World Nationals Night #2 Almost Foiled by Mother Nature....but not Quite!

It was UAW Local 893 Cliff Chambers Memorial Saturday Spectacular for Night #2 of the 16th Annual World Nationals at the Marshalltown Speedway.  The forecast all around was not good, and the start time was moved up to 6:00 pm in hopes of foiling Mother Nature last night.

The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds and Northern SportMods were once again on the docket as were the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks and the MACH-1 IMCA Sport Compacts.

The IMCA Northern SportMods came to the track first for their 20 lap main event.  This one would be led from start to finish by "Speedy Bray" Brayton Carter who hails from Oskaloosa, Iowa.  Tony Olson finished as the runner up after chasing Carter for most of the race.  Jenae Gustin started ninth, and powered around tenth place starter Logan Anderson on the restart of a green-white-checkered restart as they finished third and fourth respectively.  Jarett Franzen, Maquoketa, Iowa completed the top five. Carter went home $1,000 richer for his victory.

The program was moving swiftly along with the threat of rain in the area, and the IMCA Modifieds were brought to the track next for their 30 lap, $2,000 to win feature. 

Early leader was pole sitter Scott Simatovich who held that top spot until lap five.  That's when Madrid, Iowa's Kyle Brown took over as captain of the ship.  He had company on his tail almost immediately as Richie Gustin jumped into the second spot.  The two continued their run around the top of the High Banks until a caution paused the action on lap fifteen.  On the restart, Ryan Maitland threw his hat in the ring, snatching second place and began his quest to overtake Brown.

Another yellow flew on lap twenty-one and by this time it was Grundy Center's Joel Rust who had come calling, taking over second spot. He was chomping at the bit for the restart as Brown continued his lead.  Rust stuck close to Brown and on lap twenty-four, threw a slider that got the job done, as he swept into the lead.  In the final circuits, Rust pulled away at the finish to take the comfortable win.  Kyle Brown finished as the runner up.  A distant third place was fifteenth place starter, Cody Laney.  Richie Gustin ran at the front of the pack all night, and took fourth place.  New driver for the night, Kelly Shryock came from tenth to finish in fifth.  

The IMCA Stock Cars were then quickly brought to the track for their 25-lap $1,000 to win event.... as the sky was looking more ominous.

Polesitter Tom Cannon from West Branch, Iowa led the troops through lap ten as a pack of five cars were going at it in hot combat behind him.  Those drivers.... Michael Jaennette, Damon Murty, and son Dallon Murty, last night's winner Jeff Mueller, and Dustin Vis were locked into a real battle. 

Damon Murty overtook Cannon on lap eleven and soon Mueller moved his way into second place.  Mueller, who is known to love the bottom of the track, was digging hard down low once again, while Murty was hanging out on the top of the track.  Once again Mueller's choice of the bottom paid off when he took over the top spot with a lap to go. He then held it to take the checkers for the second night in a row.  Damon Murty held on to second place, son Dallon Murty, who started eleventh, finished in third.  Austin Kaplan was fourth, and early leader Tom Cannon was fifth.

A few rain drops were starting to fall as the IMCA Hobby Stocks made their way onto the track for their 20 lap "A" main.

William Klosterman started sixth on the field and snatched the lead away from newcomer for the night, Curt Reed at lap four.  Klosterman continued to hold his lead though John Watson had been challenging him from lap eight right up to lap fourteen, when a caution came out.  That's when the raindrops grew more frequent, the track grew shiny, and the call came that the race was yellow/checkered.  Klosterman was awarded the win, with Watson taking second.  Eric Knutson, Sam West, and Curt Reed were credited with third through fifth respectively.  

Unfortunately, the IMCA MACH-1 Sport Compacts didn't get a chance to run their 15 lap feature event due to the rain and the races being called.

This was the final race for the Marshalltown Speedway, but the plan is to be back for Friday night racing in 2023.

The rain was coming down pretty hard before I was out of the parking lot....and not a pleasant drive on the way home to Grinnell.  I see our local weather reporting stations says we had over 2 inches,...much needed...but it did not come at the most ideal time! 

There are races yet to be found in our area, so if inclined, find a race to support.  Keep dirt track racing alive and well!

Berry Buries the Field on Night #1 of the World Nationals, Mueller, Inman, Dhondt, and Sabin also find checkers

It was back for more racing on Friday night, when the Marshalltown Speedway came back to life for the first of two nights of the 16th Annual World Nationals.  IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds and Northern SportMods, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, and Hobby Stocks, and IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts were in competition for J & M Fabrication Friday Night Lights. One hundred forty-four cars checked in for a full night of racing action.

The IMCA Sport Compacts ran their 15 lap feature event first.  Kolby Sabin has been on a tear at the track this year, having won eight times previously, and he added number nine to his list Friday night.  Sabin started fourth, had the lead on lap one, never to look back.  He pulled away from the field and won going away.  Following a distant second was Cristian Grady, Curtis Masterson was third, fourth went to Mitchell Bunch, and Blake Driscol completed the top five.

Just as the race ended, Dayton Filloon's car let forth a big puff, and spread oil from turn four, and down the frontstretch.  There was a bit of a delay while that issue was taken care of before the next race began.

The IMCA Hobby Stock ran their 20 lapper next.  Calvin Dhondt, Kellogg, Iowa, started on the outside front row, and immediately grabbed the lead.  His momentum was slowed by two yellow flags and subsequent restarts. However they were of no issue as he once again held on to that top spot when the race returned to green,  The final lap saw sixteenth place starter Austin Mehmen throw a slider out of turn four, but Dhondt kept his composure and made it to the finish line first to secure the win.  Mehmen had to settle for the runner up spot.  John Watson ran up front all night long, and finished third, fourth went to Walker, Iowa's Adam Streeter, and Tanner Jones, Boone, Iowa was fifth. Dhondt just returned to racing this year after being absent for several seasons, and took home the $500 prize.

Tyler Inman went home $1,000 richer by taking the checkers in the 20 lap IMCA Northern SportMod main event.  He overtook then leader Dusty Masolini on lap four and from there on it was all his race. Brayton Carter chased Inman for much of the race, but had to be content with second.  Following a distance behind in third was sixteenth place starter, Logan Anderson.  Tony Olson came from thirteenth to finish in fourth, and lady racer Taylor Kuehl was fifth. Inman, who calls Altoona, Iowa home, has not raced at the Marshalltown Speedway in quite sometime, and was a happy camper in Victory Lane in his post race interview.   

The IMCA Stock Cars ran a 25 lap "A" feature.  Dallon Murty, fresh off of his Super National's win, got the early lead.  However, he soon had Jeff Mueller on his tail as he dug along the bottom of the track.  Mueller made it work in that low groove, taking over the top spot on lap six.  Mueller would then stretch out his lead, content with his low ride around the track, as Murty kept up top on the High Banks.  A caution flew at lap twenty-three....just what Murty was looking for.  However, the restart proved to be of no consequences for Mueller as he motored off and took the checkers....as well as a $1,000 pay day.  Murty was second, third went to twelfth place starter Dylan Thornton, Santa Maria, California racer who was doing double duty racing in the Modifieds as well.  Austin Kaplan, and Damon Murty, were fourth and fifth respectively.  

The night cap was 30 laps of ground pounding IMCA Modifieds.  Gilman, Iowa's Richie Gustin jumped to the lead immediately from his pole starting spot. Madrid, Iowa's Kyle Brown ran second with about ten laps remaining.  That's when a caution flew for a spinning car.  On the restart, Tom Berry powered by both Gustin and Brown, to take the lead.  From there on out, Berry, who just won the IMCA Super Nationals, pulled away and at the finish line, won going away.  Joel Rust came on strong in the final portion of the race, but could do no better than finish a distant second.  Gustin finished third, fourth went to ninth place starter, Dylan Thornton, and Tim Ward took fifth. Berry has been on a real winning streak this year.  Not only getting the Super National's crown, but he also won all six races of the Dakota Classic Mod tour earlier this year.  

Tomorrow night will be night #2 of the 16th Annual World Nationals when the five classes will do it all over again.  

Keep supporting dirt track racing!  

40th Annual IMCA Super Nationals in the Books

 We began our racing vacation with the Showdown in Motown at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday, September 2 and ended it on Saturday September 10 at the Boone Speedway and the 2022 Super Nationals....nine days/nights straight for us old folk.  We got tired and worn out.....but we had fun!

It's hard to believe that there have been 40 IMCA Super Nationals...beginning in 1983 at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa, and Mike Schulte won that first Modified Super Nationals. The next few years, they were at various track.  1984, Jack Mitchell won it when it was held at the Independence Motor Speedway.  In 1985 it was held at West Liberty and Mike Frieden won.  Frieden repeated his win in 1986 when it was held at the Knoxville Raceway.  Wayne Larson won his first Super Nationals the following year at Mason City.  Then, in 1988, our first year in attendance (and every year since) it was moved to its permanent home at the Boone Speedway.

The forecast for the entire week of Super Nationals was looking great!  That first day, Labor Day, September 5, was a beautiful day to being the 40th Annual IMCA Super Nationals.  

Today was the IMCA Late Model Big Dance.  Coming out on top their 50 lap feature was Cory Dumpert, York, Nebraska.  Dumpert had many accolades prior to winning this one...a two time IMCA National Champion, but this one had eluded him.  Not this time as he swept to the win to start the week as the first 2022 Super Nationals champion.  Jeff Aikey finished as the runner up and though not too pleased with a little bumping between the two top runners, it was nice to see the handshake after the race was finished.  Dean Abbey, Boyd, Texas, Dustin Schramm, Sterling, Illinois, and Joel Callahan, Dubuque, Iowa were third through fifth respectively.

Monday also began the qualifying for the IMCA Northern SportMods and Hobby Stocks.  Racing began at 2:10 p.m. and done at 12:11 a.m. 

Day #2, Tuesday, September 6 saw the second Super National's champion crowned when Jake Benischek, Durant, Iowa took the honors in the IMCA Sport Compacts.  He reeled in Kimberly Abbott with perfect timing, taking the lead with a lap to go, and went home to the flying double checkers. Following Abbott in third place was Dunlap's Shannon Mahlberg, fourth went to Mitch Bielenberg, Charlotte, Iowa, and Lukas Rick, Urbana, Iowa rounded out the top five.

Qualifying continued for the IMCA Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks.  Racing started at 2:09 p.m. and was completed at 11:46 p.m.

Day #3, Wednesday, September 7 is the day the IMCA Modifieds and Stock Cars made their first appearance.  The numbers were outstanding for those two classes.  There were 252 Modifieds and 243 Stock Cars checked in.  Final qualifying was completed for the Northern SportMods and Hobby Stocks as well.  Total cars checked in so far was 995 cars.  Would we make a 1,000?

