A Taste of Super Nationals with a Full Night of Racing at Boone

It was a full night of racing at the Boone Speedway Saturday night, and a taste of what a night is like at the Super Nationals. The stands were full as were the pits...with one hundred seventy-eight cars packing the pit area for double feature night.  The Salute to Veterans features that were rained out last Saturday night ran first thing to begin the night's racing, and the regular program followed.

Jake McBirnie took the Salute to Veterans IMCA Modified makeup feature, and Josh Daniels captured the IMCA Stock Car win.  It was Colby Fett taking the checkers in the IMCA Northern SportMods, and Wayne Gifford was victorious in the makeup feature for the IMCA Hobby Stocks.

Regular night program winners were Jeremy Mills in the Modifieds, Doug Smith in the Stock Cars, Dylan VanWyk won the Northern SportMods, Mark Hidlebaugh won the Hobby Stocks, and Charlie Brown won in the STARS Mod Lites.

The night's racing kicked off with the makeup feature for the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods at two laps down.  Colby Fett was leading as the race picked back up, and he would not relinquish that top spot the rest of the way to the checkers.  Logan Anderson reeled in the leader, but had nothing for him, and had to settle for second.  Following a distant third was St. Joseph, Missouri's Tim Eaton, Izac Mallicoat took fourth, and Chris Burke was fifth.  Fett's Salute to Veterans win was worth $1,300. He also won the Salute to Veterans race in Algona, Iowa.

Colby Fett wasn't about to miss the Salute to Veterans makeup feature, but being in the points race at  Worthington, Minnesota was an issue.  Solved!  Right after his win, he caught a plane, crew took his race car home, and he hopped in a borrowed car waiting for him in Worthington. A check of last night's results there show he made it in time for the feature, and finished fifth, still holding down the points lead. Yes, this is what dedicated racers do!

The regular night's feature for the Northern SportMods found young Dylan VanWyk from Oskaloosa, Iowa going to Victory Lane for the first time.  He caught early leader Curtis Veber and persistently looked for a way around to no avail.  His persistence finally paid off with two laps to go in the 18 lap contest, and then held on to take the checkers first.  Veber had to be content with the runner up spot, and Garrett Nelson took third.  Chris Burke and Chad Ryerson rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Friesen Performance IMCA Modified Salute to Veterans feature came to the track for a 25 lap feature that paid $5,000 to the winner.

Jake McBirnie was fast from the get go in this one, never really being challenged, and won it going away. Jeremy Mills started tenth and finished a distant second, after exchanging sliders with ninth place starter Mike VanGenderen in third. Fourth went to Cory Sauerman, and Chris Snyder was fifth.

In the regular night's Modified feature, the top two switched from the earlier makeup race, with Jeremy Mills winning out over Jake McBirnie.  Dallon Murty ran up front the entire 20 laps, and finished in third place.  Joel Bushore came from fourteenth starting position, to finish fourth, and Kelly Shryock was fifth.

Josh Daniels started from the pole for the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car's Salute to Veterans makeup feature.  He had Kelly Shryock to contend with in the first half of the event, Shryock snatching the lead away for a couple of laps, but then Daniels regaining it again just before halfway of the 25 lap race.  Daniels then held it the rest of the way to the flying checkers and the $2,000 payday. Minnesota racer, Jeff Larson finished as the runner up, getting by third place Shryock in the closing laps.  Dustin Larson was fourth, and Jay Schmidt started eleventh and finished fifth.

The regular night's 20 lap feature for the Stock Cars saw Nick Roberts grab the lead from his outside front row starting spot.  Doug Smith, who was driving the car usually piloted by Lonnie Hodges,  tucked in right on his tail. Smith dogged the leader until finally making the pass into the lead on lap nine.  From there on, he kept the number one spot, wheeling his ride around the track with a high left front hiked, and went home to the win.  Nick Roberts held off some tough competition to take second place.  It was Elijah Zevenbergen hard charging through the field, coming from a B main and starting twenty-first and taking third place.  Buck Schafroth won the duel with Dallon Murty, as they finished fourth and fifth respectively.  Smith can now add a Stock Car win at Boone to his resume along with wins in the Hobby Stock, SportMod and Modified classes.

The IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks makeup Salute to Veterans feature paid $1,100 for the win.  It was a happy Wayne Gifford standing in Victory Lane at the conclusion of the 20 lap race.  Gifford who led the race from start to finish was excited to finally return to the winner's circle at Boone after several years absence. He previously raced in the Stock Car division, but this was his first win in the Hobby Stocks. He took the win comfortably over second place finisher Curt Reed.  Josh VanCannon was third, fourth went to Seth Janssen, and Mike Smith rallied back after an early race spin, to take fifth.

The regular night's 15 lap Hobby Stock race went flag to flag with Mark Hidlebaugh leading it in its entirety. He started on the outside front row, and was never seriously challenged.  Following a ways behind in second place was Brian Ashburn. Solomon Bennett took third,  Jimmy Johnson was hard charger, coming from starting twenty-second to finish fourth, and Skyler Pruitt was fifth. After searching my unofficial records, I believe this to be Hidlebaugh's first win at Boone.  

The only class to run one feature was the IMCA STARS Mod Lites. They were able to get their Salute to Veterans feature in last week....Randy Bryan taking that win.

The Mod Lites ran a 15 lap A main.  Charlie Brown came away with the win in this one.  Brown started tenth and had the lead on lap seven.  A yellow at lap ten was no issue for Brown as he pulled away on the restart and held on to the finish to score the win. This was his first time in Victory Lane this season.  Austin Gray ran at the front of the pack all race long, and finished in the number two position.  Jason Toppenberg made a late race run to finish in third place, Joel Huggins was fourth, and Bryan Zehm rounded out the top five.

Thirty-seven races were run on Saturday night, the huge field of cars consisting of 37 Modifieds, 55 Stock Cars, 39 Northern SportMods, 31 Hobby Stocks, and 16 Mod Lites.  The final checkers flew at 11:49 p.m.  

Next Saturday night, August 6, is another weekly racing series at the Boone Speedway.  The IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts will join the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Mod Lites.  Gates open at 4:30, hot laps at 5, with racing at 6.

Keep supporting dirt track racing and help keep it alive and well!

 

 

Two exciting finishes as Murty scores Modified victory, Jaennette takes checkers in the Stock Cars

It was Triple E Insulator Night at the Marshalltown Speedway Friday night, with 115 cars in seven classes in competition.  The weather cooperated, and it was a beautiful night to be setting at the race track with racing family.

Joining the IMCA classes for the night's action were the Outlaw Mini Mods.  Troy Ihrke from Sheffield, Iowa went home with that win.  Dallon Murty won a thriller in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, as did Michael Jaennette in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.  Tony Olson scored the victory in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods, and it was Eric Knutson taking the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock class. The IMCA STARS Mod Lite feature win went to Joel Huggins, and Kolby Sabin took win number four in the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts.

The Mod Lite 15 lap feature came to the track first.  Joel Huggins had just taken the lead away from Darrick Knutsen on lap three when the race was red flagged when Mikade Meyer took a tumble in turn four.  Meyer was not injured and the race was soon restarted.

