Salute to Veterans wins to McBirnie, Jerovetz, Avila, Smith, and Gray

Boone Speedway was host to the third and final night of this year's Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans night on Saturday with the first two nights running at Spencer and Algona. It's one of our favorite races of the year and very moving.   Veterans and their widows were admitted free, given a meal and drink, a goodie bag, gift card, and more. The stands were packed to watch the 201 race cars on hand for the special night of racing. 

A moving pre-race ceremony in front of the grandstand honored all veterans in attendance, special recognition and awards given to some of those on hand, and the specially wrapped Salute to Veterans race cars were showcased. First responders from law, fire, and ambulance were also on hand. There was also a four vintage planes flight over during the National Anthem that was very special. 

Ten drivers had special wraps on their cars to honor veterans in someway. The overall best car winner voted on by the veterans went to Stock Car driver, Jim Horejsi, Marshall, Minnesota with his Pearl Harbor salute.  The other Salute to Veterans wraps were Modified drivers Joel Rust with his Air Force Air Superiority - The F15E Strike Eagles, (his uncle who was a pilot and flew those missions, was on hand) Cody Thompson's US Army wrap, and Jerry Flippo with "The American Dream is Worth the Fight" wrap. Joining the over all winner Horejsi in the Stock Car class were Kevin Opheim's "A Flying Family" honoring two from his family who had served, and Donovan Smith saluted the American Sacrifice of the Fighting Sullivan Brothers. It was special to have one of the Sullivan's granddaughters on hand last evening.  She helps keep the Sullivan Museum located in Waterloo, Iowa going.   SportMod wraps were Taylor Kuehl, with her Rosie the Riveter Revisited, and Shelby Alves honored pilot Jackie Cochran, the "Speed Queen".  You couldn't miss Brandon Nielsen's bright blue hobby stock and its US Navy Blue Angels theme, and Mike Smith's Hobby Stock honored the US Marine Corps.

Before the features were run, the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds had their Inaugural Race of Champions that featured previous year's winners from a Salute to Veterans race. The winner was Nick Meyer, Whittemore, Iowa who had just completed his race car recently for his return to racing in 2024. 

The first feature of the evening was the 15 lap main event for the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck, & Farm.

Austin Gray started on the pole of the race and despite some late challenges by Charlie Brown, hung on tight to the lead and took the checkers.  Following second place Brown was Bryan Zehm in third, Ben George took fourth, and Josh May completed the top five. This was Gray's first trip to Victory Lane at Boone this season.

The IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods ran 20 laps for their feature, presented by Elmquist Towing.

Matt Avila started on the pole, and despite four cautions, led the entire race to prevail and take the win. It was a close race behind him for second and third with Cole Fenske holding off thirteenth place starter Cam Reimers at the line.  Fourth went to Sloan, Iowa's Willy Kirk, and Colby Fett, Algona, Iowa raced from eleventh starting spot to round out the top five.  This marked Avila's fourth trip to the winner's circle at Boone this season.  The first race of the 3 race series for 2024 held in Spencer, Iowa at the Clay County Fairgrounds was won by Matt Looft and night 2 at Algona went to Alec Fett.

The IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds went 30 laps for their feature, presented by D & E Outside Services.

Hometown racer Jake McBirnie took advantage of his pole starting position, shot off to the lead when the race went green, and never looked back.  He smoothly navigated the track lap after lap, pulling away in the latter part of the race and took the convincing win by a lengthy margin.  Tripp Gaylord and Zachary Madrid gave the crowd a good entertaining battle for second and third, with Gaylord winning out in that contest.  Ethan Braaksma, raced his way from starting eleventh to take fourth place, and Jerry Flippo finished in fifth place.  This was McBirnie's fifth time to visit Victory Lane at the Boone Speedway this season. The Modified winner on night one at Spencer was won by Ethan Braaksma, and night 2 went to Jeremy Mills.

The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars were up to do battle next, for their 25 lap feature, presented by Boone Moose Lodge. 

Kelly Shryock had a chance to be the first ever three time winner in a year for the Salute to Veterans Series and seemed to be on a mission as he and early leader Jay Schmidt duked it out through the first fifteen laps of the event.  Both of those drivers were knocked out, and out of the race with mishaps by lap seventeen, and it was third place starter Troy Jerovetz now in command as Tyler Pickett and Jake McBirnie began to make their quest to overtake the leader.  A late race caution at lap 22 was no issue for Jerovetz as he went home to the flying checkers and captured his first win of the year at the track.  Pickett and McBirnie finished second and third respectively, Devin Smith came from eleventh starting spot to take fourth, and David Brandies hard charged his way from twentieth to finish in fifth place.  This was the first visit to Victory Lane this season for Jerovetz. Shryock had won the first two Stock Car Salute to Veterans this year. 

The IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks put a nightcap on the night's racing with a 20 lap feature, presented by Pickett Salvage.  The race went green to checkers.

Solomon Bennett started fourth and had the lead on lap one with young Will Smith tagging on to run second.  There was a big gaggle of cars behind the leaders, as they jostled for position.  By lap nine, Adel, Iowa's Dylan Nelson, who started tenth, had made the topside of the track work to his advantage and had taken over the lead.  A few laps later, Mike Smith and Brandon Nielsen in his Blue Angels wrapped car had thrown their hat into the ring and charging hard on the leader. Smith dove to the underside coming out of turn two and got under Nelson to take the lead when lap seventeen was scored, and Nielsen followed suite to take over second.  In the final run to the checkers out of turn four, Brandon Nielsen made it a close contest at the finish line, but Mike Smith prevailed to take the win, Nielsen taking a close second place.  Dylan Nelson took third, fourth went to Emmetsburg, Iowa's Josh Sidles, and early leader Solomon Bennett rounded out the top five.  This was Smith's fourth regular season win after also taking the Frostbuster special. Night one of the Salute to Veterans feature for the Hobby Stocks was won by Michael Wade, and night 2 went to Dylan Nelson.

