Five track titles claimed at Boone Speedway

Saturday night saw the Boone Speedway close out their regular season schedule.  It was season championships, and at the end of the night, five drivers were crowned with a track title. There was a big crowd on hand to witness the night's racing program.

The top 20 in points were locked into the features, all classes starting straight up by points. B mains would have been run to fill in the fields, but with a top count of 25 in the Stock Cars, none were needed.  The drivers were introduced on the frontstretch prior to their respective main event, allowing fans to show their appreciation.

Only one point separated three drivers in the Mod Lite chase for the track title going into the final contest. Bryan Zehm sat one point up over both Joe Glick and Travis Stensland.  Stensland started third, and immediately flew to the lead.  From there on, it was all Stensland's race, leading all laps in the caution free event.  He took the checkers, the win, and the track championship.  He finished well ahead of second place Mike Kennedy, who started tenth.  Third went to Joe Glick, fourth was Randy Bryan, and Charlie Brown completed the top five.  Stensland won the championship by two points over Glick.

Andrew Burg had the season championship wrapped up before the feature began for the IMCA Hobby Stocks, leading by 31 points, but he added an explanation mark by winning the 15-lap feature in easy fashion.  Burg led flag to flag, in the race that went caution free.  Jack Phillips finished as the runner up, third went to Aaron Rudolph, Solomon Bennett finished fourth, followed by John Watson in fifth.   This was Burg's sixth trip to victory lane at Boone Speedway this season, and his first track championship at the 1/4 mile track.

Johnathon Logue started outside the front row beside point leader Austin Luellen in the 20-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature.  There was 15 points separating the two for the track championship.  Logue took the lead as the race went green, and kept his ride at the front of the pack the entire distance to take the checkers and the win.  Austin Luellen finished second, but had a real battle to pull it off with Jake McBirnie, Cory Pestotnik, and Chad Ryerson.  Cory Pestotnik took third place, in a charge to the finish line, just beating fourth place Jake McBirnie, followed closely by Chad Ryerson in fifth.  Logue captured his fourth feature win at Boone this year and Austin Luellen held on to his point lead to claim the track title.

Jay Schmidt went into the 20-lap feature in the IMCA Stock Cars up by 16 points, but with a field of 25 cars, it wasn't a given track championship quite yet.  Johnny Spaw was the driver sitting in second place, and just 2 more points behind him, was Donavon Smith.  As the race began, Spaw jumped to the lead, never to look back on his way to victory.  Donavon Smith took a couple of peeks for a way around, but had to be content with second.  Thirteenth place starter, Devin Smith was the hard charger of the race, as he finished third.  Fourth went to Scott Davis, and Robert Stofer was fifth.  Spaw took his fourth feature win of the season, but with a seventh place finish, Jay Schmidt took the track championship, repeating his 2015 title.

Just 8 points separated Randy Havlik and Eric Elliott for the track title in the IMCA Modifieds.  Elliott snatched the lead as the 25-lap race began and Havlik tucked in right behind him to run second.  At lap nine, it was fifth place starter Tim Ward taking command and from then on, never giving up that top spot the remaining laps to the checkers.  He finished comfortably ahead of second place Eric Elliott.  Third went to seventh place starter Tony Hofbauer, a close fourth was Al Wolfgram, and Randy Havlik rounded out the top five.  Ward chalked up his fourth win at the speedway, and Havlik claimed the track championship as well as the $8,000 Snap on Tool Box that went along with it. Havlik, in  his Assault Chassis, claimed his first Boone Speedway track championship.

The regular season has drawn to an end at the Boone Speedway, but there is much racing yet to come on the track.  Next Saturday night, September 1 is the Prelude to the Super Nationals.  Pits open at 2, grandstands at 3, hot laps at 4, and racing at 5.  Expect a plethora of cars tuning up for the 36th Annual Super Nationals that starts on Labor Day, Monday, September 3. A look back at last year's Prelude, shows that 287 cars packed the pits, for a full and long night of racing action. Many of the campers will be already set up in the parking lot as well, awaiting the six night Super National's run.

Six track champions crowned on Larry Wollam season championship night at the Marshmallow Speedway

Friday night was Larry Wollam Season Championship night at the Marshalltown Speedway.  Six track champions were crowned to close out the regular racing season.

The top 10 in points were locked into the feature, and qualifying races were run for starting position to fill in the main events.  The IMCA Late Models however, did run typical heats since that division acquires points through heat race finishes.

Travis Stensland, as point leader, began the 15-lap Mod Lite feature from the pole position, and was looking to easily win the main event.  However, it's never over, until it's over! Stensland was off power as he approached the checkers coming out of turn four, and Joe Glick swept passed him just before the checkers and took the win. Stensland held on to the runner up spot, Mike Morrill finished in third, followed by Randy Bryan and Charlie Brown fourth and fifth in that order.  Stensland's night was not all bad, as he held his point lead and was the first driver of the night to take a track championship title.

