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.
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