Berry gets a Twofer, takes Modified and Stock Car wins on Night #2 of the World Nationals

 Marshalltown Speedway held its Night #2 of the World Nationals on Saturday night for the Local UAW 893 Cliff Chambers Memorial Saturday Night Spectacular.  Tom Berry, Jr. doubled up and won both the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified feature and the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature.  The IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod feature went to Matt Avila, and Adam Wasserman took the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock title.  Blake Drisco took the honors in the IMCA MACH-1 Sport Compacts.

The IMCA Stock 30 feature, presented by Drury Automotive was a runaway after Tom Berry, Jr. grabbed the lead at lap three.  He never looked back and finished well ahead of second place, and last night's winner, Dallon Murty.  Kaden Reynolds crossed in third place but was docked two positions for a deck height infraction, handing him a fifth place finish.  This moved Damon Murty to finish in third place, and opening laps leader, Austin Kaplan was fourth.  The race paid $1,000 to the winner, and was a B & B Chassis All Star qualifier for next years Super Nationals.

The Northern SportMods, presented by Rugged Radios ran 25 laps for their main event, which was a $1,000 pay day to the winner.

Todd Dykema, Davenport, Iowa led the opening lap, Shane Paris, in the rent-a-ride hot rod normally driven by Carter VandenBerg took command at lap two, but it was Matt Avila getting the upper hand on lap ten and claiming the lead.  Avila would never give up that top spot from there on out, and in the closing laps, pulled away to the the easy win.  Paris took the runner up spot, twelfth place starter Brayton Carter....last night's winner....raced his way to a third place finish, Jenae Gustin limped her ride across the finish line in fourth place after what appeared to be a ball joint issue, and Logan Anderson was fifth. 

The ground pounding IMCA Modified 30 lap feature, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap was led from start to finish by Tom Berry, Jr., claiming his second feature of the night.  Berry started on the pole, and was gone.  He finished easily ahead of second place Ethan Braaksma.  Braaksma was racing the car #12J, that I believe to be usually piloted by Jason O'Brien, and chased Berry most of the race.  Todd Shute finished in third place, Cody Laney was fourth, and it was Tripp Gaylord racing Zack VanderBeek's #33Z ride finishing in fifth.   The race was worth $2,000 to Berry, and was also a Fast Shafts All Star qualifier for next years Super Nationals.

The IMCA Sport Compacts, presented by Hy-Vee of Marshalltown ran a 15 lap main event.  The race would go flag to flag.  

Bryan Vannausdle, Glenwood, Iowa led the opening laps but it was last night's winner Cristian Grady snatching it away on lap three.  A few laps later, Dysart, Iowa's Blake Driscol was in second and up to challenge the leader.  Driscol harassed the leader for several laps before he was finally able to make the pass underneath with just three laps remaining, and then went on to hold it to the flying checkers and the win.  Grady had to be satisfied with the runner up spot this night.  Early leader Bryan Vannausdle took third place, Mark Smith was fourth, and Matt Miller rounded out the top five.

The finale of the night....and the finale of the 2023 season at the track, was 20 laps of IMCA Hobby Stock racing, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center.

DaltonWeepie, led the first handful of laps but it was Fairbury, Nebraska's Adam Wasserman taking over at lap six.  Wasserman was then able to maintain that lead through the caution plagued race and claim the World Nationals Hobby Stock title.  Corey VanderWilt, Lynnville, Iowa finished as the runner up.  David McCalla, Cedar Rapids, Iowa started fourteenth, and took third place, fourth went to Solomon Bennett, and Quasqueton, Iowa's Trenton Neuhaus raced his ride all the way from seventeenth to finish fifth.  

The 2023 race season at the Marshalltown Speedway has drawn to a close.  Watch the track's Facebook and website for announcements for the upcoming awards banquet.  

Our racing season may have also come to a close as well.  Seems it just got started!  There are races still in the area however, so for those seeking to attend, check the calendar at Positively Racing.  We need to keep supporting the sport we all love....dirt track racing!

Ward takes Night #1 of the World Nationals

 Marshalltown Speedway held its 17th Annual World Nationals on Friday night. Taking top honors in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, was Tim Ward.  Dallon Murty took the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car win, and Brayton Carter went to Victory Lane in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class.  Benji Irvine was tops in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks and Christian Grady took the checkers in the MACH-1 IMCA Sport Compacts.  

Things got kicked off with 30 laps of Stock Car racing, presented by Drury Automotive.  Early leader was Damon Murty with son Dallon on his tail.  Dallon took command on lap ten with the elder Murty suddenly off power and out of the running on lap fourteen.  Dallon Murty held his lead the remainder of the race, with Tom Berry, Jr. looking for anyway around him, but it was not to be as Murty held his ground expertly and sailed home to the win.  Berry made a last ditch slide attempt, but had to settle for the runner up spot.  Another slider was pulled off in the closing moments with Kaden Reynolds, who started twenty-third on the field, getting around Austin Kaplan as they finished third and fourth respectively.  Gage Neal finished fifth after starting eleventh.  The win paid $1,000 and was a B & B Chassis All Star qualifier for next year's Super Nationals.

The IMCA SportMods, presented by Rugged Radios ran a 25 lap main event.  Logan Anderson took advantage of his outside front row starting spot and shot to the lead immediately.  It wasn't long however, until Brayton Carter, who started fourth, was hot on his tail.  The two southern Iowa drivers then jockeyed for position with Anderson holding the upper hand until Carter was able to get under the leader and take command at lap eighteen. Carter then kept hold to the lead the rest of the way to the flying checkers and the win.  A restart for a late caution was not kind to Anderson as he slipped back with two cars getting around him.  Ben Chapman took the runner up honors, Cam Reimers was third, and Anderson was fourth.  Tenth place starter Jenae Gustin rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Modified feature, presented by Tire Demon, ran 30 laps and paid $2,000 and was a qualifier for next year's Fast Shafts All Star Super Nationals race.

This one was all Tim Ward, as he picked up where he left off from his Super Nationals win.  He led the entire race, with Tom Berry, Jr. chasing him the distance.  He was never seriously threatened and took the win, with Berry going second.  Third went to Todd Shute, Dylan Thornton was fourth, and Joel Rust came from sixteenth starting spot, to take fifth.

The IMCA Sport Compacts, presented by Hy-Vee of Marshalltown were added to the night's program.  They ran a 15 lap main event that was led from start to finish in the flag to flag race by Cristian Grady, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He kept his ride at the top of the track to take the checkers followed by Blake Driscol in second.  Mark Smith, Bryan Vanaussdle, and Spencer Roggentien completed the top five.

The nightcap was 20 laps of IMCA Hobby Stock racing, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center.

David McCalla led the first ten laps, but Benji Irvine, Oelwein, Iowa racer took over as lap eleven was scored.  He was never threatened the rest of the way home and snagged the win.  Joren Fisher, Garrison, Iowa finished in second place.  Calvin Dhondt drove his hot rod from tenth starting spot, to take third.  Fourth went to David McCalla, and Corey VanderWilt was fifth.

Night #2 of the World Nationals will be tomorrow night, Saturday September 16, with racing in all the same classes.  Hot laps are scheduled for 6:40 p.m. with racing at 7.  This will close out the racing for the 2023 year at the Marshalltown Speedway. 

Marathon of racing at Boone Speedway....and NO rain!

 We began our marathon of racing at Boone Speedway on September 2 for the two nights of the Prelude to the Super Nationals.  It didn't end until Saturday September 9, at the conclusion of the 41st Annual IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals, fueled by Caseys.  A record of 1,017 cars ran and thankfully, this year, the jet dryer was never to be seen!

Saturday, September 2, Night #1 of the Prelude to the Super Nationals and a 95 degree day.  

The racing began at 3:35 p.m., with 401 cars checked in by my count.  Only a few heats races were run until the new "bullet proof" glass at the flagstand, was shattered!  The flagmen carried on though!  

The IMCA Sport Compact feature, with a total of 57 cars on hand, went to 11th place starter Jake Benischek.  He became the first repeat winner in the division at the Prelude.  He out lasted Devin Jones to take the win.

The IMCA Mod Lites ran two A mains and they were qualifying the inside and middle row of 10 cars each for Sunday's first Super Nationals champion to be crowned.   The class had 70 cars in competition.

A feature #1 went to Jon Padilla who dominated the race.  He finished well ahead of second place Joel Huggins.  Feature #2 saw polesitter Dillon Raffurty take his ride to Victory Lane.

This year it was decided that if there were 100 or more cars in a division at the Prelude, they would run two A features.  That was the case with both the IMCA Stock Cars (143) and the IMCA Modifieds.

Modified A #1 found Ryan McDaniel, Olivehurst, California and Tim Ward dueling it out.  McDaniel held the upper hand until lap 25 of the 30 lapper, when Ward was able to get outside of him coming to the flagstand, and took over the lead.  Ward then went on to pull away in the final handful of laps, and captured the win.

Feature #2 of the IMCA Modifieds went to a local crowd favorite, Jimmy Gustin.  Gustin started on the outside front row and was chased the entire way by polesitter Dylan, Thornton, Orcutt, California.  Gustin got to the immediate lead, and never looked back to take the feature win.  

The first A main for the Stock Cars saw another polesitter, Tyler Wilson, Little Suamico, Wisconsin also dominate.  Trailing a distant second, was veteran Kelly Shryock.  

A main #2 for Stock Cars went to Rowdee VanGenderen, son of veteran racer Mike VanGenderen....winning his first ever feature! He led all but the opening laps, hit his marks consistently, and got that elusive first win.  He was in a borrowed car, that of Ty Hill.  After getting the lead, he was never seriously challenged, and finished well ahead of second place Troy Foulger, Oakley, California. 

Racing ended at 1:19 a.m.

Sunday, September 3, dawned Day #2 of the Prelude to the Super Nationals.  Today, the first of the 41st Super Nationals would be crowned....the IMCA  STARS Mod Lites champion. Racing began at 3:04 p.m.

The Mod Lites continued their final qualifying for the Big Dance, and then it was time for their A main...30 cars, 3 wide start.  RJ Gonzales led the 30 lapper through lap seven when Dillon Raffurty came calling, taking over the top spot.  A few laps later, it was Jon Padilla in command.  Padilla continued his run at the front as the laps wore down, but a caution at lap 27, was his undoing.  Ronnie Choate, Cookeville, Tennessee had moved to third spot when the race returned to green, and then on the white flag lap, he made his move to the front.  He held the top spot the rest of the way to the finish line, and secured the Mod Lite Super Nationals title.  Choate became the first ever Tennessee driver to get a Super Nationals title in any division.  Padilla finished as the runner up.  

