Smith gets first Modified win, Jaennette in a thriller in the Stock Cars

Boone Speedway saw some of the best racing of the year on Saturday night, with close racing and thrilling finishes all night long among the 161 race cars filling the pits.  

Doug Smith scored his first Friesen Performance IMCA Modified victory at the speedway in a close one at the line.  It was Michael Jaennette coming out on top of a thrilling Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, and Jake Sachau got win #2 of the year in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods.  Mike Smith went back to back in winning the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks in yet another close finish, and Joe Glick took the win in a Corn Belt Clash Series race in the STARS Mod Lites.  

The STARS Mod Lites ran one of their Corn Belt Clash Series races, vying for the $500 prize. This would be the second in a three race series for the weekend...the first being at the Marshalltown Speedway the previous night that saw Kansas racer Justin Kinderknecht take race number one. The final series race is scheduled for the Stuart Speedway on Sunday.  

Bryan Zehm jumped to the immediate lead and appeared to be gone in the 20 lap feature.  His good run ended when he had to exit with a flat right rear with a handful of laps remaining. This handed the lead over to Joel Huggins, back in his familiar #X50 car after a stint in an #11X ride. With heavy lap traffic playing into the equation, Joe Glick and Randy Bryan had now entered into the picture and would prove to be Huggin's nemesis. Glick worked the lap traffic to his advantage, making the pass with just two laps to go.  He would then hold it to the checkers and the win.  Huggins had to be content with second place, and Randy Bryan was third.  Steven Kennedy took fourth place after starting twelfth, and Colona, Illinois racer, Jason Masengarb took fifth.  The race went caution free.

Jake Sachau went home with his second feature win of the year in the IMCA Northern SportMods.  Waging a great battle behind the winner was Dusty Masolini in second, who just nipped out Taylor Kuehl in third place, after her great come back from an early slip up.  Danny Fye was fourth, and Hamilton, Missouri racer, Jace Whitt was fifth.  Sachau came from eleventh starting spot to score the win.

Jimmy Gustin shot off into the lead when the race went green for the 20 lap Main event for the IMCA Modifieds.  He soon had Jeremy Mills hot on his tail, and it was rookie to the class, Doug Smith reeling them both in.  Mills took the lead on lap eleven, and just a few laps later, Doug Smith had made his way past Gustin as well, to take the second spot.  The closing laps had the crowd on its feet as the two duked it out.  Just after the white flag flew, Smith was able to make the pass for the lead in corner two, and he would hold on to the flying checkers to seal the win...Mills a close runner up.  Jake McBirnie took third after starting eleventh, Johnathon Logue was fourth, and early leader Jimmy Gustin was fifth.  This was Smith's first Modified win at the track in the division after moving up from a successful run in the Northern SportMod class.

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars came next for their 20 lap feature.  They never fail to impress and their feature turned into a thriller for fans and drivers alike. 

Justin Nehring started on the pole and led the first seven laps of the race.  Then, it was eighth place starter Michael Jaennette who came calling, running the top side and snagging the top spot on lap eight.  As the race wore on, Devin Smith began to reel in the leader and he brought brother Dave Smith along to make it a threesome which turned into an exciting shoot out.  Devin Smith took the low road and sneaked past on lap fourteen, but Jaennette was having none of that, and rallied back into the lead two laps later.  The closing moments had the crowd on its feet once again, as Jaennette held back the Smith brothers to flash across the finish line first and score the victory.  Dave Smith finished second, with brother Devin in third.  Early race leader Justin Nehring was fourth, and Josh Daniels started eleventh and rounded out the top five. This was the second caution free race of the night.....a rare occurrence it seems this year at any track.

The night cap was 15 laps of IMCA Hobby Stock racing.  Solomon Bennett looked to be on his way to his first trip to victory lane this year as he led through lap thirteen.  However, it would be Mike Smith who would spoil that vision. Smith had trailed Bennett for most of the race, and in the closing laps had drawn to his bumper and was peeking for a way around.  Those looks paid off on lap fourteen, as Smith grabbed the lead and was then able to hold off Bennett at the flag in another ever so close finish. Bennett had to settle for second place, Curt Reed was third, Erik Knutson finished fourth, and Skyler Pruitt took fifth place.  This was Smith's second win in as many weeks, and his third of the season, as well as winning the Frostbuster special.  

Next Saturday night, June 4, will begin the summer hours for weekly racing at the Boone Speedway, with hot laps at 6, and racing at 7.  The IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and STARS Mod Lites will all be competing. 

There were a couple of incidents in the Cruiser car exhibition, cutting their heat race off nearly as soon as it began.  A rollover incident at the bottom of turns one and two immediately brought out the red flag, and a helmet was observed flying out of the car and landing on the track. The on site ambulance was summoned for one of drivers to be checked out.  As soon as that was cleaned up and the race restarted, two more cars immediately ran off of turn two, neither finding the brakes, and one making a hard, abrupt halt when it hit a wall barrier.  This too brought out a red, one of the drivers was transported, and the race was called.  The feature for the night was also canceled.  There is no official word on any injuries.  

There are several choices for special races in our area this Memorial Holiday weekend.  The Benton County Speedway in Vinton will be running on both Sunday and Monday.  Sunday all regular classes will running as a Prelude to their Memorial Day special IMCA 43rd Anniversary of the IMCA Modified.  The Stuart Speedway will be hosting their Whole Hog 50 for the IMCA Stock Car $5,000 to win event. Sunday will have qualifying for the Stock Cars for the finale on Monday, with full shows for the Modifieds, Northern SportMods, Sport Compacts, Mod Lites, and Outlaw Mini Mods.  Mondays grand finale will headline the Stock Cars with final qualifying and then their 50 lap feature main event. Also on the ticket are full shows for the Modifieds, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, Outlaw Mini Mods, and Micro Sprints.  

