Night #2 of the World National's at the Marshalltown Speedway on Saturday, and everyone was wondering what the weather was going to do. Predictions were for rain and radar showed that just might happen. Around 4 p.m. it did rain, but the track was in contact with the weather bureau, that said there was going to be window of opportunity. Racing began right at 6 p.m. as planned, and with the bit of natural moisture that fell from the sky earlier, it was to the track's benefit.
A full show was held for the IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Northern SportMods, and the IMCA Hobby Stocks and the IMCA Modifieds completed their last chance qualifying with heats and a Final Four to fill in the 24 car starting field for the $10,000 grand finale.
The Hobby Stocks ran 20-laps for their main event. This one had some strange turn of events. Aaron Rudolph looked destined to earn the $500 prize money as he led from lap eight and pulled away to a substantial lead. A yellow flew at lap eighteen when second place runner Jeff Anderson went spinning in turn four, and brought out a yellow. This moved third place running Gene Nicklas into the runner up spot for the restart. However, before the race went green, leader Aaron Rudolph suddenly drove off the track and into the pits...his night was done. Now Gene Nicklas had inherited the lead for the green-white-checkered finish. Nicklas held on to that top spot and took the win. Chanse Hollatz claimed the runner up spot, after starting tenth. Third was early leader Jim Ball, fourth went to Mike Goldsberry and Andrew Burg rounded out the top five. Nicklas, a regular at the Marshalltown Speedway during the season, started fifteenth, and took it to victory lane.
Jared VanDeest doubled down and matched his win from Night #1 in the IMCA Northern SportMod feature. VanDeest started fourth and led the entire race on his way to the winner's circle. Jake McBirnie started eighth and tried his hardest to reel in the leader, but had to settle for the runner up spot. Tyler Soppe took third after starting twelfth, Colby Fett came from nineteenth starting spot, to finish fourth, and Johnathon Logue was fifth. VanDeest took the $1,000 win for the second night in a row. VanDeest, also a regular at Marshalltown during the season, and despite running well with strong finishes, only had two wins on the season.
It was another thriller in the IMCA Stock Car main event. Jeff Mueller held down the top spot for much of the race, holding back The Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty. Mueller ran the bottom and Murty was motoring on the very top of the track. Murty made it work at lap eight, but his pass was only brief as Mueller gained back the lead the next lap. All eyes were on the two front runners, as Murty began again to reel in the #77M of Mueller. Murty was able to get that extra surge of momentum from his topside run and as they came out of turn four to the checkers, beat Mueller to the finish line, snatching the $1,000 win. This has happened several times at Marshalltown this year. Don't count Murty out until they cross the finish line! Mueller had to settle for second place, Jay Schmidt had a good run to finish third after starting thirteenth, Paul Shepard came from twelfth, to finish fourth, and David Brandies was fifth. Murty also matched his win from the previous night, and also won both nights last year.
The cream does rise to the top, and the 50 lap IMCA Modified feature showed just that as the fans were treated to some spectacular racing through the entire field. Veteran racer Terry Phillips from Springfield, Missouri showed his expertise on the track, and went home $10,000 richer with the win. Richie Gustin gave him a run for the money when he took the lead at lap twenty-one with a slider....only to have Phillips come right back with one of his own the next lap, and regain the lead. From then on, Phillips put a little distance between himself and Gustin, and took the comfortable win. Gustin had to be content with the runner up spot this night. Cayden Carter started ninth and finished third, fourth was Chris Abelson, and Joel Rust rounded out the top five.
We certainly saw a variety of Iowa weather last night...from rain, to windy, to really chilly, and then back to muggy and warm again. The wind switched directions too from a stiff breeze from the south, to a wind from the north come feature time. Thankfully, it wasn't blowing as strong as it had previously from the south. The track was much different from the previous night when it blackened up to a shine. The races were run non-stop last night, what with the threat of rain and no victory lane interviews. The show was completed at 9:27 p.m. Marshalltown Speedway was lucky last night as when we got home, the streets were still wet in Grinnell, and we had .71 inches in our rain gauge.
There are still races to be found in our area. Check the Positively Racing calendar and get out and attend a race somewhere. We need to support the sport we all love...dirt track racing.
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Motown holds night #1 of World Nationals
Friday was night #1 of Marshalltown Speedway's 11th Annual World Nationals. Full shows were run in the IMCA Stock Car, IMCA Northern SportMod and IMCA Hobby Stock classes. The 59 IMCA Modifieds began their qualifying for tomorrow's $10,000 to win show. Ten drivers locked themselves into the big show.
Andrew Borchardt took home a World National's win in the IMCA Hobby Stock division. Borchardt, from Plymouth, Iowa led all twenty laps on his way to the $500 pay off. Eric Knutson finished as the runner up after starting sixth. Third went to fifth place starter, Justin Wacha, Mike Goldsberry from Runnels, was fourth and Chanse Hollatz completed the top five.
It was a $1,000 win for Jared VanDeest in the IMCA Northern SportMod class. VanDeest took command at lap two, only to have a hard charging Jake McBirnie begin his relentless pestering at lap five. McBirnie, who started eleventh and briefly took the lead with three laps remaining, only to have VanDeest surge back ahead on lap nineteen of the twenty lap feature. VanDeest was able to fend off McBirnie the rest of the way to the checkers and the win. McBirnie had to settle for second place, Sam Wieben started twenty-first, qualifying through a B main, and flew through the field to finish in third place, Tyler Soppe was fourth and pole sitter Austin Luellen finished fifth. After racing previous years at the World Nationals, VanDeest was finally glad to get that elusive win under his belt.