Shannon Anderson had the track title wrapped up before the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature even began.  Anderson began the feature from the pole spot, and led all laps on the way to his ninth regular season feature win.  David Rieks tailed Anderson much of the race, but finished a distant second.  Third went to Leah Wroten, fourth was Matt Smith, and Eric Knutson completed the top five.  Anderson repeated his track title from 2017.

Jared VanDeest started seventh on the field in the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod main event, and made the pass on then leader Ethan Braaksma at lap thirteen.  From there on, he held the top spot to the flying checkers and the win.  Second place went to Sam Wieben, early leader Ethan Braaksma fell back to finish third, fourth went to Travis Peterson, and Cory Rose came from row five, to finish in fifth. Ethan Braaksma is the 2018 Northern SportMod track champion.

The IMCA Stock Car 18-lap feature saw the two drivers seen all season long chasing each other at the rim of the track....Damon Murty and Todd Reitzler.  Murty grabbed the immediate lead from his outside front row starting spot, and pole sitter Reitzler, fell in right behind.  From there on, it was Murty and Reitzler running the top of the high banks the entire race, and Murty taking the win, with Reitzler settling for second.  Third was a distant Steve Meyer, fourth went to Jeff Wollam, and Curt Hook rounded out the top five.  This was Murty's sixth regular feature win of the season.  Todd Reitzler had the track title wrapped up before the evening began, claiming his first track championship at Marshalltown. 

Todd Cooney in the IMCA Late Model division, also had the track championship in hand before the racing began.  He also led the 20-lap feature flag to flag, winning for the seventh time this year.  He won easily over second place Jeremiah Hurst, Darrel DeFrance was a distant third, and Shawn Cooney and Dave Wada finished fourth and fifth respectively.  Cooney defended his track title from 2017.

The IMCA Modifieds ran a 20-lap main event to end the evening's racing.  This one saw Tim Ward take the lead at lap one and sixth place starter Joel Rust immediately tucked into second place.  Rust took several peeks under Ward as the race wore down, but Ward was not deterred on his run to the checkers and the win. Rust finished as the runner up, Ronn Lauritzen took third place, fourth was Josh May and Scott Simotavich was fifth.  Ward captured win #3 on the season.  The track champion, Racer Hulin dropped out of the race with mechanical issues, but had the crown already wrapped up before the race began.

Also giving the fans some extra entertainment for the night were the Micro Mods and the Micro Sprints.  Jason Gorman won the feature in the Micro Mods, and Micro Sprint winner was 12 year old Jury Ellis.

Although the regular season is complete, there is still racing ahead at the Marshalltown Speedway.  Next Friday night, August 31 is the Showdown in Motown.  The IMCA Modifieds will be racing for $1,000 to win, the IMCA Stock Cars and the IMCA Northern SportMods for $500, and the IMCA Hobby Stocks for $300.  The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks are also on the program.  Hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:30.  Then on September 13-15, the 12th annual World Nationals will be held at the High Banks.  Night one is practice night allowing drivers from far and wide to test out the fast quarter-mile. The IMCA Modifieds are racing for $10,000 to win on the final night.  Both nights the IMCA Stock Cars, and Northern SportMods will seek a $1,000 pay day and Hobby Stocks $500 each night as they will be running full programs.  Check the Marshalltown Speedway Facebook page or website, for more detailed information.

The way the weather was in our area most of the day yesterday, the question on many drivers and fans minds was if Mother Nature would allow the final regular scheduled race at Marshalltown.  It was not only a dreary day with rain cells roaming the state, but a bit chilly as well.  However, it was a pleasant surprise to see the sun finally come peeking through not long before the cars took to the track. Lightning began flashing to the south as we left the track and by the time we got home, we'd had half an inch of rain...Marshalltown Speedway lucked out. 

Get out and find a race to attend in support of the sport we love....dirt track racing!



 

Gustin grabs Modified feature at Boone

The Boone Speedway saw all repeat winners on Saturday night.  Jimmy Gustin grabbed the win in the IMCA Modified class, veteran racer Robert Stofer took the honors in the IMCA Stock Car division, Jake McBirnie returned to Victory Lane in the IMCA Northern SportMods, Aaron Rudolph made it two in a row in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Charlie Brown was victorious in the Mod Lite division. All on a beautiful summer night in Iowa with 128 cars checked into the pits.

Charlie Brown led from start to finish in the 15-lap MADCRA Mod Lite feature.  He outdistanced second place Joe Glick by a comfortable margin.  Bryan Zehm came from tenth starting spot to capture third place, fourth went to ninth place starter Travis Stensland, and father Jeff Stensland rounded out the top five.  This was Brown's second win this season.

