Spaw and Ramsey complete full sweeps at the Fall Challenge

 We headed back to Oskaloosa Saturday for Night #2 of the Fall Challenge.  It was another chilly, but beautiful night to end what just might have been our last race of the season.  By my count, there were 86 cars in the five divisions from the previous night, plus 13 of the A.I.R.S. (American Iron Racing Series) on hand.

The Non-Wing Sprints ran their 10 laps feature first, and it was the 11 car of Colton Fisher out of Mediapolis, Iowa taking the win.  Fisher led from the get go and won easily at the checkers.  Glen Saville, Friday night's winner, took the runner up position.  Ben Woods was third, followed by Robert Bell in fourth, and Doug Sylvester completed the top five.

There was a 12 lap feature race next for the Sport Compacts.  Lewie Winkelman was the leader at lap one, but Kolby Sabin had the lead at lap two, never to look back.  Alex Hayes fought it out with Matt Moore for the next positions, Hayes winning second, and Moore going third.  Winkelman and Tyler Haring would round out the top five.

The American Iron Racing Series (A.I.R.S.) were an added class for the evening, with 13 of the nostalgic appearing cars putting on a show for the fans.  They ran a 12 lap feature.  Doak Allen, West Burlington, Iowa, in the #01 Chevelle went home with that win. Allen said he had raced at the track in different divisions in the past, but this was his first win at Osky.  Second place went to Scott Van Buskirk, driving a neat looking #25 Studebaker.  Van Buskirk turned many a lap at the Southern Iowa Speedway, as well as other area tracks in days gone by, when he piloted a Modified.  Third was #68 Travis Heier in a Ford Maverick, fourth went to the# 501 of Bart Miller, Clarence, Iowa, and fifth was the #5 1958 Ford driven by Brian Gade.  

The Hobby Stocks had 29 cars checked in for the evenings racing, requiring one B Main to take four as the final to tag the tail of the 14 lap A Main.  Luke Ramsey picked up where he left off the previous night, and going home with the win.  Ramsey started in row four, and had the lead when lap one was scored, never to relinquish it the rest of the way to the checkers.  Ramsey didn't let a couple of cautions, nor the red flag situation at lap five when Tyler Graves flipped his ride (he was okay) in a high rollover on the backstretch, hinder his drive to the checkers.  Fifth row starter Braden Richards, Madrid, Iowa, finished in second place, John Watson, also came from row five and took third, followed by Keaton Gorden in fourth, and Aaron Martin in fifth.  Not only did Ramsey sweep the weekend features in his division, he repeated the same feat from last year's Fall Challenge.

The SportMods ran a 16 lap feature, with Jeremy Grantham, Allison, Iowa leading the way for the first two laps. Then fellow competitor at the Hamilton County Speedway, Ty Griffith, Webster City, grabbed the lead.  Joining in the fray for position was Maguire DeJong, and Curtis Van Der Wal as they locked into a tight battle.  Van Der Wal would come out on top of that waged contest, as he took over the top spot just a couple of laps later, and then pulled off to secure yet another of his numerous wins at the Monster Half-Mile.  Ty Griffith took home the runner up finish, DeJong was third, Jeremy Grantham took fourth, and Trent Brink completed the top five.

The night cap was the 16 lap Stock Car feature that put a close on the 2021 racing season at the Southern Iowa Speedway.   The previous night's winner, Johnny Spaw started on the outside front row, jumped to the lead, and it was as good as over from then on.  Scott Davis hung close through the first half of the race, but in the end, it was Spaw driving off to secure his second win in as many nights....completing another clean sweep for the weekend.  Davis held on to finish second.  Third place went to Steve Myer, Dustin Griffiths was fourth, and  Austin Kemper, Wapello, was fifth.  Miciah Hidelbaugh, who was suppose to start on the pole, but was late coming out and had to tag the tail of the feature, made a hard charge through the field to finish sixth.  

Jeff Kropf did a fantastic job filling in for regular Jerry Mackey on the mic last evening.  Though Jerry was in the house, his voice had given out by the end of the night on Friday, and he was unable to provide his usual call of the races.  

This put a close to the racing season at Osky this year, but stay tuned for announcements of their 2022 season coming up.  

This MAY, have been our last race of the year as well, but don't hold us to that if we can find a race and the weather cooperates!  Check out the calendar at Positively Racing and you may find some more racing you'd like to attend before calling it over for the season.  We all need to keep supporting the sport we all love.....dirt track racing!

Ramsey and Saville pull off last lap passes to take Night #1 Fall Challenge wins

 It was breezy and chilly for Night #1 of the Southern Iowa Speedway's Fall Challenge on Friday. Thankfully, the wind died down as the temperatures dropped, and we were grateful for layers and blankets as we saw 39 degrees on our vehicle thermometer as we made our way home.

Five classes and 104 cars (by my count) would take to the Monster Half-Mile.  With over 3 inches of rain during the week, and more added earlier in the day, we were lucky to even be racing! It had been four weeks since we had last seen a race, so it was good to get back to hearing the engines roar again!

Thirteen of the non-wing Sprints came to try their hand at the track.  The 14 lap feature saw Ben Woods  lead from the drop of the green and was looking to be easily on his way to a victory.  Glen Saville, who listed his residence as Moulton, Iowa, chased Woods the entire race but could do no better.....until the red flag waved on lap twelve.  That's when Ryan Mills took a tumble in corner two, halting the action.  This drew the field together for the restart, and Saville was on his game, throwing in a challenge immediately.  Woods continued to hold him off....until the last corner as the checkers unfurled.  Saville beat Woods to the checkers, and stole the win.  Woods finished, a no doubt, disappointed runner up.  Third went to veteran racer Robert Bell, Kelly Graham was fourth, and Logan Alexander was fifth.  

An interview in Victory Lane with announcer Jerry Mackey, quickly determined that Saville is not an Iowa native, but is from New South Wales, Australia.  Another Aussie transplant!  Congratulations on your Southern Iowa Speedway win!

Fifteen Sport Compact came to play and ran a twelve lap A feature.  James Haring led the field for this one as the race went green.  He was holding off Nathan Moody through lap nine, when a caution flag fell, as his car came to a stop in corner two.  This put Moody as the captain of the ship, and he would drive it home to a Fall Challenge win.  Terry Bickford, Shannon City, Iowa made his first appearance at the track, and finished a close runner up.  Tyler Haring, William Michel, and Matt Moore completed the top five.

The Southern Iowa Speedway is known for its Stock Car racing, and they did not disappoint last evening, with twenty-three strong checking into the pits.  Madrid's Scott Davis, who in years past had made laps around the track, maybe not since the IMCA Winner's Series race for Stock Cars back in the day,  made an appearance last evening, and led the field to green in the 16 lap main event.

Davis held onto that top spot, but not for long, as Nathan Ballard, Marengo, Iowa came calling, and claimed the lead on lap four.  Ballard, who moved up from the Hobby Stock class this year, was then busy holding off the advances of veteran racer, Johnny Spaw.  Spaw relentlessly annoyed Ballard and made it pay off on lap nine.  Then a yellow flew for two cars up against the fence in turn two.  It appeared Nathan Wood's car had something break, sending the car toward the fence, gathering in Todd Reitzler in the process.  This ended the two talented driver's night....both having been running in the top five.

When the race returned to action, it was Spaw leading the field to green, and from there on out, it was all the veteran racers race as he pulled away and took the easy win.  Dustin Griffiths started tenth, and took second place.  Third place finisher was Miciah Hidlebaugh, Menlo, Iowa, fourth went to Kellogg, Iowa's Michael Jaennette, and rounding out the top five was Brock Haines, nephew of veteran Late Model racer Ron Boyse.  This was the first time Spaw had ever seen the checkers at the track.

The SportMods had 20 cars check in, some cars we noted missing due to a race in Dubuque.  Not missing however, was young Maguire DeJong.  DeJong has dominated at the Southern Iowa Speedway powerplant this season as he took the track championship in the division, and he showed his strength once again last evening!  DeJong started in row three and had the lead at lap two.  A caution at lap six was no hinderance to the talented young driver out of Montezuma, Iowa, as he would end up winning, going away. I suspect that he was able to race last evening due to the fact that Monte did not have a High School football game...due to a forfeit on their opponents part. Sometimes, things just fall into place!  Webster City, Iowa's Ty Griffith in his sharp looking #56 hot rod, placed second.  third was Curtis Van Der Wal (who had to tag the field after a spin early in the race) fourth went to Colton Livezey, and Trent Orwig was fifth.

The night ended with the 14 lap Hobby Stock A main.  There were 34 cars checked in and two B mains, taking two from each, completed the 24 car starting field.

Young Madrid racer, Braden Richards, son of Stock Car veteran Rod "Hot Rod" Richards who was also in the house last night, took the early lead.  He had veteran racer Luke Ramsey, Bedford, Iowa quickly on his bumper however, and he began applying the pressure.  A slip up the track in turn one was Richards' undoing just after lap eight was in the books.  He slipped under Richards and took over the top spot.  Ramsey would hold that lead the rest of the way to the flying checkers and the win.  Richards finished as the runner up, Jake Nelson ran up front all race long, and finished third, fourth was Aaron Martin, and Keaton Gorden was fifth.

Night #2 of the Fall Challenge is on tap tonight at the Southern Iowa Speedway.  Starting times are moved up with the grandstands opening at 5, hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7 .  The A.I.R.S. cars will join the other five classes tonight.

Thornton takes Night #2 World Nationals title, Murty goes back to back

We were back at the Marshalltown Speedway Saturday for Night #2 of the World Nationals. There were 148 entries packing the pits to close out the racing for 2021.  The Sport Compacts joined the Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks on a beautiful September night that saw the fans come out in good numbers as well.

The Sport Compacts brought sixteen competitors for the night's action. Their A main event went 12 laps and was led from start to finish by Colby Sabin out of Des Moines.  Second place finisher Max Heimbuch, Mason City, chased Sabin the entire race.  Third place went to Atkin, Iowa's Logan Clausen, who started fifteenth, Jay Crabill, Cedar Rapids, Iowa driver was fourth, and Stuart, Iowa's Tyler Fiebelkorn was fifth.

Thirty-eight Northern SportMods were whittled down to a 24 car starting field through two B Mains for their 20 lap feature event.

Veteran racer Brian Schrage was in charge as the race went green, and held it until Tony Olson came calling at lap seven, snatching the lead as the cars crossed the flagstand.  Olson was then the man at the helm and soon had Kaylin Lopez, Dylan VanWyk, and last night's winner Brayton Carter to reckon with.  As the race wore on, VanWyk was able to take over the top spot with just three laps remaining as Carter slipped in to second place and began applying pressure.  Carter's last ditch slide out of corner four as they approached the flagstand fell just short, and VanWyk took the checkers first.  Third place went to Kaylin Lopez, Colby Fett was fourth, and Tony Olson was fifth. 