Next Saturday night, August 3, will be another night of regular series racing with the IMCA Sport Compacts joining the other five regular weekly classes.  Pits open at 4:30, grandstands at 5:30, with hot laps at 6, and racing at 7. 

It was a late night for these two old folks, but well worth it to see this very special night of racing, and the veterans and fans sure came out in droves!  Thanks to all who put together this very special race series every year.

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

  

Kay takes back to back DeFrance Memorial/SLMR at Marshalltown, Ward, Murty, Gustin, and Knutson also see checkers

 A large crowd was on hand for the annual running of the Dale DeFrance Memorial along with the Malvern Bank Super Late Model Series (SLMR) East and West Series were in town at the Marshalltown Speedway Friday night. It was a steamy July night as one hundred sixty cars in five classes packed the pits for the prestigious race.  Extra money was also on the line in all classes that saw the night celebrate the patriarch of the DeFrance Family, Dale DeFrance, as well as the entire DeFrance racing family that includes the Gustins and Murtys. Justin Kay defended his SLMR win from last year in a thrilling last lap pass to take the checkers.  Tim Ward won for the second week in a row in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, and Dallon Murty dominated in the IMCA  Sunoco Stock Cars.  Jenae Gustin got a fitting win in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class in her grandpa's memorial race, and it was Eric Knutson going to Victory Lane in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.

Since the scoring loop was not working last evening, the Late Models did not time trial, and their starting positions for their heats were determined by a prior race's passing points.  The scoreboard was also not working, though it had earlier in the week when tested, and it was a night of counting laps on my fingers last evening!  There were new, bright caution lights in the corners last night that gave the drivers a clear indication of situations on the track.  

Seven B mains were run to determine the starting line up for the five classes.  

The Northern SportMod 24 lap feature, presented by Rugged Radios, ran first.  

Jenae Gustin wasted no time in taking her ride from the fourth starting spot to the front by lap two.  She was challenged at times early by pole sitter Eddie Ingram, the driver out of Kansas City, Kansas, and late in the race Brayton Carter threw his hat into the ring in an attempt to catch Gustin.  It was to no avail however, as Gustin had her sights set on winning her grandpa Dale's memorial race and would take the checkers to the delight of the crowd....an emotional win for her and the family.  Carter took the runner up spot, with sixteenth place starter Cam Reimers finishing third.  Fourth was twelfth place starter Logan Anderson, and Eddie Ingram rounded out the top five. This was Gustin's first win of the year.  

The Stock Cars, presented by Drury Automotive were up next for their 24 lap main event.

Cayden Carter jumped to the lead from his pole starting position when the race went green.  Dallon Murty, fourth place starter, made his move early by taking to his favored topside of the High Banks and quickly moved into second.  On lap fourteen, Murty made the slide in turn four work for him, and he took over the lead.  The only yellow of the race would fly at lap seventeen when Jeff Mueller had to be taken off the track on the hook.  The restart was no issue for Murty as he sailed off once again to the lead and the eventual win. Fifth place starter, Jimmy Gustin ran at the front of the pack the entire race and finished second.  Third place went to Johnson Creek, Wisconsin's Jeff Steenbergen who hard charged from twentieth starting spot, fourth was Damon Murty who started tenth, and rounding out the top five was early leader Cayden Carter.  This was also a fitting finish on the night with both Murty and Gustin being part of the DeFrance family.  This was Murty's second feature win of the season.

The headliner of the evening was 44 laps...the car number of Dale DeFrance...for the Malvern Bank Super Late Model feature. The race paid $4,544 to the winner and $700 to start.

Dave Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa started on the outside front row and snatched the lead as the race went green.  The only caution of the race flew at lap eight, but the restart was no issue for Eckrich as he once again shot off to keep hold of his lead.  Last year's winner, Justin Kay had been chasing Eckrich from early on and continued to do so as the race wore on.  The leaders encountered heavy lap traffic, Kay gaining some ground on the leader at times, but Eckrich continuing to hold the lead.  The final two laps of the race saw Kay draw closer to the leader, and the crowd was on its feet in the closing moments.  Kay timed it perfectly, and on the final corner made the slide work and made it to the checkers first for the win.  Eckrich, after leading all but the final corner of the race, had to settle for second place.  Third went to brother Andy Eckrich who raced his way from fifteenth spot, fourth was Griswold, Iowa's JC Wyman, and twelfth place starter and current west series point leader, Chad Holladay, Muscatine, Iowa was fifth. 

After the celebration of Kay's SLMR win, it was time for the 34 lap Modified feature, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap.  

Jeremy Mills was the lucky recipient of the pole starting spot, and he took the lead when the race went green.  "T-Dub", Tim Ward started third, and was leading at lap two.  It would be a lead he would never relinquish as he sailed around the High Banks at Marshalltown Speedway.  There was some moving and shaking going on behind him however, in the race that went caution free.  Fifth place starter Zack VanderBeek in his own Vander Built chassis, battled with one of his employees, transplanted Colorado native, Tripp Gaylord for much of the race, with VanderBeek taking second, and Gaylord going third. Tom Berry, Jr. finished in fourth place, and Danube, Minnesota's Brandon Beckendorf came from twelfth to finish in fifth.  Ward repeated his win from last week.

The Hobby Stock 24 lap feature, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center, put a nightcap on the night's racing program.

Visitor for the night, Shane Richardson, Wapello, Iowa sat on the pole, with Eric Knutson to his outside.  Knutson grabbed the immediate lead, with fifth place starter Calvin Dhondt in second as the first lap was scored.  An unusual spin for Dhondt before lap two was in the books found him falling far back in the field as all cars avoided him and the race was not yellow flagged.  Knutson continued his run at the front with challenges by ninth place starter David McCalla, and eleventh place starter Solomon Bennett chasing him.  A caution came out with just two laps remaining, Knutson still in command, and McCalla and Bennett, second and third respectively.  The final laps would find Knutson staying as the leader of the pack and go home to the checkers flying and the win.  McCalla kept hold of the runner up spot, and the "Flying Fireman", Calvin Dhondt rallied back from his early mishap, and came home in third place.  Solomon Bennett and tenth place starter Cory VanderWilt finished fourth and fifth. This was Knutson's second win of the season.

