The racing action was as hot as the temperatures at Boone Speedway for another Super Saturday night of racing with a draw/redraw format for the featured Modifieds and their $1,000 pay day, and the Stock Cars were vying for $750.
Ricky Thornton, Jr. in the IMCA Modifieds, Josh Daniels in the IMCA Stock Cars, and Joe Glick in the MADCRA Mod Lites all repeated their wins from last week. Eric Knutson went back to Victory Lane for a second time this year in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Johnathon Logue in the IMCA Northern SportMods, and Val Urman in the IMCA RaceSaver Sprints made their first appearances of the year in the winner's circle. The two-person Cruiser feature win once again went to the #00 duo of Donny Mason and Junior Worley.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks also ran their make up King of the Hill that was rescheduled from last week. John Watson bested Shaun Wirtz to take the top honors.
Val Urman, would lead all 20-laps of the KI Race Gear IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car A main on his way to his first time victory at the Boone Speedway. He finished comfortably ahead of second place Ryan Navratil. Last week's winner Mike Houseman was third, fourth went to Tyler Thompson, and DJ Palmer rounded out the top five. Urman has been a weekly competitor this year, making his way down from Roseville, Minnesota. The race went caution free.
The My Race Pass Mod Lites were up next for 15-laps of feature racing. Joe Glick came from sixth starting spot, to snatch the lead away from early leader Terry Brown at lap two. From there on he motored his way untouched to another win. Mike Kennedy started eleventh and finished as the runner up. Third place was Joel Huggins, fourth went to Bakersfield, California's Zac Forster who started sixteenth, and Mike Morrill was fifth. This marked Glick's fourth win of the season. The race went flag to flag. As a note, there were several other traveling Mod Lite competitors in the house last night. Chad Shartzer made the trip from Abilene, Kansas, Taylor Pollock came from Prague, Nebraska, and Doug Pollock from Tekamah, Nebraska, and Eric Serabian has been in the area in recent weeks, coming all the way from Ocala, Florida to race in Iowa.
Johnathon Logue took over the top spot from Ronnie Hults at lap fifteen of the the 18-lap Elmquist Towing IMCA Northern SportMod A feature and held it the final three laps to the flying checkers and the win. Cory Pestotnik came from ninth starting spot to take second. Third went to Dustin Lynch, Chad Ryerson was fourth, and Robert Moore completed the top five. Surprisingly, this was Logue's first win at the speedway this year. He was fresh off of a big win at the Hancock County Speedway earlier in the week in the Northern SportMod Nationals....his second time winning the prestigious race.
The Snap-on Tools IMCA Modifieds ran a 25-lap A main for their portion of the Super Saturday $1,000 pay off. The draw/redraw format found Al Wolfgram and visiting Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada racer, Trent Guest sitting on the front row for the start. Wolfgram nabbed the lead immediately, but by lap three, fourth place starter Ricky Thornton, Jr. had snatched that lead away. He then pulled away to a sizable lead until a yellow at lap twenty-three...the only caution of the race... slowed the action, which would result in a green-white-checkered finish. The restart was no hindrance to Thornton however, and he sailed home to another feature win. Cody Laney, Torrance, California finished second, flying around third place Tim Ward in the final circuits. Jimmy Gustin was fourth after starting sixteenth, and early leader Al Wolfgram was fifth. Thornton repeated his win from last week, and scored his fourth win of the regular season, plus winning the Frostbuster special. Thornton moved smoothly through traffic, putting on another driving clinic in the Modified division.
The Arnold Motor Supply IMCA Stock Cars were the second of the Super Saturday headliners. They also ran a 25-lap feature for $750 to win. Josh Daniels, last week's winner, was the lucky recipient of the number one starting spot after the redraw. He took advantage of that pole starting position, and immediate took the lead with the rest of the thundering herd giving chase.
Daniels ran comfortably out in front until Rod Richards, and then Jay Schmidt came calling, both applying pressure. The final laps would then find a turn of events when Schmidt, then Richards dropped out with issues. Daniels held his top spot then the rest of the way to the finish and the win. Scott Davis finished as the runner up, third place went to Travis Barker from Sioux City, Johnny Spaw was fourth, and Brock Badger came from nineteenth starting spot, to finish fifth. Schmidt was able to get his tire changed during a yellow and tag the field with about a handful of laps remaining, and salvaged a ninth place finish to keep himself in the points race, just one point behind Devin Smith...who also went out with mechanical woes.
The Pickett Salvage IMCA Hobby Stock 15-lap main event did not start well when Aaron Rudolph took a hard tumble just past the flag stand as the race went green. Evidently, some drivers could not find their brake pedal when the incident occurred, and more mayhem was caused. Thankfully, he was okay. Rudolph had a sizable point lead going into the night, and even with his DNF, still holds an eleven point lead.
When racing did get underway, it was Mike Smith, cousin to the famous "D" Smith racing family, taking command early. By lap nine, Eric Knutson had made his way from ninth starting spot, to run on the leaders bumper. Just one lap later, Knutson made his move into the lead and from there on would hold it to the checkers and the win. Mike Smith took the runner up spot, third went to Curt Reed, Matt McDonald was fourth, and Daniel Smith moved from nineteenth starting spot, to finish in fifth. Knutson scored his second win of the year.
Next up at the Boone Speedway will be the 4th of July Eve of Destruction. Side x Side UTV races, Cruiser Cars, Lawn Mower Demo Derby, Dr. Danger stunts, Burn Out contest, Roll Over contest, and the IMCA Stock Cars will be racing. The evening winds up with a large fireworks display. Gates open at 6 with hot laps at 7:15.
Regular Saturday night racing series continues on Saturday July 6 with racing in all regular divisions. The Cage Karts will also be in action. Please note the new starting times. Hot laps at 6:15, and racing at 7.
This upcoming 4th of July Holiday week finds fans and drivers with many choices for racing action. Tuesday, July 2, the Stuart Speedway will be holding the 20th and final, Ron Little Memorial. On Wednesday, July 3, the Benton County Speedway in Vinton will hold the always popular Hogan Memorial. This will be the 25th and final go around for the race honoring Dick and Janet Hogan. Check out the calendar at Positively Racing for even more choices to appease your racing fix.
Have a great 4th of July holiday time, and be safe!
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Carter, Paul, Griffiths, Winkleman, and Alexander claim wins on Hall of Fame Induction Night
Warm weather greeted the nice crowd on hand at the Southern Iowa Speedway on Wednesday night. After last week's rain out, the fans and drivers were anxious for a night of racing action as well as seeing the three newest members of the track's Hall of Fame inducted. There were three repeat winners from the Stock Car, SportMod, and Hobby Stock Class, while a first ever win came in the Sport Compact class. There was also a new winner as well as a new class making its initial appearance of the year...the non-wing Sprint Cars, which will be competing the rest of the year.
It was Hall of Fame Induction Night at the speedway, with three deserving drivers being honored. The first was Mel Morris, a well-known driver in the area, that spent much time at the big old half-mile in Osky, and became the man to beat. He was known as the Dale Earnhardt of the area, with fans either loving him or hating him. He was always greeted with a combination of cheers and boos. Morris left us in 2010 at the age of 75.
Jeff Haines, hometown driver, raced both Stock Cars and Modfieds at the Monster Half-Mile. His #16 rides were often found in Victory Lane in the late '80's and early '90's. In his rookie year of racing the Modified, he took the track championship. After his successful run in the Stocks and Mods, he went on to race Sprint cars, retiring after the 2000 season.
Curt Hansen, the final inductee, made a name for himself racing all over the area, starting back in the 1960's. In 1977 and 1978 he won an unprecedented four track championship. His career winning total numbers 226. His last win was in 2001, piloting his son Bobby's Late Model ride.
Edit: Also on hand last night were former Hall of Fame members Denny Banks, Jim Brown, Danny Wallace, and former promoters Jim and Joe Durian.
The Sport Compacts kicked the feature racing off with their 10-lap main event. Lewie Winkleman started fourth, but jumped to the immediate lead as he would keep his ride at the front of the field the entire distance to score the win. Tyler Haring chased the winner from a distance for those ten laps, and took the runner up position. Trent Orwig, Billy Cain, and Brandon Allison battled for position much of the race and finished in that order. Lewie Winkleman, son of the former racer Roy Winkleman from days gone by, took his first career feature win.
The SportMods were 20 cars strong tonight and their 16-lap A Main saw Austin Paul take the checkers. Paul finished a comfortable distance ahead of early leader Dylan VanWyk. Logan Anderson was an early contender for the top spot, but fell back to finish third. Fourth went to Curtis Van Der Wal, and Colton Livezey rounded out the top five.
The Hobby Stocks went three-wide just after the green flag waved but it was Dustin Griffiths winning that battle, taking over the top spot. Griffiths never looked back after that, keeping the lead to the flying checkers. Last race winner Mike Hughes, reeled in the leader, but had to be content with the runner up spot. Christian Huffman, Brad Stephens, and Scott Shull completed the top five. This was Griffiths' fourth win out of six this year.
It was the initial appearance for the non-wing Sprint cars last evening...a class that will now be on the program the remainder of the year. There were nine of the fast machines in the house last evening. Logan Alexander put his name in the books as the inaugural winner of this class. Alexander led the race from flag to flag on his way to Victory Lane. Doug Sylvester finished as the runner up, third went to Dylan Alexander, Frank Rogers was fourth, and Chuck Alexander was fifth.
The night ended with the Stock Car sixteen lap main event. Nathan Wood led the charge immediately with Cayden Carter giving chase. It was all that two-car battle up front for the first three circuits, until the "Orange Crush" machine piloted by Carter swung to the topside in turn four as they approached the line for lap four. That was all it took, as Carter's momentum carried him past Wood and into the lead. Carter would then distance himself from the field, and took a comfortable win...his fourth of the season. Wood was second, a distant third went to Scott Dickey, Dustin Griffiths was fourth, and first time to the track this year, Donovan Nunnikhoven, was fifth.
Please note, there will be no racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway next Wednesday, July 3. The following week, July 10, the racing action returns for another round of competition in the Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Non Wing Sprints.
Find a race to attend, and support the sport we all love....dirt track racing!
It was Hall of Fame Induction Night at the speedway, with three deserving drivers being honored. The first was Mel Morris, a well-known driver in the area, that spent much time at the big old half-mile in Osky, and became the man to beat. He was known as the Dale Earnhardt of the area, with fans either loving him or hating him. He was always greeted with a combination of cheers and boos. Morris left us in 2010 at the age of 75.
Jeff Haines, hometown driver, raced both Stock Cars and Modfieds at the Monster Half-Mile. His #16 rides were often found in Victory Lane in the late '80's and early '90's. In his rookie year of racing the Modified, he took the track championship. After his successful run in the Stocks and Mods, he went on to race Sprint cars, retiring after the 2000 season.
Curt Hansen, the final inductee, made a name for himself racing all over the area, starting back in the 1960's. In 1977 and 1978 he won an unprecedented four track championship. His career winning total numbers 226. His last win was in 2001, piloting his son Bobby's Late Model ride.
Edit: Also on hand last night were former Hall of Fame members Denny Banks, Jim Brown, Danny Wallace, and former promoters Jim and Joe Durian.
The Sport Compacts kicked the feature racing off with their 10-lap main event. Lewie Winkleman started fourth, but jumped to the immediate lead as he would keep his ride at the front of the field the entire distance to score the win. Tyler Haring chased the winner from a distance for those ten laps, and took the runner up position. Trent Orwig, Billy Cain, and Brandon Allison battled for position much of the race and finished in that order. Lewie Winkleman, son of the former racer Roy Winkleman from days gone by, took his first career feature win.