Early in the SportMod race, a scary incident occurred when the cars of Tommy Hensley and Nic Runyan made hard contact. Runyan's car then went head on into the frontstretch sponsors boards without braking.  The race was red flagged while Runyan was evaluated by the track EMTs. Though Runyan was said to be alert and talking, the local ambulance was called and he was transported for further evaluation.  We send good thoughts and prayers to Nic Runyan that all is well.

There were 29 Hobby Stocks in the house, and they ran a 20 laps feature event.  John Watson, Des Moines, started on the pole, and jumped immediately to the lead.  Meanwhile battling it out for second place were Braden Richards and Chris Krug.  Watson was content to let the two duke it out as he continued to lead the troops. However, a late race yellow was not what Watson was wanting as it resulted in a green-white-checkered finish.  Watson was still leading as the cars came out of turn four, but Richards was able to execute a perfect slider, just beating Watson to the finish line and stealing the win.  Chris Krug, Emmetsburg, Iowa went home with a third place finish.  Minburn, Iowa's Solomon Bennett came from twelfth starting position, to finish fourth, and Jeremiah Andrews, Union,, Iowa started sixteenth, and rounded out the top five. VanWyk went home $1000 richer.  Oskaloosa, Iowa drivers went 1-2 in the championship race.  

The Stock Cars went 25 laps for their main event.  Dave Atcher was the one in charge for the first six laps of the race, but coming fast on the topside was the familiar 99X of Dallon Murty.  Murty started sixth, and had the lead by lap seven, never to look back. He matched his win from the previous night, and another $1000 pay day. Tom Berry, Jr. in the Jeff Wollam hotrod, finished as the runner up.  Third went to eighth place starter, dad Damon Murty.  Early leader Dave Atcher was fourth, and completing the top five was Independence, Iowa lady racer, Leah Wroten.  

The Modifieds had 45 cars vying for $2000 to win.  It took two B mains to set their 24 car starting field.  

Jacob Hobscheidt had looked exceptionally fast in his earlier heat race, and it was no surprise that he took off like a rocket from his pole starting spot when the 30 lap feature went green.  However Dylan Thornton, Santa Maria, California visitor, came calling quickly, and was able to slide it out of turn four and around Hobscheidt, taking the lead on lap seven.  It was Thornton's race from there on out, as he was in command the rest of the way to the flying checkers.  Meanwhile, it was a shoot out for position behind him as Richie Gustin, Kollin Hibdon, and Tom Berry, Jr. battled it out.  At the finish, it was Gilman's Richie Gustin taking the runner up spot. Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nevada started tenth and was a close third, as was fourth place finisher, Tom Berry, Jr., who started twelfth.  Early leader Jacob Hobscheidt, Plattsmouth, Nebraska was fifth.

The Marshalltown Speedway now falls silent until the 2022 race season.  Watch for a schedule to be released in the coming months.  

This race now wraps up our weekly racing scene.  We will be checking the calendar at Positively Racing however, for some specials in our area before we quite call it a year.  You do the same, and find a race to attend and keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

  

Murty doubles up with wins in Stock Car and Modified at Night 1 of the World Nationals

It was night #1 of the 15th Annual World Nationals at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday evening. It was a windy and chilly night and by night's end, I was glad to have my winter coat! 

The IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks were in competition with many traveling heavy hitters trying their hand on the High Banks. One hundred and forty-two cars checked in for the night's racing.

The IMCA Hobby Stocks ran their 20 lap main event first with polesitter Austen Mehmen grabbing the lead.  Mehmen continued to hold down the top spot well past the halfway mark of the race, fending off the advances of Jeremiah Andrews and then Eric Knutson as the laps wound down.  Right after lap eighteen was in the books, Knutson was able to power around Mehmen in corner two, and take over the lead.  Mehmen's attempt to come back had the door slammed by Knutson, and he went home to the checkers and the win.  Mehmen finished as the runner up, third went to Independence, Iowa driver Jim Ball, fourth was Jeremiah Andrews, and twelfth place starter Solomon Bennett finished fifth.  Knutson, who started thirteenth on the grid, went home with the $500 prize.  Twenty-seven IMCA Hobby Stocks were in the house.

The IMCA Northern SportMods had forty cars vying for a chance at the $1,000 in their division.  This required two B mains to whittle the starting field down to 24 cars. 

Fifteen year old Boone, Iowa hot shoe Izac Mallicoat grabbed the immediate lead from his outside front row starting spot, but by lap five, it was fourth place starter Logan Anderson who was now at the helm.  Anderson was extending his lead until a yellow at lap twelve erased all of that.  By this time, Jenae Gustin had moved into second place after getting around Mallicoat, and Oskaloosa's Brayton Carter had hard charged through the field from starting fifteenth, to run in third. When the race returned to green, Carter executed a perfect slide out of corner four to take over the top spot as lap thirteen went into the books.  From there on it was all Carter's race as he motored home to the flying checkers.  Jenae Gustin took the runner up spot, third was Anderson, Mallicoat took fourth, and fellow Oskaloosa driver, Dylan VanWyk was fifth.  

There were twenty-seven IMCA Stock Cars checked into the pits, and all were allowed to run their A.  They had a hard time getting their 25 lap feature started. Four cautions flew in the first two laps, leaving only fifteen cars running after the on track incidents eliminated so many cars. In my humble opinion, a little patience would have kept those cars still in competition.   

Todd Reitzler held down the top spot until lap five, when Wisconsin racer Derek Moede in the 99KK hot rod, took command.  By this time, Dallon Murty, in his 99X had moved into the runner up spot after starting tenth.  Murty, no stranger to the High Banks, established the number one spot on lap eleven, and that was all she wrote as he pulled away in the closing laps to secure yet another feature win.  Moede took second, Damon Murty in his 99D raced from eleventh starting spot to finish third, making it a 1-2-3 win for number 99's. Fourth went to Austin Kaplan, and Dave Atcher finished fifth after starting fourteenth.  Murty earned the win, and a $1,000 pay day.  

Murty now had to hop into his rent a ride for the IMCA Modified 30 lap feature. He was racing the 222 car out of California I believe.   He started on the outside of the front row, and immediately claimed the lead.  He would then go on to lead all laps on his way to his first ever Modified victory.  Dylan Thornton, Santa Maria, California, caught Murty as the laps wound down, but never posed a real threat, and had to be content with second place.  Third went to Drew Janssen, the Pella, Iowa rookie Modified racer who ran up front all race long, and Cody Laney, Torrence, California, and Kyle Kudick, Mishcot, Wisconsin rounded out the top five.  This time, Murty earned $2,000 for his achievement which he just keeps racking up!  He is fresh off of his Super National's Stock Car win, among other prestigious wins this past year, including the Bristol on dirt win.  

It's back to Marshalltown tonight for Night #2 of the World Nationals.  That name by the way, comes from the sponsor, World racing products. There will be complete shows once again for the Modifieds, with $2,000 to win and $200 to start.  Both the Stock Cars and Northern SportMods will be after the $1,000 top prize, and the Hobby Stocks, $500.  The IMCA Sport Compacts join the show tonight, racing for $300.  Racing is scheduled for 7 p.m.  Hope to see you there for Marshalltown Speedway's last hoorah of the 2021 racing season. Come out and help support the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

39th annual IMCA Super Nationals is now history

 It was a record setting car count for the 39th IMCA Super Nationals held at the Boone Speedway.  A whopping 909 race cars checked in to race.  The pits were a sea of haulers and it was a good thing that the pit area was expanded this year.  It was also a sea of campers, and when fans arrived, it added even more numbers to the scene.  "South Boone" had a larger population than Boone itself!

Our "Racin' Vacation" started on Saturday and Sunday for Nights 1 and 2 of the Prelude, and then Monday, Labor Day dawned the first of 6 straight days/nights of Super Nationals racing.  

Monday, Day 1

There were 56 races and 564 laps scheduled for the kick off to the Super Nationals.  This was the day a champion was crowned in the IMCA Late Models.  It was also the night the lights went out at the track....twice! It was not only a track issue, as part of the town of Boone also went dark.  Alliant Energy was quick to get things back up and running. Thankfully, power was restored each time within a half hour, and racing proceeded.  

There were 36 entries in the IMCA Late Models, and those were narrowed down to a 24 starting field for their "Big Dance" 50 lap feature.  

Justin Kay, and Bobby Hansen started on the front row.  Kay immediately jumped to the lead, and would dominate the entire race on his way to victory....one that has eluded him several times. He's been so close on several occasions previously, so this was quite sweet for the Wheatland, Iowa racer.  Richie Gustin closed in on Kay at about the halfway mark of the race, as well as current National point leader in the division, Cory Dumpert from York, Nebraska.  Kay threw off those challengers, and as the laps wound down, pulled away to score the win by a comfortable margin.  Dumpert took the runner up spot, Gilman's Richie Gustin went third, fourth place was defending and three-time champion Jeff Aikey, and Blue Grass, Iowa's Andy Nezworski was fifth.  

The IMCA Northern SportMod also qualified 8 drivers for the inside row of their A feature on Saturday, and the IMCA Hobby Stocks took 8 from each of two qualifying mains, the first to the inside row, and the second 8 to the middle row for Saturday.  Those wins went to Springfield, Missouri's Ryan Gillmore, in the SportMod  and Adel's Dylan Nelson, and Nathan Ballard, Marengo, Iowa in the Hobby Stocks. 

Racing was completed at 12:01 a.m.

Tuesday, Day 2

There were 65 races today and 588 scheduled laps.  Another Super Nationals champion was crowned, this time in the IMCA Sport Compact division.  A full show for the compacts brought 70 competitors, those were cut down to 30 drivers qualifying for their Big Dance 25 lap event.

Mitch Bielenberg, Charlotte, Iowa began in the middle of the front row of the 3-wide start.  He grabbed the lead as the race went green, and from then on, never looked back on his way to the win. He had also won at the Prelude.  He finished well ahead of second place Chuck Fullencamp, West Point, Iowa driver, a close third was Keokuk's Josh Barnes, fourth went to Drake Bohlmeyer, Beatrice, Nebraska, and Blaine Ellis, Sebree, Kentucky, and the first ever from the state to qualify for a Super Nationals event, started eighteenth and finished fifth.

Qualifying continued in the Northern SportMod and Hobby Stock divisions on Tuesday as well.  Josh Most and Brayton Carter won the SportMod two qualifying A features to start at the front of the middle and outside rows respectively come Saturday night.  

The IMCA Hobby Stock winner of his A feature and qualifying for Saturday's big race was Jeff Ware.  He made a late race charge through the field, coming from fourteenth to win.

There was also Race of Champion qualifiers for both the SportMods and the Hobby Stocks.  

The final flag fell at 12:58 a.m. 

Wednesday, Day 3

Wednesday is the day the IMCA Stock Cars and Modifieds make their first appearance. There were 222 Modified entries and 221 in the Stock Cars, and a total of 78 races for 726 laps.

