Wood continues to school them in Stock Cars

 It was Middlekoop Seed and Dickey Transport Kids Night at the Southern Iowa Speedway on Wednesday and another beautiful night for racing.  The youngsters got to enjoy some pre-race rides around the track with many of the drivers participating, and then at intermission got to scramble for nickels and candy. 

The running order was changed last evening, with the SportMods coming to the track for their feature first.

The first few laps of the 14 lap event found Logan Anderson as top man on the totem pole but it wasn't long until Maguire DeJong was breathing down his tailpipes.

Anderson and DeJong put on a good show for the crowd as they ran side by side for several laps and it was nearly a dead heat as lap ten was scored.  But then, DeJong was able to power by Anderson in turn two and the final circuits saw him pull away to score another convincing win.

Logan Anderson trailed a distant runner up, Curtis VanDerWal took third, and it was Trent Orwig and Kyle Boyd completing the top five.

DeJong repeated his win from last Wednesday, and the victory marked his fourth of the season.

The Stock Cars came up next for their 14 lap A Main.  Early leader was Steve Byers, Indianola, Iowa racer,  By lap four, Byers was pulling away, content to let Derrick Agee, Nathan Wood, and Dustin Griffiths fight for second.  A caution then flew and erased his comfortable lead.  When the race restarted, it didn't take long until Nathan Wood was now the leader.  Another yellow flew at lap nine, but it was of no issue for Wood as he went on to take the checkers well ahead of second place Byers.  Griffiths was a distant third, and it was Agee and Cayden Carter (driving the #1X Stock Car) rounding out the top five.

Wood schooled the field...ironic as he had just wrapped up his tenure as superintendent of the Montezuma Schools....as he continued his recent winning streak, his third win in as many weeks.

There were seven Non-Wing Sprinters in the house last night though the #n3 listed as Nicholas Marts was never spotted.  They ran next for their ten lap main event.

This one was over from the drop of the green, as the hotshoe of recent times, Ben Woods had the lead on lap one from starting fourth, and from there on never looked back.  He pulled the field and won going away as the checkers flew.

Trailing a distant second was the "Colfax Comet", Robert Bell, Steve Pumphrey was a close third, Doug Sylvester was fourth, and Kelly Graham was fifth.

This was Woods' third win in a row, and his fifth of the year.  The only other winner has been Jonathan Hughes, with two under his belt, and he was not in the house last evening.  

It was a good race up front in the 10 lap Sport Compact A.  Matt Moore took the lead as the race went green, but Terry Bickford was on his tail.  The two battled it out, sometimes running side by side, until Bickford was finally able to establish the lead for good on lap eight, and went home to the flying checkers.  

Matt Moore finished as the runner up, James Haring was a distant third place finisher, Seth Meinders was fourth, and Tyler Haring was fifth.  This was Bickford's fifth win of the year after getting his first career win back in April.

The Hobby Stocks completed the night's racing with their 14 lap A main.  Aaron Martin took the immediate lead as the race went green, only to have the yellow come out with just that first lap down.  It was no issue for Martin however, as he sailed off from the field as the race restarted, and won going away.  

There was a good battle for second as Trevor Tanner and Dustin Griffiths duked it out in a good contest.  However, it was the veteran Griffiths winning out on the final lap, taking second, and Tanner having to be content with third.  Brad Stephens was a distant fourth, and Rick VanDusseldorp was fifth.

Next week, July 6, is Hall of Fame Induction Night at the races.  That's when Mike Spilman, Sonny Smyser, Troy Folkerts, and Kenny Fenn will be honored.

It was announced that there will be no races on July 13, but then the Southern Iowa Fair race will be held on Tuesday, July 19.  The fair race will be the Caleb Hammond Memorial, honoring the young fan who lost his battle with cancer a few years ago. Then, unbelievably, July 27, will be Season Championships, ending the regular season at the monster half mile. The Annual Musco Lighting Fall Challenge is scheduled for October 14 and 15.

It was another beautiful night to be setting at a race track again, and enjoying it with racing family and friends.  The season is winding down so quickly, so get out and find a race to attend.  Help keep dirt track racing alive and well. 

Reynolds takes Inaugural King of the Katwalks crown

The Inaugural running of the King of the Katwalks for IMCA Stock Cars was held at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night. Big money was on the line in this one with $2500 going to the winner, and $260 just to start the feature.  The pits were swelled with 202 race cars in the five IMCA divisions along with the Outlaw Mini Mods joining them for a full night of racing action.