The SportMods were 20 cars strong tonight and their 16-lap A Main saw Austin Paul take the checkers. Paul finished a comfortable distance ahead of early leader Dylan VanWyk. Logan Anderson was an early contender for the top spot, but fell back to finish third. Fourth went to Curtis Van Der Wal, and Colton Livezey rounded out the top five.
The Hobby Stocks went three-wide just after the green flag waved but it was Dustin Griffiths winning that battle, taking over the top spot. Griffiths never looked back after that, keeping the lead to the flying checkers. Last race winner Mike Hughes, reeled in the leader, but had to be content with the runner up spot. Christian Huffman, Brad Stephens, and Scott Shull completed the top five. This was Griffiths' fourth win out of six this year.
It was the initial appearance for the non-wing Sprint cars last evening...a class that will now be on the program the remainder of the year. There were nine of the fast machines in the house last evening. Logan Alexander put his name in the books as the inaugural winner of this class. Alexander led the race from flag to flag on his way to Victory Lane. Doug Sylvester finished as the runner up, third went to Dylan Alexander, Frank Rogers was fourth, and Chuck Alexander was fifth.
The night ended with the Stock Car sixteen lap main event. Nathan Wood led the charge immediately with Cayden Carter giving chase. It was all that two-car battle up front for the first three circuits, until the "Orange Crush" machine piloted by Carter swung to the topside in turn four as they approached the line for lap four. That was all it took, as Carter's momentum carried him past Wood and into the lead. Carter would then distance himself from the field, and took a comfortable win...his fourth of the season. Wood was second, a distant third went to Scott Dickey, Dustin Griffiths was fourth, and first time to the track this year, Donovan Nunnikhoven, was fifth.
Please note, there will be no racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway next Wednesday, July 3. The following week, July 10, the racing action returns for another round of competition in the Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Non Wing Sprints.
Find a race to attend, and support the sport we all love....dirt track racing!
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Thornton from the outhouse to the White House at Boone
The weather forecast for Iowa was horrible yesterday, and race tracks were cancelling their shows left and right...except Boone Speedway. It was a race against Mother Nature to get the show in, and it was a success....a complete show.
Ricky Thornton, Jr. wowed the crowd by going from last to first in the IMCA Modified feature. It was Josh Daniels taking the honors in the IMCA Stock Cars. Jake McBirnie returned to Victory Lane in the IMCA Northern SportMod class. Mike Houseman also made a return visit to the winner's circle by taking the checkers in the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint division. Daniel Smith repeated earlier wins in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, Joe Glick won the MADCRA Mod Lites, and once again the duo of Donny Mason and Junior Worley won the two-person Cruiser class.
Mike Houseman took his second visit to Victory Lane in winning the 20-lap feature for the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars. Houseman claimed the top spot on lap two and from there on, never looked back on his way to the checkers. Sixth place starter Tyler Thompson finished as the runner up, third went to C.J. Houseman, fourth went to DJ Palmer, and Joel Thorpe completed the top five. Houseman started seventh on the starting grid, on his way to the checkers. C.J. Houseman looked good as he piloted the ride of Brian Efkamp. Efkamp won the last outing at Boone, and said he was looking to put different drivers behind the wheel.
Next up were the Mod Lites for their 15-lap main event. Joe Glick took command at lap five of this contest, but had to fend off the advances of Brian Zehm. Zehm briefly snagged the lead at lap ten, only to have Glick come right back and take charge. He then held on to the flying checkers to capture his third victory of the year. Zehm finished second, trailing a distant third was Joel Huggins, fourth went to fifteenth place starter Mike Kennedy, and Randy Bryan finished fifth.
Tenth place starter Jake McBirnie showed just why he is the point leader in the IMCA Northern SportMod class, by hustling through the pack to take the top spot on lap five on his way to the win. Ronnie Hults ran at the front of the field the entire race, and finished as the runner up. Dusty Masolini took third, fourth went to Johnathon Logue, and Brett Vanderheiden from Earlham finished fifth after starting twelfth. This was McBirnie's third win of the year at Boone.
The program was in quick mode all evening with the approaching weather, and the Modifieds were on the track as soon as the SportMod feature was finished. It did not start off well, as before a lap was scored, a scary incident involving former track champion, Mike VanGenderen found him pressed up against the frontstretch wall. It appeared a car pushed coming out of turn four, over corrected, and turned VanGenderen around, sending him into the wall, and with no where to go, Jimmy Gustin slammed into him. It was several anxious moments before VanGenderen was out of the car, but good to see him walk to the ambulance to be checked out.
When things got back to action, the 20-lap feature was one that most of the fans won't forget anytime soon! Ricky Thornton, Jr. put on another of his amazing runs, starting twenty-sixth, and taking the checkers in the final few feet. He caught then leader Randy Havlik at lap thirteen, tried outside and inside for any way around, but only succeeded coming out of turn four as the checkers unfolded, to sneak past at the stripe for the win. Havlik had to be content with the runner up position. Cory Sauerman finished third, Jon Snyder started eleventh, and finished fourth, and early race leader, Eric Elliott was fifth. This is the second time this year that Thornton has come from the tail of a feature, to win it. He has three regular season wins under his belt, and also won the Frostbuster special. Thornton had to start dead last in the feature due to being disqualified in his heat....called for spinning out a car.
The IMCA Stock Car 18-lap event saw Josh Daniels lead from flag to flag on his way to victory. Rod Richards reeled the leader in at the finish, but had to settle for second. Third went to Jay Schmidt, Scott Davis was fourth, and Devin Smith was fifth. Daniels, fresh off of a win at Stuart Speedway on Wednesday night, started third, and immediately took the lead, never to look back on his way to the double checkers. This was his first win at the track this year.
The IMCA Hobby Stock feature ended as the thunder and lightning was close by. The 15-lap A Main found Mike Smith leading the pack in the first few circuits, until cousin Daniel Smith came calling to take over as captain of the ship at lap four. From there on it was all Daniel at the helm as he went on to lead all remaining laps to take the comfortable win. Aaron Rudolph came from twelfth starting spot, to take the runner up position. Mike Smith was third, Eric Knutson was fourth, and Shaun Wirtz rounded out the top five. After the initial start was called back, the race went caution free.
Only the two-person cruiser feature remained to be run and the 8-lap race of five cars was dominated once again by the #00 of Donny Mason and Junior Worley.... sporting their color changing "light sticks" on the back. The duo has dominated this year, winning I believe, all but one of the cruiser car features.
The racing was wrapped up at 9:16 p.m. and just in time before the rain began. We had a few sprinkles on the windshield as we left the track, but soon ran into heavy rain at Ames. The program was in hurry up mode all night with cars on the track for their heats and features immediately after the finish of the previous contests. There were no on track winner's interviews, and the Hobby Stock King of the Hill was eliminated.
As mentioned above, Ricky Thornton, Jr. put on a clinic as he raced through the pack of Modifieds and evidently, his many wins as of late has people wondering how he can do it time after time. We note that both he and second place Randy Havlik were going through a post race inspection in a covered facility immediately after their race. As of now, no word that anything was amiss.
Next Saturday, June 29, is another Super Saturday at the Boone Speedway. The IMCA Modifieds will be racing for $1,000, and the IMCA Stock Cars for $750, both with a draw/redraw format. Regular show for all other classes.
Ricky Thornton, Jr. wowed the crowd by going from last to first in the IMCA Modified feature. It was Josh Daniels taking the honors in the IMCA Stock Cars. Jake McBirnie returned to Victory Lane in the IMCA Northern SportMod class. Mike Houseman also made a return visit to the winner's circle by taking the checkers in the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint division. Daniel Smith repeated earlier wins in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, Joe Glick won the MADCRA Mod Lites, and once again the duo of Donny Mason and Junior Worley won the two-person Cruiser class.
Mike Houseman took his second visit to Victory Lane in winning the 20-lap feature for the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Cars. Houseman claimed the top spot on lap two and from there on, never looked back on his way to the checkers. Sixth place starter Tyler Thompson finished as the runner up, third went to C.J. Houseman, fourth went to DJ Palmer, and Joel Thorpe completed the top five. Houseman started seventh on the starting grid, on his way to the checkers. C.J. Houseman looked good as he piloted the ride of Brian Efkamp. Efkamp won the last outing at Boone, and said he was looking to put different drivers behind the wheel.
Next up were the Mod Lites for their 15-lap main event. Joe Glick took command at lap five of this contest, but had to fend off the advances of Brian Zehm. Zehm briefly snagged the lead at lap ten, only to have Glick come right back and take charge. He then held on to the flying checkers to capture his third victory of the year. Zehm finished second, trailing a distant third was Joel Huggins, fourth went to fifteenth place starter Mike Kennedy, and Randy Bryan finished fifth.
Tenth place starter Jake McBirnie showed just why he is the point leader in the IMCA Northern SportMod class, by hustling through the pack to take the top spot on lap five on his way to the win. Ronnie Hults ran at the front of the field the entire race, and finished as the runner up. Dusty Masolini took third, fourth went to Johnathon Logue, and Brett Vanderheiden from Earlham finished fifth after starting twelfth. This was McBirnie's third win of the year at Boone.
The program was in quick mode all evening with the approaching weather, and the Modifieds were on the track as soon as the SportMod feature was finished. It did not start off well, as before a lap was scored, a scary incident involving former track champion, Mike VanGenderen found him pressed up against the frontstretch wall. It appeared a car pushed coming out of turn four, over corrected, and turned VanGenderen around, sending him into the wall, and with no where to go, Jimmy Gustin slammed into him. It was several anxious moments before VanGenderen was out of the car, but good to see him walk to the ambulance to be checked out.
When things got back to action, the 20-lap feature was one that most of the fans won't forget anytime soon! Ricky Thornton, Jr. put on another of his amazing runs, starting twenty-sixth, and taking the checkers in the final few feet. He caught then leader Randy Havlik at lap thirteen, tried outside and inside for any way around, but only succeeded coming out of turn four as the checkers unfolded, to sneak past at the stripe for the win. Havlik had to be content with the runner up position. Cory Sauerman finished third, Jon Snyder started eleventh, and finished fourth, and early race leader, Eric Elliott was fifth. This is the second time this year that Thornton has come from the tail of a feature, to win it. He has three regular season wins under his belt, and also won the Frostbuster special. Thornton had to start dead last in the feature due to being disqualified in his heat....called for spinning out a car.
The IMCA Stock Car 18-lap event saw Josh Daniels lead from flag to flag on his way to victory. Rod Richards reeled the leader in at the finish, but had to settle for second. Third went to Jay Schmidt, Scott Davis was fourth, and Devin Smith was fifth. Daniels, fresh off of a win at Stuart Speedway on Wednesday night, started third, and immediately took the lead, never to look back on his way to the double checkers. This was his first win at the track this year.
The IMCA Hobby Stock feature ended as the thunder and lightning was close by. The 15-lap A Main found Mike Smith leading the pack in the first few circuits, until cousin Daniel Smith came calling to take over as captain of the ship at lap four. From there on it was all Daniel at the helm as he went on to lead all remaining laps to take the comfortable win. Aaron Rudolph came from twelfth starting spot, to take the runner up position. Mike Smith was third, Eric Knutson was fourth, and Shaun Wirtz rounded out the top five. After the initial start was called back, the race went caution free.