Two 25 lap Stock Car A qualifiers saw Devin Smith coming from eighth starting spot in the first feature to take that win.  The second saw a show put on by 16 year old Dallon Murty.  Murty started twelfth and took the checkers.

There were also two qualifying A's for the Modifieds.  Cody Laney, Torrance, California led all 25 laps to win the first one, and in the second 25 lap event, it was Boone's own Jake McBirnie with the win.  

The Hobby Stocks and SportMods completed their championship qualifying with wins by Austin Schrage, SportMods, and John Watson taking the win in Hobby Stock.

Seventy-eight races later, things were completed at 2:13 a.m.

Thursday, Day 4

There were 62 races and 614 laps scheduled on Thursday.  Qualifying continued in the Modifieds and the Stock Cars.  It was also the Inaugural Stock Car All-Star Invitational. The drivers qualified earlier in the week through quick times in time trials. Veteran Modified racer, Kelly Shryock, who has been having fun the last few years by doing double duty in the Stock Cars, added this trophy to his many accomplishments.  

Dylan Thornton, Santa Maria, California took the win in the first A to put himself upfront in the middle row come Saturday night.  Tom Berry, Jr., driving the Jeff Wollam car, will start P1 or P2 in the middle row for Saturday's Big Dance.  Both drivers are doing double duty as they are better known for piloting a Modified.

The Modifieds also had two A qualifying features.  The first one was won by Jeff Aikey, and the second went to Tim Ward.  Aikey had qualified the previous night, being a top 4 in that night's qualifier, but turned it down, not wanting to start so far back.  The decision turned out to be the right one for Aikey, as this night with his win, he would be starting  P1 or P2 of the middle row on Saturday.  Sometimes, things work out!  

The final green flag fell at 1:33 a.m.

Friday, Day 5

How could it already be Friday?  Time had flown by, but yet here we were, with only two days left of the Super Nationals. Fifty-three races and 514 laps were scheduled.  

The Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational Championship race was held today.  Thirty cars qualified through fast times earlier in the week.  They started their 30 lap race 3-wide.  Early leader Dakota Sproul had a steering belt issue eliminate his run, handing the top spot over to Nick Roberts, with Kyle Brown hot on his heels.  Those two went at it lap after lap, and with one to go, Brown made the pass for the lead, and took it home to the checkers and the win.  

Two more Stock Car A qualifying features were run, taking four each to the outside row of Saturday's Big Dance.  The two winners were Zach Madrid, Phoenix, Arizona, and Derek Green, Granada, Minnesota who came from fifteenth starting position, to win his A.  

There were also two A qualifiers for the Modifieds.  Susanville, California's Riley Simmons took the first A, and Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, California won the other. 

This was our earliest night with the racing winding up at 10:58 p.m. 

Saturday, Day 6 and the Big Dance time!

There was final qualifying for the Stock Cars and the Modifieds.  Those qualifying drivers were able to tag the back of the championship features.  Twenty-eight races and 414 laps were on tap for the grand finale.

There were also Race of Champions run in the Modified, Stock Car, Northern SportMod, and Hobby Stocks. Zach Olmstead, Overton, Nebraska took the win in the Hobby Stocks.  Tony Olson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa won the SportMod title.  Veteran racer Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa won the Stock Car title for the second year straight.  Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa was pretty emotional in victory lane after he won the Modified ROC.  He now has a trifecta at Super Nationals through the years, a Super Nationals Modified Big Dance winner, an All-Star Invitational winner, and now a Race of Champions winner.  This must have been particularly sweet after Shute flipped off the track earlier in the week, and had to repair the car. He joins Ricky Thornton, Jr, Kyle Strickler, and Jimmy Gustin as the only other trifecta winners.

The Big Dance for the Hobby Stocks was first to run.  It was seventeen year old Mike Smith....of the famous Smith clan from the Lake City, Iowa area...taking the win. Finishing second through fifth respectively were Jeff Ware, last year's winner Nathan Ballard, former winner Dylan Nelson, and Malik Sampson. Smith is the son of Stock Car racer David Smith, who was quite emotional after his son won. Mike Smith, at 17 years old, became the youngest driver ever to win the Super National title in the Hobby Stock division. It was quite the sight to see the huge Smith clan running out to join the winner in victory lane! 

The Northern SportMod Dance came next.  There was sadness to this starting field, as the polesitter, Ryan Gillmore had received word that his father had passed away unexpectedly the night before, and he left to return home.  All of the drivers agreed that in his honor, they would leave the missing man pole position empty.

Austen Becerra, Carthage, Illinois racer led the 30 lap race from lap eleven on to take the title of Super Nationals Northern SportMod champion. Brayton Carter was second, third went to Dylan VanWyk, Alec Fett was fourth, and fifteen year old Izac Mallicoat was fifth.  In Becerra's post race interview, he said this was his last ever race in the SportMod, as next year he was moving to Modified.

Thirty laps of Stock Car dancing was a clinic of racing by sixteen year old Dallon Murty.  Murty took the lead at lap twelve, and then never looked back, taking the win comfortably ahead of second place Dylan Thornton, followed by Devin Smith, Derek Green, and Troy Jerovetz. Dallon's father Damon Murty was also in the race, but an incident sent him sliding into the infield at one point, and out of the race.  This allowed dad to be able to watch his son in his championship run.  This too was an emotional victory lane with family and fans flooding the infield.  Dallon is the youngest Stock Car winner in the Super Nationals.  Watch out Modified drivers, he's moving up next year!  

The long anticipated Modified Big Dance was the night cap to complete the 2021 Super Nationals.  Cody Laney got the lucky pole starting spot for the 33 car, 3-wide starting field.  It was all his race from the drop of the green, as he led all 40 laps.  He finished a good distance ahead of second place Tim Ward.  Completing the top five was third place Justin O'Brien, West Union, Iowa, Farmington, New Mexico's Zane DeVilbiss in fourth, and twenty year old Jerry Flippo, Bakersfield, California in fifth. The race was completed right on the bewitching hour of midnight.

Notes and observations from the 2021 Super Nationals:

How thankful everyone was for the wonderful weather this year.....no rain at all....after last year's nightmare. The young teenage drivers were in abundance in all classes.  They get younger and younger every year. Vehicles were being towed again with fans parking where it was a no no.  The "wave" by the grandstands and catwalks was a little weak this year, but got done.  There were lots of "bad dog, no biscuit" black flags. Wade Aunger, the Aussie announcer added a lot of fun to the show this year, and was well received by everyone. He used the "Boone Spoon" mention for the draw in victory lane, and those with the wins down there, shouted out "Boone Shakalaka" phrase coined by Wade. Jerry Vansickel, and Ryan Clark, our regular announcers, were on their game as always, entertaining everyone with their wit, facts, and wisdom.  There was a huge contingency of Western Region drivers, and they did very well, pleasing Western Region Director Paul Vetter to no end. Several are Midwest transplants or at least come back during the summer to race in our area.  We heard we had cars from 27 states and BC Canada.  Even had a Kentucky and Louisiana entries.  I also stuck around for the engine auction afterwards, and both the SportMod and Hobby Stock went for $7000 each, and the Modified and Stock Cars sold for $7500.  

We had a great time at the Super Nationals again.  Not only seeing the great racing, but meeting up with so many of the racing family.  We are catching our breath a bit, and will be back at it this coming weekend for the World Nationals at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday and Saturday nights.  For complete results of the Super Nationals, check out www.raceboone.com, www.imca.com, or www.myracepass.com.  Take a look at all the drivers who participated from far and wide.  

Our area racing season is drawing to a close, but a few races remain.  Check the calendar at www.positivelyracing.com for a race that you can still attend.  Keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

 

Raffurty takes Inaugural Mod Lite Super Nationals title

Boone Speedway held Night 2 of the Wild Rose Casino and Resort Prelude to Super Nationals, with 145 IMCA Northern SportMods, 91 IMCA Hobby Stocks, 50 IMCA Sport Compacts, and 44 IMCA STARS Mod Lites on hand. There were full shows for the SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Sport Compacts.  After qualifying 20 cars the previous night, the Mod Lites qualified their final 10 cars to set their three-wide, 30 car Big Dance for the first ever Super Nationals title in the division.

The IMCA Sport Compacts ran a 20 lap feature.  It was a tight contest to start the race with Brandon Hartmann, Fairmont, Minnesota out pacing Mankato, Minnesota's Jerry Coopman.   Twelfth place starter Mitch Bielenberg, Charlotte, Iowa was quick to move into third place at lap five, and then two laps later, he had the lead.  From there on out, Bielenberg would lead the rest of the way, taking the comfortable win. Jerry Coopman finished as the runner up, Bobby Douglas, Bowen, Illinois  was third, fourth went to early leader Brandon Hartmann, and Mason City, Iowa's Ryan Bryant completed the top five.  The race went flag to flag.

The IMCA Northern SportMods ran 25 laps for their Prelude championship event.  Austin Becerra, the Carthage, Illinois racer, started third, and had the lead at lap four, never to look back.  Becerra weathered four cautions, to take the victory.  He held off the late race challenges of Tyler Soppe, who finished as the runner up. Two hard chargers were next across the line.  Beloit, Kansas racer Tyler Watts started fourteenth and finished third, and seventeenth place starter, Bo Partain, Casa Grande, Arizona was fourth.  Local young racer Izac Mallicoat rounded out the top five.

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites had their first ever Super Nationals run, going 25 laps in a three-wide, 30 car feature event.  Things did not go well as the race took the green.  The race was quickly red flagged when Justin Kinderknecht Salina, Kansas snap rolled violently into the infield on the backstretch just after the race went green.  Thankfully, he was okay.  Then at lap one, the race was red flagged again, when Texarkana, Texas racer Robert McCollett also rolled.  He too was okay.  When the race did get going, polesitter, and current national point leader Dillon Raffurty, Kansas City, Missouri was off like a shot, and pulled away from the pack.  He was never touched from there on out, and claimed the title of the Inaugural IMCA STARS Mod Lite Super Nationals champion.  Hometown racer Mike Kennedy would claim second place, after starting in tenth position.  Garrett Stonum, Lawson, Missouri finished a close third place after starting seventeenth.  Bryce Vowan made the trip from Memphis, Tennessee and took fourth place, and Bryan Zehm, Ames, Iowa finished in fifth.

The STARS Mod Lite's earlier ran their Race of Champions.  It was Dillon Raffurty going home with that first ever title as well.  Dustin Rude, Danbury, Texas finished as the runner up, Bakersfield, Californian Zac Forster was third, track champion Josh May came from tenth spot to finish in fourth, and Bryce Vowan, the Tennessee driver was fifth.

