Sunday, May 26, 2024

45th Anniversary Mod win to Berry, Anderson snags 19th Anniversary SportMod checkers

 It was a great night of racing at the Boone Speedway Saturday for us after finally getting there!  Thanks to road construction on Hwy 63, we had to take the gravel roads...many that had barely been repaired from the heavy rain wash outs, to get to our destinations of two cemeteries for Memorial Day decorating. Then, we forgot about the big concert going on at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames with George Strait headlining.  We found a long, long line of vehicles backed up in the right lane trying to get to the stadium as we passed through Ames.  And of course, there is always that one driver! He goes past the long line and then wants to get into the exit lane by passing the others behind him, because he is special! He hit his brakes right in front of us and angled to hope to get in!  Rant over.

There were 172 cars checked in for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend event that included extra money on the line for the IMCA Modifieds, celebrating their 45th Anniversary and the IMCA SportMods, celebrating 19 years of racing.  It was also a Corn Belt Clash series race for the IMCA STARS Mod Lites. The Modifieds, SportMods, and Mod Lites all were in a draw/redraw format. 

The three above special events were to be a 3 track special for the Mods, SportMods and Mod Lites.  Friday's show got washed out at the Marshalltown Speedway, and just this morning, today's race at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, fell victim to Mother Nature once again.  

It was Tom Berry, Jr. taking the honors in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds in an exciting race for the fans that witnessed a "slide fest".  Austin Bouzek got his first win at the track when he took the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Stock car A main.  Logan Anderson went home with the trophy in the IMCA Friesen Performance SportMods, and once again, it was Mike Smith back in Victory Lane for the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.  Corn Belt Clash winner for the IMCA Stealth Racing STARS Mod Lites was Bryan Zehm.  Also making an appearance for the first time this season, were the Cruiser cars.  The duo of Blake McAllister and Logan Wurr took that win.

The IMCA Mod Lites were running a Corn Belt Clash Series race last night and a $1,000 payday to the winner would come at the end of their 25 lap feature.  

Bryan Zehm got the luck of the draw, starting on the pole of the feature, and then never looked back.  He was able to maneuver his way through lap traffic in the race that went flag to flag.  He finished comfortably ahead of second place Jon Padilla, Silvas, Illinois.  Joe Glick finished in third place after running at the front all race long, and Cory Sonner and Austin Gray rounded out the top five. Zehm, was happy to finally get back to the winner's circle after more than a year's absence. 

This is the 19th Anniversary year for the IMCA SportMods, presented by Elmquist Towing, and they ran a 23 lap feature for the $1,000 awaiting them for the victory.  

This race was led from start to finish by Eddyville, Iowa's Logan Anderson.  He didn't let the heavy lap traffic in the last portion of the race hinder him, as he pulled away in the closing laps to take the twin checkers.  Oskaloosa's Dylan VanWyk started 15th on the field, and made his way through the pack to take the runner up spot.  Third went to Hunter Longnecker, eleventh place starter Cam Reimers went fourth, and it was Coby Fett coming from twelfth to complete the top five.  

The IMCA Modifieds, presented by D & E Outside Services, celebrate their 45th Anniversary this year, and the winner pocketed $3,500.  They went 25 laps for their A Main.

Trevor Fitz, the Camarillo, California racer who is calling Iowa home this race season, started on the outside front row, and quickly established the top spot.  Meanwhile, it was Tim Ward and Zachary Madrid challenging for second.  By lap ten, lap traffic was awaiting the leaders as Fitz maintained the lead.  Fitz was still leading when a yellow flew at lap 18.  Another yellow came out on lap 19 when Nick Roberts and Jerry Flippo had issues on the backstretch.  When the race went green, Tim Ward was able to take command, but now he had to contend with Tom Berry, Jr. who was quickly on his tail.  A lap later, Berry had the lead.  Then...the sliders began!  Berry and Ward made it quite entertaining as they threw sliders in the corners.  Berry, who had started tenth, was the one who would come out on top as the checkers flew, capturing the night's anniversary trophy and the big pay day. Ward took second place, third went to eleventh place starter Dallon Murty, fourth was fifteenth place starter Izac Mallicoat, and fifth went to Jake McBirnie.  