Only the two-person cruiser feature remained to be run and the 8-lap race of five cars was dominated once again by the #00 of Donny Mason and Junior Worley.... sporting their color changing "light sticks" on the back. The duo has dominated this year, winning I believe, all but one of the cruiser car features.
The racing was wrapped up at 9:16 p.m. and just in time before the rain began. We had a few sprinkles on the windshield as we left the track, but soon ran into heavy rain at Ames. The program was in hurry up mode all night with cars on the track for their heats and features immediately after the finish of the previous contests. There were no on track winner's interviews, and the Hobby Stock King of the Hill was eliminated.
As mentioned above, Ricky Thornton, Jr. put on a clinic as he raced through the pack of Modifieds and evidently, his many wins as of late has people wondering how he can do it time after time. We note that both he and second place Randy Havlik were going through a post race inspection in a covered facility immediately after their race. As of now, no word that anything was amiss.
Next Saturday, June 29, is another Super Saturday at the Boone Speedway. The IMCA Modifieds will be racing for $1,000, and the IMCA Stock Cars for $750, both with a draw/redraw format. Regular show for all other classes.
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Rust repeats in Modifieds at Marshalltown
Marshalltown Speedway was back in action Friday night for night #6 of weekly racing, on a breezy, overcast, and chilly evening. One hundred twenty-three cars checked in for a full night of racing action on the High Banks. The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks joined the regular classes and it was Myles Michehl taking home that win. Todd Cooney took the honors in the IMCA Late Model class, Joel Rust went back-to-back in the IMCA Modifieds, Steve Meyer returned to the winner's circle in the IMCA Stock Cars, Travis Peterson won the IMCA Northern SportMod in a lengthy feature, it was Kaden Reynolds getting his first win at Marshalltown in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mike Morrill nabbed his fourth win of the season in the MADCRA Mod Lites.
The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks kicked off the night's feature racing as they made a guest appearance at the High Banks. Fort Dodge, Iowa's Myles Michehl would lead the entire 12-lap event on his way to victory. Jeff Frevert, also from Fort Dodge, made a great recovery after spinning out on lap three, having to tag the field, and taking the runner up position. Third went to Late Model driver Todd Cooney, who hopped in the #17RT Dirt Truck, just beating out Billy Davis, Jr. in fourth, and Lou Sipolt rounded out the top five.
Mike Morrill put together back-to-back wins by taking the checkers in the Mod Lite feature. Morrill started ninth, and set his ride on the top of the track on his way to the win. It became a real shoot out for the next positions, with drivers going three-wide at times. In the end, it was Joe Glick taking second, after having led until lap nine when Morrill took over. Third went to Randy Bryan, and Joel Huggins took fourth, just beating out Tanner Gannon in fifth. This was Morrill's fourth win of the season.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks were running for a $400 pay off thanks to RBF Electric night at the races, and it was Kaden Reynolds standing in Victory Lane at the final of the 15-lap event. Reynolds started fourth, took the lead at lap five and held off the charging field to capture his first win at the High Banks. John Watson went second after starting in tenth place, Leah Wroten came from ninth to finish third, and a pair of #78 cars duked it out at the finish line with Shannon Anderson taking fourth, just beating fifth place David Rieks. Anderson had to tag the field from an early race incident, but made his usual charge through the field for a top five finish. Reynolds finally got that elusive first win at the Marshalltown Speedway after near misses in the past.
It was a marathon 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature, as caution flag, after caution flag waved. Tony Olson held down the top spot after passing then leader Jason Hall on lap three and soon thereafter, the yellows started waving. Lap six became a nemesis as it was take three before the drivers could get going. Five more cautions would follow before the checkers flew. Olson maintained his lead on the restarts until lap fifteen when Travis Peterson managed to get the advantage as the race went green, and took over the lead. Olson momentarily surged ahead, only to have Peterson grab back the advantage on the final circuit and fly under the checkers first. Olson had to be content with the runner up spot. Twelfth place starter Jake McBirnie was right in the mix at the front of the pack and finished a close third. Fourth went to visiting Colby, Kansas racer, Brett Berry, who made a great run through the field from starting twenty-first, and Kyle Olson finished fifth after starting twentieth. This was Peterson's first win of the year at the speedway.
Young Dallon Murty, son of the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty who was MIA due to unfinished field work, sprang to the lead from his outside front row starting spot in the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car A Main, and jumped to the top of the track, like shades of his father. Murty held down the lead until Shawn Ritter suddenly appeared, running the bottom. Ritter was able to make his low line work, grabbing the lead at lap six. A few laps later, Steve Meyer took over second place as he ran the fine line at the rim of the track. The top line proved to be the winning line, as Meyer snatched the lead at lap twelve, and then held on to take the win. Ritter took second, Todd Reitzler won the war over Troy Jerovetz, as they finished third and fourth respectively, and veteran Jeff Wollam came from eleventh starting spot, to finish in fifth, and Dallon Murty took sixth. This was Meyer's second win of the season.
Todd Cooney went home with his first IMCA Late Model victory, winning their 20-lap feature. Cooney caught and passed then leader Kurt Hinrichs with a handful of laps remaining and went home to the flying checkers and the win. Hinrichs held on to second, third went to Jeremiah Hurst, tenth place starter Jeff Aikey, who was back in the #77 car, finished fourth, and Andy Eckrich was fifth.
Joel Rust put together back-to-back wins in the IMCA Modified division, taking the win comfortably ahead of second place Ethan Dotson, who started fifteenth. Jimmy Gustin took third, fourth went to Tim Ward, and Todd Shute completed the top five. Rust repeated his win from last week, and now has four wins under his belt. Rust, who started eleventh, continues to look strong everywhere he has been racing.
Check out the racing calendar at Positively Racing and find a race to attend.
The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks kicked off the night's feature racing as they made a guest appearance at the High Banks. Fort Dodge, Iowa's Myles Michehl would lead the entire 12-lap event on his way to victory. Jeff Frevert, also from Fort Dodge, made a great recovery after spinning out on lap three, having to tag the field, and taking the runner up position. Third went to Late Model driver Todd Cooney, who hopped in the #17RT Dirt Truck, just beating out Billy Davis, Jr. in fourth, and Lou Sipolt rounded out the top five.
Mike Morrill put together back-to-back wins by taking the checkers in the Mod Lite feature. Morrill started ninth, and set his ride on the top of the track on his way to the win. It became a real shoot out for the next positions, with drivers going three-wide at times. In the end, it was Joe Glick taking second, after having led until lap nine when Morrill took over. Third went to Randy Bryan, and Joel Huggins took fourth, just beating out Tanner Gannon in fifth. This was Morrill's fourth win of the season.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks were running for a $400 pay off thanks to RBF Electric night at the races, and it was Kaden Reynolds standing in Victory Lane at the final of the 15-lap event. Reynolds started fourth, took the lead at lap five and held off the charging field to capture his first win at the High Banks. John Watson went second after starting in tenth place, Leah Wroten came from ninth to finish third, and a pair of #78 cars duked it out at the finish line with Shannon Anderson taking fourth, just beating fifth place David Rieks. Anderson had to tag the field from an early race incident, but made his usual charge through the field for a top five finish. Reynolds finally got that elusive first win at the Marshalltown Speedway after near misses in the past.
It was a marathon 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature, as caution flag, after caution flag waved. Tony Olson held down the top spot after passing then leader Jason Hall on lap three and soon thereafter, the yellows started waving. Lap six became a nemesis as it was take three before the drivers could get going. Five more cautions would follow before the checkers flew. Olson maintained his lead on the restarts until lap fifteen when Travis Peterson managed to get the advantage as the race went green, and took over the lead. Olson momentarily surged ahead, only to have Peterson grab back the advantage on the final circuit and fly under the checkers first. Olson had to be content with the runner up spot. Twelfth place starter Jake McBirnie was right in the mix at the front of the pack and finished a close third. Fourth went to visiting Colby, Kansas racer, Brett Berry, who made a great run through the field from starting twenty-first, and Kyle Olson finished fifth after starting twentieth. This was Peterson's first win of the year at the speedway.
Young Dallon Murty, son of the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty who was MIA due to unfinished field work, sprang to the lead from his outside front row starting spot in the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car A Main, and jumped to the top of the track, like shades of his father. Murty held down the lead until Shawn Ritter suddenly appeared, running the bottom. Ritter was able to make his low line work, grabbing the lead at lap six. A few laps later, Steve Meyer took over second place as he ran the fine line at the rim of the track. The top line proved to be the winning line, as Meyer snatched the lead at lap twelve, and then held on to take the win. Ritter took second, Todd Reitzler won the war over Troy Jerovetz, as they finished third and fourth respectively, and veteran Jeff Wollam came from eleventh starting spot, to finish in fifth, and Dallon Murty took sixth. This was Meyer's second win of the season.
Todd Cooney went home with his first IMCA Late Model victory, winning their 20-lap feature. Cooney caught and passed then leader Kurt Hinrichs with a handful of laps remaining and went home to the flying checkers and the win. Hinrichs held on to second, third went to Jeremiah Hurst, tenth place starter Jeff Aikey, who was back in the #77 car, finished fourth, and Andy Eckrich was fifth.
Joel Rust put together back-to-back wins in the IMCA Modified division, taking the win comfortably ahead of second place Ethan Dotson, who started fifteenth. Jimmy Gustin took third, fourth went to Tim Ward, and Todd Shute completed the top five. Rust repeated his win from last week, and now has four wins under his belt. Rust, who started eleventh, continues to look strong everywhere he has been racing.
Check out the racing calendar at Positively Racing and find a race to attend.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Webster posts first win at Monster Half-Mile
The Southern Iowa Speedway was a bit short on cars Wednesday night, due in part to two other races going on in the area, one the big Dirt Duel at the Stuart Speedway, and Webster City was holding the Rumble by the River, but the feature racing did not lack for close and exciting action, and the Stock Car feature alone was well worth the price of admission.
The Sport Compacts kicked off the feature racing and it was Trent Orwig bringing his #04 under the checkers first for another win. Orwig led the 10-lap caution free race, flag to flag. Orwig finished comfortably ahead of last week's winner Brandon Allison. Nathan Moody was third, fourth went to Billy Cain, and Lewie Winkleman rounded out the top five.
Scott Dickey came home the winner in the 16-lap Stock Car main event. It was anything but easy however. Pole sitter Jason McDaniel jumped to the immediate lead and put a bit of distance between himself and the cars fighting tooth and nail behind. The early laps saw Dustin Griffiths, Brett Lowry, and Scott Dickey going three-wide for the second position. Nathan Wood soon joined in the fun and made it a four-way battle as McDaniel continued to lead. It was an all out battle the final laps as McDaniel, Lowry, Dickey, Wood, and Griffiths could have had a blanket thrown over them. McDaniel still held down the top spot on lap fifteen, but going down the backstretch, Dickey split the middle and made it work, beating everyone to the checkers first. Brett Lowry took the runner up spot, third went to Nathan Wood, Dustin Griffiths was fourth , and the driver who had led the entire race, Jason McDaniel was fifth. This was Dickey's second win of the year, and back-to-back.