The IMCA Hobby Stocks completed the night's show with the running of their 25 lap feature.  Polesitter Andrew Burk from Milan, Illinois jumped to the lead, with Overton, Nebraska's Andrew Burk, and regular weekly racer Braden Richards in tow.  The three would run nose to tail lap after lap until Olmstead was able to make the pass for the lead on lap seven....never to relinquish it.  He finished a good distance ahead of second place Braden Richards, Burk claimed third place, fourth went to tenth place starter and track champion Eric Stanton, and Jason Ruby, Minot, North Dakota was fifth.

Racing began about 5:34 yesterday and the last checkers fell at 1:32 a.m.  We hope the last liquid sunshine we see falling from the sky was just the very few sprinkles that fell as the Hobby Stock feature pulled onto track....a surprise to everyone!  A check of radar, and the tiny, tiny speck was barely even visible....then disappeared.  

The 39th IMCA Super Nationals starts on Labor Day for their six day run.  There will be a complete show for the IMCA Late Models, and qualifying for the IMCA Northern SportMods, and the IMCA Hobby Stocks.  We are excited to get this show under way!  Let's go racing!  

Prelude to Super Nationals Night 1 in the books

There were persistent sprinkles and such low cloud cover, you felt as if you could almost touch them as we headed for the Boone Speedway on Saturday.  The grounds were bustling with activity in preparation of the first night of the Prelude as track workers hurried to be ready for the show that was about to start an eight day marathon of racing. By the time the cars hit the track for hot laps around 4 o'clock, the blue sky was cloudless and the sun was finally shining!

Night #1 of the Wild Rose Casino and Resort Prelude to the Super Nationals was held Saturday night at the Boone Speedway with 307 cars participating in the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, and for the first time, the IMCA STARS Mod Lites.   Forty-eight races, and 462 laps were run on Iowa's Action Track as the count down to the 39th annual Super Nationals begins.

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites ran six qualifying heats, and two A features that locked in ten cars from each of their 25 lap main events.

The first Mod Lite feature did not start off well, The race was red flagged on lap five when Clayton Hogie and Andrue Halpain,  rolled just out of turn four.  Thankfully, the drivers were okay.  When the race restarted, Dustin Rude continued his lead from the time the green flag dropped but was quickly overtaken by Blake Wilson.  Wilson then was enjoying his run at the front of the field as the laps wore down, but had big time company up to battle in the closing laps.  National point leader, Dillon Raffurty, Kansas City, Missouri began applying the pressure, and after a good battle between the two, it was Raffurty taking command on lap twenty-three, and then sailing to the win.  Wilson had to be content with the runner up position, track champion Josh May came from fourteenth starting spot to capture third, fourth went to twelfth place starter, Mike Kennedy,  and early leader Dustin Rude, was fifth.  Michael Raffurty, Kansas City, Missouri,  Jason Massengarb, Colona, Illinois, Zac Forster, Bakersfield, California, Brandon Freeburg, Metamora, Illinois, and Cory Sonner, Huxley, Iowa completed the top ten to start on the inside row of tomorrow's first ever Mod Lite Super Nationals Big Dance.

Mod Lite A feature #2 saw Ames, Iowa racer Bryan Zehm take the lead on lap four, passing Mabelvale, Arkansas racer Jeromy Wilson, and then pull away.  It was all Zehm's race from there on out as he sailed to victory.  Following a good distance behind in second place was early leader Wilson, third went to Bryce Vowan, Memphis, Tennessee, Ed Griggs, Pleasant Hill, Missouri was fourth, and fifth went to Cameron Wagner, Bismark, Arkansas.  Completing the top ten to start on the outside row for tomorrow Big Dance were Garrett Stonum, Lawson, Missouri, Ryuan Ayrs, Salina, Kansas, Darrick Knutsen, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Justin Raffurty, Kearney, Missouri, and Doug Byers, Grinnell, Iowa.

The IMCA Modifieds ran a complete show to determine their 2021 Prelude champion.  Their A feature went 30 laps and it was outside front row sitter, Joel Bushore jumping to the immediate lead.  Mike Mashl and Tim Ward, Torrence, California, were quick to tail leader Bushore, and began to apply pressure.  Ward made a slide out of corner four work for him on lap nine, and took over the top spot.  He then took off and was enjoying a comfortable lead, until a yellow on lap twenty-two vanished his 3.5 second lead.  By this time, Cody Laney had moved to second and was anxious for the restart.  However, Ward kept Laney at bay in the closing laps, and swept to the checkers and the win.  Following second place Laney was Mike Mashl, Depere, Wisconsin, in third, fourth went to Clear Lake, Iowa's Jeremy Mills, and Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa came from fourteenth, to finish fifth.

It was another complete show for the IMCA Stock Cars, and they too ran a 30 lap feature.  Michael Jaennette wasted no time in moving from starting fourth, and into the lead by the time lap three was in the books.  He then pulled away, enjoying a comfortable lead.  Polesitter, Dylan Thornton, Santa Maria, California chased Jaennette and closing quickly was seventh place starter Dallon Murty.  Jaennette's sizeable lead vanished on lap twenty-four when a yellow flew, making it a possible game changer for the outcome.  That was exactly what it was, when Murty, known as "The Game Changer", made his move as the race returned to green, making the pass for the lead on the backstretch, and then leading the final handful of laps to seal the win.  Devin Smith did give Murty a challenge on the final lap, but all in vain and had to settle for second.  Jaennette took third place, followed by Dylan Thornton, in fourth, and Kelly Shryock started thirteenth, and finished fifth.

There were several drivers doing double duty in the Modified and Stock Car classes, most of those regulars in the Modified class that are jumping into a fendered ride.  Some of those are in their own cars, while others are in rent a rides.  We noted Jake McBirnie in the Jeff McCollum hot rod, Nick Roberts was in I believe in a Shawn Ritter car, Joel Rust was piloting the #28 of Rhett Ehmen, while Kyle Brown and Mike Albertsen had both of their own cars.  This is just to name a few.

The first green flag racing started right at 5:15 p.m. and everything wrapped up at 11:22 p.m.  

Tomorrow, Sunday September 5 will be Day #2 of the Wild Rose Casino and Resort's Prelude to the Super Nationals.  There will be complete shows for the IMCA Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Sport Compacts, and the first of the 2021 Super Nationals Champions will be crowned in the STARS Mod Lite division.  

On to seven more days/nights of dirt track racing!

 

Rain washes out Showdown at Motown....on to Boone

 Things can change quickly in Iowa, as I checked the Marshalltown Speedway Facebook page Friday morning to find Toby Kruse tooling around the track getting it in shape for the Showdown at Motown that night.  It wasn't much later when I checked, and it was cancelled! They had just had a heavy pop-up downpour!  That's Iowa for ya!  Not the first time it's happened, and far from the last.

Since there was no racing in Marshalltown, we opted to see if we could check in to our hotel in Ames early for our "Racin' Vacation" that kicks off with tomorrow's Prelude to the Super Nationals at the Boone Speedway, followed by Sunday's day #2 of the Prelude, and then starting Monday, the 39th IMCA Super Nationals for the next six days. The forecast is sounding good for the marathon of racing, but I don't want to say that too loud! It misted on us all the way here, and when we came out from dinner, it had rained, and now it's still misting!  This just needs to get it out of it's system!!  We've got racing to see!! As of Friday evening, there is a record 924 pre-entries, from 27 states and Canada ready to compete at the Super Nationals.  Wow!  

Hope to run into some of you during the upcoming eight straight days/nights of racing.  The season is quickly winding down and before we know it, we will be yearning for these days at the track.  Let's go racing! 

Five feature winners and five track champions close out regular season at Boone

It was season championship night at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night.  The top ten in points from each class were locked into their feature race, and the rest of the field was determined by last chance qualifiers. There was out of car introductions in front of the grandstand, allowing fans a chance to show their appreciation for the drivers they've watched all year long.  All classes had 5 extra laps added to their feature events.   Five feature winners, and five track champions were crowned at the end of the night's racing action.

The My Race Pass IMCA STARS Mod Lites ran 20 laps for their A main, which did not start off well.  Two cars flipped wildly on the backstretch just after the green flag dropped.  Cliff Barber and Travis Messamer took quite a ride, but both were okay.  On lap three, it was Chad Culp rolling his ride in turn four, bringing out the second red of the race. He was also not injured. Culp made this his second "on his top incident" of the night, as he also rolled in his heat race.  

When the race restarted, it was Mike Kennedy leading, but it was short lived as Randy Bryan claimed the top spot at lap four.  It was Bryan's race from there on out as he pulled away to take the easy win...his second in as many weeks.  Mike Kennedy was second, it was a close one for third and fourth with Josh May winning out, just beating Bryan Zehm at the line.  Jon Braathun rounded out the top five.  Josh May is the Mod Lite track champion.

Johnathon Logue put together back to back wins in the Elmquist Towing IMCA Northern SportMod 23 lap feature. Izac Mallicoat and Logue wrestled for the top spot for much of the first portion until Logue was able to establish the lead at lap eleven, holding it the rest of the way to the checkers.  Mallicoat finished as the runner up, Kaylin Lopez ran up front all race long, and finished third, and it was Chad Ryerson in fourth, and Dusty Masolini in fifth.  This was Logue's tenth regular feature win of the season, and he is your 2021 track champion for the second year in a row.

The D & E Outside Service IMCA Modifieds ran 25 laps for their feature race.  This one had a good contest going between Cory Sauerman and Mike VanGenderen as they went at it.  VanGenderen, the 2016 and 2017 track champion, caught then leader Sauerman and began throwing slide after slide that didn't quite stick until lap sixteen when he snatched the lead.  His good fortune would end just a couple of laps later when he was out of the race with mechanical issues.  Sauerman would then go on to lead the remaining laps and capture the win.  Pole sitter Nick Roberts was second, Todd Shute came from eleventh starting position, to finish a close third, fourth went to Paul Nagle, and Brandon Leeman was fifth.  This was Sauerman's third feature win of the year.  The track champion for 2021 is Nick Roberts.

The Arnold Motor Supply IMCA Stock Cars went 25 laps for their feature event, and it was the Smith Brother's show as the brothers finished one-two-three.  Donavon Smith, as point leader, started on the pole and kept his ride on the low side as he usually does.  Michael Jaennette chased Smith in the opening laps, but shortly all eyes were on two other Smith's flying along on the topside...David and Devin Smith were coming!  At lap ten, David had moved into second spot, and Devin followed him to run third.  It was a great side by side battle for second place with Devin finally winning the runner up spot, and then began to reel in leader Donavon.  He got the job done, taking the lead on lap eighteen and holding off his brothers for the win.  Donavon Smith was second, with David Smith in third place.  Fourth went to Justin Nehring and Michael Jaennette was fifth. The Stock Cars went caution free.  This was Devin Smith's fifth regular season win at the speedway this season.  Donavon Smith repeated his track championship for the second year in a row....and his seventh since 2010. 

