Mother Nature no match for Boone as Johnston takes Hawkeye Challenge win

One of the most unique races in the country was on tap at the Boone Speedway Saturday night, with the running of the Hawkeye Challenge. But would it happen?  All other races in the state of Iowa had been canceled, as well as some in surrounding states, due to recent and continuing rain. Only at Boone could the possibility of racing happen. But at Boone, the races were still on for Saturday night. When we arrived, it was dry, the track was being worked and the water truck was in action. Then after the track was prepped and ready and hot laps under way, came persistent light rain....but at this track, Mother Nature was no match for the great track prep crew. The green flag dropped only 16 minutes late.

The Hawkeye Challenge is one of the most unique races in the country...perhaps the world, and held right here at the Boone Speedway.  It pits four cars from each of six different classes, running at the same time.  Each class is designated as to how many laps it needs to make, and the one completing that number of laps first, is the over all winner.  The Sprint cars had to run 25 laps, Modifieds 23 laps, SportMods and Mod Lites 22 laps, Stock Cars 21 laps, and Hobby Stocks 20 laps.  When all was said and done, it was Mike Johnston in the Sprint Car class taking the over all win, and going home $1,000 richer.  Other class winners going home with $500 were Mike VanGenderen in the Modifieds, Mike Goldsberry in the Stock Cars, SportMod winner was Johnathon Logue, Mike Smith was the winner in the Hobby Stocks, and Josh May won the Mod Lites. 

Regular series feature racing kicked off with the IMCA STARS Mod Lites.  Bryan Zehm would lead all 15 laps of the race and take the easy win.  It was an epic battle behind him however, as Josh May, Randy Bryan, and Mike Kennedy duked it out for position.   Following the leader across the line at the checkers, it was May in the runner up spot, Kennedy took third, and with Bryan suddenly off power and out of the race, it was Jon Braathun taking fourth, and Cody Yaw, in a borrowed car, rounded out the top five.  Zehm repeated his win from last week. 

Tommy Lathrop, Ottumwa, Iowa racer, grabbed the lead for the start of the 18 lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature and was looking strong, still leading at lap thirteen.  However, by that time, Johnathon Logue had moved through the pack from starting twelve, and was applying the pressure.  Just after lap thirteen was in the books, Logue made his move coming out of turn two, and flew into the lead.  He would then hold that top spot the remaining distance to the checkers....his fourth in a row.  Izac Mallicoat started ninth, and took the runner up position, getting around third place Tommy Lathrop in the closing laps.  Chris Burke took fourth, and seventeen year old Camdan Vincent, was fifth. Logue had a successful night at the speedway after his earlier division win in the Hawkeye Challenge.  This feature win also marked his seventh season win of the year, as well as winning the Frostbuster special. With all of Logue's success recently, there was mention of a possible run for the IMCA National title in his post race interview.  

The IMCA Modifieds came to the track next for their 20 lapper.  Ron Hults was the early race leader, as cars were duking it out behind him, going 3 and 4 wide.  A yellow flew at lap seven, and by this time Paul Nagle, who was fresh off of his Friday night win at the Marshalltown Speedway, and Mike VanGenderen were right behind, and eager for the restart.  By the time lap eight was in the books, it was the Flying Dutchman, Mike VanGenderen at the helm, a lead he would keep to the checkers, and his first win of the year at the track.  Cory Sauerman crossed the line in second, Paul Nagle in third, Jeremy Mills was fourth, and Tony Hofbauer was fifth.  VanGenderen had earlier won the Modified portion of the Hawkeye Challenge as well.  

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars rolled out next for their 20 lap feature.  Polesitter Mike House was the early race leader but at the halfway mark, David Smith had taken over, coming from fourteenth starting spot.  A couple of late race cautions were no bother to Smith, as he kept his lead to the checkers, sealing the win.  Brother Donavon Smith started tenth, and took second place, Mathew West was third, Tyler Pickett took fourth, and Jay Schmidt started thirteenth, and finished fifth.  This was Smith's second trip to Victory Lane for the season. The Smith brothers are keeping it in the family as between David, Donavon, and Devin, they have eight of the ten weekly feature wins.  

The night cap was the 15 lap IMCA Hobby Stock A Main event, which went flat to flag. This was led all but the opening lap by young Mike Smith, son of David, who had just won the Stock Car feature.  Smith cruised along unhindered on the topside of the track, and took the easy win.  Following a good distance behind in second place was Shaun Wirtz.  Matt McDonald finished third, Solomon Bennett was fourth, and Braden Richards, last weeks winner, was fifth.  Smith also had a very successful night, as he also won the Hobby Stock portion of the Hawkeye Challenge. 

It was great to have Positively Racing's head guru, Jeff Broeg join us last night.  He too knew if anyone could get racing in on an iffy night, it would be Boone.  That made his nearly 3 hour drive worth while. And even though the weather scared some racers from attending, along with a big money race in Brainard, Minnesota last night that drew a number of regulars, there was still a healthy field of 122 cars to satisfy his racing fix.  

Next Saturday night, July 3, is weekly racing series #12, with racing in all five regular IMCA classes plus 2-Man Cruiser Cars.  Then on Sunday, July 4, will be the annual Eve of Destruction program along with the city's 4th of July fireworks spectacular.  There will be chills and spills... there are rumors of Jerry Vansickel attempting to jump over 15 double decker buses!  Trailer races and more are also on tap, along with the IMCA Northern SportMods racing for State, Regional, and National points, no track points for this race.  

Get out and find a race to attend.  Help support the dirt tracks, and the sport we all love...dirt track racing.     

 

Nagle, Schmidt, Jackson, Reynolds, and Raffurty win out over Mother Nature.

It was KMJ Performance Free Grandstand Night and Iowa Seamless Gutter VIP Night at the Marshalltown Speedway Friday.  It was one of those days of wondering and watching for announcements due to the weather forecast.  Would there be racing or not? But the track made the call to proceed and the races were on.  We were watching the sky and the ever changing clouds all night.  When the sun peeked through and it looked like we were out of the woods, we had a brief moment of relief.  But then this is Iowa, and the weather changed on a dime as the racing wrapped up.  Luckily, nothing more than a shift in the winds...a STRONG wind, and a drop in the temperature happened before the racing was completed in record time at 9:02 p.m.  

Three new faces would visit Victory Lane, Paul Nagle in the IMCA Modifieds, Jay Schmidt in the IMCA Stock Cars, and veteran racer Vern Jackson in the IMCA Northern SportMods.  Kaden Reynolds made it three in a row in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Dillon Raffurty matched his win from last week in the IMCA STARS Mod Lite division.

Things kicked off with the IMCA STARS Mod Lite 15 lap feature.  Doug Byers led the opening laps but tenth place starter Dillon Raffurty, moved swiftly through the field and into the lead by lap three.  It was all Raffurty's race from there on out, as he swept easily to the win.  Following a distant second place was Josh May, third went to Mike Kennedy, Austin Gray was fourth, and Doug Byers was fifth.  Raffurty repeated his win from last week.  Raffurty, along with two others of the same last name, have been making their way up from Kansas City to race at the High Banks.  