The SportMod feature went 16-laps. Blaine Webster took the lead immediately from his outside front row starting spot. It wasn't long until he had company in Curtis VanDerWal on his tail. The rest of the race turned into a two-car race up front between the two. The youngster Webster kept his composure the entire distance...hitting his marks every circuit, not letting VanDerWal's occasional peek under in corner one faze him. Webster took his first ever feature checkers at the big half-mile holding off the veteran VanDerWal in second. Third was Colton Livezey, Logan Anderson was fourth, and Greg Cox completed the top five. It was a happy 17 year old Blaine Webster in his post race interview with announcer Jerry Mackey, glad to get his first win under his belt at the Southern Iowa Speedway.
The night cap was the 14-lap Hobby Stock A Main. Drawing the pole starting spot for this one was Mike Hughes, no stranger to victory lane in years past. Hughes would lead this one from start to finish, with Dustin Griffiths pestering him the entire way, as they finished first and second. Clint Nelson was a distant third, fourth went to Scott Shull, and Rick Goldsberry was fifth. This was Hughes' first win of the season.
It was Memorial night at the races last evening, with extra pay from drivers and fans putting up extra money in honor of their loved ones. It was distributed to the drivers in many different designated finishing positions...some dead last. I am sure there were some drivers that got very pleasant surprises when they picked up their pay at the end of the night.
Racing continues next week at the Southern Iowa Speedway when it will be DeJong Manufacturing, Copeland Auto Body, and SS Mobile Blasting night at the races...with FREE popcorn. The Stock Cars, and SportMods will be running for their usual $500 pay offs, $400 goes to the Hobby Stock winner, and $250 for the Sport Compact victor.
The Sport Compacts kicked off the feature racing and it was Trent Orwig bringing his #04 under the checkers first for another win. Orwig led the 10-lap caution free race, flag to flag. Orwig finished comfortably ahead of last week's winner Brandon Allison. Nathan Moody was third, fourth went to Billy Cain, and Lewie Winkleman rounded out the top five.
Scott Dickey came home the winner in the 16-lap Stock Car main event. It was anything but easy however. Pole sitter Jason McDaniel jumped to the immediate lead and put a bit of distance between himself and the cars fighting tooth and nail behind. The early laps saw Dustin Griffiths, Brett Lowry, and Scott Dickey going three-wide for the second position. Nathan Wood soon joined in the fun and made it a four-way battle as McDaniel continued to lead. It was an all out battle the final laps as McDaniel, Lowry, Dickey, Wood, and Griffiths could have had a blanket thrown over them. McDaniel still held down the top spot on lap fifteen, but going down the backstretch, Dickey split the middle and made it work, beating everyone to the checkers first. Brett Lowry took the runner up spot, third went to Nathan Wood, Dustin Griffiths was fourth , and the driver who had led the entire race, Jason McDaniel was fifth. This was Dickey's second win of the year, and back-to-back.
The SportMod feature went 16-laps. Blaine Webster took the lead immediately from his outside front row starting spot. It wasn't long until he had company in Curtis VanDerWal on his tail. The rest of the race turned into a two-car race up front between the two. The youngster Webster kept his composure the entire distance...hitting his marks every circuit, not letting VanDerWal's occasional peek under in corner one faze him. Webster took his first ever feature checkers at the big half-mile holding off the veteran VanDerWal in second. Third was Colton Livezey, Logan Anderson was fourth, and Greg Cox completed the top five. It was a happy 17 year old Blaine Webster in his post race interview with announcer Jerry Mackey, glad to get his first win under his belt at the Southern Iowa Speedway.
The night cap was the 14-lap Hobby Stock A Main. Drawing the pole starting spot for this one was Mike Hughes, no stranger to victory lane in years past. Hughes would lead this one from start to finish, with Dustin Griffiths pestering him the entire way, as they finished first and second. Clint Nelson was a distant third, fourth went to Scott Shull, and Rick Goldsberry was fifth. This was Hughes' first win of the season.
It was Memorial night at the races last evening, with extra pay from drivers and fans putting up extra money in honor of their loved ones. It was distributed to the drivers in many different designated finishing positions...some dead last. I am sure there were some drivers that got very pleasant surprises when they picked up their pay at the end of the night.
Racing continues next week at the Southern Iowa Speedway when it will be DeJong Manufacturing, Copeland Auto Body, and SS Mobile Blasting night at the races...with FREE popcorn. The Stock Cars, and SportMods will be running for their usual $500 pay offs, $400 goes to the Hobby Stock winner, and $250 for the Sport Compact victor.
Sunday, June 9, 2019
Efkamp scores first ever win in a sprint car
It was Saints Avenue Cafe Saturday Night Series presented by Harris Auto Racing at the Boone Speedway with the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks joining all regular classes. Veteran racer Brian Efkamp checked off a bucket list item in winning his first ever KI Race Gear IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car feature. Eric Elliott took the checkers in the Snap-On Tools IMCA Modified class, Devin Smith visited the winner's circle in the Arnold Motor Supply IMCA Stock Cars, and Jake McBirnie took the checkers in the Elmquist Towing IMCA Northern SportMod division. Eric Knutson took the honors in the Pickett Salvage IMCA Hobby Stocks, Mike Kennedy won the My Race Pass Mod Lites, and Bill Davis, Jr. piloted his ride to victory in the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks. The night ended with Donny Mason and Junior Worley once again finishing first in the two-person Cruisers.
The RaceSaver Sprints ran their 20-lap feature first, switching it up from their usual later time slot. This one saw veteran racer Brian Efkamp lead the entire race from his pole starting position. After the initial start was called back, the race went caution free as Efkamp motored to his first ever win in a sprint car. Mike Houseman came from eighth place to finish a distant second. Tyler Thompson, Ryan Navratil, and Mike Moore complete the top five.
Efkamp told infield announcer Coty Mallicoat that this was a check off of his bucket list, as now he has won in four different IMCA division...Stock Car, SportMod, Modified, and now the RaceSaver sprints. He is also a former IMCA National Champion in the Stock Cars, taking that title in 1989, and a Super Nationals Champion in the Northern SportMods, winning it in 2017. He came out of retirement this year to try his hand in the sprint car. His intentions are to now put a new driver in the seat after getting that tick off of his list.
Mike Kennedy won his first of the year Mod Lite feature. Kennedy led the 15-lap feature from start to finish in a race that went flag to flag. He finished comfortably ahead of second place Mike Morrill. Terry Brown won the battle for third, just beating out Joe Glick in fourth, and Randy Bryan in fifth. Kennedy says he is having some back issues, but with help on the car, he is still getting behind the wheel to satisfy his racing fix.
It was Jake McBirnie taking the checkers in the IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap contest. McBirnie came from twelfth starting spot, and fought his way to the win in a hard fought battle with second place Robert Moore. Chris Burke finished third over Dusty Masolini in fourth, and Dustin Lynch completed the top five. This was McBirnie's second win this year at the speedway and he holds down the point lead in the class.
Up next was the 20-lap IMCA Modified A main that saw Eric Elliott lead all laps on his way to the double checkers. Elliott started fourth, weathered five caution flags, and finished comfortably ahead of second place Jimmy Gustin who had started twelfth. Russ Dickerson was third, Randy Havlik took fourth, and Cave Creek, Arizona's Austin Kuehl had a top five finish. Elliott won for the first time this season. Jimmy Gustin is leading points, as he defends his challenge of putting up $2,000 of his money to the track title winner.
After his brothers David and Donavon Smith had won the two previous weeks, Devin Smith put his ride in Victory Lane at the end of the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car shoot out. Smith started eleventh and had to fight by brother Donavon Smith to take command of the race at lap thirteen. He would then hold that top spot the rest of the way to the finish line and the win. Hard charger of the race was Jay Schmidt who took the runner up position. Schmidt started twenty-second due to troubles in his heat race, cleaned off the top shelf of the track, and scored an impressive second place. Third went to Donavon Smith, fourth was Josh Daniels, and Scott Davis rounded out the top five. This was Devin Smith's second win at the track this season. One of the racing Smith brothers was MIA last night, as David Smith was not in the house.
The visiting Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks ran a 20-lap feature with Bill Davis, Jr. scoring the win. Davis led the race from start to finish. Two yellow flags flew, but they were no hindrance to Davis as he pulled away on the restarts. Myles Michehl took the runner up position, Lou Sipolt was third, fourth went to Bryan Spangler, and Justin Schroeder was fifth. Interestingly, Lou Sipolt owns both the winner's #23 ride, and his own #9, but chooses to take a seat in what appears to be the slower of the two machines. Various drivers have taken turns behind the wheel of the winning truck, Jeff Johnson being one of them.
In the IMCA Hobby Stock 15-lap feature, Miciah Hidlebaugh looked to be on his way to visiting the winner's circle for the very first time as he led all but the final charge to the checkers. A slight slip up in the closing moments gave the advantage to Eric Knutson, who snatched the win away from the rookie driver. Hidlebaugh had to be content with second on this night. John Watson charged through the field from starting thirteenth, to take third, fourth went to Solomon Bennett, and current point leader Aaron Rudolph was fifth. Hidlebaugh, who will be a sophomore this fall at Grandview University, continues to have his first career win elude him.
Next Saturday night, June 15, will be the return of the Hawkeye Challenge to the Boone Speedway that ran from 1989-1993. All six classes will be vying for the top prize of a Snap-On Tools grill and tool box combo, plus $1,000. This contest will pit four drivers from each class who qualify, run the Hawkeye Challenge race, starting at different points on the track. Point leaders of each class will be locked in, with three others from their respective classes qualifying through passing points from their heats. $500 will also go to the top finisher of each class. The regular show will also be on the agenda. Hot laps are 5:45 with racing at 6:30.
It was refreshing to finally get four races under our belts this past week. Maybe, just maybe, Mother Nature has calmed down for both the farmers and for racing. Find a race to attend....support the sport we all love.
The RaceSaver Sprints ran their 20-lap feature first, switching it up from their usual later time slot. This one saw veteran racer Brian Efkamp lead the entire race from his pole starting position. After the initial start was called back, the race went caution free as Efkamp motored to his first ever win in a sprint car. Mike Houseman came from eighth place to finish a distant second. Tyler Thompson, Ryan Navratil, and Mike Moore complete the top five.
Efkamp told infield announcer Coty Mallicoat that this was a check off of his bucket list, as now he has won in four different IMCA division...Stock Car, SportMod, Modified, and now the RaceSaver sprints. He is also a former IMCA National Champion in the Stock Cars, taking that title in 1989, and a Super Nationals Champion in the Northern SportMods, winning it in 2017. He came out of retirement this year to try his hand in the sprint car. His intentions are to now put a new driver in the seat after getting that tick off of his list.
Mike Kennedy won his first of the year Mod Lite feature. Kennedy led the 15-lap feature from start to finish in a race that went flag to flag. He finished comfortably ahead of second place Mike Morrill. Terry Brown won the battle for third, just beating out Joe Glick in fourth, and Randy Bryan in fifth. Kennedy says he is having some back issues, but with help on the car, he is still getting behind the wheel to satisfy his racing fix.
It was Jake McBirnie taking the checkers in the IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap contest. McBirnie came from twelfth starting spot, and fought his way to the win in a hard fought battle with second place Robert Moore. Chris Burke finished third over Dusty Masolini in fourth, and Dustin Lynch completed the top five. This was McBirnie's second win this year at the speedway and he holds down the point lead in the class.
Up next was the 20-lap IMCA Modified A main that saw Eric Elliott lead all laps on his way to the double checkers. Elliott started fourth, weathered five caution flags, and finished comfortably ahead of second place Jimmy Gustin who had started twelfth. Russ Dickerson was third, Randy Havlik took fourth, and Cave Creek, Arizona's Austin Kuehl had a top five finish. Elliott won for the first time this season. Jimmy Gustin is leading points, as he defends his challenge of putting up $2,000 of his money to the track title winner.