With Huggins in command as the race returned to green, he pulled away from the rest of the field and won going away.  The race finished caution free after the red flag at lap three.  Finishing a good distance behind in second was Austin Gray,  Josh May was third, fourth went to Cory Sonner, and Randy Bryan was fifth.  Huggins, who started tenth, captured his third feature win of the season. 

The visiting Outlaw Mini Mod class made its third trip to the High Banks this year.  They ran a 12 lap feature that saw Troy Ihrke lead all but the opening two laps as he sailed to the victory.  Nathan Kilwine, who had won the two previous races at Marshalltown Speedway this season, finished as the runner up just ahead of Ben Kraus in third.  Following a good distance behind in fourth place was early  leader TJ Stalker, and Logan Brown was fifth.  The Mini Mods are scheduled for one more appearance this season, that being on Season Championship night, August 26.

The IMCA Sport Compacts ran 15 laps in their A main and it was Kolby Sabin leading most of the flag to flag non-stop event.  He finished well ahead of second place David Kimmel.  Tyler Crimmins started twelfth and finished third, fourth was John Schuring, and hometown driver, John Gill rounded out the top five. Matt Miller, early leader, chased the winner through lap ten, but then suddenly pulled off the racing surface ending his night. This was Sabin's fourth trip to Victory Lane at Marshalltown this year.

Eric Knutson went home with the win in the 20 lapper for the IMCA Hobby Stocks.  He snatched the lead away from Rockwell, Iowa's Carter Koop with six laps remaining and held off a hard charging John Watson in second at the finish line. Carter Koop held on to finish third, and Sam West finished an impressive fourth after starting twenty-second.  Cory VanderWilt, Sully, Iowa, was fifth.  Knutson, who started eighteenth, made this his third win of the year.

Taylor Bass, who calls Ackley, Iowa home, held down the top spot in the 20 lap feature event for the IMCA Northern SportMods through lap eleven.  That's when Tony Olson saw his chance after running down the leader, and flew into the lead on lap twelve.  He never relinquished that top spot the rest of the way to the checkers and the win.  He had to hold off cousin Kyle Olson who finished second.  Bass held the third spot, Travis Peterson was fourth, and Mason Day, Farmersville, Texas was fifth.  This was Olson's second victory of the year.

The IMCA Stock Cars showed again just why they are called "The Class too Tough to Tame".  

Todd Reitzler flew to the immediate lead when the green fell, taking to the top of the track to run the rim.  It wasn't long until Michael Jaennette came calling and began to apply the pressure.  While Reitzler stuck to the top, Jaennette was running the lower line, and the two ran this way for lap after lap.

The closing laps saw Jaennette try his best to get the upper hand, throwing sliders, but nothing would quite stick.....until two laps to go.  That's when Jaennette found his way to the lead, and kept it to the checkers. When the cars were coming to the checkers, third place runner Kaden Reynolds lost his good finishing position when he spun in turn four.  Steve Meyer started fourteenth, and finished in third, veteran hometown racer Jeff Wollam came from sixteenth starting spot to finish fourth, and Jared Daggett took fifth after starting in twelfth spot.  Jaennette now has three wins at the speedway this season.

The night cap was 20 laps of IMCA Modified ground pounding fury.  They followed up the Stock Car's fast and furious race with one of their own.

Johnathan Logue looked to be easily on his way to a victory as he got the lead early on.  Then by the midway part of the race, Gilman's Richie Gustin had thrown his hat into the ring, getting by Chris Mills, and now Dallon Murty had moved from ninth, to fourth.  

Logue was still holding off the competition when a caution flew at lap fifteen, bunching up the field for the restart.  When the green waved, Murty, who had gotten to third, tried a slider in turn two, not quite sticking, and again in corner four...which did the trick, sliding into first place.  The closing laps were all Murty's as he pulled away in the final moments to take the comfortable win.  Richie Gustin took the runner up position, Zack Rawlins had a good run and finished third, Logue slipped back to finish fourth, and Ronn Laurtizen rounded out the top five.  

Next Friday, August 5, is the rescheduled Dale DeFrance Memorial. After being weathered out twice previously, the third time is the charm.  The SLMR Dirt Super Late Models will be on the program, along with the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks.  Hot laps are 6:55 with racing at 7:30.

Keep supporting your local dirt tracks....keep racing alive and well.

Championship Night at the Southern Iowa Speedway

 It's hard to believe that the Southern Iowa Speedway wrapped up its 2022 regular season last night.  It was Season Championship night and the last night of racing until the Fall Challenge in October.

Five track champions were decided....some by just a few points, and five drivers also went home with season championship awards.  

Things kicked off with the Sport Compacts as they ran their 10 lap feature.  Terry Bickford was leading the points battle by 10 points going into the race.  Earlier in his heat race however, he had a sick car and pulled off the track. He was able to "take the green" with his ill running car, and that sealed the Championship for him.

The heat race for the Compacts did not go well for Gabby Hayes, as he took a roll low in corner three.  He was okay, and did start the feature. 

Matt Moore led the feature race from the get go, and would sail home well out in front of the rest of the field.  It was his third feature win of the season.  Trailing a good distance behind in second, was James Haring, and Greg Franklin, Brandon Pickney, and Jake Meinders completed the top five. The race went green to checkers. 

The Non-Wing Sprints had a scary, scary incident at the start of their heat race when Logan Alexander flipped going into turn one, launched himself over the middle of turn one and two....and landed out of the park!  It was a tense few moments until it was announced he was out of the car on his own. 

The Non-Wings ran a 10 lap feature.  Doug Sylvester led when the race went green, with the hot driver of late, Ben Woods with seven wins in, chasing him.  Woods night would then suddenly end when he was off power with what appeared to be an expired motor.  

When the race restarted, Sylvester shot off from the rest of the field, and won going away.  Tyler Graves finished a distant second, it was Kelly Graham in third place, Nathan James was fourth,, and Steve Pumphrey in fifth. This was Sylvester's first win this year.  Kelly Graham is the 2022 Track Champion.

The Stock Cars came next, and this one was also a runaway.  Todd Reitzler started fifth, had the lead by lap one, and pulled away to take the win in the race that went flag to flag. There was a heated battle for second behind him however, as Cayden Carter, Nathan Wood, and Steve Byers went at it.  It was a close finish at the end but Steve Byers won the war and took second, Nathan Wood was third, and Cayden Carter, in Mike Petersen's race car, was fourth.  Dustin Griffiths rounded out the top five.  Nathan Wood is the 2022 Track Champion. 

There was a twist of fate in the SportMod feature, in what everyone thought going into the night would be a battle for the track title between Maguire DeJong and Curtis VanDerWal, one point separating them. 

The #30M of DeJong was in the house, but not the driver.  Seems the DeJong family had been on vacation, out of the country, and the airline connections were the nemesis for Maguire. However, Cayden Carter hopped in the car for the night's race.

The early portion of the 16 lap feature saw Carter VanDenBerg and cousin Cayden Carter duking it out. They ran side by side at times until "The Gasman" Cayden Carter established the lead for good. 