The Prelude feature saw the IMCA Northern SportMods and the IMCA Hobby Stocks run a full program and with over 100 cars in each class, they both ran two features.

The winner of the first IMCA Hobby Stock feature went to 11th place starter, Blake Luinenburg, Reading, Minnesota, who emotionally exclaimed in Victory Lane what a humbling sport it can be....he was one happy camper.  Hotshoe, Mike Smith, Lake City, Iowa started 26th and raced to a second place finish.  

Feature #2 for the IMCA Hobby Stocks was lead early by Rushmore, Minnesota's John Ross, but his luck ran out when he broke while leading, handing over the top spot to fellow Minnesotan, Jordan Ahlers.  Meanwhile, Jimmy Johnson, Cherokee, Iowa had been slashing through the field, and he got to the leaders bumper.  Lap sixteen was Johnson's and then he would go on to pull away and take the comfortable win.  Brandon Nielsen, Spencer, Iowa drove his ride from 13th starting spot to take the runner up spot. 

Racing was completed at 12:22 a.m. 

Monday, Labor Day, September 4, was Day #1 of the 41st Annual IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals, powered by Casey's.  It was another hot one with temperatures in the high 90's.  There were misters going in the infield for the infield workers.  The IMCA Late Models had their Super Nationals show and it was a multi-time winner getting yet another Super Nationals title.  

The IMCA Late Models had 33 entries this year and they ran a 50 lap main event.  With Jeff Aikey starting on the outside front row, you almost knew it was not going to be much of a contest.  And...it wasn't.  Aikey led all but three laps of the feature when Texan, Dean Abbey slipped into the lead.  He was leading when a yellow came out on lap 25, and when the race restarted, he got a bit sideways, and Aikey was all over him and took the lead back.  Abbey was then out of the race and his night done.  From there on out, it was all Aikey as he swept home to his seventh Super Nationals Late Model championship.  Current national point leader, Cory Dumpert, Newman Grove, Nebraska and defending National Champion, was second after starting 15th.

Qualifying began for the IMCA Northern SportMods (169) and the IMCA Hobby Stocks with a record 159 participants.  A features were run with those wins going to Jimmy Johnson, Cherokee, Iowa, in the Hobby Stocks and two A features were run for the SportMods with California's Tyler Bannister being declared the winner of the first A after original Logan Anderson was dq'd for a rules infraction.  The second SportMod win was tenth place starter, Jake Sachu. 

Races were completed at 12:51 a.m.

Day #2 of the Super Nationals and it was the Big Dance for the IMCA Sport Compacts.  The Hobby Stocks and SportMods continued their qualifying. Racing began at 2:10 p.m.

The IMCA Sport Compacts ran a 25 lap Big Dance.  This saw a repeat Super Nationals winner as well, as Devon Jones, Mason City, Iowa in his "grocery getter" copped his second title.  Kaylee Richards, Wymore, Nebraska finished as a distant runner up.

The Northern SportMods continued their Super Nationals qualifying with Alec Fett getting that feature win, and the Hobby Stocks ran two features to qualify more for the Big Dance. Winners were Mike Smith all the way from 24th starting spot, and Tristan Grape, Bellwood, Nebraska won the other feature.

Racing was done at 12:09 and a strong wind came up after dark, and the temperatures really dropped.

Wednesday, September 6, and Day #3 of the Super Nationals...with 83 races.  This was the first appearance for the IMCA Modifieds (228) and Stock Cars (257).  The crowd always picks up on this day.  

The IMCA SportMods and Hobby Stocks got their "last chance to dance" race to qualify to tag on to the tail of the Big Dance come Saturday.  SportMod winner was Cam Reimers, and Hobby Stock was won by Cody Hubbell, Rolfe, Iowa.

The two Stock Car feature winners were Damon Murty and Reading, Minnesota's Jeff Larson....both former Super National champions.  The two Modified winners were Dylan Thornton, and another former Super Nationals winner, Cody Laney. 

We skipped out a little early on this night, so not sure what time they were over.

Thursday, September 7, and it was more qualifying for the Modifieds, and Stock Cars, plus the Stock Car 30 lap All Star Invitational.

The Stock Cars All Star Invitational was dominated by Dallon Murty.  Murty led all laps and in the final part of the race, pulled away to a sizable lead to take the easy win.  Veteran racer Kelly Shryock finished a distant second.

The IMCA Stock Car two features were won by Farmington, New Mexico's Zane DeVilbiss, and Redwood Falls, Minnesota's Curt Lund....a former Super Nationals champion in the Sprint Cars.  The Modified wins went to Stayton, Oregon's Grey Ferrando and Dallon Murty....locking themselves into the Big Dance on Saturday.

Racing was completed at 12:27...for us, as we skipped out on some final events. 

Friday, Day #5 of the Super Nationals. Racing began at 1:09 p.m.  

The Modified Fast Shafts All Star Invitational was one of the highlights. The cars were on the track and ready to go, but with the setting sun giving the drivers a bit of a problem, the call was to just wait until the sun was completely down...just a slight delay before the elite field was given the green.

The All Star race was 30 laps in distants.  Mitchell Hunt, Lakeview, Michigan led the opening laps, but on lap three, it Clear Lake, Iowa's Jeremy Mills at the helm.  By lap 15, Joel Rust, who had started in the middle of the third row, was on Mills' heels.  Rust swung to the topside, and got by Mills going down the backstretch, and had the lead on lap seventeen.  The only yellow of the race came at lap eighteen, but the restart was no issue for Rust as he easily kept that top spot, and then motored the rest of way home to the flying checkers.  Chaz Baca, Mesa, Arizona, and current IMCA National point leader in the division, started in the middle of row five, and raced to a second place finish.  Mills finished in third place, fourth was early leader, Mitchell Hunt, and Chris Morris, Taylor, Texas was fifth. The 32 car starting field was comprised of driver from New Mexico, Michigan, Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oregon, Arizona, California, Nevada, Minnesota, Wyoming, Illinois, and Iowa.  

Qualifying continued for the IMCA Modified and Stocks with them running two A's each.  The Stock Car wins went to Kelly Shryock, and Dylan Thornton.  The Modifieds saw Zack VanderBeek, and Tim Ward punch their tickets to the Big Dance.

We left about 11:00 p.m. with twelve Last chance qualifiers, six for the Modifieds, and six for the Stock Cars left to go.

It was finally here!  Saturday, September 9 was day #6 of the 41st IMCA Super Nationals, and the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, and Hobby Stocks were all going dancing!  Racing began at 3:14 p.m.

A Stock Car Race of Champions pitted twelve drivers who had qualified earlier in the week in a twelve lap shoot out.  David Smith, Lake City, Iowa won this race.  

The Modified Race of Champions, also a twelve lapper, went to Brandon Beckendorf, Danube, Minnesota.  

Then....it was time to go dancing!  

The IMCA Hobby Stock ran 30 laps, 30 cars, starting three wide, as did all features.  Early leader was Cory Probst, Brewster, Minnesota, but young Mike Smith, Lake City, Iowa was dogging him by lap four, and then at lap seven, took over the lead.  It was all Smith's race from there on out, as he cruised to the win.  Dylan Nelson finished a distant second, and Malik Sampson, Worthington, Minnesota was third.

Next up was 30 laps of IMCA SportMod Big Dance racing.

Alec Fett held down the top spot in the opening laps as until Tyer Bannister, Bakersfield, California took command on lap eight with a slide job.  Lurking in the wings however, was Jake Sachau who had been bidding his time waiting for his opportunity.  Sachau to to the runner up spot at the halfway mark of the race, and on lap twenty after a swing to the topside, took over the lead.  It was all Sachau's race from then on, as he raced home to the flying checkers, and a Super Nationals win. Tyler Bannister took second, third went to Alec Fett, fourth was Logan Crumby, Quincy, Illinois, and fourteenth place starter, Willy Kirk, Sloan, Iowa, was fifth.

Time now for the IMCA Stock Cars to go dancing.  They, as well, started 30 cars, three wide.  Always an awesome sight to see.

It was Zane DeVilbiss, Farmington, New Mexico leaping to the lead from his middle front row starting spot.  He held the top spot until veteran racer Kelly Shryock took over on lap seven.  Meanwhile, Damon Murty had caught the leader, and Dylan Thornton was lurking in the wings, running third.  A restart at lap fourteen saw Thornton take over the second spot, and at lap fifteen, he had the lead.  He never relinquished that lead and was content to let them duke it out behind him for position, as he swept home to the win.  Damon Murty had to settle for second place, and Shryock took third.  Rounding out the top five was polesitter, Jeff Larson, Minnesota racer, and Jake McBirnie was fifth after starting fifteenth.

It was now time for the grand finale!  The Big Dance for the IMCA Modifieds!  They were chomping at the bit for their race....as were the fans.

Cody Laney took the lead as the race went green, as Tim Ward tucked in to run second.  The two raced closely for lap after lap until Ward was finally able to make the pass and was scored the leader at lap twenty-two.  He wasn't about to relinquish that spot, and then went on to claim the big prize off 2023 IMCA Modified Super Nationals Champion.  Cody Laney was second, third was Grey Ferrando, Stayton, Oregon, Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nevada was fourth, and Todd Shute raced from twenty-first starting spot, to take a top five in the Big Dance.

So ends another Super Nationals.  It was our 36th year straight, starting in 1988 when the Super Nationals began their permanent home at the Boone Speedway.

As I've said before, the racing is great, but the comradery of the drivers and fans is awesome.  Getting to touch base with racing family from far and wide, is a big highlight for us.   Ryan Clark, Jerry Vansickel, and Wade Aunger kept us all entertained and informed on the mic.  The entire staff had a daunting job, but they made it work and it all came together....somehow!  The race nights were adjusted a bit about Wednesday or Thursday, as the races were running late.  Also...because we hear, the town of Boone was a bit annoyed.  Fewer races, with more cars qualifying from each occurred, as well as the final LCQ races had only the top 120 in points eligible to run.  

We wore down this year more than any.  We just hope we can do this all again next year.  Fingers crossed!  