Chase Rudolf captured the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature, and it was Kaden Reynolds taking home the title of King of the Katwalks in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars.  The Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod win went to Cole Fenske, and Mike Smith took a thrilling win in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks.  Austin Gray came home to the checkers in the IMCA STARS Mod Lite feature, and Nathan Kilwine took the honors in the Outlaw Mini Mods.

Austin Gray grabbed the lead on lap one of the 15 lap feature for the STARS Mod Lites, and held it the entire distance to claim his first ever trip to Victory Lane at the track.  Randy Bryan started tenth, fought his way past Joel Huggins on lap twelve, and finished a close runner up, with Huggins nipping at his heels in third.  Bryan Zehm was fourth, and Jon Braathun rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Northern SportMods ran their 18 lap feature next.  Cole Fenske ran down early leader David Hoover and took command on lap eight, never to look back.  The final laps saw Fenske crack the whip and pull away to a convincing win and take his first ever trip to the winner's circle at the Boone Speedway.  Taylor Kuehl was impressive with her run from fifteenth starting spot to take second.  Danny Fye took third, Jake Sachau took fourth after starting twelfth, and veteran racer Robert Stofer, who jumped from Stock Cars into the SportMod class this season, finished fifth.

Chase Rudolf took the flying checkers in the 20 lapper for the IMCA Modifieds.  Rudolf started from the pole and led all laps on his way to a first visit to Victory Lane.  Rudolf pulled away to a good lead but Russ Dickerson was able to reel him in and attempt a challenge.  However, it was to no avail as Rudolf flashed under the checkers first for the win.  Russ Dickerson was second, Mike VanGenderen powered by Ronn Lauritzen at the finish line as they went third and fourth respectively, and Brandon Leeman completed the top five. This was Rudolf's first ever Modified victory at the speedway.

The Outlaw Mini Mods brought 27 entries for their first trip to the track this year.  They ran 15 laps for their main event.  Nathan Kilwine, Glenville, Minnesota started tenth, and was in the lead with just a handful of laps in the books. He then pulled away to take the easy victory.  Following a distant second was twelfth place starter, Ben Kraus, third went to Kamdyn Haggard, fourth was Dalton Faber, and Bobby Daniels took fifth.

The Outlaw Mini Mods have been been running a five race series deemed Hell Week.  Kilwine won the first night at the Stuart Speedway, Ben Kraus won night #2 at the Kossuth County Speedway, it was Kilwine again at Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night, as well as last night at Boone.  The series ends up at the Mason City Speedway on Sunday night.  

The headliner for the night's racing was the Inaugural King of the Katwalks for the IMCA Stock Cars, thanks to Fox Welding/Vermeer, and VanEaton Pork.  Todd VanEaston races the #V31 Stock Car, and the feature event went 31 laps, honoring his sponsorship of the evening. 

The Class too Tough to Tame came out in full force, with 57 cars checked in.  After qualifying though six heats, and three B mains, 24 cars were locked into the feature.  Two track provisionals were added.... Josh Daniels and Tyler Pickett who were tops in track points that had not qualified, making it a 26 car starting field.

First and second in the six heats came to the frontstretch to determine their starting spots, and after a rousing game of "keep it, or pass it", it was Jake McBirnie that held the #1 starting position, and rookie to the class, Kaden Reynolds would start to his outside.

McBirnie, usually piloting his IMCA Modified, was in his sharp looking Stock Car last evening in his quest for the King of the Katwalks title. He held down the lead as lap one was scored, but on lap two, it was Reynolds with the upper hand.  Reynolds was content to run out front while a big battle was brewing behind him with Jeff Mueller, Damon Murty, Travis Barker, and Devin Smith duking it out. 

Reynolds happily sailed along untouched as the race wore on, and as the checkers flew to the rookie, he snagged the crown to the first running of the King of the Katwalks at the Boone Speedway.  Jeff Mueller came home in second place, holding off Damon Murty in third.  Devin Smith took fourth, and Travis Barker claimed fifth.  The race went 31 laps, green to checkers.

Reynolds was a happy camper in his post race interview in Victory Lane.  The young man out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa had great success in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, and is in his first season in the IMCA Stock Car class.