Next up was 18 laps of IMCA Northern SportMod racing.  This one would go flag-to-flag and be led the entire distance by veteran racer Vern Jackson.  A big slide out of corner four looking at the checkers by tenth place starter Johnathon Logue came up short, and he had to settle for second place.  Third went to Kaylin Lopez, fourth was Tony Olson, and Izac Mallicoat completed the top five. This was Jackson's first win at Marshalltown...and his first in many years at the track.  Jackson, a veteran racer use to pilot an IMCA Modified, and is now back racing in the SportMod division.  I believe this is his first ever SportMod win at the High Banks.  

The IMCA Hobby Stocks also ran their 15 lap main event caution free.  Ben Newhouse led the opening laps with William Klosterman slipping by for the lead on lap three. Meanwhile, tenth place starter Kaden Reynolds had already moved into third place.  It took just two more laps before Reynolds took over the reins, flying into the lead.  From there on, he pulled away, and took the easy win....his third in as many weeks, and his sixth of the season...plus the Frostbuster win.  William Klosterman finished a distant second, Ben Newhouse was third, Carter Koop, the Rockwell, Iowa racer, was fourth, and Jeremiah Andrews was fifth.

The winds were shifting and the clouds looked more ominous as the IMCA Stock Cars came to the track for their 18 lap A main.  Scott Rice took the lead from his outside front row starting spot, but it didn't last long as Kyle Everts took over at lap two, with Grinnell's Jason Hall following in third place.  On lap seven, the red flag came out when Scott Bailey took an easy rollover in corner one, and thankfully, was not hurt. When the race restarted, it was still Everts at the helm, Hall in second, and Rice in third.  Jay Schmidt had been throwing his hat into the ring early on as well, moving from seventh starting spot, and by the halfway mark was running fourth. Moments later, had taken over the lead, getting around Everts. Schmidt then drove off to secure the win comfortably over second place Everts.  Jeff Wollam started eighth, and finished third, early leader Scott Rice was fourth, and Independence, Iowa's Mitchell Evens rounded out the top five.  Schmidt, the Tama, Iowa racer who use to be a regular at the track, but now has other commitments on many Friday nights, took the popular win...his first stepping into Victory Lane at the track since August of 2019...according to my unofficial record keeping.   

As the sky grew more angry, the final feature of the night, the IMCA Modifieds were up for their 20 lap feature.  Jacob Murray and Paul Nagle would lead the field to green.  Nagle immediately grabbed the lead as Murray settled in to run second.  Ronn Lauritzen stared eighth and took over second from Murray with just three laps remaining in the contest.  In the closing circuits, Nagle pulled away and took the easy win, with Lauritzen trailing a good distance to take the runner up spot.  Murray held on to finish third, Tony Hofbauer was fourth, and Gat Leytham was fifth.  This was Nagle's first Modified feature win at the speedway.  This feature went caution free to end the night's show...beating Mother Nature and completing the show shortly after 9 p.m. 

We were happy to have son Chad, and grandson Brycen and granddaughter Brenna join us for the night.  It was a rare night when there was nothing scheduled on their sports activities calendar.  We were also happy and thankful that the weather...somehow...held, and nothing more than the strong change in wind directions and the cooling off occurred before racing was completed.  There was a smaller car count that helped get the show completed quickly, as well as far fewer cautions than normal.  There was a big show going on in Minnesota last evening, that took away some of the Marshalltown regulars and I'm sure the questionable weather kept some away.  

There is a lot of racing to be found in our area.  Check the calendar at Positively Racing, and find a race to attend.  Help support dirt track racing.  

Three wide finishes thrill fans at the Monster Half-Mile

 It was Bob and Ray's Truck Repair Night at the Southern Iowa Speedway on Wednesday night.  They are longtime sponsors and supporters at the speedway.  It was also bicycle night at the track and 39 bicycles and scooters went home with lucky young fans....donated by race teams, drivers, and local businesses.  

It was "shades of days past"  last evening where more than one of the finishes was up for grabs as the cars came out of corner four looking at the checkers. That brought back lots of memories when back in the day, that was the norm.  Dustin Griffiths keeps winning, and he is getting some "Bobby Greiner lovin' from the crowd". The "Colfax Comet" scored his fifth win of the season, and is living his dream.  It was the largest car count of the season as well with the late arrival of Tony Johnson making it sixty-two.

Five Non-Wing Sprints came for their weekly turn on the track.  Ben Woods would lead the field to green and take the lead for their 10-lap main event.  At the half-way mark of the feature, Robert Bell had moved from fifth starting spot to catch the leader.  Bell pestered Woods for a couple of laps before taking the lead with two laps to go, and would then go home to the checkers....for the fifth time!  Woods would hold the runner up spot, Doug Sylvester was third, fourth went to Kelly Graham, and Lance Silvers was fifth.  

Bell, who had never won a feature race prior to his first back on May 12, is quickly becoming a crowd favorite.  He is one grateful guy, who is living his dream....it just took a little while for him to get there after 30 years of racing.

Feature running order was shuffled last evening, as the Stock Cars came to the track next for their 16- lap A main.  This one would end in a thriller!

Jason McDaniel grabbed the early lead with Jason Hall and Dustin Griffiths falling in line behind him.  First timer at the track, Nathan Ballard from Marengo, joined in the chase, and just after the half-way point of the race, Derrick Agee had also joined in the game. At lap ten, a yellow flew, and while under caution, leader McDaniel would pull into the work area, and then tagged the field before the return to green flag racing.   Since the leader dropped out, this now put Nathan Ballard and Agee on the front row for the double-wide restart, with Griffiths and Hall in the second row.  Griffiths made it to second place and a lap or so later, Agee was out of the race, pulling off the track.  Now the final moments of this race would be intense as Ballard, Hall, and Griffiths were locked into a fierce battle!  At the white flag lap, Hall had slipped into the number one spot, Ballard second, and Griffiths scored third.  It's never over until it's over however, and shades of days gone by flashed before the eyes of some of us old timers, as coming out of corner four as the checkers unfurled...it was anyone's race!  This time, it was Dustin Griffiths making the charge down the frontstretch pay off, as he swept to the win, Hall going second, and Ballard third.  The crowd was buzzing at that finish!  Pat Rachels, and Howard Gordon, Jr. completed the top five.  This was Griffiths' first Stock Car feature win of the season.

The Sport Compacts got their turn next at the Monster Half-Mile.  Nathan Moody started from the pole and grabbed the top spot immediately, with Lewie Winkleman and Clayton Webster falling in line behind him.  At the halfway mark of the ten lap feature, it was Clayton Webster in command. Then the two DeLonjay brothers decided to duke it out for a top spot as they came calling, with Jeffrey running in second, and Jaden running third.  This one would also be a tight finish as the three came down the frontstretch looking at the checkers, but on this night it would be Clayton Webster holding on for the win as Jaden DeLonjay eked out brother Jeffrey as they went second and third.  It was another "WOW" finish, as the crowd buzzed once again.  Webster who was in a borrowed car, looking to be a Billy Cain ride, made this win number four for the season.

