The best crowd of the year filled the historic grandstand at the Southern Iowa Speedway last evening, on Hall of Fame induction night...a night when those from the past were honored for their contribution to the racing history at the big old half mile.
The Sport Compacts ran their main event first with veteran Bill Whalen, Jr. jumping to the immediate lead. He was looking for his second win of the season after scoring the opening night feature, but Brandon Housley had other ideas. Housely reeled in Whalen, caught him at lap six of the ten lap feature, and began tormenting him. He took command on the white flag lap, and then sailed home to his sixth win of 2018, his only loss to Whalen on the season opener. Kyle Boyd made a final lap surge to pass Whalen at the checkers, as they finished second and third. Fourth went to Cody Phillips and Nathan Moody was fifth. Housley has a six race streak going into next week's season final.
Jamie Songer took advantage of his outside front row starting spot in the 15-lap Hobby Stock feature. He was in command from lap one and never relinquished it all the way to the checkers and the win. There was great racing for second as Craig Brown, Brad Stephens, and Dustin Griffiths were battling hard behind Songer. In the closing laps, Griffiths mounted a challenge on the leader, but fell short and had to be content with the runner up spot this night. Craig Brown finished in third, while a couple of veteran racers, Brad Stephens and Rick VanDusseldorp rounded out the top five. A check of my records shows that Songer's last trip to victory lane at Osky was back in May of 2015.
It was no surprise to see the #1v once again sitting on the frontstretch in victory lane at the conclusion of the 16 lap SportMod feature. Curtis VanDerWal got the lucky redraw and started outside the front row and was never challenged on his way to victory. Two yellow flags would fly but neither would hinder VanDerWal's road to the winner's circle. Blaine Webster ran second to the winner the entire distance to take the runner up spot. Visitor from Norway, Iowa, Tim Plummer, finished in third position, fourth went to Brayton Carter, and Greg Cox, former Modified racer, rounded out the top five. This was the third win for VanDerWal this year.
The Stock Cars were the highlight of the night's racing, running for $1,000 to win. The 25-lap A main saw sixth place starter, "Chelsea Charger", Damon Murty get to the front with just three laps in the books, never to give up that coveted spot all the way to the flying checkers and the win. Cayden Carter, in his "Orange Crush" machine, mounted a challenge in the late portion of the race, but his attempts at a low look for a way around Murty came up short and he had to be content with the runner up spot. Third went to twelfth place starter Nathan Wood who had a good late race run, fourth was Mike Hughes with the hard charger award, coming from nineteenth starting position, and Donnie Pearson came home in fifth. Nathan Wood is the track point leader going into next week's season finale. He leads Derrick Agee by one point, and Mike Hughes sits in third, just two points behind.
During intermission, the 2018 Hall of Fame members were honored in a moving on track ceremony, emceed by Jerry Mackey on the mic. The late Johnny Babb was the first to be honored for his 28-year career in racing locally and beyond Iowa's borders.
Another late great, Dave Farren, Sr. was next to be inducted into the Southern Iowa Speedway Hall of Fame. Accepting the honor was Dave's wife and family. wearing purple, as Dave was known for his familiar purple #3 Modified. Farren won not only track championships at the speedway, but numerous other track titles, was a two time IMCA National Champion, 1986 and l988, and had 199 career feature wins...winning an impressive 32 features in 1988 alone.
Jim and Joe Durian were honored for their ten year tenure of promoting at the track in the 1990's. The brothers were a vital part of keeping the racing alive and well at the track during the hay day of competition at the Monster Half Mile. They credited their success both to family and staff who worked along side them during their time as promoters.
Ed Sanger....a legend in Iowa racing and beyond, was also honored, and on hand to accept his award. Sanger was among the first Iowa racers to travel beyond Iowa and meet success in doing so. He was not only a success behind the wheel, winning over an outstanding 600 features in his racing career, but also a fantastic race car builder. Sanger is also a member of the Iowa Motorsports Hall of Fame. It was an honor to have Ed on hand last night to accept his award, and we were lucky enough to congratulate him at the end of the evening.
Next week will be the last of the weekly racing program at Oskaloosa this year. Make note however, that the season championship program will be on TUESDAY night, July 17, instead of the regular Wednesday night show. Then on Wednesday night, the USMTS Modified touring series comes to town for a special night of racing action. Both races will be during the Southern Iowa Fair. It's a big week of area racing as Thursday night, July 19, the Knoxville Raceway will be hosting the Dynamic Drivelines Dirt Duel. It is also a Dirt Knights tour for the IMCA Modifieds. The IMCA Northern SportMods will also be on the docket.
There's lots of shows to choose from in this busy time. Get out and find a race to attend, and support the sport we all love....dirt track racing.
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