Damon Murty went home $1,000 richer by winning the IMCA Stock Car feature. A yellow with two laps remaining of the twenty lap feature, shuffled things up on the restart. Murty took advantage when then leader David Brandies and Cayden Carter got together as the race went green. Murty swung to the topside and made it to the checkers first to score the win. What with all of the final moment's shuffling when Brandies and Carter got together, I'm not real sure on the finish. I believe Todd Inman avoided the ruckus and finished in second place and Wisconsin's Travis VanStraten was third. EDIT...per the official results, Paul Shephard was fourth, and David Brandies came across the finish line for fifth.
The ten Modified drivers earning the top ten points are locked into tomorrow's $10,000 to win World Nationals feature. They earned their way through two heat races (the second inverted from the first heat) with a passing points/finish format. Those top ten drivers are Tyler Droste, Chris Abelson, Terry Phillips, Joel Rust, Jordan Grabouski, Kelly Shryock, Tim Ward, Kurt Kile, Cayden Carter, and Richie Gustin.
The track was shiny black by the end of the night. A few cars slipped off of the topside of the surface and others just had a hard time keeping a handle on their machine.
The IMCA Modifieds will complete their qualifying tonight to set the field for the grand finale run for the $10,000. Complete shows will also be run in the IMCA Stock Car, IMCA Northern SportMod, and IMCA Hobby Stock classes. The green flag is scheduled to drop at 6 p.m. tonight.
Andrew Borchardt took home a World National's win in the IMCA Hobby Stock division. Borchardt, from Plymouth, Iowa led all twenty laps on his way to the $500 pay off. Eric Knutson finished as the runner up after starting sixth. Third went to fifth place starter, Justin Wacha, Mike Goldsberry from Runnels, was fourth and Chanse Hollatz completed the top five.
It was a $1,000 win for Jared VanDeest in the IMCA Northern SportMod class. VanDeest took command at lap two, only to have a hard charging Jake McBirnie begin his relentless pestering at lap five. McBirnie, who started eleventh and briefly took the lead with three laps remaining, only to have VanDeest surge back ahead on lap nineteen of the twenty lap feature. VanDeest was able to fend off McBirnie the rest of the way to the checkers and the win. McBirnie had to settle for second place, Sam Wieben started twenty-first, qualifying through a B main, and flew through the field to finish in third place, Tyler Soppe was fourth and pole sitter Austin Luellen finished fifth. After racing previous years at the World Nationals, VanDeest was finally glad to get that elusive win under his belt.
Damon Murty went home $1,000 richer by winning the IMCA Stock Car feature. A yellow with two laps remaining of the twenty lap feature, shuffled things up on the restart. Murty took advantage when then leader David Brandies and Cayden Carter got together as the race went green. Murty swung to the topside and made it to the checkers first to score the win. What with all of the final moment's shuffling when Brandies and Carter got together, I'm not real sure on the finish. I believe Todd Inman avoided the ruckus and finished in second place and Wisconsin's Travis VanStraten was third. EDIT...per the official results, Paul Shephard was fourth, and David Brandies came across the finish line for fifth.
The ten Modified drivers earning the top ten points are locked into tomorrow's $10,000 to win World Nationals feature. They earned their way through two heat races (the second inverted from the first heat) with a passing points/finish format. Those top ten drivers are Tyler Droste, Chris Abelson, Terry Phillips, Joel Rust, Jordan Grabouski, Kelly Shryock, Tim Ward, Kurt Kile, Cayden Carter, and Richie Gustin.
The track was shiny black by the end of the night. A few cars slipped off of the topside of the surface and others just had a hard time keeping a handle on their machine.
The IMCA Modifieds will complete their qualifying tonight to set the field for the grand finale run for the $10,000. Complete shows will also be run in the IMCA Stock Car, IMCA Northern SportMod, and IMCA Hobby Stock classes. The green flag is scheduled to drop at 6 p.m. tonight.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Super Nationals 2017 notes
We are back home after our 30th IMCA Super Nationals at the Boone Speedway. After last year's monsoons and racing at all hours of the day and night in order to get everything in, this year there was not a drop of rain.
Labor Day Monday and day 1 of 6 kicked off with racing just past a tick of 2 p.m. The day was overcast due to the wildfires in Canada and Montana, and with high's in the low 70's, it was great for the track surface. We saw 59 races with the IMCA Hobby Stocks and IMCA Northern SportMods in action. Eight Hobby Stocks qualified for the inside row, and another eight for the middle row for Saturday's Big Dance. Eight SportMods qualified for the inside row come Saturday. The IMCA SportMods had 151 competing, and the IMCA Hobby Stocks brought 118. Racing was completed at 10:30 p.m.
Tuesday, day 2 of 6 dawned a sunny, chilly day, with a brisk north wind. One new SportMod arrived, to bring their car count to 152. Racing began closer to 2:30 p.m. this day and brought in a complete program for the 84 IMCA Sport Compacts, as well as 8 more Hobby Stocks making the Saturday night finale to start in the outside row, and top 8 in each of the two A's for the Northern SportMods going to the middle and outside row for the Saturday championship.