The Hobby Stocks came next for their 14-lapper on the wide and fast track last night.  Jesse Williams has been looking good this season, and last night it looked like he just might get that elusive first win as he led early and was in the hunt until the very end.  Dustin Griffiths was wanting a clean sweep night after taking the Stock Car feature, and he was digging hard to get past Williams in the closing laps.  With three to go, Griffiths went to the outside and made the pass for first.  He brought along Keaton Gordon who had moved from deep in the starting grid, to run second, passing Williams in third.  Those three would run a tight race all the way to finish line, with Griffiths getting his "twofer" night, Gorden going second, and Williams having to settle for third.  Rick VanDusseldorp took fourth, and Travis Bunnell rounded out the top five.  This made it five Hobby Stock wins for Griffiths this season, bringing out the "boo birds", and the "Bobby Greiner lovin'" like in the good old days.  

The night cap was 16 laps of SportMod racing that saw Cory VanZante lead the opening laps from starting on the pole.  It didn't take long until young Maguire DeJong was up to challenge the leader and would take over the top spot on lap four.  Curtis VanDerWal, got to second, getting around VanZante about the halfway point, after he had uncharacteristically, tapped the top the wall between corners one and two.  He didn't bother him much though, as he still kept hold of second place.  It was all Maguire DeJong's race last night however, as he would go home to the checkers, finishing well ahead of VanDerWal in second.  Cory VanZante was third, fourth went to Blaine Webster, and Charlie Weber made his first appearance of the year, and took home a fifth place finish.  This marked win number three for the young DeJong, Montezuma hot shoe. 

It's back to racing again next Wednesday night, June 30, for Dickey Transport, and Middlekoop Seed  Kid's Night that will include a nickel and candy toss for the youngsters.  Hot laps are 7:15 with racing to follow.  

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

Trifecta for Logue at Boone

Boone Speedway continued its weekly racing series on Saturday night, with the Outlaw Mini Mod Series also hitting the track as an added attraction. It would be the second night in a row we watched the traveling series as they ran the night before at the Marshalltown Speedway.  New faces visited victory lane...Ethan Braaksma in the IMCA Modified class, and Bryan Zehm in the IMCA STARS Mod Lites.  Donavon Smith and Braden Richards returned to Victory Lane from earlier season wins, and Johnathon Logue is on a roll, making it three-in-a-row.  The 2-Person Cruisers were in exhibition again this week, with the team of Matt Oberhelman and Thomas Egenberger taking the checkers.  There were 156 cars checked into the pits for a full night of racing action. 

Bryan Zehm went home the victor in the 15 lap IMCA STARS Mod Lites.  Zehm led all but the opening lap on his way to victory. It was close action early on as Zehm, East Moline, Illinois' Mike Morrow, and Randy Bryan jockeyed for the top spot.  As the race wore on, Zehm established himself for good at the front of the pack.  Mike Kennedy gave it a good try late in the race, but it was too little, too late in his attempt to catch the leader, and he had to be content with the runner up position.  Joel Huggins was third,  and it was a real battle for fourth place with Randy Bryan winning out, Jon Braathun going fifth, and Josh May sixth, in a tight finish.  This was Zehm's first win  at the track in 2021.

It took a bit to get the IMCA Northern SportMods to the checkers in their 18-lap event.  Blair Simmons led from the drop of the green, and was still leading when the third caution flew at lap eleven.  The restart found Dusty Masolini running second, and in third place was twelfth place starter Johnathon Logue.  When the race returned to green, Logue made a move immediately and had the lead by the time they reached turn one.  Two more yellows would fly, the last coming on lap fourteen with Logue still in command, and the time limit called.....race to the next yellow, or the checkers, whichever comes first.  The drivers heeded the call, and the race went the distance with Logue taking the win.  Kaylin Lopez came from fourteenth to finish as the runner up, Dusty Masolini was third, fourth went to Colt Nelson, and Taylor Kuehl rounded out the top five.  The win made it three-in-a-row for Logue, his fifth of the regular season, and he also was the Frostbuster winner.

Up next was 20-laps of IMCA Modified feature racing.  After the initial start was called back, the race would go caution free to the checkers with polesitter Ethan Braaksma in command the entire time.  Heavy lap traffic was no issue for Braaksma as he sailed home to the comfortable win.  Tim Ward started twelfth and took the runner up spot.  Jake McBirnie, last week's winner, started tenth, and finished in third place, fourth went to earlier contender Tony Hofbauer, and Jamie Anderson was fifth.  This was Braaksma's first regular season win, after taking the honors in the Frostbuster.

The Outlaw Mini Mods were in town for Night #4 of their 5 night series races at five different tracks. Twenty-four cars checked into the pits. Their 15-lap feature did not start off well when Spencer Nelson rolled his ride several times before making it to the flagstand as the race went green. Thankfully, he was not injured, but his night was over.  It was tenth place starter Dan Kraus, Britt, Iowa getting to the lead by lap five, after a couple of caution flags flew, and from then on, held on to take the win.  The final dash to the finish line found a mad scramble for position behind the winner, with Kelly Steele, International Falls, Minnesota, taking the runner up spot.  Ankeny, Iowa's Dan Kline was third, fourth went to Des Moines' Bobby Daniels, and Tyler Jonson, International Falls, Minnesota started eighteenth, and finished fifth. Kraus also won the previous night at the Marshalltown Speedway.  He also won Night 1 at the Stuart Speedway.  The Kossuth County winner was Tyler Jonson. The series wraps up tonight in Mason City.  

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars ran 20-laps, in their usual exciting fashion.  Rod Richards took the lead immediately from his pole starting spot, and soon had Robert Stofer and Donavon Smith hot on his tail.  Smith got the lead at lap seven but had plenty of company with the likes of Troy Jerovetz and Devin Smith joining in the fun along with Richards.  The final handful of laps brought another Smith brother into the mix, as David threw his hat into the ring.  With just two laps remaining, Jerovetz was off power and out of the game.  Donavon Smith would go on to take the checkers, while a distance behind it was a shootout for position.  Brother David Smith would take the runner up spot, Rod Richards was third, spoiling the 1-2-3 sweep by the Smiths, as he held off brother Devin Smith in fourth, and Michael Jaennette made a late race surge to take fifth, while early contender, veteran racer Robert Stofer took sixth. This was Donavon Smith's third feature win of the season.  

Braden Richards kept his ride on the top of the track, and led all 15-laps of the IMCA Hobby Stock feature.  Only one yellow would fly at lap seven, but it was no issue for Richards on the restart. Wayne Gifford finished second, Eric Stanton was third after his two previous week's wins, Eric Knutson took fourth, and Curt Reed completed the top five. This was win number two on the season for Richards.

Make plans to be at the Boone Speedway next Saturday night, June 26, when it is Hawkeye Challenge night.  Along with the regular racing, there will be six classes of cars racing at the same time in what is one of the most unique races in motorsports.  Hot laps are 6 with racing at 7.  

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

 

Dotson posts first win of the year, Reynolds goes back to back

It was a full night of racing at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday for RBF Electric Night at the Races.  The Hobby Stocks had a little more incentive for the night as they were running for $400 to win their feature.  Seven classes and 131 cars made for a lot of action on the track.  Joining the five regular IMCA classes were the Outlaw Mini Mods, and the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks.  

Twenty-three of the Outlaw Mini Mods were on hand, racing for the first time on the High Banks.  Ben Kraus, Britt, Iowa, would dominate in their 15-lap feature.  Kraus got the lead early and distanced himself from the rest of the field, taking the checkers easily over runner up, and tenth place starter Logan Brown from Clear Lake. Third went to seventh place starter Bobby Ruehlow, Mason City, fourth was Kelly Steele, who made the long haul down from International Falls, Minnesota, and rounding out the top five was Glenville, Minnesota's Nathan Kilwine.  Ben Kraus is a former Modified driver who is enjoying a new career in the Mini Mod class.