Up next were the IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Boone Moose Lodge, and their 20 lap main event.

Austin Bouzek, Trenton, Missouri, started fourth and had the lead with a handful of laps in the books.  He would weather four cautions in the remainder of the race, but held on to the top spot to claim his first ever trip to Victory Lane at Boone.  Eleventh place starter Jimmy Gustin raced his way through the pack, challenged the leader in the closing moments, but had to settle for second place.  Trailing a good distance behind in third was thirteenth place starter Tyler Pickett, fourth went to Johnathon Logue who started sixteenth, and rounding out the top five, it was Doug Smith.  Bouzek has been a regular at the track this year, making the 2 1/2 hour trip from Trenton, Missouri.  

The IMCA Hobby Stocks, presented by Pickett Salvage ran a 15 lap feature.  Andrew Burg was the early leader in the contest and when the second yellow of the race flew at lap six, he now had young Mike Smith anxiously awaiting the restart right behind him.  As the race went green, Smith was able to get by Burg on the backstretch, and scored the leader on the lap seven.  The final portion of the race, it was eleventh place starter Eric Knutson trying to mount a challenge to the leader, but he fell short, and had to be satisfied with second place.  Andrew Burg, Dustin Filloon, and John Watson completed the top five.  Smith, who started ninth, claimed his third regular season feature of the year, after having also won the Frostbuster special.  

Racing continues next Saturday night, June 1, with racing in all five IMCA division with currently scheduled times for pits at 3:30, grandstands opening at 4:30, hot laps at 5, and racing at 6. It was originally on their schedule to start one hour later, but at this writing, the earlier times are scheduled.  

Getting home last night was another predicament as the concert in Ames was just getting over about the time the races were done.  They announced those going East, may want to find an alternate route.  We crossed our fingers, and hoped that a lane would be open for us....and it was.  We barely slowed down as we went through Ames.  Sometimes....things work out.  

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

 


 

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Shute wins a thriller at the line, Van Horn, Lynch, Smith, and May also see checkers

 May 18, 2024

A beautiful night for racing greeted the drivers and fans on Saturday at the Boone Speedway with 146 cars checking into the pits.  This weekend of racing has been noticeably shorter of cars and fans, as many graduations and other types of activities are going on.

Todd Shute took the win in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified feature in a race that will be talked about as one of the best ever witnessed.  Dusty Van Horn took to the top shelf of the track in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, and never looked back.  Dustin Lynch also took a "fans on their feet" win at the line in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods. It was Mike Smith back in familiar Victory Lane in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Josh May, in the Stealth STARS Mod Lites, took his first win of the season at the track.

The Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck, and Farm, ran their 15 lap main event to kick off the feature racing of the night.  Jason Toppenberg led the first six laps of the race, but defending track champion, Josh May was challenging him.  May made the pass and took command on lap seven, never to look back.  Toppenberg, in his bright orange ride that I think could glow in the dark, took the runner up position, with Jeff Stensland, son Travis Stensland, and Cory Sonner rounding out the top five.  

The 18 lap SportMod feature, presented by Elmquist Towing, was a race of survival.  Three cautions flew before lap two was in the books.  Fort Morgan, Colorado's Hunter Smith, who started fourteenth and found himself leading at lap six after many cars were eliminated in the early skirmishes, looked to be on his way to taking home a win at the Boone Speedway.  He was still leading at lap fourteen when the sixth yellow of the race flew.  The restart bunched the field behind him, and now Dusty Masolini, the leaders fellow Coloradan, Danny Concelman, Dustin Lynch, and Zach Hovell were eager for the race to return to green. Smith maintained his lead for the next two laps, but then Dusty Lynch got to the topside, made it work, and made the thrilling pass for the lead with a lap to go.  He held that lead the rest of the way to the flying checkers, and took his first win at the track this year.  Smith had to settle for the runner up spot, Zach Hovell scooted by Dustin Lynch in the final go around as they went third and fourth respectively, and early leader Danny Concelman took a top five back to Colorado.  