The IMCA Hobby Stocks put a night cap on the racing.  They went 20 laps in their feature.  Chad Rigby looked poised to getting his first win, taking the lead on lap three.  Meanwhile Mike Smith had been running him down and with just a few laps remaining was throwing some hard challenges, but to no avail.  Then a caution on lap fourteen, setting up a green-white-checkered finish.  Smith threw a slide that didn't stick with a lap remaining, but a second try stuck as they came to the checkers, Smith winning by a nose, and Rigby finishing no doubt, a disappointing second.  Veteran racer Wayne Gifford was third, fourth went to John Watson, and pole sitter, Tanner Jones was fifth.

I look back at some of my unofficial record keeping shows what the competition has been like at Boone this race season.  In seven weeks of weekly racing, the car count has averaged 165.  There have been six different feature winners in the Mod Lites, six different in the Stock Cars, six different in the Northern SportMods, and there have been no repeat winners in the Modifieds...seven different feature winners.  

Last night, with the anticipated high car count, start times were earlier.  The early start times will now stand until further notice.  The pits open at 3:30, the grandstands at 4:30, with hot laps at 5, and racing at 6. 

It was great to catch up with Dustin Jarrett last evening, who was in the area from his Ohio home base.  He is a talented announcer/voice over, etc., who has a vast knowledge of the racing world, and a background in various race venues, including FloRacing, Speed Channel, DirtonDirt, the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Models, and announcing at the Eldora Speedway.   

Find a race to attend, and keep supporting dirt track racing. We all need to help keep it alive and well!

Two Murtys in a shoot out for the Stock Car $1K

 It was Drury Automotive and Truck Repair Night at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday evening with extra money on the line for the IMCA Stock Cars, and the STARS Mod Li

Joel Rust took a dominate win in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds.  Damon Murty went home $1,000 richer with his Sunoco IMCA Stock Car win.  Sam Wieben captured his first win of the season in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod class, and Bradly Graham took his first trip to Victory Lane at Marshalltown in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock division.  It was Randy Bryan returning to the winner's circle as he took the checkers in the STARS Mod Lites, and the Outlaw Mini Mods were an added class on the night that saw Nathan Kilwine with the victory.  

Randy Bryan would lead all 15 laps of the STARS Mod Lite main event and pull away to take the easy win and pocket the $350.  Second place went to tenth place starter, Jon Padilla from Silvis, Illinois.  Joel Huggins trailed a distant third, and Joe Glick and Ben George completed the top five.  The race went caution free.

The visiting Outlaw Mini Mods made their second trip to Marshalltown this year and they were up next on the track for their 15 lap feature. 

Michael Bryant led from the drop of the green and was looking to be on his way to the checkers until a caution at lap twelve halted the action.  As the race returned to green flag racing, it was Nathan Kilwine who came calling, flashing to the lead from restarting third.  From then on, Kilwine kept hold of that top spot the rest of the way to the checkers and the win.  Troy Ihrke, Sheffield, Iowa took the runner up position, and earlier leader Michael Bryant was third.  Ben Kraus, Britt, Iowa came from tenth to finish fourth, and Bobby Daniels was fifth.  Kilwine, who hails from Glenville, Minnesota also won back on May 20, when the Mini Mods made their initial appearance.

The IMCA Northern SportMods went 20 laps for their feature event.  Braden Richards held down the lead through the first seven laps.  That's when a caution flew. Then when the racing action picked back up, Sam Wieben wasted no time in making his move to the lead after restarting in third position. Wieben then kept command of the race, and held it to capture his first win of the year at the track.  Kaylin Lopez trailed a distance behind to take second place.  The Olson cousins battled it out for third and fourth, with Tony Olson taking third, and Kyle Olson coming home in fourth place.  Travis Peterson rounded out the top five.  

The IMCA Hobby Stocks were running a caution free race in their 20 lap A Main until the first caution flew at lap seventeen.  At that time, Bradly Graham was leading after getting by Sam West a few laps earlier.  He had stretched out his lead and was no doubt counting down those final three laps, anxious to see the checkers.  That's when the yellow rag just kept flying.  There was another yellow before lap eighteen was in the books, then two more yellows flew on lap eighteen!  This set up a green-white-checkered dash to finish line....Graham still holding the upper hand.  Graham kept his composure and kept that top spot to the waving checkers and the win.....his first ever at Marshalltown.  Seth Butler came from ninth, to finish second, and William Klosterman from eighth to finish third.  Jeremiah Andrews was fourth, and Scott Ellis started thirteenth, and was fifth.  Graham started tenth on his drive to the checkers.