Most of the Mini Mod racers hailed from northern Iowa or Minnesota.  Three of those Minnesota racers came from International Falls, which sets directly across the river from Canada.  

Nine Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks made their second appearance of the year at Marshalltown.  Dennis Plain led all but one lap of the 12-lap Main event, sailing home to his first win at the speedway.  Rick Clark chased Plain the entire race, but had to settle for second.  Bryan Spangler finished third, followed by Jeff Johnson in fourth, and Shonn Mapes in fifth.  The race went caution free.

Bill Davis, Jr., the driver who won earlier in the year had been up to challenge leader Plain early, but went for a spin in turn two just after lap two was scored.  He gathered it back in and the race continued without a caution.  He came back to finish sixth.  

Up next was 15-laps of IMCA STARS Mod Lite feature racing.  Dillon Raffurty, Kansas City, Missouri raced for the first time this year at the track, led lap one, and never gave it up the rest of the way to the checkers.  He finished far ahead of second place Josh May and third place Kaden Cochrun who battled back and forth for position from lap five on.  Garrett Stonum, Lawson, Missouri started well back in the starting field, and finished fourth, and Cory Sonner finished fifth.  This wasn't Raffurty's first trip to Victory Lane at Marshalltown.  He won back on September 17, 2020 at the 500th Deery Show and Dale DeFrance Memorial. Dillon Raffurty brought family with him...both David and Michael Raffurty also from Kansas City, Missouri were also racing in the Mod Lites.   

Kaylin Lopez, the Chowchilla, California driver who is making Iowa home this summer, led the opening laps of the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature only to have it snatched away by high flying Brayton Carter on lap four.  Carter never gave up that top spot and took the checkers for the third time this year.  Johnathon Logue flew from thirteenth starting spot, to finish as the runner up.  Thomas Egenberger was third, fourth went to tenth place starter Jenae Gustin, and Austin Schrage rounded out the top five.  

Jeremiah Andrews started fifth in the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock A main, and had the lead at lap one.  It didn't take long until all eyes went to the #1 of Kaden Reynolds who was flying on the rim of the track.  Reynolds came from eleventh starting spot, and had the lead at lap five.  From there on out, it was all Reynold's race as he flew home to the flying checkers and the win...his second in a row.  He finished well ahead of second place Eric Knutson. Braden Richards battled by Andrews in the closing moments, as they finished third and fourth respectively, and Solomon Bennett was fifth.  This made five regular season wins for Reynolds, and he also won the Frostbuster special.  The race went green to checkers. 

Dallon Murty showed his expertise on the High Banks in the IMCA Stock Car 20 lap main event. Young Murty has had great success this year, winning about anywhere he goes.  He just wrapped up the Dirt Duel win on Wednesday night at Stuart Speedway.

Murty started sixth, ran down early leader Kyle Everts, and took over the top spot at lap five.  It was all his race from there on out, taking regular season win number two.  Dad Damon Murty came from tenth to finish in the second spot, Tyler Pickett finished third, fourth went to Austin Kaplan, and Dave Atcher was fifth.  Murty can also count the Frostbuster Special in his wins at Marshalltown Speedway in 2021 to go along with his two regular season wins.  

Topping off the night's racing was the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature.  Tony Hofbauer was looking strong as he led the feature from the drop of the green all the way to just two laps remaining.  That's when a slip in turn two was his undoing. It caused him to drop several positions, and allowed Ethan Dotson to take over the top spot.  Dotson, who started tenth, would then hang on to the number one position and secure his first win of the year.  Jake McBirnie, last week's winner, was second, third went to Jared VanDeest, Ethan Braaksma was fourth, and rounding out the top five was Ronn Lauritzen.  Dotson made his first appearance at the track this year.  

A few drivers had some issues last evening.  Cody Yaw the Mod Lite driver, blew up in his heat.  Bobby Daniels in the Outlaw Mini Mods went for a ride just past the flagstand during his heat, ending upside down.  Then Denny Stewart tumbled off of turn two, and appeared to also flip.  This ended all three driver's night.  

We were also wondering about the weather a bit last evening.  It was cloudy, which really helped keep it pleasant setting in the stands, with a bit of a breeze to our backs.  Then the sun would occasionally peek out.  We were getting potential storm warnings on our phone from areas around the state, and we felt a few raindrops...maybe TWELVE, and that was it.  As we drove home last evening though, we had a spectacular light show going off to the south. We were thankful it was not an issue for racing at Marshalltown, but wishing for some rain in our state....it's beginning to be a real drought issue for farmers and some town's water supplies as well.     

Next Friday, June 25, is KMJ Performance Free Grandstand Night/Iowa Seamless Gutters VIP Night at the races.  This is free admission for the grandstand only.  

Find a race to take in and keep supporting the sport we all love, dirt track racing.      

Bell and Griffiths back on track at Osky

 The Southern Iowa Speedway was back in action for their usual mid-week racing on Wednesday night.  It was Teacher and School Staff Appreciation Night sponsored by Bridgemark Insurance.  There were sixty-one cars checked into the pits for the highest car count of the season.  Two drivers got back to their winning ways this year, while three others would score for the first time at the Monster Half-Mile this season.

Seven Non-Wing Sprints were in the house for some sprint car action at the track.  Robert Bell would start on the pole for the 10 lap feature, and after some early threats by AJ Johnson, had little trouble in taking his fourth win of the season....AND of his career.  Johnson had been running second in the early portion of the race, and took some peeks under the 71 of Bell, when a hard challenge out of turn three, was almost disaster.  He was able to gather it back under him, but by that time the yellow had flown, and he was relegated to the rear for the restart.  Last week's winner Doug Sylvester finished in second place, Johnson rebounded and finished in third, fourth went to Kelly Graham, Lance Silvers was fifth, and newcomer Tim Graham was sixth.  Another new driver in the division, Nathan James was a DNF.  

A dozen Sport Compacts came for some Wednesday night fun.  Billy Cain and Tyler Haring put up a good battle in the opening laps of the race, then Chuck Fullencamp, who was making his first appearance of the year, joined in the fun.  Cain and Fullencamp put on a good show for the fans, until Fullencamp was finally able to establish the lead for good with two laps remaining.  He would go on to the checkers and the win.  Second place was up for grabs in the closing moments, but it was Jefferey DeLonjay who won out for the runner up spot. Nathan Moody and Billy Cain were a close third and fourth.  Tyler Haring completed the top five.  The race went caution free.

Sixteen Hobby Stocks were up for battle last evening at the big ole half-mile.  Jesse Williams started in the pole position and was looking strong through the halfway mark of the 14-lap race.  Meanwhile, it was Dustin Griffiths making his way through the pack from his seventh place starting spot.  He caught Williams on lap seven and then began pestering him, peeking and peeking for a way around.  His persistence paid off on lap ten, taking over the top spot and then going on to hold it to the checkers.  Williams finished in second place, Aaron Martin came from the tail of the starting field to nab third place, fourth went to Jamie Kent, and Rick Goldsberry was fifth.  This was four win for Griffiths this year at Osky after Aaron Martin stopped his winning streak last week.  