The Modified 20 lap feature, presented by D & E Outside Services, saw one for the record books.  Veteran racer Mike VanGenderen led from the get go as he leaped to the lead from his pole starting position, Joel Bushore tucking in to run second.  Camarillo, California's Trevor Fitz ran a close third, and Nick Roberts was giving chase to them all.  Bushore exited the track at lap nine for assumed mechanical issues, putting Fitz now applying the pressure to VanGenderen.  VanGenderen was holding the lead at lap sixteen but now sliders were being thrown left and right.  Then coming to the flag on lap seventeen, things got really tight.  Fitz was on the outside, VanGenderen the meat in the sandwich, and Nick Roberts on the bottom. Roberts drifted up, and contact was made and Fitz, the one on the outside, was the unlucky one who ate the tire at the top of turn four...ending his run.  As the race restarted, VanGenderen was the leader, but now behind Roberts in second, Jimmy Gustin had joined in the fun to run third, and twelfth place starter, Todd Shute was fourth.  The tricky, treacherous top side had to be treated with respect as the race returned to green. The final run to the checkers was one for the ages!  Sliders were thrown, with VanGenderen still holding on until the final dash to the checkers out of turn four.  Somehow, Todd Shute "threaded the needle" as they raced out of the turn, going from fourth and taking the win right at the finish line!  VanGenderen got the runner up spot, with tenth place starter Jimmy Gustin a very close third.  Nick Roberts took the fourth spot, and veteran Russ Dickerson rounded out the top five.  It was a happy camper in Victory Lane as Shute finally got the monkey off his back after bad luck has plagued him in the early season.  

The IMCA Stock Car 20 lap feature, presented by Boone Moose Lodge was led start to finish by Dusty Van Horn, the Atlantic, Iowa driver who started on the outside front row.  He had to contend with Dillon Solum, the transplanted Oregon racer, the entire race.  The only yellow of the contest flew at lap six, but it was no issue on the restart for Van Horn as he took off, established himself on the top shelf, and never looked back.  Solum took the runner up spot, and young Rowdee VanGenderen had a great race running against veterans, and took third.  Devin Smith started seventh and finished fourth, and Scott Davis completed the top five.  

The finale of the night was 15 laps of IMCA Hobby Stock feature racing, presented by Pickett Salvage.

Andrew Burg, raced his son's car, started on the outside pole, and took the lead as the race went green.  It wasn't long until young Mike Smith, who started seventh, came calling, and by lap three, had the lead.  It was all his race from there on out, as he took the comfortable win, his second weekly race victory of the year.  Andrew Burg finished second, third went to Mike House, it was tenth place starter, and last week's winner Eric Knutson taking fourth, and Solomon Bennett completed the top five.

Next Saturday night, May 25 is another weekly series of racing that will also include a Corn Belt Clash for the Mod Lites, and celebrate and IMCA anniversary special for the Modifieds with a top prize of $2,000.   Pits open at 3:30, grandstand at 4:30, with hot laps at 5, and racing at 6.  

Many out of state drivers have been racing in the area recently as they are back to test area tracks, and be here for a big race coming up in Spencer at the Clay County Fair Speedway in a three night race starting on Monday, May 20, a show billed as the $250,000 challenge.  The final night on May 22 is paying $25,000 to the Stock Car and SportMod winners, $1,500 to Modifieds, and $1,000 to the Hobby Stocks.  Check the Clay County Fair Speedway for more details.

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

 

 

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Corn scores first Iowa win, Janssen, Olson, Knutson, Williams, and George also find Victory Lane

It was a beautiful night for racing at the Marshalltown Speedway Friday night with 127 cars checked into the pits.  The strong breeze was from the south, and 80 degrees temperature made for a comfortable night of racing for the fans in the stands.