Racing began again at 2:09 p.m. and was over at 1:22 a.m.  That was a 78 race, 726 lap day.

It was already Thursday, Day #4 on September 8. Time was passing quickly.  Today it was more qualifying for the IMCA Modifieds and Stock Cars plus the All Star Invitational for the Stock Cars.  Young Kaden Reynolds, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and in his rookie year in the stock car class, showed his talent and took the prestigious win. Kelly Shryock was hoping to repeat, but had to settle for the runner up spot this year.  Justin Luinenburg, Reading, Minnesota was third, fourth was Beatrice, Nebraska's Kyle Vanover, and Mike Mullen, Seymour, Wisconsin was fifth. Thirty cars for thirty laps, and the race went flag to flag. 

Thursday's racing began at 1:08 p.m. and concluded at 1:54 in the morning.

Friday, Day #5, saw a whopping 94 races and 980 laps of racing.  What with a forecast for "R" for Saturday, extra races were added at the end of the night with 15 LCQ for the Modifieds.  It turned out to be a good call.  

Friday's racing also saw ROCs for the Modifieds and Stock Cars. plus the Modified All Star Invitational.  The Modified ROC went to Bakersfield, California's Jerry Flippo....a young talent from that area.  Kaden Reynolds continued his reign in the Stock Cars and followed up his All Star Invitational win from Thursday, with the win in the ROC. Another rookie took home the Modified All Star Invitational win in their 30 lapper that also went caution free.  That rookie was Sioux City, Iowa's Cody Thompson who jumped up from several years of running in the Northern SportMod class. That 30 lapper went 9 minutes and 7 seconds of non-stop racing action of the cream of the crop drivers.

There was an early call for racing on Friday with the rain in the forecast.  We began at 12:13 p.m. and ended at 1:48 a.m.

As we peeked out of our window at the hotel on Saturday, Day #6, it was not what we wanted to see! Rain!  It appeared it had been going on for some time as well.  Thank goodness at times for social media as the word came that as soon as the rain stopped in Boone, the jet dryer would be on the track, and then between 2-3 hours we should be racing.

We did go over to the track and sat and watched it rain....until 4 p.m.  At 4:15 p.m. we heard the jet dryer! It did its job as did the "green machines"...the John Deere tractors and the skillful knowledge of the track prep crew.  We were racing at 6:51 p.m.

As stated earlier, Friday night 15 extra LCQs were added in anticipation of the rain to come.  It was a good call, as on Saturday, there were only nine total races.  There were 3 Modified Last chance qualifiers and two Stock Car Last chances.  Then....it was time to go dancing!

The IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks ran their 30 lapper first.  Brandon Nielsen, Spencer, Iowa appeared to be well on his way to victory until lap 22 when things got a little "pushy/shovey" with the top runners as they came out of turn four.  This involved the front runner Nielsen, second place runner Mike Smith, and third running Jimmy Johnson.  Nielsen's car road the inside wall, underside showing as it got pushed along....sparks flying!  The three cars continued to be mingled as they hit the flagstand with the flagman and his assistant luckily being alert and jumping back out of harms way.  A bit of flagstand repair was quickly done, and needless to say, the three cars involved were done.

As the race restarted, fourth place running Zach Olmstead, Overton, Nebraska was the lucky recipient of the lead.  It turned out to be his lucky day, and he motored home the rest of the distance to the checkers and the IMCA Hobby Stock Super Nationals Championship.  Justin Frederick, Cleghorn, Iowa was second, third was Adel, Iowa's Dylan Nelson, fourth went to Michael Kimm, Vinton, Iowa and Josh Sidles, Emmetsburg, Iowa was fifth.

The IMCA Northern SportMods came next, for their 30 lap Big Dance.  Colby Fett was the early leader in this one with Taylor Kuehl giving it a good go as she chased him around the track.  By lap 22, Matt Looft had caught Kuehl and two laps later, made the pass into second place.  Then...just two laps later, he had over taken Fett, and took over the lead.  It was all Looft's race the rest of the way to the finish and the IMCA Northern SportMod Super Nationals Championship.  Looft, Swea City, Iowa who is leading national points at the moment and already has four titles under his belt, has surpassed 200 wins in his career,  and now added another notch to his belt.  Fett, Algona, Iowa was second, Jarrett Frazen, Maquoketa, Iowa took third, Taylor Kuehl, Arizona native who now calls Boone, Iowa home, was fourth, and Logan Anderson, Eddyville, Iowa was fifth.

Two more "dances" to go, and the IMCA Stock Cars came to the track next for their 30 car 3-wide start for 30 laps.  Kaden Reynolds had already won the ROC and All Star Invitational races, and he seemed intent on making it three for three as he jumped to the lead as the race went green.

Dallon Murty, defending Super Nationals champion had other ideas however.  He overtook Reynolds on lap six and snatched the lead.  Dad, Damon Murty got by Reynolds to run second, and then chased his son for a while, all for naught. Then, late in the race, Kelly Shryock had arrived in the mix of things, and with five laps remaining, took over second.  It was no contest however for young Dallon Murty, as the "Game Changer" out of Chelsea, Iowa motored home to his second consecutive Super National's Championship.  Shryock, Fertile, Iowa was second. Reynolds, David Smith, the 20th place starter from Lake City, Iowa, and tenth place starter, Buck Schafroth, Orient, Iowa were third through fifth respectively. 

The last time there was a back-to-back Super Nationals Champion in the Stock Car division was eighteen years ago when Randy Brands made that accomplishment.

Now it was time for the grand finale....the 40 lap IMCA Modified Big Dance.  Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nevada started in the middle of the front row, and immediately took over the top spot.  Cody Thompson fell in to run behind him and Tom Berry, Jr., by way of Oregon and North Dakota, and now calling Des Moines home, tagged into third place.  Hibdon was able to hold on to that number one spot until lap 20 when Berry got the better of him, taking over the lead.  It was all Berry from there on out, as he pulled away in the closing circuits to win going away.  

Hibdon kept the runner up spot, Cody Thompson was third, fourth went to Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada's Aaron Turnbull, and veteran Cedar Falls, Iowa's Jeff Aikey completed the top five.

And so ended the 40th Annual IMCA Super Nationals....the 35th at the Boone Speedway as well as our 35th time there.  The racing began on Saturday at 6:51 p.m. and it was in the books at 10:57 p.m.  

Record car counts were broken, and an even 1,000 cars participated.  Beginning with the Prelude on Saturday September 3, and straight through to September 10, we saw 505 different races and 4,929 laps of racing....those stats thanks to Numbersman, Ryan Clark.  

Jerry Vansickel, Ryan Clark, and Aussie, Wade Aunger entertained us the entire time, feeding in tidbits of information along with calling the races.  The drone operators were fabulous!  They maneuvered the small drones around the track as they chased the cars amazingly well.  Everyone found themselves following the drones at times instead of the racing!  The track prep crew, the scorers, the IMCA.tv film crew, the My Race Pass and transponder people were on top of their game.  The IMCA Super Nationals at the Boone Speedway is a well oiled machine.....no where else would it run as smoothly.  

As much as we enjoyed the racing, we also enjoyed catching up with those we see but once a year at the Super Nationals.  We always enjoy our "racing family" and look forward to that part every year.  

It was a bit hard on us old folk with nine straight days/nights/early mornings that started on Friday September 2 at the Marshalltown Speedway for the Showdown in Motown.  We are just now catching our breath, and hope to be ready for two more nights at Marshalltown for their Friday/Saturday World Nationals to close out their track's season.  Hope to see some of you there. 

Edit:  Forgot to add the motors that were auctioned off:  The Stock Car went for $7,250, the Modified for $5,200, the Northern SportMod for $5,500 and the Hobby Stock for $3,000.  The money will be divided back to the starters in each of those divisions.   

Keep on supporting dirt track racing and help keep the sport we all love alive and well.    

 

Prelude Night #2

 September 4, 2022

Sunday was Night #2 of the Wild Rose Casino Prelude to the Super Nationals and also the crowning of the first of the 2022 Super Nationals Champions. 

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites completed their qualifying from Night #1 with 10 more drivers filling in the outside row of the three-wide 30 lap feature for their Big Dance.

Brandon Freeburg, Metamora, Illinois started on the outside front row and grabbed the immediate lead as the race went green.  Dillon Raffurty tagged on his tail to run in second place.  The two ran as such as the race wore on, with Raffurty giving a peek now and then until lap 25 when Freeburg lost the handle low in turn four, spun, and handed the lead over to Raffurty.  Freeburg got going, but the unfortunate incident resulted in Freeburg being handed the black penalty flag since he did not stop after driving below the light poles in the infield....a long standing rule at the track for the safety of the photographers and infield workers.

Raffurty had no problem in then holding on to that inherited lead the rest of the way to the flying checkers....and defended his 2021 Super National's title.

John Padilla, Silvis, Illinois finished in second place, Austin Gray, Story City, Iowa was third, fourth went to Bakersfield, California racer Zack Forster and New Yorker, Joe Isabell rounded out the top five. 

Earlier, the Mod Lites ran their Race of Champions with ten drivers that had qualified.  Dillon Raffurty also won this race handily, leading all ten laps as he pulled away from the field to take another checkers. Raffurty's record is nearly perfect at the Boone Speedway as he also won the ROC race last year.  

The IMCA Friesen Motors Northern SportMods ran a 25 lap Prelude feature event.  Eddyville, Iowa's Logan Anderson, led all laps on his way to victory in the race that went caution free.  Robbie Thome, Spalding, Nebraska chased Anderson the entire race, mounted several challenges, but was never able to do more than that, and had to settle for second.  Cam Reimers, Kelley, Iowa ran third, Oskaloosa hot shoe Brayton Carter was fourth, and Miles Morris, Yuma, Arizona was fifth.

The night ended with 25 laps of IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature racing.  Mike Smith had the field covered in this one. He started on the outside front row, and jumped immediately to the lead.  One yellow would mar the race at lap nine, but it was no issue for Smith as he once again pulled away on the restart and continued the rest of the way to the checkers and a 2022 Wild Rose Casino Prelude championship. 

Eric Stanton started eighth and took second place, as his engine erupted in a ball of flames at the finish line. Tyson Overton ran at the front of the pack all race long, and took third.  Cherokee, Iowa's Jimmy Johnson was the hard charger, coming from twenty-fourth starting spot, to take fourth, and Craig Brotherton, Clear Lake, Iowa was fifth.