After his brothers David and Donavon Smith had won the two previous weeks, Devin Smith put his ride in Victory Lane at the end of the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car shoot out. Smith started eleventh and had to fight by brother Donavon Smith to take command of the race at lap thirteen. He would then hold that top spot the rest of the way to the finish line and the win. Hard charger of the race was Jay Schmidt who took the runner up position. Schmidt started twenty-second due to troubles in his heat race, cleaned off the top shelf of the track, and scored an impressive second place. Third went to Donavon Smith, fourth was Josh Daniels, and Scott Davis rounded out the top five. This was Devin Smith's second win at the track this season. One of the racing Smith brothers was MIA last night, as David Smith was not in the house.
The visiting Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks ran a 20-lap feature with Bill Davis, Jr. scoring the win. Davis led the race from start to finish. Two yellow flags flew, but they were no hindrance to Davis as he pulled away on the restarts. Myles Michehl took the runner up position, Lou Sipolt was third, fourth went to Bryan Spangler, and Justin Schroeder was fifth. Interestingly, Lou Sipolt owns both the winner's #23 ride, and his own #9, but chooses to take a seat in what appears to be the slower of the two machines. Various drivers have taken turns behind the wheel of the winning truck, Jeff Johnson being one of them.
In the IMCA Hobby Stock 15-lap feature, Miciah Hidlebaugh looked to be on his way to visiting the winner's circle for the very first time as he led all but the final charge to the checkers. A slight slip up in the closing moments gave the advantage to Eric Knutson, who snatched the win away from the rookie driver. Hidlebaugh had to be content with second on this night. John Watson charged through the field from starting thirteenth, to take third, fourth went to Solomon Bennett, and current point leader Aaron Rudolph was fifth. Hidlebaugh, who will be a sophomore this fall at Grandview University, continues to have his first career win elude him.
Next Saturday night, June 15, will be the return of the Hawkeye Challenge to the Boone Speedway that ran from 1989-1993. All six classes will be vying for the top prize of a Snap-On Tools grill and tool box combo, plus $1,000. This contest will pit four drivers from each class who qualify, run the Hawkeye Challenge race, starting at different points on the track. Point leaders of each class will be locked in, with three others from their respective classes qualifying through passing points from their heats. $500 will also go to the top finisher of each class. The regular show will also be on the agenda. Hot laps are 5:45 with racing at 6:30.
It was refreshing to finally get four races under our belts this past week. Maybe, just maybe, Mother Nature has calmed down for both the farmers and for racing. Find a race to attend....support the sport we all love.
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Snittjer Grain Night wins to Aikey, Rust, Ritter, Storjohann, Anderson, and Morrill
It was Snittjer Grain Night under the Friday night lights at the Marshalltown Speedway. Jeff Aikey walked away with another win in the IMCA Late Model division, Joel Rust ran the rim for a win in the IMCA Modifieds, Shawn Ritter put his IMCA Stock Car back in Victory Lane, it was Travis Storjohann for the win in the IMCA Northern SportMods, Shannon Anderson returned to the winner's circle in the IMCA Hobby Stock class, and Mike Morrill got the win in the MADCRA Mod Lites.
Mike Morrill took the win in the Mod Lites, taking the lead at six laps in, and keeping it to the flying checkers. Joel Huggins chased the winner most of the race, and scored the runner up position. Third went to Erin Turner, Tanner Gannon was fourth and Doug Byers came from eleventh starting spot, and finished in fifth. This was Morrill's third win of the year. Morrill continued his tradition of giving away his winning trophy to a lucky youngster in the grandstand.
The 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stocks saw a familiar face back in Victory Lane as Shannon Anderson visited it once again. Anderson ran down early leader Leah Wroten who had started ninth, and took over the lead just before the halfway mark of the race. He never relinquished the top spot, and scored the win. Leah Wroten held off twelfth place starter Kaden Reynolds at the checkers as they went second and third in that order. Reynolds had suffered severe damage to his race car last week after being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and ended up stuffed into the frontstretch wall. It was good to see the young rookie driver back at it and in good form. Jacob Floyd was fourth and Jamie Coady completed the top five. Anderson has three regular season wins, plus won this past Tuesday night's Dirt Knights special.
Travis Storjohann put his #12R across the finish line first in scoring the victory in the IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap event. He finished just ahead of eighth place starter Jake McBirnie who was second. Austin Schrage was third, and Jenae Gustin, despite starting fifteenth, AND being sent back on a caution for jumping, finished in fourth place, and Travis Petersen was fifth. Tony Olson seized the lead at lap ten, only to suffer mechanical woes and had to exit the track. This handed the momentary lead over to Jenae Gustin, who eventually fell back to fourth at the finish line. This was Storjohann's first win of the year at the speedway.
Shawn Ritter led the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car main event from flag to flag in a race that went caution free. Ritter grabbed the lead immediately from his outside front row starting spot and was never seriously threatened on his way the checkered flag. Kyle Everts finished second after chasing the leader most of the race. Third went to pole sitter Scott Rice, veteran racer Jeff Wollam took fourth, and Todd Reitzler came from eighth, to finish fifth. This was Ritter's second win at Marshalltown this season to visit his own business sponsored Shawn's Hay Grinding Victory Lane.
The 20-lap IMCA Late Model contest went to Jeff Aikey. Aikey took the lead from Todd Cooney on lap three, and never gave it up. Andy Eckrich, Todd Cooney, and Jeremiah Hurst were locked in a fierce battle for the number two spot, with Eckrich winning that battle and claiming the runner up spot. Third went to Todd Cooney, Jeremiah Hurst was fourth, and Paul Nagle rounded out the top five. This was Aikey's second victory of the year. Aikey, in his post race interview with announcer Jerry Vansickel, explained that he was asked by owner of the car, Rick Dralle, if he'd be interested in running the hot rod this season since former driver Ryan Dolan had to have shoulder surgery. Aikey said he jumped at the chance for the ride.
Joel Rust set his hot rod on the top of the track and sailed to the win in the IMCA Modified 20-lapper. Tim Ward made a fantastic comeback, finishing in the runner up spot after having to tag the tail due to spinning on the first lap. Cody Laney was a hard charger, coming from seventeenth starting spot, to finish in third. Ethan Braaksma made his debut in the Modified class in his new Hughes chassis, moving up from the SportMod division, and took fourth after starting in twelfth. Randy Havlik also made good headway, charging through the field from starting eighteenth, and was fifth. Rust came from ninth to score his third victory of the year. The driver from Grundy Center is looking strong from what we've seen and heard, no matter where he races
Next week, June 14, is RBF Electric/Salute to Marshalltown Firemen night and the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks will join the regular classes. The IMCA Hobby Stocks will also be running for $400 to win. Grandstands open at 5:30, and the green flag drops at 7:30. It was announced that the June 28th race will be FREE admission thanks to sponsor of the night, KMJ Performance. It's also $1,000 to win for the Modifieds that race night.
It was a great night to be sitting at a dirt track race, with Mother Nature cooperating for a change. Let's hope she continues to control her temper. Find a race to attend and support dirt track racing.
Mike Morrill took the win in the Mod Lites, taking the lead at six laps in, and keeping it to the flying checkers. Joel Huggins chased the winner most of the race, and scored the runner up position. Third went to Erin Turner, Tanner Gannon was fourth and Doug Byers came from eleventh starting spot, and finished in fifth. This was Morrill's third win of the year. Morrill continued his tradition of giving away his winning trophy to a lucky youngster in the grandstand.
The 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stocks saw a familiar face back in Victory Lane as Shannon Anderson visited it once again. Anderson ran down early leader Leah Wroten who had started ninth, and took over the lead just before the halfway mark of the race. He never relinquished the top spot, and scored the win. Leah Wroten held off twelfth place starter Kaden Reynolds at the checkers as they went second and third in that order. Reynolds had suffered severe damage to his race car last week after being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and ended up stuffed into the frontstretch wall. It was good to see the young rookie driver back at it and in good form. Jacob Floyd was fourth and Jamie Coady completed the top five. Anderson has three regular season wins, plus won this past Tuesday night's Dirt Knights special.
Travis Storjohann put his #12R across the finish line first in scoring the victory in the IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap event. He finished just ahead of eighth place starter Jake McBirnie who was second. Austin Schrage was third, and Jenae Gustin, despite starting fifteenth, AND being sent back on a caution for jumping, finished in fourth place, and Travis Petersen was fifth. Tony Olson seized the lead at lap ten, only to suffer mechanical woes and had to exit the track. This handed the momentary lead over to Jenae Gustin, who eventually fell back to fourth at the finish line. This was Storjohann's first win of the year at the speedway.
Shawn Ritter led the 18-lap IMCA Stock Car main event from flag to flag in a race that went caution free. Ritter grabbed the lead immediately from his outside front row starting spot and was never seriously threatened on his way the checkered flag. Kyle Everts finished second after chasing the leader most of the race. Third went to pole sitter Scott Rice, veteran racer Jeff Wollam took fourth, and Todd Reitzler came from eighth, to finish fifth. This was Ritter's second win at Marshalltown this season to visit his own business sponsored Shawn's Hay Grinding Victory Lane.
The 20-lap IMCA Late Model contest went to Jeff Aikey. Aikey took the lead from Todd Cooney on lap three, and never gave it up. Andy Eckrich, Todd Cooney, and Jeremiah Hurst were locked in a fierce battle for the number two spot, with Eckrich winning that battle and claiming the runner up spot. Third went to Todd Cooney, Jeremiah Hurst was fourth, and Paul Nagle rounded out the top five. This was Aikey's second victory of the year. Aikey, in his post race interview with announcer Jerry Vansickel, explained that he was asked by owner of the car, Rick Dralle, if he'd be interested in running the hot rod this season since former driver Ryan Dolan had to have shoulder surgery. Aikey said he jumped at the chance for the ride.
Joel Rust set his hot rod on the top of the track and sailed to the win in the IMCA Modified 20-lapper. Tim Ward made a fantastic comeback, finishing in the runner up spot after having to tag the tail due to spinning on the first lap. Cody Laney was a hard charger, coming from seventeenth starting spot, to finish in third. Ethan Braaksma made his debut in the Modified class in his new Hughes chassis, moving up from the SportMod division, and took fourth after starting in twelfth. Randy Havlik also made good headway, charging through the field from starting eighteenth, and was fifth. Rust came from ninth to score his third victory of the year. The driver from Grundy Center is looking strong from what we've seen and heard, no matter where he races
Next week, June 14, is RBF Electric/Salute to Marshalltown Firemen night and the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks will join the regular classes. The IMCA Hobby Stocks will also be running for $400 to win. Grandstands open at 5:30, and the green flag drops at 7:30. It was announced that the June 28th race will be FREE admission thanks to sponsor of the night, KMJ Performance. It's also $1,000 to win for the Modifieds that race night.
It was a great night to be sitting at a dirt track race, with Mother Nature cooperating for a change. Let's hope she continues to control her temper. Find a race to attend and support dirt track racing.
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Dickey scores first Stock Car win at Osky, Carter, Griffiths and Allison also visit victory lane
The Southern Iowa Speedway was back in action on Wednesday night after last week's wash out. Along with the regular track classes, the Iowa Sportsman Series was also in the house, and it was cool to see a retired veteran racer take the checkers again. Voting for this year's Hall of Fame nominees was also available, with three worthy nominees being inducted on June 26.