Drew Janssen would come home with the win in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, and Garrett Corn saw Victory Lane for the first time in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.  Kyle Olson took the honors in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class, and Eric Knutson was the winner in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.  Ben George won the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lite feature, and it was Jeremy Williams taking the checkers in the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts.

The IMCA Mod Lites, presented by Knight Sanitation, ran the first feature of the night, going 15 laps.

Ben George would dominate in this race, taking the lead on lap two, and never giving it up.  Josh May chased him around the rim of the track for several laps, taking a peek a time or two, but George was never really threatened.  George pulled away in the closing laps and took the easy win...his first at Marshalltown and only second ever feature win.  He finished well ahead of Jon Padilla, Sivis, Illinois who had started tenth on the field.  Third went to Mechanicsville, Iowa's Alex Eischeid, fourth was Josh May, and Bryan Zehm rounded out the top five.

George had just won his first ever feature recently at the Boone Speedway, and was a happy camper to get his second at another track.

Up next came 20 laps of IMCA SportMod racing, presented by Rugged Radios.

This was a two horse race, as Kyle Olson and Maguire DeJong pulled away from the field, and circled the rim.  DeJong made some spectacular slides out of turn four, never touching Olson, trying to get the lead, but each attempt failed and Olson went home to take the checkers, DeJong having to settle for second.  Following a far distance behind in third place, was Will Wolf, followed closely by the 4D of Donny Concelman, Colorado Springs, Colorado in fourth.  Mike Rutherford finished fifth, coming from thirteenth starting spot.

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

Jeremy Williams, Oskaloosa, Iowa came home the winner in this contest.  He had to wrestle with David Kimmel and Cristian Grady in the closing laps, as the three duked it out.  Kimmel held the upper hand at the white flag, but a bit of contact on the backstretch, found Kimmel having to miraculously regain  control, as Jeremy Williams made the run to the checkers and take the win.  Grady took the runner up spot and Kimmel still made it a third place finish.  Corwyn Whisler, pole sitter, was fourth, and Blake Driscol drove from eleventh starting spot, to finish fifth.

The Hobby Stocks, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center ran 20 laps for their feature.

Joren Fisher led much of this contest, with Eric Knutson pressuring him as he took peeks for a way around several times.  A caution flew at lap twelve, just what Knutson wanted, and as the race went back to green, he was able to take over the top spot.  He established the top side of the track as his own, and pulled away in the closing circuits to take the win.  Bradly Graham started eighth, and finished as the runner up, third went to Dustin Filloon, Briar Kriegel was fourth, and Solomon Bennett was fifth.  Joren Fisher was running second on the final lap, but a bobble in corner four, caused him to drop back and finish seventh behind sixth place finisher Calvin Dhondt. 

It was 20 laps of Stock Car feature racing next, presented by Drury Automotive. 

Garrett Corn established the lead immediately after starting on the outside front row.  Tyler Pickett fell in behind him to run second, and started applying pressure.  The two were frequently side by side at the flagstand in the second half of the race, but Corn was able to hold off Pickett, and take the win.  Pickett had to be content with the runner up spot.  It was a fight for the next few positions, but at the flag it was Scott Rice taking third over fourteenth place starter, Jeff Mueller in fourth, and a close fifth went to hometown driver, Jimmy Gustin.  Corn, who is a transplant from Bakersfield, California has raced in Iowa the last couple of years, but this was his first ever win in the state of Iowa. And...with a last name of Corn, how appropriate that he is now racing in Iowa.  

The nightcap was 20 laps of IMCA Modified feature racing, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap.

David Brown led the first two laps that saw three cautions fly in a race marred by the yellow flying.  When the race went green again at lap three, Todd Shute made the move to the topside and took over the lead.  Shute would pull away, and then more cautions flew.  The sixth yellow at lap eleven was what second place runner, Drew Janssen, Pella, Iowa was hoping for.  He tried a couple of slide jobs, and then at lap fourteen had the lead.  A seventh, and final caution flew at lap seventeen when Dylan Thornton and Todd Shute made contact on the backstretch, sending Shute off the track.  Thornton was shown the black flag for questionable driving, ending both his and Shute's night.  The final laps saw Janssen keep his lead and pull away to take the comfortable win as the checkers flew.  Tripp Gaylord, Lakewood, Colorado finished in second after redeeming himself after an early caution sent him to restart in the rear of the field.  Troy Morris, III, or "TM3" as he's known, made the trip from Bakersfield, California and finished in third place.  Jaxson Saathoff, Beatrice, Nebraska had the night off at his hometown track, started fifteenth, and finished fourth.  Seymour, Wisconsin's Jayden Schmidt was the hard charger of the race, coming from twenty-third starting spot, to complete the top five.