The SportMods brought 11 drivers to test the water Wednesday night.  Blaine Webster had no problem in taking home the win in their 16 lap main event.  Webster started on the pole and led all laps on his way to victory.  Young gun, Maguire DeJong tried reeling in the leader but ran out of laps and had to settle for second.  Trailing a distant third was Curtis VanDerWal, making his first return in a couple of weeks.  Cory VanZante and lady racer Taylor Elliott completed the top five.  Elliott, from Webster City, Iowa and who raced here a couple of years ago, suffered some debilitating injuries in a non-racing vehicle accident back in February of 2019 when she hit a patch of black ice.  She had a long recovery, spending time in a wheelchair, and is now back racing...I believe just this year.  Her father Greg Elliott is also a racer, as well as uncle Mark Elliott.

Fifteen Stock Cars were checked in for action last evening.  Their 16 lap feature saw Todd Reitzler starting on the pole position, and runaway with the win.  Nathan Wood chased Reitzler the entire race, but finished a distant runner up at the checkers.  Dustin Griffiths took third, fourth went to Derrick Agee, and Jason Hall was fifth.  A look back at my records, it appears this is the first win by Reitzler at the track since Night #1 of the 2017 Fall Challenge.  

Racing was completed by 9:36 last evening, as the program clicked right along.  Next week will be Bill and Ray's Bicycle Night where young fans can have a chance to win a bike, courtesy of donations by fans, racers, businesses and the fair board.  Hot laps at 7:15 with racing to follow.

Keep supporting the tracks and races....help keep dirt track racing alive and well!

  

 

Logue knows Boone...goes back-to-back

The Boone Speedway was back in action on Saturday night with 134 race cars checked in for another night of weekly racing on a warm but beautiful June night. Two drivers would repeat their wins from last week, and two new faces went to Victory Lane.   The 2-Person Cruisers were also in exhibition with eight cars strong, the duo of Dalton Faber and Jacob Haag taking that win.

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites started the feature racing with their 15-lap A Main event.  Last week's winner Jon Braathun jumped to the lead.  Braathun continued his run at the front but meanwhile it was Mike Kennedy who began to reel him in.  Lap traffic became Braathun's nemesis, and Kennedy's friend, with Kennedy grabbing the lead on lap ten, and from there on walking away to the win.  Braathun would hold on to take the runner up spot, with Joe Glick taking a very close third.  Following a ways behind in fourth was Josh May, with Bryan Zehm right there in fifth.  This was Kennedy's first visit to Victory Lane this year. Josh May holds the points chase by 16 points over Jon Braathun.

It was quite a spectacular finish in the 18-lap caution free IMCA Northern SportMod feature.  Ryan Leeman led from the drop of the green flag with Taylor Kuehl tucked into second place.  Kuehl, the 20 year old lady racer out of Arizona who is making Iowa her summer home, was fresh off of her first Iowa win the night before at Marshalltown and was looking to put up the challenge. As the race wore on, here came twelfth place starter Johnathon Logue to throw his hat into the ring, reeling in Leeman and Kuehl with five laps remaining.  Logue managed to slip by Kuehl with a lap to go, taking over second place, and then in a brilliant move out of turn four looking at the checkers, Logue made it stick and beat Leeman to the line and snatch the win.  Taylor Kuehl was a close third.  Fourth went to Kaylin Lopez and Curtis Veber completed the top five.  Logue repeated his win from last week, and chalked up weekly series win number four on the season, along with the Frostbuster special victory. He holds a healthy points lead over young Izac Mallicoat for the track title in the division race. 

The IMCA Modifieds ran their 20-lap feature event next and it saw polesitter Jacob Murray shoot off to the lead.  Jake McBirnie was quickly up to challenge the leader and began pestering Murray.  Lap thirteen was the unlucky one for Murray.  A slight bobble was all McBirnie needed as he seized the moment, flying into the lead.  He would then keep it to the flying checkers and the win.  Murray held on to take the runner up spot, Doug Smith trailed a distant third, Cody Laney, the California racer who made his first appearance of the season at Boone, took fourth place after starting twelfth, and Jeremy Mills started thirteenth, and took fifth.  This made McBirnie's second win at the track this year, and his second win in as many days after seeing victory at Marshalltown Speedway on Friday. It's a tight points race in the class with Cory Sauerman holding just a one point lead over both Nick Roberts and Mike VanGenderen.  

Trenton, Missouri's Austin Bouzek looked strong in leading the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car feature as he looked for his first win in Iowa.  Bouzek was still leading at the halfway mark of the race, but now had John Watson and Troy Jerovetz making his life miserable.  Watson managed to grab the lead briefly at lap fourteen, only to have Jerovetz take it away on lap fifteen.  He would then stay in command the rest of the way to the checkers and the win.  The final couple of circuits found Donavon Smith getting to the runner up spot but ran out of time to take more than the runner up spot.  Third went to John Watson, polesitter Austin Bouzek claimed fourth place, and Ben Walding was fifth.  This was Jerovetz' first win at Boone this year.  Michael Jaennette is your points leader holding a healthy 28 point lead over Donavon Smith.

Eric Stanton made it back-to-back wins in the IMCA Hobby Stock class.  He reeled in early leader Solomon Bennett on lap eight of the 15-lapper, got his nose under Bennett and took over the lead at lap ten.  He then held on to repeat his win from last week.  Bennett took second place, Eric Knutson took third, and Aaron Rudolph and Wayne Gifford completed the top five.  This made win number three on the season for Stanton. Stanton leads Bennett by thirteen points in the battle for track champion.  

Check out the racing calendar at Positively Racing and find a race to attend.  Support the tracks and dirt track racing and help keep it alive and well.  

Cool first Iowa win for Kuehl, McBirnie goes back-to-back

Racing action continued at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night where it was Casey's Salute to Marshalltown Firefighters, EMTs, and First Responders/Chad Witte VIP Night.  The IMCA Late Models joined the weekly IMCA classes of Mod Lites, Hobby Stocks, Northern SportMods, Stock Cars, and Modifieds.  It turned out to be a beautiful night, calm and less humidity and a good thing as the dust began to roll, causing more than a few problems in the corners as the night wore on.  

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites kicked off the feature racing with their 15 lap main event.  Story City's Austin Gray would lead this one from start to finish to capture his first ever win at the High Banks.  Mike Kennedy chased Gray for the majority of the race but had to be content with a second place finish.  Ben George was third, Kaden Cochrun, Bakersfield, California racer who is back in the area during our racing season, took fourth, and rounding out the top five was Rodney Brown. Gray, who drove Stock Car before this year, earlier won a race in Boone but was later disqualified due to some infraction.  This race may now be his first ever REAL win.   

The IMCA Northern SportMod feature went to summer visitor Taylor Kuehl. Kuehl hails from Cave Creek, Arizona, but is calling the Boone, Iowa area home for the Iowa racing season.   The 20 year old young lady started on the outside front row, and immediately grabbed the top spot.  Eighth place starter Brayton Carter wasted no time moving into the runner up spot on lap three. It was a real contest between Kuehl and Carter then....lap after lap running neck and neck.  With five laps to go, Carter managed the pass for the lead, only to be off power before the next lap was scored.  Kuehl was then back in command, and kept that top spot the rest of way to the checkers.  Johnathon Logue started twelfth and finished a distant second.  Third went to Izac Mallicoat who started in the eleventh spot, Austin Schrage came from tenth to finish fourth, and Travis Peterson completed the top five.  Kuehl stated in victory lane she had previously won races back home...though a couple of years ago, but this was her first ever win in Iowa.  