The 40th Annual IMCA Super Nationals now beings it's six day run on Labor Day.  The Labor Day show begins with hot laps scheduled for 1 p.m. and racing at 2.

 

Prelude Night 1

 September 3, 2022

A record breaking 401 cars checked into the first night of the Wild Rose Casino Prelude to the Super Nationals on Saturday at the Boone Speedway.  IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, and Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts all had Prelude championship winners. The IMCA STARS Mod Lites began their qualifying, which will continue tomorrow.  Then they will run their Big Dance and crown the first of the 2022 Super Nationals champion.

Two "A" mains were run for the Mod Lites, the first qualifying the top ten for the inside row of tomorrow's Super Nationals Big Dance, the second "A" taking the top ten to start in the middle row.  Jason Massengarb, Colona, Illinois took the honors in the first, and it was last year's Super Nationals champion, Dillon Raffurty of Kansas City, Missouri winning the second and setting his sights on a repeat.  

The Sport Compacts ran a 20 lap Prelude feature.  After Zach Bohlmeyer, the driver out of Beatrice, Nebraska ran down leader Jacob Schwab out of Crete, Nebraska, taking the lead at the halfway mark, it was all his race.  He had the field covered and took the checkers going away.  Schwab finished as the runner up, it was a former Super National's Champion, Devin Jones finishing third, Kolby Sabin was fourth, and Mitch Bielenberg was fifth.

The IMCA Modifieds ran their 30 lap Prelude feature nonstop. Jimmy Gustin was the man in charge through lap fourteen, but in the meantime, it was the 4TW  of Tim Ward that had run the leader down, and then was able to make the pass.  From there on, Ward was gone as he pulled away and took the easy win.....matching his Prelude win from last year. Polesitter Jerry Flippo, Bakersfield, California made a late race pass to take second over Gustin in third.  Fourth went to Seminole, Texas racer, Cory Davis, and Lucas Lamberies, Clintonville, Wisconsin, was fifth.

The night cap was 30 laps of The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars.  Chanze Hollatz was impressive in his run from sixteenth starting spot to snag the win.  He caught and passed Texas racer Jeffrey Abbey and then pulled away....taking the checkers easily.  Abbey held on to second place, Dallon Murty also made an impressive run, starting eighteenth, and taking third.  Early leader Devin Smith came home in fourth, and Wamego, Kansas driver Brandon Conkwright was fifth.

Tomorrow will be Day #2 of the Wild Rose Prelude to the Super Nationals.  The IMCA Friesen Northern SportMods, and the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks will run for their Prelude championship.  The STARS Mod Lites will complete their qualifying and then run their 2022 Super Nationals Championship feature.   

 

Colorado's Alvarado takes $1K at Showdown in Motown

The pits were packed at the Marshalltown Speedway with 166 cars on Friday night, and the majority from out of state for the Karl Kustom's Showdown in Motown.  The drivers were already in the area for next week's IMCA Super Nationals just down the road in Boone, Iowa.

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites kicked off the feature racing with their 15 lapper that paid $500 to the winner.

Jacob Copley, Milan, Illinois, led the opening laps only to have Dustin Ford snatch it away on lap three. By lap seven, it was Randy Bryan in command.  It was all Bryan from there on out as he stretched his lead and won going away in the race that went caution free.

Josh May finished a distant runner up, as he held off a hard charging Jason Massengarb.  Massengarb, from Colona, Illinois started twelfth, and took third place.  Fourth went to Ben George, and early leader Jacob Copley completed the top five.  

Eric Stanton went home the victor in the 20 lap "A" feature for the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.  He started tenth, and reeled in then leader Eric Knutson, and took over the top spot on lap sixteen.  It was Stanton's race from there on as he won comfortably over second place Tyson Overton in second.  Third went to Adam Streeter, and pole sitter Joel Magee, Palm Beach Gardens Florida, a transplanted Iowan, was fourth. Eric Knutson, who spun out on lap seventeen, bringing out a caution, and having to tag the field, rallied back to a fifth place finish.  

The IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods took to the track next for their 20 lap feature event.

Tony Olson started on the outside front row and grabbed the lead immediately.  Springfield, Missouri's Ryan Gillmore fell in to run second.  Gillmore continued to chase Olson until lap twelve when Brayton Carter came calling and took over second spot.  Then Olson and Carter put on a show for the fans as they duked it out lap after lap.  Olson maintained the lead until lap sixteen when Carter managed the pass, and then held on to the lead the rest of the way to the flying checkers.  Olson finished a close runner up, Gillmore took third place, Bakersfield, California's Tyler Bannister came from thirteenth spot to finish fourth, and Clay Erickson, Phoenix, Arizona, was fifth.

Austin Kaplan went home with the $500 pay day in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car 20 lap feature event. He started sixth, caught leader Jeff Mueller with just a handful of laps in the books, and then made the pass a couple of laps later.  Mueller hung close for a few more laps, but in the end as the checkers flew, it was Kaplan stretching his lead and taking the easy win.  Mueller finished a distant second, third went to Seminole, Texas racer Cory Davis, and Laurel, Iowa's Dave Atcher came from eleventh, to finish fourth.  Rounding out the top five was Chris Luloff, Independence, Iowa.

There was a great field of 47 IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds checked into the pits. Drivers were from coast to coast.  It took two "B" mains to whittle the starting field down to twenty-four cars. 

Arvada, Colorado's Ricky Alvarado started on the outside pole of the 20 lap main event, got the jump on pole sitter Tim Ward, and grabbed the lead immediately.  Fourth place starter Joel Rust soon threw his hat in the ring, and took over second.  The two continued to battle it out in a heated contest....Rust throwing sliders, and looking for anyway around.  However, Alvarado threw off all advances and went home to the flying checkers, and took home the $1,000.  Rust had to be content with second place.  Olivehurst, California's Ryan McDaniel was third, and close behind were Cody Laney, and Tim Ward fourth and fifth respectively.  Cody Thompson hard charged his ride from nineteenth, to finish sixth.

The MACH-1 IMCA Sport Compacts ran 15 laps for their "A" feature.  Kolby Sabin, who is the 2022 track champion at the speedway, continued his winning ways, led all but the opening laps, and sailed home to an easy win.  Kevin Bolte and Jason Bolte, from Odin, Minnesota finished second and third.  Pole sitter, Payce Herrera, Price, Utah was fourth, and Ryan Brown rounded out the top five.

The night ended with the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks and their 15 lap feature.  Jeff Johnson took home the honors in this one.  Johnson led all but the first two laps, on his way to victory.  Brandon Toftee finished in second place.  Shawn Cooney held off Shonn Mapes as they went third and fourth respectively, and it was Bryan Spangler taking fifth.

The Marshalltown Speedway will hold its grand finale for 2022 coming up on Friday September 16, and Saturday September 17 for the 16th Annual World Nationals, with an open practice to be held on Thursday, September 15 from 7-9:30. IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts are scheduled to run. The Modifieds will be running for $2000, Stocks Cars and SportMods $1,000, Hobby Stocks $500, and Sport Compacts $250 each day.  Hot laps are scheduled for 6 with racing at 7 p.m.   

Last night started what we hope to be a nine day/night run of racing.  We now head to the Boone Speedway for the first night of the Wild Rose Casino Prelude to the Super Nationals.  Tomorrow will be night #2 of the Prelude but it will also be crowning the first of the 40th Annual IMCA Super Nationals Champions in the STARS Mod Lites.  Then Monday, Labor Day September 5 is day #1 of the 2022 Super Nationals.  It will be our 35th straight year in attendance.  We hope we can endure once more!  What with 1021 cars (by the last count) it is bound to be a recording breaking year.  Hope to see some of you there! 

 

Tune Up for Super Nationals/P1P Challenge/Watermelon Classic, and no rain at Boone Speedway

The forecasters had been calling for a high probability of rain for the Boone area for days, but Saturday night, the Boone Speedway had but a few sprinkles. There was ominous looking clouds all around, but the Boone "Dome" was up last night.

The Tune Up for the Super Nationals, the P1 Promotions Modified Challenge, and the D & E Outside Services Watermelon Classic were all completed before 9 p.m.  All heat and feature winners also raced for the well-known watermelon that has a famous tie to Boone Speedway from years back.  "Drivers will race for watermelons". 

The 8th Annual P1P Challenge race for the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds saw the drivers qualify through time trials, and heat race points.  The top twelve drivers then raced a 15 lap race for $1,000 and unique trophy.

Johnathon Logue grabbed the lead from the outside front row as the race went green.  Logue was content to let some heavy hitters duke it out behind him as Tom Berry, Jr., Bricen James, and Richie Gustin sliced and diced for position.  Logue, in his rookie season in an IMCA Modified, was never seriously challenged as he led all laps on his march to Victory Lane.  Tom Berry, Jr. started sixth, and finished second.  Third went to three time previous winner Richie Gustin, fourth was Bricen James, Albany, Oregon racer, and Paul Nagle was fifth.  The race went caution free.

The IMCA Modifieds also ran another full field feature race.  Jake McBirnie was looking strong as he led through lap sixteen.  That's when an incident between McBirnie and two other top runners, Cody Laney and Richie Gustin left McBirnie and Gustin limping off the racing surface with flat tires.  This put Laney in command now, but Tom Berry, Jr. had been methodically working his way through the pack from eleventh starting and was now sniffing at the tailpipe of Laney.  A few sliders and lane changes were thrown between the two until finally at lap 23 of the 25 lap event, Berry took the lead for good....and sailed to the checkers and the win.  Laney finished as the runner up, it was Tim Ward in third, Jeremy Mills took fourth place, and Todd Shute completed the top five.  This time, Berry didn't let the win and this $1,000 payday slip through his fingers.

The IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods ran a 23 lap feature event for a $600 prize.  Jake Sachau has been having a fabulous year at the Boone Speedway, with five previous feature wins and a track title, he showed no signs of letting up on his great run.  He started on the pole of the feature and it was a runaway as he pulled away from the field and won going away.

Cory Pestotnik ran up front all race long and finished as the runner up, holding off a hard challenge by Izac Mallicoat in third.  Eric Elliott, (who recently lost his father Craig, a former stock car racer) made his return to racing after being absent since the early race season when his car was damaged, and took fourth, and Nate Albrant hard charged his way from seventeenth, to finish fifth.