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

 

Logue logs first career Modified win on the High Banks at Marshalltown

It was a full night of racing at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night, with seven classes in competition and 139 cars checked into the pits. It was also a much nicer night to be setting at a race track, those being pretty scarce this season.  

Johnathon Logue took the checkers in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified class...his first career win in the division.  Damon Murty got back to his winning ways and won the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature.  It was Brayton Carter with the win in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod main event, and John Watson captured the top spot in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks. The STARS Mod Lites had one of their Corn Belt Clash Series races, and it was Justin Kinderknecht making his trip over from Kansas pay off, and went home $500 richer.  Kolby Sabin won the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact A main, and joining in the racing action were the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks that saw Bryan Spangler take the checkered flag.

The STARS Mod Lites were racing one of their Corn Belt Clash Series races, and a $500 pay off for the win. This brought in quite a contingency of drivers from near and far.

Jason Masengarb, Colona, Illinois had the lead early in the 20 lap feature, but at lap nine, it was Salina, Kansas racer Justin Kinderknecht in the lead.  From there on out, it was Kinderknecht the rest of the way for the win.  Randy Bryan mounted a good late race challenge but could only manage a close runner up finish.  Masengarb held down the third spot, followed by Joel Huggins in fourth, and Austin Gray in fifth.  Kinderknecht also won last year at Marshalltown when he paid a visit back on May 6 during the Dale DeFrance Memorial.   

The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks were an added attraction Friday night.  Bryan Spangler would go home the winner of their A Main event.  He got the lead on lap two, after getting around Shonn Mapes, lost it for only a brief moment to Jeff Johnson, and then regained the top spot and held it the rest of the way to the checkers.  Jeff Johnson, who was a strong competitor in the IMCA Stock Car class in days gone by, and then spent some time in a Sprint car, finished a close second, Mapes took third, Shawn Cooney was fourth, and Dennis Plain completed the top five.

The IMCA Northern SportMods came next, and they were all wanting to take home the $500 prize of the night.  Ryan Gillmore, Springfield, Missouri started on the outside of the front row, and immediately shot to the lead.  Fourth place starter Brayton Carter tagged in to run second.  Gillmore and Carter duked it out in a heated battle until Carter was able to get the lead and was then able to distance himself from the pack.  Meanwhile, Gillmore had his hands full with Logan Anderson who had reeled in the front runners, and managed to get the upper hand on lap fourteen, taking over second spot.  But it was all Carter's race in the final laps as he went home to the flying checkers and the win.  Anderson had to be content with the runner up spot, Gillmore took third, fourth went to polesitter Travis Peterson, and veteran racer Vern Jackson was fifth.

There was still plenty of racing to be had with the IMCA Hobby Stocks coming to the track next for their 20 lap A main.  This saw good battles going on throughout the event.  Tom Killen, Jr. led the opening laps, but Jake Nelson had the #1 spot on lap five.  A lap later Killen was back in the lead and now John Watson had thrown his hat into the ring and was challenging them both.  Watson got the lead on lap seven, and from there on kept the pack at bay and went home to seal the win.  Sam West had his best run of the year and took the runner up spot, Bradley Graham came from eleventh starting position to finish third, Solomon Bennett made a late race surge and finished in fourth, and Seth Butler started tenth, and finished fifth.

The IMCA Stock Cars always put on a good show wherever they go, and they proved it once again with close racing going on the entire 20 laps.

Jay Schmidt held the lead through lap four, but it was the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty coming to call on the topside, his preferred line at the High Banks, and took away the lead.  Schmidt rallied back again for the lead, but only for a couple of laps before Murty got the lead for good.  Murty took the comfortable win, with Michael Jaennette trailing for second place.  Kaden Reynolds took third, just beating out Austin Kaplan in fourth.  Tyler Pickett completed the top five.  

The IMCA Sport Compact 15 lap feature saw Kolby Sabin take the win. David Kimmel chased Sabin for much of the race, but Kimmel had to be content with the runner up spot, third went to seventh place starter Blake Driscol, John Gill was fourth, and Mark Smith was fifth.  This was the only feature of the night that went flag to flag.  

The Friesen Performance IMCA Modfieds, put a night cap on the racing action with 20 laps of ground pounding fury.

Paul Nagel grabbed the immediate lead from his outside front row starting spot, and was looking strong.  He was quick to have company breathing down his neck however in the likes of Johnathon Logue, Ronn Lauritzen, and Tim Ward.  Logue was able to take command on lap nine, and Ward followed suite to run in second.  Ward took the brief lead on lap eleven, only to have Logue come right back and take over the top spot once again.  Logue was then able to hold off his challengers the rest of the way to the finish and log the win.  Ward finished in second, Nagel was third, Ronn Lauritzen was fourth, and Dallon Murty was fifth.  This marked Johnathon Logue's first career win in an IMCA Modified, moving up this year after his successful run in the SportMod division, and looking to follow in his dad John Logue's successful career in the division.  

Jerry Vansickel opted to have all Victory Lane interviews and pictures delayed until after all the races were completed....a much appreciated move as far as most of the fans were concerned.

There were quite a few new faces racing last evening.  Ethan Dotson, the California native who races in our area during the season, was among the first time racers this year, as was Tanner Black, Otis, Kansas, and Kelsie Foley, Tucson, Arizona, all in the Modified class. A couple of Kansas drivers were in attendance in the Stock Cars, Jason Rogers, and Trace Ayers. The Mod Lites had several traveling drivers what with the Corn Belt Clash Series.  Winner Justin Kinderknecht, Clayton Hogie came from Kansas.  The Illinois racers were Jason Masengarb, Jon Padilla, Jacob Copley, and Brandon Freeburg.  I probably missed more, but the above gives you an idea of the racers who travel quite a distance to get in some racing in our area.