The Iowa Sportsman Series made their first appearance at the monster half mile with I believe a dozen cars in attendance. They ran two 25-lap features, the first of which went to the #88 of Curtis Kline in his near late model appearing car with a Plexiglas appendage on the trunk. The second 25-lap Main event was won by the #40 of veteran racer Randy Embrey. Embrey retired from piloting his Hobby Stock quite a few years ago, and is now having fun with the Sportsman Series and preparing for an upcoming 100 plus lap event.
The Sport Compact ran a 10-lap feature with Mitchell Bunch leading in the opening laps, but Trent Orwig had the top spot by lap four. A caution flew at lap seven and again at lap eight, erasing the big lead that Orwig held, and by this time he had Josh Modde and Brandon Allison chomping at the bit on his tail. It was then a tight three car battle to the checkers. Orwig made a slight bobble coming out of corner four as the white flag waved, allowing Allison to slip by and into the lead. Allison held that top spot to the flying checkers and his first elusive win at Osky. It was a close one for second and third, with Josh Modde taking the runner up spot, and Orwig falling to third place. James Haring finished in fourth and Billy Cain was fifth.
Winner Brandon Allison, who is seventeen years old and will be a senior in high school next year, had been the bridesmaid the previous two races at the speedway, and finally secured that elusive first win.
It was a familiar face back in the winner's circle after the 14-lap Hobby Stocks feature, with Dustin Griffiths standing there once again. Griffiths started on the pole, and lead all but the opening lap, pulling away from his competitors in a race that went non-stop. Brad Stephens trailed Griffiths most of the contest, to finish a distant second. Mike Hughes made his first appearance of the year at the track, and finished in third place. Fourth went to Clint Nelson, and Christian Williams was fifth. This was Griffiths third win at the track this season.
Brayton Carter has been on a hot streak at various tracks around the area, and when we saw his #01 on the pole of the SportMod 16-lap A Main, our thoughts were that it was over. We were right, as Carter charged to the lead immediately, and pulled away. Speedy Bray would lead all laps on his way to the checkers. Logan Anderson chased the leader the entire distance to earn the runner up spot. Third went to the winner's cousin, Carter VanDenBerg, Colton Livezey was fourth, and Curtis Van Der Wal completed the top five.
The 16-lap Stock Car feature ended the night's racing action and at the end, it was Scott Dickey snatching up his first ever win at the track in the division. Known mostly for his Modified racing, Dickey has been running the full fendered class this year. He had to catch and pass Howard Gordon, Jr. and after a hard fought duel, took the top spot at lap five for good. There was a battle going on behind the leader for position as Gordon held back Jason See, Derrick Agee, and Cayden Carter. As the laps wore on in the caution free race, Jason See made the pass on Gordon, and began to reel in Dickey, but time ran out, and he had to settle for second place. Cayden Carter's perfect season came to an end, as he finished in third place, fourth went to Derrick Agee, and Nathan Wood rounded out the top five.
It was a beautiful night to be at a race track, and after the dust settled on the track after the heat races, making it a bit hard to see while the sun was still shining, the track turned slick and smooth for the features. We were also treated to another beautiful Iowa sunset over corners three and four, something I can never get enough of! Nostalgia buffs were also pleased to see Scott VanBuskirk taking a few laps around the monster half-mile in his Ford Coup flathead #25 between races.
The elevated purse, drew a few more cars last evening, fifty-three, plus a dozen or so Sportsmen, and next week, which is a makeup for an earlier rain out, will have even extra money in the purse for all divisions. The show was completed by 9:43 even with two 25-lap Sportsmen events.
Check the Positively Racing calendar, and find a race to attend. Support dirt track racing!
The Iowa Sportsman Series made their first appearance at the monster half mile with I believe a dozen cars in attendance. They ran two 25-lap features, the first of which went to the #88 of Curtis Kline in his near late model appearing car with a Plexiglas appendage on the trunk. The second 25-lap Main event was won by the #40 of veteran racer Randy Embrey. Embrey retired from piloting his Hobby Stock quite a few years ago, and is now having fun with the Sportsman Series and preparing for an upcoming 100 plus lap event.
The Sport Compact ran a 10-lap feature with Mitchell Bunch leading in the opening laps, but Trent Orwig had the top spot by lap four. A caution flew at lap seven and again at lap eight, erasing the big lead that Orwig held, and by this time he had Josh Modde and Brandon Allison chomping at the bit on his tail. It was then a tight three car battle to the checkers. Orwig made a slight bobble coming out of corner four as the white flag waved, allowing Allison to slip by and into the lead. Allison held that top spot to the flying checkers and his first elusive win at Osky. It was a close one for second and third, with Josh Modde taking the runner up spot, and Orwig falling to third place. James Haring finished in fourth and Billy Cain was fifth.
Winner Brandon Allison, who is seventeen years old and will be a senior in high school next year, had been the bridesmaid the previous two races at the speedway, and finally secured that elusive first win.
It was a familiar face back in the winner's circle after the 14-lap Hobby Stocks feature, with Dustin Griffiths standing there once again. Griffiths started on the pole, and lead all but the opening lap, pulling away from his competitors in a race that went non-stop. Brad Stephens trailed Griffiths most of the contest, to finish a distant second. Mike Hughes made his first appearance of the year at the track, and finished in third place. Fourth went to Clint Nelson, and Christian Williams was fifth. This was Griffiths third win at the track this season.
Brayton Carter has been on a hot streak at various tracks around the area, and when we saw his #01 on the pole of the SportMod 16-lap A Main, our thoughts were that it was over. We were right, as Carter charged to the lead immediately, and pulled away. Speedy Bray would lead all laps on his way to the checkers. Logan Anderson chased the leader the entire distance to earn the runner up spot. Third went to the winner's cousin, Carter VanDenBerg, Colton Livezey was fourth, and Curtis Van Der Wal completed the top five.
The 16-lap Stock Car feature ended the night's racing action and at the end, it was Scott Dickey snatching up his first ever win at the track in the division. Known mostly for his Modified racing, Dickey has been running the full fendered class this year. He had to catch and pass Howard Gordon, Jr. and after a hard fought duel, took the top spot at lap five for good. There was a battle going on behind the leader for position as Gordon held back Jason See, Derrick Agee, and Cayden Carter. As the laps wore on in the caution free race, Jason See made the pass on Gordon, and began to reel in Dickey, but time ran out, and he had to settle for second place. Cayden Carter's perfect season came to an end, as he finished in third place, fourth went to Derrick Agee, and Nathan Wood rounded out the top five.
It was a beautiful night to be at a race track, and after the dust settled on the track after the heat races, making it a bit hard to see while the sun was still shining, the track turned slick and smooth for the features. We were also treated to another beautiful Iowa sunset over corners three and four, something I can never get enough of! Nostalgia buffs were also pleased to see Scott VanBuskirk taking a few laps around the monster half-mile in his Ford Coup flathead #25 between races.
The elevated purse, drew a few more cars last evening, fifty-three, plus a dozen or so Sportsmen, and next week, which is a makeup for an earlier rain out, will have even extra money in the purse for all divisions. The show was completed by 9:43 even with two 25-lap Sportsmen events.
Check the Positively Racing calendar, and find a race to attend. Support dirt track racing!
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Richie "G Money" Gustin is on the money for Dirt Knight win
The Marshalltown Speedway hosted the season opener Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights tour for IMCA Modifieds presented by Wehrs Machine and Racing Products on Tuesday night. After two previously scheduled tour races were rained out, the first at Fort Dodge and the second at Vinton, the third time was the charm at Marshalltown. Also in competition were the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and the IMCA Late Models, running for national, regional, and state points, and a draw/redraw format.
Shannon Anderson walked away with another IMCA Hobby Stock feature in relatively easy fashion. Anderson drew the lucky outside pole starting position, and promptly grabbed the lead. Anderson would go on to lead all fifteen laps of the event and took another visit to victory lane. Anderson already had two weekly feature wins under his belt. Dylan Nelson came from the sixth starting spot to take the runner up position. Third went to Kayden Reynolds, Leah Wroten was fourth, and Gary Pfantz completed the top five. Young Kayden Reynolds suffered severe damage to his ride on Friday night, and it appeared he was in a different car for last night's contest.
The IMCA Northern SportMods found Brayton Carter taking the checkers, repeating his Friday night trip to the winner's circle. Carter took command at lap four and never looked back on his way to the checkers. Jake McBirnie hustled his way to the runner up spot after starting ninth, Dylan VanWyk made it to third after starting tenth, fourth went to early leader Kyle Olson, and Josh Foster, who piloted a Modified in years past, rounded out the top five. Carter was also the Frostbuster winner at Marshalltown.
Damon Murty took a night off from farming last night, and captured his first win of 2019 at the track in the IMCA Stock Car 20-lap A main. Murty set sail on the top side after starting eighth, and had the lead by lap four. Murty continued his familiar run around the rim, and took the comfortable win. Beatrice, Nebraska's Jordan Grabouski, fresh off of a $5,000 pay day at RPM Speedway in Hays, Kansas, could only chase Murty across the line to finish in second place. Third went to last Friday night's winner, Todd Reitzler, Curt Hook took fourth place, and early leader Austin Even went fifth.
The IMCA Late Models also came for a play date on Tuesday night. This turned into a two-car breakaway immediately between Jeremiah Hurst and Jeff Aikey. Hurst led the entire caution free race to score the win, and Aikey, who has been piloting the Rick Dralle hot rod, had to settle for the runner up position. Third went to Justin Kay, Andy Eckrich was fourth, and hometown boy Darrel DeFrance started thirteenth, and finished in fifth.
The 30-lap Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights tour for the IMCA Modifieds feature ended the night's racing. Drivers qualified through their heat races to earn passing points with the top twelve from those locked in for a later draw for starting position. The rest of the field was completed through two B Mains, with six coming from each.
Tim Ward led the stout field of cars as the race went green, with Richie Gustin tucking in behind to run in second. Gustin took several peeks in the corners, tried an unsuccessful slide at lap seven, then managed the pass on the frontstretch at lap eight to take command. Gustin soon had Joel Rust reeling him in, with Jordan Grabouski coming with a head of steam to run third after starting eleventh. Gustin continued his untouched run at the front of the field while Rust and Grabouski battled it out for the number two spot. As the laps ticked down, Gustin pulled away, and took the comfortable win. Grabouski got around Rust in the closing laps, as they finished second and third respectively. Ricky Thornton, Jr. started fourteenth, and finished fourth, and Tim Ward took fifth. Gustin keeps on living up to his nickname of "G Money" snatching up the extra paying events. He had just won $1,000 at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night, and got the $2,000 pay off last night.
My Positively Racing collegues were in full force last night. Check out Jeff Broeg's On the Back Stretch, Danny Rosencrans' Racin' Down the Road, and Ed Reichert's One Mans Travcls for their prospective of last night's racing action.
Find a race to attend and help support dirt track racing!
Shannon Anderson walked away with another IMCA Hobby Stock feature in relatively easy fashion. Anderson drew the lucky outside pole starting position, and promptly grabbed the lead. Anderson would go on to lead all fifteen laps of the event and took another visit to victory lane. Anderson already had two weekly feature wins under his belt. Dylan Nelson came from the sixth starting spot to take the runner up position. Third went to Kayden Reynolds, Leah Wroten was fourth, and Gary Pfantz completed the top five. Young Kayden Reynolds suffered severe damage to his ride on Friday night, and it appeared he was in a different car for last night's contest.