The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars were running for $1K in their 25 lap "A" Main.  Jay Schmidt, in his sharp looking ready for SNs ride, started on the pole and took the lead as the race went green.  Dallon Murty started on the outside front row and was in hot pursuit immediately, taking to the top of the track and on the hunt.  It took him until lap four, but he got the job done, flying into the lead.  It was all Murty from there on out as he "walked the dog" and won easily going away.  Scott Davis ran at the front all race long and finished second; Jay Schmidt taking third.  Jason Vansickel, "The Flying Electrician" got some redemption after his car got battered and bruised last week, and went home with a fourth place finish.  Mathew West, piloting Cody Doolittle's car, was fifth. Murty returned to the podium at Boone after starting the season off with the Frostbuster win.

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites ran later in the night than normal for their 20 lap feature.  Randy Bryan would "drive away" in this one on his way to the checkers.  He ran down early leader Bryan Zehm right before the halfway point, and stretched his lead at the finish.  Cory Sonner finished as the runner up and Josh May was third.  Bryan Zehm held off Dallon Murty, who was testing out the car usually driven by Darrick Knutsen, as they went fourth and fifth respectively.

The finale of the night was 20 laps of IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature racing.  Mark Hidlebaugh had Josh VanCannon knock, knock, knocking on his rear bumper for most of the race, but it didn't phase him as he motored home to the flying checkers.  VanCannon had to settle for second place.  Joe Wollenhaupt ran up front the entire race and finished in third place.  Fourth went to Tanner Jones who had started fourteenth, and thirteenth place starter Stephen Doss was fifth.

The clouds were heavy in all directions around the track last night, but the program moved right along...as it usually does...and though the car count was lighter than normal, as well as the crowd due to the forecast, the last checkered flag fell at 8:58 p.m.  

When we left the track for home, the highway was wet just east of the track, but then dry before Ames, and dry the rest of the way home.  However, we had heard we had some heavy rain here in Grinnell around 4 p.m. and our rain gauge showed 2.71 inches.  We now have over 3 inches of the scarce stuff.  We just hope this isn't a nonstop pattern setting up with the upcoming IMCA Super Nationals!

Next up for racing at the Boone Speedway will be Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd and 4th for the Wild Rose Casino Prelude to the Super Nationals.  Gates open at 2, and hot laps are slated for 3, with racing at 4.  Then on Labor Day Monday, September 5, will be the start of the six day run of the 40th Annual IMCA Super Nationals.  Hot laps are scheduled for 1, with racing at 2. We plan to be there for our 35th straight year of the fun and great racing.

Keep supporting the tracks and the sport we all love...dirt track racing!

 

Six Drivers Crowned Track Champions at Marshalltown Speedway's Season Finale

It was North 3rd Avenue Dairy Queen Larry Wollam Memorial and Season Championship night at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday.  Seven classes were in competition that provided a full night of racing action at the High Banks. At the end of the night, the six regular classes would crown their champions for the year.

The first eight in points in each class were locked in, and they would start inverted for their A Feature.  The rest of the field was filled in by their finishing order from heats. The closest points battle would be in the Stock Car division, with veteran Larry Wollam leading by two points on Michael Jaennette.  

There were out of car introductions of the drivers on the frontstretch.  This allowed the fans to show their appreciation to the drivers who entertained them all year long and to get a look at the driver behind the helmet.  

The first feature to hit the track was the IMCA STARS Mod Lites.  Their feature went 15 laps and was led from start to finish by Cory Sonner.  He started from the pole position and rocketed off immediately as he pulled away from the field.  He finished well ahead of second place Ben George.  Trailing a distant third was tenth place starter Jason Masengarb.  Fourth place was Randy Bryan, and fifth went to Jon Padilla.  The race went flag to flag.  Randy Bryan is the 2022 Track Champion, and finished 15 points up on Joel Huggins.

The IMCA MACH-1 Sport Compacts rolled to the track next for their 20 lap feature event.  Early leader was Blake Driscol who started on the point.  He was quickly run down by seventh place starter Kolby Sabin who snatched the top spot away by lap three.

After getting the lead, Sabin pulled away and enjoyed the easy run at the front of the field the rest of the distance to the checkers and the win.  Cristian Grady started eleventh, and finished as the runner up.  He had just passed early leader Driscol, who was suddenly off power just after the white flag. This put John Gill in third, fourth was Matt Miller, and Tyler Fiebelkorn finished fifth.  This was Sabin's sixth feature win of the season, and he is the 2022 Track Champion in the Sport Compact division. Sabin won by 12 points over John Gill.

Sam West was a happy first ever winner who stepped into Victory Lane at the end of the 20 lap feature for the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.  West started third, and found himself in the lead by lap four after a skirmish occurred taking out early leader Briar Kriegel, and two other top runners, Corey VanDerWilt, and Eric Knutson.  From there on, West held off all challengers that were in hot pursuit, and took the win...his career first. John Watson made a late race charge but had to be content with second.  Third went to Bradly Graham, Solomon Bennett was fourth, and veteran racer Bob Daniels started sixteenth and rounded out the top five.  Bradly Graham is the 2022 Track Champion in the Hobby Stock class. He finished 27 points up on second place William Klosterman. 

Travis Peterson passed Sam Wieben at the halfway mark of the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod 20 lap contest, and though Jenae Gustin threw everything but the kitchen sink at him in the closing laps, he held on and took the win.   Twelfth place starter Gustin had to be satisfied with the runner up spot, Tony Olson started ninth and finished third, fourth was early leader Sam Wieben, and Tyler Soppe drove his hot rod from eighteenth to finish fifth.  This was Peterson's third feature win of the season.  Kyle Olson is the 2022 Track Champion, and managed to hold on to a 4 point advantage over Peterson to take the crown.

The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars came next for their 20 lap feature event.  Dave Atcher started on the outside front row and jumped to the immediate lead.  His run at the front ended when Kaden Reynolds came calling on lap six, taking over the number one spot.

Reynolds would have to weather three more cautions and subsequent restarts, but was able to do so as he took the flying checkers and the win. Austin Kaplan chased Reynolds for most of the race, but could do no better than post a runner up finish.  Michael Jaennette started seventh and finished third, early leader Dave Atcher was fourth, and Jeff Wollam finished fifth.  This was the second trip to Victory Lane for Reynolds this year.

It was a tight battle for the track title in the Stock Car division with Jeff Wollam two points up on Michael Jaennette going into the race.  Jaennette finished two spots ahead of Wollam which gave them a tie in points.  With Jaennette having three feature wins for the year, that was the tie breaker, and he is the Track Champion for 2022.  

Johnathon  Logue started on the pole of the 20 lap IMCA Friesen Performance Modified feature, and jumped to the lead as the race went green.  Logue sailed along at the front of the pack until lap 10 when Cody Laney, who started ninth, took over.  Laney pulled off from the field then until the closing laps when twelfth place starter Joel Rust began to close the gap.  Rust made it interesting in the closing moments, but fell short, and followed winner Laney across the line in second place.  Jimmy Gustin out fought Dallon Murty at the checkers as they finished third and fourth respectively, and Johnathon Logue rounded out the top five. This was Laney's second win at Marshalltown this year.  Dallon Murty took the crown for the 2022 track title, beating second place Ronn Lauritzen by 14 points.

The night ended with the Outlaw Mini Mods who were paying a third guest appearance at the track this season.  They ran a 15 lap feature to put a night cap on the racing.

Ben Kraus started third, and had the lead on lap two, never to look back.  He sailed along well ahead of the field for the rest of the race, never challenged.  Nathan Kilwine was a distant runner up, Lucas Daniels took third place, lap one leader Micheal Bryant was fourth, and sixteenth place starter Kaden Rice completed the top five positions.

This drew to a close the regular season at the Marshalltown Speedway.  However, next Friday night September 2, will be the Karl Kustom Showdown at Motown.  IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts and Mod Lites are on the program, along with the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks.  Then on Friday September 16, and Saturday September 17  it will be the 16th Annual World Nationals.  The IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Sport Compacts are scheduled to race.  

Keep supporting the sport we love.....dirt track racing!

Mother Nature doesn't stop Season Championship Night at Boone Speedway

 It was season championships presented by Casey's at the Boone Speedway Saturday night. Mother Nature tried her best to spoil the evening's festivities, but she didn't succeed.

There had been a couple of showers earlier in the day at the track, but when we arrived the John Deere tractors were on the track and just finishing their prep.  Then, Mother Nature decided to throw another little fit.  It rained hard for several minutes and then stopped, but left puddles and a very wet track and infield.  The crew got back on the track about 4:15 p.m. 

The great track prep workers rolled it back in and racing went on as planned, although the green flag dropped one and a half hours late at 7:46 p.m.  I doubt any other track could have raced after the rain that fell shortly before race time.

With the time factor taken into consideration, the heats were dropped, and Bs were run to determine the final qualifiers for the features that had the top twenty in points locked in.

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites ran their 20 lap feature first.  Joel Huggins grabbed the immediate lead from his outside front row starting spot, and from there on, never looked back.  He rocketed off from the field and won going away at the checkers.  Bryan Zehm finished a distant second, Randy Bryan was third, fourth went to tenth place starter Charlie Brown, and Joe Glick was fifth.  This was Huggins fourth feature win of the year, and he is the 2022 track champion.

The IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods ran a 23 lap season championship feature.  Dustin Lynch started on the outside front row, and took command as the race went green.  He would weather that lead through four yellow flags, keeping the pack at bay, and take the win.  Jake Sachau came on strong late in the race and finished a close second.  Dusty Masolini bothered Sachau through much of the race, but had to settle for third.  Fourth went to rookie Braden Richards, and Tyler Heckert, Ottumwa, Iowa was the last qualifier, started twenty-fourth, and finished in fifth. This was Lynch's first feature win of the year.  The 2022 track champion is Jake Sachau.

The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars ran a 25 lap feature.  Jay Schmidt was looking strong, leading the way from the get go, holding off Devin Smith who was hot on his tail.  Schmidt's great run would end on lap sixteen when lap traffic caused an incident that sent him to the pits....his night done.

When the race restarted, David Smith was now at the helm, chased by brother Devin, (who recovered well after the yellow flag incident) the rest of the way to the checkers.  Josh Daniels finished a distant third to the Smith brothers, Michael Jaennette was fourth, and Austin Meiners rounded out the top five.  This was David Smith's second win of the year. The track champion in the Stock Car division is Josh Daniels.

Veteran racer Russ Dickerson led the 25 lap IMCA Friesen Performance Modified feature from the start.  He wrestled his ride through a couple of pesky rough spots due to the earlier rain as he held back several challengers, first Jake McBirnie, and then twelfth place starter Jeremy Mills.  Mills took over the number two spot and really began applying the pressure with ten laps remaining.

Mills got the job done at lap 20, taking the lead, and then went home to the flying checkers and the win...his second this season.  Jake McBirnie got around Dickerson in the closing laps as they went second and third respectively. Randy Havlik and Paul Nagle rounded out the top five. Jake McBirnie took the track title for 2022.