The IMCA Modified went 20 laps for their feature event that saw Scott Simatovich leading the first three laps of the race.  Then Joel Rust came flying on the top shelf of the track and snatched the lead away.  From there on out it was all Rust's race as he pulled away to take a dominate victory.  Jimmy Gustin started sixth and had a good run to finish as the runner up.  Tim Ward advanced seven spots to finish third.  Hebron, Illinois racer, Dustin Kroening finished fourth, and Ethan Braaksma was fifth.  The only caution of the race flew at lap one, and then the race was all green flag racing. Joel Rust won for the third time this season.

The IMCA Stock Cars were running for $1,000 and you just knew it was going to be a good one as the Class too Tough too Tame always puts on a good show, and with the extra money on the line, it would bring the cream to the top.  

Austin Kaplan has been a strong runner in the Stock Car class all year long at Marshalltown, and he took advantage of his outside front row starting spot, and grabbed the lead immediately.

Kaplan quickly had Dallon Murty and Michael Jaennette to contend with. Then suddenly Damon Murty was in the picture. By lap five, he was running in third place after starting twelfth.  Kaplan continued to hold off the two Murty's until lap twelve, when Damon pulled off a perfectly executed slide job to take over the number one spot.   A caution flew at lap seventeen and on the restart, Dallon Murty got the upper hand on Kaplan to take over second place. 

The father/son duo then held those spots to the finish line....dad Damon taking the checkers, and his "Game Changer" son, having to be content with second on this night.  Kaplan held on to third place, Kaden Reynolds took fourth, and Michael Jaennette was fifth.  This was Damon Murty's second win of the season.

There had been a STRONG south/southeast wind blowing all night long.  Thankfully, on this night, it was to our backs. However, we had no idea that some weather was moving in close by as the night wore on.  We were surprised to find raindrops falling JUST as the final checkers flew.  We weren't far from the track when things cut loose.  We drove through some pretty heavy rain at times, but just when we reached the outskirts of Grinnell, it was dry.  Mother Nature held off just long enough last night for the racing action to see the final checkers fly.

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

DeJong Out for a Sunday Drive at the Monster Half-mile

 It was finally back to the Southern Iowa Speedway for some midweek racing last evening.  A beautiful night it was for the Bill & Ray's Truck Repair Night and bike give away for the kids.  By my count, there were 56 cars that ran on the Monster Half-mile for another entertaining night of racing.

Things kicked off with the Sport Compacts and their 10 lap feature event.  There were nine competitors checked in. It was Seth Meinders holding down the top spot for the first handful of laps after holding off James Haring.  It was a good race between the two until Haring finally made his way around at lap six to claim the number one spot.  

A yellow at lap nine threw Haring's expected win out the window, when the caution set up a green-white-checkered finish.  Meinders was still running in second spot, but the hot shoe this season at the track, Terry Bickford had now moved into third spot, and both were anxious for the restart.

Bickford was able to make the pass into second in the closing moments, and though he gave it his all with a low look to the inside as they approached the checkered flag coming out of turn four, it was to no avail, and Haring went home with the win on this night.  Bickford, who has four wins this year at Osky, had to be content with second place.  Third went to Meinders, Matt Moore finished fourth, and Russell Klisaris from Earlham, rounded out the top five.  Haring said in his post race interview with Jerry Mackey, this was his first ever circle track win.  Congratulations to him. It's always great to see those first time winners.

The Non-Wing Sprint Cars ran their 10 lap feature next with seven cars checked in.  Tyler Graves started on the pole and held the lead until Ben Woods took command on lap four.  From there on it was all the 11B's race and he pulled away to capture the dominate win.  

Doug Sylvester was the runner up, Graves took third place, and Kelly Graham and Robert Bell completed the top five.

The Stock Cars had thirteen checked in, and they took to the track next for their 14 lap feature.  Drawing the pole for race was the 1X car driven on this night by Cayden Carter....no stranger to getting around the big old half-mile.   

A caution flew on lap one when Dustin Griffiths came flying into turn one a little too hot and heavy, and ended up in the turn one fence, putting himself out of the contest.

On the restart, with Carter still leading, it was just a brief moment until sixth place starter Nathan Wood came calling and took over the top spot.  Wood held the top spot, putting distance between himself and the rest of the field, and then when Carter, who was still running second suddenly pulled into the infield at lap eleven of the fourteen lapper, it was an easy road to victory for Wood.  Following a good distance behind was Jason McDaniel who took the runner up position, Donnie Pearson held off Clinton Goff at the finish line as they went third and fourth respectively, and Indianola's Steve Byers took fifth.  Woods matched his win from last week, going back-to-back. 