The first of the Super National's Champions was crowned on Tuesday when Mason City, Iowa's Devin Jones reigned as the Sport Compact Super National's champion. Barry Taft was the runner up, followed by Jake Benishek in third, Dillon Richards from Nebraska was fourth, and lady racer Brooke Fluckinger, also from Nebraska, was fifth. Racing was completed at 11:42 p.m.
Wednesday, day 3 of 6 the IMCA Stock Cars and the IMCA Modifieds made their first appearance with racing starting about 2:45 p.m. The Northern SportMods and the Hobby Stocks qualified their final six cars to advance to the back two rows for the Big Dance. The 171 IMCA Stock Cars advanced eight to the inside row come Saturday and 228 Modifieds had eight advancing to the inside row for the grand finale Saturday. It was a nippy 48 degrees when the racing was completed at 12:40 a.m.
Thursday, day 4 of 6 and racing started at 2:12 p.m. with more qualifying for the Stock Cars and the Modifieds, with one new driver checking in. It was also a complete show for the IMCA Deery Brothers Late Models, 31 strong. Eight Stock Cars and eight more Modifieds qualified for the middle row for Saturday night's finale.
The second of the 2017 Super Nationals champions was crowned and it was Todd Cooney making his third appearance standing on the podium as IMCA Late Model king. Richie Gustin, Matt Ryan, Chad Holladay, and Cayden Carter completed the top five. Racing was completed at 12:17 a.m.
Friday races began at 2:12 for the second day in a row...and we were wondering how it was already day 5 of races. It was a beautiful day in the low 80's and 81 races on the agenda. Eight Stock Cars and eight more Modifieds qualified for the outside row on Saturday.
Friday was also the All-Star Invitational feature for the IMCA Modifieds. Thirty drivers had been voted into this race by the race fans. Dean Abbey, Roanoke, Texas took the glory in this one. He grabbed the lead from William Gould on lap seven of the 30 lapper and then fended off the advances of Jay Noteboom to take the win. Following second place Noteboom was William Gould for third, Kyle Brown in fourth, and Johnny Scott completed the top five. Racing was done at 1 a.m.
Saturday....and day 6 was here. The festivities in front of the grandstand kicked off with a wedding! Stock Car driver Bob Chalupa from Nebraska and his bride Carol exchanged vows on the infield stage before the day's racing commenced. The grooms race car, was of course sitting in victory lane in front of the stage. This was not our first race track wedding. Through the years, we have witnessed several weddings at various race tracks.
After some pre-race ceremonies took place, the first green flag fell at 3 p.m. There were last chance/last chance races for the Hobby Stocks, SportMods, Stock Cars, and the Modifieds, and Race of Champions in all four divisions as well...each class starting ten cars. Jason Fusselman, Shelby, Iowa, came from tenth starting spot to take the ROC in the IMCA Hobby Stocks. Ellis, Kansas racer, Dakota Sproul held off Johnathon Logue to win the ROC in the IMCA Northern SportMod class. Lake City's David Smith was the Stock Car ROC champion for the third time. Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, North Carolina hot shoe, was the IMCA Modified ROC champion.
Finally...it was time for the Big Dance for the Hobby Stocks, SportMods, Stock Cars, and Modifieds.
The Hobby Stocks kicked things off first with 30 cars, for 30 laps. The race was red flagged twice for roll over incidents, first the pole sitter Matt Olson from Franklin, Minnesota rolled off of the top of turn three. Not much later, Columbus, Nebraska racer Sal Hernandez took a tumble on the front stretch. Thankfully, both drivers were uninjured.
Inside second row starter, Shannon Anderson took the immediate lead, followed by his dad Jeff Anderson (who ironically had started right beside him in the middle of row two) and would lead the race from flag to flag. Corey Madden, Avoca, Iowa was awarded second place after Aaron Rudolph was penalized for trying a slide for life at the checkers. Third went to Chad Lonneman from Adrian, Minnesota, Jeff Anderson was fourth, and Chanse Hollatz, Clear Lake, Iowa was fifth. This was Shannon Anderson's fourth Hobby Stock Super National's win and looks to snag his seventh IMCA National Hobby Stock Championship.
The IMCA Northern SportMod Super National's 30 lap Dance had a storybook ending. Brian Efkamp was elated when he just got himself into the Big Dance, and then drew the middle of row one for his starting spot. Efkamp, in his final hurrah of his racing career set his flashy #10E Harris SportMod to the front as the race went green, and never relinquished it. He endured heavy lap traffic, but sailed through it all to take the checkers. Efkamp, who understandably was emotional in victory lane, said his late dad Ron Efkamp, who was the first IMCA Director of Competition, was no doubt riding with him with a big smile on his face.
Cory Rose finished second in the SportMod feature, while Colby Fett was third. Far back in fourth was Doug Cook who had been the pole sitter, and Tony Olson was fifth after starting in the middle of row three.
Mike Nichols...who is going to be the 2017 IMCA Stock Car Champion,...a title for the sixth time...had always had an IMCA Super Nationals championship on his bucket list. This year....he accomplished just that. Nichols started on the inside pole and took his #63 to the bank. Nichols was pestered most of the race by Devin Smith. Smith looked for anyway around Nichols, and in the final moments was getting a good peek underneath him. But it was all for naught, as Nichols swept to the finish line to take the checkers and the win. A smoking Dustin Larson finished a distance behind in third place. Fourth went to Cayden Carter...who set a Super Nationals record by qualifying for the Big Dance in the Stock Cars, Modifieds, and Late Models, and Travis Barker came from row four, to finish fifth. Nichols has quite a resume in the IMCA Stock Cars with over 350 wins and this new notch in his belt.
