July 21,2021
We made the trip west to the Stuart Speedway on Wednesday night for the running of the Clint Walrod Suicide Awareness Memorial race. A lot of extra money was on the line in all seven classes. There were 129 cars checked into the pits for the midweek race at the little high-banked 1/4 mile bullring, in a draw/redraw show.
The IMCA STARS Mod Lites kicked off the feature racing with their 16 lap event. The driver out of Bakersfield, California, Kaden Cochrun grabbed the immediate lead from his third place starting spot, and led this one from start to finish. Mike Zemo, Jr., Davenport, Iowa chased Cochrun for much of the distance, until Josh May made the pass into second with just two laps remaining. Cochrun went on to take checkers, with May making it a close second as they crossed the wire. Zemo took third, Kansas City, Missouri's Dillon Raffurty was fourth, and Jon Padilla, Silvis, Illinois rounded out the top five. We've been seeing a lot of travelers in the Mod Lite class this year, as they chase that very first IMCA national title. My last check of the points chase shows Josh May with a slim lead over winner Cochrun.
The little Outlaw Mini Mods took to the track next, and with Lucas Daniels starting on the pole, it was almost a given that he would be standing in victory lane at the end of their run....and he did. Daniels led all laps to take the win, with Kamdyn Haggard chasing him the entire distance to finish second. Third went to Dan Cline, Gage Hilgenberg was fourth, and Creston, Iowa's Zackary Schaefer rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran a 20 lap feature that paid $1,400 to the winner. Fourteen year old Izac Mallicoat started on the outside front row, and was gone. Several caution flag restarts didn't bother the talented young driver in the least as he led all laps to secure the victory. Brayton Carter, who has had much success at the track, had to settle for a second place on this night. Third went to ninth place starter Jake Sachau, Shane Paris was fourth, and Jarod Weston, Red Oak, Iowa, was fifth. Mallicoat's grandfather, Dave Baugh saw plenty of laps around the track in days past, and was often seen in victory lane, and now his grandson is carrying on the tradition.
Defending track champion in the IMCA Stock Cars, Jeremy Gettler, put it in the winner's circle again last night, taking the checkers in the 22 lap main event. Gettler shot to the lead from his lucky redraw pole starting spot, and would go on to lead the remaining circuits and seal another win. A couple of late cautions would bunch the field for the restarts, but Gettler was not seriously challenged in those situations, as he flew home to another win. Buck Schafroth started ninth, and took the runner up position, Chanse Hollatz had a good run, coming from twelfth starting spot to finish third, Brandon Pruitt took fourth, and Todd VanEaton was fifth. After the race was completed, Gettler had to be assisted to victory lane, as on the cool down lap, he ended up at the top of turn four, with a broken tie rod. The $1,500 pay day for Gettler may have been enough of a consolation for that issue!
The IMCA Hobby Stocks came to the track next, and they were looking for a $1,250 winner's prize. Brandon Cox took the early lead with Dylan Nelson and Luke Ramsey giving chase. Tenth place starter Eric Stanton soon joined the top runners to give it a go at the big pay off at the end of the 15 laps. A yellow flew at lap ten, which tightened up the field for the restart, and was no doubt, just what Dylan Nelson was hoping for. It took him one lap before he was able to make the pass for the lead, but then he would keep a tight hold on that top spot, and go home to the flying checkers. Cox took the runner up spot, Luke Ramsey took third, Eric Stanton was fourth, and Tom Killen, Jr. made a late race charge to take fifth after starting fourteenth.
There was a big payoff for the IMCA Modified win....$2,100. They would run 25 laps for their main event and with an outside front row starting spot, Tim Ward would take home that pay day, as he led all 25 laps on his way to victory. There was a good battle behind him as Chase Rudolf, Todd Shute, and Cayden Carter jockeyed for position. As the checkers flew, it was Ward taking the easy victory, with Oskaloosa, Iowa's Cayden Carter taking second. Todd Shute finished third, fourth went to Chase Rudolf, and Corning, Iowa's Jesse Dennis was fifth.
One more feature event was on the ticket with the IMCA Sport Compacts closing out the night. They would run their main event flag to flag with the #T13 of Greenfield's Braxton Wallace leading all laps to take the win. Kolby Sabin chased him the entire race, but had to settle for the runner spot. Third went to eighth place starter, Curtis Masterson, fourth was John Gill, and Craig Furstenau was fifth.
Earlier in the evening, last year's top in track points Stock Car and Hobby Stock drivers were recognized in front of the grandstand. It's always a good thing when the fans can put a face with the name and car number of the drivers.
The show was run along in good time, something that is always appreciated by everyone I think. Thanks to Mike VanGenderen for the hospitality along with that well run show that was completed at 9:59 p.m.
The next race at Stuart will be on SUNDAY, August 1, when the SLMR Late Models make an appearance at the track for what should be a great show.
How quickly the race season is running down, so get out and find a race to attend and help support the sport we all love....dirt track racing.
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