Point leaders as we head into the final races of the season are Tripp Gaylord in the Modified, Jimmy Gustin in the Stock Cars, Brayton Carter in the SportMods, Calvin Dhondt in the Hobby Stocks, Jon Padilla in the Mod Lites, and Cristian Grady in the Sport Compacts.  

Next Friday night, August 2, will be another night of regular season racing with the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, Mod Lites, and Sport Compacts in action.  Hot laps at 6:45, and the green flag drops at 7:30.  

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

Murty wins $5K King of the Katwalks, Fitz, Kuehl, Gifford, and Glick also find Victory Lane

We made our way back to the Boone Speedway on Saturday, driving in rain from Marshalltown to Colo.  The track had received rain overnight and earlier, but no rain after that.  We did however, run into rain off and on on our drive home.  Once again, Boone Speedway lucked out.  The track was fast, multi-laned, and smooth all night. The main attraction of the night was the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars with the running of the $5,000 to win King of the Katwalks.  The "Game Changer", Dallon Murty walked away with that crown.  Trevor Fitz, the transplanted Californian, got his first win in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified class, and Taylor Kuehl was smooth and cool in taking the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod feature.  Veteran racer Wayne Gifford took the honors in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock division, and it was Joe Glick winning the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lite main event in a borrowed car.

First up for the night was the 15 lap Mod Lite feature, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck, & Farm.

Jason Masengarb, Colona, Illinois jumped to the immediate lead from his pole starting spot.  He was still leading the pack when a caution flew at lap nine when Cole Paul's machine erupted in flames on the backstretch and the race was red flagged.  Paul was not injured, and when the racing action picked back up, Randy Bryan, and tenth place starter Joe Glick were ready to pounce on the leader.  It didn't take long until Bryan took over the top spot, but Glick wasn't done yet either!  When the green was held high with two laps to go, Glick had made the pass for the lead, and then he would hold that to the flying checkers and the win.  Bryan had to be content with second place, Masengarb went third, fourth went to fourteenth place starter Charlie Brown, and Ben George started eleventh, and raced his way to fifth place.  Glick, who is in the points race at the track, had suffered damage the previous night, and with his own ride out of commission, was in the borrowed hotrod belonging to Jeff Stensland. This was Glick's first feature win of the season at the track. It's great to see how this class is so tight, helping each other out whenever it's needed.  

The Northern SportMod feature, presented by Elmquist Towing, was 18 laps.

Chris Webb led from the pole but Taylor Kuehl came out of nowhere, starting eighth, and was on Webb's bumper by lap three.  Kuehl had the lead the following lap.  Kuehl then ran away and hid, and was oh so smooth and cool on her run to the finish and the checkers.  She finished over six seconds ahead of second place Jake Sachau who started fourteenth on the starting lineup.  Dusty Lynch finished in third, fourth went to last week's winner Curtis Veber, and early leader Chris Webb completed the top five.  This was Kuehl's second feature win of the season. The race went caution free!

Up next was 20 laps of IMCA Modified racing, presented by D & E Outside Services.

Jason Bass, Fort Dodge, Iowa racer, started on the pole and held the lead the first two laps until Trevor Fitz slid his way into the lead on lap three.  Fitz, the Camarillo, California native who now calls Marshalltown, Iowa home, would never relinquish that top spot the rest of the race and took home his first win at Boone. Jake McBirnie started twelfth, and pestered Fitz for most of the latter part of the race, trying everything at times for a way around the leader, but to no avail.  McBirnie had to settle for the runner up spot on this night.  Todd Shute started deep in the field in fifteenth spot, caught and challenged McBirnie late in the race, but had to be content with a third place run. Owen Barnhill, the Florida racer who is spending his summer in Iowa, came from thirteenth to finish fourth, and Johnathon Logue moved up seventeen spots and finished in fifth. 

Fifty-one IMCA Stock Cars checked in for the night to try their hand at winning the $5,000.  The King of the Katwalks was presented by Van Eaton Pork & Fox Welding/Vermeer.  The 28 car starting field for the 40 lap feature was determined by heat winners, and passing points through the heats, plus four provisionals were added on to the back of the starting grid. The top twelve starters were brought to the frontstretch for a draw for their starting spots.

Tommy Fain, Abilene, Texas was the lucky recipient of the pole starting position, with Chelsea, Iowa's Dallon Murty starting in position two.  Murty immediately took advantage of that starting spot, took to the topside of the track, and led the field.  Six cautions would mar the race, but each time Murty had no trouble on the restarts and would lead every lap to seal the title of King of the Katwalks.  Jeff Mueller started tenth and challenged Murty at times as he dug his way on the bottom of the track in an attempt to catch him. Ninth place starter Jake McBirnie was also a late race contender, getting to second spot, but could do no better. McBirnie finished in second, with Mueller going third. Fourth went to Blairsburg, Iowa's Scott Olson, and veteran racer Kelly Shryock came from thirteenth starting spot to finish in fifth.  The post race interview with Murty was a nostalgic one as his dad Damon Murty had stood in last year's King of the Katwalks Victory Lane, but was not at the track on this night to join his son in celebration, but instead with his daughter at the Tama County Fair....hoping for a blue ribbon.

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

Seth Butler led lap number one, but at lap two, veteran racer Wayne Gifford, who started sixth, was at the helm.  The race was red flagged on lap two when Keith Burg took an easy rollover in turn one.  When the race restarted, Gifford continued his run at the front of the field, challenged at times by Solomon Bennett, Butler, his son Braden Gifford, and Mike Smith. It was not a lead however, that Gifford would ever relinquish as he went home to the flying checkers, and the win....his second of the season.  Solomon Bennett took second place, outlasting young Mike Smith in third place.  The winner's son Braden Gifford finished in fourth, and Seth Butler was fifth.  There are a lot of #22 cars running in the Hobby Stock class at Boone, and with four of them in the top five, you really had to pay attention to who was who!  