The grand finale of the 2017 IMCA 35th annual Super Nationals was 40 laps of IMCA Modified racing. The 33 drivers were introduced in the pre-race ceremony and then they strapped in for the race ahead. Todd Shute started outside the front row and was hungry for his second Super Nationals title. He shot to the lead with Ricky Thornton tucked into second. Richie Gustin, the 2011 Super Nationals winner, was soon up to challenge from his row three starting spot. Gustin tussled with Thornton for a couple of laps, then took over second, with his sites set on leader Shute. Gustin could only chase Shute until lap traffic came into the picture about lap 25. Gustin continued to haunt the leader until making a successful pass on lap 30, taking over the coveted top spot. He then kept his #19G hot rod to the front the rest of the way to the checkers. Ricky Thornton got by Todd Shute in the waning laps as they went second and third respectively. Fourth went to Ricky "Racer" Stephan, in his 25th season of racing, and Jimmy Gustin, the 2010 winner, was fifth.
The races were completed at 11:26 p.m. and as always, I stayed for the auction of the winner's motors. Shannon Anderson's Hobby Stock went for $2,700, Brian Efkamp's SportMod was auctioned off for $6,000, the Stock Car motor of Mike Nichols went for $6,600 and Richie Gustin's Modified was $3,800.
Two Modified drivers, Gatlin Leytham and Scott Simatovich, sacrificed their Super Nationals to go to Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas to help with recovery. I would venture to guess, some Texas drivers who had planned for the Super Nationals had their plan changed due to Harvey as well.
As I wrap up some notes from the 2017 IMCA Super Nationals, news of the racing community's loss of two former drivers hits home. Dave Dresser, piloted an IMCA Stock Car back in the late '80's and '90's around the Boone Speedway, and veteran racer Larry Embrey raced in several classes around the state of Iowa...the most recent being in an IMCA Northern SportMod.
We enjoyed our six days and nights of racing and making it all the more special was enjoying it with racing friends from far and wide that we see but once a year....at America's Racin' Vacation.
There's still racing to be found around the state of Iowa. Check out the calendar at www.positivelyracing.com for a race to attend. Get out and support the sport we all love...dirt track racing.
Labor Day Monday and day 1 of 6 kicked off with racing just past a tick of 2 p.m. The day was overcast due to the wildfires in Canada and Montana, and with high's in the low 70's, it was great for the track surface. We saw 59 races with the IMCA Hobby Stocks and IMCA Northern SportMods in action. Eight Hobby Stocks qualified for the inside row, and another eight for the middle row for Saturday's Big Dance. Eight SportMods qualified for the inside row come Saturday. The IMCA SportMods had 151 competing, and the IMCA Hobby Stocks brought 118. Racing was completed at 10:30 p.m.
Tuesday, day 2 of 6 dawned a sunny, chilly day, with a brisk north wind. One new SportMod arrived, to bring their car count to 152. Racing began closer to 2:30 p.m. this day and brought in a complete program for the 84 IMCA Sport Compacts, as well as 8 more Hobby Stocks making the Saturday night finale to start in the outside row, and top 8 in each of the two A's for the Northern SportMods going to the middle and outside row for the Saturday championship.
The first of the Super National's Champions was crowned on Tuesday when Mason City, Iowa's Devin Jones reigned as the Sport Compact Super National's champion. Barry Taft was the runner up, followed by Jake Benishek in third, Dillon Richards from Nebraska was fourth, and lady racer Brooke Fluckinger, also from Nebraska, was fifth. Racing was completed at 11:42 p.m.
Wednesday, day 3 of 6 the IMCA Stock Cars and the IMCA Modifieds made their first appearance with racing starting about 2:45 p.m. The Northern SportMods and the Hobby Stocks qualified their final six cars to advance to the back two rows for the Big Dance. The 171 IMCA Stock Cars advanced eight to the inside row come Saturday and 228 Modifieds had eight advancing to the inside row for the grand finale Saturday. It was a nippy 48 degrees when the racing was completed at 12:40 a.m.
Thursday, day 4 of 6 and racing started at 2:12 p.m. with more qualifying for the Stock Cars and the Modifieds, with one new driver checking in. It was also a complete show for the IMCA Deery Brothers Late Models, 31 strong. Eight Stock Cars and eight more Modifieds qualified for the middle row for Saturday night's finale.
The second of the 2017 Super Nationals champions was crowned and it was Todd Cooney making his third appearance standing on the podium as IMCA Late Model king. Richie Gustin, Matt Ryan, Chad Holladay, and Cayden Carter completed the top five. Racing was completed at 12:17 a.m.
Friday races began at 2:12 for the second day in a row...and we were wondering how it was already day 5 of races. It was a beautiful day in the low 80's and 81 races on the agenda. Eight Stock Cars and eight more Modifieds qualified for the outside row on Saturday.
Friday was also the All-Star Invitational feature for the IMCA Modifieds. Thirty drivers had been voted into this race by the race fans. Dean Abbey, Roanoke, Texas took the glory in this one. He grabbed the lead from William Gould on lap seven of the 30 lapper and then fended off the advances of Jay Noteboom to take the win. Following second place Noteboom was William Gould for third, Kyle Brown in fourth, and Johnny Scott completed the top five. Racing was done at 1 a.m.
