap remaining reared it's ugly head. This set up a "bonus lap" green-white-checkered finish. Shull held tight to that lead the remainder of the race, taking the win...his first ever at Osky. Griffiths got by Thrasher in the waning moments, as they went second and third in that order. Fourth was Nick Ulin and Bobby Greene was fifth.
So ended another night of regular season racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway. It was the last night of Wednesday racing until August 31, when it will be season championship night. The track will be hosting the Front Row Challenge for 410 sprint cars and $20,000 to win on Monday, August 8. For more info on that event, check out www.oskychallenges.com.
Find some races to attend and help support the sport we all love.
Monday, August 1, 2016
Leisurely night of racing at the Benton County Speedway
We seldom go racing on Sunday's, but on a whim, opted to head east to the Benton County Speedway for a little racing action. It was a night where the late daughter of racer Buck Swanson was honored on the date of her passing.
The night's features started with the running of the Micro Mods. This is the only track we see these race, but more often than not, the winner is veteran racer Don Erger...as it was again last evening. Erger started fourth, but already had the lead at lap one. Then on lap two, the race was red-flagged when Scott Beaty went for a ride, rolling his #13 in corner one. He was okay. When the race went back to green, Erger maintained his lead, and scored the 12-lap feature victory. Cole McNeal made his way to second from starting sixth, and tried to reel in Erger. It was to no avail, and he had to settle for the runner up spot. Third went to heat winner Kaden Reynolds, fourth was Dallon Murty, son of Stock Car racer, Damon Murty, and Derrick Knutsen was fifth. Erger is the point leader.
It was an exciting finish to the IMCA Stock Car 16-lapper, but in the end, it was once again Damon Murty standing in victory lane. He is also a driver we see win at the track most of the time we happen to be there. Murty started in row five and let some of the field ahead get sorted out before he began his usual ride at the rim of the track. Curtis Roster had taken the lead with a handful of laps in the books, with Austin Evens and Scooter Dulin stalking him. Murty began closing in on the top runners, and when leader Roster was out of the game after suffering a flat, it was Murty quick to get to the top spot when lap nine was scored. Then it became a shoot out between Murty and Dulin. That would end when Dulin went for a spin, bringing out a yellow at lap thirteen. By that time, it was Justin Stander at the ready on the restart, and he was able to make the move around Murty to take over first. He held on for two laps, but then Murty made his patented topside move on the final lap, sweeping around corners three and four, and beating everyone to the checkers for the win. Scott Pippert got around Stander in the closing moments, as they went second and third. Curtis Roster rallied back after having to change a tire, and finished fourth, just ahead of fifth place Norm Chesmore, who maintains his point lead. I believe this was career win #211 for Murty.
After that exciting finish in the Stock Cars, it was on to the 16-lap SportMod A main. Curt Hilmer held down the lead through lap six. That would be when the race was halted for medical assistance in the grandstand. When the race restarted, second place runner Danny Dvorak, was able to nose under Hilmer and take over the top spot. He then extended that lead, taking the comfortable win. The two #22's had been doing battle for the runner up spot, and it was Matt Petrzelka winning the war for second, over Curt Hilmer in third. Fourth was Kurt Hogan and Tony Olson, point leader, completed the top five.
Shawn Ritter held down the lead in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature the first five laps. At lap eight, it was Patrick Flannagan getting the pass for the lead on the backstretch. Then as the two entered turn one, contact was made bringing out a yellow, and their run at the front was ended. Tony Snyder then inherited the lead with young Ryan Maitland running second. Maitland was then able to move around Snyder, taking over the helm at lap thirteen, and Ronn Lauritzen soon followed suite, taking over second. Lauritzen closed in on Maitland, but was not able to do more than that, as 17 year old Maitland scored the victory, Lauritzen, the track point leader, going second. Snyder held third place, over Scott Hogan in fourth and younger brother (15 years old) of the winner, Brandon Maitland, was fifth.
Nathan Ballard took home the IMCA Hobby Stock win in the 15-lap evening finale. He had command at lap six and kept it to the finish...though having to endure five restarts due to cautions. Ballard started eighth on his march to victory, finishing ahead of second place Brett Vanous. Leah Wroten finished third, Matt Pohlman came from starting near the back of the pack, to finish fourth, and Justin Wacha was fifth. Ballard is the track point leader.