A yellow at lap thirteen bunched the field for the restart, and Curtis VanDerWal was able to power by VanDenBerg for second spot.  It was all Carter in the final two laps however, as he took the win in the 30M machine.  VanDerWal finished second, VanDenBerg was third.  Trailing a distant fourth was Charlie Weber, and Tony Johnson was fifth.  VanDerWal is the 2022 Track Champion.

Wrapping up the night's racing action as well as the season, was 20 laps of Hobby Stock racing.  

Dustin Griffiths took the top spot from his outside front row starting spot as the green flag flew.  That would be where he stayed the rest of the run to the checkers and the win.  Keaton Gordon gave chase and hung around in second until a yellow flew at lap twelve.  This bunched the field for the restart, and it was Aaron Martin taking advantage.  He took over second, but that was all he had, and had to settle for the runner up spot.  Austin Barnes was also able to get by Keaton Gordon in the closing circuits, as they went third and fourth respectively.  Christian Huffman, in his sharp looking ride, was fifth.

This was Griffiths' third win of the season, but for the first time in the past four years, he had to relinquish his track title to Aaron Martin....by three points.   

The regular season at the Southern Iowa Speedway came to an end last evening, but there is still some racing lying ahead.  For you Sprint Car enthusiasts, the Sage Fruit Front Row Challenge will be held on August 8...prior to the running of the Knoxville Nationals just down the road.  Then on October 14 and 15, it will be the annual Musco Lighting Fall Challenge.

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

One Night Stand for 20 Grand goes to "Superman" Johnathan Davenport

The World of Outlaw Late Models paid a return visit to the Boone Speedway on Monday night, for the running of the Hawkeye 50.  Thirty-three drivers....some of the best in the country.... came to seek the $20,000 pay day. This was their second trip to Iowa's Action Track, having made their first appearance in 2021 early in the race season.  

After time trials, heat races, two last chance showdown races and then the top two from each of the four heats drew for their starting spots, the field was set for the 50 lap feature event deemed the Hawkeye 50.  

Tyler Bruening, the Decorah, Iowa driver who had turned laps around the Boone Speedway before, then in an IMCA Late Model, drew the pole starting spot, and Mike Marlar, Winfield, Tennessee, would start along side him.

Bruening kept the lead for two laps until a slight bobble let a quick on the trigger Johnathan Davenport seize the moment, and fly into the lead.  Just after lap three was scored, a yellow flew when Brian Shirley, Chatham, Illinois driver, went for a spin in turn four.

Davenport, who hails from Blairsville, Georgia, had no problem on the restart, shooting off from the field, as cars behind vied for position.  

At the halfway mark of the race, Davenport still had it well in hand, but a ways behind Mike Marlar, Bruening, and Ryan Gustin, our area hot shoe from Marshalltown, Iowa, were duking it out.

As the race was winding down and with ten laps to go, Dennis Erb, Jr., who had started eighth, had gotten into second spot after wrestling his way around Bruening and Marlar, and had begun to reel in race leader Davenport.  That's when there was another caution, bunching up the field for the restart, and now everyone was anticipating an exciting final ten laps to the checkers.

Davenport was just too strong on this night, as he finished the final laps and took the checkers by a comfortable margin.  Erb, who held on to his WoO points lead, finished in second spot, and it was Mike Marlar in third.  Tyler Bruening ran up front all night and took fourth place, and Bobby Pierce, the Illinois driver nicknamed the "Smooth Operator" and son of legendary Bob Pierce, the "Cool One",  came from tenth starting spot to round out the top five.

Davenport has had a very successful run this season, racking up wins and great pay offs, including a million dollar win in June at Eldora Speedway.  He was also just coming off of a great showing at the Silver Dollar Nationals where he had picked up $73,000 just in the last few days.   "Superman" Johnathan Davenport has not had a kryptonite jinx hit him yet.  

The IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods were also on the program, and they were running for $1,000 prize.  They ran a 20 lap feature that saw polesitter Logan Anderson grab the lead immediately. 

Braden Richards started fourth, reeled in the leader and began persistently pestering him.  Anderson wasn't deterred however, not even in lap traffic as he looked to be on his way to the win.  Then, with just three laps to go, the yellow flag flew....not what Anderson was wanting to see.  Anderson held the lead on the restart, but one lap later, the yellow flew again.  

When the race returned to green, Jake Sachau, who had been running third, saw his chance and was able to move around the leader on the final circuit, and steal the win. Anderson had to settle for the runner up spot, Braden Richards was third, Cam Reimers took fourth, and Cory Pestotnik was fifth.  Sachau started tenth on the starting grid and made this his fourth trip to Victory Lane this year. 

There were several drivers taking their first laps around Boone Speedway last night.  There were also some that had turned many laps at the speedway in the past.  Four former Super Nationals Champions were running the World of Outlaws last evening. Kyle Strickler has two Modified Super Nationals wins, four time winner, (two in the Modified, two in the Late Models) Ricky Thornton, Jr., defending Modified Super Nationals champion Cody Laney, and two time Late Model champion Todd Cooney.  

Next up at the Boone Speedway will be Saturday July 30 when the rained out portion of last weeks race will pick up where it left off.  The four features for the Salute to Veterans race will be run first, followed by the full nights regular show.    Hot laps are 5, with racing at 6. 

Keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

 

 

Salute to Veterans falls to rain at Boone

The Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans Night races were halted at the Boone Speedway on Saturday after just one feature event was completed. Then the heavens opened up after a couple of laps of the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods were down.  However, it did not interfere with the before race activities.  Veterans received free admission to the races, a free meal and drink, and gifts.  There were ten beautifully wrapped race cars honoring a diversified military theme that were on display in the Fan Zone prior to the races, and the pre-race ceremony was heartwarming and filled with patriotic pride, honoring all Veterans.

The ten cars that carried the Veterans wraps were quite impressive, and being able to see them up close before the races was a treat.  The drivers were Jeremy Mills, Chanse Hollatz, Taylor Kuehl, Matt Looft, Jake Sachau, Johnathon Logue, Jake McBirnie, Wayne Landheer, Kelly Shryock, and Nick Meyer.  Themes included the B51 bomber, Uncle Sam Wants You, Desert Storm, Stealth Black Ops, and my personal favorite, Rosie the Riveter on Taylor Kuehl's car.  

The pre-race ceremonies were wonderful.  All of the wrapped cars were brought to the frontstretch, along with numerous area firetrucks, police vehicles, ambulance, and a huge American flag was hung from an infield firetruck's ladder.

All veterans in attendance were recognized and honored as they stood. One special veteran in attendance was Jim "Pappie" Leonard, a 75 year old race car driver, who is still racing, and who came all the way from Arkansas with his car. He had his dress Marine coat on as he stood on the track during the pre-race ceremonies, and got very emotional when the announcers gave his story.  He is a 21 plus year veteran of the Marine Corps, and decorated with 37 medals....thus his car #37. He had five tours of Vietnam and has five Purple Hearts.  He said this was more of an honor and welcome home than he had ever received previously. 

The "American Bombshells" ( https://www.americanbombshells.com/) sang God Bless America and the National Anthem, nostalgically dressed in vintage army uniforms, and did a beautiful job.  There was also an army jeep and vintage American muscle car that led the Salute to Veterans cars around the track.  All of this was worth more than the price of admission in my opinion.  