The IMCA Northern SportMods found Brayton Carter taking the checkers, repeating his Friday night trip to the winner's circle. Carter took command at lap four and never looked back on his way to the checkers. Jake McBirnie hustled his way to the runner up spot after starting ninth, Dylan VanWyk made it to third after starting tenth, fourth went to early leader Kyle Olson, and Josh Foster, who piloted a Modified in years past, rounded out the top five. Carter was also the Frostbuster winner at Marshalltown.
Damon Murty took a night off from farming last night, and captured his first win of 2019 at the track in the IMCA Stock Car 20-lap A main. Murty set sail on the top side after starting eighth, and had the lead by lap four. Murty continued his familiar run around the rim, and took the comfortable win. Beatrice, Nebraska's Jordan Grabouski, fresh off of a $5,000 pay day at RPM Speedway in Hays, Kansas, could only chase Murty across the line to finish in second place. Third went to last Friday night's winner, Todd Reitzler, Curt Hook took fourth place, and early leader Austin Even went fifth.
The IMCA Late Models also came for a play date on Tuesday night. This turned into a two-car breakaway immediately between Jeremiah Hurst and Jeff Aikey. Hurst led the entire caution free race to score the win, and Aikey, who has been piloting the Rick Dralle hot rod, had to settle for the runner up position. Third went to Justin Kay, Andy Eckrich was fourth, and hometown boy Darrel DeFrance started thirteenth, and finished in fifth.
The 30-lap Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights tour for the IMCA Modifieds feature ended the night's racing. Drivers qualified through their heat races to earn passing points with the top twelve from those locked in for a later draw for starting position. The rest of the field was completed through two B Mains, with six coming from each.
Tim Ward led the stout field of cars as the race went green, with Richie Gustin tucking in behind to run in second. Gustin took several peeks in the corners, tried an unsuccessful slide at lap seven, then managed the pass on the frontstretch at lap eight to take command. Gustin soon had Joel Rust reeling him in, with Jordan Grabouski coming with a head of steam to run third after starting eleventh. Gustin continued his untouched run at the front of the field while Rust and Grabouski battled it out for the number two spot. As the laps ticked down, Gustin pulled away, and took the comfortable win. Grabouski got around Rust in the closing laps, as they finished second and third respectively. Ricky Thornton, Jr. started fourteenth, and finished fourth, and Tim Ward took fifth. Gustin keeps on living up to his nickname of "G Money" snatching up the extra paying events. He had just won $1,000 at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night, and got the $2,000 pay off last night.
My Positively Racing collegues were in full force last night. Check out Jeff Broeg's On the Back Stretch, Danny Rosencrans' Racin' Down the Road, and Ed Reichert's One Mans Travcls for their prospective of last night's racing action.
Find a race to attend and help support dirt track racing!
Sunday, June 2, 2019
It's "G Money" for the Grand payoff at Boone
It was Super Saturday at the Boone Speedway as the IMCA Modifieds ran for a $1,000 prize, and the IMCA Northern SportMods vied for $750 presented by BHE Custom Suspension. Richie Gustin lived up to his moniker of "G Money", and made off with the Modified win, and Doug Smith took top honors in the SportMod division. Donavon Smith won in the IMCA Stock Car class, and Aaron Rudolph won the IMCA Hobby Stock feature. It was Tyler Thompson repeating his win from last week in the IMCA RaceSaver Sprints, Jeff Stensland went to victory lane in the MADCRA Mod Lites and the duo of Mason and Worley continued their dominance in the Cruisers.
The My Race Pass Mod Lites kicked off the night's main events with their 15-lap A feature. Jeff Stensland started on the pole and led the entire race, pulling away from the field to take the comfortable win. Randy Bryan started tenth and finished as the runner up after battling by third place Tanner Gannon. Bryan Zehm came from ninth starting spot, to finish fourth, and Terry Brown completed the top five. Only one caution marred the event with five laps remaining when Joe Glick, who was running second at that time, blew his motor. This was Stensland's first time in victory lane at Boone this year, after capturing the win the night before at the Marshalltown Speedway. Randy Bryan is the point leader in the Mod Lites.
It was Donavon Smith holding off his brother Devin Smith in the Arnold Motor Supply 18-lap feature for the IMCA Stock Cars. The two brothers broke away from the field in the latter part of the contest to finish first and second. Mike Goldsberry started thirteenth, and took third, Josh Daniels was fourth, and Troy Jerovetz had an impressive fifth place finish after starting eighteenth. This was Donavon Smith's second feature win of the season. Brother Devin Smith is leading points in the division.
The Snap-on Tools IMCA Modifieds ran a 25-lap A feature which was also a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All-Star ballot, as well as $1,000 in prize money. Veteran racer Kelly Shryock started on the pole and immediately flew to the lead. Richie Gustin was on the hunt quickly from his eighth starting spot, and caught Shryock at lap four. The two talented drivers duked it out until Gustin was able to nab the lead at lap eleven and then pull away. Gustin, known for often capturing the bigger paying races, and thus earning the name "G Money", lived up to his moniker, and claimed the easy win. Brother Jimmy Gustin started twelfth and made a last lap pass on Shryock, as they finished second and third respectively. Mike VanGenderen and Tim Ward rounded out the top five. Jimmy Gustin is the point leader in the Modified class as he protects his $2,000 wager for the track championship.
The Elmquist Towing IMCA Northern SportMod feature ran a 25-lap A main for their added payoff thanks to Bob Harris Enterprises. Three drivers put on quite a show for the fans during much of the race as Brayton Carter, Colby Fett, Daniel Fellows, and Doug Smith ran at the front of the pack challenging each other relentlessly. Carter led the race from the drop of the green, only to have it snatched away by Doug Smith with two laps remaining. Smith challenged Carter several times in the latter part of the race, getting a great run down the backstretch, finally getting the job done in the closing laps. Smith then held the top spot to the flying checkers and the win. Carter, though undoubtedly disappointed having led most of the race, had to be content with the runner up spot. Colby Fett took third place, fourth went to fifteenth place starter Jake Sachau, and Jake McBirnie was fifth. This was Smith's first win of the year at the speedway. Jake McBirnie is the points leader in the SportMod division.
Up next was the K1 Race Gear IMCA RaceSaver Sprints for their 20-lap event. Tyler Thompson made it two in a row in capturing the win, finishing well ahead of second place Mike Moore. Mike Houseman started tenth and finished third, fourth went to early leader Val Urman, and Ryan Navratil was fifth. Just past the halfway mark of the race, Shadrach Sporaa got upside down when the 69 machine of Mike Moore slide up into him. Sporaa was okay. Thompson holds a slim one point lead over Mike Houseman in the RaceSaver Sprints.
Point leader Aaron Rudolph took his second feature win of the year in the Pickett Salvage IMCA Hobby Stock 15-lap event. Rudolph weathered two green-white-checkered finishes to capture the victory. He held off second place finisher Solomon Bennett at the checkers. Eric Knutson was third, followed by rookie to the class Miciah Hidlebaugh in fourth, and Curt Reed rounded out the top five.
It was a night of keeping it in the family racing last evening. The Smith brothers from Lake City, no strangers to most savvy racing folks, were in top form last evening with Donavon and Devin going 1-2 in the Stock Cars. Earlier in that feature, another brother, David, was also in contention until a flat tire took him out of the family feud. Not to be outdone, Doug Smith put his hot rod in the winner's circle in the SportMod division. Another family affair, the racing Gustins of Richie and Jimmy Gustin, went first and second in the Modifieds. Another interesting note of the evening was that Kelly Shryock was hot lapping the RaceSaver Sprint of Brian Efkamp. Word is that he will be behind the wheel next Saturday night.
Next Saturday night, June 8, the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks will join the regular classes. Hot laps are 5:45 with racing at 6:30, and will remain so until further notice.
Find a race to attend. Check the racing calendar at Positively Racing for an event you might wish to attend. Help keep the sport alive that we all love....dirt track racing!
The My Race Pass Mod Lites kicked off the night's main events with their 15-lap A feature. Jeff Stensland started on the pole and led the entire race, pulling away from the field to take the comfortable win. Randy Bryan started tenth and finished as the runner up after battling by third place Tanner Gannon. Bryan Zehm came from ninth starting spot, to finish fourth, and Terry Brown completed the top five. Only one caution marred the event with five laps remaining when Joe Glick, who was running second at that time, blew his motor. This was Stensland's first time in victory lane at Boone this year, after capturing the win the night before at the Marshalltown Speedway. Randy Bryan is the point leader in the Mod Lites.
It was Donavon Smith holding off his brother Devin Smith in the Arnold Motor Supply 18-lap feature for the IMCA Stock Cars. The two brothers broke away from the field in the latter part of the contest to finish first and second. Mike Goldsberry started thirteenth, and took third, Josh Daniels was fourth, and Troy Jerovetz had an impressive fifth place finish after starting eighteenth. This was Donavon Smith's second feature win of the season. Brother Devin Smith is leading points in the division.
The Snap-on Tools IMCA Modifieds ran a 25-lap A feature which was also a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All-Star ballot, as well as $1,000 in prize money. Veteran racer Kelly Shryock started on the pole and immediately flew to the lead. Richie Gustin was on the hunt quickly from his eighth starting spot, and caught Shryock at lap four. The two talented drivers duked it out until Gustin was able to nab the lead at lap eleven and then pull away. Gustin, known for often capturing the bigger paying races, and thus earning the name "G Money", lived up to his moniker, and claimed the easy win. Brother Jimmy Gustin started twelfth and made a last lap pass on Shryock, as they finished second and third respectively. Mike VanGenderen and Tim Ward rounded out the top five. Jimmy Gustin is the point leader in the Modified class as he protects his $2,000 wager for the track championship.
The Elmquist Towing IMCA Northern SportMod feature ran a 25-lap A main for their added payoff thanks to Bob Harris Enterprises. Three drivers put on quite a show for the fans during much of the race as Brayton Carter, Colby Fett, Daniel Fellows, and Doug Smith ran at the front of the pack challenging each other relentlessly. Carter led the race from the drop of the green, only to have it snatched away by Doug Smith with two laps remaining. Smith challenged Carter several times in the latter part of the race, getting a great run down the backstretch, finally getting the job done in the closing laps. Smith then held the top spot to the flying checkers and the win. Carter, though undoubtedly disappointed having led most of the race, had to be content with the runner up spot. Colby Fett took third place, fourth went to fifteenth place starter Jake Sachau, and Jake McBirnie was fifth. This was Smith's first win of the year at the speedway. Jake McBirnie is the points leader in the SportMod division.
Up next was the K1 Race Gear IMCA RaceSaver Sprints for their 20-lap event. Tyler Thompson made it two in a row in capturing the win, finishing well ahead of second place Mike Moore. Mike Houseman started tenth and finished third, fourth went to early leader Val Urman, and Ryan Navratil was fifth. Just past the halfway mark of the race, Shadrach Sporaa got upside down when the 69 machine of Mike Moore slide up into him. Sporaa was okay. Thompson holds a slim one point lead over Mike Houseman in the RaceSaver Sprints.
Point leader Aaron Rudolph took his second feature win of the year in the Pickett Salvage IMCA Hobby Stock 15-lap event. Rudolph weathered two green-white-checkered finishes to capture the victory. He held off second place finisher Solomon Bennett at the checkers. Eric Knutson was third, followed by rookie to the class Miciah Hidlebaugh in fourth, and Curt Reed rounded out the top five.
