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.
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