Saturday....and day 6 was here. The festivities in front of the grandstand kicked off with a wedding! Stock Car driver Bob Chalupa from Nebraska and his bride Carol exchanged vows on the infield stage before the day's racing commenced. The grooms race car, was of course sitting in victory lane in front of the stage. This was not our first race track wedding. Through the years, we have witnessed several weddings at various race tracks.
After some pre-race ceremonies took place, the first green flag fell at 3 p.m. There were last chance/last chance races for the Hobby Stocks, SportMods, Stock Cars, and the Modifieds, and Race of Champions in all four divisions as well...each class starting ten cars. Jason Fusselman, Shelby, Iowa, came from tenth starting spot to take the ROC in the IMCA Hobby Stocks. Ellis, Kansas racer, Dakota Sproul held off Johnathon Logue to win the ROC in the IMCA Northern SportMod class. Lake City's David Smith was the Stock Car ROC champion for the third time. Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, North Carolina hot shoe, was the IMCA Modified ROC champion.
Finally...it was time for the Big Dance for the Hobby Stocks, SportMods, Stock Cars, and Modifieds.
The Hobby Stocks kicked things off first with 30 cars, for 30 laps. The race was red flagged twice for roll over incidents, first the pole sitter Matt Olson from Franklin, Minnesota rolled off of the top of turn three. Not much later, Columbus, Nebraska racer Sal Hernandez took a tumble on the front stretch. Thankfully, both drivers were uninjured.
Inside second row starter, Shannon Anderson took the immediate lead, followed by his dad Jeff Anderson (who ironically had started right beside him in the middle of row two) and would lead the race from flag to flag. Corey Madden, Avoca, Iowa was awarded second place after Aaron Rudolph was penalized for trying a slide for life at the checkers. Third went to Chad Lonneman from Adrian, Minnesota, Jeff Anderson was fourth, and Chanse Hollatz, Clear Lake, Iowa was fifth. This was Shannon Anderson's fourth Hobby Stock Super National's win and looks to snag his seventh IMCA National Hobby Stock Championship.
The IMCA Northern SportMod Super National's 30 lap Dance had a storybook ending. Brian Efkamp was elated when he just got himself into the Big Dance, and then drew the middle of row one for his starting spot. Efkamp, in his final hurrah of his racing career set his flashy #10E Harris SportMod to the front as the race went green, and never relinquished it. He endured heavy lap traffic, but sailed through it all to take the checkers. Efkamp, who understandably was emotional in victory lane, said his late dad Ron Efkamp, who was the first IMCA Director of Competition, was no doubt riding with him with a big smile on his face.
Cory Rose finished second in the SportMod feature, while Colby Fett was third. Far back in fourth was Doug Cook who had been the pole sitter, and Tony Olson was fifth after starting in the middle of row three.
Mike Nichols...who is going to be the 2017 IMCA Stock Car Champion,...a title for the sixth time...had always had an IMCA Super Nationals championship on his bucket list. This year....he accomplished just that. Nichols started on the inside pole and took his #63 to the bank. Nichols was pestered most of the race by Devin Smith. Smith looked for anyway around Nichols, and in the final moments was getting a good peek underneath him. But it was all for naught, as Nichols swept to the finish line to take the checkers and the win. A smoking Dustin Larson finished a distance behind in third place. Fourth went to Cayden Carter...who set a Super Nationals record by qualifying for the Big Dance in the Stock Cars, Modifieds, and Late Models, and Travis Barker came from row four, to finish fifth. Nichols has quite a resume in the IMCA Stock Cars with over 350 wins and this new notch in his belt.
The grand finale of the 2017 IMCA 35th annual Super Nationals was 40 laps of IMCA Modified racing. The 33 drivers were introduced in the pre-race ceremony and then they strapped in for the race ahead. Todd Shute started outside the front row and was hungry for his second Super Nationals title. He shot to the lead with Ricky Thornton tucked into second. Richie Gustin, the 2011 Super Nationals winner, was soon up to challenge from his row three starting spot. Gustin tussled with Thornton for a couple of laps, then took over second, with his sites set on leader Shute. Gustin could only chase Shute until lap traffic came into the picture about lap 25. Gustin continued to haunt the leader until making a successful pass on lap 30, taking over the coveted top spot. He then kept his #19G hot rod to the front the rest of the way to the checkers. Ricky Thornton got by Todd Shute in the waning laps as they went second and third respectively. Fourth went to Ricky "Racer" Stephan, in his 25th season of racing, and Jimmy Gustin, the 2010 winner, was fifth.
The races were completed at 11:26 p.m. and as always, I stayed for the auction of the winner's motors. Shannon Anderson's Hobby Stock went for $2,700, Brian Efkamp's SportMod was auctioned off for $6,000, the Stock Car motor of Mike Nichols went for $6,600 and Richie Gustin's Modified was $3,800.
Two Modified drivers, Gatlin Leytham and Scott Simatovich, sacrificed their Super Nationals to go to Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas to help with recovery. I would venture to guess, some Texas drivers who had planned for the Super Nationals had their plan changed due to Harvey as well.
As I wrap up some notes from the 2017 IMCA Super Nationals, news of the racing community's loss of two former drivers hits home. Dave Dresser, piloted an IMCA Stock Car back in the late '80's and '90's around the Boone Speedway, and veteran racer Larry Embrey raced in several classes around the state of Iowa...the most recent being in an IMCA Northern SportMod.
We enjoyed our six days and nights of racing and making it all the more special was enjoying it with racing friends from far and wide that we see but once a year....at America's Racin' Vacation.
