The Marshalltown Speedway began the three-night run of the 2016 World Nationals on Thursday night. It hosted the inaugural running of the Late Models as well as an invitational Modified event.
The $2,000 to win Late Model feature was led start to finish by John Emerson. Emerson finished a comfortable distance ahead of second place Andy Eckrich, who had started eighth. Sixth place starter Joel Zroslik finished third, fourth was Kevin Kile, and Marshalltown's own Darrel DeFrance completed the top five.
An invitational Modified race for drivers finishing in the top ten from last year's World Nationals championship race, as well as past Super Nationals/IMCA National points leader/World Nationals Modified Champion, and longest haul drivers were also included. North Carolina driver Kyle Strickler walked away with the win in this one. Terry Phillips was not able to catch the leader and had to be content with the runner up spot. Third went to Jake Murray, Mike Mullens was fourth and Jerry Wilinski rounded out the top five.
Somehow, the above two races got completed, just as a storm was approaching the track. The winds switched from the south, around to the north, and the temperature dropped. The winds became almost gale force, and how announcers Jerry Vansickel and Chet Christner (who was there for the Speed Shift broadcast) hung on in their perches in the announcer's booth, is beyond me. I was expecting to see the whole booth sail off it's mooring. Yes, we wimped out and took refuge in our vehicle behind the grandstands and listened to the two features on the radio.
A text from the Marshalltown Speedway this morning, says the races for Friday, September 16, are on as scheduled. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 with racing to follow. There will be qualifying in the Modifieds (these are open motors ONLY, for those of you who did not know) and a full show for the Stock Cars, SportMods and Hobby Stocks.
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