Braden Richards looked to be easily on his way to victory in the Pickett Salvage IMCA Hobby Stock 20 lap feature after grabbing the lead from Eric Stanton on lap five, and then sailed away, and appeared to be gone.  A flat tire with just one lap remaining was the nemesis for Richards on this night, as he was out of the race.  Solomon Bennett was the lucky one as he took over first place and raced home to the checkers and the win.  Eric Stanton finished as the runner up, Mike Smith took third place, fourth went to Eric Knutson, and Curt Reed completed the top five.  This was Bennett's first win of the year.  Eric Stanton is the 2021 track champion in the Hobby Stocks, taking his fourth crown. 

This concluded the regular weekly racing at the Boone Speedway, but there is much more racing ahead.  Next Saturday, September 4, is night #1 of the Prelude to the 39th IMCA Super Nationals, with full shows for the Modifieds and Stock Cars, and qualifying for the STARS Mod Lites.  Then on Sunday, September 5, is night #2 of the Prelude with a full show for the Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, and the first ever IMCA STARS Mod Lite Super Nationals winner will be crowned.  Then on Monday, September 6, begins the week long run of America's Racin' Vacation.  

We will be starting our Racin' Vacation next Saturday for the first night of the Prelude, an eight day run of racing.  As of last night, 824 cars were pre-entered.  It's a spectacle for sure!  We pray for no rain this year, after last year's deluge, missing a complete day of racing, and then racing nearly around the clock to get caught up, but still having to use Sunday as the final Big Dance day.  We hope we survive the upcoming marathon!  

Keep supporting the sport we all love, dirt track racing! 

 

Marshalltown Speedway track champions named as final race falls to Mother Nature

 The Marshalltown Speedway has not had a good track record this year of good weather nights.  Their final weekly race of the season fell to wet grounds after more than 3" of rain fell on Thursday.  This marked the ninth time this year that the track has suffered a weather out.  The cancellations included the early April two night special for the King of the HighBanks and the long anticipated Castrol FloRacing Super Late Model Series in mid-May. 

With the cancellation of the final points night at the track, the track champions were determined by their  point standings.  Not just winning, but being consistent paid off for the drivers.  

The IMCA Modified track champion is Ronn Laurtizen. Lauritzen won the title with only one feature win this season, that coming back on July 23.  But as mentioned, being consistent was a key to his winning the crown.  

The IMCA Stock Car title went to Tyler Pickett.  He won his championship without a single feature win, but by finishing in the top five week in and week out.  

The IMCA Northern SportMod track championship goes to Austin Schrage.  Schrage, who put his ride into Victory Lane the final two race nights, but had regular top finishes throughout the season, takes his first ever track championship title, doing so at the Marshalltown Speedway. 

The IMCA Hobby Stock track championship was won easily by Kaden Reynolds. Reynolds put an exclamation point on his season...winning 11 weekly races.  

Josh May took the first ever track title for the newly sanctioned IMCA Mod Lites at Marshalltown.  Consistency was the name of the game for May also, winning by 79 points, and with just one win. 

The Marshalltown Speedway still has racing scheduled until it falls silent in 2021.  Next Friday, September 3, is the Showdown at MoTown.  The IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, STARS Mod Lites, plus the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks are on tap.  Then to close out the season, the World Nationals will be held on September 16-18.  Check the track's Facebook page or www.marshalltownspeedway for more details.  

We were a bit surprised when we got the notification this morning about the cancellation tonight.  We did have a bit over 2 inches of rain here in Grinnell between 8 and 9 p.m. last evening, but understand Marshalltown received several rain falls yesterday.  We are just hoping this is not the beginning of rainy season starting what with the IMCA Super Nationals just around the corner.  No one wants to cope with the monsoon we had during that time last year.  

Find a race to attend, and keep the sport we all love alive and well....dirt track racing!

Running for watermelons as well as $ at the Boone Speedway

There was extra money on the line Saturday at the Boone Speedway where it was the Watermelon Classic along with the P1Performance Challenge for the IMCA Modified.  There were 185 cars checked into the pits that provided close racing action all night long. The draw/redraw show also held an extra incentive for the IMCA Stock Cars, with $1,000 to win and a qualifier for the upcoming IMCA Super Nationals IMCA Stock Car All-Star race.  Another bonus was a watermelon presented to all feature winners! There's an old story behind the watermelons.  It's been said that drivers would race for watermelons, and last night they did!

The P1Performance IMCA Modified Challenge race was set through time trials, and then heat races, with thirteen drivers qualifying for the 15 lap feature event that paid $1,250.  The top two in the six heat races were locked in and with one tie, a thirteenth driver was added.  Those drivers were brought in front of the grandstand for their draw for starting positions.

Joel Bushore and Richie Gustin drew the front row.  Gustin immediately grabbed the lead, and would lead all fifteen laps of the race, winning going away.  Cody Laney finished second, sixth place starter Todd Shute was third, Jake McBirnie was fourth, and Pacifica, California racer Shane DeVolder was fifth. Gustin, who has earned the nickname of "G Money" as he so often takes the high dollar shows, lived up to that name once again.   

Regular feature racing began with the My Race Pass IMCA STARS Mod Lites and their 15 lap main event.  Mike Kennedy started on the outside front row, and grabbed the lead as the race went green.  Randy Bryan however, was quickly up to challenge.  Kennedy held back Bryan's attempts until lap eleven when he made his persistence pay off, and made the pass for the lead.  From there on out, it was Bryan's race as he took the checkers.  Kennedy held the runner up spot, third went to Bryan Zehm, Joe Glick was fourth, and Josh May was fifth.  This was Bryan's first feature win of the year.

Earlier in the night, the Mod Lite's first heat race was red flagged before the field was out of turn two.  Cody Yaw, who had just brought out his new car after suffering early season carnage, took a wild ride, flipping high in the air when he made contact with another car.  Thankfully, no one was hurt, but it appeared it was back to the drawing board for Yaw and more repairs ahead.

Thirty-nine Elmquist Towing IMCA Northern SportMods were in the house and after two B mains, the starting field was whittled down to twenty-four cars for their 18 lap feature.

Izac Mallicoat started from the pole and grabbed the lead as the race went green.  Johnathon Logue started beside him and tucked in to run second.  Mallicoat held off Logue's advances until lap seven, when he took command.  Logue didn't have it easy however, as Jake Sachau was soon to be chasing the leader and was hounding him left and right.  The final six circuits found the two running side by side at times, but Logue continued to be scored the leader as they passed the flagstand.  Sachau gave it one final shot as they came out of corner four looking at the checkers, but it was Logue by inches over Sachau in a near photo finish.  Mallicoat finished third, Kaylin Lopez was fourth, and Eric Elliott, in his return to racing in quite sometime, started eleventh, and finished fifth. Logue made this win number nine on the season.

The IMCA D & E Outside Services Modifieds ran their regular 20 lap feature race next, and it also paid $1,250 to win. The healthy field of 46 race cars checked in to the pits, also required two B Mains to get the starting field down to 24 cars.

Jake McBirnie was quick to grab the lead from his outside front row starting spot.  The closing laps found Tim Ward throwing a few challenges at the leader, but come up short as McBirnie would lead all laps on his way to feature win number five.   Brother-in-law Ward finished a close second, Shane DeVolder started twelfth and took third place, fourth went to Paul Nagle, and eleventh place starter Joel Rust completed the top five. 

The Arnold Motor Supply $1,000 to win IMCA Stock Car 20 lap feature had to have 49 cars whittled down to 24 through two B Mains.

Last week's winner Scott Davis drew the lucky pole starting spot and kept the top spot as the green flag fell.  He continued to keep his ride on the bottom of the track, leading the field as the race wore on.  The final handful of laps had Donavon Smith barking at his heels, with seventeenth place starter, Tom Berry, Jr. now in third spot.  Berry made his high side run and diamond run out of corner two work to perfection in the closing laps, grabbing the lead at lap nineteen, and keeping it to the flying checkers.  Davis had to be content with second place this week, Donavon Smith finished third, Troy Jerovetz in fourth, and Johnathon Logue was fifth.  Berry, who was doing double duty also running the Modified class, chalked up his first ever Stock Car feature win at the track, and qualified for the IMCA Super Nationals All-Star Stock Car race.  He was already qualified for the Modified All-Star race, and did not race in the Modified division tonight. He is racing the Jeff Wollam owned "Dilly Bar Special hot rod. 

Thirty-two IMCA Pickett Salvage Hobby Stocks required one B Main to set their 24 car 15 lap feature race that put a night cap on the racing action.

 Mike Smith would lead this one from flag to flag to secure his fourth win of the year.  Wayne Gifford pestered Smith for much of the race, peeking for a way around, but could do no better than finish second.  Eric Stanton took third place, Curt Reed was fourth, and Seth Janssen rounded out the top five.

A few notes of interest of the evening:  Jimmy Gustin's last corner nemesis arose again last night. He was digging hard to make the A feature through a B, running second and looking to qualify.  The final corner was once again his fate, as he spun as the checkered flag lay ahead.  I believe this was the third such scenario this year.  Hobby Stock racer, Braden Richards was in a brand new car, that got christened by nights end.  Racers pulling double duty last night were Mike VanGenderen in the Modifieds and Stock Cars.  Johnathon Logue ran his regular SportMod class along with debuting a brand new Stock Car.  And finally, Jake McBirnie, Modified regular, joined the Stock Car ranks as well last evening, and looked good as he piloted a #1M car that I believe to be Jeff McCollum's out of Mankato, Minnesota.  

Next Saturday is Season Championships.  Johnathon Logue in the SportMod division, and Eric Stanton in the Hobby Stocks appear to have their titles wrapped up leading by 73 points, and 50 points respectively.  Donavon Smith is also pretty secure with his Stock Car lead, up 23 points.  Both the Modified and Mod Lite classes are the only ones that could in question as both Nick Roberts in the Mods, and Josh May in the Mod Lite, hold eight point leads.

Get out and find a race to attend, and keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

Murtys and Schrages go 1-2, Braaksma scores his first, and Reynolds keeps rolling

It was Toby K's Hideaway Night at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday, with the IMCA Sport Compacts joining the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and STARS Mod Lites. 

New faces to Victory Lane came out of the IMCA Modified class along with the Sport Compacts, while all other classes saw returning visitors to the winner's circle.  It was also a historic night with two classes having father-son finishes....or in this case, son-father finishes.  

The IMCA Sport Compacts kicked off the feature racing with their 12 lap feature event that went flag to flag.  Jake Benischek started tenth on the starting grid, and had the lead by the time lap two was scored.  He then lengthened his lead....and was gone from the rest of the pack, taking the easy win.  Kolby Sabin started sixth, and finished as the runner up.  John Gill came from eighth to finish in third place, Timothy Hanson started ninth, and finished fourth, and it was Mark Smith completing the top five.  This was Benischek's first win of the season at the speedway.   