There were many new faces racing last night, some due to no racing at their home track, and others back here to try their hand on the black dirt in Iowa they've heard so much about.  Many drivers from "out West" seem to do this often. 

Next Friday night, May 24, is EMW Trucking Military Memorial night with a Corn Belt Clash for the IMCA Mod Lites.  Hot laps are 6:45 with racing at 7:30.

It's off to Boone Speedway again tonight for us and watching the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Mod Lites in action.  Find a track to support and help keep the sport we all love alive and well.....dirt track racing!



Sunday, May 12, 2024

It's Victory Lane for Wray, McBirnie, Reimers, Knutson, Stensland, and Inman

A beautiful night for racing finally greeted the 175 race cars checked in at the Boone Speedway and the fans in the stands on Saturday. Nice race nights have been far and few between it seems.

First time winner Cory Wray enjoyed his visit to Victory Lane in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds.  Jake McBirnie took the win in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, and it was Cam Reimers with a thrilling finish at the line in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class.  Eric Knutson also took the checkers in the final moments in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock division, and Travis Stensland repeated his win from last week in the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites.  Also on hand were the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks, and it was Tyler Inman seeing the checkers.

The Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck, & Farm ran 15 laps kicking off the night's feature racing. 

It didn't take long for sixth place starter Travis Stensland to get to the front, taking command on lap two.  From there on he would lead every lap, pulling away at the end, and repeating his win from last week.  He finished well ahead of second place Cory Sonner.  Austin Gray came from eleventh to finish in third place, it was thirteenth place starter Joe Glick taking fourth, and Bryan Zehm started tenth, and took fifth.  After a caution at lap one, the race went green to checkers.

Up next was 18 laps for the SportMods, presented by Elmquist Towing.

Mike Munson led the early portion of the race but after a caution flew at lap six, Taylor Kuehl took advantage as the race returned to green, taking over the top spot.  Soon, she had her hands full with last week's winner Matt Avila and Cam Reimers right on her tail. As the race wore on however, she pulled away and it was looking like checkers for her on this night.  Hold the phone!  A caution flew late which set up a green, white, checkers run to the finish.  As the race restarted, Cam Reimers was now in second and anxious for the green to fly.  He was immediately pressuring Kuehl, and on that final lap was able to get the pass and beat Kuehl to the checkers. Reimers captured his second win of the season, and Kuehl, who had started twelfth, crossed in second place.  However, a post race inspection deemed an infraction for deck height, docking her two position and relegating her to fourth.  Second place was awarded to eighteenth place starter Tyler Inman, in a borrowed ride. Third place went to Dustin Lynch, and fifth was Dusty Masolini.

The IMCA Modifieds, presented by D & E Outside Services ran their 20 lap main event next.  

Cory Wray, Trenton, Missouri has been making a weekly appearance at the Boone Speedway this year. He has been racing for years at the Super Nationals, but looks like he may become a regular at the track this season. He started on the outside front row, and immediately took command.  Jeremy Mills was soon tightening the screws, but it didn't faze the leader, even through lap traffic.  Wray would hang on to that top spot the rest of the way to capture his first ever weekly win at the track, making him a very happy camper in Victory Lane.  Mills kept the runner up spot, and third went to Nick Roberts.  Todd Shute started tenth, and took fourth place, and rounding out the top five was Riley Simmons. 

The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks joined the regular classes for the evening, running an 18 lap feature next.