Maguire DeJong left no doubt in his dominating performance in taking the 14 lap SportMod feature win, with twelve cars.....Tony Johnson just making it in time to run the feature. DeJong drew the pole and was off like a rocket immediately.  It was a Sunday drive for the young man from Montezuma, Iowa as he won by half a lap at the checkers in the flag-to-flag race.  

Visitor to the track last night, Jason Roth, from Hazel Green, Wisconsin, who is here on a racing vacation and catching different tracks in the area, was pretty dominate as well.  He finished second, and well ahead of Oskaloosa's Curtis VanDerWal who was third.  Finishing a close fourth was Kyle Harwood, and Tyler Heckart was fifth.  This was DeJong's third win of the year at Oskaloosa.  VanDerWal has two wins, and the only other winner was Dyan VanWyk who won opening night. 

It was the Hobby Stocks 14 lap feature to close out the night's racing. Fifteen cars were in competition.  Dustin Griffiths redeemed himself in this one, after his mishap in the Stock Cars.  He started fifth, and had the lead on lap two, never to look back.  He did have to hold off the challenges of veteran racer, Brad Stephens who gave it a look for a way around several times, but to no avail.  Griffiths held the top spot to take the flying checkers, and Stephens was the runner up.  Third went to Knoxville's Trevor Tanner, Aaron Martin came home in fourth place, and Keaton Gorden was fifth.

Next week will be Kid's Night at the Races, with a nickel and candy toss.  The following week, July 6, will be Hall of Fame Induction night.  Those voted in by the fans are Sonny Smyser, Troy Folkerts, and Mike Spilman.  A fourth inductee is Kenny Fenn, voted in by, I believe, those already in the Hall of Fame.  

It was a beautiful night to be setting at a race track. The humidity was down and it was just comfortable to be setting in the grandstand. The evening also provided a beautiful sunset as a backdrop. Something I always look for.  Mother Nature seems to do that quite often at our Iowa race tracks.

Get out and find a race to enjoy, and keep the sport we all love, alive and well.....dirt track racing. 

   

Perfect night for Watson, as McBirnie, Jerovetz, Richards, and Bryan see checkers as well

We were back at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night, after two straight weeks of Mother Nature winning. One hundred sixty-three cars checked into the pits, and provided a full and action packed night of racing for the fans. 

Jake McBirnie got his first win this year at Iowa's Action Track when he took the checkers in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modified class.  Troy Jerovetz won the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature event, and Braden Richards got his first win at the Speedway in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods.  John Watson had a perfect night winning his heat, the feature, and King of the Hill challenge in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Randy Bryan took the checkers in the STARS Mod Lite A main.  It was Don Mason and Jason Miller taking the 2 man cruiser event.

It took several tries before the STARS Mod Lites found their racing rhythm.  Austin Gray was the early leader but Bryan Zehm came calling on the topside and took command by lap five.  He soon had Randy Bryan on his tail, and just a lap later, Bryan had snatched the top spot away.  The remaining laps of the contest was all the Bryan and Zehm show up front in a heated battle, but in the end, it was Bryan holding off Zehm as the checkers flew.  Bryan chalked up his second feature win of the 2022 season, and Zehm had to be content with second place.  Following a distance behind in third was Austin Gray, Joe Glick was fourth, and  Jon Braathun completed the top five.

A late race caution flag at lap fourteen of the eighteen lap Northern SportMod feature was bad luck for Chris Burk.  Burk had led from the drop of the green. He had pulled away to a substantial lead when the race was halted and erased that easy road. This put rookie Braden Richards to restart in second position when the race returned to green.  Richards swung to the top of the track, and had the lead when lap fifteen was scored.  He then held it to the flying checkers and the win.  Chris Burk held on to second, third went to ninth place starter Izac Mallicoat, fourth was Camden Vincent, and Dusty Lynch came from eleventh, to finish fifth.  This was Richards first win at the track, and only his second career win in the division, after getting that first win under his belt out in Arizona this past winter.  Richards moved up this year after spending time in the Hobby Stock ranks previously. 

