Thornton continues winning ways at Osky season opener

The season opener at the Southern Iowa Speedway is now in the books after a week's delay....thanks to moody Mother Nature.

A larger than normal field of IMCA Sport Compacts led off the feature racing.  Thirteen cars came to try their hand on the big old half-mile.  Iowa City driver, Shane Evans, led the ten lap, caution free race from start to finish.  He crossed the finish line well ahead of John Whalen.  Jake Benischek, Durant, Iowa, raced from his ninth starting position, to finish third.  Jason Brueklander and John Gill completed the top five.  As a note, the 9H car of Levi Heath crossed the finish line in fifth, but was penalized two spots for jumping the start.

The IMCA Stock Cars followed up with their own flag-to-flag, 18-lap main event.  Cayden Carter made it look easy getting to the lead by lap one, passing front row starters Derrick Agee and Greg Gill, and his second-row starting partner, Nathan Wood.  Carter purred along, circuit after circuit, stretching his lead on his way to the win.  Sixth place starter, Todd Reitzler chased Carter from a distance most of the race, to finish in second.  Third was eighth starter, Todd Inman from Altoona,  Mike Hughes was fourth and Derrick Agee was fifth.  Carter, who was driving the "other car" of owner Roger Kelderman, with the #33Z seen on one side, had no trouble in handling the reins of this ride.  

The Northern SportMods went 16-laps for their feature.  Jason "Mighty Mouse" McDaniel led the pack of cars through lap eight when a caution flew.  Meanwhile, Curtis VanDerWal had been on the move, splitting cars through the field, to get to second.  When the race went back to green, VanDerWal seized his moment, getting a run on McDaniel as they flew down the backstretch, and claiming the lead at lap nine.  He would then pull away from the field, capturing yet another win at the Monster half-mile.  Jake McBirnie, the Boone, Iowa driver who has been having a successful start to his 2016 season in his Harris chassis ride, fought his way from fifth place to finish a distant runner up.  McDaniel held on to third place, fourth was eighth place starter, Carter VandenBerg, and Logan Anderson rounded out the top five.

There was a strong field of competitors in the IMCA Modified ranks for their 20-lapper.  Cayden Carter and Josh Foster sat on the front row for the start.  Foster, who now calls Newton, Iowa home, and who is back in competition after taking a bit of time off from racing, snapped up the lead immediately.  Foster has looked strong this early season, and was showing it again as the race went on.  Veteran racer, Kelly Shryock slipped into second place by lap two and went to work running down the leader.  Meanwhile, the 20RT of Ricky Thornton was in the hunt, and picking off cars from his seventh starting spot.  A yellow flew at lap twelve, bunching the field for the restart.  Foster held the top spot, Shryock ran second with Thornton now in third and Zach VanderBeek sitting in fourth place.  Another yellow flew at lap fifteen when Shryock suffered a flat tire, and had to retire to the pits.  Things were looking interesting for an exciting restart with five laps remaining!  Foster still held the top spot, Thornton had moved to second after getting around Shryock, and Colt Mather was now riding in third place.  Thornton, the young gun out of Arizona, who is calling Iowa home this summer, wasted no time in flying to the lead on the restart.  He easily pulled the field the last five laps, taking the win in easy fashion.  Mather took the runner up spot, VanderBeek was third, Foster fell back on the restart to finish fourth and Tyler Groenendyk started tenth and captured a top five finish.  Thornton, who is living in the small town of Harcourt, Iowa, located near Fort Dodge, has already had great success this early racing season, winning two of the Frostbuster's as well as a couple of other early season races.  He is piloting the Victory chassis "house car" and making noise in doing so.

The 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature completed the night's racing.  It was a "no go" when the race took the initial green. when pole sitter Christian Huffman went into spin mode just out of turn two.  Luckily, all cars avoided him as he sat facing traffic, diverting what could have been a real disaster. 

Action did go green then, with four-wide scrambles.  Emerging at the top of the heap, was Nick Ulin, who snatched up the lead.  He had to fight off the advances of Danny Thrasher most of the race, with Dustin Griffiths joining in the fray in the closing laps.  The three cars ran tight for the final circuits, but it was Ulin not about to relinquish his race-long lead, as he took the checkers first for the win.Thrasher held second spot over Griffiths in third.  A distance behind them was August Bach in the 19X car, and Jared Stephens finished in fifth.

The racing came to a close at 9:25 p.m., allowing fans an early exit on a weeknight.  Thanks to promoter Mike VanGenderen for moving the show along and for giving the drivers free admission for the night.  

Racing continues next Wednesday night at the Southern Iowa Speedway.  Hot laps at 7, and racing at 7:30.  Come see some weeknight racing at the historic half-mile.   

Thornton captures Boone Speedway Frostbuster victory

After a week's postponement, the Frostbuster at the Boone Speedway is finally in the books.  Saturday, with an early starting time of 5 p.m. for racing, the show wrapped up by 8:20 p.m. The weather was still not a pleasant night to be sitting outside, but the crowd that was on hand saw some excellent racing.  There were 121 cars checked in to vie for a Frostbuster win in the IMCA Modified, Stock Car, SportMod and Hobby Stock classes.