Chad Rigby had seen wins slip through his fingers this season in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock class.  However when their feature was completed it would find him taking his very first trip to Victory Lane at Boone. 

Rigby led from the start of the 20 lap feature, and though he had young Mike Smith chasing him, taking peeks for a way around, he kept his cool and snagged that elusive first win.  Smith ran right behind the winner the entire race, but had to be content with the runner up spot this week.  Curt Reed finished in third place, it was John Watson taking fourth, and Solomon Bennett was fifth.  Mike Smith is the Hobby Stock 2022 track champion.

An added special race that was just culminated during the week was the Inaugural John Logue First Time Stock Car Winner Race.  To qualify, the driver must not have won a feature race in the Stock Car class.  The starting field would be lined up oldest to youngest, oldest starting on the pole and the youngest starting last.

Thirty-four drivers signed in to run this special event.  A B main was run to qualify the final four starters in the 24 car starting field. First place paid $750, second $500, third $400, fourth $300, fifth $200, and $100 to start.

Some drivers were racing borrowed race cars for this special race.  Jimmy Gustin was in Michael Jaennette's car.  Jeremy Mills was racing Johnathon Logue's hot rod.  Randy Roberts was in Craig Carlson's car.  Tracy VanEaston loaned his car to Nick Meyer.  Jake Sachau was piloting Tyler Pickett's car, and Drew Janssen hopped in Buck Schafroth's ride.  

As stated above, the oldest drivers started up front, and Mike Smith drew the pole as the 65 year old was just a bit older than the other 65 year old, Calvin "Buck" Swanson.  Drivers that signed up for the race ranged all the way down to 15 year old Rowdee VanGenderen.  The youngest qualifying for the event was 20 year old Braden Richards in his father, Rod Richards car. 

The feature event went 20 laps.  Mike Smith, formerly from Jewell, Iowa, and now living in Kellogg, being the oldest qualified at 65 years old, started on the pole.  He leaped to the lead, and would lead every lap on his way to his very first IMCA Stock Car win.  He didn't have it easy however, as Jeremy Mills, yes the Modified driver who had just won earlier, was piloting Johnathon Logue's hot rod and threw everything but the kitchen sink at Smith.  It was all in vain however, as he could do no better than second.  Third place went to Scott Rice, fourth was Scott Olson, and Shay Woods was fifth.  Smith, who had a very successful career in the Late Model and Modified classes, drove the Stock Car usually raced by daughter Kylie Rawlins.

The regular season has drawn to a close at the Boone Speedway.  However there is much more racing ahead before the curtain falls.  Next Saturday night, August 27 is the IMCA Super Nationals Tune-Up, P1P Challenge, and Watermelon Classic.  Hot laps are 5 p.m. and racing at 6.  Then on September 3 and 4, is the Wild Rose Casino Prelude to the Super Nationals.  Then on the 5th of September the 40th Annual IMCA Super Nationals begins its six day run. 

Keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

 

Ward and Lopez find victory lane for the first time as Marshalltown Speedway avoids the rain

There was a threat of rain and ominous clouds all around, but the Marshalltown Speedway avoided those shenanigans...somehow, and racing went on as usual on Friday night.  

Karl Kustoms Night at the Races saw Tim Ward win for the first time this year in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds.  Steve Meyer made it win number two on the year when he saw the checkers first in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.  Kaylin Lopez finally put it in Victory Lane when he won the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod feature.  Bradly Graham chalked up his second win of the season in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Randy Bryan won his fifth feature in the IMCA STARS Mod Lites. The Outlaw Cruisers joined in the fun Friday and it was the team of Corey VanDerWilt, and Brett Maasdam seeing checkers.  

The feature racing kicked off with 15 laps of Mod Lite racing and when all was said and done, it was Randy Bryan getting his fifth win.  Bryan started fifth, and snatched the lead away from Cory Sonner on lap two....never to look back.  Sonner finished as the runner up, It was a shoot out between the two #50 cars for third and fourth with Joel Huggins finishing just ahead of Charlie Brown.  Following a distant fifth was Alex Eischeid, who recovered well after his first lap spin 

Bradly Graham was dominate in getting his second feature win of the year as he led all 20 laps on the way to the flying checkers.  It was a dogfight behind him for position however, with cars going 4-wide at times, door handle, to door handle. Eric Knutson, who started ninth, won that battle as he took the runner up spot.  A close third place went to Solomon Bennett, eleventh place starter Austin Mehmen was fourth, and Mark Hidlebaugh rounded out the top five.

Kaylin Lopez took the lead as the race went green in the 20 lapper for the IMCA Northern SportMods. By lap seven, he was holding off Jenae Gustin until she then took command at the halfway mark of the race.

Gustin was enjoying her run at the front of the field when a yellow flew at lap sixteen.  Just before the restart, Gustin was suddenly off power on the backstretch, and had to be pushed into the pits.  This then handed the lead back to Lopez for the final four lap dash to the finish.  He was able to hold that top spot the rest of the way, and score his long awaited first win at the speedway.

Kyle Olson finished in second place after starting tenth.  Third went to eighth place starter Sam Wieben, just beating out Travis Peterson in fourth.  Chris Burke completed the top five.

The IMCA Stock Cars put on another exciting race in their 20 lap "Class too Tough to Tame" A feature.  Kaden Reynolds was looking strong in the early portion of the race as he led the field.  He soon had Damon Murty and Steve Meyer following him "up top" as they circled the High Banks.

Meyer got around Murty on lap eleven, and then took command on lap thirteen.  He weathered three yellow flag restarts, the final that set up a green-white-checkered dash to the checkers, and then took his ride to victory lane...the second time this season.

Austin Kaplan started seventh and took second place.   Damon Murty ran up front all race long and finished in third.  Jeff Wollam came on strong in the closing laps and finished fourth, and early leader Kaden Reynolds was fifth.  

Regan Tafoya, visiting from Farmington, New Mexico, led the opening laps of the 20 lap feature for the IMCA Modifieds.  On lap three, it was Ronn Lauritzen in charge.  He had big time company behind him however as Joel Rust and Tim Ward were hot on his tail.

Lauritzen hung on until lap fourteen, when it was Ward taking over as captain of ship.  From then on, it was all Ward as he hung on to take the checkers.  Lauritzen held second place, and Rust was third. Another visiting driver, Grey Ferrando from Stayton, Oregon took fourth, and ninth place starter, Dallon Murty was fifth.

Next Friday night, August 26, is North 3rd Avenue Dairy Queen, Larry Wollam Annual Season Championship. It was announced that the top eight in points in each division are locked in to the feature, and will start inverted. 

The racing was completed at 9:50 p.m. as the Outlaw Cruisers saw the final checkered flag of the night. Everyone was watching the radar on their phones, and "stuff" was all around, but Marshalltown Speedway escaped all of that.  

We are in the homestretch for racing in our area.  Continue to support the sport we all love....dirt track racing. 

 

Ward wins as Tafoya sees one slip away

It was another regular weekly series of racing at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night. One hundred forty-five cars in five classes were all wanting to see the checkered flag first on Elmquist Towing Night at the Races.  

The weather was a big change from a week ago. There was cloud cover the entire night, and much cooler temperatures that allowed the track to stay in great racing condition.  It provided great racing all night long with the final checkers falling at 9:14 p.m. 

Tim Ward took the win after grabbing the late race lead in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified division.  It was Jake McBirnie getting his first IMCA Sunoco Stock Car checkers of the year.  Jake Sachau saw win number five for the season in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod.  Sigourney, Iowa's Aaron Martin made it to Victory Lane in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Joel Huggins returned to the winner's circle in the IMCA STARS Mod Lite class.

Feature racing kicked off with the 15 lap Mod Lite A main.  Jeff Stensland would lead this one for the first ten laps, and then a caution flew.  On the restart, Joel Huggins got the drop on Stensland, and flew into the lead.  Huggins then kept hold of the number one spot the rest of the way to the checkers. 

Jeff Stensland kept the runner up spot, Austin Gray started eighth and finished third, fourth went to Randy Bryan, and Josh May took fifth place.  Huggins, who started tenth, made this his third visit to Victory Lane this season, his last back in early May.  He stated in Victory Lane that he had been struggling as of late, and was glad to get the monkey off his back.

The IMCA Northern SportMods hit the track next for their 18 lap feature event.  Roland, Iowa's Bryan Johnson was looking strong as he led the early portion of the race.  Jake Sachau then began pestering the leader and on lap eleven, took over the top spot.  From then on, it was all Sachau as he pulled away and took the comfortable win as the checkers flew.  Following a distance behind in second was rookie Aiden Webb, Dustin Lynch finished in third place, fourth went to early leader Bryan Johnson, and Mike Munson was fifth.  Sachau snagged his fifth feature win this year at the speedway. The race went flag to flag.

New Mexico visitor, Regan Tafoya had one slip away in the 20 lap feature for the IMCA Modifieds. Tafoya started on the pole, jumped to the lead, and began his run at the top of the track.  He was keeping the field at bay, when a yellow flew at lap five.

On the restart, Tafoya was again able to hold the top spot, and then weathered three more caution flags and subsequent restarts, as he ran the top of the track. 

Meanwhile, Tim Ward had run the leader down with just five laps remaining. Tafoya flung off a couple of sliders by Ward, but with three laps left, Ward was able to take command and then go home first to the flying checkers.  

Tafoya was still running a close second place until just after the white flag flew. He got a bit too high in turn one, jumped the cushion, and fell out of the top five...finishing eighth. Russ Dickerson then came home in second place, Troy Morris III, Bakersfield, California started fifteenth, and had a great run to finish third.  Randy Havlik came from sixteenth starting spot and finished fourth, and Johnathon Logue was fifth. This was Ward's second weekly feature win of the year, after also winning the Frostbuster special.  

The IMCA Stock Cars ran their 20 lap event next.  Jake McBirnie would come away with the win in this one....his first in the Stock Car class after numerous wins in the Modified division, and prior to that, in the SportMod class. 

McBirnie had chased down leader Donavon Smith when an incident on lap ten took Smith out of the running, and now put McBirnie at the helm.  Two other Smith brothers, Devin and David then gave chase but it was to no avail as McBirnie took the checkers and earned his trip to the winner's circle.  Devin Smith, who started eleventh, gave it his all, but had to settle for the runner up spot. Mike VanGenderen ran at the front of the pack all night long, and finished in third place.  Buck Schafroth took fourth after starting in twelfth spot, and David Smith rounded out the top five. 

