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.
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