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!