It was a night of keeping it in the family racing last evening. The Smith brothers from Lake City, no strangers to most savvy racing folks, were in top form last evening with Donavon and Devin going 1-2 in the Stock Cars. Earlier in that feature, another brother, David, was also in contention until a flat tire took him out of the family feud. Not to be outdone, Doug Smith put his hot rod in the winner's circle in the SportMod division. Another family affair, the racing Gustins of Richie and Jimmy Gustin, went first and second in the Modifieds. Another interesting note of the evening was that Kelly Shryock was hot lapping the RaceSaver Sprint of Brian Efkamp. Word is that he will be behind the wheel next Saturday night.
Next Saturday night, June 8, the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks will join the regular classes. Hot laps are 5:45 with racing at 6:30, and will remain so until further notice.
Find a race to attend. Check the racing calendar at Positively Racing for an event you might wish to attend. Help keep the sport alive that we all love....dirt track racing!
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Carter beats Rose in SportMod photo finish
The Marshalltown Speedway finally got back to racing action after having its last four scheduled events scrapped by the weather, one of which was a Thursday/Friday doubleheader. Early on, Mother Nature gave those checking radar a bit of a scare, as a blossoming cell to the west, appeared to be headed right to the city. Fortunately, the cell began dissipating, and not a drop of rain fell at the track.
The IMCA Northern SportMods were vying for a $500 prize and it was won in a near photo finish by Brayton Carter. The IMCA Modified win went to Joel Rust, Todd Reitzler went to the winner's circle in the IMCA Stock Car class, and Shannon Anderson made a return to victory lane in the IMCA Hobby Stock division. Jeff Aikey won in the IMCA Late Model ranks, and Jeff Stensland won the Mod Lite event.
The Mod Lites opened the feature racing by clicking off their 15-lap main event by going non-stop. Jeff Stensland led the entire race, winning for the first time at the track this year. Joe Glick chased the leader much of the distance and finished a distant runner up. Randy Bryan took third place followed closely by fourth place Joel Huggins, and Mike Morrill completed the top five.
Shannon Anderson put his hot rod back in the winner's circle in the IMCA Hobby Stocks. Anderson started eleventh and fought his way to the front of the field with just three laps remaining in the 15-lap race. David Rieks started tenth and battled his way to second place. Third went to Leah Wroten who had started ninth, and Gary Pfantz and Ben Newhouse rounded out the top five. This was Anderson's second win of the year. Early in the feature, young Kayden Reynolds suffered severe right front damage after getting shoved into the frontstretch wall due to two other cars making contact. Reynolds, the innocent bystander, suffered the brunt of the incident.
There was an added purse in the IMCA Northern SportMods with a draw/redraw format. Thirty-one cars did battle for the top prize in an 18-lap main event that saw a photo finish. The race was red flagged at lap fourteen when Jack Housley left the racing surface going over the top of turns three and four, and hitting the catwalk. Housley was transported, but was alert and talking. After the lengthy delay, it was Johnathon Logue holding down the top spot, with a four lap shoot out awaiting on the restart. Those final laps turned out to a barn burner with Logue, Cory Rose, and Brayton Carter battling it out in an epic duel. All three drivers would hold a momentary lead through those final circuits, but as they crossed the finish line, the win went to Brayton Carter in a near photo finish. Cory Rose was second by inches, and Johnathon Logue was a close third. Fourth went to Carter VanDenBerg, and Tyler Inman was fifth after starting fifteenth. Carter, and second place Rose both came from the ninth row.
The scary incident when Jack Housley went off of the track had everyone holding their breath until the word came that he was out of the car, and alert and talking. He was transported as a precautionary measure. The car also hit one of the supporting poles on the catwalks, and we understood that the car ended up wedged in an area beneath them. The catwalk was cleared due to potential weakening after the support was hit. I would think those that had been standing on those catwalks when the incident occurred, had a moment of uncertainty!
The IMCA Stock Cars...the Class too Tough to Tame, put on their typical exciting feature. Austin Even led the troops through the halfway mark of the contest, only to have Todd Reitzler set his sights on the leader, and run him down. Reitzler took over at lap twelve of the 18-lap event and led the remainder of the race to the flying checkers. Curt Hook made a late race surge to capture the runner up spot, and the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty took third. Austin Even fell back a bit to finish in fourth place, and Jared Daggett made great headway to take fifth, from starting fifteenth.
Shawn Ritter also took a tumble off of the top of turns three and four, landing upside down. Ritter had just returned from a trip to the RPM Speedway in Kansas, finishing fourth in their $5,000 to win inaugural Stock Car event. Damon Murty also raced at the prestigious event, but only made the trip down on the final night of the two-day contest. He had to qualify through a heat race, then won his B Main to qualify for the feature. After starting 22nd in the loaded field, Murty came away with a sixth place finish. Local racer Jay Schmidt also made the trip and had a twelfth place finish. Our local area racers made us all proud with their showing. Jordan Grabouski from Beatrice, Nebraska, best known for piloting an IMCA Modified and being a two-time National Champion, won the big race, followed by another of our Iowa drivers, Mike Nichols.
Hometown boy Darrel DeFrance looked poised to take home the trophy in the IMCA Late Model 20-lapper, as he led early on. However, Jeff Aikey had other ideas. Aikey took command at lap ten, and never relinquished it the rest of the way to the checkers and the victory. Second place went to Jeremiah Hurst who got around third place finisher DeFrance in the closing moments. Kyle Hinrichs took fourth place, and Paul Nagel was fifth. Aikey has been piloting the 1D car of Rick Dralle.
The night cap at the speedway was the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. Joel Rust pretty well dominated in this one. Rust started tenth, took to the topside of the high banks, and had the lead at lap five, never to give it up. Jimmy Gustin inched by Tim Ward in the closing moments as they finished second and third respectively. Randy Havlik took fourth and early leader Jacob Murray was fifth. This was Rust's second win of the year at Marshalltown. Only one caution flew in the race that coming at lap eighteen.
Next up at the speedway will be on Tuesday, June 4, for the Dirt Knights Tour for IMCA Modifieds, paying $2,000 to win. Also on the card are the IMCA Late Models, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Northern SportMods, and IMCA Hobby Stocks with national, regional, and state points awarded in all divisions. Marshalltown will also be running their regular Friday night program on June 7.
Get out and find a race to attend and help support the sport we all love.....dirt track racing!
The IMCA Northern SportMods were vying for a $500 prize and it was won in a near photo finish by Brayton Carter. The IMCA Modified win went to Joel Rust, Todd Reitzler went to the winner's circle in the IMCA Stock Car class, and Shannon Anderson made a return to victory lane in the IMCA Hobby Stock division. Jeff Aikey won in the IMCA Late Model ranks, and Jeff Stensland won the Mod Lite event.
The Mod Lites opened the feature racing by clicking off their 15-lap main event by going non-stop. Jeff Stensland led the entire race, winning for the first time at the track this year. Joe Glick chased the leader much of the distance and finished a distant runner up. Randy Bryan took third place followed closely by fourth place Joel Huggins, and Mike Morrill completed the top five.
Shannon Anderson put his hot rod back in the winner's circle in the IMCA Hobby Stocks. Anderson started eleventh and fought his way to the front of the field with just three laps remaining in the 15-lap race. David Rieks started tenth and battled his way to second place. Third went to Leah Wroten who had started ninth, and Gary Pfantz and Ben Newhouse rounded out the top five. This was Anderson's second win of the year. Early in the feature, young Kayden Reynolds suffered severe right front damage after getting shoved into the frontstretch wall due to two other cars making contact. Reynolds, the innocent bystander, suffered the brunt of the incident.
There was an added purse in the IMCA Northern SportMods with a draw/redraw format. Thirty-one cars did battle for the top prize in an 18-lap main event that saw a photo finish. The race was red flagged at lap fourteen when Jack Housley left the racing surface going over the top of turns three and four, and hitting the catwalk. Housley was transported, but was alert and talking. After the lengthy delay, it was Johnathon Logue holding down the top spot, with a four lap shoot out awaiting on the restart. Those final laps turned out to a barn burner with Logue, Cory Rose, and Brayton Carter battling it out in an epic duel. All three drivers would hold a momentary lead through those final circuits, but as they crossed the finish line, the win went to Brayton Carter in a near photo finish. Cory Rose was second by inches, and Johnathon Logue was a close third. Fourth went to Carter VanDenBerg, and Tyler Inman was fifth after starting fifteenth. Carter, and second place Rose both came from the ninth row.
The scary incident when Jack Housley went off of the track had everyone holding their breath until the word came that he was out of the car, and alert and talking. He was transported as a precautionary measure. The car also hit one of the supporting poles on the catwalks, and we understood that the car ended up wedged in an area beneath them. The catwalk was cleared due to potential weakening after the support was hit. I would think those that had been standing on those catwalks when the incident occurred, had a moment of uncertainty!
The IMCA Stock Cars...the Class too Tough to Tame, put on their typical exciting feature. Austin Even led the troops through the halfway mark of the contest, only to have Todd Reitzler set his sights on the leader, and run him down. Reitzler took over at lap twelve of the 18-lap event and led the remainder of the race to the flying checkers. Curt Hook made a late race surge to capture the runner up spot, and the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty took third. Austin Even fell back a bit to finish in fourth place, and Jared Daggett made great headway to take fifth, from starting fifteenth.
Shawn Ritter also took a tumble off of the top of turns three and four, landing upside down. Ritter had just returned from a trip to the RPM Speedway in Kansas, finishing fourth in their $5,000 to win inaugural Stock Car event. Damon Murty also raced at the prestigious event, but only made the trip down on the final night of the two-day contest. He had to qualify through a heat race, then won his B Main to qualify for the feature. After starting 22nd in the loaded field, Murty came away with a sixth place finish. Local racer Jay Schmidt also made the trip and had a twelfth place finish. Our local area racers made us all proud with their showing. Jordan Grabouski from Beatrice, Nebraska, best known for piloting an IMCA Modified and being a two-time National Champion, won the big race, followed by another of our Iowa drivers, Mike Nichols.
Hometown boy Darrel DeFrance looked poised to take home the trophy in the IMCA Late Model 20-lapper, as he led early on. However, Jeff Aikey had other ideas. Aikey took command at lap ten, and never relinquished it the rest of the way to the checkers and the victory. Second place went to Jeremiah Hurst who got around third place finisher DeFrance in the closing moments. Kyle Hinrichs took fourth place, and Paul Nagel was fifth. Aikey has been piloting the 1D car of Rick Dralle.
The night cap at the speedway was the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. Joel Rust pretty well dominated in this one. Rust started tenth, took to the topside of the high banks, and had the lead at lap five, never to give it up. Jimmy Gustin inched by Tim Ward in the closing moments as they finished second and third respectively. Randy Havlik took fourth and early leader Jacob Murray was fifth. This was Rust's second win of the year at Marshalltown. Only one caution flew in the race that coming at lap eighteen.
Next up at the speedway will be on Tuesday, June 4, for the Dirt Knights Tour for IMCA Modifieds, paying $2,000 to win. Also on the card are the IMCA Late Models, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Northern SportMods, and IMCA Hobby Stocks with national, regional, and state points awarded in all divisions. Marshalltown will also be running their regular Friday night program on June 7.
Get out and find a race to attend and help support the sport we all love.....dirt track racing!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)