Find a race to attend, and help support the sport we all love....dirt track racing!  

Roberts and Goldsberry take exciting wins at Boone Speedway

The Boone Speedway saw another Saturday night of fast paced racing action on a chilly night in May. Is this weather ever going to be "normal" again? The Victory Lane interviews were delayed until after all the features were completed...for two nights in a row, as Marshalltown had also, and the fans were thankful!

The IMCA Modified feature saw Nick Roberts take the win by mere inches.  Anthony Goldsberry made a last lap pass to take the IMCA Stock Car win.  It was Cory Pestotnik in the IMCA Northern SportMods, and Mike Smith got his second win of the season in the IMCA Hobby Stocks.  Randy Bryan won the STARS Mod Lite feature, and Kamdyn Haggard won in the visiting Outlaw Mini Mods.  The Cruisers were in action for the first time this year as well, and it was the duo of Max Allen and Andrew Miller taking that win.

The STARS Mod Lites ran their 15 lap feature first, and it was Randy Bryan getting his first trip to victory lane this year.  Joel Huggins, racing a #11x for the second night in a row instead of his usual yellow #X50, chased Bryan much of the race, but had to settle for second place.  Third went to Steven Kennedy, Austin Gray was fourth, and Joe Glick took fifth.

It was Cory Pestotnik with the win in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod 20 lap event.  He led much of the race to finish comfortably ahead of second place Ryan Leeman.  Taylor Kuehl was third, Dusty Masolini came from twenty-first to finish fourth, and Jake Sachau was fifth after starting twelfth. My unofficial records indicate that this was Pestotnik's first win since May of 2019 at the track. 

It was a thrilling finish to the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified 20 lap affair.  Jeremy Mills started sixth and had the lead by lap three.  By lap five, he had company in Mike VanGenderen, Joel Bushore, and Jimmy Gustin.  At lap nine, Gustin was off power and out of the game, but by this time Nick Roberts was joining in the fun.  At lap twelve, a yellow flew and Roberts was eager for the restart as he had made his way to run in second place.  On lap thirteen he got the job done, and took over the top spot.  Mills never went away, but a last ditch effort fell just short at the line, as Roberts took the win by inches.  Third was Joel Bushore, Mike VanGenderen was fourth, and coming out of seemingly no where after starting twenty-second, was Hebron, Illinois driver, Dustin Kroening who is looking to be a regular in area this year,  

The visiting Outlaw Mini Mods had their scheduled 15 lap race end on lap thirteen when the time limit expired. The win went to Kamdyn Haggard, who had led most of the yellow plagued race.  Glenville, Minnesota's Nathan Kilwine was second, Matthew Grobe took third, Dalton Faber was fourth, and Gage Hilgenberg rounded out the top five. Haggard is the points leader in the class, and padded his lead with the win tonight.  

The Class too Tough to Tame, the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars made it an exciting 20 lap feature finish as well.  Kyle Everts held down the number one spot from lap two, with Anthony Goldsberry in tow.  The two ran one-two for the race until the final lap when Goldsberry was able to nose under Everts when he just missed his mark, and beat him to the finish line first to score the win.  Everts had to settle for second place.  Scott Davis started tenth and took third, Mike Goldsberry kept it in the family, (I believe he is a brother to the winner)Edit: (Mike is Anthony's dad) was fourth, and Donavon Smith came from fifteenth to finish fifth. 

The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks ran fifteen laps for their A Main.  Mike Smith led this one from start to finish to take his second win of the season, after also winning the Frostbuster.  He was never challenged on his run to the checkers.  Skylar Pruitt took the runner up spot, third went to Seth Butler, Solomon Bennett was fourth, and Rusty Bates completed the top five. Smith was claimed after the finish, but the claim was denied as the claimer had an illegal engine!

Regular Saturday night series racing continues on May 28, with racing in the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and STARS Mod Lites.  Hot laps are 5, with racing at 6.

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

 

Murty Tops Field in Modifieds at Motown

After Wednesday night's special FloRacing Super Late Model Night in America fantastic show, the Marshalltown Speedway was right back into action on Friday for Night #2 of regular weekly points racing.  There were just over 100 cars checked into the pits, on a WINDY, and chilly night.

Dallon Murty topped the field in the IMCA Modifieds, Kaden Reynolds was the winner in the IMCA Stock Car class, and Kyle Olson made it two in a row in the IMCA Northern SportMod division.  Randy Bryan saw his first trip to victory lane in the STARS Mod Lites, and the Outlaw Mini Mod feature winner was Nathan Kilwine.

Randy Bryan fought his way past then leader Joel Huggins on lap eight of the 15 lap A main for the STARS Mod Lites, and then held off the competition to score his first win at Marshalltown Speedway this year.  Huggins, who was not in his usual #X50 ride that was built by Bryan, was piloting a #11X, and was second, after starting seventh.  Austin Gray finished in the third position, Dustin Ford was fourth, and Ben George was fifth.

The Outlaw Mini Mods, or Bat Wings as they are often referred to for the chassis brand, were an extra added attraction of the night, running a 12 lap feature. Ben Kraus wasted no time in getting to the lead, taking over from Michael Bryant on lap two.  However, just two laps later, it was 8th place starter Nathan Kilwine, Glenville, Minnesota, in charge.  The rest of the race was all Kilwine's as he motored to the checkers.  Kraus held on to second place, third went to the division points leader, Kamdyn Haggard who calls Humboldt, Iowa home, Bryant took fourth place, and fifth went to Dalton Faber.