Next Saturday night, July 27, is Salute to Veterans night at the races.  Grandstand will open at 3:30 for a special night honoring all veterans in attendance with free admission, a meal, a goodie bag, and other giveaways.  The fan zone will have specially wrapped cars on display for fans to see along with their drivers.  The Modifieds will be racing for $3,000 to win, the Stock Cars $2,000, and SportMods and Hobby Stocks $1,000.  Hot laps are scheduled for 5:30, with opening ceremonies to follow, and racing at 7. 

It was truly a great night of fast, close, and entertaining racing in all classes. One hundred fifty-three cars checked in for the night, and though some regular racers were absent, visiting drivers were in attendance from a plethora of states.  There was again a lot of action in the tech area, but unlike the past two weeks, the only issue I can recall being found was a deck height infraction in the SportMod division, yielding the driver a two spot finishing dock. 

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

 

Wards takes IMCA Modified win #100 at Marshalltown Speedway

Marshalltown Speedway was back on its regular Friday night of racing this week after last week's Thursday night Thunder race.  It was a much more comfortable night weather wise to be setting at a race track. It was also one for the record books as Tim Ward captured his 100th IMCA Friesen Performance Modified victory. Kaden Reynolds got out in front and was gone in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature, and Brayton Carter had no trouble in snagging the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod victory.  It was Calvin Dhondt adding to his list of wins in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, as did Cristian Grady in the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts, and Dillon Raffurty made the trip up from Kansas City, Missouri pay off when he saw checkers in the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites.  

The Mod Lite 15 lap feature, presented by Knight Sanitation, was up first.

Travis Stensland started on the outside front row and jumped to the immediate lead when the race went green.  His nice lead would disappear when a yellow flag flew at lap six, closing the field for the restart.  Dillon Raffurty had been closing on the front runners, was in third place when the race restarted, and wasted no time in taking his ride topside, and soon had the lead.  Another yellow at lap ten was no issue for Raffurty as he shot off from the field, and pulled away in the closing laps to take the easy win.  Jason Massengarb, Colona, Illinois started fourth, ran up front the entire race, but had to be content with the runner up spot.  Third went to eleventh place starter, Jon Padilla, Silvis, Illinois, fourth was Josh May, and ninth place starter Alex Eischeid rounded out the top five.  Raffurty also won the second night of the King of the High Banks back on April 12 before the regular season began. I believe Raffurty and his family build Mod Lite cars in the Missouri shop, and have been very successful.  Raffurty is a former IMCA Super Nationals Champion and defending National Champion in the division.

It was 16 laps of SportMod feature racing up next, presented by Rugged Radios.

Chris Burke led the first four laps of the race but a slide job by Eddie Ingram, Kansas City, Kansas put him in the lead on lap five.  Meanwhile, Brayton Carter had been working himself forward from starting in the ninth position, and was eyeing the leader.  Just after lap eleven was scored, Carter nosed by Ingram, only to have a yellow wave, reverting the line up in Ingram's favor on the restart. It didn't take long after the green waved, and "Speedy Bray" Carter had the lead.  It was all Carter's race from there on out as he raced his hotrod to the checkers first, his third in the regular season, after having also won the Frostbuster special back on April 5. Ingram just held off Colton Livezey at the line as they went second and third respectively.  Carter VandenBerg and Jenae Gustin completed the top five.

The Stock Car 20 lap feature, presented by Drury Automotive saw Kaden Reynolds lead from start to finish in the race that went caution free after lap one's yellow. Kyle Olson tried to reel in Reynolds, but at the checkers, it was Reynold's winning easily, and Olson taking second place.  Following a good distance behind in third was visiting Vinton, Iowa racer Dakoda Sellers, ninth place starter Michael Jaennette was fourth, and Jay Schmidt was fifth.  This was Reynold's second feature win of the season.

The Modified 20 lap main event, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap, was one for the record books.

Veteran racer, David Brown, Kellogg, Iowa started on the outside of the front row, and held down the lead through the first three circuits. Tim Ward started fifth, and had the lead at lap three.  Behind him it was a battle between Dallon Murty and Dylan Thornton for the number two position.  Thornton established second place, and then began his quest to reel in leader Ward.  He got close enough to try a slide in corner four as the white flag waved, but it was to no avail, and Ward went home to the victory....his 100th IMCA Modified win.  Thornton had to settle for the runner up spot, Murty took third place, Tripp Gaylord was fourth, and tenth place starter Todd Shute was fifth. After being gone from regular racing in the area while he race some series specials, Ward made his return to Marshalltown Speedway one to remember with his 100th IMCA win. 

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

Kord Sellers, Vinton, Iowa led the field on lap one, with sixth place starter David Kimmel, New Virginia, Iowa running in second place.  Kimmel passed Sellers for the lead at lap two and now had to worry about Cristian Grady, ninth place starter, running the topside, who was soon breathing down his tailpipes.  A yellow flew at lap four, and when the race returned to green, Kimmel was able to hold off Grady for a while, but it was Grady taking over on lap seven.  It was Grady's race the rest of the way to the checkers as he won going away, matching his win from last week's Thursday night race, and his third of the season. Spencer Roggentien, Amana, Iowa got by Kimmel in the closing laps as they went second and third respectively.  Following a good distance behind in fourth place, it was Jeremy Williams, and Campbell Tressler, Cedar Falls, Iowa was fifth. 

The final event of the evening was the 16 lap Hobby Stock feature, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center.