Kaden Reynolds went home with another victory in the IMCA Hobby Stock division. Reynolds started tenth and had the lead by lap four, never to look back.  He finished well ahead of second place Solomon Bennett.   Polesitter Gary Pfantz took third place, New Hampton, Iowa's Luke Schluetter was fourth, and Jeremiah Andrews was fifth.  This was Reynolds'  fourth regular season win of the year, also having won the Frostbuster special.  The 15 lap race went caution free.  

The IMCA Late Models were in town for a special appearance...running a 20 lap feature.  Webster City's Ryan Griffith was the early race leader, but Todd Cooney had other ideas.  Cooney moved from starting third and into the lead on lap three and then it was all his race from there on out.  He moved to the top shelf and cruised home to the win.  Curtis Glover was a distant runner up, early leader Ryan Griffith took third place, hometown boy Darrel DeFrance finished in fourth, and Bobby Hansen was fifth. The race went caution free. The IMCA Late Models are scheduled for return appearances on July 30, and August 27.  

The IMCA Stock Cars, the Class too Tough to Tame, had more than their share of problems in their 20 lap feature as yellow after yellow flew.  The corners became a bit difficult to see with the dust rolling and mishap after mishap stopped the racing action....ten cautions in all.  By the time the race was over, only ten cars remained from the 24 car starting field.

Visiting racer Austin Bouzek from Trenton, Missouri started seventh and overpowered then leader Austin Kaplan on lap ten for the top position.  On lap eleven is when the yellow flags began to fall.  A final caution fell on lap eighteen when leader Bouzek lost the handle, and a melee in corner one took out numerous cars.  When the race restarted for the final two lap run to the checkers, it was Steve Meyer at the front position.  He had been running in ninth spot prior to the caution.  He would keep the lead the final two caution free laps to the checkers and the surprising win.  Jeff Mueller moved from starting eighteenth on the grid to finish as the runner up.  Third went to polesitter Jared Daggett, Austin Bouzek took home a top four finish, and Tyler Pickett was fifth.  This was Meyer's second feature win of the year.  

The nightcap of the evening was 20 laps of IMCA Modified racing.  Garrett Wilson took the lead from his pole starting position as the green flag fell.  It was but two laps later when it was Jake McBirnie now in charge.  McBirnie would then hold off the challenges of Joel Rust and Tom Berry, Jr. in the second half of the race, and go home to the checkers flying to earn his second win in a row at the speedway.  Tom Berry, Jr. finished second, Joel Rust was third, fourth went to Dylan Thornton, and early leader Garrett Wilson was fifth.  

A few out-of-towners came for a try at the High Banks last night.  Two drivers from Missouri, Austin Bouzek in the Stock Cars, and Jace Whitt in the SportMod class were on hand.  Wisconsin had Brandon Kaye in SportMods, and Tyler DeBouche in the Modifieds.  Will and Michael Sheen made their way up from Texas and ran in the Stock Car division.   

Next Friday, June 18, will be RBF Electric Night at the races with $400 to win for the IMCA Hobby Stocks.  An added attraction will be the Outlaw Mini Mods.  The green flag drops at 7:30. 

 

 

Martin collects bounty on Griffiths after long absents from victory lane

 It was a hot one at the Southern Iowa Speedway last evening where it was Memorial Night sponsored by Kraig Ford and Kraig Chevrolet.  Extra money was on the line as fans and drivers donated in the memory of those that had passed.  There was also a $350 bounty on Dustin Griffiths in the Hobby Stock class, and that money was collected.  Fifty-eight cars checked in for the racing action. 

Feature racing kicked off with the 10 lap Non-Wing Sprint class with six drivers in attendance. This one was all Doug Sylvester's.  He led from the drop of the green, and all ten laps of the caution free race to take the checkers.  It was a drag race down the frontstretch for the checkers with three cars dueling it out.  Kelly Graham had been running fourth, but surged past two cars in the closing moments to be scored as the runner up.  Garrett Alexander took third over Robert Bell in fourth, Lance Silvers was fifth, and AJ Johnson was sixth. Sylvester scored his second feature win of the season. This also ended Robert Bell's three-in-a-row win streak.   

The Sport Compacts went 10 laps of feature racing next.  Billy Cain led the first three laps, but it was Clayton Webster taking over on lap four.  From there on, it was Webster's race as he pulled away to take the comfortable win...his second in a row, and third for the season.  Cain trailed a distant second place, Lewie Winkleman  took third, Nathan Moody in fourth, and Tyler Haring in fifth.  

Seventeen Hobby Stocks were in the house, sixteen of them looking for that $350 bonus money setting on Dustin Griffiths. Griffiths started eighth, and on the start, seemed to bog down and dropped in the field as Aaron Martin grabbed the immediate lead.  The first yellow of the night flew on lap one when Keaton Gordon lost a wheel going into turn one, collecting Brad Stephens.  The restart didn't hinder Martin, as he took off and drove off into the sunset, taking the 14 lap feature easily.  Trailing a distant second was Trevor Tanner, Rick VanDusseldorp took third, Griffiths was fourth, just beating out Cody Cleghorn in fifth spot.  Martin, driving a borrowed car, wrecked his ride a few weeks ago, and stated in victory lane that his old car will not be returning.  He also mentioned it had been six years since his last win.  It was a good win for Martin, collecting the $350 bounty money on top of the regular winning pay of $400.  

Cory VanZante, Sully, Iowa racer, checked in for the first time this year, racing in the SportMod division.  He would lead the 16 lap race through the halfway mark of the contest, only to have Logan Anderson snatch it away on lap nine.  Anderson stretched out his lead, and went on to take the win.  Maguire DeJong made a last corner pass on Cory VanZante as they finished second and third respectively.  Blaine Webster and Matt Beal rounded out the top five.  This was Anderson's second feature win of the year at the big old half-mile.

The nightcap of the evening was the 16 lap Stock Car feature.  Derrick Agee was back to his old form in this one.  Agee, who had the bounty claimed on him last week, left no doubt in anyone's mind who the winner was going to be this night.  Agee started on the outside front row, immediately had the lead, and would win going away as the checkers flew.  Jason Hall chased Agee for most of the race, and finished in the runner up spot.  Pat Rachels, who now calls China Grove, North Carolina home, but is back in his old stomping grounds of Knoxville, Iowa for the summer, made it a close third place finish.  Dustin Griffiths took fourth place, and Donnie Pearson completed the top five.  

By my count, only three yellow flags flew all night long.  Always a good night when that yellow rag stays put.  Racing continues next Wednesday night where it will be Teacher/Staff Appreciation Night at the track.  Teachers and staff will be admitted free.  

Dylan Thornton, Mueller and Braathun get first wins at Boone

 June 5, 2021

It was another Saturday night of weekly series point racing at the Boone Speedway with all classes in competition along with a King of the Hill contest for the IMCA Hobby Stocks.  New winners came out of the IMCA Modified, IMCA Stock Car, and the IMCA Mod Lite classes, with repeat winners in the IMCA Northern SportMods, and IMCA Hobby Stock divisions.  The two person Cruisers were also in exhibition again, with the team of Don Mason and Jason Miller taking win number three on the year.