It's a tight points race for the track championship with next week's season championship deciding who will wear the crown.  Bryan Zehm sits one point up on both Joe Glick and Travis Stensland.

Jake McBirnie found his way back to Victory Lane in the IMCA Northern SportMod class.  McBirnie raced side by side with then leader Kevin Yearington for several laps before finally taking over the lead at lap eleven.  From there on McBirnie distanced himself from the competition, and swept home to a comfortable win despite having to endure two more cautions and subsequent restarts.  Yearington held on to the runner up spot, Thomas Egenberger just beat Johnathon Logue at the stripe as they went third and fourth respectively, and Curtis Veber completed the top five.  The win marked McBirnie's fifth trip to the winner's circle in 2018 at the speedway.

Austin Luellen is seeking his first track title in the SportMod division as he holds a 15 point lead over Johnathon Logue, with just next week's race left. 

The IMCA Stock Cars put on their usual entertaining feature event.  Robert Stofer started eighth and took over as captain of the ship at lap two and was content to let the cars behind him duke it out for position as he rode comfortably in the lead.  There was a spirited battle brewing among the contenders running second through fifth spots.  Scott Davis, Trent Murphy, Jay Schmidt and Tyler Pickett were battling one another for position as the laps wound down, and it was anyone's guess as to the outcome in the closing moments.  As Stofer took the checkers, it was Trent Murphy getting the upper hand to score the runner up spot, Jay Schmidt started twelfth and finished in third place, Scott Davis won the battle for fourth, and Tyler Pickett took fifth.  This was Stofer's second win of the year.

Going into next week's championship event, it was Jay Schmidt regaining his point lead last night.  He sits 16 points up on Johnny Spaw and 18 points up on Donavon Smith.  Schmidt debuted his new-look snazzy white wrapped hot rod last night....dubbing it "Betty White". You may recall he had "Black Betty" a few years ago. 

Robert Avery was the early leader of the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature, but Jimmy Gustin, who started eighth on the field, wasted no time in getting to his tail by lap four.  Just two laps later, Gustin made the pass for the lead and then stretched it out.  He was leading by half a lap when that was all erased when a yellow flew with just three laps remaining.  It didn't bother Gustin however, as he motored away from the field on the restart, and swept to the comfortable win.  Tony Hilgenberg ran up front all night and finished second, third was early leader Robert Avery, and Eric Elliott beat out Joel Bushore as they finished fourth and fifth respectively.  This was Gustin's second win of 2018 as he also won the season opener.

Going into next week's season final, it is Randy Havlik with an eight point lead over Eric Elliott as they battle for the Modified track title.

Aaron Rudolph made it two wins in a row by snapping up the IMCA Hobby Stock 12-lap main event.  Rudolph worked his way from tenth starting position to catch leader David McQuiston.  With just two laps remaining in the contest, Rudolph made the pass and stole the win.  McQuiston had to be satisfied with the runner up spot, Jack Phillips finished in third, fourth was John Watson, and Todd Bass started in twenty-fourth spot...tail end Charlie, and finished in fifth.  Rudolph took win #3 for the season.

Andrew Burg, despite finishing fifteenth last night and missing one week, still holds an insurmountable 41 point lead in the Hobby Stock chase over Aaron Rudolph.

The night cap was the running of the 2-person Cruiser cars.  Once again, it was the duo of Mason and  Agan returning to the podium as they captured back to back wins. You can't miss them on the track as they sport two giant color-changing light sticks attached to the trunk. 

Next Saturday night, August 25, is season championship night and the crowning of track champions.  The top 20 in points will be locked into their respective features and if need be, the field will be completed through qualifying races. 

The following week on Saturday September 1 will be the Prelude to the Super Nationals.  With many cars already arriving for the Super Nationals Labor Day week run, it will no doubt be a full night of racing action. There were 287 cars racing in 2017's Prelude night.  Note the early start times.  Pits open at 2, front gates at 3, hot laps are 4, and racing starts at 5.  The following Monday, Labor Day, begins the six day run of the 36th annual Super Nationals.  If you want to see a lot of racing, put at least one of those six days on your bucket list to see the spectacle that is the IMCA Super Nationals. 

Rust and Reitzler rule the topside at the Marshalltown High Banks

It was another summer night of race track lights for us at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday. All six classes of cars were in competition, and a $1,000 pay day for the winner of the IMCA Late Models, and $500 going to the IMCA Northern SportMod feature winner.