Up next was the 20 lap Friesen Performance Northern SportMods feature event.  This one had some issues, with a plethora of yellows flying, six in all, and two before even the first lap was scored, and four more before lap seven. Veteran racer, Vern Jackson held down the top spot the first two laps, but it was last week's winner Kyle Olson flying through the field and taking over by lap four.  He weathered four more cautions, but it was no issue as he pulled away each time, and won going away at the checkers.  Kaylin Lopez, from Chowchilla, California and who now calls Marshalltown his home, took second. Finishing third was Jenae Gustin, fourth was Travis Petersen, and Sam Wieben completed the top five.  

The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks put on quite a show for the fans in their 20 lap feature. This one too, had more than its share of yellows. Eric Stanton had the lead on lap one, John Watson nabbed it on lap two, and then Stanton was right back in the lead a lap or so later.  At lap five, Eric Knutson had thrown his hat into the ring, and was pressuring Stanton.  Then Seth Butler, who had started twelfth on the grid, had joined in the fun.  It was a tight battle up front, lap after lap, with Knutson keeping the upper hand, and now Seth Butler had made it a threesome!  What a battle it was and a great show for the fans.  Stanton got to Knutson's bumper, and knocked, knocked, knocked a few times, but Knutson held his ground and kept the lead.  At the finish line, it was Knutson taking the win, Stanton held on to second, and Seth Butler was an ever so close third.  Bradly Graham and William Klosterman finished fourth and fifth respectively.  

The Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars were next on the agenda for their 20 lap affair.  It didn't take long for Kaden Reynolds to be in command taking his ride from sixth to the top spot by lap three.  Flying through the field quickly as well was Santa Maria, California's Dylan Thornton.  He had made his way from tenth to run in second with just a handful of laps in the books.  Thornton threw a couple of sliders at the leader in turn four, but Reynolds wasn't fazed, and kept his cool.  In the closing laps, Reynolds pulled away, and took the comfortable win.  Thornton finished a distant second.  Steve Meyer was third, Marshalltown's own Jeff Wollam was fourth, and Michael Jaennette rounded out the top five. Reynolds looks to be off to a great start in his rookie season in a Stock Car, having jumped up from the Hobby Stock ranks.  

The night's racing action ended with the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified 20 lap A main. Refreshingly, there was only one caution in this race, that coming early on in the contest at lap two.  This one was led from start to finish by rookie to the class, Dallon Murty.  He had the field covered easily, and won this one going away.  No stranger to victory lane in the Stock Car class, this was his first in the Modified class at Marshalltown, after having just snagged his first career win in the class at Vinton recently. EDIT:  I stand corrected, he won in a Modified at the World Nationals in Marshalltown last September) Jimmy Gustin got by Joel Rust in the closing laps as they finished second and third respectively.  Hays, Kansas racer, Dakota Sproul started tenth, and took fourth place, and Dustin Kroening, Hebron, Illinois, was fifth.  

The wind dying down after the sun sets did not hold last night!  In fact, I think it picked up.  It was a strong one out of the northwest, and us fans inhaled some of the Motown High Banks track. But it was a very entertaining night as usual at the speedway with great racing. Regular weekly racing continues next Friday night, May 27, when it will be $500 on the line for the Northern SportMods, and the Mod Lites will have one of their Corn Belt Clash events.  The IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts and the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks are also scheduled to be in action.  The green flag drops at 7:30. 

Keep supporting dirt track racing, the sport we all love, and keep it alive and well!

   

Big $ for O'Neal at Motown Castrol FloRacing Night in America

The long awaited Super Late Models made their first ever appearance on Wednesday night at the Marshalltown Speedway for Castrol FloRacing Night in America.  Last year's scheduled event was rained out, but 2022 saw a beautiful night for racing at the High Banks. The IMCA Modifieds and IMCA Stock Cars joined the prestigious headliners for some mid-week racing excitement.  

Hudson O'Neal, took home the grand prize of $20,022  for his superior performance in the Super Late Models.  Tom Berry, Jr. took home a grand with his win in the IMCA Modifieds, and it was Chanse Hollatz winning the $750 prize in the IMCA Stock Cars.

They say the cream always rises to the top, and that is just what it did Wednesday night as the Super Late Models put on a spectacular 50 lap feature event.  It was appearing for a while that hometown boy Ryan Gustin was going to thrill his fans with the top prize, as he led from the drop of the green, and was looking to walk away.  But slowly, but surely, Martinsville, Indiana driver, Hudson O'Neal had been reeling in the leader.  He caught him just past the halfway mark of the race, and a few laps later was able to make the pass into the lead.  Gustin didn't go away though as he chased O'Neal, and by this time, seventh place starter Brandon Sheppard had made it a threesome at the front, after getting around Winfield, Tennessee's Mike Marlar.  The talented drivers continued to maneuver their way around the High Banks through the closing laps with positions swapping behind the leader, but as the final checkers flew, it was O'Neal taking the win.  Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, Illinois took the runner up position, Mike Marlar, who earlier had fast time with a new track record of 13.758 finished third, Gustin took fourth, and rounding out the top five was New Waverly, Texas racer, Tyler Erb, who had started sixteenth was fifth. O'Neal is the fifth different winner in the Super Late Model series out of five races so far this year. 

Only one yellow would mar this 50 lap race. That happened on lap eight when Ricky Thornton, Jr. got too high and jumped the cushion in turn one, and did a slow roll over the bank.  He was not hurt, but his night did not end they way he wanted.  

The drivers all loved the Marshalltown Speedway track and the dirt of the Midwest. Consensus was they would love to return next year. This was the first time since 1988 that a Super Late Model Series race has been at the track, and the fans and drivers loved it. 