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

Showdown at MoTown wins to Laney, McBirnie, Gustin, Grape, Padilla, Sabin, and Mitchell

 September 1, 2023

It was Karl of Marshalltown Showdown at MoTown on Friday night at the Marshalltown Speedway.  One hundred thirty-three racecars came to try their hand at the High Banks, and the majority of the drivers were not from the state of Iowa!  Drivers from all across the country were in the area for the upcoming IMCA Super Nationals, and made Marshalltown Speedway an early stop.

Seven classes were in competition.  The IMCA Friesen Performance Modified saw California driver Cody Laney take the checkers.  It was Jake McBirnie winning in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, and Jenae Gustin matched her win from last week's Showdown Shake Down race by taking the honors in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods.  Nebraska racer Tristan Grape won the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature, Jon Padilla also went back to back with his win in the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites, and Kolby Sabin won the IMCA MACH-1 Sport Compacts A Main.  Also on the docket for the night were the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks, and it was Mason Mitchell taking home that trophy.

The Mod Lite feature, presented by Knight Sanitation ran their 15 lap main event first.

Jon Padilla would lead this one from flag to flag.  Padilla started on the outside pole and immediately had the lead, never to look back.  RJ Gonzales chased him across the finish line to score the runner up position.  Trailing a good distance behind in third place was Joel Huggins, and Jason Masengarb, and Josh May completed the top five.  This was Padilla's second win in as many weeks.

The SportMod 20 lap feature, presented by Rugged Radios was up next and it was led to the green flag by a pair of Bakersfield, California brothers, Jason and Tyler Bannister.  

Tyler Bannister led the opening laps, but there was quickly a flying #19J coming on the topside, that of Jenae Gustin, who took command at lap four. 

Gustin was never really threatened as she hung it out topside and pulled away in the closing laps to take the dominant win.  Brayton Carter started eighth and after battling with Tyler Bannister for much of the race, claimed the runner up spot, Bannister having to settle for third place.  Jason Bannister finished in fourth, and Logan Anderson came from tenth starting spot, to finish fifth.  Gustin saw the checkers for the second week in a row at Marshalltown.

The IMCA Stock Car 25 lap feature, presented by  Drury Automotive was a thrilling one with close racing up front for the entire race.  

Troy Foulger, Oakley, California led the first three laps, but Columbus, Nebraska racer, Jeff Ware came calling on lap four to take command.  Ware distanced himself from the field a bit, while a real cluster of cars battled for position behind him.  By lap thirteen, Jake McBirnie had cleared the cluster and was reeling in leader Ware, and that's when a yellow flew.  On the restart of the race, McBirnie threw a slider out of turn four, but it didn't stick.  The next lap, he tried it again, and this time was successful, and took over the top spot.  

Another yellow flew with just a handful of laps left, and by this time it was Damon Murty running in second place, and Todd Reitzler had advanced nineteen spots, to run in third, and Ware falling to fourth. When the race restarted, it was was a real shoot out with the top four cars going at it.  Another yellow at lap 23, would then set up a green-white-checkered exciting run to the checkers. 

McBirnie was able to hold off the challenges, and swept home to the victory.  Damon Murty finished second, Todd Reitzler crossed in third, fourth was Ware, and Garrett Corn started eleventh, and finished fifth.  The after race tech however, would shake things up a bit, as Todd Reitzler was dq'd with a rules infraction, moving Ware to finish in third place, Corn in fourth, and Tommy Fain, Abilene, Texas, was scored in fifth.

The IMCA Modifieds, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap also ran 25 laps.

Cody Laney, Torrance, California, would dominate in this feature, and though a late race yellow would bunch the field for the restart, he was able to throw off the challenges of Joel Rust and Tripp Gaylord and take the feature win.  Rust and Gaylord finished second and third respectively, and Colorado driver, Ricky Alvarado took fourth, followed by Oakley, California's Troy Foulger in fifth.  

The IMCA Hobby Stocks, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center ran a 15 lap feature next.

Bellwood, Nebraska driver Tristan Grape started on the outside front row, grabbed the lead immediately, and never relinquished the lead the rest of the way to the flying checkers.  He weathered three caution flags on his way to victory.  Eric Knutsen started twelfth, tried to run down the leader, but had to be content with second place.  Third went to David McCalla, fourth was Zach McNeese, and Tucker Richardson, Morning Sun, Iowa started eleventh, and finished in fifth.

The IMCA Sport Compacts, presented by Hy-Vee of Marshalltown, ran 15 laps for their A Main.

Early leader was Mitchell Bielenberg, Charlotte, Iowa, but it was Matt Miller taking over at lap five.  He had some fierce competition coming behind him however, and Kolby Sabin, track champion, started twelfth, and had the lead on lap seven....and kept it to the finish line and the win.  Trailing a distance behind him in second place was tenth place starter, Randy Martin, Springtown, Texas.  Third went to Matt Miller, Tyler Thompson was fourth, and Devin Schmidt, Nortonville, Kansas, rounded out the top five.

The nightcap was 25 laps of Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks.  

Jeff Johnson led the troops through the opening laps, but it was Mason Mitchell soon taking over that top spot.  From there on out, it was all Mitchell's race as he flew home easily to the win.  Jeff Johnson held the runner up spot, a distant third went to Shawn Cooney, fourth was Jared Myers, and Brandon Cox was fifth.

There is no racing next week at the Marshalltown Speedway, but they will be back in action for the 17th Annual World Nationals on September 15 and 16 to close out the season.  The IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks are on the docket both nights, with the IMCA Sport Compacts joining them on Saturday September 16.  

Now....it's off for eight more days of racing for us as we head to the Boone Speedway for tonight's Prelude Night #1, tomorrow's Prelude Night #2, and then starting Monday, the 41st running of the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals.  We hope to endure!

Murty, McBirnie, Van Wyk, Butler, May, and Mills take Prelude Preview wins

Boone Speedway was back in action on Saturday night with their Prelude Preview show in an all draw/redraw format for all classes. There were many new faces among the familiar ones in the 180 cars that came to race as things get geared up for the 41st IMCA Super Nationals.

Dallon Murty held his ground and took the win in a spectacular finish in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds. Jake McBirnie won in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, and it was Dylan Van Wyk taking the honors in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod division.  Seth Butler saw victory in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock class, his first ever at Boone, and Josh May continued his winning ways in the IMCA Stealth Racing STARS Mod Lites.  A First Time Winner Race in the Stock Cars was also held and that went to Jeremy Mills.

Prior to the races, a new flagstand was dedicated in honor of the first track's flagman, Floyd Michel.  It was nice to see the more sturdy flagstand to help keep the flagman safe.  We were told it was bullet proof glass now protecting the man who waves the flags.

The Mod Lites, presented by Carquest ran their 15 lap A main first, and the race went flag to flag.

Joe Glick was the leader for the first seven laps but he had his hands full fending off the advances of Josh May.  May, the track champion who started sixth was quickly up to challenge the leader and after several laps of side by side racing,  May made the pass on the inside and was scored the leader at lap eight.  It was all May's race there on out, as he pulled away and took the checkers going away.  Glick finished as the runner up, Joel Huggins, who has run a limited schedule this year, finished in third place, fourth went to Austin Gray, and tenth place starter, Randy Bryan, was fifth.

The SportMods, presented by Elmquist Towing came to the track next for their 18 lap main event and it also went caution free.

Dylan Van Wyk, Oskaloosa, Iowa racer,  started on the outside front row, grabbed the lead immediately and never looked back.  He had a sizable lead with just a handful of laps in the books, and from there on out, stretched it our even further, and won going away.  Curtis Veber, the pole sitter finished as the runner up, third went to ninth place starter Jake Sachau, Ben Chapman, Clarence, Iowa visiting driver finished in fourth place, and Josh Appel, Garner, Iowa was fifth.

The IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Boone Moose Lodge, ran 20 laps for their A Main.

Early leader was Jeff Mueller but he soon had sixth place starter Jake McBirnie breathing down his neck. After a couple of peeks under Mueller, he was able to pull off the pass into the lead, and was scored the leader on lap six.  McBirnie then weathered three cautions and subsequent restarts easily, and went home comfortably to the flying checkers and the win.  Jake Sachau took second, a distant third was Jeff Mueller, fourth went to tenth place starter Bob Daniels, and Austin Meiners came from twelfth, to finish fifth.

The IMCA Modifieds, presented by D & E Outside Services, ran a 20 lap feature, and what a show they put on for the fans.

Dallon Murty started on the pole and jumped to the immediate lead, but sixth place starter, Tom Berry, Jr. was on his tail when lap one was scored.  Those two would be the show up front for the rest of the race.  Murty and Berry toured the top of the track closely and when a caution flew at lap 17, it could have been a game changer.  It wasn't to be however, as THE "Game Changer", Dallon Murty fended off some spectacular sliders from Berry, but they were no avail, and Murty skillfully earned his victory at the checkers. Berry had to be content with second place on this night. Tim Ward took third place after starting in twelfth position, Riley Simmons was fourth, and Cory Sauerman rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Hobby Stocks, presented by Pickett Salvage had a 15 lap feature.  The winner of this one was a happy camper as he saw checkers for the first time at Boone after being a regular at the track for several years. He had won at another track, but his comment in Victory Lane was, "but it wasn't Boone"!

Seth Butler grabbed the lead from the outside front row position, weathered a yellow caution and restart, and led all 15 laps on his way to his first win at the track.  Butler, who has been close before, finally captured that elusive first win. It was an emotional interview in Victory Lane as he thanked his supporters, sponsors, and fans.  John Watson, the 2023 track champion, finished as the runner up. Audubon, Iowa racer, Riley Christensen took third place, fourth was Zach Hemmingsen, and Wayne Gifford was fifth.

The night ended with the running of the 2nd Annual John Logue First Time Winner Race for the IMCA Stock Cars.  This race was for drivers who had never won a feature in a Stock Car previously.

Veteran racer Calvin "Buck" Swanson led the field for the first two laps until Scott Olson took over on lap three.  Just a few laps later, it was Jeremy Mills, challenging the leader.  Olson was able to fend off the advances until just five laps remained, when Mills grabbed the lead.  Mills, who has won in the Hobby Stock and Modified classes, then held on to the top spot the rest of the way home and claimed his first ever IMCA Stock Car feature win.  Second place went to Drew Janssen who started sixteenth, third was nineteenth place starter Braden Richards, Dillon Solum started thirteenth and finished fourth, and young Rowdee Van Genderen started twenty-first, and finished in fifth. Mills also is now qualified for the IMCA Stock Car All Star Invitational at the upcoming Super Nationals.