In the Mod Lite feature it was point leader Travis Stensland returning to the winner's circle for the third consecutive week.  Stensland started tenth, had the lead at lap three, and never looked back.  Charlie Brown finished as the runner up, and eighth place starter Joe Glick was a close third.  Mike Morrill came from ninth, to finish fourth and Joel Huggins was fifth.  Stensland scored his fourth victory of the year at the speedway.

Next Friday is season championship night and the track title will be decided with Stensland leading Mike Morrill by six points.

The third time was the charm in finally getting the IMCA Hobby Stock feature under way.  When the race did get started, by lap two, the familiar #78 of Shannon Anderson was already in command.  Anderson started tenth, withstood three more cautions and captured the win.  It was a close one for second and third with David Rieks taking second, just beating out Gene Nicklas in third. Matt Smith came from deep in the starting field to finish in fourth, and Justin Wacha completed the top five.  Anderson made this regular season win #8, and four in as row, plus he also won the High Banks Hustle special.

Anderson has the track championship wrapped up ahead of second place Rieks by 56 points.  He also leads the nationals points in the IMCA Hobby Stock division as he seeks yet another championship there.

The IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap feature went to Jake McBirnie.  McBirnie, who has been close, but no cigar this year at Marshalltown, finally put his hot rod in Victory Lane.  McBirnie started seventh, and took command after a restart at lap nine. He never relinquished that lead the remaining distance to the finish and the flying checkers.  Last week's winner Travis Storjohann ran second most of the race, and finished as the runner up.  Third went to visiting Sherrill, Iowa's Tyler Soppe, who started fifteenth, fourth was Jared VanDeest from starting eleventh, and Travis Peterson was fifth.

Ethan Braaksma has a five point lead on second place Travis Peterson for the track championship decisive race next Friday night.

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars found two drivers rim riding the High Banks most of the race.  Todd Reitzler worked his way masterfully through the field from starting eighth, to the top spot at lap six, and then took to the top side for his run to the checkers.  Damon Murty moved to his preferred rim riding spot also to chase Reitzler, but could do no better than second. Early leader Scott Rice finished in third place, followed by Curt Hook in fourth and veteran racer Jeff Wollam was fifth.  Reitzler claimed win #5 at the track this year.

 Reitzler has the track crown about to be placed on his head as he leads Murty by a whopping 56 points.

Todd Cooney went home with yet another win in the IMCA Late Model class, plus the $1,000 prize money for the night.  Cooney got the lead with just six laps of the 20-lap main event remaining and took the flying checkers.  Jeremiah Hurst was the runner up after catching hometown racer Darrel DeFrance late in the race, DeFrance ending up in third.  Fourth went to tenth place starter Ben Seeman, and Joe Zrostlik came from twelfth, to finish fifth.  Cooney claimed his sixth feature win at Marshalltown this year.

Cooney has the track title all but wrapped up, leading DeFrance by 33 points as we head into next week's final race of the season.

Joel Rust rode the rim of the High Banks in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature, hitting his mark perfectly each time, and took the easy win.  Rust started eighth, took the lead at lap five, and pulled away for the comfortable win.  He finished well ahead of runner up Scott Simatovich, Ronn Lauritzen started seventh and finished third, fourth went to Tim Ward, and Taylor Musselman started thirteenth, and rounded out the top five.  Rust has five regular season wins, plus also winning the High Banks Hustle back on April 26.

Laurel, Iowa's Race Hulin sits 22 points up on Tim Ward as he seeks his first track title in the IMCA Modified division.

There was a good crowd on hand last evening, watching the 108 race cars participating on a warm August night. The racing action was good as well, with a definite high groove and low groove.  Those that flirted with disaster at the rim of the track did a masterful job, and Joel Rust and Todd Reitzler tamed the High Banks last night.

Next Friday night is season championship, ending the regular season of racing at Marshalltown.  The track doesn't fall silent quite yet however.  Friday August 31 is the Showdown at Motown.  Expect extra cars that night as the state will begin to be inundated with those making their way for the 2018 Super Nationals at Boone Speedway beginning on Labor Day.  Then the track's last 2018 hoorah will be the 12th Annual World Nationals on September 14 and 15, postponed due to weather from it's original scheduled dates back in March. The IMCA Modifieds will pay $10,000 to the winner.  The Stock Cars and the SportMods will be running for $1,000 pay days each night, and the Hobby Stocks for $500 both nights.  There will be a practice night on September 13.

The season is winding down fast!  Seems we just got it started.  There are still plenty of races to  attend though.  Check the racing calendar at Positively Racing and find a race to attend.   

   

Bushore buzzes his way to another Modified victory at Boone Speedway

It was Elmquist Towing and KMJ Performance night at the races on Saturday at the Boone Speedway and fan appreciation night.  There were $1 hot dogs and $1 soft drinks all night long.