Todd Inman started sixth, took over the lead from Shawn Cooney on lap three, and from then on, never looked back.  He pulled away from the field, taking the checkers easily. Following a distant second was Austin Meiners.  Third place went to ninth place starter Mason Mitchell, fourth was Jeff Johnson, and Brandon Cox rounded out the top five. Inman, who was driving Carl Moyer's Truck as a "hired gun", pulled double duty as he also raced in the SportMod class.

The 20 lap feature for the IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Boone Moose Lodge, had a few problems as the caution flew several times in this contest...not usual for the Stock Cars. When the checkers finally flew, it was Jake McBirnie seeing the checkers first.  McBirnie started eighth, used the topside of the track to rip the lip most of the race, to get his place in Victory Lane.  Michael Jaennette came from fourteenth starting spot to take the runner up spot, Troy Jerovetz led in the early portion of the race, and finished third.  Fourth went to eleventh place starter Josh Daniels, and Buck Schafroth hard charged it through the pack, started dead last in 24th spot, and finished fifth.  

The IMCA Hobby Stocks 15 lap feature, presented by Pickett Salvage, put a nightcap on the evening's racing.

Daniel Smith led the race through lap five when he lost the handle at the top of turn four, bringing out the yellow and piling up several cars.  When the race restarted and the cars were realigned, it was young Mike Smith holding down the lead.  He looked to be on his way to victory, but a flat tire would change the complexion of this race.  He had to exit at lap nine, handing the lead over to Solomon Bennett.  A lap later, it was Tom Killen, Jr. taking command.  Killen still held down the lead with two to go, but now it was twelfth place starter Eric Knutson charging hard in third and looking for more.  The final circuit saw Knutson grab the lead and make it to the checkers first to seal the win.  Killen had to be content with the runner up spot on this night.  Third went to Solomon Bennett, and veteran Wayne Gifford came from twenty-second to finish in fourth, and son Braden Gifford finished fifth after starting fifteenth.  

There were several deck height infractions in the Northern SportMod division last evening.  There is now a level cement pad for the tech area, so the cars are not on uneven ground when measured.  Looks like the SportMod drivers will have to take note of this and make sure their cars are up to snuff.   

Next Saturday night, May 18, will be another weekly series of racing. The IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Mod Lites will again be in action.  Pits open at 3:30, grandstand at 4:30, hot laps at 5, and racing at 6.

Find a track to support and help keep dirt track racing alive and well!


 


    

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Gustin, Logue, Avila, Watson, and Stensland take Car Wars Trophies

May 4, 2024

Boone Speedway jumped back into action Saturday night after Mother Nature had other ideas last week. It was May the 4th and "Car Wars" night with the drivers all wanting to take home those unique trophies by Logue Fabrication for each class.  One hundred seventy-six cars checked in which included 36 IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds. The top car count went to the 47 IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods brought 31, the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks drew 40, and the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites were 22 strong.

The low, heavy cloud cover and brisk breeze at the start of the racing action, saw the clouds disappear, and an entirely cloudless, sunny sky later on.

Travis Stensland swept the 15 lap Mod Lite feature, presented by Carquest, Auto, Truck, and Farm. Stensland led all laps on his way to victory.  The racing action was halted on lap eight when David Meinecke took a high flip in corner four but he was thankfully okay. Tangling at the same time in corner one were Jamie Bailey, and Wendy Huss, which ended their night as well. When the race returned to green, Stensland shot off from the rest of the pack, and stretched out his lead, and took the checkers by a lengthy margin.  Cory Sonner ran second for most of the race to go home as the runner up.  Third place went to eleventh place starter Austin Gray with a great run, Joe Glick was scored fourth, and Josh May completed the top five.

