It was season championship night at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday, and all six classes saw repeat winners. The top 10 in points were locked into their straight up starting spots, while the rest of the starting line ups were filled in by heat race finishes.
Charlie Brown went to the winner's circle in the Mod Lite division, Shannon Anderson was back in familiar victory lane in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, Sam Wieben won the IMCA Northern SportMod A main, Todd Reitzler took the prize in the IMCA Stock Car class, Tim Ward scored his third win in the IMCA Modifieds, and hometown boy, Darrel DeFrance took the challenge of starting in the rear of the IMCA Late Model feature, and doubled his money with the win.
The driver introductions were made on the front stretch before the features, allowing fans to show their appreciation for their efforts all season long.
Josh May led the 15-lap Mod Lite feature from the drop of the green flag. He had Travis Stensland to deal with for most of the race, and then Charlie Brown came into the picture from his seventh starting spot to challenge them both. The final lap turned into a four-car battle for the lead as they came to the checkers. Charlie Brown made a last second surge ahead to get the win. Stensland held on to the runner up spot, Joe Zrostlik in the #95 car usually piloted by Mike Kennedy, started eleventh, and took third, May was fourth and Byran Zehm rounded out the top five. This was Brown's third visit to victory lane in 2017. The track champion for 2017 in the Mod Lite division goes to Josh May.
The IMCA Northern SportMods went 20 laps for their season championship feature. Jared VanDeest led the first five laps until a lap car got in the way, almost caused disaster, and cost him the top spot. Sam Wieben was Johnny on the spot, saw his chance, and flew to the lead. Wieben never relinquished that top spot the rest of the way to the win. Jared VanDeest was the runner up, third went to Ethan Braaksma, Cory Rose came from twelfth starting position, to finish fourth, and Jake McBirnie took fifth. Wieben won for the fourth time at Marshalltown this season. The race went caution free. The track championship title went to Travis Peterson.
Track champion Shannon Anderson led the entire 20 laps of the IMCA Hobby Stock feature and went to victory lane for the twelfth time at the speedway. He finished well ahead of second place Justin Wacha. Third was Gene Nicklas, Eric Knutson was fourth and Gary Pfantz was fifth. The race went flag to flag.
Todd Reitzer took the lead immediately in the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car main event. Damon Murty was soon knocking at his door as they flew around the rim of the track nose-to-tail. A yellow flew at lap nine. On the restart, Murty was able to make the pass for the lead, when Reitzler opted to try for some momentum low...which didn't work out! Murty then distanced himself from Reitzler and was looking destined to take yet another win at the high banks. However, just after lap seventeen was in the books, Murty's car let forth a big puff of smoke, and he exited off the track. Reitzler inherited the lead and kept it the final three laps to the checkers. Jeff Wollam had a great run to finish in second place, third was Donavon Smith, Jeff Mueller was fourth and Russell Damme rounded out the top five. This was Reitzler's second win of the year. The track championship for the IMCA Stock Cars went to Donavon Smith.
Tim Ward ran all 25 laps of the IMCA Modified feature at the front of the field to score his third win at Marshalltown this year. He was content to let Joel Rust and Jimmy Gustin duke it out behind him for second spot, as he took the easy win. Joel Rust won the battle to score second spot, Jimmy Gustin was third. Track champion Jake Strayer took the challenge to start at the tail to earn double his money to win, but had to settle for a fourth place finish. Rounding out the top five was Ronn Lauritzen.
The night cap was 20 laps of IMCA Late Model racing. Front row starters Todd Cooney and Darrel DeFrance both chose to go to the back of the field for a try at doubling their payoff for the night. Paul Nagle was then moved to the pole starting position. He jumped to the lead and continued his run at the front until he slowed on lap twelve and exited into the pits. Darrel DeFrance then flew around Joe Zrostlik on lap thirteen to become the new man in charge. DeFrance kept his competition at bay and went home to the flying checkers, the win, and double his pay day....to the cheers of much of the crowd. Zrostlik held the runner up spot, Todd Cooney was third, Curt Schroeder fourth and Kirby Schultz was fifth. Todd Cooney is the 2017 Late Model track champion.
The season championship night was once again dedicated to the late Larry Wollam. Wollam was a promoter at the speedway in years gone by and was the father of current veteran Stock Car driver Jeff Wollam. Larry was a strong supporter of dirt track racing.
We enjoyed our night at Marshalltown once again, watching with racing family. We were also pleasantly surprised to see two couples from New Zealand make their way into the stands and join us. We had met them on Wednesday night at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa and we had encouraged them to come to Marshalltown. They were impressed with the racing at the Marshalltown high banks.
The regular season has ended at the Marshalltown Speedway, but next Friday night, September 1 is the "Showdown at Motown". $1,000 goes to the winner of the IMCA Modifieds, $500 each to the IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA Northern SportMods, and $300 to the IMCA Hobby Stocks. The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks will also run. Then on September 14 and 15, it will be the 11th annual World Nationals at the track. It is a $1,000 to win each night for the Stock Cars and SportMods, and $500 each day for the Hobby Stocks. The Modifieds will qualify on night one and continue on the following night....all in hopes of the $10,000 to win feature.
Get out and find a race to attend and support the sport we all love.
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