 All but one driver took return trips to victory lane.  It was Donavon Smith stepping foot into the winner's circle for the first time this season in the IMCA Stock Car division.  Joel Bushore buzzed his way to another IMCA Modified victory in his 6-cylinder machine, Johnathon Logue in the IMCA Northern SportMod class, Aaron Rudolph in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, Mike Kennedy in the Mod Lites, and the 2-person Cruiser tag team of Mason and Agan also repeated earlier wins.

The Mod Lite 15-lap feature did not start well.  Justin Rankin got crossed up as cars raced 3-wide down the backstretch, and took a nasty ride... rolling several times.  Thankfully he was not injured.

When the race got underway, it was Mike Kennedy flying to the lead from his fifth starting spot, and then pulling away.  He was slicing through the field with ease, and enjoying a comfortable lead when the yellow came out, erasing it all.  However, Kennedy was able to maintain that top spot when the race resumed and raced home to the checkers.  It was a close one at those checkers however, with Bryan Zehm and Travis Stensland nipping at his heels as they crossed the finish line, second and third in that order.  Joe Glick finished fourth and Charlie Brown was fifth.  Kennedy won for the second time this year.

The race for the track title in the MADCRA Mod Lites continues to be a tight one among three drivers.  Bryan Zehm and Travis Stensland are tied with Joe Glick sitting just two points back.

Johnathon Logue returned to the winner's circle for the third time this season in the IMCA Northern SportMod division.  Logue came from eleventh starting spot to capture that victory in the 18-lap event. Twelfth place starter Jake McBirnie followed him through the pack of cars, chased him much of the latter portion of the race to finish as the runner up.  Austin Luellen started fourteenth and finished third, fourth went to Tyler Titus, and Dusty Masolini completed the top five.

Earlier after their heat races were completed, there was a dash for cash  for the SportMods, held courtesy of Elmquist Towing sponsor of the evening.  The two last place finishers still running in their respective heats, got to run and it was the 98 of Thomas Egenberger taking the $200 pay off. 

The SportMod track championship race has Austin Luellen still holding a seventeen point lead over Johnathon Logue with just a couple of weeks left in the chase for the championship.

The IMCA Stock Car 18-lap feature was a jim-dandy...as if often is.  Multi-car battles were going on throughout the field much of the race. A great 3-way joust for the lead developed between Tyler Pickett, Scott Davis and Ty Hill with Pickett holding the top spot. Then as the laps were winding down, Davis took advantage of a lap car coming into the picture, and slipped around for the lead.  The waning moments saw three yellows fly, sending the field to an "overtime" green-white-checkered finish that saw much shuffling of position.  When the checkers finally flew, it was Donavon Smith making a last ditch pass coming out of corner four to take the win, just beating Davis to the checkers.  Davis had to be content with the runner up spot.  Jay Schmidt made a late race rally to finish third from starting twelfth, Johnny Spaw took fourth, and Ty Hill finished fifth.  Smith, who started fourteenth, made his first trip to victory lane in 2018.

It's still a tight race for the Stock Car track title with Donavon Smith leading Jay Schmidt by three points.

Joel Bushore has been running his 6-cylinder IMCA Modified and has it working!  He reeled in early leader Cory Sauerman and slipped by him for the lead at lap nine of the 20-lap feature.  From there on, Bushore buzzed along....the distinct sound of the machine easily heard, and captured his second feature win at the speedway this year.    He finished comfortably ahead of second place Cory Wray. Wray, visiting Trenton, Missouri racer raced his way from fifteenth starting spot, in a good run to finish as the runner up.  Sauerman fell back to finish third, fourth went to Al Wolfgram, and Jon Snyder rounded out the top five.

Randy Havlik sits eleven points up on Eric Elliott in the Modified race for the track title, with just two weekly races remaining in the regular season.

Aaron Rudolph started eighth and raced his way to victory in the 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock A main.  Rudolph got around last week's winner Adam Tiernan on lap eight and kept the top spot the remaining four laps to the double checkers.  Tiernan held on to the runner up spot, third went to Gregg Anderson, Matt McDonald was fourth, and Ryan Wells came all the way from seventeenth, to finish fifth.

Andrew Burg looks to all but have the track title wrapped up in the IMCA Hobby Stock title race.  He enjoys a comfortable 55 point lead over second place Rudolph.

The night cap was the 2-person Cruiser feature with the tag team competitors racing for shiny championship belts.  Taking home those shiny prizes were the duo of Donnie Mason and Carl Agan, who repeated their victory from last week.  They held their ground against a last lap "rubbin' is racing" move by second place finishers Sheldon and Chris Richardson.  Third went to Derek Goudeau and Sam Smith, fourth was the team of Jarod Peterson and Matt Ezarshi, and Brandon Alden and Logan Lyons took fifth.