Up next was the 20 lap feature event for the ground pounding IMCA Modifieds.  There was lots of tight and intense racing in this one.  Brandon Leeman led the first eleven laps of the event, with heavy action right behind as Jimmy Gustin, Jake McBirnie, Mike VanGenderen, and Paul Nagle were duking it out.  McBirnie got the upper hand on lap twelve, and brought Jimmy Gustin along to tag into second.  The final laps saw the top contenders space themselves out evenly behind, and McBirnie took the comfortable win.  Jimmy Gustin took the runner up spot on one of his best runs of the year, Paul Nagle finished third, Cody Laney started fourteenth, and finished fourth, and Jeremy Mills was fifth after starting in tenth position.  This was McBirnie's first win at the track this year.  He became the sixth different feature winner of the year with no repeat winners.  His consistency however sees him setting #1 in the track points race. 

The IMCA Hobby Stocks went 15 laps for the main event, and it was John Watson dominating this one.  Watson started sixth, and took command of the race at lap four, and never looked back.  Young Mike Smith did make it a close finish though as he flew through field from starting eighteenth, and finished a close second.  Seth Janssen took third over Josh VanCannon in fourth, and Eric Knutson came from twelfth, to finish fifth. Eric Knutson holds the points lead in the Hobby Stock ranks.  

Earlier the IMCA Hobby Stocks ran a King of the Hill contest.  The top 8 in track points were locked in, and 8 more raced in through their heats.  John Watson made it a perfect night, winning his heat, the feature, and taking home the King of the Hill crown.  He bested Mike Smith, Seth Butler, and Solomon Bennett in the final round to take the title. 

The night cap of the evening was the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature.  Troy Jerovetz started sixth and got the lead on lap six, never to relinquish it.  Tyler Pickett chased Jerovetz most of the non-stop race, and in the closing moments made it a close one at the line, but had to settle for second.  Trent Murphy took third, Josh Daniels moved from twelfth starting spot to finish fourth, and Donavon Smith came from fourteenth, to take fifth.  This was the second win for Jerovetz at the speedway this year. Donavon Smith holds the point lead, 9 points up on brother Devin Smith. 

It's always great to see a new driver pick up his first checkers ever...even in a heat race.  Young Rowdee VanGenderen, 14 year old son of the Flying Dutchman, Mike VanGenderen won his Stock Car heat last night, and saw the checkers flying for him for the first time. No doubt, the first of many more he will see. 

Next Saturday night, June 25 will be the Inaugural Fox Welding/Vermeer King of the Katwalks, presented by VanEaton Pork for the IMCA Stock Cars and $2,500 to win.  It will also be a B & B Chassis All-Star Invitational Qualifier. It's a well paying night for the Stock Cars, with 2nd place taking $2,000 home, third $1,500, $1,000 for fourth, $750 for fifth, $500 for sixth, $450 for seventh, $400 for eighth, $350 for ninth, and $300 for tenth place. and a minimum of $250 to start with $75 tow money. It's a draw/redraw format and there is no entry fee. Look for a big field of cars in the Class too Tough to Tame!!  

Murty Takes Thriller at the Wire

We were glad to finally get back to racing after Boone Speedway raining out the past two weeks, and Marshalltown's rain cancellation last week, plus missing Osky for a couple of weeks too, it was time to get back to watching some good old dirt track racing.  We had been "filling in" with some ppv broadcasts to get some racing fix, but nothing like being there live!  

Dallon Murty made a thrilling last corner power move to take the feature win in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds.  It was Miciah Hidlebaugh going away with the victory in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature, and Tony Olson bested cousin Kyle Olson in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod main event.  Solomon Bennett took the $400 pay day by coming out on top of the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Steven Kennedy took his first career win in the STARS Mod Lites, and Tyler Fiebelkorn won the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact A main.

Things kicked off with the Mod Lites and their 15 lap main event.  Steven Kennedy started on the pole and led all laps of the caution free race (the ONLY caution free race of the night) on his way to a dominate victory, taking the checkers well ahead of second place Randy Bryan.  Third went to Austin Gray, who started sixth, fourth was tenth place starter Jason Masengarb, Colona, Illinois, and rounding out the top five was Milan, Illinois's Jacob Copley.  Kennedy is following in his father Mike's footsteps, getting his first career win at Marshalltown on Friday night.  Nice Father's Day present! 