Dillon Raffurty put another notch in his belt by winning the 15 lap IMCA STARS Mod Lite feature. Raffurty started fifth, and took command of the lead on lap three, never to look back.  He finished well ahead of second place Josh May.  Third went to Dustin Ford, Michael Raffurty took fourth, and Doug Byers was fifth.  After a caution on the original restart, the race went caution free.  This marked the sixth win for Raffurty this season.  He made the tow up from Kansas City, Missouri regularly to run at the High Banks.  Josh May has the track title wrapped up sporting a huge 79 point lead.  

The IMCA Northern SportMod feature was next on the schedule. It did not start off well!  On the initial start, the race went red when Joe Luethje went up and over turn one.  Thankfully, he was not hurt. There was yet another yellow for the start of the race, but after that, the race would continue caution free.

Brian Schrage started fifth, and held down the top spot early in the race, but by lap nine, it was Schrage's son Austin chasing his dad's rear bumper.  Dad Brian held off his son as long as he could, but with two laps remaining in the 18 lap feature, it was son Austin taking command. The race would end with Austin Schrage taking the checkers first, with father Brian chasing him across the finish line to score the runner up position.  Jenae Gustin came from twelfth to finish third, fourth went to Travis Peterson, and early leader Brady Hilmer was fifth.  Austin Schrage started tenth, and repeated his win from last week.  He also regained the point lead last evening, as Johnathon Logue was a DNF after suffering damage in a racing incident. 

Kaden Reynolds just keeps chalking up the wins this year in the IMCA Hobby Stock class, as he added to those numbers once again.  Reynolds started eleventh, and ran down early leader Kyle Parizek, taking over the top spot at lap eight.  From there on, he skimmed the top of the track as he pulled away to another win.  Jeremiah Andrews ran at the front of the field all race long, and scored a second place finish.  Early leader Kyle Parizek finished third, fourth was twelfth place starter John Watson, and Luke Schluetter rounded out the top five.  This was the eleventh feature win for Reynolds this season, plus he also won the Frostbuster special. Reynold's has the track title well in hand as we go into season championship night next week.

The IMCA Modifieds came to the track next for their 20 lap main event.  Ethan Braaksma started on the outside front row, and immediately claimed the lead.  Two cautions, one at lap eight for a stray track tire running loose, and another late in the race at lap seventeen, proved to be no issue for Braaksma as he shot back off into the lead. He would lead all laps on his way to his first win of the year.  Point leader Ronn Lauritzen started ninth and finished second. It was a shoot out for the next positions in a tight battle, with pole sitter Jake Pike taking third, Joel Rust in fourth, and Tim Ward came from eleventh starting spot, to finish fifth.  Lauritzen holds a 24 point lead over second place, as he is looking to claim the track title in the Modified division.  

The night cap was 20 laps of IMCA Stock Car feature racing.  Kenzie Ritter held down the lead at lap one, then Dave Atcher was the leader at lap two, and lap three found Steve Meyer in command.  Meyer was enjoying his run at the front until lap nine, when he now had a pair of #99's on his tail....Dallon and Damon Murty.  Meyer fended off a lap twelve slide job by Murty out of turn two, but another out of turn four, put Dallon Murty into the lead.  Just a couple of laps later, the other #99 of father Damon Murty had taken over second place, and was giving chase to his son.  Son won out on this night, with Dallon Murty scoring the win, and dad Damon Murty having to settle for the runner up spot...in the second son/father finish of the night. Tyler Pickett was in the hunt all race long, and finished third.  Fourth went to twelfth place starter, Dylan Thornton, and Steve Meyer was fifth.  This was Dallon Murty's fifth regular season win. Pickett holds a slim 2 point lead over Dallon Murty in what will no doubt be a race to see come next Friday night as they duke it out for the track title.

The Stock Cars had more than their share of troubles last evening.  Numerous cautions would fly...one a red flag when it appeared last week's winner Jeff Wollam suffered a mechanical failure causing a fracas in turn one that sent Jay Schmidt tumbling off the corner.  He was okay, but the car was battered.  

Next Friday night, August 27, is Larry Wollam Memorial Season Championship night at the track.  This racing season has flown by, but with special programs yet to come, and of course, with the IMCA Super Nationals just around the corner, there is still a lot of racing to be found.  Find a race to attend, and help keep dirt track racing alive and well. 

Sauerman takes unexpected win

There were 184 cars checked into the Boone Speedway on Saturday where it was Elmquist Towing Night at the races. Numerous giveaways and prizes were awarded to lucky fans, and the youngsters enjoyed a candy toss in front of the grandstand. Three drivers would capture their first victories of the season, while three others would return to victory lane. With the healthy car count, six B mains were required to set the feature races.

Feature racing kicked off with the My Race Pass IMCA STARS Mod Lites 15 lap main event, that had 23 drivers checked into the pits.  Dustin Ford led the troops through the first eight laps of the race.  That's when sixth place starter, Travis Stensland came calling, and took over the top spot.  It was a tight race at the front of the pack for much of the race as Stensland fended off the challenges of Bryan Zehm, early leader Ford, and Mike Kennedy getting into the fray in the closing circuits. As the checkers flew, it was Stensland repeating his win from last week, Zehm took second, Mike Kennedy started eleventh and finished third, with Dustin Ford and Randy Bryan rounding out the top five. Stensland, who just recently brought his ride out for the year, hasn't missed a beat.  

Colt Nelson, the driver from Osceola, Iowa started fifth on the grid for the Elmquist Towing IMCA Northern SportMod 18 lap feature, and was immediately on the tail of leader Austin Price.  Nelson hounded Price continually until lap eight, when he was able to take over the lead.  Nelson would then throw off the late challenges of Johnathon Logue, and take the win.  Logue was a very close second, third went to Jace Whitt, Hamilton, Missouri, hard charging Jake Sachau came from twenty-first starting spot to take fourth place, and Izac Mallicoat came from eleventh, to finish fifth.  This was Nelson's first win at the speedway this season, and he topped 38 of the cars checked in.

The IMCA Sport Compacts joined the regular classes for a run on Iowa's Action Track. They ran 15 laps for their feature event.  Oliver Monson jumped to the lead as the race went green, and Kaytee DeVries, who is leading IMCA National points, tagged into second place.  Pole sitter Jaedon Erickson from Welcome, Minnesota was not about to go away though as he eyed the two front runners duke it out.  DeVries nabbed the top spot away from Monson at lap eight, and behind them it grew into a tight battle for position with Erickson, Devin Jones, and Curtis Masterson.  At lap twelve, Erickson was able to get the advantage and take over the helm.  Erickson would then hold that lead the remaining three laps to take the win.  DeVries finished as the runner up, Masterson took third place, fourth went to Devin Jones, and Oliver Monson rounded out the top five.  This was the first win for Erickson at the track. The Sport Compacts will next appear during Sunday, September 5th's portion of the Prelude to Super Nationals.  They will then run their full Super Nationals show on Tuesday, September 7. 

Next came 20 laps of D & E Outside Services IMCA Modified fury, that saw 35 cars check into the pits for competition. Joel Bushore jumped to the lead from his outside front row starting spot and held it through the halfway mark of the race.  Then a "White Castle" slider by Jake McBirnie put him into the top spot at lap eleven and it was appearing that McBirnie would be heading back to the winner's circle.  That is....until lap eighteen when a lap car went spinning right in front of McBirnie, and with no place to go, McBirnie too went for a spin, and was out of the race. The incident brought out the yellow, with now second place running Cory Sauerman inheriting the lead.  With a green, white, checkered finish, Sauerman was able to hold on and capture the unexpected win.  Nick Roberts started eleventh and finished as the runner up.  Tim Ward had to qualify through a B main, started twenty-first and made it all the way to third place.  Early leader Joel Bushore took fourth, and Jay Noteboom, in the Tim Love machine, was fifth.  This was win number two for Sauerman this season.

Scott Davis has had some good runs this year in the Arnold Motor Supply IMCA Stock Car class, but has just not been able to grab that win.  Tonight, Davis put it all together and took the checkered flag.  Davis started ninth, caught then leader Donavon Smith, and swept to the lead on lap seven.  From there on out, Davis stretched out his lead, and took the comfortable win.  Donavon Smith took second, fourteenth place starter Jeff Mueller made it to third, fourth went to pole sitter Kevin Opheim, and Mike Goldsberry was fifth. There were 41 of the IMCA Stock Cars in the house last evening.

The racing for the night wrapped up with the 15 lap Pickett Salvage IMCA Hobby Stock feature. A B main was required to whittle the 33 entries down to a starting line up of 24 cars. Pole sitter John Watson, who has been piloting Jack Phillip's car the last couple of weeks, led the field to green and kept it at the point through lap eight.  By this time, Eric Stanton had moved his ride from eleventh starting spot, and was ready to pounce.  He made it happen before lap nine was in the books.  Meanwhile, tenth place starter Luke Ramsey had thrown his hat into the ring, and was pressuring the two front runners.  Stanton was able to hold off both Watson and Ramsey until one to go, when Ramsey got the upper hand, and snatched the lead.  He held it the rest of the way to the checkers and sealed his second win of the year.  Stanton finished as the runner up, Carter Koop sneaked by Watson in the closing moments as they finished third and fourth respectively, and it was fourteenth place starter Josh VanCannon taking fifth.

Next Saturday night, August 21, will be Weekly Saturday Night Series #19 with the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and STARS Mod Lites all in competition. Then the following Saturday will the season championship night.  The racing season is dwindling down quickly.  Find a race to attend and help support dirt track racing.

 

Schrage cashes in on $1,000 to win night, and Wollam takes it back to Victory Lane

 August 13, 2021

It was Bob Harris Enterprises Night at the Marshalltown Speedway Friday night, with $1,000 on the line for winning the IMCA Northern SportMod feature.  It was also a welcome change in the weather without the heat and awful humidity.  At the end of the night, three new drivers would find their way into the winner's circle,...one of those drivers after many year's absence, and two others would make return visits.

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites, with ten drivers checked in,  kicked off the feature racing with their 15 lap A main.  Point leader Josh May started fourth, and had the lead with just a handful of laps in the books.  It was all May's race from there on out, as he pulled away from the field to take the easy win.  Cory Sonner finished as the runner up.  Third went to Metamora, Illinois racer Brandon Freeburg who started ninth, fourth was Bryan Zehm, and early leader Mike Kennedy took fifth.  The race went caution free.  This was May's second feature win of the season at the track. He holds a healthy lead on the points race with just a couple of weekly events left.  