The racing family lost one of its own last week....former IMCA Modified racer Tim Stevens. Stevens passed away unexpectedly last week from what we understand was a heart attack.  Stevens was honored last evening, his #49T side panel resting in victory lane.  Tim's wife Tammy, who is a track worker at Boone Speedway, was in victory lane to congratulate each winner.

There was a chocked full week of racing in the state of Iowa last week, but still more specials floating around as well as weekly track programs.  Find a race to attend to support dirt track racing.

Young Cooney nabs first career win

Two drivers made their first trips to victory lane this year at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night.  Ron Lauritzen took top honors in the IMCA Modified division, and young Shawn Cooney posted his first career win in the IMCA Late Model class.  Damon Murty in the IMCA Stock Cars, Travis Storjohann in the IMCA Northern SportMods, Shannon Anderson in the IMCA Hobby Stocks and Travis Stensland in the Mod Lites all made return visits to the winner's circle. 

Travis Stensland started tenth in the 15-lap Mod Lite feature, grabbed the lead from Charlie Brown with five to go, and sailed home to repeat his win from last week.  Brown held second place, third was Joel Huggins, Mike Morrill was fourth and Randy Bryan took fifth.  Stensland now has three wins at the speedway this season.  He holds a slim three point margin over Mike Morrill for the track championship with just two weekly shows remaining. 

Shannon Anderson scored a feature win for the third week in a row in the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock A main.  Anderson didn't have an easy time of it though, as Matt Smith took command at lap six and then kept Anderson at bay as the laps wound down. Lap traffic came into play late, and Anderson was able to take advantage of the situation, passing Smith on the back stretch as the white flag was coming out. Anderson scored the win, and Smith had to settle for the runner up spot.  Third went to David Rieks, Leah Wroten came from ninth starting spot to take fourth, and pole sitter Justin Lovig rounded out the top five.  Anderson came from tenth position to score his eighth victory this year and enjoys a 52 point lead over Leah Wroten in the track points race.

Up next was the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod main event.  Ethan Braaksma took command of the race at lap six and was looking to score a run away, but suddenly exited the track at lap fourteen.  This handed the lead over to Cory Rose who was in a fierce battle with Travis Storjohann. The two raced side by side down the back chute in the closing moments, with Storjohann getting the upper hand to score the win, just beating Rose in second.  Travis Peterson made it a three-car contest in the final laps, and finished a close third.  Fourth went to early leader Jason Hall and Jack Housley completed the top five.  This was Storjohann's second win after scoring his first career victory back on July 6. Braaksma is still the point leader in the Northern SportMod class, leading Travis Peterson by seven as the season winds down.

Damon Murty found his way back to victory lane in the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car division.  Murty started ninth, caught then leader Jeff Wollam and took the top spot away on lap six.  The two continued to duel it out the remainder of the race, Murty taking the top shelf, Wollam sticking to the bottom. Murty kept hold of the top spot the remainder of the race, scoring his sixth victory this year at Marshalltown.  Wollam had to be content with a close second place finish. Jeff Mueller, Tom Cannon, and Todd Reitzler finished third through fifth in that order in a short field of only eleven Stock Cars that participated last evening.  Todd Reitzler is the point leader, holding a healthy 42 point lead over Damon Murty in the race for the championship.

It was a special night for young Shawn Cooney, son of veteran IMCA Late Model driver Todd Cooney.  Young Cooney ran with the front runners all race long in the 20-lap IMCA Late Model feature event. He was in the mix up front with Dave Wada, Paul Nagle, and Kyle Krampe until lap sixteen when he made his way into the lead, passing Nagle.  From there on, he held that top spot the rest of the way to the checkers and secured his first career win.  Paul Nagle finished a close second, Jeremiah Hurst came from tenth starting spot to finish third, fourth was Kyle Krampe, and fifth went to father Todd Cooney.  It was an excited and emotional Shawn Cooney in his post race interview with announcer Jerry Vansickel, as he expressed how thrilled he was with this first win. His father Todd Cooney leads Darrel DeFrance by 32 points in the track title race.

Ron Lauritzen made his first trip this year to the winner's circle by taking the win in the 20-lap IMCA Modified contest.  Lauritzen took command at lap three and never looked back on his way to the checkered flag.  He finished comfortably ahead of second place Todd Kluever.  Kluever, from Madison, Wisconsin, made his first trip to the Marshalltown Speedway, started eleventh on the field to finish as the runner up. Jacob Murray rallied back from a slip off the track to finish an impressive third, fourth was Jon Snyder, and Racer Hulin was fifth. Hulin is leading the points contest in the Modified division, as he seeks his first track championship.  Tim Ward, who had been leading points was MIA last evening.  Ward and rookie Josh May are tied for second, both 27 points back.

