Wednesday night, the Southern Iowa Speedway held their second night of 2017 weekly racing, and with 82 cars checked into the pits in the five competing classes, it made for some excellent competition. There was extra money on the line last evening, thanks to the night's sponsor, Modified racer, Shawn Ritter and his Shawn's Hay Grinding business. The Mods paid $800, Stock Car and SportMods, $450, Hobby Stocks $350 and Sport Compacts, $250.
The IMCA Sport Compact class had the largest contingency on hand with 19 cars checked in. Last week's winner, Daniel Fellows started eighth and by the time the first laps was counted, he had the lead. He would lead all twelve laps of the feature event, and take his second victory in as many weeks. Finishing second, was visiting Omaha, Nebraska area racer, Denny Berghahn who had started tenth, Barry Taft came from ninth starting spot to finish third, followed by Beatrice, Nebraska's Dillon Richards in fourth and Cody VanDusen in fifth. Fellows said in his post-race interview that his former racing experience has been in go-karts and dirt bikes, and now has ventured on to the Sport Compacts. He does not look like a rookie!
Nathan Wood came away with the win in the IMCA Stock Car feature. He passed Louis Lynch before lap one was scored to take the lead. From there on, he never looked back, leading all laps to take the win. Todd Reitzler started fifth, made it to Wood's bumper, but had to settle for second. Derrick Agee took third after starting seventh, fourth went to last week's winner and eighth place starter, Mike Hughes, and rookie to the class, Danny, "The Dude", Thrasher made it to fifth after starting eleventh.
Curtis VanDerWal got back to his winning ways in the IMCA Northern SportMod division, and chalked up yet another of his numerous wins at the Monster half-mile. Carter VanDenBerg led much of the race and looked destined to win. However, VanDerWal reeled him in and was able to make the pass with just three laps remaining, and VanDenBerg had to settle for the runner up spot. Third was Colton Livezey, followed by Logan Anderson in fourth and last week's winner Jason McDaniel in fifth. The race went flag-to-flag.
The IMCA Modified's had a nice field of 16 cars, with some strong competitors in the house. Veteran racer, Kelly Shryock took the point spot from his outside pole starting position almost immediately. From there on it was "catch me if you can", as he wheeled his way to another of his many victories. Both Todd Shute and Hunter Marriott gave the leader some peeks, but nothing worked. Marriott got around Shute in the final laps, as they went second and third respectively. Last week's winner, Colt Mather started seventh, and finished fourth, and Cayden Carter completed the top five. When interviewed in Victory Lane after the race, Shryock said he stayed higher on the track than the others, where it seemed to be the smoothest and to his liking.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks closed out the evening's program with their 15-lap event. It was no surprise to see Shannon Anderson, a six-time IMCA National Hobby Stock Champion, once again in the winner's circle. Anderson, no doubt, will be a force to be reckoned with if he continues to be a weekly racer at the speedway. Anderson started eighth and had the lead at lap four. The race was halted at lap five when rookie racer, Saif Grafke in the #65 car took a tumble in turn two. He was okay. When racing picked back up, Anderson drove off from the field and took the easy win, repeating from last week. Pole sitter Mike Kincaid finished second, Brad Stephens came from tenth starting position, to finish third, followed by Bill Bonnett and Aaron Martin in fourth and fifth.
For those of you who have not been at Osky this season, you may be glad to know that the huge tractor tires are no longer in the corners. Smaller tires have been buried upright in the corners and so far, this appears to be a good choice.
Jason Minnehan, Churdan, Iowa made the long haul down to Osky from the northwest part of the state to compete in the Stock Car division. Jesse Hoeft, always a strong runner in the Modifieds, made the trip down from Forest City and Shane Demey made the trip over from Denison, Iowa to race.
Next Wednesday, May 10, the Sprint Invaders join the regular classes, for some added racing action. Hot laps are 7 with racing at 7:30.
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