Eric Knutson started third on the grid, and had the lead quickly.  By lap two, fifth place starter Calvin Dhondt was running second, and sizing up the leader.  The two ran closely lap after lap, with Dhondt finally able to take over the top spot just past the halfway point in the race.  Cory VanDerWilt was pestering second place runner Knutson for the final circuits as the race wore down.  Dhondt held the top spot and snagged his fourth feature win of the year, Knutson held off VanDerWilt as they went second and third, and it was Sam West taking fourth, and tenth place starter Bradly Graham was fifth.

Next Friday night, July 26, will be a special night at the speedway when the SLMR Super Late Models come to town for the running of the Dale DeFrance Memorial.  The Late Models will run a 44 lap main event...the car number of Dale DeFrance, and be on the hunt for the $4,400 to win feature.  The IMCA Modifieds will be running for $1500, the IMCA Stock Cars for $750, and the IMCA SportMods and Hobby Stocks, $500 to win.  Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 with racing to follow.

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

Gustin is King at Boone, McBirnie and Stensland repeat, and Smith, Veber, and Burg get First Wins

It was another topnotch night of racing Saturday night at the Boone Speedway, on a typical hot and humid July night in Iowa.  Jimmy Gustin got the crown in the King of the Hill for the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, while Jake McBirnie returned to Victory Lane for another feature win in the division.  Devin Smith took the high road in capturing the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature, his first of the season, and also a first of the year win went to Curtis Veber in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class.  Yet another first time winner was Keith Burg when he took checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Travis Stensland keeps racking up wins in the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lite class.

The night's racing was made extra special when we got to spend it with Dustin Jarrett, who was back here visiting in the area...and recently getting his 326th different track in when he stopped at CJ Speedway Friday night in Columbus Junction.  Jarrett is from Ohio, but you never know where you will run into him as he travels doing announcing all over the country. 

Feature racing kicked off with the 15 lap main event for the Mod Lites, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck, and Farm.

Travis Stensland wasted no time in getting to the front.  He started sixth, had the lead at lap one, and never looked back in the race that went caution free. He had no issues with lap traffic, as he pulled away from his nearest competitor and took the easy win.  Following a distance second place was tenth place starter Josh May, Bryan Zehm was third, fourth went to Scott Bailey, and Ben George rounded out the top five.  Stensland continues his great run at the track this season, scoring his fifth victory of the year. 

The Northern SportMods, presented by Elmquist Towing, ran an 18 lap feature next.

Jason Carney took the lead as the race went green.  As the race wore on, he had big time company battling it out for position behind him as Curtis Veber, Nate Albrant, Hunter Longnecker, and Matt Avila went at it.  Veber was able to get around Carney and take the top spot on lap twelve and at lap thirteen, the only caution of the race flew.  It was no issue for Veber however, as he kept hold of the lead when the race resumed, but now it was Hunter Longnecker running in second and hot on his tail through the final laps.  Veber fended off the advances and was able to take the checkers first, and secure his first win since August of 2023.  Longnecker made it close at the line, but had to settle for second place.  Matt Avila finished third, Taylor Kuehl was hard charger, coming from seventeenth starting spot to take fourth, and Randy Havlik completed the top five.  

The Modified 20 lap feature, presented by D & E Outside Services, was decided in a dash to the finish line.

Kaylin Lopez, the Chowchilla, California transplant who now calls Marshalltown, Iowa home, led the troops through much of the race, still holding the lead with a handful of laps to go.  He had several hard charging competitors behind him however as the race wore down and with four laps to go, Jake McBirnie took over, Lopez fell back, and soon exited the race, and Jeremy Mills, who started eleventh, was giving chase to McBirnie.  Cory Saureman had also been in the hunt and was chasing the leaders too, but McBirnie wasn't about to relinquish that lead though it was a thrilling dash to the finish line making it one to have the fans on their feet.  McBirnie took the checkers, making it his fourth of the year, with Jeremy Mills just beating Cory Sauerman as they went second and third respectively.  Zane DeVilbiss, Farmington, New Mexico visitor started twelfth, and took fourth, and tenth place starter Jimmy Gustin got in the mix in the closing five laps and took fifth place.   

The Stock Car 20 lap feature, presented by Moose Lodge of Boone had more than its share of yellow flags waving....seven in all, and six within the first seven laps.  

"Hot Rod" Richards started on the pole and took the lead, weathered the first five cautions and maintained the lead.  When the race restarted however, eighth place starter Devin Smith made his run at the top of the track work, and snatched the lead, with early leader Richards out of the race with mechanical issues.  Another yellow flew at lap seven and on the restart, Smith kept his lead, running the topside in turns three and four, diving low in turns one and two.  The final yellow flew on lap fourteen with Smith holding on to the number one spot the rest of the way to the checkers and his first win.  Cody Gustoff and Tyler Pickett ran at the front of the pack the entire race, finishing second and third respectively, Donavon Smith came from tenth starting spot to finish in fourth place, and veteran Scott Davis was fifth.  This was Smith's first win at the track since 2022, after taking a couple years hiatus from racing.  

Things wrapped up with the final feature of the night, the Hobby Stock 15 lap event, presented by Pickett Salvage.

Keith Burg started on the outside front row, and grabbed the lead immediately.  It would be a lead he would never give up, as he went home to the flying checkers and grabbed his first ever feature win at the track.  He had three #22s battling it out behind him most of the race, with fourteenth place starter Mike Smith taking the runner up position in the closing lap, finishing ahead of Wayne Gifford in third, and his son Braden Gifford in fourth.  Matt McDonald completed the top five. 

There was plenty of action going on in the tech area last night too.  There were lots of announcement going on for infractions for deck height, a jack bolt issue, frames too low, a carbon fiber drive shaft which is a no-no, rear shock issue, and some I may have missed.   

Next Saturday night, July 20 will be another weekly series of racing along with the King of the Katwalks for the IMCA Stock Cars.  The Stock Cars run for $5,000 to win, $250 to start at the 3rd annual event.  Pits open at 4:30, grandstands at 5:30, hot laps at 6:00, and racing at 7:00.