It was a bit smaller field of cars last night...94 total, but still a healthy field of competitors on hand.  No doubt the little race going on down the road at Knoxville Raceway, the Night of 10,000 Stars at Britt, and the Iowa State Fair had a bit to do with it. 

Get out and find a race to attend in support of the sport we all love....dirt track racing! 

"G Money" takes the money times two at Boone

It was the TiLUBE Challenge, Super Saturday, and the Watermelon Classic all rolled into one at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night.  The IMCA Modifieds were racing for $1,000 each to win the TiLUBE Challenge and the Super Saturday Modified A Main feature, plus the feature winners, as well as the heat winners in all divisions, went home with that special watermelon prize. Yes, the drivers were racing for watermelons last night. 

Charlie Brown led the troops in the opening laps of the 15-lap Mod Lite feature but soon had Randy Bryan knocking at his door.  Bryan slipped by for the lead at lap nine and never looked back on his way to the checkers and the win.  Tenth place starter Bryan Zehm hustled his way to the front and finished as the runner up.  Charlie Brown took third, fourth went to Travis Stensland, and visiting racer from Salina, Kansas, Justin Kinderknecht raced from fourteenth starting spot, to finish fifth.  This was Bryan's third victory of the season.

The points battle in the Mod Lite class continues to be a tight one.  Stensland took over the point lead, but both Bryan Zehm and Joe Glick sit just one point back. 

It was a fight to the finish line in the IMCA Northern SportMod A Main event, with Austin Luellen barely beating out Chad Ryerson for the win.  A close third went to eleventh place starter Johnathon Logue who had done battle with the two top finishers much of the race.  Jake McBirnie made a surge through the field to finish in fourth from starting twentieth, and tenth place starter Cory Pestotnik rounded out the top five.  Luellen captured his fourth feature win at the speedway this year.

Luellen holds a nineteen point advantage over Logue for the track championship race with just three more weekly races remaining. 

The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks made their second appearance at the track and Myles Michehl repeated his win from earlier in the year.  Michehl led from the drop of the green with Pat Graham tucking in right behind him.  Graham pestered Michehl much of the race, but had to settle for the runner up spot.  A distant third place went to Jeff Frevert, Shonn Mapes was fourth and Lou Sipolt was fifth.

It was veteran racer, Robert Stofer taking a trip to victory lane in the IMCA Stock Car feature.  Stofer started seventh and ran down then leader Rod Richards to take the lead at lap five.  A couple of yellow flag restarts didn't hinder Stofer's road to the checkers for the first time this season.  Richard held on to the runner up spot, third went to Josh Daniels, Scott Davis was fourth and Donavon Smith completed the top five.

Another tight battle for the track championship continues in the Stock Car division as Donovan Smith leads Jay Schmidt by one point, and Johnny Spaw sits thirteen points out, as the season nears it's end.

The TiLUBE Challenge for the IMCA Modifieds saw twelve drivers qualify for a chance at the $1,000 prize.  Drivers winning their heats were automatically qualified, and then through the calculations of  posting quick lap times run during hot laps, passing points and finishing positions taken into account, the remaining nine drivers were locked into the starting field.  The twelve drivers started three-wide and four rows deep for the 15-lap challenge that saw cars eliminated if they were running last on the track.

Richie Gustin, the driver known as "G Money" with his habit of winning when there is extra money on the line, drew the pole starting spot and shot to the immediate lead.  From there on, he stayed at the head of the field, and swept to the win and took home the $1,000.  Jimmy Gustin was second, Kelly Shryock third, Tim Ward finished fourth, and Ricky Thornton was fifth.

In the 20-lap IMCA Modified's Super Saturday feature event, and another $1,000 on the line, it was once again Richie Gustin taking home the prize.  His fight for the win was a tough battle keeping Ricky Thornton at bay, but in the end, he took the checkers first, Thornton going second.  Tim Ward was a close third, followed by Kelly Shryock in fourth and Russ Dickerson rounding out the top five.

Randy Havlik continues his point lead in the Modified class, leading Eric Elliott by fifteen points.

The finale of the evening was the running of the 12-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature.  Adam Tiernan would lead all but the opening lap of the race, and captured his first ever feature win.  He fended off the late race challenges of Gregg Anderson who had to be content with the runner up spot.  Third was Matt McDonald, fourth went to twelfth place starter John Watson, and Shane Butler took fifth.

Andrew Burg holds a huge lead for the championship in the Hobby Stock class, leading second place Solomon Bennett by 56 points.

Find a race to attend to help support the sport we all love....dirt track racing.