Up next was the $1,000 to win, thanks to BHE, for the IMCA Northern SportMod 20 lap event, in a draw/redraw show for the class.  Cory VanZante and Travis Petersen led the field to green, with Petersen taking command.  Petersen held that lead for the first five laps but it only took Jenae Gustin to lap six to snatch it away.  Gustin looked strong....and looking to repeat her previous three race wins.  Meanwhile, ninth place starter Austin Schrage had made his way through the pack, fighting his way past Petersen and Shane Paris and was now in the second spot with his eyes set on the 19J of Jenae Gustin. Schrage kept digging low for a way around leader Gustin, but just couldn't get it to work.  A caution flew at lap sixteen, and on the restart it was Gustin out front and now Schrage was fending off Brayton Carter as well as Paris.  After digging on the low side, Schrage changed his line, went up top, and at lap eighteen made that unaccustomed line work for him, taking over the top spot.  He would then hold it the final circuits to take the $1,000 checkers.  Twelfth place starter Brayton Carter finished as the runner up, Gustin fell back to finish third, Shane Paris was fourth, and Travis Petersen rounded out the top five. This was Schrage's first win at the High Banks this season.

Kaden Reynolds has been on a roll in the IMCA Hobby Stock division, chalking up win after win, and this night was no different for the driver out of Cedar Rapids.  He started tenth, and took over the lead just after lap five was scored, and was able to hold off a hard charging Braden Richards, who finished second. Solomon Bennett, Luke Bird, and Luke Schluetter completed the top five. This was the tenth feature win of the season for Reynolds, plus he also won the Frostbuster special. Reynolds holds down a hefty lead for the track title in the Hobby Stocks. He's also leading IMCA National points in the Hobby Stock class.

It was a popular win in the IMCA Stock Car class as veteran racer Jeff Wollam put the Dilly Bar Special 3W in victory lane!  Wollam started eighth, caught early leader Will Sheen, Lamesa, Texas visitor, and was able to make the pass into the lead on lap seven.  The latter laps saw Wollam stretch it out from the field, and score the easy victory.  Second went to Dallon Murty who advanced all the way from starting fourteenth, Jared Daggett ran up front all race long and finished third, fourth went to twelfth place starter Damon Murty, and Steve Meyer started tenth, and finished fifth.  The last time Wollam stepped into victory lane at the speedway was June 3, 2016...but found it again last evening to the cheers of many in the grandstand.   

The night cap was the 20 lap IMCA Modified feature.  Kellogg, Iowa's David Brown flew around then leader Jesse Belize on lap two, and was looking strong, riding the rim in turns three and four, and dipping to the lower line in one and two.  He had strong hitters running him down however, as Dylan Thornton, Jake McBirnie, and Tim Ward were big time company.  Brown was still leading at lap thirteen, when he was suddenly off power down the front straightaway, and was able to pull into the infield without any incident.  This now put Tim Ward in command, and he would keep it through the final laps, to take the checkers.  Jake McBirnie came from eleventh to take the runner up position, Dylan Thornton took third place, fourth went to Ronn Lauritzen, and Paul Nagle hard charged from twenty-second to finish fifth.  Ward, the 2019 track champion who has not been a weekly competitor this season, started tenth and took his first win at the track this season.  

The season is quickly winding down, some tracks already done, and others with just a couple of points nights left in their regular season.  Check out the calendar at Positively Racing and find a race to attend.  We need to keep dirt track racing alive and well.  

Roberts takes last lap win in thrilling finish at Boone

It was another Saturday night Series of weekly points racing at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night.  Mother Nature threatened early, as raindrops fell just as we were arriving at the track.  Radar looked to have "stuff" coming in, but this time the track won out without any more rain falling. 

Things kicked off with the 15 lap IMCA My Race Pass STARS Mod Lite A main.  After his first appearance of the year last week, Travis Stensland found his way easily around the track, and led all but the opening laps on his way to victory.  He finished well ahead of second place Mike Kennedy, who started tenth on the grid. Third went to Joe Glick, Bryan Zehm was fourth, and Josh May completed the top five. Stensland just raced for the first time this year last week, and with a third place finish at Boone last week, a second at Marshalltown on Friday, and now taking the win, his comeback has been quite successful.  

Johnathon Logue moved his ride from starting sixth, and into the lead at lap three in the IMCA Elmquist Towing Northern SportMod 18 lap main event.  From there on to the finish, Logue was untouched on his drive to the checkers and the win.  Izac Mallicoat chased Logue much of the race, but had to be content with second place.  Third went to Dustin Lynch, Dusty Masolini was fourth, and Chowchilla, California racer, Kaylin Lopez who is spending his summer racing in the area, started fourteenth, and finished in fifth.  This marked weekly win number eight for Logue, plus he also won the Frostbuster special. Logue has a big point lead with just three nights left before the season concludes, and looks to be matching his track championship from last year.  

The 20 lap D & E Outside Services IMCA Modified feature looked to be a runaway as Jimmy Gustin led the troops to the green, and appeared to have the race well in hand.  That is until a yellow flew at lap eighteen, setting up a green-white-checkered finish.  Nick Roberts had reeled in Gustin and was eager for the restart of the race.  Gustin was looking strong as he took the white flag, but a slight slip up the track in the final corners was all that Roberts needed, as he took the lead and went home to the flying checkers.  Two more cars were able to slip by Gustin as well in the closing moments, with thirteenth place starter Jake McBirnie taking the runner up spot, and Denison, Iowa's Dan DeMey scoring third place.  Gustin finished a no doubt disappointing fourth, and Mike VanGenderen took fifth.  This was Roberts' second feature win at the speedway this season. Edit:  It seems Gustin had a fly-wheel explode during the race, and a badly vibrating car was his nemesis. He was bad fast the past two nights, and ironically, lost two in a row, Marshalltown on Friday, and Boone on the last lap after leading the entire races until the checkered flag.

A young driver who has been on fire this season, the Bristol Dirt Nationals among his many wins around various tracks, made it look easy when he took the win in the IMCA Arnold Motor Supply's 20 lap Stock Car feature.  That driver would be Dallon Murty, the Chelsea, Iowa hot shoe.  Murty, who is still in High School, started fourth and had the lead by the time lap one was in the books.  From there on out, he was on cruise control, and took the easy win.  Jeff Mueller chased Murty for most of the race, but could do no better than second.  Third went to Tony Hofbauer, Matt West was fourth, and pole sitter Tom Cannon was fifth.  This was Murty's first ever weekly win at the track. A check of IMCA National points, finds the young Chelsea star in first place with several weeks yet remaining, but a good shot at taking the title.  

The IMCA Pickett Salvage Hobby Stocks put the night cap on the racing as they ran their 15 lap feature.  Aron Fye led the field through lap nine, but it was Aaron Rudolph taking command at lap ten, bringing along Eric Stanton to tuck into second.  Rudolph and Stanton went at it in a good side by side battle for a couple of laps before Stanton established the number one spot for good and went home to the win, Rudolph going second.  It was a great shoot out for the next positions, but in the end it was twelfth place starter Josh VanCannon taking third place.  Early leader Aron Fye was fourth, and Seth Butler finished fifth.  Stanton started tenth and took his sixth regular feature win of the year.

Right before the three B mains were run, it was announced that there would be no farming, but then a check of radar evidently changed that up, as the John Deere's did come out for a quick session.  There were no victory lane interviews, which helped the show move along as well, and the program was completed at 9:43 p.m.  

Keep supporting the sport we all love,....dirt track racing!  

Shute's perfect slider sends him to Victory Lane

 August 6, 2021

It was Shawn's Custom Hay Grinding Night at the Marshalltown Speedway Friday night with 105 cars and a full night of racing in the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, STARS Mod Lites, and Sport Compacts.  After last week's rainout, the Sport Compacts came back for their missed program.  

The IMCA Sport Compacts kicked off the feature racing with their 12 lap main event.  The race went caution free with the top three running nose to tail the entire time.  It was Adam Gates crossing the line first as Briar Kriegel chased him under the checkers in second.  Kolby Sabin was third, Marshalltown's own John Gill was fourth, and Mark Smith was fifth.  However.....in the post race inspection, the top two finishers, Gates, and Kriegel were disqualified.  This handed the win over to Kolby Sabin, John Gill taking second, and Mark Smith was third.  Rounding out the top five then was Blake Driscol credited with fourth, and Alec Gill fifth. No word on what the discrepancies were for the top two as of yet.  This was Sabin's second win at the track this race season.

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites ran their 15 lap feature next.  Mike Kennedy led the opening lap, but it didn't take long until Randy Bryan came calling, racing on the rim of the track, and flying into the lead.  The first yellow flag of the night came out on lap five with Bryan still in command.  On the restart, Byran was able to keep hold of the top spot, but it was Travis Stensland making great headway, coming from restarting in fourth, and into the runner up spot.  Stensland tried several peaks for a way around the leader as the race wore on, but on this night it was all Bryan's race as he took the checkers. Stensland had to settle for the runner up position, Josh May was third, fourth went to Ben George, and early leader Mike Kennedy rounded out the top five.  This was Bryan's first trip to victory lane this year.

The IMCA Northern SportMods ran 18 laps for their A feature.  With just one yellow flying prior to this contest, this one would be marred with cautions! Seven cautions in all fell, all before lap ten was in the books.  It was no issue for winner Jenae Gustin however, as she led all but the opening laps on her way to her third feature win in a row. She drove off on the restarts, never to be seriously challenged. Johnathon Logue came from tenth starting position into second, chasing Gustin from lap seven on, but could muster no more than a second place finish.  Third went to Tyler Inman who started eleventh, seventh place starter Izac Mallicoat was fourth, and Travis Petersen was fifth.  

The top three finishers in the IMCA Hobby Stock 15 lap feature started 12th, 10th, and 11th.  Early leader Luke Bird had disaster strike when he was suddenly off power at lap five, bringing out the yellow and out of the hunt.  When the race restarted, it was twelfth place starter Kaden Reynolds now holding down the top spot when the race went green.  Meanwhile, Braden Richards had made his way into second from his tenth place starting spot, and Solomon Bennett was in third. Richards reeled in leader Reynolds, but a last ditch slider fell short at the finish line, with Reynolds taking another win, and Richards taking second place.  Third was eleventh place starter Solomon Bennett, fourth went to Trevor Tanner, and William Klosterman was fifth.  This made it win number nine on the season for Reynolds, plus he also won the Frostbuster special.  

Josh Foster would lead all 20 laps of the caution free IMCA Stock Car feature to flash under the flying checkers first.  Damon Murty started sixth, took to the rim of the track, and was in second by lap two.  Murty could get no closer however, as Foster maintained his run at the front easily, and finished in second. Kyle Everts crossed in third, and twelfth place starter Dallon Murty was fourth, with Steve Meyer in fifth.  The finishing order was shook up however, after the post race tech deemed Foster and Meyer with infractions, and disqualified.  This sent Damon Murty back for another visit to Victory Lane.  Everts was credited with second, third then went to Dallon Murty, Jeff Wollam and Tyler Pickett were awarded fourth and fifth respectively. Hearsay is that Foster did not have a weld on a front right mud plug ring, and there was a shock issue with Meyer's car.  This was the third win of the season for Damon Murty.