One feature race was completed, the IMCA STARS Mod Lites got their 15 lap event in.  Randy Bryan started on the outside front row, jumped immediately to the lead, and led all laps on his way to the win.  He finished well ahead of second place Charlie Brown, and Joel Huggins finished a close third.  Fourth went to Joe Glick, and Bryan Zehm finished fifth.  This was Zehm's third win of the season.

The IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods were just a lap or so into their feature event, when Mother Nature decided to spoil the rest of the evening.  Next week, they will be the  first up to complete their feature race, and then the Modifieds, Stock Cars, and Hobby Stocks will run their rained out events. The Modifieds will run for $5,000, the Stock Cars for $2,000, the SportMods for $1,300, and the Hobby Stocks for $1,100 for their Salute to Veterans third and final series race. After the make-up features are completed, the regular nights show will be run in its entirety. Double features for one night's admission. They will be going back to the earlier start times again, with hot laps at 5, and racing at 6.

So...some social media sites have many "fans" complaining that they can't get in next week free with their ticket stubs/bands.  People....it has been the rule since I can ever remember....and I'm old....that if all of the show except for the features are done, it is called a complete show!  No refunds or free pass for the next week. 

The season is winding down fast.  Get out and support a race track and help keep racing alive and well.  

Kroening and Horejsi take the $1K out of state

It was Rumours Bar and Grill Salute to Marshalltown Police at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday evening. It was a warm one, with a threat of the "R" word mixed in, but it turned out to be a beautiful night of racing.  The southerly breeze was great, not real humid, and though we watched the sky most of the night, there was nothing that developed more than some distant lightning right before the show was completed. 

Dustin Kroening took the extra pay of $1,000 back to Hebron, Illinois when he took the checkers in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified feature.  Marshall, Minnesota's Jim Horejsi went home $1,000 richer by winning the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main event.  Travis Peterson won for the second week in a row in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class, and it was Eric Stanton capturing the checkers first in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.  Randy Bryan came home first in the IMCA STARS Mod Lites.  The Outlaw 2-man Cruisers were also on the program and the #G60 duo took the checkers and the names I caught for those two were Vorwald and Hoeger.  

The IMCA STARS Mod Lites kicked off the feature racing, and they ran their 15 lapper caution free.

Joel Huggins was the early race leader with Randy Bryan giving chase.  Bryan reeled in the leader, and by lap nine, had the lead.  From there on out, he distanced himself from the field, and went home to the flying checkers and the win.  Following a distance behind in second place was Joel Huggins.  Charlie Brown took third, fourth went to Cory Sonner, and Alex Eischeid completed the top five.  

The IMCA Hobby Stocks followed up with another flag to flag race in their 20 lap feature event.

Eric Stanton started fifth, snatched the lead from early leader Solomon Bennett at lap four, and never looked back on his way to the win.  The closing laps saw Eric Knutson close the gap, take a late peek for a way around, but had to be content with a close runner up finish.  Solomon Bennett took third place, William Klosterman was fourth, and Seth Butler finished fifth. After the race was completed, it was noted that Stanton had a right rear tire going down, slowing him a bit and allowing Knutson to reel him in at last.  

The IMCA Northern SportMod 20 lap A main was not so lucky as it was marred with the yellow flag flying....six by my count. 

Travis Peterson started sixth and made his way to the top spot with a handful of laps in the books.  He had lots of company behind him however, and had to keep fending off some heavy hitters. Two of those cars giving the leader fits were Kyle Olson and Dylan VanWyk when they rose to his rear bumper by the halfway mark of the race. 

More yellow flags flew and closed up any gaps Peterson gained.  One of those late race cautions found Kyle Olson grabbing the lead away after the restart.  Peterson fought back however, regained the lead, and then held on to claim his second win in as many weeks.  Dylan VanWyk started twelfth and took second, Kyle Olson was third, Sam Wieben took fourth, and Kaylin Lopez rounded out the top five.  

The IMCA Modifieds all had visions of capturing the $1,000 prize money in their 20 lap feature race.

Joel Rust, who had just become a new daddy two days before, looked strong as he took the early lead with Dustin Kroening and Dallon Murty tucking in right behind him.  At lap six, Rust was suddenly off power, his night ended, and Kroening taking command....Murty on his tail.

Kroening sailed along as captain of the ship the rest of the way. Murty gave it one final last ditch slide job coming to the checkers, but it was to no avail as Kroening took the win, Murty having to settle for second.  Ronn Lauritzen took third place, fourth went to Scott Simatovich, and Zach Rawlins was fifth.  Kroening, who lists his residence as Hebron, Illinois, has made several trips to the Marshalltown Speedway this season, but this was his first win....a big one!  

Lightning was flashing to the distant northwest as the IMCA Stock Cars took to the track for their $1,000 to win 20 lap feature.

This race was a runaway after Jim Horejsi Marshall, Minnesota's hot shoe, got past Dave Atcher on lap three, pulled away, and was content to let the cars behind battle it out for position.  When the checkers flew, Jorejsi finished well ahead of second place Dave Atcher.  Jeff Wollam wrangled a third place finish, just beating out visiting Casey Wokens, Norton, Kansas who started tenth and finished fourth, and Damon Murty took fifth after starting twelfth. The Class too Tough to Tame went all 20 laps caution free.

Due to the predicted excessive heat on Friday, the start times were moved to a later time.  By my notes, the first green flag dropped at 8:17, and the final IMCA feature was completed at 10:17...a program run in two hours!   

We will be heading to Boone Speedway tonight, for the third and final 3 race series Salute to Veterans. Race cars with their special wraps will be on display, veterans get in free, served a free meal, and there will be gifts and prizes awarded.  The gates open at 4 to allow time for the pre-race functions.  Hot laps are scheduled for 5:30 and racing is to begin at 7.  It's to be another Iowa July scorcher, so everyone stay safe as you continue to support the sport we all love....dirt track racing!   

  

Hawkeye Challenge to Devin Smith, Nagle gets default win

 Boone Speedway held its unique Hawkeye Challenge race on Saturday night, an added attraction to the regular weekly series racing. This race started many years ago at the Speedway and then was dropped. It was resurrected again a few years back. It's quite a sight to see the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Mod Lites all racing at the same time.  This year, the Sprint Cars could not gather enough cars to make the trip.  Top heat winners got to run the special exhibition race.

Devin Smith in the Stock Car class captured that special win.  It was Paul Nagle credited with the win in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, and Tony Cox, making his debut of the season, took the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car victory.  Jake Sachau came from starting in the sixth row to win the IMCA Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature.  Mike Smith made it back to back wins in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Josh May got his first win of the year in the IMCA STARS Mod Lites.

The Mod Lites ran their feature event first.  It took just two laps before sixth place starter Josh May had grabbed the lead.  From there on out, it was all May as he pulled away from the rest of the field and took the dominate win.  Charlie Brown (who has just recently returned after a time off from racing) came from ninth to finish as the runner up.  Last week's winner Jason Toppenberg was third, Bryan Zehm took fourth, and Randy Bryan was fifth.