Next Saturday night, September 2 will be Night #1 of the Wild Rose Casino Double Down Prelude to the Super Nationals, presented by NAPA. IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Compacts, and Mod Lites will be on the docket.  Pits open at 11, grandstands at 1, hot laps at 2, and racing at 3.  Night #2 of the Prelude will be Sunday, September 3, when the Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks will be racing, and the Mod Lites will have their 2023 Super Nationals feature which will crown the first of this year's winners of the 41st running of the IMCA Super Nationals. The ninth annual Prelude is now billed as the Double Down Prelude, with double features in any class with more than 100 cars.  

Then, on Labor Day Monday, September 4, it will be the first of five straight days/nights of racing at the Boone Speedway for the 41st IMCA Super Nationals, and America's Racin' Vacation.  God willing, we plan to see it once again for our 35th year straight.

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

 

Murty and Murty take Show Down Shake Down wins

It was KIX 101.1 and KFJB Night at the Marshalltown Speedway Friday for a Showdown Shakedown for next week's Showdown at MoTown.  Winners on the night were Dallon Murty in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, and dad Damon Murty saw the checkers first in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.  The IMCA Friesen Performance SportMod feature went to Jenae Gustin, and Corey Van Der Wilt won the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks.  The Stealth Racing IMCA STARS main event went to Jon Padilla, and the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compact winner was Devin Jones.  Also on exhibition were the Outlaw Cruisers with the duo of Corey Van Der Wilt, and Brett Maasdam, known as "Thunder and Lightning",  taking those honors.  

The Mod Lites, presented by Knight Sanitation ran their feature first, and it was also their season championship night after all of the other IMCA weekly classes wrapped up their season last week. They were shorted a night during the season when a rained out makeup show did not allow for them on the docket. The cars were pulled to the frontstretch and there were out of car driver introductions before their 15 lap feature.

Darrick Knutsen led the opening laps but Jon Padilla, who started ninth on the grid, was up to challenge by lap six.  By lap seven, Padilla had the lead, never to look back. He finished well ahead of second place Cory Sonner, Josh May...who is the track champion for 2023, was third.  Fourth went to Joe Glick and visiting driver from Metamora, Illinois, Brandon Freeburg completed the top five. The race went caution free.

The SportMods, presented by Rugged Radios ran 18 laps for their main event.  Brady Hilmer led the troops through the first two laps, but Logan Anderson took command on lap three.  A yellow flew at lap five, and by this time, Jenae Gustin was running in second place and anxious for the restart.  When the race returned to green, Anderson held his ground but a smooth slider out of four as they approached the flagstand on lap ten, saw Gustin take over as leader.  She then stretched out her lead in the last portion of the race, and went home to the easy win.  Logan Anderson held on to second place, Brady Hilmer was third, fourth went to tenth place starter, Brayton Carter, and Dysart, Iowa's Joe Docekal was fifth. 

The Stock Car 20 lap feature, presented by Drury Automotive  went flag to flag.  

Damon Murty got the early lead and pulled away from the field.  Meanwhile, Jake Sachau, began to run the leader down.  He drew close in the final two laps, but Murty was never really challenged and took another familiar trip to Victory Lane. Sachau finished as the runner up, a distant third place went to Dave Atcher, Todd Reitzler was fourth, and Austin Kaplan was fifth.    

Dallon Murty drew the pole for the start of the Modified feature, presented by Tire Demon. 

Murty shot to the lead as the green flag flew, and pulled away.  Bettendorf, Iowa's Charlie Mohr fell in behind the leader.  A yellow flew at lap nine and by this time Joel Rust had moved into the third spot and on the restart, was able to make the pass into second place.  Rust was able to get under Murty briefly, but another yellow flew, and the race restart was reverted to the last completed lap, giving Murty the lead back on the restart.  Murty never let Rust get the run under him again, and kept his lead to the flying checkers and the win.  Rust took the runner up spot, third went Charlie Mohr, Dylan Thornton was fourth, and  Paul Nagle rounded out the top five.

Track champion, Corey Van Der Wilt drew the pole for the 15 lap Hobby Stock feature, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center, and took it home to the win.  He lost the lead briefly to Eric Knutson but late lap traffic would become his nemesis, and Van Der Wilt regained the top spot and took the victory.  Knutson finished second, trailing a distant third was Bradly Graham, Brett Maasdam was fourth, and Logan Andrews was fifth.  This race also went flag to flag.  

The IMCA Sport Compacts, presented by Hy-Vee of Marshalltown ran a 15 lap A Main.

James Haring took the lead when the race went green as Kolby Sabin began his quest coming on the top of the track and running down the leader.  Sabin had the lead on lap three but visitor Devon Jones, Mason City, Iowa and a former IMCA Super Nationals champion in the division, was also making his presence known, and by lap six, was on the leaders tail.  Lap traffic came into play as the two ran side by side, and with a lap remaining, Jones was able to take the lead, and hold it to the flying checkers.  Sabin finished second, third went to early leader James Haring, fourth was Stephen Randall, and Korey Lana was fifth.  This race also went caution free.

The call was made to start the races later in the evening due to our hot spell that had everyone sweltering with the high temperatures and humidity.  It was a good call, and by race time, it was much more comfortable and with Mother Natures "fan" blowing a bit, it turned out to be a really comfortable evening.  

It was also refreshing to see that only a total of THREE yellow flags flew during all the feature racing...one in the SportMod division, and two in the Modified. There were fewer cars on hand, 78, than during the season, but given it was not a track points race, many were opting to have a night off, or some were off to watch Friday night High School football, or some choosing to prep their cars for the upcoming Super Nationals, would be our guess.  Oh yes, and some were probably worn out from struggling during the week in our heat wave! 

A couple of notes on the evening. Jenae Gustin made her debut in an IMCA Stock Car!  She was piloting the Dilly Bar Special ride of Jeff Wollam.  We also noticed that Dallon Murty's Modified and dad Damon's Stock Car were missing some graphics last night with white side panels.  I'm sure that is in preparation for new wraps coming for the Super Nationals.

Next Friday night, September 1, is Karl of Marshalltown Show Down at Motown.  It's $1,000 to win for IMCA Modifieds, $750 for the IMCA Stock Cars, $500 for the IMCA Northern SportMods and IMCA Hobby Stocks, and $250 for the IMCA Sport Compacts.  The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks will also be on the docket next week.

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

Boone Speedway Crowns Five Track Champions

It was Elmquist Towing and Farley's Pre-Owned Season Championship Night at the Boone Speedway Saturday, on a hot and humid night. Feature wins went to Jeremy Mills in the IMCA Friesen Performance class, and Donavon Smith captured the win in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.  Curtis Veber made it two wins in a row when he took the checkers in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod feature, Mike Smith saw his way to Victory Lane in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and it was Josh May winning the IMCA Stealth Racing STARS Mod Lite main event. Five track champions were also crowned with some tight points battles deciding who would wear that title. 

The top ten in points were locked into the A main in each division, while B mains filled in the rest of the field for their features. Extra laps were added to all divisions on Season Championship night.  All classes had out of car introductions on the frontstretch, affording fans a chance to see the driver behind the car, and show their appreciation for entertaining them all season long.

First on the track for feature racing was the Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck & Farm.

Bryan Zehm started from the pole and led the opening laps.  Josh May was quickly up to challenge and after peeking low for a way around to no avail, he switched it up, and took to the topside and had the lead by lap six.  It was all May's race from there on out as he sailed to the win in a race that went caution free.  Austin Gray finished in second place, Zehm was third, fourth went to Cory Sonner who started eleventh on the field, and Joe Glick was fifth.  This was May's seventh feature win of the year, and he took the track title by just starting the race. May was the only track champion that also won their feature of the evening. 

The Northern SportMods, presented by Elmquist Towing, were up next.  This one had a close points battle going on with three drivers in the running.  Ryan Leeman held a five point advantage over two drivers tied for second....Dusty Masolini and Cory Pestotnik.

Curtis Veber and Dusty Masolini led the field to green with Masolini getting the upper hand and taking the lead. Veber shadowed Masolini through the first ten laps, but was finally able to make the pass, and was scored as the leader when lap eleven went in the books.  Veber was then able to hold that top spot the remaining laps to the checkers, and score his second win after getting his first ever last week at the track.  Masolini finished in second place and that gave him the track title.  Cory Pestotnik took third, Hunter Longnecker finished fourth, and Jake Sachau started thirteenth, and rounded out the top five. Masolini ended up with 410 points, while Pestotnik and Leeman both had 409 points in the tightest battle for track championship of the evening.   

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Boone Moose Lodge were up next for their 25 lap feature event.

Donavon Smith started on the pole and from there, he never looked back.  He had the field covered the entire time, and would pull away in the latter part of the race to take the comfortable win....his first of the year.  Kyle Everts finished a distant runner up.  Third went to brother David Smith, Tyler Pickett started twelfth, and finished fourth, and Chris Pruitt came from thirteenth, to finish in fifth place.  Point leader going into the night, Scott Davis fell out of the race with mechanical issues, but had the track title wound out when he took the green to start the race.

The IMCA Modifieds, presented by D & E Outside Services ran their 25 lap feature event next.  Going into the race, Jimmy Gustin held a nine point lead over Jeremy Mills for the track title.

Young Izac Mallicoat looked to be on his way to seeing his first win at the speedway as he expertly ran the top of the track.  By lap seven a caution flew with Jeremy Mills in second place and anxious for the restart.  It wasn't to be however, as Mallicoat kept his composure and smoothly diced through traffic with only four laps left.  That's when a caution came out and this time on the restart, it was not Mallicoat's friend.  Mills got the advantage going down the backstretch and was scored the leader on lap twenty-two.  He then kept it to the flying double checkers and the win.  Jimmy Gustin had run at the front of the field all race long, and was able to slip by Mallicoat with a lap to go, as they finished second and third respectively.  Jake McBirnie started eleventh and took fourth place, and Cory Sauerman was fifth.  This was the third win of the season for Mills.  Jimmy Gustin took the track title.

