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!
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