The IMCA Northern SportMods ran their 18 lap A main next.  Jason York, who looked strong in winning his heat race, looked strong from the get go in the feature as well.  York started on the outside front row and immediately took the lead and pulled away.  His momentum and comfortable lead was broken when a caution flew at lap twelve....something he did not want to see.

On the restart, third place Jake Sachau saw his chance, slid around leader York in corner two, and took the lead.  Sachau pulled away, but once again a yellow flew, and this time it would set up a green-white-checkered finish.  It was no hinderance to Sachau however, and he went home to the flying checkers and the win.  Braden Richards had a good run, coming from thirteenth to finish third.  Earlier leader York held the third spot, fourth went to ninth place starter Taylor Kuehl, and Ryan Leeman rounded out the top five.  This was Sachau's second win at the track, driving all the way from eleventh starting spot, to take the checkers.

There was a bit of a twist in the final outcome of the IMCA Modified feature.

Most of the race was between Matthew Meinecke and Paul Nagle.  Meinecke held the top spot and then Nagle came from starting eighth to run him down. The two cars then pulled away from the pack and Nagle began his quest for a way around.  He ran low, where no one else was in turns one and two, searching for that line.  Those peeks never quite worked however, and it was Meinecke flashing across the line to take the checkers, Nagle chasing him across.  A distance behind in third place was eleventh place starter Jake McBirnie, as he won the battle over Cory Sauerman in fourth, and Randy Havlik was a close fifth

The above however, was not the final outcome of the race. The winner of the Modified feature went to Paul Nagle, who although crossing in second was declared the winner after Meinecke, who took the checkers, was found to have an infraction of deck height, and he was docked two positions, putting him third.  Paul Nagle was then awarded the win, and McBirnie was second.  This was Nagle's first win at the speedway.

Tony Cox hopped into an IMCA Stock Car Saturday night, making his second appearance of the year, and came away a winner.  He led all but the first two laps on his run to the checkers, fended off some fierce competitors behind him, and pulled away in the closing moments to easily take the win. David Smith finished as the runner up after battling his way through some stiff competition, and Michael Jaennette nosed past Andrew Burg at the finish line as they went third and fourth respectively.  Jay Schmidt had to qualify through a B main, started twenty-first, and finished fifth in an impressive run.  Cox, who last raced in the Modified division a season or two back, was no doubt delighted to return to Victory Lane at Boone Speedway. He was driving the car previously piloted by Craig Carlson.

The IMCA Hobby Stocks saw Mike Smith returning to a familiar winner's circle after the division's 15 lap A main.  Smith came from starting twelfth, ran down then leader Aron Fye on lap ten, and went home to the win.  Eric Stanton gave it his all to try and catch Smith, but had to settle for second place.  Aron Fye held third spot, John Watson came from eleventh to finish fourth, and Eric Knutson completed the top five.  Smith repeated his win from last week, made this his sixth win of the regular season, and he also won the Frostbuster special.

Earlier in the evening, the Hawkeye Challenge, a race that is unique to Boone Speedway that pits different divisions of cars all racing at the the same time against each other.  It was $1,000 to win the over all exhibition race with five classes of cars...the Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Mod Lites. The classes were staggered by lap count. Each class winner was also awarded $500.

When the frenzied race was completed the final results showed that the Stock Car of Devin Smith was the over all winner.  The other class winners were Paul Nagle in the Modifieds, Jake Sachau in the Northern SportMods, John Watson in the Hobby Stocks, and Randy Bryan in the Mod Lites. I don't think anyone but the scorers and transponder knew at any given time, just who was leading, but it is quite the sight to see with all divisions on the track at once.  

Next Saturday, July 23 is a special night at the Boone Speedway.  It is Salute to Veterans Night.  There will be race cars on display with special wraps honoring veterans, and all veterans and widows of veterans will be admitted free.  They will also receive a free meal and drink and many gifts and prizes will be awarded. For next week only, the gates will open at 4, allowing time for the meal, gifts, and seeing the specially wrapped race cars on display in the Fan Zone. Gates will open at 4, hot laps are 5:30, and racing at 7.  The Modifieds will be racing for $5,000 to win, the Stock Cars $2,000, SportMods $1,000 and the Hobby Stocks $600.

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

 

It's the Outhouse to the White House for Jeannette, parks in Victory Lane twice

Racing returned to the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night for the Minute Man Printing Central Iowa Fair Races. After last Thursday DeFrance Memorial was rained out for a second time (rescheduled for August 5....third times the charm) it was good to get back to the weekly racing show.  But could the wind please stop blowing out of the north!   

Dallon Murty returned to Victory Lane in the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, and Michael Jeannette got his second win in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.  Travis Peterson saw his first winner's circle visit in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods, and Eric Knutson repeated in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.  Dillon Raffurty took first in the STARS Mod Lites, and Kolby Sabin won the MACH-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature.

Changing the running order up a bit, the IMCA Northern SportMods took to the track first for their 20 lap feature.  Chris Burke held down the top spot from the drop of the green through lap seventeen.  That's when Travis Peterson was able to find his way around Burke and had the lead with just two laps remaining.  He was then able to hold on and score the victory, his first of the season at the High Banks.  Burke held on to second place, Kaylin Lopez took third, fourth went to ninth place starter Sam Wieben, and rounding out the top five was Taylor Bass.  

The STARS Mod Lites ran their 15 lap main event next paying $100 just to start their feature.  Dillon Raffurty, Kansas City, Missouri driver would lead this one from flag to flag untouched. Joel Huggins posted a second place finish, and Randy Bryan drove it from ninth starting spot, to take third.  Justin Raffurty, Kearney, Missouri was fourth, Josh May fifth, and Michael Raffurty was the third family member making the trip up from Missouri, and he finished sixth.  Only one caution flag interrupted the racing action, that coming for a spinning car on lap nine.   

The IMCA Hobby Stock 20 lap feature went nearly caution free, with only one yellow for debris on the track, marring their run.

Eric Knutson overtook early leader Solomon Bennett (racing a #1776 car instead of his familiar #11B) for the lead on lap seven, and then never looked back on his way to the checkers.  Seventh place starter Bradley Graham was the runner up, and Seth Butler was third.  Solomon Bennett and William Klosterman were fourth and fifth respectively.  This was Knutson's second feature win of the season.

The IMCA Stock Cars always put on an exciting race, and Friday's 20 lapper was no different.

The first handful of laps saw Michael Smith, Steve Meyer, and Michael Jaennette running a heated battle up front.  Lap six saw Jaennette end up sliding off the racing surface and into the victory lane area when a close racing mishap brought contact.  Jaennette rejoined the field, but many positions down.

Steve Meyer was the captain of the ship then after getting past Smith, when another racing incident brought out the caution flag.  That's when Smith ended up being the next car put out of the running  when cars touched during close racing.   

When the race restarted, Damon Murty was now on Meyer's tail and the two then began to battle for the top spot.  A few laps later, yet another racing incident occurred when the two touched, and both ended up at the top of turn four....Meyer rolled over, ending up on his side, and both drivers out of competition.