It was 18 laps of IMCA Northern SportMod feature racing next, presented by Elmquist Towing. After an initial "no go" was called on the start, the race went caution free. Bryan Morris, Charles City, Iowa led the opening lap, with Dusty Lynch taking over the following lap.  By lap three, it was Matt Avila taking command, a position he never gave up despite having to weave through heavy lap traffic to the flying checkers.  Following a distant second was Hunter Longnecker who had started in eighth spot, Ryan Leeman went from ninth to finish third, fourth was twelfth place starter Taylor Kuehl, and early leader Dusty Lynch was fifth. Avila had made the Car Wars trophies for the night at Logue Fabrication, had no knowledge of what Star Wars and May the 4th (be with you) was all about, but made fantastic trophies for the night....and he took one of his own home.  Avila had a good weekend of racing as well, as he had won the previous night at Marshalltown Speedway.

Another unique Car Wars trophy was on the line for the 20 lap IMCA feature, presented by D & E Outside Services. This one had the fans on their feet nearly from the drop of the green as Kaden Cochrun, who calls Bakersfield, California home, and popular area racer Jimmy Gustin went at it.  Cochrun held the upper hand through lap fifteen when high riding Gustin made the pass for the lead.  Gustin then kept that top spot the remainder of the race and took the win.  Jake McBirnie started eighth and took a distant second.  Third went to Johnathon Logue, fourth was Riley Simmons who started eleventh, and early leader Kaden Cochrun rounded out the top five. Gustin was a happy camper in Victory Lane to snag one of the Car Wars trophies.   

Up next...the Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars for their 20 lap main event, presented by Moose Lodge of Boone.  They put on their usual exciting race as well.  John Logue started on the outside front row and immediately jumped to the lead.  There was a tight pack that soon joined in behind him however, which was turning into a real battle. Coming out of the pack to take second place was Jeff Mueller who had worked his way into the runner up spot after starting tenth, and Jimmy Gustin and Austin Bouzek, were still much in the hunt. When a caution flew at lap fourteen, Logue still held the lead, with Gustin, Mueller, Bouzek, and now....20th place starter Michael Jaennette had made his presence know as he was in fifth spot.  When the race restarted, Logue maintained his lead but Mueller was now having to hold back Jaennette to hold second.  Jaennette was able to get around Mueller with two laps to go and had set his sights now on the leader.  It wasn't to be on this night however, as Logue kept hold of the lead and grabbed the victory.  Jaennette, who qualified through one of two B's and started 20th, had a great run to finish as the runner up.  Jeff Mueller, Jimmy Gustin, and Austin Bouzek rounded out the top five. Jaennette, Mueller, and Gustin all gave winner Logue congratulations in Victory Lane after the race for a great and fun race.  Always great to see that!  We do also assume Logue was able to get back his Car Wars trophy after Jimmy Gustin nabbed it away from him in the post race interview!  

The finale of the evening was the 15 lapper for the IMCA Hobby Stocks, presented by Pickett Salvage.
John Watson would find his way to Victory Lane in this contest.  He started sixth and took the lead on lap three, and never gave it up on his way to the win.  There was a tight battle brewing behind him however, for much of the race.  At the checkers, it was Eric Knutson holding off tenth place starter Mike Smith, as they went second and third respectively. Seth Butler took fourth place, and Zach Hemmingson, Marne, Iowa was fifth.

Next Saturday, May 11 will be another weekly series race with the five IMCA classes being joined by the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks.  Pits open at 3:30, grandstand 4:30, with hot laps at 5, and racing at 6. 

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




Saturday, May 4, 2024

Third Time is the Charm for Marshalltown Speedway Opener

 May 3, 2024

After two prior weeks of rainouts at the Karl Auto Group Marshalltown Speedway, the third time was the charm, and the regular points season got underway for the UAW Local 893 Cliff Chambers Memorial. This is the 60th straight racing season for the track. The weather was better for a change as well, with the wind to our backs in the grandstand, and temperatures around 70....to start. It did get chilly by evenings end.  One hundred fifty-eight cars were on hand for the evening's program.

Tripp Gaylord took the honors in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified division, and it was Jeff Mueller taking the win in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars. Calvin Dhondt took the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature in a thrilling event.  Matt Avila led flag to flag in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods, and Jon Padilla dominated in the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites.  Also on tap last evening were the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts, and Mitchell Bunch won out in a tight back and forth contest.