The night cap was the 20 lap feature event for the IMCA Hobby Stocks, presented by Pickett Salvage.  There was a tight points battle brewing  in this one too, with John Watson leading and Solomon Bennett setting just three points behind.

Mike Smith started fourth on the field, and wasted no time in getting to the front, taking command at lap one.  A plethora of caution flags fell in the contest, but it was no issue for Smith, as he drove off from the field each time the race returned to green.  Curt Reed crossed in second place but was docked two spots for jumping, scoring him in fourth place.  This gave the runner up spot to John Watson, and Eric Stanton came from fifteenth, to be scored third.  Seth Janssen started twelfth and finished in fifth place.  This was Smith's sixth regular feature win of the season.  John Watson was crowned the track champion.

Next Saturday night, August 26, is billed as the IMCA Super Nationals Tune-Up.  The IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Mod Lites will be running, along with John Logue's "First Time Feature" special event.  Pits open at 4:30, grandstands at 5:30, Hot Laps at 6, and racing at 7.

 

Champions crowned on Season Championship Night at the High Banks

It was North 3rd Avenue Dairy Queen Larry Wollam Season Championship Night at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday.  Feature wins went to Todd Shute in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified division.  It was Austin Kaplan winning the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main event and Logan Anderson took the honors in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class.  Bradly Graham won the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature, and Joe Glick won the IMCA Stealth Racing STARS Mod Lites, and Mitchell Bunch saw checkers in the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts.  Only one feature winner of the night was also crowned a track champion, that being Todd Shute in the Modifieds. One track champion will not be crowned until next Friday night.  More on that later. 

The Sport Compacts, presented by Marshalltown Hy-Vee were the first on the track for their 15 lap feature, with out of car introductions prior to the start. Those on track introductions, done all night long, gave the fans an opportunity to see the driver behind the cars that put on a show for us weekly.  

Mitchell Bunch would lead all 15 laps on his way to the checkered flag.  He had pulled away from the field when a yellow flew at lap ten.  This put Kolby Sabin on his tail for the restart.  Bunch maintained his lead when the race went green, but a couple of laps later, he drifted a bit up the track, allowing Sabin to draw close and ready for his chance.  It wasn't to be however, as Bunch would take it home to the checkers and seal the win, his second of the year at the track.  Sabin, who claimed the track crown had to settle for second place.  Third went to Blake Driscol, Chad Larson came home in fourth, and Marshalltown's own John Patterson was fifth.

The Mod Lites, presented by  Knight Sanitation ran next and went 15 laps for their A feature. Since they had missed a night of racing, their track championship will be decided at next week's races.

William Nobles led lap one, but on lap two, it was Joe Glick in command.  Then, the following laps saw a great battle up front as Glick, Jason Masengarb, and Jon Padilla jostled back and forth.  Masengarb got to the front on lap seven, only to have Glick regain the lead on lap nine.  From there on out, Glick would rip the lip and take his ride home the rest of the way to the flying checkers.  Masengarb finished as the runner up, third went to Padilla, Josh May was fourth, and Cory Sonner rounded out the top five. This was Glick's first trip to Victory Lane at the speedway this year.

The Hobby Stocks, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center were next on the docket for 20 laps of racing after their on track introductions.

Ben Newhouse led the troops through the first six laps until Morning Sun, Iowa's Tucker Richardson took over at lap seven. Richardson stretched out his lead until a caution flew at lap twelve, which then saw Bradly Graham setting in second spot, and anxious for the restart.  

When the race restarted, Graham kept looking under for a way around, time after time. When those peeks didn't pay off, he opted for a slider out of turn four, and was scored the leader when lap sixteen went in the books.  He would then hold that lead, stretching it out, and take the comfortable win.  Eric Knutson got around Richardson in the closing laps as they went second and third respectively.  Fourth went to Sam West, and Calvin Dhondt came all the way from twenty-fourth starting position, to finish in fifth.  This was Graham's first feature win of the year.  The track champion for 2023 is Lynnville, Iowa's Corey Van Der Wilt. 

The Northern SportMods, presented by Rugged Radios ran a 20 lap main events, and after their kudos from the crowd it was time for their feature.  

There was a lot of moving and shaking in this race the entire time.  Zach Hovell led the opening two laps, but it was Jenae Gustin taking over on lap three.  Gustin, now driving her own car after several weeks prior in a borrowed hot rod, then had Logan Anderson to contend with as he hounded her lap after lap.  Meanwhile, Brayton Carter had moved into third place and was challenging for position.

Gustin held her lead as more drivers joined in the chase...Matt Avila, and Tony Olson.  Gustin was still leading when a caution flew with just two laps remaining. That dreaded caution....you love them, or hate them, was her undoing.  On the restart, there was contact as they exited turn two, causing Gustin to falter, and Anderson took advantage, flying into the lead.  Anderson kept the top spot in the closing moments, and took the win...his first of the year.  Matt Avila took the runner up spot, Brayton Carter was third, Jenae Gustin recovered nicely and took fourth, and Travis Peterson was fifth.  Kyle Olson would claim the track title crown in the division for 2023.

The 20 lap Stock Car feature, presented by Drury Automotive was no less exciting...with lots of, " moving and shaking, and chocolate cake baking", as Jerry Vansickel would say.  Cars were going three, four, and five wide in the opening laps, with Dave Atcher leading the mass.  Austin Kaplan, who started tenth, gained the upper hand at lap nine, as Atcher, Michael Jaennette, Tyler Pickett, and Steve Meyer duked it out behind him.  Kaplan would never give up his lead however, and went home to the win.  Steve Meyer finished in second, Tyler Pickett was third, Michael Jaennette was fourth, and Scott Rice rounded out the top five.  This was Kaplan's third win of the year.  Steve Meyer claimed the Stock Car track championship.

The finale of the night was 25 laps of Modified racing, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap.  Two drivers, Todd Shute, and Joel Rust were separated by only two points going into the race.  Both drivers were offered extra money to go to the tail on the start, Shute choosing to stay at his seventh starting spot as point leader, Rust turning down his eighth place starting position, for a chance at the extra cash. 

Polesetter, Dustin Kroening leaped into the lead as the race started, but by lap four, he had Shute on his tail.  Shute managed to get under Kroening going down the backstretch, and grabbed the lead on lap eight.  It was all Shute's race from there on out as he distanced himself from the pack, rim riding flawlessly on his way to the checkers.  Tripp Gaylord took second, Joel Rust fell a bit short, but put on a great show to finish in third place, fourth went to Ronn Lauritzen, and Maguire DeJong came on strong in the closing moments to finish in fifth. This was Shute's fourth win of the year, and he is the 2023 Modified track champion.  

There will be racing next Friday night, August 25 at the Marshalltown Speedway where it will be KIX 101.1 KFJB Night.  The Mod Lites will have their Season Championship and a track champion will be crowned.  It will be a draw/redraw show for all other classes. 

It was a great night for racing and the track was perhaps the best it's been all year long as several of the winning drivers even commented.  There was a breeze from the south that by the time the final checkers fell, had many fans wishing they had brought a jacket or even more!  Now comes the heat for the next few days, and all will be wishing for that cooling breeze.  

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

Berry clean sweeps Modifieds winning the Watermelon Classic and the P1P Challenge

The Boone Speedway was back in action on Saturday night with the running of the Watermelon Classic plus the P1P Performance Challenge race for the IMCA Modifieds.  It was a draw/redraw night for all classes, with extra money on the line, plus many bonuses and giveaways to the drivers. And of course, all heat winners as well as feature winners were also awarded a watermelon.

Tom Berry, Jr. made it a clean sweep in two features, winning both the regular feature and the P1P Challenge race for the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds.  David Smith came out on top of the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, and Curtis Veber won in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods.  Andrew Berg saw Victory Lane in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and it was Josh May returning to the winner's circle in the IMCA Stealth Racing STARS Mod Lites.

The headliner P1P Challenge race for the Modifieds, saw the top fourteen drivers qualify through group timing plus earn points in heat races.  They ran 15 laps for a $1,000 payday.  Tom Berry, Jr. would lead the entire 15 laps to take the win.  David Stremme, former NASCAR driver from Mifflintown, Pennsylvania and owner of Lethal Chassis, came to try his hand at Iowa's Action Track, and finished in second place.  Cory Sauerman, Cory Wray, and Izac Mallicoat completed the top five.

The Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck & Farm ran a 15 lap feature to kick off regular feature racing for the night.

Joe Glick led the field to green and took command of the race.  With a handful of laps remaining, tenth place starter Josh May had caught the leader and was applying pressure.  A topside swing around the leader then gave May the top spot at lap twelve, which he kept to the flying checkers and the win.  Glick had to be content with the runner up position, third went to Austin Gray, Randy Bryan was fourth, and Cory Sonner was fifth.  This was May's sixth win of the 2023 season.

The Northern SportMods, presented by Elmquist Towing came to the track next for their 18 lap main event.

Curtis Veber wrestled the lead away from Jessiah Taylor on lap five and then took it the rest of the way home to the checkers.  He finished comfortably ahead of second place Matt Avila.  A distant third went to Cory Pestotnik, fourth was Dusty Lynch, and Dusty Masolini took fifth.  Veber claimed his first Northern SportMod win at the track and a $600 payoff.

The IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Boone Moose Lodge, put on one whale of race the entire 25 laps as they ran for $1,000 paycheck.

When the race went green, Johnathon Logue powered to the cushion and claimed the lead with Jay Schmidt tagging on to run second.  Several caution would slow the pace but Logue and Schmidt continued to run one-two on the track in an excitingly close race.  Schmidt grabbed the lead on lap nine as Logue dogged him, but coming fast catching the leaders was tenth place starter David Smith. Smith got around Logue, and then  Schmidt made a slight slip, pushing up to the cushion, and Smith was on it, claiming the lead on lap eighteen.  He then took his ride home to the checkers first, Schmidt taking second place.  Johnathon Logue finished third, Michael Jaennette had a great run, coming from fourteenth starting spot to finish in fourth, and Scott Olson was fifth.  This was Smith's second feature win of the year.

The IMCA Modified, presented by D & E Outside Services also ran a 25 lap feature that paid $1000 to the winner.