The IMCA Stock Cars ran a 20 lap feature that was a qualifier for the Fast Shafts All Star ballot for the 2022 Super Nationals.  Chanse Hollatz, Clear Lake, Iowa never looked back after getting around early leader Dave Atcher on lap three.  It wasn't like he didn't have heavy hitters knocking at the door however, as Kaden Reynolds, Dallon Murty, and Jeff Mueller were fighting tooth and nail to catch the leader.  It wasn't to be on this night however.  Hollatz methodically hit his mark every lap and claimed the trip to victory lane.  Kaden Reynolds, in just his first year in the division after moving up from the IMCA Hobby Stocks, was second, just beating out Dallon Murty in third, and Jeff Mueller in fourth.  Marshalltown's own Jeff Wollam had a good run to round out the top five.

The IMCA Modifieds were vying for a $1,000 and also for a chance to be on the ballot for the Super Nationals All-Star race. Richie Gustin looked to be poised to take the checkers in the 20 lap feature leading from the drop of the green as he out distanced Tom Berry, Jr., and Cayden Carter. They reeled in Gustin and on lap fifteen, Carter took the top spot, piloting the 30M machine of Maguire DeJong,  It would be brief however, as Tom Berry, Jr. would claim the number one spot with three laps to go, and sail home to take the checkers and the win. Carter and Gustin finished second and third respectively.  Jake McBirnie took fourth place, and Tim Ward completed the top five. 

It was great to have Blake Anderson in the house and doing the winner's circle interviews last night.  Anderson hails from Newton, Iowa and cut his broadcasting teeth at the Marshalltown Speedway back in the day as a Racing Rascal. He now calls Indianapolis home and works for the All Star Circuit of Champions.  He loves the Marshalltown Speedway, and seeing the Super Dirt Late Models there was like "Christmas in May" for him.  Dustin Jarrett and Ben Shelton joined track announcer Rodney Tomlinson on the call of the racing action.    

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

Boone Dodges Rain and Five New Drivers go to Victory Lane

It was week #3 of weekly racing at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night, and we were ready for some racing. We had no idea when we left home that there could be a chance of weather coming in, but then we began to notice the clouds building in the west.  A check of radar and....yup, there was a cell headed to Boone!  The sky looked ominous to the west as we turned off of Hwy 30, and just as we arrived at the track, the winds picked up tremendously, and we feared the worst was yet to be.  Luckily, there was no more than a light shower just prior to hot laps that quickly passed and racing went on as usual with no delay for the 145 cars checked in.

There were all new winners for the season, with Tim Ward capturing his first IMCA Modified feature.  It was Troy Jerovetz winning in the IMCA Stock Cars, and Jake Sachau took checkers in the IMCA Northern SportMod class.  Eric Knutson visited Victory Lane for the first time this season in the IMCA Hobby Stock division, and it was Bryan Zehm taking his first win of the year in the IMCA STARS Mod Lite action.

In the IMCA STARS Mod Lite 15 lap feature, Bryan Zehm caught early leader Ben George and took over the top spot at lap six, never to look back.  Lap traffic was no issue for the Ames driver as he held the pack at bay to capture the win.  Joel Huggins, who had won the two previous races, started in tenth spot, but came up a bit short this week, and finished as the runner up.  Derrick Knutsen, the driver out of Cedar Rapids, was third, fourth went to Jon Braathun, and Austin Gray is enjoying his ride in the Mod Lites after a stint a couple of years ago in the Stock Cars, and he went away with a fifth place finish on Saturday night. 

Just after the finish of feature, we suddenly noticed that there was a car upside down just out of turn four. How that happened, no one seemed to know.  It was the #70 of Alex Eischeid out of Mechanicsville.  He was soon out of the car and okay.  

The IMCA Northern SportMod 18 lap feature was a no go on the initial start, as several cars did not make it out of turn one.  When things did get underway, it was Robert Stofer, the veteran who switched from his longtime career in the Stock Cars into the SportMod division this year, leading the field on lap one.  However, Jake Sachau, who started ninth, had other ideas and made the pass going down the backstretch and was the leader as lap two was scored.  From there on, it was all Sachau as he motored home to his first victory at Boone this season.  Rocky Caudle came from fifteenth starting spot to take second place, and Kenny Wyman, Jr. advanced sixteen positions to take third.  Fourth went to Cory Pestotnik, and Blair Simmons was fifth. Early leader, Stofer had his good run come to an end when he got a little too high at the top of turn three on lap eight, and dipped it over the edge.  That probably would not have happened in his Stock Car.  

Tim Ward visited Victory Lane for the first time this season, winning the IMCA Modified 20 lap main event.  He snagged the lead away from Russ Dickerson at lap six, and pulled away in the last handful of laps to take the easy win.  Nick Roberts finished in second, and third through fifth was a toss up as to the outcome, with Johnathon Logue, Jake McBirnie, and visiting Trenton, Missouri racer, Cory Wray duking it out for position....sliders being thrown left and right.  Logue won the battle to take third place,  and Wray just made it past McBirnie in the closing moments, as they went fourth and fifth respectively.  Those three drivers started tenth, eleventh, and twelfth.

Earlier in the evening, the Modifieds ran a King of the Hill contest. The top 8 in track points were locked in, and 8 more qualified through heats. The final four drivers left standing after elimination rounds were Jake McBirnie, Randy Havlik, Albert Wolfgram, and Jamie Anderson.  McBirnie would be crowned King of the Hill with his win and take home an extra $500.

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars put on their usual exciting racing action for the fans.  The Game Changer, Dallon Murty had the lead early in the 20 lap thriller, with Troy Jerovetz tagging right behind in second.  Donavon Smith would soon join in the mix, and not to be left out, veteran Randy Brands threw his hat into the ring as well.  Jerovetz was able to wrangle away the lead, but those competitors never went away, as they dug for better positions.  In the closing moments, Jerovetz was able to hang on to the lead, and take the checkers first, with Murty a very close runner up.  Donavon Smith took third, Randy Brands was fourth, and last week's winner, Josh Daniels came from fifteenth, to finish fifth.  Three former Super National's champions finished behind winner Jerovetz.... Murty, Smith, and Brands.