Feature racing kicked off with the Mod Lite 15 lap feature, presented by Knight Sanitation. Polesitter  Bryan Zehm held the top spot for the first lap.  A caution flew with just one lap in, and it was Padilla taking over at lap two in a race that would then continue caution free.  It was all Padilla as he motored off and won easily as the checkers flew.  Alex Eischeid started sixth and took the runner up position. Third place went to Bryan Zehm, fourth was seventh place starter Cory Sonner, and Joe Glick rounded out the top five.

Matt Avila led the entire 20 lap IMCA SportMod feature, presented by Rugged Radios, but it was a close finish for second with Cam Reimers dogging him constantly in the closing laps.  It wasn't to be however, as Avila took the win and Reimers had to settle for second place.  There was a good battle behind the leaders most of the race as cars swapped places.  At the finish line it was Logan Anderson taking third place ahead of Brayton Carter in fourth, and Taylor Kuehl completing the top five.  

The IMCA 20 lap Hobby Stock feature, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center had the fans on their feet as Calvin Dhondt and Eric Stanton went lap after lap nearly side by side.  Early leader of the race was Solomon Bennett who jumped to the immediate lead from his pole starting spot.  Most eyes were then on Calvin Dhont, who started back in twelfth and was flying on the topside of the High Banks.  Dhondt took command on lap seven and a couple of laps later, Eric Stanton took over second spot and was throwing challenge after challenge at the leader.  From lap eleven to the checkers flying, the two would run nearly side by side in an exciting run to the finish.  Calvin Dhondt was able to withstand all that Stanton threw at him however, and he took home the trophy on this night.  Following Stanton's second place finish was Bradly Graham taking third, fourth went to Curt Reed, and early leader Solomon Bennett was fifth.

Jimmy Gustin and Jeff Mueller put on quite a show in the early laps of the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, presented by Drury Automotive.  Gustin held down the top spot until lap seven when Mueller was able to get under him.  Mueller never gave up that lead then the rest of the way to the checkers and sealed the win.  A tight battle ensued behind the leader in the closing laps with Buck Schafroth taking second, and Gustin going third.  Fourth place was Casey Woken, and fifth went to ninth place starter, David Brandies.  

The IMCA Modifieds, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap saw a visitor from Mooresville, North Carolina stop by for a little racing at the Marshalltown Speedway.  Matt Crafton, who races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and was in the region for his race at the Kansas Speedway this weekend, started on the pole of the 20 lap feature.  He was leading the race at lap six when a big pile up stopped the racing action on the frontstretch.  This eliminated numerous cars when the race went back to green, and just a few laps later, Crafton also exited the race.  By this time, it was Tripp Gaylord as the leader of the pack, and from there on to the flying checkers, it was all Gaylord.  He took the win by a lengthy margin over second place finisher Jake McBirnie.  Johnathon Logue started tenth and took third, fourth went to Drew Janssen, and twelfth place starter Ronn Lauritzen was fifth.

The night ended with 15 laps of IMCA Sport Compacts racing, presented by Hy-Vee of Marshalltown. This too was a close one at the checkers.  Tenth place starter Cristian Grady and eleventh place starter Mitchell Bunch made it interesting the final handful of laps as they raced nearly side by side.  Bunch was able to take the lead at lap ten, but Grady never went away and the closing moments was anyone's guess as to who would be the winner.  Bunch won out as he took the lead for good on the final circuit and took home the win.  Grady had to settle for second place.  Third went to hometown driver John Gill, ninth place starter, Nolan Tuttle was fourth, and Mitchell Gardner started twelfth and took fifth.

Next Thursday night, May 9, will be Thursday Night Thunder at the Marshalltown Speedway and no racing on Friday night due to the Junior High School Rodeo being on grounds. All six IMCA classes will be in action.  Hot laps are 6:45 and racing at 7:30.  

The track was fast last night, and a lot of side by side and close racing was the norm all night long.  By evenings end, dust was rolling, even with the recent rains and a good watering of the track after hot laps. 

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