The night's racing ended with the 15 lap A main for the IMCA Hobby Stocks, which went non-stop.  Aaron Martin, Sigourney, Iowa took over the lead from Aron Fye on lap five, and never looked back.  He pulled away to a comfortable lead in the final handful of laps, and put his first ever win at Boone in the books. He stated in his post-race interview he intended to run Super Nationals, and this was a good moral booster. 

Mike Smith started in tenth position, and finished as the runner up, early leader Fye finished in third place, Seth Janssen was fourth, and John Watson took fifth. 

Next Saturday night, August 20, is Season Championship night that will close out the regular season at Boone.  However, there is much, much more racing ahead for Boone Speedway before the curtain comes down for 2022. 

 August 27 will be the Tune-Up for the Super Nationals, the P1P Challenge and the Watermelon Classic.  The Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Mod Lites will be on the program. 

The  following week, September 3 and 4, will be the Wild Rose Casino Prelude to the Super Nationals.  On Saturday the 3rd of September, the Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Compacts and Mod Lites will run.  Then on the 4th, it will be the Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks, and the Mod Lites will have their Super Nationals title run....making them the first of the 2022 Super Nationals Champions.  Both days are hot laps at 3, and racing at 4.

Then on Labor Day Monday, September 5, it will be the week-long run of the 2022 Super Nationals.  Hot laps are scheduled for 1 p.m. each day, and racing at 2.  

The Iowa race season is on the down slide, so find a race to attend and help support dirt track racing!

Tony Olson outruns cousin Kyle for the $1K BHE Night SportMod win

It was Bob Harris Enterprises Night at the Marshalltown races on Friday, and there was a $1,000 to the winner of the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods that highlighted the show.  Tony Olson took home that money. Cody Laney found victory lane in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, and it was Dallon Murty, that paced the field in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.  Austin Mehmen saw the checkers for the first time in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock class.  Jason Masengarb took the honors in the IMCA STARS Mod Lite division, and Kolby Sabin returned to the winner's circle in the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts.

Jason Masengarb, Colona, Illinois, caught and passed early leader Randy Bryan on his way to the checkers in the 15 lap feature for the STARS Mod Lites. He snatched the lead on lap seven and from then on never looked back as he pulled away, and won easily.  Bryan finished a distant second, Jacob Copley, Milan, Illinois took third place, it was Josh May in fourth, and Joel Huggins finished fifth.  The race went flag to flag....the only one to do so 

The headline event for the evening was the 20 lap feature for the IMCA SportMods, as they ran for $1,000 to the winner thanks to Bob Harris Enterprises.  

Tony Olson dominated the entire race as he jumped to the lead immediately from his outside front row starting spot, was never seriously challenged, and took the checkers comfortably ahead of the field.  Kyle Olson chased his cousin most of the race, but ended up a distant runner up.  Brayton Carter started tenth, and finished in third place, and eleventh place starter Jenae Gustin was fourth.  Kalin Lopez rounded out the top five.  This was Olson's third win of the regular season.

Taylor Kuehl, in her sharp looking new or newly wrapped car, was in the thick of the top runners when she was nudged off of turn one, and did an easily roll over the bank. Her night ended on lap ten. 

The IMCA Sport Compacts joined in the fun again at the High Banks.  They ran a 15 lap feature.  Kolby Sabin started fifth, had the lead at lap two....only to slip off the top of turns three and four...bringing out a yellow.  Sabin then had to tag the tail for the restart, which now had Tyler Fiebelkorn in command.  

Sabin wasn't done yet however. By lap seven, he was back in the lead!  He ran the top of the track...now being a bit more cautious, pulled away from the pack, and took the flying checkers and the win.  Marshalltown's own John Gill took second place, Fiebelkorn was third, another hometown driver, Travis Hatch was fourth, and it was David Kimmel, New Virginia, Iowa, completing the top five. This was Sabin's fifth trip to Victory Lane this year, but perhaps, his most impressive.

The IMCA Stock Cars came to the track next for their 20 lap main event.

Kaden Reynolds started on the pole and immediately took the lead.  By lap three, he was being harassed by sixth place starter Dallon Murty, piloting his father Damon's car. Murty's night could have very easily ended earlier in the night, when he and two other cars were damaged in their heat race.

Then the slides began....Reynolds holding back Murty for a couple of laps until it finally stuck.  Murty's nice lead would vanish on lap twelve when a caution flew for a spinning car, and Reynolds anxious for the restart.

Murty however wasn't about to give up his lead, as he ran the rim of the track in three and four, and diamond down off of the top of turn one and into two keeping Reynolds at bay.

As the laps counted down, Reynolds and Austin Kaplan were dueling it out for the number two position, as Murty continued on his merry way at the front. Kaplan was able to make the pass into second in the closing moments, taking second behind Murty, and Reynolds taking third.  Taylor Kuehl ran at the front of the pack all night long, and took fourth, and Steve Meyer finished in fifth.  This was Dallon Murty's first Stock Car win at Marshalltown this year, winning in his dad's patched up ride. 

As a note, Tim Ward was in a Stock Car last evening, piloting the hot rod of Jay Schmidt.

Carlisle, Iowa's Garrett Wilson was looking strong in the 20 lap A main of the IMCA Modifieds. He jumped from third starting spot to the lead on lap one and then kept it there with some heavy hitters chasing him.  He was able to maneuver through lap traffic, still leading at the halfway mark, as now Cody Laney and Tim Ward were hot on his tail.

A spinning car brought out the yellow on lap fifteen, and this proved to be Wilson's undoing.  Cody Laney took to the top of the High Banks, and had the lead on sixteen.  He then kept it the rest of the way to the checkers and the win.  Wilson ran an impressive race, but had to settle for second.  Tim Ward finished third, last week's winner Jake McBirnie started thirteenth and took fourth, and Dallon Murty came from tenth to finish fifth.  

The 20 lap IMCA Hobby Stocks put a night cap on the racing program.  Austin Mehmen led this one from start to finish to snag his first win of the year.  He was content to let a gaggle of cars fight it out behind him for position throughout most of the race.  As the checkers flew, it was Eric Knutson taking second place from starting in twelfth position.  Calvin Dhondt came on strong in the closing laps and finished in third.  Early contender Sam West finished fourth, and Sully, Iowa's Cory Van Der Wilt was fifth.

There were one hundred sixteen cars checked in for the Friday fun time last night, and once again we enjoyed the evening with racing friends.  It was a much cooler night at the races compared to last week's hot one.  However, by night's end the strong SE wind had us cold blooded souls opting for an extra layer. 

The race season is winding down, and we will soon be yearning for these nights spent at the race track.  Get out and find a race to attend, and keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing! 

 

Gustin finds Victory Lane at Boone

It was a warm one at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night and a sparse crowd due to the extreme temperatures and humidity.  The racing went on however as the IMCA Sport Compacts joined in the fun, along with the regular weekly classes.

It was Water World night at the track on the grandstand side, and the youngsters....and others....got to enjoy a slip 'n slide for some cooling off fun on the sweltering night.  

Jimmy Gustin returned to Victory Lane after a long absence in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds.  Johnathon Logue returned to the winner's circle in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, and Braden Richards took his second feature win of the season in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class.  Riley Christensen got win number one when he took checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, it was Joe Glick winning the IMCA STARS Mod Lite feature, and the IMCA MACH-1 Sport Compact win went to Kolby Sabin.  The 2-person Cruisers completed their season at Boone Speedway, and the Tag Team Belt went to Max Allen and Michael Miller.

Feature racing kicked off with the STARS Mod Lites running their 15 lap main event.  Joe Glick took the win by holding off the challenges of Joel Huggins in a close one at the finish line.  Following a ways behind in third was Austin Gray.  Bryan Zehm was fourth, and early leader Ben George came home in fifth.  This was Glick's second win of the year.

At lap ten of the Mod Lite feature, the race was red flagged when Chad Culp came to a halt in turn one. It was then determined that there was some sort of medical issue, and the ambulance came to help him out of his car.  He was alert and talking, but was transported.  No word on what may have happened. 

The IMCA Northern SportMods 18 lap feature was plagued with yellows, which seemed at times to come every one or two laps.

Jeremiah Reed led the opening laps, but on lap three it was Camden Vincent as captain of the ship.  Reed would weather through four more yellows before Braden Richards, who had been pressuring the leader lap after lap, was finally able to make the pass for the lead with just two laps remaining.  Richards would also have to withstand a caution and subsequent restart in a green-white-checkered finish.  He was able to do so and snagged his second win of the 2022 in this, his rookie year in the SportMod division. He is the son of Stock Car driver, "Hot" Rod Richards.

Following second place Vincent across the line was St. Joseph, Missouri's Tim Eaton, who started twelfth, and finished in third.  Fourth went to early leader Jeremiah Reed, and completing the top five was Dusty Masolini.

It was a crowd-pleasing win in the IMCA Modified 20 lap main event when Jimmy Gustin saw the checkers first.  Gustin, who started ninth, took the lead from Adam Hommerding, visiting Lake Havasu City, Arizona racer, just before the halfway mark of the event.

As the race wore on, Gustin had some heavy hitters breathing down his neck in the likes of Tim Ward, Jake McBirnie, Nick Roberts, and Russ Dickerson who were duking it out behind him for position. However, as the checkers flew, it was Gustin taking the win.  Ward, McBirnie, Roberts, and Dickerson filled out second through fifth respectively.

Gustin exclaimed in his Victory Lane interview, that it had been a long time in coming....his first win since June of 2020. He is a previous track champion, a Super Nationals champion, and has won many times in the past, so this one was extra sweet after not seeing that checkered flag for so long.

The IMCA Sport Compacts got their Super Nationals Shake Down run as they joined the other IMCA classes last night.  They ran a 15 lap feature event.

Kolby Sabin started ninth, took the lead on lap three and drove away.  He finished far ahead of second place Tyler Fiebelkorn, who was successful in fending off the advances of third place Jacob Walding.  Matt Miller started eleventh and took fourth, and it was Tayla Lange taking fifth place.

The IMCA Stock Cars had their own caution plagued 20 lap feature event, the time limit being called on lap fourteen when the fifth yellow flew....then going caution free the rest of the way. In the end it was Johnathon Logue standing in Victory Lane after he passed polesitter Brandon Williams on lap eight, and then held on to claim the win.  

Josh Daniels, who had just come off his Salute to Veterans win, worked the bottom of the track and finished as the runner up after starting back in eighteenth.  Early leader Brandon Williams took third, fourth was seventeenth place starter David Smith, and Mike Vondrak, Galva, Iowa was fifth.

