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!
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