The SportMod had 32 cars competing.  A B main had to be run to complete the final four starting spots.  That win went to Randy Roberts, who had been the winner the previous night at the Marshalltown Speedway Frostbuster.

In the A feature, Doug Smith got by initial leader Robert Moore at lap three, to take the top spot and it appeared then that he would be a runaway winner.  However, Jake McBirnie had other thoughts in his head.  He slowly and methodically began reeling in the leader, weaving in and out of the lap traffic that they encountered.  It was a game changer when a yellow flew with two laps remaining in the 20-lap feature, drawing McBirnie to the rear spoiler of Smith.  Smith took the white flag with McBirnie on his tail.  As often can be the case, that fateful last corner was the nemesis for Smith, as McBirnie made the inside pass, beating him to the checkers and taking the win.  Smith had to settle for the runner up spot.  Crete, Nebraska driver, Brandon Spanjer came from eighth starting spot to finish in third place, fourth went to early leader Robert Moore and Randy Roberts started twenty-first to make it to a top five finish.

Thirty IMCA Hobby Stocks were on hand which called for a B main in their class.  Chad Legere won that consy race.  Shannon Anderson got to the front of the 15-lap A feature early, from his fourth starting spot, passing John Watson for the lead.  He never looked back from there on.  A caution flag with a lap to go, set up a green-white-checkered finish and with Watson on his tail, an interesting finish was anticipated.  Watson had nothing for him however, and Anderson took the victory...Watson going second.  Ninth place starter, Solomon Bennett finished third, fourth was Vinton, Iowa's Justin Wacha, and Eric Stanton, who had destroyed his car at the Frostbuster in Oskaloosa back on March 30, had a different ride, and finished fifth.

Thirty-two IMCA Modifieds were hungry for a chance at the $1,000 to win, Fast Shafts Qualifier.  They too had to run a B main to complete the 25-lap 24-car starting field in the A main.  Joel Rust was the winner of that B.  Blue Grass, Iowa's Mitch Morris was the lucky pill recipient for the pole of the feature, with Nick Roberts sitting along side.  It was a "no go" situation when the race initially went green, as cars piled up just out of corner two.  When the race did start, Nick Roberts grabbed the lead, only to have another caution come out with just one lap in the books.  Another yellow would follow at lap two.  Lap three found Jimmy Gustin at the helm, and when yet another yellow flew at lap five, the field of cars just could not seem to get their racing rhythm.  When things picked back up, the car on the move had been the 20RT of Ricky Thornton, Jr. who had started eleventh.  He challenged Gustin, looking high, then low, making it pay off by lap eleven, establishing the lead.  Two more yellows would rear their ugly heads on laps 12 and 14, Thornton still holding fast to the top spot, and Gustin still trailing him.  When action went green after the lap fourteen caution, it was Gustin and fifth place starter Mike VanGenderen dueling it out for the runner up spot.  VanGenderen gained the upper hand at lap sixteen, and would then wage a thankless task of trying to reel in Thornton.  Thornton went on to the checkers and the win, VanGenderen going second.  Gustin held third place.  Another interesting scenario had also been going on in the race as the familiar #69 that is usually piloted by John Logue, had the High Side Tickler, Kyle Strickler behind the wheel.  He moved from the sixteenth starting spot, to finish in fourth place with an impressive run.  Kyle Brown, who had won the Southern Iowa Speedway and the Marshalltown Speedway Frostbusters, finished in fifth, from his eighth place starting spot with an ill handling car due to a front right toe out.

Twenty-seven IMCA Stock Cars came to play on the chilly Saturday.  Only 22 cars were able to start their 20-lap feature due to attrition in the heats.  Trent Murphy led the field from the pole position, but he had company with Norm Chesmore challenging.  Chesmore made the pass for the lead, and now it was ninth place starter Jay Schmidt already dueling Murphy for second. Laps six and seven found Schmidt in second place and putting the heat on leader Chesmore.  An easy swing to the outside on lap seven put Schmidt into the lead by the time lap eight was scored.  From there on, it was clear sailing for the defending track champion, who went on to the comfortable win.  Murphy finished in second, while Chesmore fell back a bit to score a third place finish.  Fourth went to eleventh place starter, Donavon Smith, and Carroll, Iowa's, Adam Klocke came home in fifth.  Schmidt was a happy camper, pleased with his new chassis ride this year.

Sunday will be the fourth and final Frostbuster Series race scheduled at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton.  As of 11 a.m., the races are still on as a text was just received saying it was dry there, no rain, and the track was ready to go.  Hot laps are 5 p.m., with racing to follow.  We shall see if Mother Nature let's this one get in, as we have rain right now.

The season opener is next week at the Boone Speedway.  Please note that there are early starting times for the month of April.  Hot laps are 5:45 and racing at 6:30.