The night's racing ended with the 15 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature.  Matt McDonald started ninth, and snatched the lead from Mark Hidlebaugh by lap four, and pulled away.  The closing laps then found Eric Knutson come flying on the topside, and reel in the leader.  With a lap to go, Knutson was able to gain the top spot, and then hold it to the finish line and the win.  McDonald had to settle for second place, John Watson came from eleventh to finish third, Seth Butler was fourth, and early leader Mark Hidlebaugh was fifth.

Weekly points racing continues next Saturday night, May 21, with racing in all five IMCA divisions and the Outlaw Mini Mods joining the racing action.  Hot laps are 5, with racing at 6, those times standing through the month of May.

Find a race to attend and keep supporting the sport we all love, dirt track racing.  An event's calendar can be found at www.positivelyracing.com.

Schluetter Takes First Ever Win in Marshalltown Speedway's Delayed Season Opener

After three straight weather outs, the Marshalltown Speedway finally got its season opener in the books on Friday night. It was a beautiful night for racing and well worth the wait for not only the fans, but for one driver in particular who snagged his first ever win. 

It was Joel Rust taking the honors in winning the IMCA Modified main event, and Michael Jaennette pulled off a spectacular late race move to take the win for the IMCA Stock Cars.  Kyle Olson won the IMCA Northern SportMod A main, and Luke Schluetter was a happy camper after winning his first ever feature in the IMCA Hobby Stocks.  Joel Huggins made it back-to-back wins in the STARS Mod Lites....albeit nearly a month in between since his win at the April 15, season preview special, and hometown boy, John Gill won in the IMCA Sport Compact division.

Feature racing kicked off with the 15 lapper for the STARS Mod Lites, and this one would be led from start to finish by "Huggy Bear", Joel Huggins.  Huggins was untouched in his race to the checkers, leading all laps, and finishing well ahead of second place Randy Bryan.  Dustin Ford was the third place finisher, and Cory Sonner, and Austin Gray finished fourth and fifth respectively.  Huggins matched his win from the cold and windy season preview special back on April 15.  Huggins has been on a roll this season, as we've also watched him win twice at the Boone Speedway.  He gave a lot of credit to the second place winner Randy Bryan who built his car.  We've seen him beat Bryan to the finish line more than once this year.  

The IMCA Northern SportMods had a little difficulty getting their 20 lap A main off and running, having it called back twice.  When it did get underway, it was veteran racer from Cresco, Brian Schrage leading the field.  Schrage easily weathered two more cautions, one at lap eight, and another at lap nine, but just a few laps later, he had Kyle Olson knocking at the door.  Schrage was able to fend off Olson's advances until two laps to go, when Olson flew around on the topside to take command.  He would hold it the rest of the way to the checkers and the win.  Schrage finished second, with his son, Austin Schrage coming home in third place.  Kaylin Lopez was fourth, and Jenae Gustin took fifth.  Olson also scored the hard charger award of an extra $100, advancing eight spots.  

IMCA Sport Compacts came to the track next and it was John Gill and Colby Sabin duking it out from the get go.  Soon joining the fray was Dysart, Iowa's Blake Driscol.  Those three would run nose to tail for several laps until Sabin's ride gave up the ghost on lap eleven, spreading oil on the track and bringing out a yellow.  When the race restarted, it was Driscol now in the lead, and Gill running in second. Gill would then make his move in turn one just after lap twelve was scored, and he would then hang on to take the win, Driscol a close second at the flagstand.  Stuart, Iowa's Tyler Fiebelkorn came home in third place, David Kimmel advanced ten spots to take fourth, and Curtis Masterson rounded out the top five. The Sport Compacts are scheduled to run periodically at the track this year.  

There was a happy camper in victory lane when Luke Schluetter took his first ever feature win in the IMCA Hobby Stocks.  Schluetter got the lead at lap three, and looked smooth as butter as he skillfully maneuvered through traffic like a veteran. He pulled away from the pack, and took the win by a comfortable margin.  Following a distant second was Bradley Graham who had started twelfth, third went to eleventh place starter, John Watson, Eric Knutson was fourth, and Solomon Bennett, fifth. Though I am not certain, I would venture to guess that Luke Schluetter is related to Jeff Schluetter, both from New Hampton, Iowa, who in past years raced under the #35 as well.   

The IMCA Stock Cars never disappoint, and they put on a show for the fans once again Friday evening. Two lady racers sat on the front row for the start of the 20 lap feature....Taylor Kuehl, from Cave Creek, Arizona who now calls Boone, Iowa home, and Leah Wroten, Independence, Iowa. Kuehl led the opening laps, but Randy Brands, a two-time winner of the IMCA Super Nationals who hails from Boyden, Iowa, grabbed the lead away on lap four and then looked poised to finding himself in victory lane.  However, ninth place starter, Michael Jaennette had other ideas.  He had drawn himself to the runner up position just after the halfway mark of the race and was wanting more.  The final few laps of the race was slider after slider, Brands holding his ground until the final corner when he slid just a bit high, and Jaennette seized the moment and won the charge to the checkers.  Brands had to be content with the runner up spot on this night.  Kaden Reynolds was the hard charger in the Stock Cars, advancing thirteen spots to grab the extra $100 of the night and finished third.  Steve Meyer started tenth and finished fourth, and pole sitter Leah Wroten completed the top five. It is pretty rare to find three lady racers in one race, but it happened last evening when Leah Wroten, Taylor Kuehl, and Kylie Rawlins all started the A feature.  Good job ladies! 