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

Thursday Night Thunder Fair wins for Rust, Murty, Kuehl, Filloon, Brown, and Grady

It was KIX 101.1 Thursday Night Thunder at the Marshalltown Speedway on a Central Iowa Fair hot and humid night, instead of the usual Friday night show. Everyone was thankful for the light breeze that was blowing to help with the hot evening in a show that wrapped up by 9:35 p.m.

The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars were running for $1,000 pay day, and it was Dallon Murty taking home that Fair prize.  Joel Rust returned to Victory Lane in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified class, and Taylor Kuehl bested the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods.  A first time winner ever at Marshalltown was Dustin Filloon in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Charlie Brown had the field covered in the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites, and Cristian Grady got his second win of the year in the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts.

Fifteen laps of Mod Lite racing, presented by Knight Sanitation, kicked off the night's feature events.

Travis Stensland grabbed the lead as the race went green, taking advantage of his pole starting position.  However, sixth place starter Charlie Brown was immediately up to challenge.  A yellow flew after lap one was scored for a spinning car, and when the race returned to green, Brown was all over Stensland.  By lap four, Brown had the lead.  It would be a lead he would never relinquish as he sailed off in the remaining caution free laps to take the easy win.  It was a good battle for second as Travis Stensland was fending off the advances of tenth place starter Jon Padilla in the closing laps.  Padilla was finally able to make his move into second place as the race drew to a close, and took second place, with Stensland taking third.  Fourth went to Bryan Zehm, and Alex Eischeid completed the top five. This was Brown's first win at the speedway this year. Brown has been hot as of late, returning to racing after a couple years hiatus.  

The Northern SportMod 16 lap feature, presented by Rugged Radios came to the track next.

Two ladies drivers, Josalyn Elmquist and Taylor Kueh would be at the front when lap one was scored.   Elmquist held the top spot at lap one, but by lap two, it was Kuehl in command.  Kuehl would then weather two caution interruptions and subsequent restarts with ease as she went on to take the feature win....her first at the track this year.  Last week's winner Matt Avila came from eleventh and finished as the runner up.  Third place went to Brayton Carter. Will Wolf was running the "Flying Corncob" DeKalb wrapped car in a tribute to Mike Spilman. I believe it was his second night out in the tribute car after running it at the Southern Iowa Speedway Wednesday night on Hall of Fame Induction night that saw Spilman one of the honorees of the evening.  Wolf, Grinnell, Iowa, had a good run after having mechanical issues earlier in the evening, and finished fourth.  Kyle Olson rounded out the top five. 

The IMCA Stock Cars, presented by Drury Automotive, ran a 20 lap feature that was paying $1,000 for the win in a draw/redraw format.

Dallon Murty drew the lucky #1 starting spot for the feature, with Jimmy Gustin sitting to his outside for the start. Murty held the top spot as the two ran the top of the High Banks through lap nine when the yellow flag flew.  When the race restarted, third place runner Jake McBirnie made his move around Gustin to take over the number two spot.  The race continued caution free from that point on, and Murty had no problem in keeping that top spot, pulling away to take the comfortable win as the checkers flew.  McBirnie and Gustin had a good battle going on for second and third, with McBirnie holding off Gustin as they finished second and third respectively.  Fourth went to Dylan Thornton and eleventh place starter Cayden Carter took fifth.  This was Dallon Murty's first Stock Car win at the track this season, also having a Modified win this year.

The Modifieds ran a 20 lap feature, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap.

Trevor Fitz, the California transplant, led the field as the race started, with David Brown in tow.  Fitz was having no issues holding back the field while Brown and eighth place starter Joel Rust were battling it out for second.  Rust made the move around Brown at the halfway mark of the race, and then set his sights on leader Fitz.  The only yellow of the contest flew with a handful of laps remaining, and when the race went back to green, Rust pulled a perfect slider in corner four, and had the lead when lap sixteen was scored.  It was Rust's race the rest of the way to the checkers and the win.  Fitz held on to second place, third went to visiting Bakersfield, California racer Kyle Heckman who had started sixth, fourth was tenth place starter Todd Shute, and veteran racer David Brown, Kellogg, Iowa finished fifth.  This was visit number two to Victory Lane for Rust this year.

The IMCA Sport Compacts, presented by Hy-Vee of Marshalltown, ran a 20 lap caution free race, the only class of the evening to do so.

Kinzer Jaennette started on the outside front row and led the first three laps before Cristian Grady came calling after starting eighth, and took command.  It was all Grady's race from there on out as the race went flag to flag with Grady taking the easy win.  Amana, Iowa's Spencer Roggentien finished as the runner up, third went to tenth place starter, James Haring, Oskaloosa, Iowa, fourth was Michael Gardner, and Mark Smith took fifth.  This was Grady's second trip to Victory Lane at Marshalltown this year.

Sixteen laps of Hobby Stock feature racing, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center completed the night's racing program.

Kale Hemsley, Sigourney, Iowa started on the outside front row, and grabbed the lead immediately.  He was still leading when the first caution flew on lap five.  When the race restarted, he kept hold of the lead as lap six went into the books, but turn two proved to be his nemesis when the rear end broke loose, and numerous cars piled up behind him with no place to go. When the race restarted and the carnage was cleaned up, with several cars not able to rejoin the field, it was Dustin Filloon inheriting the number one spot.  Filloon was still leading when the third and final caution flew for debris with four laps to go. Filloon was able to keep his run at the front the final circuits to the checkers and take his first ever win at Marshalltown Speedway.  Sam West finished as the runner up, Cory VanDerwilt started fourteenth and finished in third place, fourth went to tenth place starter Bradly Graham who had a great run after having to change a tire due to the early pile up in turn two and tag the field, and dad Brad Graham was fifth.  

Marshalltown Speedway will return to their usual Friday night racing next week, July 19, for Rumours Sports Bar Salute to Marshall County Law Enforcement, First Responders, and EMTs night. All six IMCA classes will be in competition.  Hot laps are 6:45 and racing at 7:30. 