The lap twelve restart now had Dave Atcher as the captain of the ship, Austin Kaplan was running second, and Michael Jaennette had now made his way back up to run in the third position. Kaplan got too high soon after, and ran off of the top of turn four.  Then it took but two laps until Jaennette had the lead.  

The closing laps saw Jaennette pull away from the field, and take the flying checkers.....and park it the right way in Victory Lane this time.  Dave Atcher took second place, Scooter Dulin came from twelfth to finish third, fourth went to Odessa, Texas visitor Leslie Gill who started thirteenth, and Sully, Iowa's Brett Maasdam was fifth.  This was Jaennette's second win of the year at the track, and a lesson on this night that you never give up!  

It was 20 laps of Modified fury next, with Zack Rawlins holding the top spot in the early going. Then suddenly, eighth place starter Dallon Murty came calling and grabbed away the lead on lap five.  It was all she wrote from there on out as Murty circled the rim of the track, pulled away, and took the win. This was his second in a row, and fourth of the year.  Ronn Lauritzen finished second, and Jimmy Gustin, who started eleventh, was a close third.  Fourth went to Dustin Kroening, and California visitor, Randy Brown, was fifth.  

The IMCA Sport Compacts were on the program for the night, and wrapped up the racing with their 15 lap feature that went caution free. Kolby Sabin dominated this one, leading most of the race on his way to an easy win.  He finished well ahead of second place Tyler Fiebelkorn.  Blake Driscol was third, fourth was Mark Smith, and Mitchell Bunch was fifth.

There were fewer caution last night after recent racing nights have brought out one after the other.  Perhaps the message we overheard Jerry Vansickel telling the racers in the driver's meeting, "Don't do it", several times, got the message through!

Going into the latter part of the season, the race for the points championships are still up for grabs in most all classes.  Randy Bryan is the Mod Lite leader at the moment. Kaylin Lopez got one point up on Kyle Olson last night in the SportMod division.  Michael Jaennette leads Stock Cars, Bradley Graham the Hobby Stocks,  Kolby Sabin the Sport Compacts, and Jimmy Gustin is up four points on Ronn Laurtizen in the Modified class.

Keep supporting you local dirt tracks, and help keep racing alive and well.

Roberts only repeat winner in Modifieds

We headed off to Boone on Saturday night for our usual weekly trip to Iowa's Action Track. One hundred fifty-three cars checked in on a beautiful night for racing. 

Nick Roberts returned to victory lane when he snagged the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified win.  It was Devin Smith getting a first win of the season in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, and Alec Fett won the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod main event.  Mike Smith repeated in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Jason Toppenberg got a first win in the IMCA STARS Mod Lite division.  The 2-Man Cruiser win went to the team of Jesse McCollough and Dustin Hanson, backing up their Monday night Eve of Destruction win.

The STARS Mod Lites ran their 15 lap feature flag to flag....the only race that went caution free on the night.

Early leader was Joel Huggins until Jason Toppenberg snatched the top spot away on lap three.  The two swapped the lead back and forth for several laps until Toppenberg was able to finally establish the top spot for good and then went home to take the flying checkers and the win.  Joel Huggins held down the runner up spot, and following a distance behind in third was Randy Bryan.  Joe Glick and Jeff Stensland rounded out the top five.  Toppenberg, just returned to racing this season after several years hiatus.

Alec Fett, Burt, Iowa started on the pole of the 18 lap feature for the IMCA Northern SportMods, and led all laps on his way to victory.  Sixth place starter Cam Reimers dogged Fett for much of the race, but in the end, had to settle for a distant second.  Jake Sachau started eighth, and finished a close third.  Rocky Caudle and Cory Pestotnik completed the top five.  This was Fett's first win at the track this year.

The race was red flagged on lap six when Summer Anderson and Michael Miller were involved in an incident on the backstretch.  Anderson's car got the bad end of the deal and towed off, her night done.  Thankfully, no one was injured.  

Earlier in the evening, the Northern SportMods ran a King of the Hill competition. The top eight were locked in from their track points standing, and the other eight qualified through the earlier heats.

The King of the Hill was sponsored by Wausau Homes of Huxley, and Matt Beerbower. It paid $1,000 to win, with a nice payout for the top eight.  Going home with the crown was Jake Sachau who beat out Izac Mallicoat, Dusty Lynch, and Dusty Masolini in the final round.

Also, earlier in the heat race action for the Northern SportMods, there was a red flag when the 9E of Eric Elliott (who was back for his first night of racing after a year or so off) took a WILD ride off of turn two....the bottom of the car was seen several times as it flipped. It was a relief to see him walking back to his pit area, but what a debut for his first night back racing.  

The IMCA Modified's 20 lap feature came next.  Matthew Meinecke held the upper hand in the early going with Ronn Lauritzen giving chase.  A caution at lap ten bunched the field for the restart. That's when mover and shaker Nick Roberts saw his opportunity as he shot from third and into the lead before lap eleven was scored.

There was hot and heavy battling going on behind leader Roberts, but it was Mike VanGenderen taking the runner up position, as he held off Matthew Meinecke in third, Ronn Lauritzen finished fourth, and Jimmy Gustin was fifth. Roberts is the only repeat winner in the Modifieds this year.  

There was lots of great racing action in the 20 lap IMCA Stock Cars, aptly called "The Class too Tough to Tame".

Fourth place starter Mike VanGenderen, doing double duty on the night, grabbed the lead away from Cody Doolittle on lap two, only to have tenth place starter Devin Smith come out of nowhere and take over the very next lap.  Then Michael Jaennette, who started eleventh, threw his hat into the ring, as did Austin Meiners and sixteenth place starter, brother David Smith.

It was a great battle between all the top runners and then VanGenderen was suddenly out of the running as he pulled into the infield.  The other top dogs were still battling hard, but no one could catch Devin Smith.  He held on to the top spot and took the double checkers to secure his first win of the year at the track.  Jaennette took second, David Smith was third, Austin Meiners took fourth, and Josh Daniels finished fifth.

The Modified feature also saw the race red flagged when Rod Clement got crossed up on the front chute, and cars having no where to go.  Paul Nagle got the short end of this deal, flipping over and his night ending with a damaged car being towed to the pits.  No one was injured.  

The IMCA Hobby Stocks saw Mike Smith get yet another notch in his belt, winning the 15 lap feature.  Smith started tenth and ran down then leader Seth Butler just before the halfway mark of the race.  On lap eight, Smith was leading.  He was then gone....pulling away to take another easy victory.  Butler trailed a distant runner up, Curt Reed was third, John Watson, last week's winner was fourth, and Chad Rigby came from eighteenth to finish fifth. This was Smith's fifth regular season win, also having won the Frostbuster special.

The racing season is passing by quickly.  Find a race to attend and keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

 

Smith Doubles Down at Eve of Destruction

It was the Boone Speedway's annual 4th of July Eve of Destruction program with the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars and the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods each racing for $500 to win.  The Stock Cars also had a King of the Hill Competition for another $500 to the winner.  David Smith doubled down, and won both.  Dusty Masolini took the win in the Northern SportMods.  The two classes were running for National, Regional, and State IMCA points, but not track points.