Cory Sauerman led the first five laps, until David Stremme was able to get under him and take over the lead at lap six.  Meanwhile, Tom Berry, Jr., who recently switched to a Lethal Cassis, had caught second place Sauerman and was applying pressure.  Berry was able to take over second place and then the chase was on to catch Stremme.  Berry slowly reeled in the leader and at lap seventeen had the lead.  It was short lived however as Stremme was again the leader at lap twenty-one.  The final circuits was a treat for the fans as Stremme and Berry duked it out.  With a lap remaining, Berry, the defending IMCA Super Nationals Champion got the advantage and grabbed the lead away, and then went home to the win. Stremme, in his first time racing at the track, and who had Boone Speedway and Marshalltown Speedway (he raced there Friday night) on his bucket list, had to settle for the runner up spot.  Eighteenth place starter Jeremy Mills made a late race charge and finished in third place.  Fourth went to Tim Ward, who started sixteenth, and early leader Cory Sauerman rounded out the top five.

The 15 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature, presented by Pickett Salvage closed out the night's racing.

Solomon Bennett started on the outside front row and immediately grabbed the lead.  He quickly had Andrew Burg breathing down his neck.  Burg snagged the lead at lap eight, and then never looked back on his way to victory.  Seventh place starter John Watson finished in second, Bennett took third, Rusty Bates was fourth, and Seth Janssen was fifth.

Next Saturday night, August 19 is Season Championship night.  Pits open at 4:30, grandstand at 5:30, hot laps at 6:00, and racing at 7. Then on August 26, it will be IMCA Super Nationals Tune-up night.  September 2-3 will be the Wild Rose Casino Prelude to the Super Nationals, and then on Labor Day, Monday September 4 it will be the 2023 IMCA Super Nationals through September 9.  Crazy how fast the racing season has flown by and will soon be over!

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

Carter takes home $1K on BHE Night before the Creek

It was $1,000 to win for IMCA Northern SportMods at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night, thanks to "BHE Night before the Creek" special at the speedway's sister track, 141 Speedway in Francis Creek, Wisconsin. Brayton Carter went home $1,000 richer taking home that honor.  Other winners on the night were Joel Rust in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, Michael Jaennette in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Eric Knutson in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Jason Masengarb won the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites.

The headliner for the night, the Northern SportMods, presented by Rugged Radios ran their 20 lap $1,000 to win feature first.

Jarett Franzen led the opening lap of the race but by lap three, it was Sam Wieben leading the troops.  Wieben was still leading when a caution flew at lap twelve, but he had big time company by now with a pair of Oskaloosa, Iowa drivers, Curtis Van Der Wal, and Brayton Carter on his tail. 

When the race returned to green, Van Der Wal was able to get the advantage by going topside, and took command of the race at lap thirteen.  Then another yellow would fly at lap fourteen, and this time it would be Brayton Carter getting the advantage on the restart, and fly into the lead.  It was all Carter's race the rest of the way to the checkers....matching his win from last week....and his fifth of the regular season.  Travis Peterson started tenth, and finished as the runner up, third went to Sam Wieben, fourth to Curtis Van Der Wal, and Logan Anderson rounded out the top five.

The Mod Lites, presented by Knight Sanitation came to the track next for their 15 lap feature which went flag-to-flag...the only race of the night to do so.  

Jason Masengarb, the Colona, Illinois racer wasted no time in getting to the front, taking the lead on lap one, and keeping his ride there all 15 caution free laps.  RJ Gonzales made it interesting in the closing laps after catching the leader, but had to be content with a second place finish.  Third was tenth place starter Jon Padilla, fourth was Josh May, and Cory Sonner completed the top five.  

The IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Drury Automotive ran a 20 lap feature event.

Dave Atcher led the field to green and kept his #2 at the front through lap fifteen.  By then, Michael Jaennette had worked his way from starting seventh and was on the leader's tail.  A slight touch between the two was all it took in turn four, bringing out a caution. The incident found Atcher setting stopped up high in turn four, and his night ended. 

Jaennette had the lead when the race restarted and that's where he kept his ride the rest of the way to the flying checkers, his first of the 2023 season.  Jeff Wollam finished in the second position, third went to ninth place starter, Todd Reitzler, fourth was Austin Kaplan, and Scott Rice took fifth. 

Jaennette, whose car had been practically rebuilt the past week after suffering severe damage at the B & B Racing Chassis Stock Car special in Arlington, Minnesota, had to feel pleased when he saw that checkered flag flying!  

The ground pounding IMCA Modifieds, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap, ran next, for their 20 lap main event.

Chase Weimer and Paul Nagle led the field to green, with Nagle grabbing the lead as lap one was scored.  Nagle was looking strong running out front through the halfway point of the contest, but by this time, it was Todd Shute who had raced his way from ninth starting spot, to tag on to the leader.  A swift move coming out of turn four gave Shute the lead on lap twelve.  It was looking to be a runaway for Shute, but bad luck would rear its ugly head when just three laps later, he was off power on the backstretch.  This brought out a yellow, and Nagle inheriting the lead on the restart, and Joel Rust now running second.  Rust was able to pull off a slide job coming out of turn four with just two laps remaining to take over as captain of the ship, and then he would hold on to it the rest of the way for the win.  Maguire DeJong ran at the front of the pack most of the race, and finished as the runner up, getting by third place finisher Nagle in the closing laps. Fourth went to a visitor from Pennsylvania, the former Nascar racer and Lethal Chassis owner, David Stremme, and Ronn Lauritzen took fifth place. 

The IMCA Hobby Stocks, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center put a night cap on the racing.

Ben Newhouse led the opening lap of the 20 lap affair, but by lap two, it was Solomon Bennett taking over.  Bennett kept hold of that lead until unlucky lap thirteen when it was Eric Knutson taking command.  Knutson would then hold that lead the rest of the way and pull away to take the comfortable win over Bennett in second. Calvin Dhondt fought his way through traffic from starting twenty-first and taking third place.  John Watson finished in fourth, and Corey VanDerWilt was fifth.  This was Knutson's third feature win at the track this year.

It was a hot and muggy night at the racetrack but a thankful southerly breeze helped tremendously.  As the night wore on, we sat and watched the sky with two approaching cells looking to collide and then lightning flashing to the north.  Thankfully, it was far enough away to be no bother.  It does appear to have spoiled the Night of 1000 Stars at the Hancock County Speedway in Britt however, as no results are shown on My Race Pass.  

Next Friday night at Marshalltown Speedway is Larry Wollam Memorial Season Championship.  How can that be?  The summer has flown by.  Make sure to find a race to support to keep the sport we all love....dirt track racing....alive and well!

Repeat winners, along with Sachau, Masengarb, and Jones seeing first time checkers

 It was another big night of racing at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night, that saw 175 race cars checked into the pits. Several big races had been in the area that brought to town many visiting racers. However, thelarger car numbers is also common at Boone as the Super Nationals draws closer, and they are hoping to "test the track".  Sauerman Trucking boosted the payout for the Mod Lite division to a $500 payday, as well as kicking in $50 to each heat winner in all divisions.

Feature winners of the night were Jake McBirnie in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, and Jake Sachau stepped into an IMCA Sunoco Stock Car and took home the trophy.  Cam Reimers paid his third visit to the winners circle this season by capturing the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod feature win, and it was Mike Smith returning to Victory Lane in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.  Jason Masengarb won the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lite main event, and the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts were on the docket and it was Devin Jones taking that win.

The Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck & Farm ran their 15 lap feature event first.

Early race leader was David Bailey with Scott Bailey giving chase and that was the running order when the race was halted on lap eight.  The race was red flagged when John Patterson rolled his brand new ride in turn four, but was thankfully okay.  When the race went back to green, a lap was not completed when the race was once again red flagged when disaster struck on the backstretch.  This time it was Joe Wood taking the tumble, with Scott Bailey and David Meinecke also involved.  Once again, thankfully no one was hurt.

David Bailey held his lead when the race did get back underway, but it was short-lived as he lost the handle and spun, bringing out a yellow.  When the race restarted, it was Colona, Illinois' Jason Masengarb inheriting the lead.  It was all Masengarb's race from there on out as he motored home to the checkers untouched.  Finishing in second place was sixteenth place starter Mike Kennedy, and Josh May got back to third place after an early incident put him to tag the tail.  Fourth was Tanner Gannon who came from fourteenth starting spot, and Jason Toppenberg, thirteenth place starter, was fifth.

The Northern SportMod 18 lap feature, presented by Elmquist Towing was up next, and it was Cam Reimers scoring the win, his third of the season.

Cam Reimers took over the lead on lap three, getting around young Gage Hilgenberg, and then he never looked back.  Several yellows slowed the action, but it was no hinderance to Reimers as he took the twin checkers.  Last week's winner Matt Avila hard charged his way to second place after starting twentieth.  Curtis Veber finished third, and Dusty Masolini and Ryan Leeman completed the top five.

The IMCA Stock Car 20 lap feature, presented by Boone Moose Lodge provided plenty of exciting action as always.

It was three and four wide racing in the opening laps with Micheal Smith leading the fray going on behind him.  Todd VanEaton soon got to his bumper, but Smith held him off.  Then both drivers were overcome by seventh place starter Jake Sachau who took over the top spot on lap ten.   He never relinquished it as he went home to the flying checkers and his first Stock Car win at Boone Speedway.  Scott Davis started twelfth, and it was brothers-in-law Jay Schmidt and Micheal Smith going third and fourth in that order.  Miciah Hidlebaugh rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Sport Compacts made their only appearance of the year, before reappearing on Tuesday of this year's Super Nationals.   They ran a 15 lap main event.

Kaytee Devries was the early race leader but by lap five Devin Jones, who started eighth, had taken over.  Jones, a former Super Nationals Champion in his hatch back ride kept that top spot the rest of the way to the win. Jake Paysen made a late race rally to take the number two spot, in a close one at the line over third place Mitchell Bunch. Matt Miller was fourth, and Kaytee Devries took fifth place.

The 20 lap IMCA Modified feature, presented by D & E Outside Services went green to checkered.

Winner Jake McBirnie led much of the race running downstairs, while Grey Ferrando tried his best to make it work on the topside, but had to settle for second place. Jeremy Mills ran up front all race long, but had to be content with third place.  Farmington, New Mexico's Zane DeVilbiss took fourth, and Tim Ward came from twelfth starting spot to capture fifth place.  This was the third visit for McBirnie to Victory Lane at the speedway this season.

The night ended with the running of the IMCA Hobby Stock 15 lap feature, presented by Pickett Salvage.