The finale of the night was 20 laps of ground pounding IMCA Modifieds.  This was a back and forth race the entire time between Richie Gustin and Joel Rust.  Gustin held the upper hand to claim the lead on lap one, Rust took over on lap two, and Gustin returned the favor on lap four.  It was a tight race from there on out, with Rust establishing the top spot on lap nine, but Gustin right on his tail.  Rust was the victor on this night, flashing across the finish line to take his first win at Marshalltown for 2022. It was a thrilling race for the fans and no doubt, those top two drivers!  Gustin had to settle for second place.  Tim Ward took third, Drew Janssen was fourth, and Johnathon Logue finished fifth.  

The next racing at the Marshalltown Speedway will be a mid-week special on Wednesday, May 18, when it is Castrol FloRacing Night in America. The Dirt Super Late Models come to town for a much anticipated appearance after last year's rain out.  The IMCA Modifieds will also be racing for $1,000 pay off, and IMCA Stock Cars will have a chance at $750. Check the Marshalltown Speedway Facebook page for information on securing a reserved seat for this long awaited race for the prestigious late models. General admission is also available. Then it will be back to regular Friday night action on May 20, with IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, STARS Mod Lites, and the Outlaw Mini Mods will also be racing. 

It was wonderful not having to fight the cold and wind last evening that has been so prevalent this season, and be able to really enjoy some racing comfortably!  Also nice to get back together with racing family....just another part of the enjoyment of the racing community. The new announcer at Marshalltown this year is Rodney Tomlinson, and Jerry Vansickel was a stand in flagman, among his many other duties last evening. 

Let's keep the sport we all love alive and well.  A racing calendar is available at Positively Racing to find a race you may like to attend.    

Two Driver Go Two for Two, in '22 at the Monster Half-Mile

 It was finally weather that was conducive for racing Wednesday night at the Southern Iowa Speedway.  Some might say it was too warm, but after the first night's race, this was more than a welcome change for me at least! 

The five regular classes were in competition that brought 61 cars to try their hand at conquering the Monster Half-Mile. 

First up were the Non-Wing Sprint cars.  Doug Sylvester looked to be well on his way to his first win at Osky this year as he led from the drop of the green.  A yellow at lap three when the "Colfax Comet", Robert Bell smacked the turn one wall, closed the gap, putting Ben Woods right on his tail for the restart, but Sylvester drove off, leaving Woods and Jonathan Hughes duking it out for second and third.  Sylvester took the white flag, still in command of the race, but he slid high in turn one, which allowed both Woods and Hughes to get by him for the final run to the checkers.  Woods held off Hughes at the checkers, as they finished one and two, Sylvester finishing a no doubt, disappointing third.  Garrett Alexander and Kelly Graham wrapped up the top five finishing positions.

The running order was shuffled last evening, bringing the Stock Cars to the track next for their 16 lap main event.  It was looking to be an easy victory for Nathan Wood as he shot off to the lead and distanced himself from the pack.  Hold on though.  Last year's track champion, Derrick Agee had now gotten through traffic, and was on the hunt for the leader.  By lap thirteen, Agee had closed the gap, and on the white flag lap, the two were side by side as they crossed the flagstand.  Agee managed the pass shortly after that in turn two, and he made it stick, taking his #14 ride home to the checkers.  Wood had to be satisfied with the runner up spot on this night.  Following a distant third was Jason McDaniel, Indianola's Steve Byers was fourth, and Dustin Griffiths took fifth.  Agee also won the previous opening night, making it back to back wins.  The race went flag to flag.

The Sport Compacts followed with another non-stop race in their 10 lap A main.  Lewie Winkleman led the first two laps, with Matt Moore snatching the top spot away on lap three.  By lap five, Moore had opening night winner Terry Bickford to contend with.  Bickford, who started sixth, had drawn to the tail of leader Moore, and was wanting more.  He got that chance out of turn two after the white flag flew.  He made the pass, and was able to grab his second win in as many weeks, after getting his first EVER on opening night. Moore was second, followed by Winkelman in third, James Haring in fourth, and veteran racer Bob "Gabby" Hayes, was fifth.  With Bickford's back to back wins, he too followed with another of announcer Jerry Mackey's coined phrases from last evening, "Two for two, in '22!"  

Pole sitter, Maguire DeJong left no doubt in his winning the SportMod feature, doing so easily. He shot off to the immediate lead and by lap seven, had a full straightaway lead.  A caution caused when Travis Bunnell went spinning in corner four, was no issue for DeJong on the restart.  He again pulled away, and took the checkers far ahead of second place Logan Anderson.  Veteran racer Curtis Van Der Wal finished in third place, Brayton Carter was fourth, and Kyle Harwood was fifth.  DeJong is also piloting a Modified this season at tracks in the area who run the class, gaining experience in that new division to him.

The finale of the evening was the 14 lap Hobby Stock feature.  Rick VanDusseldorp had the lead as lap one was scored but by lap three, it was Aaron Martin holding down the top spot, Keaton Gorden into second, with VanDusseldorp dropping to run third.  A couple of laps later, VanDusseldorp was back up to second and applying pressure to the leader.  With just a couple of laps remaining, Gorden had once again taken over the runner up spot, and was peeking to the outside for a way around Martin.  Then a caution flew for VanDusseldorp, which appeared to be a flat.  However, upon running through the hot pit, he was immediately returning to tag the field for the restart.  His return was short lived however, as an unknown issue then took him out of the race on another caution.  This late in the race, it was now a green-white-checkered dash to the finish line.  Martin held on to his lead, to take the checkers first.  It appeared from the stands, that Keaton Gordon took second place, but he was officially credited with third, with Dustin Griffiths just beating him out for second.  Fourth went to Austin Barnes, and Kale Hemsley, Sigourney, going fifth. 