It's nice to get back on the road home early on a Sunday evening after Vinton's fast-running show. The first heat was on the track at 6:15 and the show was completed just a tick after 8:30 p.m. If you haven't made the trip over to the Benton County Speedway, you may want to try and make one of their remaining Sunday shows.
The night's features started with the running of the Micro Mods. This is the only track we see these race, but more often than not, the winner is veteran racer Don Erger...as it was again last evening. Erger started fourth, but already had the lead at lap one. Then on lap two, the race was red-flagged when Scott Beaty went for a ride, rolling his #13 in corner one. He was okay. When the race went back to green, Erger maintained his lead, and scored the 12-lap feature victory. Cole McNeal made his way to second from starting sixth, and tried to reel in Erger. It was to no avail, and he had to settle for the runner up spot. Third went to heat winner Kaden Reynolds, fourth was Dallon Murty, son of Stock Car racer, Damon Murty, and Derrick Knutsen was fifth. Erger is the point leader.
It was an exciting finish to the IMCA Stock Car 16-lapper, but in the end, it was once again Damon Murty standing in victory lane. He is also a driver we see win at the track most of the time we happen to be there. Murty started in row five and let some of the field ahead get sorted out before he began his usual ride at the rim of the track. Curtis Roster had taken the lead with a handful of laps in the books, with Austin Evens and Scooter Dulin stalking him. Murty began closing in on the top runners, and when leader Roster was out of the game after suffering a flat, it was Murty quick to get to the top spot when lap nine was scored. Then it became a shoot out between Murty and Dulin. That would end when Dulin went for a spin, bringing out a yellow at lap thirteen. By that time, it was Justin Stander at the ready on the restart, and he was able to make the move around Murty to take over first. He held on for two laps, but then Murty made his patented topside move on the final lap, sweeping around corners three and four, and beating everyone to the checkers for the win. Scott Pippert got around Stander in the closing moments, as they went second and third. Curtis Roster rallied back after having to change a tire, and finished fourth, just ahead of fifth place Norm Chesmore, who maintains his point lead. I believe this was career win #211 for Murty.
After that exciting finish in the Stock Cars, it was on to the 16-lap SportMod A main. Curt Hilmer held down the lead through lap six. That would be when the race was halted for medical assistance in the grandstand. When the race restarted, second place runner Danny Dvorak, was able to nose under Hilmer and take over the top spot. He then extended that lead, taking the comfortable win. The two #22's had been doing battle for the runner up spot, and it was Matt Petrzelka winning the war for second, over Curt Hilmer in third. Fourth was Kurt Hogan and Tony Olson, point leader, completed the top five.
Shawn Ritter held down the lead in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature the first five laps. At lap eight, it was Patrick Flannagan getting the pass for the lead on the backstretch. Then as the two entered turn one, contact was made bringing out a yellow, and their run at the front was ended. Tony Snyder then inherited the lead with young Ryan Maitland running second. Maitland was then able to move around Snyder, taking over the helm at lap thirteen, and Ronn Lauritzen soon followed suite, taking over second. Lauritzen closed in on Maitland, but was not able to do more than that, as 17 year old Maitland scored the victory, Lauritzen, the track point leader, going second. Snyder held third place, over Scott Hogan in fourth and younger brother (15 years old) of the winner, Brandon Maitland, was fifth.
Nathan Ballard took home the IMCA Hobby Stock win in the 15-lap evening finale. He had command at lap six and kept it to the finish...though having to endure five restarts due to cautions. Ballard started eighth on his march to victory, finishing ahead of second place Brett Vanous. Leah Wroten finished third, Matt Pohlman came from starting near the back of the pack, to finish fourth, and Justin Wacha was fifth. Ballard is the track point leader.
It's nice to get back on the road home early on a Sunday evening after Vinton's fast-running show. The first heat was on the track at 6:15 and the show was completed just a tick after 8:30 p.m. If you haven't made the trip over to the Benton County Speedway, you may want to try and make one of their remaining Sunday shows.
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