The IMCA 20 lap Modified feature ended the night's racing in spectacular fashion!  Jimmy Gustin leaped to the lead from his pole starting spot, and looked to be on a mission as he sought his first trip to the winner's circle this year.  Just before the halfway mark of the race, Todd Shute got to second and began his quest to catch the leader as he took to the top side of the High Banks.  Shute drew closer and closer, but Gustin was holding him at bay as he took the white flag.  A perfectly timed slider out of turn four dashed Gustin's dream however, as Shute was able to beat him to the checkers first, and take the victory.  Gustin had to settle for the runner up spot, third went to Tony Hofbauer, Californian, Paul Stone was fourth, and Zach Rawlings rounded out the top five.  Shute, who is not a regular at the track has often chased the checkers there in the past though.  The last time he saw Victory Lane at Marshalltown, was when he won the Frostbuster back in 2015.  It was a well earned win last night.  

It was a pretty pleasant night to be setting at a race track last night.  Let's hope the rest of the race season continues to be so. Even a flock of Canada geese decided to stop by and land in the infield prior to the green flag dropping.  They hung around for a bit for some racing action, but then thought better of it, and took off for a calmer night's resting spot!

Find a race to attend and help support the sport we all love....dirt track racing!    

McBirnie wins Salute to Veterans Night at Boone Speedway

It was like a warm up for the Super Nationals at Boone Speedway Saturday night. It was Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans Night with 205 race cars in five classes packing the pits and running before a full grandstand. Modifieds had 60 competitors, the Northern SportMods brought 52, Stock Cars, 44, Hobby Stocks 34, and the Mod Lites, 15 cars.  

The event concluded in spectacular fashion, the three race series that started on Wednesday July 28 at the Clay County Speedway in Spencer, then went to the Kossuth County Speedway in Algona on Thursday.  Approximately 335 veterans were admitted free, received a free catered meal and drink, got free gifts and prizes, and were recognized prior to the start of the races.  The drivers were also running for extra money and the night's trophy was also special.....a hand carved wooden piece depicting combat boots and a helmet.  

Nine drivers, three from the Modified class, three from the Stock Cars, and three from the Northern SportMods had wrapped their cars to honor the Veterans and were on display prior to the races.  Todd Shute, Kelly Shryock, and Nick Meyer represented the Modifieds. It was David Smith, Jeff Larson, and Loren "Snip" Pesicka, Jr. paying honor in the Stock Cars, and representing in the Northern SportMod division, it was Cam Reimers, Jared Boumeester, and Colby Fett.  The wraps were wonderful, and in speaking with some of the drivers that had their cars on display behind the grandstand prior to the races, they were all honored and proud to do so.  

Kieron Ahrens led the opening lap of the My Race Pass IMCA STARS Mod Lite 15 lap feature, but lost the handle just after the first lap was scored, bringing out the yellow, and putting himself out of the running.  This put Mike Kennedy to the point for the restart, and he would go on to lead the rest of the way to the checkers.  Trailing a distant runner up was Josh May, Travis Stensland made his first appearance of the year with a good run, and took home a third place finish. Fourth went to fifteenth place starter Bryan Zehm, and Jon Braathun was fifth.  This was win number four on the year for Kennedy.

The Elmquist Towing IMCA Northern SportMods ran a 20 lap feature that paid $1,000 to win.  Logan Anderson led all 20 laps of the feature that saw only one caution fly at lap two, that being for debris.  Manning, Iowa's Jake Sachau took the runner up position, just 45/1000 of a second behind the leader. Dylan VanWyk was third, Kaylin Lopez ran at the front of the pack all race, challenging the leader early in the contest, and finished fourth, and Chad Ryerson rounded out the top five.  Anderson, the Eddyville, Iowa racer, scored his first win at the track, and one I am sure he was happy to put on his list of wins this year from various tracks around the state.

The D & E Outside Services IMCA Modifieds ran 25 laps for their main event.  Richie Gustin started on the outside front row and shot off into the lead, seeking the $3,000 pay off. Gustin, with the nickname "G Money" is often known to live up to that name, taking home the big money. No doubt, many were thinking it was going to happen again on this night.  Jake McBirnie started fourth, and tucked in immediately to run in second place.  Gustin took to the top of the track, while McBirnie challenged on the low side, lap after lap.  A slight, uncharacteristic bobble by Gustin allowed McBirnie to slip by and into the lead on lap twelve, and that was all he needed to take his ride home the rest of the way to the flying checkers and the win.  Gustin had to be content with the runner up spot.  Ethan Dotson started fourteenth, and finished third, fourth went to Dylan Thornton, and Brandon Schmitt, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, was fifth.   McBirnie matched his win from last week, and scored his fourth of the season.  The win also put McBirnie on this year's Super Nationals All-Star ballot.

Johnathon Logue, who races in the Northern SportMod class regularly, has been periodically racing an IMCA Stock Car this year for the first time.  Tonight, he took his first career win in the class.  Logue got the lucky pole starting spot in the Arnold Motor Supply Stock Car 25 lap feature and led all 25 laps to take the win.  It was a heated battle behind him however, with Orient, Iowa's Buck Schafroth taking second just ahead of David Smith in third.  Fourth went to twelfth place starter, Tyler Pickett, and Donavon Smith took the hard charger award, coming from seventeenth, to complete the top five. The race paid $1,000 to win, and put Logue on the list for the first ever Stock Car All-Star race at this year's Super Nationals.

The Pickett Salvage IMCA Hobby Stocks closed out the racing for the night, running a 20 lap feature.  Dylan Nelson, the Adel, Iowa racer who is a former Super Nationals champion, led the field to green, and stayed at the front the entire race to take the checkers.  It was a battle for position behind him as three cars duked it out.  As the checkers flew, it was last week's winner, Eric Stanton winning out for the runner up spot.  Solomon Bennet was a close third, with tenth place starter Mike Smith right behind in fourth.  Luke Bird rounded out the top five. Nelson won for the first time this year at the speedway, and when pulling into victory lane, had a flat right rear tire. 

It was nice that any racer that carried the special veterans wrap, that did not make the feature, was awarded a provisional starting spot in their feature race. Those drivers that suffered bad luck in qualifying were Colby Fett in the SportMod division, Todd Shute in the Modifieds, and Loren Pesicka in the Hobby Stocks.   

It was a full night of racing for sure, and even with the 12:11 a.m. finish time, many stuck around to the end. They seemed in no hurry to leave as they milled around after the races, contemplating visiting with the drivers. It was great to see so many veterans in attendance, and they really seemed to enjoy it all. 

Find a race to attend and help support this sport we all love....dirt track racing!  

 

 

Track Champions crowned at Southern Iowa Speedway

 It was Middlekoop's Seeds and Dickey Transport Season Championships on Wednesday night at the Southern Iowa Speedway. It was a hot and humid night...one of those times when you "wear the air" as the speedway wrapped up its regular racing season.  

The tightest points race of the night was in the Non Wing Sprints with Doug Sylvester and Kelly Graham tied going into the final race of season.  

Sylvester immediately flew into the lead from starting on the outside of the front row.  Graham started third and tucked into second.  Graham kept close tabs on the leader but at lap six, slipped up the track a bit allowing Sylvester to lengthen his lead.  Those final four laps were Sylvester's as he went home to the flying checkers, the win, and the track championship title.  Graham finished second and also an ever so close second place in the run for the track championship.  Third went to Ryan Mills, Lance Silvers was fourth, Tim Graham fifth, and Ben Woods and Nathan James did not finish. The race went caution free.

The Sport Compacts were up next for their 10 lap season ending race.  Nathan Moody would lead the opening lap but by lap three, it was Billy Cain taking command.  Cain would lead the entire race except for a brief moment when Lewie Winkleman got the jump on a restart, only to have Cain regain the lead quickly, and then motor home to the checkers and the win.  It was James Haring in second, Tyer Haring following in third, and Kevin Garrett fourth, and Nathan Moody completing the top five. Cain won for the fourth time at the speedway and he is the 2021 track champion.

The Southern Iowa Speedway Hobby Stocks ran their 14 lap feature next, and this one would find Aaron Martin the captain of the ship for those entire 14 laps.  Dustin Griffiths kept close tabs on the leader for much of the race, but in the closing laps, Martin stretched it out and took the easy win.  Griffiths was second, it was a close one for the next positions, but Jadyn Stevens would hold off Trevor Tanner at the line as they went third and fourth respectively.  Rick Goldsberry rounded out the top five. The track champion for 2021 in the Hobby Stock division is Dustin Griffiths, defending that title since 2018.  He has even a longer list of track championships at the Mahaska Monster with only Shannon Anderson marring that record back through 2014.  

The SportMods went 16 laps for the feature event with Logan Anderson looking strong and leading from the get go.  Lap nine brought out the yellow flag, and it took three tries before the drivers found their rhythm to continue on, Anderson still in command.  However, young Maguire DeJong, the hot shoe out of Montezuma, Iowa was breathing down his neck.  DeJong looked to the outside several times before making it payoff on lap eleven.  Another caution at lap twelve was no issue for DeJong, as he drove off from the field, winning by a straightaway.  Anderson took the runner up spot, followed by Moberly, Missouri racer Dakota Girard in third, Kyle Harwood in fourth, and Trent Orwig was fifth.  

DeJong, who won the track championship in the SportMod class, has had quite the season in his rookie year.  He added his first track championship to go with his win at the Bristol Dirt Nationals, as well as a state championship in his Montezuma Braves basketball team.  This young man has a bright future.

Pat Rachels took the lead as the green flag flew in the 16 lap Stock Car feature.  He drifted a bit too high on lap two,  allowing seventh place starter Derrick Agee to take advantage, and take over that top spot.  The two raced closely for the next several laps but then Rachel's was suddenly pulling into the pits just after lap six was scored.  This put Dustin Griffiths into the number two spot, and the chase was on to catch leader Agee.  A yellow flew on lap thirteen, no doubt just what Griffiths was hoping for.  Griffiths was able to gain the upper hand as the race returned to green, and the final circuits were close, but it was only until coming out of turn four looking at the checkers, before Agee was able to pull off the pass, and beat Griffiths to the checkers to score the win, Griffiths taking second.  Third went to Jason McDaniels, Donnie Pearson was fourth, and Trenton Witt was fifth. Derrick Agee is the Stock Car track champion for the second consecutive year.

The Southern Iowa Speedway still has some racing ahead, as the Front Row Challenge put on by Terry McCarl comes to town on Monday, August 9, with $20,000 to win for all you Sprint Car fans. It will be a tune up for the upcoming Knoxville Nationals August 11-14. Then on October 15 and 16, it will be the annual Musco Lighting Fall Challenge with the regular season classes of cars in competition.  Be sure and check the Southern Iowa Speedway - Osky Facebook page for more details for these upcoming events. 

Hard to believe racing is on the downhill slide around our parts, and we will soon be wishing for these hot summer nights of racing to keep us entertained.  However, there is still much to be found yet, so check out the calendar at Positively Racing, and find a race to take in.  Help support the sport we all love....dirt track racing.