It was so much nicer setting without shivering and being so windblown last evening. Last time there was not pleasant to be out in the elements!  Let's hope Mother Nature continues to letting us race fans enjoy some of our passion.  Find a race to attend, and keep dirt track racing alive and well.   

 

Leeman finds first Modified win at Boone

After two consecutive weeks of rain outs, the Boone Speedway sprang back to life with a big show on Saturday night.  Drivers from near and far packed the pits with 176 race cars, that included the extra added attraction of the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks racing along with the five regular IMCA classes. And, FINALLY, the weather cooperated without fans having to bundle up to watch the racing action....though the strong winds still continued to persist, thankfully out of the south.  

The D & E Outside Services IMCA Modifieds saw a first timer take the win, when Brandon Leeman took the checkers.  In the Arnold Motor Supply IMCA Stock Cars, it was Josh Daniels with the victory.  Cam Reimers was victorious in the Elmquist Towing IMCA Northern SportMods, while Mike Smith took the honors in the Pickett Salvage IMCA Hobby Stocks.  Joel Huggins made it back-to-back wins in the My Race Pass STARS IMCA Mod Lites, and Rod Richards hopped into a Karl Chevrolet Dirt Truck, and came away with a win.

The STARS Mod Lites ran their 15 lap feature first.  Joel Huggins dominated, leading all but the opening two laps of the event.  He was challenged early by Joe Glick, but that would end suddenly on lap seven when Glick clipped a tire in turn one, nearly rolling, and then three others cars getting caught up in the incident. As the action picked back up, Huggins pulled away, matching his win from opening night.  Cory Sonner took the runner up spot.  Third went to pole sitter, Austin Gray, Jon Braathun was hard charger, coming from seventeenth starting spot to take fourth, and Steven Kennedy took fifth, after starting fifteenth.

It was great to see Jason Toppenberg back racing a Mod Lite. Toppenberg is a veteran racer who has come full circle over the years according to announcer Jerry Vansickel, having tried his hand first with what was then called the Dwarf car, then trying his hand at several other classes that included Modified, Late Model, and even some drag racing.  He looked to not have missed a beat and was running in second place with four laps remaining, when he pulled off during the caution.

Cam Reimers led all laps of the IMCA Northern SportMod feature to take his first win of the season.  Colton Nelson chased Reimers for most of the race, but had to be content with second place.  The final lap of the race saw Kaylin Lopez and Izac Mallicoat, running third and fourth respectively, have issues, and not finish the race.  This put Dusty Masolini to cross the finish line for a third place finish, and Kenny Wyman in fourth.  Taylor Musselman started twelfth, and rounded out the top five.

Reimers, in his sharp looking Mystic Lubricant's ride, spent some time racing out West during our off season here, and honed his skills on some different racing surfaces, and being quite successful.

A first time winner in the IMCA Modifieds found victory lane at Boone Saturday night.  Roland, Iowa's Brandon Leeman took the lead away from Jamie Anderson on lap five, and kept it the rest of the way to score his first Modified victory at the track.  Jake McBirnie made up ground in the closing moments in a late race charge, and fell just short at the checkers, and had to be content with the runner up spot. Jamie Anderson held on for third place, fourth went to Nick Meyer, and Nick Roberts was fifth.  Leeman used to race in the SportMod division, and as of recent years has been in the Modified class. A look back through my unofficial records, it appears this was his first time standing on the podium at Boone.

It was a two truck race the entire 20 laps of the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Truck main event.  Rod Richards, usually found behind the wheel of his IMCA Stock Car, got the call to pilot the usual ride of Bryan Spangler.  He and Indianola's Jeff Johnson dueled it out for the entire race, with Johnson holding the upper hand from lap three on.  That is, until the final corner as they were looking at the checkers.  Richards took advantage of a lap vehicle, and made the pass to slip by for the win.  Johnson had to be content with second place, Rick Clark, Shawn Cooney, and Shonn Mapes completed the top five.

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars found Josh Daniels standing in Victory Lane at the end of their 20 lap feature.  He slipped by early leader Nick Roberts just before a caution flag flew on lap six.  When the race returned to action, Daniels distanced himself from the pack in the remaining laps, and took the comfortable win.  It was a duel for second and third as Donavon Smith and Jay Schmidt duked it out....Smith getting the upper hand and taking the runner up position, Schmidt going third.  Matt West was fourth after starting twelfth, and Devin Smith hard charged his way through the field, coming from twentieth starting spot, to take fifth.

The finale of the night was 15 laps of IMCA Hobby Stock action.  Mike Smith started on the outside front row, took the immediate lead, and never looked back.  John Watson reeled in Smith in the closing laps, but ran out of laps to do more than second place.  Curt Reed was third, pole sitter Seth Butler was fourth, and Chad Rigby in fifth.

It seemed strange not to see veteran racer Robert Stofer racing his familiar #50 in the Stock Car division tonight, but lo and behold, there he was racing in the Northern SportMod class!  We also noted Tanner Jones, who hails from Ogallala, Nebraska and races in the IMCA Stock Car division, now shows Boone, Iowa as home.  It appears he joins a growing number of drivers from the west now calling Iowa home. Another observation of the night saw Taylor Kuehl, the talented lady racer who hails from Arizona and now calls Boone, Iowa home, was doing double duty.  She raced her hotrod in the Northern SportMod class, (she won the Frostbuster as well as opening night) and then hopped in Jerry Schipper's Stock Car for some extra racing action.   

Boone will keep earlier hours during the month of May, with hot laps at 5, and racing at 6, before returning to "summer hours" in June with hot laps at 6 and racing at 7. 

Get out and find a race to attend.  Keep the sport we all love, alive and well.