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!
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