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.
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