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.
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