Smith $1000 richer with Stock Car win

It was a chocked full night of excitement last night at the Marshalltown Speedway.  Not only was the racing action providing the big crowd a night of entertainment, but a couple of controversies also played into the night. A pile up on the front stretch of the SportMod feature also made the fans gasp as two cars rolled over during a melee.  Slide jobs were abundant as well.  Mopar powered machines also took top honors in two classes.   

One hundred thirteen race cars checked in to the pits on the hot August night, and a field of 27 IMCA Stock Cars were top billing with $1,000 on the line for the win. 

Travis Stensland started eighth and had the lead by lap one of the Mod Lite main event.  Stensland never looked back and finished the race comfortably ahead of second place Charlie Brown.  Jason Masongarb, the driver who made the trip over from Colona, Illinois, finished a close third, fourth went to visiting driver Justin Kinderknecht from Salina, Kansas who had a nice run from starting twelfth, and Mike Morrill rounded out the top five.  This was Stensland's second win at the track this season.

Shannon Anderson wasted little time in getting to the front of the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature.  Anderson started tenth on the field and took command at lap six.  Yellow flags and the ensuing restarts were no problem for Anderson as he pulled away to take the easy win.  Leah Wroten came from ninth starting position to take the runner spot, third went to Gene Nicklas, Ray Fee in fourth, and Dan Wauters from Iowa City was fifth.  Anderson racked up win #7 at the track. Anderson praised the track conditions, saying you could run high, low, or in the middle. 

In the IMCA Northern SportMod A main, it was Jared VanDeest putting on the show and taking home a victory.  VanDeest, who has been MIA for several weeks, started eighth, took to the rim of the track, and snagged the lead by lap four.  VanDeest threw off the late race challenges of Tyler Soppe, who tried his best to make the slide jobs work, but had to be content with second place.  Third went to Travis Peterson who started fourteenth, Sam Wieben came from thirteenth to finish fourth, and Cresco, Iowa's Austin Schrage was fifth.  VanDeest, running a Mopar powered machine, scored his second win of 2018...his last coming on April 26 at the High Bank Hustle.

A melee on the front stretch of the SportMod feature saw Kyle Olson, and Tony Olson (cousins I believe) both rolling over when cars got bunched up coming out of corner four.  Thankfully, no one was injured and racing resumed after the clean up.

One hundred thirteen race cars checked in to the pits on the hot August night, and a field of 27 IMCA Stock Cars were top billing with $1,000 on the line for the win.  It was a draw/redraw format in a race that turned out to be a real shoot out.  Several new drivers were on the scene and it was one of those drivers that took home the one grand.

The previous two week's winner, Todd Reitzler, started outside the front row, and immediately grabbed the top spot in the 25-lap race.  Reitzler was running his preferred top line of the race track, but at lap 17, a lap car ended his night and he limped off into the pits with a flat tire.  About the same time, Damon Murty and David Brandies had contact on the track, Murty getting the worst end of the deal, shoved off the track and out of the race.

When the race restarted, Devin Smith had inherited the lead, Brandies was banished to the rear for the restart for the contact with Murty....though reluctantly, and Jeff Mueller sat in second place.

Smith and Mueller raced side by side down the back stretch as they fought it out, then visitor Cody Frerichs was suddenly in the picture fighting for a top spot. Smith managed to keep hold of that top spot to the flying checkers and the win.  Second place went to Cody Frerichs from Bristow, Iowa.  Frerichs started twenty-sixth, and maneuvered his way through the stacked field, to take the runner up position. Steve Meyer came from deep in the field to take third with a late race surge.  Jeff Mueller fell back to finish fourth, and Tom Cannon finished fifth from starting twenty-second.  Smith was also piloting a Mopar powered ride.

Todd Cooney came out on top of the 20-lap IMCA Late Model main event, scoring his fifth victory of the year.  Jeremiah Hurst came from ninth starting spot to take the runner up position, winning the battle with Darrel DeFrance who was third.  Curtis Glover and Randy Faux completed the top five. Cooney, Hurst and DeFrance battled up front all night, leaving the rest of the pack.

The night cap was the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature.  Joel Rust left no doubt that he was the top dog in this one.  Rust started seventh and had the lead by lap two, never to look back in the only race that went flag to flag.  Rust stretched his lead and won easily over second place Ronn Lauritzen.  Tim Ward took third, Racer Hulin was fourth and pole sitter Scott Simatovich was fifth.  This was Rust's fourth regular season win of the year, and he also won the High Bank Hustle.

Racing season is beginning to wind down for weekly racing...just three more Friday night's at Marshalltown.  Season Championship is August 24, and then on Friday August 31, it will be the Showdown in Motown special.  Then on September 14-16, it will be the rescheduled World Nationals. 

Get out and find a race to attend.  We need to support the sport we all love....dirt track racing.