Sixteen 2-Person Cruisers were also on hand, running for another $500 pay off.  The duo of Jesse McCollough and Dustin Hanson took that win on the last corner run to the checkers.

More shenanigans were held with a roll over contest, leap of  death, and school bus races. The leap of death was thrilling, as  "James" launched the SUV he was driving up the ramp, cleared several vehicles below it, and landed INSIDE the back of a large RV trailer. The night ended with a spectacular fireworks display on the grounds for the city, and fans to enjoy.

The IMCA Northern SportMods ran a 20 lap feature for the evening.  Jason York held down the top spot for the first two laps, but it was Dusty Masolini taking command by lap three.  It didn't take long before Izac Mallicoat had moved into second place, and began reeling in leader Masolini.  A yellow flew at lap twelve, but it was not a hinderance to Masolini as he was able to power off and keep his lead the rest of the way to the checkers and the win. Mallicoat had to be content with the runner up spot.  Jake Sachau started eleventh, and took third, Alec Fett was fourth, and Garrett Nelson rounded out the top five. A check back through some of my unoffical records, and it appears this is Masolini's first SportMod win ever at the track.

The IMCA Stock Cars ran a King of the Hill earlier in the night.  The top twelve cars from the heats were eligible.  The final round pitted David Smith, Devin Smith, Tyler Pickett, and Jay Schmidt.  Coming out on top of this one was Lake City's David Smith, taking the $500 and crowned King of the Hill.

Another $500 was on the line for the 20 lap Stock Car feature event.  The final circuits of this hard fought battle was between David Smith and Michael Jaennette.  Jaennette executed a nice slide out of turn four as they came to the white flag, but Smith came right back and still had the lead at the flagstand.  Smith was then able to keep hold of that top spot, and flash beneath the flying checkers to take the win....doubling down for the night and earning another $500.  Jaennette, who congratulated Smith in Victory Lane, finished a close second.  Jay Schmidt started tenth and finished in third place, fourth went to fifteenth place starter Ty Hill, and Cody Gustoff started eleventh and finished fifth.

Regular Saturday night series racing continues this Saturday night, July 9.  On the schedule are the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and the STARS Mod Lites.  Pits open at 3:30, Grandstand at 4:30, Hot laps at 5, and racing at 6.

We got to enjoy more fireworks as we made our way home.  They lit up the sky in all directions as people celebrated our great United States. Hope you all had a great and safe Independence Day!  

Keep supporting dirt track racing.  Find a race to attend.  

Thornton takes the $1K at Boone, plus a few fireworks BEFORE the 4th

It was $1,000 to win IMCA Modified special on Tammy Stevens Memorial Night at the Boone Speedway Saturday. Tammy was a fixture at the Boone Speedway, directing the cars onto the track from the staging area. She was always ready for the command from the tower, "send them Tammy". 

Dylan Thornton took home that $1K money, as he took the checkers in the IMCA Modfifieds. Johnathon Logue took the IMCA Stock Car victory, and Kaylin Lopez won the IMCA Northern SportMod feature.  John Watson returned to the winner's circle when he won the IMCA Hobby Stock main event, and Bryan Zehm also paid a return visit with his second IMCA STARS Mod Lite victory. The duo of Kyer Hodnefield and Abe Ambrose won the Two Person Cruisers.

Austin Gray led the opening laps of the IMCA STARS Mod Lite 15 lap A main, and Bryan Zehm tucked in right behind to run second.  Zehm had enough of playing follow the leader, and was able to make the pass into the lead when lap ten went in the books.  He then kept the top spot the rest of the way to the checkers and the win.  Gray took second, Charlie Brown, in just his second night back racing after a couple of years hiatus, started tenth, and finished third.  Josh May and Joe Glick completed the top five in the race that went flag to flag.  This was Zehm's second win of the season at Boone. 

The Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods went 18 laps for their main event.  Early leader was Colton Nelson but with only five laps down, Kaylin Lopez had come to call, moving into second. 

Lopez chased Nelson until lap ten when he was finally able to take command.  He then held that top spot the rest of the way to claim his first visit to victory lane at Boone, and his first SportMod win coming just a couple of weeks ago at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton.

 Nelson held on to second, Joey Young, Indianola, Iowa racer ran up front all race long, and took third place.  Tim Warner, visiting from Malone, Wisconsin, started nineteenth, and made it all the way up to fourth.  Rookie to the class, Braden Richards rounded out the top five.

The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds were running for $1,000, and a spot on the ballot for the Fast Shafts All Star race.  They ran a 25 lap feature event, in the draw/redraw program for the Modifieds.

Johnathon Logue and Doug Smith were duking it out through the first fifteen laps of the race...Logue holding the upper hand.  A caution flew at lap fifteen and on the restart there was jostling and rubbing, and Doug Smith came out on top, Logue getting the short end and ending up out of the game. Logue did not take kindly to that, more on that later.

 Dylan Thornton was then the one chasing leader Smith. It only took him two laps before he claimed the title of captain of the ship.  Thornton kept hold of that lead though the final laps and claimed the victory.  Smith had to settle for second place.  Tim Ward started eighteenth and took third, Mike VanGenderen ran at the front much of the race and claimed a fourth place finish, and Nick Roberts came from twelfth starting spot to finish fifth.  This was Thornton's first win at the speedway.

As mentioned above, Johnathon Logue did not take kindly to being eliminated from the Modified feature, and he "greeted" Doug Smith in the infield after the race was over. Let's just say there was an early "fireworks" show for the fans.  Cooler heads soon prevailed, and Logue got into his Stock Car for the next race.

The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars ran a 20 lap feature event.  Andrew Burg claimed the top spot for the first eight laps.  That's when Johnathon Logue, who was running on adrenaline from his previous DNF in the Modifieds, claimed the number one spot. 

Jay Schmidt was giving chase to Logue, then Troy Jerovetz threw his hat into the ring, and then Devin Smith entered the picture as well.  The drivers searched high, low, and in between for the fastest line, while in the meantime, Logue pulled away and logged the win.  Jerovetz made his way around Schmidt as they finished second and third respectively, Devin Smith took fourth, and Josh Daniels was fifth. This was Logue's first win in the Stock Car this season at Boone. His victory lane interview was met with mixed reviews from the fans as he offered an apology for letting his emotions get the best of him.   

The Sunoco, IMCA Hobby Stocks saw "The Mayor" John Watson take home the hardware again.  Watson started ninth, and had to run down Drew Janssen to accomplish the feat.  A caution at lap twelve was Janssen's undoing on this night.  It took just one lap for Watson to make the pass into the lead, and he kept it the final three circuits to claim the win.  Eric Knutson took the runner up spot, last week's winner Mike Smith came from eleventh starting spot to take third, Janssen finished fourth, and Solomon Bennett was fifth.  This was Watson's third feature win of the season. 

  The next action at the Boone Speedway will be on the 4th of July, for the Eve of Destruction.  The IMCA Stock Cars and Northern SportMods will be  racing for track points and $500 to win as will the 2-Man Cruisers.  There will also be a roll over contest, a leap of death, bus races and a spectacular fireworks show.  Announcer Jerry Vansickel is busy concocting some spectacular stunt as well.  You probably shouldn't miss it!   Hot laps are scheduled for 7:30.  Then next Saturday night, July 9 will be another weekly racing series with the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Mod Lites in action as well as the unique Hawkeye Challenge.  Hot laps are scheduled for 5 p.m. with racing at 6. 