The night cap was 15 laps of IMCA Hobby Stock racing, and they went flag to flag.  Riley Christensen saw his first win, as he led all but a brief moment to capture his first ever win at the Speedway.  Chad Rigby was the one challenging Christensen for much of the race.  He was able to take the lead for just a fleeting moment, and had to settle for second place.  Third went to Matt McDonald, John Watson was fourth, and Solomon Bennett was fifth.

It's less than a month away until the 40th IMCA Super Nationals will be running.  August 20 is Season Championship night, then on the following Saturday, August 27 it will be the Tune-Up for the Super Nationals.  The Wild Rose Casino Prelude to the Super Nationals follows the next weekend, September 3 and 4, and then Monday, Labor Day August 5, is day #1 of the Super Nationals for 2022.  This will be our 35th straight year of attending the Super Nationals, and we look forward to it once again.  

It hardly seems possible that it is that time of the year again, with racing winding down at most tracks.  Keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

 

Neal Takes SLMR Dale DeFrance Memorial Title

The pits as well as the stands were full at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday evening.  One hundred forty-six race cars checked in for the 5th Annual Dale DeFrance Memorial race. Sponsors for the night were Iowa Seamless Gutter and P & D Welding Solutions.  The Hoker Trucking SMLR Super Late Models and the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks joined the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks for the racing action.

Prizes and giveaways for drivers and fans was an added bonus for the evening.

It was not a track points night for the IMCA classes, but National, Regional, and State points were awarded, and extra money was on the line in the draw/redraw show. All drivers left with extra money or product certificates, and the winners went home with beautiful huge trophies.  

The IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks kicked off the night's feature racing.  This one was led all 20 laps by Garrison, Iowa's Joren Fisher.  Fisher started on the pole and kept it at the front to take the checkers.  It was a battle between Jacob Floyd and Eric Knutson behind the winner, with Knutson taking second place on the final lap, and tenth place starter Floyd going third.  Seth Janssen was fourth, and Bradly Graham started thirteenth, and finished fifth.  

The IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods saw Logan Anderson pull away in the second half of the 20 lap A Main and win going away.  He finished well ahead of second place Brayton Carter, who he caught and passed on lap nine.  Tony Olson was third, fourth went to Izac Mallicoat, and twelfth place starter Matt Avila from Prescott, Iowa rounded out the top five.  Anderson, in his "Herbie the Love Bug" deemed car, started seventh and earned himself $500 for the win.  

The headliner for the evening was up next for 44 laps of SLMR Super Late Model feature racing.  The 44 lap event honored the car number of the late Dale DeFrance. The much anticipated race had been postponed twice prior due to weather, but the third time was the charm on Friday night.

Thirty-seven Late Models were on hand, and after heat races, two B mains, and two provisionals were added, the 26 car field was set for 44 laps and a payday of $4,400 to the winner.

Tad Pospisil, Norfolk, Nebraska was the early race leader with Omaha's Jake Neal tucked in on his tail. The two went at it for lap after lap until Neal was finally able to slip into the lead on lap fourteen.

The second half of the race, with Neal still in command as he circled the rim of the race track, now had Luke Goedert to contend with.  Heavy lap traffic came into play in the closing laps. Goedert was able to briefly take the top spot away, but Neal came right back and regained the lead.  He was then able to hold it to the flying checkers and win the Dale DeFrance Memorial.  Goedert finished in second, third place was Andy Eckrich, Joel Callahan started eleventh and finished in fourth, and Jeff Tharp completed the top five.

I'm sure Goedert, who drives the #44 car was wanting the win last night...the 44 not only his car number, but that of the late Dale DeFrance who the evening honored, in the 44 lap race.  It was have been very symbolic.

Former winners of the DeFrance Memorial have been Ryan Dolan, Jeff Aikey has won twice, and Justin Kay was last year's winner.

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars were running for $750 in their 20-lap feature.  

Chelsea, Iowa's Damon Murty came away with the prize in the Stock Car class.  Murty started sixth, and shot through the front runners and into the lead by lap six.  He ran the rim of the track while he was content to let them duke it out for position behind him.

A couple of late race cautions made for some interesting restarts. However, Murty protected his lead, was able to get back to the top, and race his way to one of his many victories at the track.  

Misfortune caught two of the front runners near the end of the race when they got together in turn one.  Taylor Kuehl and Dave Atcher had been fighting for second spot when they had their night end for a chance at the podium.

Kaden Reynolds came on strong in the closing moments to race his way to second place.  Buck Schafroth, Orient, Iowa just got by Leah Wroten at the finish line as they went third and fourth respectively.  Marshalltown's own Scott Rice raced from twelfth starting spot to finish fifth.

The IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds were vying for a $1,000 pay day and a spot on the ballot for the Fast Shafts All-Star race at the IMCA Super Nationals.  

Jake McBirnie, in his beautifully wrapped Salute to Veterans car, started on the pole, and kept it there all 20 laps of the the feature race.  Joel Rust and Tim Ward harassed the leader at times, but they never were able to shake him, as McBirnie went home to the checkers and the win.  Rust was able to hold back Ward as they finished second and third respectively.  Veteran racer Jeff Aikey came from fifteenth starting spot to take fourth place, and it was Gatlin Leytham taking fifth.

The night's racing ended with the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks.  Todd Cooney led from the drop of the green, was annoyed by son Shawn Cooney at one point, but then pulled away and took the night cap win.  Shonn Mapes made a late race charge, got by Shawn Cooney on the final lap and finished second, Cooney going third.  Fourth was Rick Clark, and Lucas Richardson finished fifth. 

Racing continues next Friday night, August 12, with the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, and STARS Mod Lites in action.  Hot laps are 6:55, and the green flag drops at 7:30.   

Where did the race season go?  Find a race to attend and keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

A Taste of Super Nationals with a Full Night of Racing at Boone

It was a full night of racing at the Boone Speedway Saturday night, and a taste of what a night is like at the Super Nationals. The stands were full as were the pits...with one hundred seventy-eight cars packing the pit area for double feature night.  The Salute to Veterans features that were rained out last Saturday night ran first thing to begin the night's racing, and the regular program followed.

Jake McBirnie took the Salute to Veterans IMCA Modified makeup feature, and Josh Daniels captured the IMCA Stock Car win.  It was Colby Fett taking the checkers in the IMCA Northern SportMods, and Wayne Gifford was victorious in the makeup feature for the IMCA Hobby Stocks.

Regular night program winners were Jeremy Mills in the Modifieds, Doug Smith in the Stock Cars, Dylan VanWyk won the Northern SportMods, Mark Hidlebaugh won the Hobby Stocks, and Charlie Brown won in the STARS Mod Lites.

The night's racing kicked off with the makeup feature for the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods at two laps down.  Colby Fett was leading as the race picked back up, and he would not relinquish that top spot the rest of the way to the checkers.  Logan Anderson reeled in the leader, but had nothing for him, and had to settle for second.  Following a distant third was St. Joseph, Missouri's Tim Eaton, Izac Mallicoat took fourth, and Chris Burke was fifth.  Fett's Salute to Veterans win was worth $1,300. He also won the Salute to Veterans race in Algona, Iowa.

Colby Fett wasn't about to miss the Salute to Veterans makeup feature, but being in the points race at  Worthington, Minnesota was an issue.  Solved!  Right after his win, he caught a plane, crew took his race car home, and he hopped in a borrowed car waiting for him in Worthington. A check of last night's results there show he made it in time for the feature, and finished fifth, still holding down the points lead. Yes, this is what dedicated racers do!

The regular night's feature for the Northern SportMods found young Dylan VanWyk from Oskaloosa, Iowa going to Victory Lane for the first time.  He caught early leader Curtis Veber and persistently looked for a way around to no avail.  His persistence finally paid off with two laps to go in the 18 lap contest, and then held on to take the checkers first.  Veber had to be content with the runner up spot, and Garrett Nelson took third.  Chris Burke and Chad Ryerson rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Friesen Performance IMCA Modified Salute to Veterans feature came to the track for a 25 lap feature that paid $5,000 to the winner.

Jake McBirnie was fast from the get go in this one, never really being challenged, and won it going away. Jeremy Mills started tenth and finished a distant second, after exchanging sliders with ninth place starter Mike VanGenderen in third. Fourth went to Cory Sauerman, and Chris Snyder was fifth.

In the regular night's Modified feature, the top two switched from the earlier makeup race, with Jeremy Mills winning out over Jake McBirnie.  Dallon Murty ran up front the entire 20 laps, and finished in third place.  Joel Bushore came from fourteenth starting position, to finish fourth, and Kelly Shryock was fifth.

Josh Daniels started from the pole for the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car's Salute to Veterans makeup feature.  He had Kelly Shryock to contend with in the first half of the event, Shryock snatching the lead away for a couple of laps, but then Daniels regaining it again just before halfway of the 25 lap race.  Daniels then held it the rest of the way to the flying checkers and the $2,000 payday. Minnesota racer, Jeff Larson finished as the runner up, getting by third place Shryock in the closing laps.  Dustin Larson was fourth, and Jay Schmidt started eleventh and finished fifth.

The regular night's 20 lap feature for the Stock Cars saw Nick Roberts grab the lead from his outside front row starting spot.  Doug Smith, who was driving the car usually piloted by Lonnie Hodges,  tucked in right on his tail. Smith dogged the leader until finally making the pass into the lead on lap nine.  From there on, he kept the number one spot, wheeling his ride around the track with a high left front hiked, and went home to the win.  Nick Roberts held off some tough competition to take second place.  It was Elijah Zevenbergen hard charging through the field, coming from a B main and starting twenty-first and taking third place.  Buck Schafroth won the duel with Dallon Murty, as they finished fourth and fifth respectively.  Smith can now add a Stock Car win at Boone to his resume along with wins in the Hobby Stock, SportMod and Modified classes.

The IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks makeup Salute to Veterans feature paid $1,100 for the win.  It was a happy Wayne Gifford standing in Victory Lane at the conclusion of the 20 lap race.  Gifford who led the race from start to finish was excited to finally return to the winner's circle at Boone after several years absence. He previously raced in the Stock Car division, but this was his first win in the Hobby Stocks. He took the win comfortably over second place finisher Curt Reed.  Josh VanCannon was third, fourth went to Seth Janssen, and Mike Smith rallied back after an early race spin, to take fifth.

The regular night's 15 lap Hobby Stock race went flag to flag with Mark Hidlebaugh leading it in its entirety. He started on the outside front row, and was never seriously challenged.  Following a ways behind in second place was Brian Ashburn. Solomon Bennett took third,  Jimmy Johnson was hard charger, coming from starting twenty-second to finish fourth, and Skyler Pruitt was fifth. After searching my unofficial records, I believe this to be Hidlebaugh's first win at Boone.  