There's still racing to be found around the state of Iowa. Check out the calendar at www.positivelyracing.com for a race to attend. Get out and support the sport we all love...dirt track racing.
Sunday, September 3, 2017
VanGenderen, Murphy, Lamberies, and VanLaningham post Prelude wins
Boone Speedway held it's third annual Prelude to the Super Nationals on Saturday night as well as celebrating 50 years of racing at the track. Many former racers were on hand as well as cars on display and memorabilia from days gone by. The racing was top notch as well, with 287 cars racing on the night...90 Modifieds, 81 Northern SportMods, 60 Stock Cars and 56 Hobby Stocks entertained the huge crowd on hand. Track champion Mike VanGenderen took the IMCA Modified feature, Trent Murphy captured the IMCA Stock Car victory, Lucas Lamberies took the win in the IMCA Northern SportMod main event, and Jesse VanLaningham won the IMCA Hobby Stock feature.
Mike VanGenderen followed up his track championship title by besting the field of IMCA Modifieds. VanGenderen started eleventh and overtook then leader Jordy Nelson at lap 25 of the 30 lap event. VanGenderen held off Nelson the rest of the way to the checkers and the win. Following second place Jordy Nelson was hard charging Chris Abelson who started sixteenth and finished third. Clint Luellen came from tenth starting spot to take fourth place, and Kyle Brown, in his brand new Harris vintage Wood Brothers look car, completed the top five.
The IMCA Northern SportMod 25 lap A main saw Wisconsin racer Lucas Lamberies in victory lane. Lamberies took command at lap three and never looked back, winning comfortably over second place, and current national point leader, Tyler Soppe. Jake McBirnie came from thirteenth starting spot to finish in third place. Fourth was early leader, Carter VanDenBerg and sixteenth place starter Hunter Parson, was fifth.
The IMCA Stock Cars put on their usual exciting racing, with the outcome being decided in the closing moments. Defending Super Nationals champion, Elijah Zevenbergen from Ocheyedan, Iowa, was looking to step back into victory lane as he got out to the early lead and pulled away. Meanwhile, another former Super National's champion, Wisconsin's Brandon Czarapata, and Trent Murphy were going at it for position a distance behind. Zevenbergen then developed a bad push exiting the corners, allowing Czarapata and Murphy to rapidly close in. Zevenbergen and Murphy swapped the lead in the final laps, and Murphy was able to get the advantage and sweep to the 25 lap feature win. Zevenbergen had to be content with the runner up spot, with Czarapata taking third. Todd Inman hustled through the field of cars from twentieth starting spot, to finish in fourth, and track champion Donavon Smith was fifth. The race went caution free.
The final feature was the IMCA 25 lap Hobby Stock feature. Beatrice, Nebraska's Jesse VanLaningham saw victory lane in this one. He lead from lap five and held the top spot the rest of the way to the checkers. He finished well ahead of second place Eric Cross who had started back in seventeenth starting spot. Chanse Hollatz was third, fourth went to Justin Wacha, and Scott Pippert was fifth.
It was just like a Super Nationals night at Boone. Race cars filled the pits, and campers and fans were everywhere. Prior to the racing, the 50th year celebration of racing at the track was held, along with a drivers reunion for drivers from the past. The very first feature winner at Boone Speedway was on hand....Carl VanDerWal, and he was joined by many other former racers that put their mark in the record book at Boone. Those that I can recall in attendance were Bob Bonzer, Denny Hovinga, Curt Hansen, Butch Householder, Joe Merryfield, Don Hoffman, Curt Houge, Ray Busch, Gary Lindgren, Denny Rosenberg, Brian Efkamp (who was a big part of getting the gathering together) Tony Efkamp, Mike Smith, Arlo Dorenbush, and Greg Davis. It was great to see some of these heroes of the past.
It was a late night what with all the cars and festivities going on. The racing was done at 2:29 a.m., and after our drive home, I landed in bed at 5:20 a.m. Now we will soon be heading back that way.
We will begin our annual six day run of the Super Nationals on Labor Day, September 4. The first race is scheduled for 2 p.m. with qualifying for the IMCA Northern SportMods and the IMCA Hobby Stocks. What a change we've seen since we first attended back in 1988. We look forward to the coming week as we enjoy the festivities with drivers and race fans from across the country. Check www.raceboone.com for an up to date schedule of each day's racing.
Mike VanGenderen followed up his track championship title by besting the field of IMCA Modifieds. VanGenderen started eleventh and overtook then leader Jordy Nelson at lap 25 of the 30 lap event. VanGenderen held off Nelson the rest of the way to the checkers and the win. Following second place Jordy Nelson was hard charging Chris Abelson who started sixteenth and finished third. Clint Luellen came from tenth starting spot to take fourth place, and Kyle Brown, in his brand new Harris vintage Wood Brothers look car, completed the top five.
The IMCA Northern SportMod 25 lap A main saw Wisconsin racer Lucas Lamberies in victory lane. Lamberies took command at lap three and never looked back, winning comfortably over second place, and current national point leader, Tyler Soppe. Jake McBirnie came from thirteenth starting spot to finish in third place. Fourth was early leader, Carter VanDenBerg and sixteenth place starter Hunter Parson, was fifth.