Next up on our calendar will be our weekly trip to the Boone Speedway on Saturday night.  Sounds like it may be a warm and humid one.  What's up with all the heat around the Country, let alone the nasty weather.  

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

Shute, Roberts, Sachau, Ullrich, and Brown take checkers as track avoids Mother Nature

Boone Speedway was back in action on Saturday night for their weekly racing series with 161 cars checking in for some fun. Thanks to Sauerman Trucking, all heat winners got $50. There were storm clouds in every direction last night, some lightning in the distance late in the evening.  Everyone was checking radar on their phones, but luckily no rain ever fell at the track. 

Todd Shute nabbed his second feature win of the year in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified class, and Nick Roberts made it to Victory Lane for the first time in taking the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.  It was Jake Sachau seeing the winner's circle for his first regular season victory in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods after just winning at the Eve of Destruction on July 4th in a non-track points race.  Making it to Victory Lane for the first time ever at Boone was second generation racer Dayton Ullrich in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, and Charlie Brown was an easy winner of the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites.

Feature racing kicked off with the Mod Lite 15 lap A main, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck and Farm.  

Charlie Brown started fourth, and quickly made his way to the lead by the time the first lap was scored.  It was smooth sailing for Brown in the rest of the caution free race as he pulled away and easily took his second feature win of the year.  Polesitter Scott Bailey chased Brown the entire race from a distance and finished as the runner up.  Joe Glick came from seventh starting spot to take third place, it was Josh May coming from ninth to take fourth, and eleventh place starter Austin Gray rounded out the top five. Brown, who just returned this season after some time off from racing was a happy camper and pleased with his ride that was, "fast right out of the box".  

It was 18 laps of Northern SportMod feature racing, presented by Elmquist Towing, next.

Roland, Iowa's Chris Webb led through lap eight when the yellow flew.  It would be his undoing as when the race restarted, Jake Sachau, who started twelfth and in fifth place when the caution came out, was on it immediately when the race returned to green. By the following lap he was leading.  Sachau would easily weather another yellow at lap fourteen, and pull away in the final circuits to take the comfortable win....his second in three days at the track after having won the 4th of July non-track points race at the speedway.  Ironically, it was also ten years to the day that he had won his first ever SportMod feature at the very same place. In his post race interview, he said he, "loves this place and running the topside". Dusty Masolini sliced through the field from tenth starting spot to take second place, third went to ninth place starter Cory Pestotnik, Randy Havlik was the hard charger of the race, starting nineteenth and finishing fourth, and Eddie Ingram, Kansas City, Missouri came from sixteenth place to finish in fifth.  

The IMCA Modifieds ran 20 laps in their feature race, presented by D & E Outside Services.

It was third time's the charm in getting the race started after two yellows flew before the first lap was scored.  When it did get underway, Mike VanGenderen was at the helm and was still leading when caution #3 waved.  When things got back underway, Ridgeway, Missouri racer Kaden Cochran got around the leader, and Jimmy Gustin followed to take over second place.  Cochran had company close behind in Gustin, Ron Lauritzen, and now Todd Shute had made his way from twelfth starting spot, to run in fourth.  Early contender VanGenderen pulled to the infield with mechanical issues putting him out of the game as Cochran continued to lead with Shute now on his tail.  With a handful of laps still remaining, Shute got around Cochran and took the helm.  The final laps saw Shute pull away to go home to the flying checkers, and seal his second victory of the 2024 season.  Cochran finished a distant runner up. Some "rubbin' is racin'" was in the mix further behind and in the end it was Johnathon Logue taking third after starting tenth, fourth went to Jake McBirnie who bettered himself twenty positions, and Ron Lauritzen rounded out the top five. 

Stock Cars came next for their 20 lap A Main, presented by  Boone Moose Lodge.  

Jeff Mueller appeared destined to go to Victory Lane after taking the lead on lap four as he hugged the corners, his preferred line.  Nick Roberts had worked his way from starting seventeenth to catch the leader at lap fourteen and was weighing his strategy on how to get around the leader.  After taking the white flag,  Roberts somehow nosed under Mueller in corner two with a little door rubbin', and took the lead on the backstretch and made it to the checkers first for the win.  Devin Smith and Donovan Smith were also able to get around Mueller in the closing moments as they went second and third respectively, with Mueller, a not too happy fourth, and Bob Daniels taking fifth.  Nick Roberts marked his first win at the track this year in the race that went flag to flag.

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

After the initial start was yellow flagged, it was Jimmy Johnson, Cherokee, Iowa hot shoe taking advantage of his pole starting spot as he flew off into the lead.  Meanwhile, it was young Mike Smith ripping the lip on the topside after starting eighth, and by lap four he had the lead.  Smith led easily for the next four laps, until a flat tire would put him out of the game.  Two laps later, it was second generation racer and tenth place starter Dayton Ullrich, Kiron, Iowa taking over the lead from Johnson.  Ullrich would then keep that lead the rest of the contest and take home his first ever win at the track.  Johnson finished in second, fifteenth place starter Joe Doran finished third, Solomon Bennett was fourth, and Josh VanCannon was fifth.  The race continued caution free after the initial yellow before lap one was scored.  

As we made our way out after the races, we noticed a change in direction of the wind, and noticed some lightning as we neared Ames. Ames is where we ran into rain.....and we never ran out of it until we were a mile from home!  We both said it was the worst rain we had ever been in!  It was torrential, bright lightning in the face, and hard to see lines on the road!  Evidently it was just following Hwy. 30, as it never let up!  When we reached Marshalltown, we pulled off and sat at a gas station until it let up a bit. It still wasn't great as the rain continued to fall, and sometimes we ran into waves of it.  Luckily, we were able to follow a race hauler the last part of our trip that helped a lot!  When we went under a viaduct about a mile from home, the rain stopped!  We drove through inches and inches of rainfall, and at home, our rain gauge measured .2!  Crazy Iowa weather continues.  We NEVER want to drive through a rainfall like that again!