The Northern SportMods had more than their share of trouble trying to get their 18 lap feature even started.  After two or three initial "no goes", and then another caution at lap one, the drivers were struggling to find their racing rhythm.  When another caution flew at lap five, the driver in command was Evandale, Iowa's Will Wolf, with Travis Peterson, and a couple of Olson cousin's....Tony and Kyle, all lurking close behind and anxious for the restart.  It didn't take long before it was a race between the Olson boys, first Kyle taking command, and then Tony taking the top spot shortly thereafter.  The closing laps saw Tony Olson keep that lead, and then put some breathing room between himself and cousin Tony as they finished one-two at the checkers.  Wolf held the third place spot, fourth went to  Travis Peterson, and Kalin Lopez rounded out the top five.  This was Tony Olson's first victory at the track this season, as he begins his quest to catch cousin Kyle who has three under his belt.

The Hobby Stocks were running for a $400 pay off on this night.  There was a lot of different leaders on the first handful of laps.  Mark Hidlebaugh led lap one, lap two it was Darin DeZwarte, lap three, Solomon Bennett was leading, and then it was John Watson with the lead on lap five.  Watson looked to have things well in hand when he established that top spot, but a caution on lap sixteen changed that up. The battle for the lead was intense on the restart, and Watson got the bad luck of that deal, getting jostled and falling back and Solomon Bennett coming out with the lead.  Bennett would keep the top spot the rest of the way to the checkers and seal the win.  Finishing a close second was tenth place starter, Bradley Graham, third went to Seth Butler, Eric Knutson was fourth, and Sully, Iowa's Cory VanderWilt came from twelfth to finish fifth. 

It was a first time win at Marshalltown for Menlo, Iowa's Miciah Hidlebaugh when he took the checkers in the 20 lap IMCA Stock Cars.  He became the lucky recipient of the lead when two hard-battling drivers, Jay Schmidt, and Steve Meyer had misfortune at lap eighteen when they were going at it tooth and nail.  Schmidt had taken over the top spot from Meyer and then the two got together when it appeared Schmidt just lost the handle in turn one just after lap eighteen had been scored....resulting in them both spinning and stopped under the yellow.  This gave Hidlebaugh the lead with just two laps remaining, and he held on and took the win.  Finishing second was veteran hometown racer, Jeff Wollam who started eleventh.  Michael Jaennette was third, fourth went to Scott Rice, and Mike Goldsberry was fifth. Hidlebaugh started tenth on his drive to victory lane.  

It was a close battle from lap eight to the finish between Ronn Lauritzen and Dallon Murty in the 20 lap IMCA Modified feature....Lauritzen with the upper hand.  The two talented racers duked it out lap after lap, Murty looking high, and looking low for a way around, to no avail. The crowd was on it's feet on that final lap, when Murty swung to the topside in a power move coming out of corner four, and just nipped Lauritzen at the line for the win.  Lauritzen had to be content with second place, though no doubt disappointed.  Hometown driver, Jimmy Gustin came from fourteenth starting spot, to take third place.  Fourth went to Gat Leytham, and Cory Sauerman started tenth, and finished fifth.  This was Murty's second win at Marshalltown this season.

The night's racing ended with the IMCA Sport Compact A feature.  This race was marred by two red flags when John Gill took a tumble in turn one with about a handful of laps in the books.  A few laps later, it was Noah Beenken taking a high and wild roll in turn four.  Thankfully, both drivers were immediately out of their cars and okay. Tyler Fiebelkorn was leading when the race restarted, and he was able to maintain that top spot the rest of the way to the checkers and the win.  Mark Smith was second, John Schuring took third place, John Patterson was fourth, and Zachary Cleghorn was fifth.

A few out of state drivers were in the house last night.  Among those travelers were Aaron Spangler (IMCA Stock Car), and Camron Spangler, (IMCA Northern SportMod) from Colorado. Dillon Solum and Blake Lehman competed in the Stock Car division, making the haul from Oregon.  Two drivers from Arkansas were in the Modified class, Brint and Spencer Hartwick from Quitman.  Out of state drivers continue to come to the Midwest and try their hand on our dirt.  

Next Friday night, June 24, will be Drury Automotive Night at the Races.  The Outlaw Mini Mods will be joining the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and STARS Mod Lites for a full night of racing action.  Hot laps are 6:55 with racing at 7:30.   

Find a race to attend and keep supporting dirt track racing.     

 

Rust Reigns at Marshalltown, Watson Goes Back to Back

 It was Kwik Star Night at the Races at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night and two drivers came away with their first win at the High Banks this year....Austin Kaplan in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, and Blake Driscol in the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts.  Joel Rust repeated an earlier win in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, as did Randy Bryan in the IMCA STARS Mod Lites, and John Watson went back to back in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. Kyle Olson scored his third feature win of the year in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod division. 