Have an enjoyable Happy 4th of July weekend...and be safe whether it's at a race track or otherwise.  

Murty scores again, Watson, Glick and Sabin repeat, and Meyer and Gustin see first checkers

It was Capital Sign Company Night at the Races at the Marshalltown Speedway Friday evening.  Over 130 cars filled the pits for a full night of racing.  Good weather and the anticipation of the racing action brought out a good crowd to kick off the 4th of July holiday weekend. There was even a fireworks or two shot off for the feature races.   

Dallon Murty put his Friesen Performance IMCA Modified in victory lane again, and it was Steve Meyer going to the winner's circle in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars.  Jenae Gustin got a popular win in the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod class, and John Watson took the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock victory.  Joe Glick won the IMCA STARS Mod Lite feature, and Kolby Sabin had the field covered by a big margin in the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts.

Twenty-three drivers were on hand for the IMCA STARS Mod Lites.  They ran a 20 lap feature that paid $100 just to start, thanks to an anonymous donor.  

Joe Glick led from start to finish in the main event, but had to outlast the constant challenges of Joel Huggins through most of the race.  They ran side by side at times, but Glick never flinched, and kept his cool to take the flying checkers and the win.  Huggins took the runner up spot.  Visiting racer Michael Raffurty from Kansas City, Missouri took third after starting thirteenth.  Fourth went to last week's winner, Randy Bryan, and making his first appearance of the year at the track, Charlie Brown started sixteenth, and finished fifth. He was in a #50 car instead of his familiar #82 from years past. This was Glick's first win of the season at the track.

The IMCA Northern SportMods were up next for their 18 lap feature.  This race was marred with caution flags, two before the race even got started.  When the fourth yellow came out, Jenae Gustin had just taken the lead, and though several more caution interrupted the race after that, Gustin was able to maintain the top spot and take the win, much to the delight of the crowd. This was Gustin's first win at the track this race season.

Shane Paris, Muscatine, Iowa made his first trip to Marshalltown this year, after his usual Friday night track was rained out.  He started tenth, and took second place.  Tony Olson was third, Sam Wieben came from fifteenth starting position to finish fourth, and Bakersfield, Californian, Matthew Mayo was fifth.

John Watson took home his third victory at the High Banks this year when he won the 20 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature.  Bradly Graham, last week's winner was looking to repeat, though Watson had caught him and was following in his tire tracks lap after lap.  With just a handful of laps remaining, Graham slipped off the top of turn two, bringing out a yellow, and putting himself out of the running. It took a bit to retrieve Graham and his ride that went up, over, and out of turn two.  They had to use a different route to get him, using part of the concrete business area located on the backstretch....the mountain as we call it, to return him to his pit. 

The final five laps, Watson had it well in hand, and took the checkers, adding to his winning year at Marshalltown.  Seth Butler got by Ryan Havel in the closing moments as they went second and third respectively.  Tipton, Iowa's Daniel Wauters was also a first timer at the track.  He started sixteenth and finished fourth.  William Klosterman rounded out the top five.

Steve Meyer looked strong all race long in the IMCA Stock Car 20 lap feature.  Meyer had the lead on lap three, took to the top of the track and was pulling away.  A caution stopped the racing action on lap fourteen, erasing his comfortable lead.  

Meyer maintained his lead as the race returned to green, but two more cautions would deter his run.  He was able to hold off the challenges of two hard charging #1's in the final circuits. Austin Kaplan squeaked by Kaden Reynolds in the closing moments as they took second and third in that order.  Dave Atcher finished fourth, and veteran Jeff Wollam finished fifth. This was Meyer's first trip to  Marshalltown Speedway's victory lane this year.   

Jimmy Gustin has been getting closer and closer to getting that IMCA Modified win this year, and Friday night it was looking to becoming a reality.  Gustin started ninth, and was leading by lap three. Gustin broke loose from the pack, but brought Dallon Murty along to run in second.  The two ran the rim of the track, Murty giving it a look for a way around, and also attempting a failed slider at one point.  He then settled back in behind Gustin as they continued to circle the top of the track. 

As the laps wound down, lap traffic was beginning to play a factor, and it was lap fifteen that became Gustin's undoing.  Two slow lap cars were right in front of leader Gustin as he exited corner four, and Murty opted for the low road.....Gustin caught behind the slow cars.  Murty took the lead and just after the lap was scored, another caution came out.  On the restart, Murty kept command, and held it to the flying checkers....his third this year.  Drew Janssen, Pella, Iowa also managed to get around Gustin in the final moments, as they finished second and third respectively.  Montezuma, Iowa's Maguire DeJong finished fourth, after starting eighteenth, and Zach Rawlins was fifth. 

Kolby Sabin had the IMCA Sport Compact 15 lap event well in hand from lap two on.  He pulled away from the rest of the field, and as the checkers flew, had a good half-lap from his nearest competitors.  It was a close one at the finish line, but John Gill took second, just beating out Tyler Fiebelkorn in third. Chad Larson, and Mark Smith were fourth and fifth. This was Sabin's second win at the track this season. This was the only feature that went flag to flag.

It was like a full moon night at the races last evening, with all the incidents, cautions, and spinning going on. Thankfully, the weather was never an issue, but it was 11:23 before the show saw its final checkered flag fly....and there were no B's!  

There were lots of travelers last night.  Some came because their regular tracks in southeast Iowa were rained out, some in the Mod Lite class for the $100 to start incentive, and some visitors who come from far  away to test the Iowa dirt.   

The Mod Lites had three Raffurty's...Dillon, Michael, and Justin, and Nathan Wolfe, all from Missouri.  There was even one driver, Bryce Vowan in the house, listing his home as Memphis, Tennessee.  

Shane Paris, Muscatine, Iowa opted to make the haul to Marshalltown and run in the SportMods after his local race track was rained out.  Other travelers in the class were Matthew Mayo, Bakersfield, California, Jason Roth, from Wisconsin, Billy Gould, Jr. (who's father is a longtime racer) from Texas, Adam Baker, Bakersfield, California, and Josh Sink drove up to the High Banks from Red Oak, Iowa.

Zach Taylor ran in the Hobby Stocks, and he calls Arizona home.  He may be one of those who decides to call Iowa home for the summer.  Bo Partain, a former Northern SportMod driver from Arizona was racing in the Stock Cars last night as was lady racer Andrea McCain from South Haven, Minnesota.  Tyler DeBouche, Wisconsin, and Missourian Caleb Dennis ran in the Modifieds.   

The next race at the Marshalltown Speedway will be Thursday, July 7 when it will be the postponed Dale DeFrance Memorial.  The headliner will be the SLMR Super Late Model Dirt Series.  The IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks will also be competition.  Gates open at 5:30, hot laps are 6:55, and the green flag drops at 7:30.  Please note, there will be no racing on Friday, July 8. 

Find a race to attend.  Keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!