The IMCA Stock Cars put on their usual exciting racing, with the outcome being decided in the closing moments. Defending Super Nationals champion, Elijah Zevenbergen from Ocheyedan, Iowa, was looking to step back into victory lane as he got out to the early lead and pulled away. Meanwhile, another former Super National's champion, Wisconsin's Brandon Czarapata, and Trent Murphy were going at it for position a distance behind. Zevenbergen then developed a bad push exiting the corners, allowing Czarapata and Murphy to rapidly close in. Zevenbergen and Murphy swapped the lead in the final laps, and Murphy was able to get the advantage and sweep to the 25 lap feature win. Zevenbergen had to be content with the runner up spot, with Czarapata taking third. Todd Inman hustled through the field of cars from twentieth starting spot, to finish in fourth, and track champion Donavon Smith was fifth. The race went caution free.
The final feature was the IMCA 25 lap Hobby Stock feature. Beatrice, Nebraska's Jesse VanLaningham saw victory lane in this one. He lead from lap five and held the top spot the rest of the way to the checkers. He finished well ahead of second place Eric Cross who had started back in seventeenth starting spot. Chanse Hollatz was third, fourth went to Justin Wacha, and Scott Pippert was fifth.
It was just like a Super Nationals night at Boone. Race cars filled the pits, and campers and fans were everywhere. Prior to the racing, the 50th year celebration of racing at the track was held, along with a drivers reunion for drivers from the past. The very first feature winner at Boone Speedway was on hand....Carl VanDerWal, and he was joined by many other former racers that put their mark in the record book at Boone. Those that I can recall in attendance were Bob Bonzer, Denny Hovinga, Curt Hansen, Butch Householder, Joe Merryfield, Don Hoffman, Curt Houge, Ray Busch, Gary Lindgren, Denny Rosenberg, Brian Efkamp (who was a big part of getting the gathering together) Tony Efkamp, Mike Smith, Arlo Dorenbush, and Greg Davis. It was great to see some of these heroes of the past.
It was a late night what with all the cars and festivities going on. The racing was done at 2:29 a.m., and after our drive home, I landed in bed at 5:20 a.m. Now we will soon be heading back that way.
We will begin our annual six day run of the Super Nationals on Labor Day, September 4. The first race is scheduled for 2 p.m. with qualifying for the IMCA Northern SportMods and the IMCA Hobby Stocks. What a change we've seen since we first attended back in 1988. We look forward to the coming week as we enjoy the festivities with drivers and race fans from across the country. Check www.raceboone.com for an up to date schedule of each day's racing.
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Abelson takes Showdown in MoTown Modified Crown, Murty, Schaefer, Pippert and Moyer also take checkers
Friday night, the Marshalltown Speedway held their annual Showdown at MoTown special. There was a nice crowd on hand to watch the 100 cars in competition. Chris Abelson made the high side of the track work to perfection as he sailed to the IMCA Modified feature win. Damon Murty did the same in a thrilling IMCA Stock Car victory. Joey Schaefer went to victory lane in the IMCA Northern SportMod main event, and Scott Pippert led from start to finish in the IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Also on tap was the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks, with Brad Moyer being the victor.
The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks kicked off the night's feature racing and it was Brad Moyer going to the winner's circle after the 15 lap main event. He held back Jeff Frevert in second place, and Lou Sipolt in third. Fourth went to Bret Moyer and Bryan Spangler was fifth. Brad Moyer led the entire 15 laps on his way to victory. As a note, Damon Murty was piloting the #23 Truck last evening. He was running third, when a cut tire took him out of the game.
Joey Schaefer made his way to victory lane from his sixth starting spot in the IMCA Northern SportMod feature. He caught and passed Johnathon Logue, and took command on lap fourteen with a pass down the backstretch. Sam Wieben came flying around the topside and overtook Logue in the closing moments, as they went second and third respectively. Track champion, Travis Peterson was fourth and Jared VanDeest took fifth.
Scott Pippert led the entire 20 laps of the IMCA Hobby Stock A main to take the win. Pippert took advantage of his pole starting spot, and never looked back on his way to victory. A hard charging Chanse Hollatz took second place, and Eric Stanton was a close third. Fourth went to Baxter's Clint Nelson, and veteran Bill Bonnett was fifth.
The 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature event was exciting from start to finish with several cars all vying for the top spots. Todd Reitzler grabbed the lead as the race went green, with the "Chelsea Charger", Damon Murty in hot pursuit. Michael Jaennette threw his hat in the ring and about the same time, Jeff Mueller and Elijah Zevenbergen both made their presence known as well. Murty made his way to the lead as the jousting for position behind him continued. Then Jeff Mueller took command of the top spot at lap eleven.
At lap fourteen, the race was red flagged when Michael Jaennette rolled violently off the top of turns three and four when his right rear slipped off the rim of track. Thankfully he was okay....the car, not so much. Mueller held down the lead when the race went green, and was digging on the low side in an attempt to hold back Murty. Meanwhile, Murty was running his preferred top of the track, as the laps wound down. The final corner proved to be Mueller's bad luck and Murty's good fortune as he surged off of turn four and made it to the checkers first. He has made that last moment topside momentum work more than once at the high banks this year! Mueller had to be content with second, third went to Todd Reitzler, Elijah Zevenbergen, the hot shoe out of Ocheyedan, Iowa, was fourth and Kyle Everts came from twelfth starting spot to finish fifth.