With ninety-four cars checked in last night, there were no B's needed, and Jerry Vansickel and company had the show moving right along,  The first feature of the night was immediately brought to the track after the final heat race, and once again, there were no victory lane interviews....those being saved until after the final checkers flew at 9:45 p.m.

Joel Huggins jumped to the lead in the STARS Mod Lite 15 lap feature and was sailing along in good shape as he led the field, but Randy Bryan was soon reeling him in.  Bryan swung to the topside, and made the pass out of corner four as lap nine went into the books.  Bryan kept that lead the remaining distance to the flying checkers and the win.  Huggins didn't go away though, and finished a close second.  Trailing a distant third was Josh May, who was making his first appearance at the track this year.  Cory Sonner came from tenth starting spot, to finish fourth, and Gary DeWitt, Mesa, Arizona made the haul up to Iowa to try his hand on the Iowa dirt, and finished fifth.  This was Bryan's second win at Marshalltown this season. The race went flag to flag.

The IMCA Northern SportMods saw Chance Titus lead the troops through the first nine laps of the 20 lap feature, but Kyle Olson was quickly on his tail with just a handful of laps in the books. Olson took to the top shelf of the track and was able to make the pass on lap eleven, and from there on, never looked back on his run to the checkers. Travis Peterson took the runner up position, with Sam Wieben taking third place.  Fourth went to Kaylin Lopez, and Jason York started eleventh, and finished fifth. Only one caution slowed the action in the race, but was no issue for Olson who got his third feature win of the year. Olson looks to be dominate at the track this year.

John Watson led the IMCA Hobby Stock 20 lap main event from wire to wire, taking the win going away.  There was a good battle going on behind the leader during most of race between several cars.  In the end it was twelfth place starter Bradley Graham holding off eleventh place starter Eric Knutson as they finished second and third respectively.  Corey VanDerwilt, the driver out of Sully, Iowa, was in the mix at the front of the pack the entire race, and finished fourth, and William Klosterman completed the top five.  After an initial no go that was called back, before the first lap was completed, the race went caution free.  This marked Watson's second win in as many weeks at the High Banks.

The IMCA Sport Compacts were back in competition last evening, and they ran a 12 lap feature that went nonstop.  Matt Miller, polesitter, was the early leader, but fifth place starter Blake Driscol was quickly into second when lap one was scored.  The two toyed with each other for several laps as Driscol kept peeking for a way around.  Lap eight became that lucky one for Driscol as he took over the lead.  Driscol,, who calls Dysart, Iowa his home, kept to the top of the track as he held back Miller who was running the lower line.  For Driscol it was the right line to run as he crossed the finish line first with the checkers flying to secure his first win at Marshalltown. Miller had to be content with second place, and Curtis Masterson, Mark Smith, and Danny Robinson rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Stock Car 20 lap feature had some close racing, but most of it was behind winner Austin Kaplan.  Kaplan led the entire race and made his first trip to victory lane this year.  It was fast and furious action behind the leader most of the circuits, as Michael Jaennette, Kaden Reynolds, Damon Murty, and Jeff Wollam were duking it out constantly.  Kaplan would pull away from that action and take an easy win.  Jaennette claimed second place, veteran hometown racer Jeff Wollam had a great run, coming from thirteenth to finish third.  Kaden Reynolds took fourth, with Damon Murty a close fifth place.  The race only had one caution fly to interrupt the racing action, that coming at lap nine. 

The IMCA Modifieds put a night cap on the racing with the running of their 20 lap A Main event.  This one turned into a runaway.  Jacob Murray led lap one, but it was Joel Rust taking over at lap two, and then pulling away.   Jacob Murray and Ronn Lauritzen ran second and third respectively for much of the race, but at the finish line, it was Lauritzen sneaking by to grab second, Murray going third.  Ethan Braaksma was fourth and Gat Leytham took fifth place.  This fast paced race also went flag to flag, and marked the second win of the season for Rust.

There were a minimum of cautions last evening, the worst delay being when one of the Sport Compact drivers took a tumble in turn one in the heat race.  Noah Beenken, Waterloo, Iowa hopped out immediately and was fine...the car, not so much!

The Positively Racing website is back up and running after a bit of an issue.  Check out the racing calendar and find a race to attend.  Keep supporting dirt track racing!!