Marshalltown Speedway was finally able to put race number one of 2018 into the books on Thursday night, when it held the first of the Twin High Banks Hustles. Week after week of weathered out scheduled races, plagued the fast quarter-mile and promoter Toby Kruse was determined to get the track going with a special Thursday night show.
I counted 119 race cars participating last evening, and the 42 Modifieds gave forth to ten and eleven cars in a heat....which were more like features! The stout field of drivers was impressive. The SportMods had twenty-seven the Hobby Stocks twenty-one, Stock Cars seventeen, and Late Models yielded a dozen cars.
Hometown boy, Darrel DeFrance, snapped up the feature win in the IMCA Late Model division, Joel Rust held off a last minute charge to win the IMCA Modified feature, and it was Damon Murty once again showing his prowess on the track with the IMCA Stock Car victory. Jared VanDeest secured his first win at Marshalltown of the 2018 season in the IMCA Northern SportMods, and it was multi-time IMCA National Hobby Stock champion, Shannon Anderson taking yet another win.
The Northern SportMods kicked off the night's feature racing. The 20-lap A main was led early by Travis Storjohann as he led the troops through the opening laps, only to have sixth place starter Jared VanDeest take over the top spot at lap four. From there on, it was all VanDeest's race, as he kept that lead to the checkers to take the win. Following in second place was Brayton Carter with a great run, third went to Austin Luellen who had to start 22nd on the field and qualifying through the B main, Dusty Masolini finished fourth, and fourteenth place starter, and defending track champion Sam Wieben, came home in fifth.
It took the fourth try before the IMCA Hobby Stockers got the first lap in the book. Whether it was being too anxious, rookie mistakes, etc., it was getting a bit frustrating for the fans sitting in the cold and wind, but no doubt for the drivers as well. When it finally went green, it was none other than Shannon Anderson holding the top spot. Anderson, who started sixth, was only threatened in the closing laps when Eric Stanton closed in and challenged, only to be denied. Stanton started tenth, and had to settle for the runner up spot. Third place finisher Gene Nicklas came from eleventh starting position, to finish third, just passing fourth place Justin Wacha in the closing moments, and Worthington, Minnesota racer Keeran Sampson rounded out the top five.
Damon Murty added to his list of IMCA Stock Car victories, taking home yet another win in the 20-lap event. Murty caught leader Jay Schmidt and after a spirited battle, took over the lead on lap nine. The final laps saw Murty drive away to take the easy win. Jeff Mueller got by Jay Schmidt in the closing laps, as they finished second and third respectively. Paul Shepard finished in fourth, and Tyler Pickett was fifth.
Joel Rust established the lead from his outside front row starting spot as the IMCA Modified feature went green. Rust would then hold that lead the entire race on his way to winning the $1,000 prize and qualifying for the Fast Shafts All-Star ballot. Rust had to hold off the threats of Hunter Marriott in the closing moments, but Marriott's attempts did not work, and he had to be content with the runner up spot. Ninth place starter Tyler Droste was third, Tim Ward was fourth, and Ethan Dotson was fifth.
Darrel DeFrance grabbed the lead when the green flag flew in the IMCA 20-lap Late Model night cap, only to have the race red flagged with one lap down for a nasty looking incident on the backstretch. Seven cars were involved in the mayhem, with the cars of Curtis Glover and Todd Cooney rolling. Thankfully, no one was injured, but several cars were eliminated in the unfortunate incident. When the race was restarted, it was DeFrance keeping his run at the front, and maintaining it all the way home to the checkers. Chad Holliday was second, Rob Toland took third, fourth went Curt Schroeder, and Luke Pestka was fifth. There may be some cars unable to race tonight due to the pile up just before turn three, and with some drivers probably destined for their home track racing tonight mainly in eastern Iowa, the Late Models may be short indeed for night two of the High Banks Hustle.
It wasn't pleasant sitting out in the strong northwesterly wind last night, and everyone was bundled up. Well, not every one! How some people come with flip flops, shorts and t-shirts is beyond me!
Our vehicle is always loaded with extra layers, extra blankets, gloves, hand warmers, etc.,...even into the summer months. It's Iowa!
We were happy to see racing friends and family last evening, and nice to be joined by fellow Positively Racing writers Jeff Broeg, (head guru) Danny Rosencrans, and sitting not far from us was Wisconsinite, Ed Reichert. Be sure and check their takes of the night's action as well.
The second of the Twin High Banks Hustles will be run tonight,along with the Mod Lites joining the other five classes racing. Hot laps are 7 with racing at 7:30. Hope to see some of you there, and pray for calmer winds!
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