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

 

Thornton sees Victory Lane, along with Kaplan, Avila, Graham, Masengarb, and Bunch

 It was Xtream Powered by Mediacom Night at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night, along with Iron Horse Aviation giving some a different perspective of the races from high above with helicopter rides. A strong field of 134 cars checked in to entertain the fans that saw Dylan Thornton capture his first feature in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified division.  Austin Kaplan also took his first trip to Victory Lane in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.  Matt Avila looked strong with his win in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods, and Bradly Graham got his first weekly win in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.  Illinois racer, Jason Masengarb snagged feature win #2 on the year in the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites, and Mitchell Bunch made it two in a row in the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts.

It was also a different kind of feel at the races, as it was discovered too late, that the PA system had been taken out, evidently with a lightning strike. So, no PA last night.  Some of the lights were also affected, but repairs were made on those.  

The evenings feature racing kicked off with 15 laps for the Mod Lites, presented by Knight Sanitation.

Jason Masengarb started on the pole, and never looked back on his way to the checkers flying. The race went caution free after an initial call back for a spinning car before lap one was scored.  Masengarb had no issue with the heavy lap traffic on his way to victory.  Charlie Brown chased him for much of the race until eleventh place starter, and fellow Illinoian, Jon Padilla made the pass late in the race to take second at the finish.  Brown took third, with Cory Sonner in fourth, and Randy Bryan, in the car usually piloted by Austin Gray, was fifth after starting thirteenth.  This was Masengarb's second feature win of the season.  Padilla continues to hold on to his point lead.

The Sport Compacts, presented by Hy-Vee of Marshalltown went 15 laps for their main event, which went flag to flag.  

Des Moines, Iowa's Mitchell Bunch jumped to the immediate lead from his pole starting position, and it was all his race from there on.  By lap three, point leader Cristian Grady had moved into second place after starting in ninth place, but that would be all he could muster as he finished as the runner up.  Eighth place starter Michael Gardner took third place, with Jeremy Williams, Oskaloosa, Iowa taking fourth, and last week's winner, Dyllan Bonk made the trip up from Hannibal, Missouri again, and took fifth. Grady holds the point lead for the track championship.  

The IMCA Hobby Stock 20 lap feature, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center had some issues with cautions halting the racing action.

Sigourney, Iowa's Kale Hemsley jumped to the lead as the race went green.  He was still leading when the yellow flew at lap six.  One more lap got in before the caution flew again, with Hemsley still holding down the top spot. Yet another yellow flew at lap eight as Hemsley continued to lead, but by this time, Eric Knutson was right on his bumper.  Two more laps got in the books before the yellow flew once again, Hemsley still in command, Knutson out off the competition, and now Briar Krigel running in second, and Bradly Graham had worked himself up to third place. The final laps did run caution free allowing the cars to get back into their racing rhythm and with six laps to go, it was Graham now at the helm, Knutson was eliminated with a tire going down, and Kriegel was was back in second place.  Graham would go on to take the win, Kriegel finishing as the runner up, and early leader, Kale Hemsley taking third.  Eric Stanton came from twelfth starting spot to take fourth, and Braden Gifford was the hard charger of the race, taking fifth place after starting twenty-seventh.  This was Graham's first regular season win, after taking the honors in the Frostbuster special in early April. Calvin Dhondt holds a slim 3 point lead over Bradly Graham for the track title.  

The IMCA Northern SportMods ran a 16 lap feature, presented by Rugged Radios.

Zander Kelland, the Bakersfield, California native, led the opening laps, but it was Matt Avila moving from seventh and into the lead by lap three.  Three cautions would fly before the finish of the race, but they were no issue for Avila as he went home to the flying checkers and the win.  Ninth place starter Brayton Carter took second, third went to Kyle Olson who started eight, fourth was Jenae Gustin, and it was Will Wolf rounding out the top five.  This was Avila's second feature win of the season. Kyle Olson is your point leader, up just five points on Brayton Carter.

It was 20 laps of feature racing for the IMCA Stock Cars next, presented by Drury Automotive. 

Austin Kaplan started on the outside front row, and claimed the lead immediately.  It would be a spot he would never relinquish the entire 20 laps to take the win.  Twelfth place starter Jeff Mueller came on strong as he dug around the bottom and took the runner up spot as the checkers flew.  Third went to tenth place starter Michael Jaennette, fourth was Maguire DeJong, and hometown favorite Jimmy Gustin came from eleventh to take fifth.  This was Kaplan's first win of the year at Marshalltown. Jimmy Gustin is the points leader for the track title with a nice 38 point lead over Steve Meyer.

The final event rolled out onto the track with the IMCA Modified 20 lap feature, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap.

Jacob Murray took advantage of his pole starting spot, and leaped into the lead as the race went green. He continued his run at the front until just before the halfway mark, when Dylan Thornton was able to make the pass and take over the lead.  Thornton would then put some distance between himself and the pack and take the comfortable win.  Zack Rawlins had one of his best runs of the season, and took second place.  Third went to thirteenth place starter Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, the hard charger of the race, fourth was eleventh place starter Todd Shute, and Dallon Murty completed the top five.  This was Thornton's first win this year. Tripp Gaylord, your track points leader was not in attendance last evening, but still holds a six point lead over Zack Rawlins as the season begins to wind down.

Next week, the races will be on Thursday, July 11 for the Minute Man Printing night during the Central Iowa Fair. There will be no racing on Friday night.  All six regular IMCA classes will be on tap with $1,000 to win for the IMCA Stock Cars.  Hot laps at 6:45, with racing at 7:30. 

The plan is to head to Boone Speedway again for our regular Saturday night racing home.  It's hard to believe that we are already on the downside of the racing season.  Find a track to support, and help keep the sport we all love....dirt track racing....alive and well!