Chris Abelson started eighth and reeled in a flying Josh Gilman. He took charge at lap thirteen of the 25 lap IMCA Modified final feature of the night, and pulled away. The race was halted on lap twenty-three, when Canadian driver Kody Schlopp took a tumble off of turn four. Thankfully, he was not injured. He suffered life threatening injuries just a couple of years ago with a long recovery, after I believe a snowmobile or ATV accident. When the race went back to green for the final two circuits, Abelson once again drove off from the competition. He finished well ahead of second place Clint Luellen. Third went to eighteenth place starter Joel Rust, Kelly Shryock came from seventeenth starting spot to finish fourth, and Tim Ward completed the top five. Abelson went home with $1,000 for the win and is a qualifier for the 2018 Fast Shaft's All Star race.
The Marshalltown Speedway isn't done yet for the 2017 season. Next up is the 11th annual World Nationals with $10,000 to win for the IMCA Modifieds. A practice night is on the schedule for Thursday, September 14. The Modifieds will have qualifying on Friday September 15, along with full shows for the Stock Cars, SportMods, and Hobby Stocks. The grand finale for the Modifieds and the $10,000 prize will be on Saturday, September 16. The Stock Cars, SportMods, and Hobby Stocks will run another complete show. For more information, check out www.marshalltownspeedway.com.
Tonight, it's off to Boone for the Prelude to the Super Nationals. We anticipate lots and lots of cars, taking a chance (sometimes a great idea, other times, not so good) and getting in a little practice before the start of the 2017 Super Nationals starting on Labor Day. Then we catch a breath for just a day, and then will start our annual six day run of America's Racin' Vacation. We look forward to seeing the drivers, cars, the pageantry, and racing friends from far and wide.
The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks kicked off the night's feature racing and it was Brad Moyer going to the winner's circle after the 15 lap main event. He held back Jeff Frevert in second place, and Lou Sipolt in third. Fourth went to Bret Moyer and Bryan Spangler was fifth. Brad Moyer led the entire 15 laps on his way to victory. As a note, Damon Murty was piloting the #23 Truck last evening. He was running third, when a cut tire took him out of the game.
Joey Schaefer made his way to victory lane from his sixth starting spot in the IMCA Northern SportMod feature. He caught and passed Johnathon Logue, and took command on lap fourteen with a pass down the backstretch. Sam Wieben came flying around the topside and overtook Logue in the closing moments, as they went second and third respectively. Track champion, Travis Peterson was fourth and Jared VanDeest took fifth.
Scott Pippert led the entire 20 laps of the IMCA Hobby Stock A main to take the win. Pippert took advantage of his pole starting spot, and never looked back on his way to victory. A hard charging Chanse Hollatz took second place, and Eric Stanton was a close third. Fourth went to Baxter's Clint Nelson, and veteran Bill Bonnett was fifth.
The 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature event was exciting from start to finish with several cars all vying for the top spots. Todd Reitzler grabbed the lead as the race went green, with the "Chelsea Charger", Damon Murty in hot pursuit. Michael Jaennette threw his hat in the ring and about the same time, Jeff Mueller and Elijah Zevenbergen both made their presence known as well. Murty made his way to the lead as the jousting for position behind him continued. Then Jeff Mueller took command of the top spot at lap eleven.
At lap fourteen, the race was red flagged when Michael Jaennette rolled violently off the top of turns three and four when his right rear slipped off the rim of track. Thankfully he was okay....the car, not so much. Mueller held down the lead when the race went green, and was digging on the low side in an attempt to hold back Murty. Meanwhile, Murty was running his preferred top of the track, as the laps wound down. The final corner proved to be Mueller's bad luck and Murty's good fortune as he surged off of turn four and made it to the checkers first. He has made that last moment topside momentum work more than once at the high banks this year! Mueller had to be content with second, third went to Todd Reitzler, Elijah Zevenbergen, the hot shoe out of Ocheyedan, Iowa, was fourth and Kyle Everts came from twelfth starting spot to finish fifth.
Chris Abelson started eighth and reeled in a flying Josh Gilman. He took charge at lap thirteen of the 25 lap IMCA Modified final feature of the night, and pulled away. The race was halted on lap twenty-three, when Canadian driver Kody Schlopp took a tumble off of turn four. Thankfully, he was not injured. He suffered life threatening injuries just a couple of years ago with a long recovery, after I believe a snowmobile or ATV accident. When the race went back to green for the final two circuits, Abelson once again drove off from the competition. He finished well ahead of second place Clint Luellen. Third went to eighteenth place starter Joel Rust, Kelly Shryock came from seventeenth starting spot to finish fourth, and Tim Ward completed the top five. Abelson went home with $1,000 for the win and is a qualifier for the 2018 Fast Shaft's All Star race.
The Marshalltown Speedway isn't done yet for the 2017 season. Next up is the 11th annual World Nationals with $10,000 to win for the IMCA Modifieds. A practice night is on the schedule for Thursday, September 14. The Modifieds will have qualifying on Friday September 15, along with full shows for the Stock Cars, SportMods, and Hobby Stocks. The grand finale for the Modifieds and the $10,000 prize will be on Saturday, September 16. The Stock Cars, SportMods, and Hobby Stocks will run another complete show. For more information, check out www.marshalltownspeedway.com.
Tonight, it's off to Boone for the Prelude to the Super Nationals. We anticipate lots and lots of cars, taking a chance (sometimes a great idea, other times, not so good) and getting in a little practice before the start of the 2017 Super Nationals starting on Labor Day. Then we catch a breath for just a day, and then will start our annual six day run of America's Racin' Vacation. We look forward to seeing the drivers, cars, the pageantry, and racing friends from far and wide.
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