The first feature of the evening was the IMCA STARS Mod Lite 15 lap feature and this one was led from start to finish by Story City's Jon Braathun.  Braathun started on the pole and held the field at bay to capture his first ever feature win at the speedway.  Joel Huggins made it interesting at the finish when his slide under the leader out of the final corner fell just short, and he had to settle for second.  Third went to tenth place starter Mike Kennedy, Joe Glick was fourth,, and Austin Gray was fifth.

Ryan Leeman led the opening laps of the 18 lap IMCA Northern SportMod A main, with Nic Runyan and Kevin Yearington keeping close company.  Johnathon Logue entered into the picture just before the halfway mark of the event, getting to the runner up position at lap eleven.  He began applying pressure to leader Leeman and with just three laps remaining, had gained the lead.  He kept that top spot the rest of the way to the checkers to score the win.  Leeman held on to second place, third went to Kevin Yearington, Nic Runyan was fourth, and Izac Mallicoat took fifth.  This was Logue's third regular season win, having also taken the Frostbuster special on April 3rd.

It was another exciting IMCA Modified 20 lap feature that had the crowd cheering.  Dylan Thornton grabbed the lead from Tim Love on lap ten, but then had to fend off the advances of the rapidly advancing Jimmy Gustin, Jake McBirnie, and Nick Roberts who were locked into an intense battle for second place.  That battle resulted in some contact being made between McBirnie and Roberts, that would send McBirnie out of the race, Roberts able to gather it back in and continue on.  Another late yellow in the race sent the cars scrambling for position in the final run to the checkers.  Thornton would hold on to take the win, Roberts got around Jimmy Gustin as they took second and third respectively, and Joel Bushore started thirteenth and finished fourth. Doug Smith had his best run of the year after moving up from the SportMod class this year, and finished fifth, coming from twenty-third starting spot.  This was Thornton's first win of the 2021 season.

Four cautions would mar the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature but it didn't bother Jeff Mueller in the least.  Mueller got the top spot away from leader Jesse Smith on lap nine, and kept it the rest of the way to the checkers and the win.  It was however, a very close finish at the line as last week's winner, David Smith came from eleventh place on the starting grid, took to the top of the track in the closing laps, and fell just short in a last ditch effort at the checkers, having to settle for second.  Michael Jaennette was third, and Tyler Pickett and Scott Davis completed the top five.  It had been a while since Mueller had visited victory lane at the Boone Speedway, his last coming back in 2018.

The IMCA Hobby Stocks ran a King of the Hill earlier in the evening, the participants were the top eight in points and heat winners of the night.  The final four cars remaining after elimination rounds found Eric Stanton standing atop the hill, followed by Eric Knutson, Aaron Rudolph, and Braden Richards.

The Hobby Stocks 15 lap feature event also went to King of the Hill winner, Eric Stanton.  Stanton had to battle hard against Braden Richards and Eric Knutson to get the job done, getting around both at lap ten, and then holding them off as the checkers flew.  Knutson finished as the runner up, Richards took third, and it was a close finish for fourth and fifth, with Seth Janssen winning out over Solomon Bennett.

It was a hot and breezy one on Saturday.  The track got a little tricky for those who weren't use to a drier track at Boone, especially coming out of turn four.  That and the drivers being less patient on the restarts, led to the yellow flag flying quite often.  

Find a race to attend and keep the dirt tracks and racing going strong.  

McBirnie, Knutson, Cochrun, and Sabin take first High Banks wins, Carter and Murty repeat

 June 4, 2021

After four straight weather outs, May 14, the May 19 Castrol FloRacing  Super LM show, May 21, and May 28, the Marshalltown Speedway came back to life on a beautiful Friday night. Four new winners made their way to victory lane last evening, and two drivers earned repeat wins at the track.

The IMCA Sport Compacts brought 15 cars strong to run their first full event of the year. They are not a weekly class, but will be on the docket throughout the year.  They made their first appearance back on May 14, but the program was cut short due to rain. 

At the end of their 12-lap feature, it was Des Moines, Iowa's Kolby Sabin standing in victory lane to take the first feature win of the class at Marshalltown.  Sabin started fifth on the starting grid, and was running in second place to leader Dalton Sowers when a yellow flew on lap nine.  Sabin took advantage of the restart situation and had the lead by lap ten.  He held on to the top spot the rest of the way to the checkers and the win.  Sowers crossed the line in second, holding off John Gill, a close third.  Mark Smith was fourth, Max Heimbuch fifth, and  Chad Larson in sixth.  A post race disqualification for Sowers, would then move all those finishing behind him up in position. 

National point leader Kaden Cochrun in the IMCA STARS Mod Lite class, added to his lead as he led all 15 laps of the feature on his way to the win.  Cochrun, who hails from Bakersfield, California but is racing in the area for the summer, had to fend off the advances of Doug Byers for most of the race. Byers ran one of his best races of the year, staying close to the leader throughout the race, but had to settle for the runner up spot on this night.  Joe Glick took third, fourth went to Cory Sonner, and Bryan Zehm was fifth.  Cochrun was a happy camper in his post race interview, stating he could never have imagined being able to stand in victory lane at the Marshalltown Speedway, a second to none track in his book.  

The IMCA Hobby Stocks could not get past lap three in their 15 lap main event, as cautions kept waving. Three yellows and a red for Dalton Coady's roll over out of turn two kept stopping the action.   It didn't bother Eric Knutson however, as he took the lead on lap one, weathered the stoppage situations, and led all laps to capture the win. Eleventh place starter Kaden Reynolds made it interesting in the closing laps, but had to be content with a close second place finish.  Carter Koop came from twelfth to finish third, and Solomon Bennett and Luke Schluetter rounded out the top five.  This was Knutson's first win of the 2021 season at the speedway.

Up next was 18 laps of Northern SportMod feature racing. They too had trouble getting their racing rhythm, with three yellows flying in the first two laps.  The race would then continue green to the checkers.  Brayton Carter started on the outside front row, grabbed the lead immediately, and never looked back on his way to his second win of the season.  Izac Mallicoat started sixth and was quick to grab the number two spot, challenged Carter several times, but could do no better than the runner up spot at the checkers.  Johnathon Logue, Austin Schrage, and Jenae Gustin rounded out the top five.

There was some close racing up front in the opening laps of the 18 lap IMCA Stock Car feature.  Pole sitter Austin Kaplan, Jason Hall, and Scott Rice were locked into a heated battle and then just four laps in, tenth place starter Dallon Murty was throwing his hat into the mix.  At lap seven, Murty was challenging then leader Hall when he ran out of room at the top of turn three. He slipped off the track, bringing out a yellow and had to tag the tail of the field for the restart.  When the yellow flew for Murty, it was Todd Reitzler in command, Hall having dropped back a couple of spots, and now Damon Murty had moved from ninth, to run in second.  A few laps later, Murty took over the top spot, taking to the rim of the track, and sailing home to another feature win.  Reitzler took second, Dallon Murty flew through the pack after his earlier incident and finished third, fourth went to Steve Meyer, and Dave Atcher was fifth.  This was Damon Murty's second feature win of the year at Marshalltown.