Young Mike Smith started fifteenth in the field, but it should be to no ones surprise, he didn't stay there.  He methodically worked his way through the field of cars, and had the lead with four laps to go, and kept it to the checkers.  Wayne Gifford took second place after starting ninth.  Third went to Curt Reed, Tom Killen, Jr. started twelfth and finished in fourth, and John Watson came all the way from seventeenth, to take fifth.

Next Saturday night, August 12, is P1P - Watermelon Classic annual event. Doesn't every driver want to race for watermelons? Here's their chance as all heat winners will be presented with one.  

As the races ended right at 10:47 p.m. fans were cautioned to be aware of some severe weather just to the east.  Thankfully, Mother Nature allowed the racing to be completed before it hit Iowa's Action Track.  

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

Ward claims Salute to Veterans honors on a huge night of racing

It was a night filled with patriotism and thanking our Veterans at the Boone Speedway on Saturday when Boone held its Annual Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans Night sponsored by EMW Trucking, and Waltert Farms.  A whopping 241 race cars came to try their hand at Iowa's Action track. Prior to the racing, Veterans enjoyed a free meal, drink, gifts, and free admission to the races. Specially wrapped Salute to Veterans race cars were on display behind the grandstand, and a stirring pre-race ceremony was also held.

The wrapped cars on display were beautiful and a great tribute.  Old Glory was the theme of McCain Jennings and his Stock Car.  Buck Schafroth's Stock Car was the Sniper car and fittingly a Sniper Chassis is what he runs.  Brandon Beckendorf's Modified was wrapped in the Gold Star theme, and Chad Palmers beautiful purple Stock Car was honoring the Purple Heart recipients.  Tim Warner brought his SportMod down from Wisconsin with an A-10 Warthog U.S. Air Force wrap. Nice chatting with him and his wife, and we got a sampling of yummy Wisconsin "squeaky cheese"!  Logan Anderson's SportMod showcased the USAF Thunderbirds.  Alec Fett's car honored the U.S. Navy Corpsman. The Modified of Joel Rust was a weathered P51D Mustang wrap. Jeremy Mills Modified was the Battle of Iwo Jima.  The cars were all great, and all the drivers we talked to were honored to be able to honor the Veterans.  They told us how much they learned in their research and the Veteran's stories they heard.  

Winners on the night were Tim Ward in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, Kaden Reynolds took home the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car win, IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod winner was Matt Avila, the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock win went to Dylan Nelson, and IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites saw Scott Bailey take a trip to Victory Lane.

The feature racing kicked off with the 15 lap Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck, and Farm.

After two initial no starts of the race, this one would go green to checkered with Scott Bailey leading the entire distance.  He finished well ahead of second place Josh May.  Pole starter Austin Gray finished in third place, Randy Bryan was fourth, and Jason Toppenberg rounded out the top five.  Bailey, a former IMCA Stock Car driver, made his first visit to the winner's circle at Boone in the Mod Lite division.

The IMCA Northern SportMods, presented by Elmquist Towing ran a 25 lap feature next.

Garrett Nelson was the early leader of the race as he held back Adam Birck and Matt Avila.  After a restart at lap eleven, Avila moved into the number two spot, and was in hot pursuit of the leader.  He pulled off a nifty slide job and had the lead three laps later.  Avila then held on to that top spot the remainder of the race, and scored his third victory of the year at the track.  Canton, Missouri's Adam Birck finished as the runner up, Garrett Nelson was third, Colby Fett took fourth,  and Dusty Lynch was fifth.

The IMCA Modifieds, presented by D & E Outside Services ran a 25 lap feature, for a $5,000 payday to the winner.

There was a no go at the start of the race, but after that, the race would go non-stop.  Tripp Gaylord started on the outside front row, and led the troops in the opening laps with sixth place starter Tim Ward on his tail.  By lap three, Ward had the lead...never to look back.  He had the field covered even having to slice through heavy lap traffic in the latter part of the race.  He finished a good straight away ahead of second place Gaylord at the checkers.  Nick Meyer started eighth, and finished in third place, fourth went to Green River, Wyoming's Braxton Yeager, and Chris Snyder, Dunkerton Iowa completed the top five.

The Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Boone Moose Lodge were next on the night's schedule for their 25 lapper.

Kaden Reynolds, Cedar Rapids, Iowa drew the pole starting spot for the race, and kept his ride at the front the entire 25 laps.  It got interesting on lap twenty however, when a caution flag flew.  On the restart it was Kelly Shryock, who had flown through the field from starting twenty-first and was running second after battling by Jake McBirnie, Elijah Zevenbergen, and Damon Murty in a hard fought joust. Now the big crowd was expecting a wreckers or checkers run to the finish. Reynolds never faltered however, as he was content to let the spirited race for position going on behind him battle it out, and he went home to the flying checkers, and the win.  Kelly Shryock, finished as the runner up, Jake McBirnie took third place, it was Zevenbergen in fourth, and Estherville, Iowa's Chris Palsrock ran at the front all race long, and finished in fifth.

The evening's racing concluded with 20 laps of IMCA Hobby Stock racing, presented by Pickett Salvage.

Solomon Bennett took advantage of his pole starting spot, jumping to the immediate lead when the race went green.  By lap four, Adel, Iowa's Dylan Nelson was breathing down his neck.  Nelson looked for a way around and taking to the top of the track, swung to the lead by lap nine.  He never looked back from there on out, and sealed the deal, taking the comfortable win.  Solomon Bennett chased him the rest of the rest, but had to be content with second place.  Tom Killen, Jr. ran third most of the race, and finished in that position.  Fourth went to tenth place starter, Mike Smith, and Michael Wade,  Dorchester, Nebraska, was fifth.

It was a late night of racing what with the sheer number of cars, and all of the ceremonies, and honoring done pre-race.  It was the wee hours of the morning, after 3 a.m. before we got home. But the witnessing of the whole evening was wonderful.   

Next up at the Boone Speedway is the World of Outlaw Late Models on Tuesday, August 1 with IMCA Stock Cars also on the docket.  Gates open at 5, with hot laps at 6:30 and racing to follow.  Then next Saturday night, August 5, is another regular weekly racing show with IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, and Mod Lites.  Gates open at 5:30, Hot laps at 6, and racing at 7.

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

 Specially wrapped race cars were also on display behind the grandstand for all to enjoy.  This years specially wrapped cars Brandon Beckendorf with his Gold Star Modified, Jeremy Mills with his Battle of Iwo Jima - USMC tribute Modified, Joel Rust's Modified carried  the weathered P51D Mustang theme, McCain Jennings had his Stock Car wrapped in the Old Glory red, white, and blue,  Buck Schafroth's Sniper Chassis Stock Car fittingly, was The Sniper, Chad Palmer's purple Stock Car touted the Purple Heart theme, Logan Anderson had his SportMod saluting the USAF Thunderbirds, Alec Fett's SportMod carried a tribute to the US Navy Corpsman, and  Tim Warner had his SportMod  with a A-10 Warthog theme.

6th Annual Dale DeFrance Memorial falls to a deluge!

 It was a scorcher on Friday, with temperatures hovering in the high 90s and the humidity, oppressive! However, the Marshalltown Speedway had not given way to calling off their program as several other tracks had canceled early due to the predicted heat.  Then, an early day look at future radar was not looking good at all for getting the 6th Annual Dale DeFrance Memorial in.  

It had been a long anticipated night of racing for the Dale DeFrance Memorial, with a huge field of cars...163 total, and a big crowd on hand that honors the patriarch of the DeFrance family. The purse money had grown by leaps and bounds and the draw/redraw show for all classes was looking to provide some great racing action.  There was tons of give aways for the fans and the volunteers had done a fabulous job of raising donations both gift and money wise.  

There were 27 of the Hoker Trucking Super Late Model Series (SLMR) drivers on hand and after hot laps were completed, they ran their time trials.  By this time, the sky was not looking the best, but it was on with the show!

The heat racing began with the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods, which had a big field of 42 on hand.  By this time, everyone was scanning the sky as it grew more ominous, and then the winds came up...big time, and by the time the third heat of SportMods was being completed, the temperatures had dropped considerably, and a few raindrops were beginning to fall.  Then....the sky abruptly opened up! It went from those few raindrops, to an absolute downpour instantly!  

Everyone rushed to gather their belongings, and made their way to the exit gate.  Needless to say, it was a herd of "drowned rats".  

It was announced that the Dale DeFrance Memorial will be run next week, Friday, August 4, and it will be as if last night never happened.  The Late Models will time trail again, and the SportMod heats were null and void. 

We got soaked as we made our way to the vehicle, and since many of the spectators were still trying to get to their vehicles, we opted to leave the parking lot, and try to avoid the rush.  We are not sure that was such a good idea after we ended up driving through some pretty bad "stuff".  Then an alert on the phone raised more cause for concern, as they were warning about possible 90 mph winds in the area!  However, we continued on, through a bit of hail, strong winds, and a deluge.  Of course, just a few miles from home, we ran into dry pavement!  We just got in the garage, and the rain began.  We sure have needed the rain lately, but Mother Nature just had to throw storms and a beating into the equation along with the watering!

We at least got to visit a bit with fellow Positively Racing blogger, Danny Rosencrans, (check out his blogs at "Racin' Down the Road") who drove all the way from Canton, Missouri for the show, bringing along a friend to share the long distance road trip. Hopefully, they made it home safely and earlier, but no doubt, disappointed in not seeing the show they came to watch. 

It's off to Boone Speedway tonight, for what is one of my favorite shows of the year, Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans.  

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

300th win for Murty and King of the Katwalks title, Elmquist finds Victory Lane for first career checkers

The biggest car count of the season...179 cars....was on hand at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night where it was Christmas in July as well.  Santa was hand and the facility was in holiday decor.  

It was Fox Welding Stock Car King of the Katwalks night, presented by VanEaton Pork. The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars were running for a $2500 to win payday, as well as an impressive trophy, and eligibility for qualifying for the B & B Chassis All-Star Invitational at the Super Nationals. Damon Murty not only walked away with those honors, but in doing so, got his elusive 300th IMCA Stock Car win.  In the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods, another record fell, when 16 year old Josalyn Elmquist found her way to Victory Lane for the first time in her racing career.  Other winners on the night were Jake McBirnie in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, Andrew Burg took the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Josh May got back to the winner's circle in the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites.

