Wednesday night, the Southern Iowa Speedway, in Oskaloosa, Iowa held its season opener....and a chilly and windy one it was! We joined the familiar diehards who braved Mother Nature's wrath, but despite the conditions, we saw a smooth track, and some long awaited racing!
Some familiar faces made their way back to victory lane as Cayden Carter in the Stock Car class, Dustin Griffiths in the Hobby Stocks, and Brandon Housely in the Sport Compact division went back to the winner's circle. Austin Paul found his way to the checkers in the SportMod division...his first since 2016.
The SportMod 16-lap main event kicked off the feature racing. Austin Paul drew the lucky pill for the #1 starting spot, and would lead all laps on his way to the flying checkers. Curtis VanDerWal started in the third row, but quickly took over the runner up spot and set his sights on the leader. But Paul continued his run at the front of the pack unhindered. When a yellow flew with just a couple of laps remaining, no doubt it was just what VanDerWal was hoping to see. However, when the race returned to green, Paul was able to motor off and keep the multi-time track champion at bay, securing the win. VanDerWal had to settle for second on this night, third went to Logan Anderson, fourth to Brayton Carter, and Colton Livezey completed the top five. This is the first time Paul has seen victory lane at Osky since June 15, 2016.
The "Orange Crush" machine piloted by Cayden Carter got the luck of the draw for the pole spot in the Stock Car division with the green machine of Howard Gordon, Jr. starting alongside. Carter leaped to the lead as the green dropped and from there on was untouched on his march to the win. Finishing a distant second was Derrick Agee, and a good distant behind him in third was Michael Peterson. Fourth went to Dustin Griffiths and Howard Gordon, Jr. was a close fifth.
Thirteen Sport Compacts ran a 10-lap A feature. This race too was won from the pole as Brandon Housley took the honors. Housley, who was sporting a number change this year....#213, from his #42 hot rod last year, was never seriously threatened in his run to the checkers. Trent Orwig did reel the leader in, but could do no more than a runner up finish. Third went to Billy Cain, fourth was Jimmy Haring, Louie Winkleman ran fifth. Housley is the defending track champion.
The night cap was the 14-lap Hobby Stock A main. Nick Ulin was hoping to continue the night's roll of winners from the pole position, but alas his night ended quickly when he was drawn up into the wall in turns three and four, ending his run. Derek Kirkland was then the captain in charge, but not for long as Dustin Griffiths took over with just three laps down. Griffiths then pulled away and took the easy win in the race that went flag to flag. Kirkland could only chase the leader from a distance to finish second. Clint Nelson finished in the third position, followed in unison by Christian Huffman and Rick Goldsberry in fourth and fifth respectively.
It was good to get back to the Southern Iowa Speedway....the place we've called our Wednesday night home since the 1980's. It was also good to hear the familiar "call to the races" of, "Hello Race Fans", by this year's man on the mic, Jerry Mackey. He announced that this year, the races would be run through as quickly and efficiently as possible (we were done by 8:55 p.m.) and hot laps are 7:00 with racing to immediately follow. Regular weekly racing continues next Wednesday, April 17.
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