The IMCA Modifieds finished off the night's racing in fine form....running their 20 lap main event caution free...the only one of the night.  Pole sitter Jake McBirnie would lead this one flag to flag on his way to victory.  He was challenged most of the distance by Ethan Braaksma.  Braaksma made several attempts to edge out McBirnie, but to no avail,  and having to be satisfied with the runner up spot.  Trailing a distant third place was Dylan Thornton, fourth went to Tim Ward, and fifth was Gatlin Leytham. This was McBirnie's first Modified feature win at the track for 2021, and if my records are correct, his first ever Modified win at Marshalltown.   

Next Friday, June 11 will be Salute to Marshalltown Firefighters, EMTS, and First Responders night at the Speedway.  Hot laps are scheduled for 6:50 with racing at 7:30.  

Find a race to attend.  There are many specials as well as regular weekly races at the area tracks.  Hopefully Mother Nature has decided to play nice for a while!  Support the sport we all love, dirt track racing! 

 

Three for three for Bell and Griffiths, bounty on Agee goes to Dallon Murty

 It was finally a beautiful night to be setting at a race track on Wednesday at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa.  A good crowd of fans was on hand, without coats and sweatshirts for a change, no strong winds, and no threat of rain, made for a perfect night to be setting at a race track with our racing friends. 

Robert Bell, the Non-Wing Sprint racer who has raced for 30 years, was going for his third win in a row, as was Dustin Griffiths in the Hobby Stock division.  There was bonus bounty money setting on Derrick Agee's head, a nice $1,100 for anyone that could beat the as of yet unbeaten Missouri hot shoe in the Stock Car class.  

The Non-Wing Sprints ran their 10 lap event to kick off the feature racing.  After not performing well in his heat, finishing fifth out of five cars, many people were thinking Robert Bell's two-in-a-row streak would end there.  The race began with pole-sitter Kelly Graham jumping to the immediate lead.  As lap one was scored, Graham led with Doug Sylvester close at hand...and Robert Bell still in fourth place where he started.  Then, to the delight of the crowd, at lap three Bell had moved to run in second...and on lap four, Bell was leading!  From there on, Bell pulled away and took the checkers comfortably...getting his third win in a row...and just his third ever feature.  He was a delight to hear in victory lane, a veteran racer who has just kept at it year after year...and expressed how grateful he is to be living his dream.  Congratulations again to the Colfax Comet!  Graham finished in second place, Ben Woods was third, Doug Sylvester was fourth, and Lance Silvers rounded out the five car field.

The Sport Compacts were up next for 10 laps of feature racing.  This one went to Clayton Webster, who led all caution free laps on his way to win number two at the Monster Half-Mile.  Following a distant runner up was Tyler Haring.  It was a good battle for third place between Lewie Winkleman, Dalton Sowers, and Nathan Moody.  At the finish is was Sowers taking third, Moody was fourth, and Billy Cain slipped around Winkleman in the closing moments as they went fifth and sixth respectively.  

The first yellow flag of the night came on lap five of the 14 lap Hobby Stock A main when a couple of cars got mixed up down in turn one.   At that point, Travis Bunnell was still in command of the race, having led from the drop of the green.  Rick VanDusseldorp was hot on his tail, and eager for the restart of the race with Jesse Williams and Dustin Griffiths waiting in the wings.  On lap eight, Bunnell, VanDusseldorp, and Dustin Griffiths made it three-wide down the backstretch, with VanDusseldorp coming out on top for the lead on lap nine.  A couple of laps later, Griffiths was challenging hard with the 1R of VanDusseldorp, racing side by side until Griffiths pulled it off, snapping up the top spot.  Griffiths would hold on for the win....his third-in-a-row, with VanDusseldorp following in the runner up spot.  It was close at the line for third and fourth...with Bunnell scoring third, just beating out Aaron Martin in fourth.  As a note, Martin was in a backup car tonight, having bad damage to his own ride from a mishap last week at the track.  Jesse Williams would round out the top five.  Next week, it was announced there will be a $300 bounty on Griffith, and as of this morning, I see it's $350.  

Cayden Carter was in the house last night, piloting brother Brayton's #01 for the SportMod class. He won his heat, and with drawing a pole starting spot for the 16 lap feature, it was almost a given.  That's what it turned out to be, as Carter pulled away quickly, and sailed to the flag-to-flag win.  Logan Anderson got his badly smoking hot rod in the heat fixed, as he took second place.  Third went to Blaine Webster, Maguire DeJong was fourth, and Scott Brau was fifth.  

There was a $1,100 bounty on Derrick Agee in the Stock Car class.  He had won all four of the features for a perfect season going into last night.  We really expected to see more Stock Car drivers coming for a chance at that bonus money, but only fourteen drivers were on hand.  Two of those new faces were Damon and Dallon Murty...the father/son duo from Chelsea, Iowa.  Dallon, who is just sixteen, but with several years seat time behind him in a Stock Car, with go kart and micro mod racing prior to that.  He was fresh off the $5,000 win at the Stuart Speedway's Whole Hog 50 on Monday night.  Earlier in the year, he and his dad made the trip to race on the dirt at Bristol....with son Dallon beating his second place dad in the prestigious race.  Also back from his North Carolina home to race at his old stomping grounds, was the 34 of Pat Rachels.

Damon Murty drew the pole position for the start of the 16 lap A main, setting along side another #99 of Kyle Boyd.  Dallon Murty drew the sixth starting spot, and having not made the redraw for the starting line up of the A main, Derrick Agee had to start ninth....making it a tall task ahead of him to get another win.

Damon Murty immediately took the top spot, and track regular Donnie Pearson tucked into second place.  By lap four, Dallon Murty had drawn to his dad's bumper, and by lap seven, he was leading.  The two Chelsea drivers then began to pull away from the rest of the field even though Agee had now made it into third spot.  This race also went caution free, and with the Murty's out in front with a sizeable lead, it was to no avail for Agee to catch them.  The race would end with Dallon Murty taking the checkers, with a final effort by dad Damon Murty to make it a close second place.  Derrick Agee finished in third place, with Dustin Griffiths and Donnie Pearson trailing a distant fourth and fifth.  Ironically, Dallon, Damon and Derrick Agee finished 1-2-3 just as they had at the Bristol Dirt Nationals. 

Last night's races, sponsored by Van Utrecht Farms & Trucking & Stout Trucking was also voting for this year's Hall of Fame.  On the ballot were Merv Chandler, Bill Bone, Marvin Korns, Kenny Fenn, Dan Feree, Steve Jackson, Troy Folkerts, Wendell Folkerts, Bob "Gabby" Hayes,  "Dandy" Don Hoffman, Keith Kropf, Wayne Larson, Bob Maschmann, Big John Moss, Lee Pinckney, Joel Rasseman (perhaps, Joel Rasmussen, former Ames, Iowa racer, as not familiar with Rasseman...not to say that name should not be on the list) Mike Robinson, Sonny Smyser, Pat Surfus, Paul VanZee, Mike Spilman, and Ken Walton.  You could vote for only three....with a write in available.  We have seen most of those listed drivers racing at the Monster Half Mile in days gone by.... and all listed on the ballot, worthy of a place in the Hall of Fame.  

Get out and find a race to attend.  Check the calendar at Positively Racing and help support the tracks and sports we all love....dirt track racing.