The IMCA Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck & Farm ran their 15 lap main event first.

Mike Kennedy led the field to green, and kept the top spot through lap eight.  That's when Josh May took command of the ship and would then pull away from the pack and win going away.  Jason Toppenberg ran at the front of the field all race long, and finished as the runner up.  Early leader Mike Kennedy took third spot, fourth went to eighth place starter Randy Bryan, and Austin Gray started ninth, and took fifth.  The race went flag to flag.  This was May's fifth feature win of the season.

The IMCA Northern SportMod feature, presented by Elmquist Towing, was one for the record books.  Josalyn Elmquist, who is 16 years old, would lead the 18 lap feature the entire race and take her ride home to the flying checkers for the very first time in her racing career.  Chasing her the entire event was Summer Anderson, finishing in second, making it a 1-2 finish for the ladies.  Jackson Harpole, who calls Farmington, New Mexico home, but is spending the summer racing in Iowa, finished in third.  Another lady racer, Taylor Kuehl came from eleventh starting spot to take fourth, and Chris Burke completed the top five.  This race also went caution free.  Elmquist was the eighth different winner of the points season this year.

The headliner of the evening, the running of the IMCA Stock Car 25 lap feature came next and the quest for title of King of the Katwalks.  Fifty-nine different drivers competed on the night, qualifying 24 cars through heats, and three B Mains.  Two provisionals with the most points at the track who did not qualify, tagged the field.

Gage Neal started on the outside front row, and led the opening circuits, but it was Damon Murty taking over at lap four.  Murty continued to lead though lap fifteen when the race was yellow flagged for debris on the track.  By this time, son Dallon Murty had gotten into the number two spot after getting past Troy Jerovetz, and had erased dad's comfortable lead for the restart.  Damon Murty however, continued his lead, taking to his preferred top line as the race concluded, and took the prestigious win, as well as securing his elusive 300th IMCA Stock Car feature win.  Son Dallon Murty took second place, eleventh place starter, Jake McBirnie made a late race rally and finished in third place. Last years King of the Katwalks winner,  Kaden Reynolds, Cedar Rapids, Iowa hard charged his way through the field from starting seventeenth, and finished fourth, and Troy Jerovetz was fifth.  Murty was the seventh different Stock Car winner this season.

The IMCA Modifieds, presented by D & E Outside Services ran a 20 lap feature.

Jake McBirnie took his ride to Victory Lane when he led all but the first four laps of the feature event.  He then pulled away from the field and checked out in the latter part of the race, winning for the second time this year. Joel Bushore finished a distant second, third went to Green Bay, Wisconsin's Tyler DeBouche, Paul Nagle started sixteenth, and finished fourth, and tenth place starter Cory Sauerman rounded out the top five. McBirnie was a happy camper in his Victory Lane interview with Coty Mallicoat.  He was pleased with his ride, sporting a "new dress", and getting fine tuned this week, as well as praising the great track to race on. He became the sixth different Modified winner this season.  

The 15 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature, presented by Pickett Salvage put a nightcap on the racing.

Braden Gifford led the opening lap of the event, but veteran racer Andrew Burg was leading when lap two was scored.  Burg never looked back from there on out, as he continued his run at the front the remainder of the race and took the win by a comfortable margin.  Second place finisher was Mike Smith, third went to Seth Butler, Zach Henningsen, Marne, Iowa took fourth after starting twelfth, and John Watson made his way to a fifth place finish, coming from sixteenth starting position. Burg, an Iowa native who now calls Maricopa, Arizona home, comes back to Iowa to race in the summer the last several years. His last trip to Victory Lane at Boone came back in 2018, when he was the Hobby Stock track champion. 

It was nice to see fellow Positively Racing cohort, Barry Johnson in the house last night.  He spent most of his night in the infield, camera in hand.  It was Ryan Clark alone on the mic last night, as Jerry Vansickel is off on a few days vacation.   

Next Saturday, July 29, is Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans at the speedway.  This is one of my favorite shows of the year.  It's quite a moving program paying honor to those special veterans who served their country.  Boone Speedway will be the last of three stops for the Salute to Veterans as they start out in Spencer, Iowa on Wednesday, July 26, race at the Kossuth County Speedway on Thursday, July 27, and end their tour at Boone on Saturday, the 29th.  Several drivers are chosen to represent the Salute to Veterans and have special wraps on their cars and will be on display prior to the races.  Veterans, active duty, and widows get in free at the races on those nights. 

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

 

 

McBirnie claims Highbanks after the Creek Stock Car Dirt Crown

 It was Vessco Inc. night at the races, and $2,000 to win Highbanks after the Creek Dirt Crown Series for the IMCA Stock Cars on Friday night at the Marshalltown Speedway.  It brought in a nice field of drivers from several states that have been competing in the series, as well as the weekly racers.  A total of 149 cars checked in for a beautiful night for some racing.

The IMCA Friesen Performance Modified feature went to Joel Rust, while the coveted IMCA Sunoco Stock Car crown went to Jake McBirnie.  Jenae Gustin returned to the winner's circle in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class, while it was Sam West taking the win in an accident marred IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature.  Jon Padilla made his weekly haul over to the track from Silvis, Illinois pay off by winning the Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites, and it was Ben Kraus taking the checkers in the added Outlaw Mini Mods.

Feature racing kicked off with the Outlaw Mini Mods running their 12 lap main event and they did it caution free. 

Early leader was Lucas Daniels, but by lap five, it was Ben Kraus in command.  From there on out he stretched it out to a substantial lead, and took it home to the checkers. Chase Daniels chased the leader much of the distance and took the runner up position.  Ninth place starter Matthew Grobe, Austin, Minnesota finished in third,  fourth went to pole sitter Lucas Daniels, and Nathan Kilwine, Glenville, Minnesota rounded out the top five. 

The Mod Lites, presented by Knight Sanitation ran their 15 lap feature next.

David Bailey jumped to the immediate lead, and was looking strong until bad luck bit him in turn two when he spun just after lap four was in the books.  New leader was Colona, Illinois driver Jason Masengarb with Jon Padilla, Silvis, Illinois hot on his tail.  By lap seven, it was Padilla taking command.  Padilla then stretched out his lead, and took it home to an easy win.  Josh May started tenth, and took second place.  Jason Masengarb took third, fourth went to Alex Eischeid, and eleventh place starter Randy Bryan was fifth.  Padilla, who started ninth, claimed his third feature of the season.

The 20 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center had some issues.  It took the third try to even get the race started.  More yellows would follow, and then the race had to be red flagged.     

Sam West, the "Ferguson Freight Train" had the lead on lap two after passing early leader Braden Gifford. West continued his hold on the top spot through three more yellow flags, but as the laps wore down, he had big time company jousting for position in a close battle right behind him. 

At lap seventeen, the hard fought contest going on behind the leader saw a scary incident, bringing out a red flag. Calvin Dhondt went for a hard roll, ending upside down on the frontstretch, as other cars got caught up in the unavoidable chaos....eliminating about eight cars. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

When racing got back underway, West still maintained his lead and went home to the flying checkers and the win....his second of the season. Corey Van Der Wilt started fourteenth, and finished as the runner up.  Third went to twenty-fourth place starter Darin DeZwarte, Rick Kriegel started nineteenth, and was fourth, and fifteenth place starter, Derrick McNeece was fifth. Mitchell Thomas and Andy Peck completed the field of seven cars that finished the incident marred contest.  

The IMCA Northern SportMod 20 lap feature, presented by Rugged Radios came next and it was Jenae Gustin on a rail....leading the entire 20 laps.  

Gustin started third, and pulled an expertly maneuvered slide out of turn four to take the lead as lap one was scored.  She never looked back from there, and took the checkers comfortably over second place Brady Hilmer.  Matt Avila finished in third, fourth was twelfth place starter Brayton Carter, and Travis Petersen was fifth.  This was Gustin's third feature win of the year.

Gustin was still in her rent-a-ride car, but we took note of what appeared to be her own car taking some laps around the track at one point....testing a few laps as it lagged far behind during one of the races.  Perhaps it was brother Ryan Gustin that we spotted at the track, testing and tuning his sisters car for its debut soon.  

The IMCA Stock Cars were racing for $2,000 to win in a Dirt Crown East Series race, that saw thirty-five drivers try to earn that payday. The Summer Dirt Crown Series which has an East and a West division began back in April and continues through September 16....with an East/West challenge race October 6 and 7 at Harlan.  

Jake McBirnie led the field to green for the contest, and that was all she wrote, as he would lead all 30 laps on his way to Victory Lane.  He was chased most of the distance by the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty, but on this night, Murty had to be satisfied with the runner up spot. Kaden Reynolds, ripped the lip of the track in the latter portion of the race in an attempt to gain ground, but had to be content with third place.  Fourth went to Jim Horejsi, Marshall, Minnesota who advanced seventeen spots to take the hard-charger award, and Garrett Corn completed the top five. 

Dallon Murty was moving through the field nicely running in third spot early, when he was suddenly on two wheels, bicycling in turn two when contact got another car under him.  Somehow he managed to tame his ride, but later had to exit the race.  

The finale of the night was 20 laps of IMCA Modified racing, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap.  

Richie Gustin led the opening laps of the race, but Joel Rust was quickly up to challenge.  By lap five, Rust had the lead, and he would keep the upper hand the rest of the uninterrupted way to the finish, and the win.  Eleventh place starter Todd Shute got by Jake McBirnie late in the race as they went second and third respectively. Last week's winner Tripp Gaylord started tenth, and finished in fourth place, and Izac Mallicoat took fifth.

Next Friday, July 28, is the 6th Annual Dale DeFrance Memorial honoring the late hometown racer.  It is a Hoker Super Late Model Race Series race with big money on the line.  The Late Model race as of this writing pays $4,644 to win and $750 to start.   Modifieds, $3,044 to win and $220 to start.  Stock Cars are $1,444 and $185 to start.  Northern SportMods are racing for $1,044 and $180 to start, and the Hobby Stocks pay off is $744 and $125 to start. Why the strange 44 in the pay offs?  That was the number that Dale DeFrance raced back in the day.  The DeFrance family and other volunteers have done a tremendous job in securing sponsors for this race. 

August is just around the corner.  That means we are already on the downhill slide of the racing season.  Find a race to support, and help keep dirt track racing alive and well.