The only class to run one feature was the IMCA STARS Mod Lites. They were able to get their Salute to Veterans feature in last week....Randy Bryan taking that win.

The Mod Lites ran a 15 lap A main.  Charlie Brown came away with the win in this one.  Brown started tenth and had the lead on lap seven.  A yellow at lap ten was no issue for Brown as he pulled away on the restart and held on to the finish to score the win. This was his first time in Victory Lane this season.  Austin Gray ran at the front of the pack all race long, and finished in the number two position.  Jason Toppenberg made a late race run to finish in third place, Joel Huggins was fourth, and Bryan Zehm rounded out the top five.

Thirty-seven races were run on Saturday night, the huge field of cars consisting of 37 Modifieds, 55 Stock Cars, 39 Northern SportMods, 31 Hobby Stocks, and 16 Mod Lites.  The final checkers flew at 11:49 p.m.  

Next Saturday night, August 6, is another weekly racing series at the Boone Speedway.  The IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts will join the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Mod Lites.  Gates open at 4:30, hot laps at 5, with racing at 6.

Keep supporting dirt track racing and help keep it alive and well!

 

 

Two exciting finishes as Murty scores Modified victory, Jaennette takes checkers in the Stock Cars

It was Triple E Insulator Night at the Marshalltown Speedway Friday night, with 115 cars in seven classes in competition.  The weather cooperated, and it was a beautiful night to be setting at the race track with racing family.

Joining the IMCA classes for the night's action were the Outlaw Mini Mods.  Troy Ihrke from Sheffield, Iowa went home with that win.  Dallon Murty won a thriller in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, as did Michael Jaennette in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.  Tony Olson scored the victory in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods, and it was Eric Knutson taking the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock class. The IMCA STARS Mod Lite feature win went to Joel Huggins, and Kolby Sabin took win number four in the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts.

The Mod Lite 15 lap feature came to the track first.  Joel Huggins had just taken the lead away from Darrick Knutsen on lap three when the race was red flagged when Mikade Meyer took a tumble in turn four.  Meyer was not injured and the race was soon restarted.

With Huggins in command as the race returned to green, he pulled away from the rest of the field and won going away.  The race finished caution free after the red flag at lap three.  Finishing a good distance behind in second was Austin Gray,  Josh May was third, fourth went to Cory Sonner, and Randy Bryan was fifth.  Huggins, who started tenth, captured his third feature win of the season. 

The visiting Outlaw Mini Mod class made its third trip to the High Banks this year.  They ran a 12 lap feature that saw Troy Ihrke lead all but the opening two laps as he sailed to the victory.  Nathan Kilwine, who had won the two previous races at Marshalltown Speedway this season, finished as the runner up just ahead of Ben Kraus in third.  Following a good distance behind in fourth place was early  leader TJ Stalker, and Logan Brown was fifth.  The Mini Mods are scheduled for one more appearance this season, that being on Season Championship night, August 26.

The IMCA Sport Compacts ran 15 laps in their A main and it was Kolby Sabin leading most of the flag to flag non-stop event.  He finished well ahead of second place David Kimmel.  Tyler Crimmins started twelfth and finished third, fourth was John Schuring, and hometown driver, John Gill rounded out the top five. Matt Miller, early leader, chased the winner through lap ten, but then suddenly pulled off the racing surface ending his night. This was Sabin's fourth trip to Victory Lane at Marshalltown this year.

Eric Knutson went home with the win in the 20 lapper for the IMCA Hobby Stocks.  He snatched the lead away from Rockwell, Iowa's Carter Koop with six laps remaining and held off a hard charging John Watson in second at the finish line. Carter Koop held on to finish third, and Sam West finished an impressive fourth after starting twenty-second.  Cory VanderWilt, Sully, Iowa, was fifth.  Knutson, who started eighteenth, made this his third win of the year.

Taylor Bass, who calls Ackley, Iowa home, held down the top spot in the 20 lap feature event for the IMCA Northern SportMods through lap eleven.  That's when Tony Olson saw his chance after running down the leader, and flew into the lead on lap twelve.  He never relinquished that top spot the rest of the way to the checkers and the win.  He had to hold off cousin Kyle Olson who finished second.  Bass held the third spot, Travis Peterson was fourth, and Mason Day, Farmersville, Texas was fifth.  This was Olson's second victory of the year.

The IMCA Stock Cars showed again just why they are called "The Class too Tough to Tame".  

Todd Reitzler flew to the immediate lead when the green fell, taking to the top of the track to run the rim.  It wasn't long until Michael Jaennette came calling and began to apply the pressure.  While Reitzler stuck to the top, Jaennette was running the lower line, and the two ran this way for lap after lap.

The closing laps saw Jaennette try his best to get the upper hand, throwing sliders, but nothing would quite stick.....until two laps to go.  That's when Jaennette found his way to the lead, and kept it to the checkers. When the cars were coming to the checkers, third place runner Kaden Reynolds lost his good finishing position when he spun in turn four.  Steve Meyer started fourteenth, and finished in third, veteran hometown racer Jeff Wollam came from sixteenth starting spot to finish fourth, and Jared Daggett took fifth after starting in twelfth spot.  Jaennette now has three wins at the speedway this season.

The night cap was 20 laps of IMCA Modified ground pounding fury.  They followed up the Stock Car's fast and furious race with one of their own.

Johnathan Logue looked to be easily on his way to a victory as he got the lead early on.  Then by the midway part of the race, Gilman's Richie Gustin had thrown his hat into the ring, getting by Chris Mills, and now Dallon Murty had moved from ninth, to fourth.  

Logue was still holding off the competition when a caution flew at lap fifteen, bunching up the field for the restart.  When the green waved, Murty, who had gotten to third, tried a slider in turn two, not quite sticking, and again in corner four...which did the trick, sliding into first place.  The closing laps were all Murty's as he pulled away in the final moments to take the comfortable win.  Richie Gustin took the runner up position, Zack Rawlins had a good run and finished third, Logue slipped back to finish fourth, and Ronn Laurtizen rounded out the top five.  

Next Friday, August 5, is the rescheduled Dale DeFrance Memorial. After being weathered out twice previously, the third time is the charm.  The SLMR Dirt Super Late Models will be on the program, along with the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks.  Hot laps are 6:55 with racing at 7:30.

Keep supporting your local dirt tracks....keep racing alive and well.

Championship Night at the Southern Iowa Speedway

 It's hard to believe that the Southern Iowa Speedway wrapped up its 2022 regular season last night.  It was Season Championship night and the last night of racing until the Fall Challenge in October.

Five track champions were decided....some by just a few points, and five drivers also went home with season championship awards.  

Things kicked off with the Sport Compacts as they ran their 10 lap feature.  Terry Bickford was leading the points battle by 10 points going into the race.  Earlier in his heat race however, he had a sick car and pulled off the track. He was able to "take the green" with his ill running car, and that sealed the Championship for him.

The heat race for the Compacts did not go well for Gabby Hayes, as he took a roll low in corner three.  He was okay, and did start the feature. 

Matt Moore led the feature race from the get go, and would sail home well out in front of the rest of the field.  It was his third feature win of the season.  Trailing a good distance behind in second, was James Haring, and Greg Franklin, Brandon Pickney, and Jake Meinders completed the top five. The race went green to checkers. 

The Non-Wing Sprints had a scary, scary incident at the start of their heat race when Logan Alexander flipped going into turn one, launched himself over the middle of turn one and two....and landed out of the park!  It was a tense few moments until it was announced he was out of the car on his own. 

The Non-Wings ran a 10 lap feature.  Doug Sylvester led when the race went green, with the hot driver of late, Ben Woods with seven wins in, chasing him.  Woods night would then suddenly end when he was off power with what appeared to be an expired motor.  

When the race restarted, Sylvester shot off from the rest of the field, and won going away.  Tyler Graves finished a distant second, it was Kelly Graham in third place, Nathan James was fourth,, and Steve Pumphrey in fifth. This was Sylvester's first win this year.  Kelly Graham is the 2022 Track Champion.

The Stock Cars came next, and this one was also a runaway.  Todd Reitzler started fifth, had the lead by lap one, and pulled away to take the win in the race that went flag to flag. There was a heated battle for second behind him however, as Cayden Carter, Nathan Wood, and Steve Byers went at it.  It was a close finish at the end but Steve Byers won the war and took second, Nathan Wood was third, and Cayden Carter, in Mike Petersen's race car, was fourth.  Dustin Griffiths rounded out the top five.  Nathan Wood is the 2022 Track Champion. 

There was a twist of fate in the SportMod feature, in what everyone thought going into the night would be a battle for the track title between Maguire DeJong and Curtis VanDerWal, one point separating them. 

The #30M of DeJong was in the house, but not the driver.  Seems the DeJong family had been on vacation, out of the country, and the airline connections were the nemesis for Maguire. However, Cayden Carter hopped in the car for the night's race.

The early portion of the 16 lap feature saw Carter VanDenBerg and cousin Cayden Carter duking it out. They ran side by side at times until "The Gasman" Cayden Carter established the lead for good. 

A yellow at lap thirteen bunched the field for the restart, and Curtis VanDerWal was able to power by VanDenBerg for second spot.  It was all Carter in the final two laps however, as he took the win in the 30M machine.  VanDerWal finished second, VanDenBerg was third.  Trailing a distant fourth was Charlie Weber, and Tony Johnson was fifth.  VanDerWal is the 2022 Track Champion.

Wrapping up the night's racing action as well as the season, was 20 laps of Hobby Stock racing.  

Dustin Griffiths took the top spot from his outside front row starting spot as the green flag flew.  That would be where he stayed the rest of the run to the checkers and the win.  Keaton Gordon gave chase and hung around in second until a yellow flew at lap twelve.  This bunched the field for the restart, and it was Aaron Martin taking advantage.  He took over second, but that was all he had, and had to settle for the runner up spot.  Austin Barnes was also able to get by Keaton Gordon in the closing circuits, as they went third and fourth respectively.  Christian Huffman, in his sharp looking ride, was fifth.

This was Griffiths' third win of the season, but for the first time in the past four years, he had to relinquish his track title to Aaron Martin....by three points.   

The regular season at the Southern Iowa Speedway came to an end last evening, but there is still some racing lying ahead.  For you Sprint Car enthusiasts, the Sage Fruit Front Row Challenge will be held on August 8...prior to the running of the Knoxville Nationals just down the road.  Then on October 14 and 15, it will be the annual Musco Lighting Fall Challenge.

Find a race to attend and help keep dirt track racing alive and well.