The Dale DeFrance Memorial race at the Marshalltown Speedway was held on Thursday night and the stands were filled. One hundred and fifty cars with drivers from ten states came to race in honor of the patriarch of the storied DeFrance racing family. Ryan Dolan ran the slick race track to perfection in taking the win in the IMCA Late Model division, and it was Terry Phillips who stole the show in the IMCA Modified feature. Damon Murty nabbed yet another IMCA Stock Car win at the High Banks, Austin Luellen won for the second time in the SportMods, Eric Stanton took a comfortable win in the IMCA Hobby Stock class, and veteran Mike Morrill used a borrowed car to take home the trophy in the Mod Lite feature event.
Mike Morrill's season turned around on Thursday night when he stood in victory lane after the Mod Lite feature. Morrill, who has had mechanical issues this year, including a blown motor, was in a borrowed car from fellow racer Erin Turner. Morrill started on the pole and led all laps on his way to his first win of the year. He was chased the entire distance by Colona, Illinois driver, Jason Masongarb. Masongarb could muster no more than the runner up position. Third went to the previous two week's winner, Randy Bryan, Doug Byers came from twelfth starting spot, to finish fourth, and visiting driver from Salina, Kansas, Trace Ayers, finished fifth after starting thirteenth.
Eric Stanton drove his IMCA Hobby Stock into victory lane after taking the checkers, with a flat tire. Stanton started tenth and took over the lead at lap six, and never looked back. He finished comfortably ahead of second place Shannon Anderson who came from twelfth spot, and Eric Knutson came from thirteenth, to finish third. John Watson and Leah Wroten rounded out the top five. Stanton had won the previous night at the Southern Iowa Speedway in his white hatchback... tonight his ride of choice was his black hatchback Buick Century car. Stanton took his second feature win at Marshalltown this season.
Austin Luellen also snagged his second feature win of the season in the IMCA Northern SportMod class. Luellen duked it out in the early laps with Travis Peterson and Jared VanDeest. He won that battle to take the lead at lap five, and then led the remaining fifteen laps to the checkered flag. Jared VanDeest took the runner up spot, Ethan Braaksma finished third, Chase Rudolf, who is looking strong this year, took fourth, and visiting Beatrice, Nebraska racer, Lance Borgman, was fifth. The race went caution free.
Damon Murty dominated once again in the IMCA Stock Car feature as he took his third win of the season. Murty, who started on the pole, circled the topside of the track, which he seems to own, and was never threatened on his way to victory. He finished well ahead of second place Jeff Wollam, who chased the winner most of the race. Todd Reitzler finished a close third, Donavon Smith came from thirteenth starting spot to take fourth, and Steve Meyer was fifth after starting eleventh.
The IMCA Modifieds had a stellar field of 38 drivers from all across the country. The front row consisted of New Mexico's Stormy Scott, and talented Springfield, Missouri racer, Terry Phillips. When the 25-lap feature began, Phillips jumped to the immediate lead. Phillips never relinquished that top spot, slicing through lap traffic with ease, as he motored to the win. New Mexico driver Johnny Scott, brother of the pole sitter, chased the leader most of the race, but could garner no more than second place. Tyler Droste ran up front the entire feature and finished in third place. Pole sitter Stormy Scott was fourth, and Todd Shute rounded out the top five. The race went flag to flag. Phillips is the son of the late racing legend, Larry Phillips.
The finale of the evening, was the 44-lap IMCA Late Model race, run in memory of the late Dale DeFrance. DeFrance was the patriarch of the racing DeFrance family, a racer himself, running the #44 car, and later in life, a supporter of his children, and grandchildren's racing. Earlier in the evening, Dale was remembered in a ceremony in Victory Lane with his children Darrel DeFrance, and daughter Judy DeFrance Gustin, his racing grandchildren, Jimmy, Richie, Jenae, and Ryan Gustin, along with other family members and friends.
When the green flag dropped in the Late Model feature, it was Todd Cooney getting the jump out front, only to relinquish that top spot to Ryan Dolan at lap two. Dolan maneuvered the shiny blackened track skillfully throughout the entire race, slicing through lap traffic easily to take the win. Kyle Hinrichs drew closer to Dolan at times, but in end, was a distant runner up. Todd Cooney held on to third place, Jeremiah Hurst came from twelfth, to finish in fourth, and John Emerson was fifth. Dolan is the son of former area racer, Roger Dolan.
The evening was a great one, despite the strong winds once again blowing toward the grandstands. What's with these strong Iowa winds this year? Those winds also made for a more than chilly night as well, even with winter coats and blankets, that we carry all race season long. Those that did not come prepared, no doubt wished they had.
It was also great to have two former announcers on the mic last evening, Denny Grabenbauer and Jerry Mackey. They joined in the night's mic duties along with regular announcer Jerry Vansickel.
There will be no racing at the Marshalltown Speedway this Friday night, allowing the Iowa High School Rodeo to have their turn at the fairgrounds. Next Friday, May 18, will be the Salute to the Military Night with racing in all weekly divisions. The green flag drops at 7:30.
No comments:
Post a Comment