Brown posts another win in the Frostbuster series at Marshalltown

There were a lot of hardy fans at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night...enduring the cold and the wind, to witness the second of four Frostbuster specials.  After being postponed from last week, Marshalltown kicked off the first of the remaining three races---Boone Saturday night, and Vinton on Sunday.

There were 120 cars checked into the pits...by my count, 32 IMCA SportMods, 31, IMCA Modifieds, 28 IMCA Hobby Stocks, 20 IMCA Stock Cars, and 9 Mod Lites.  Drivers from several states made the trip to the high banks at Marshalltown.  Among those was the current IMCA Modified national  point leader, Lance Mari from Imperial, California.

The Mod Lites ran their feature first and after all was said and done, the familiar face of Josh May was back in the winner's circle.  May led the race from start to finish, crossing under the checkers well ahead of second place Randy Bryan.  Third went to Mike Morrill, fourth was Charlie Brown, and Bryan Zehm rounded out the top five.

Up next were the IMCA Northern SportMods.  Their B main was won by Ethan Braaskma. The 20-lap feature win went to Randy Roberts.  Roberts took over the lead from Tyler Soppe before the half way mark, and never relinquished it.  Finishing a close second was Dysart's Sam Wieben.  Soppe held on to finish third.  Fourth went to seventh place starter, Carter VandenBerg, and Jake McBirnie came from tenth starting spot, to take fifth.

Nathan Ballard led the early field of Hobby Stocks in their 15-lap feature contest.  As Ballard led the pack, one car swung to the top of the track, Dustin Elliott and was making it work.  Elliott took over the number one spot at lap six, and kept it the remaining way for the win.  Second place finisher, Eric Stanton, who had destroyed his race car at Oskaloosa back on March 30 in the first Frostbuster, was in a different car. Stanton came from starting sixth to make an attempt at passing the leader in the closing moments, but fell short and had to be content with second place.  Benji Irvine was third, Derek Hodges took fourth and John "The Mayor" Watson, was fifth after starting thirteenth on the field.

The closest finish of the night was in the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car class.  It did not start well, when a quagmire of cars piled up between corners three and four before one lap was in the books, eliminating a couple of cars.  When action did get underway, the Chelsea Charger, Damon Murty had inherited the lead from starting fifth, thanks to the "no go" situation.  He battled with Jay Schmidt, who momentarily held the top spot, until Murty regained it at lap five.  Meanwhile, moving through the pack, was Donavon Smith.  Smith, who had started eleventh, was able to get to Murty's bumper before the the half way mark, and was wanting more.  Murty was able to hold off Smith's advances until that fateful last charge to the checkers, when, with a bit of contact coming to the flagstand, Smith was able to nose in front of Murty and seal the win.  In third place behind Murty was Steve Meyer with a great run from thirteenth starting spot, Tyler Pickett came from seventh to finish fourth and Jay Schmidt took fifth.

The 25-lap feature for the IMCA Modifieds was the final event of the cold night. Their B main was won by Ricky Thornton, Jr.  He is from Chandler, Arizona and is another driver who plans to call Iowa his home during our racing season.  Kyle Brown was the lucky recipient of the pole position for the feature, with Nick Roberts sitting along side.  A caution at lap one when Roberts spun, set up a restart, Brown leading the troops.  Josh "Happy" Gilman chased Brown as the race restarted until David Brown made his way into second place around Gilman, and was hunting down son, Kyle Brown.  A late race caution at lap twenty-one bunched the field, and scrambling began on the restart.  Brown was able to hold off Gilman at the checkers and take his second win in the Frostbuster series. David Brown finished third and Arizona racer, Tim Ward, who I believe will be calling Iowa his home this racing season, was a very close fourth.  Ronn Lauritzen had a good run from his eleventh starting spot, to put his "Star Wars" ride in fifth place.

I mentioned earlier, it was a hardy bunch of fans and drivers who endured the freezing temperatures to see the races.  Crazy may be a more accurate description.  This one went into the books as the coldest race ever attended.  The racing was stellar however, as was the field of cars, so it's one that won't be easily forgotten.....for more than one reason.

Regular season racing starts at the Marshalltown Speedway next Friday night, April 15, with the opening points night.  Races at 7:30.

Brown for the win at Frostbuster Night #1

The Southern Iowa Speedway was the site Wednesday of the first of four nights of Frostbuster racing in the state of Iowa. It was also our first race of the 2016 season.  Four IMCA classes ran, the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods and Hobby Stocks.  Drivers from 11 states came to test their skills on the Monster Half-Mile.  Out of state drivers in the Stock Car and SportMod classes went home with wins, while Iowa drivers claimed the Modified and Hobby Stock victories.

The IMCA Stock Cars were first to run their 20-lap main event.  Jay Schmidt and Derrick Agee from Moberly, Missouri, claimed the front row starting positions.  Schmidt jumped to the lead as the race went green, Agee hot on his tail.  Agee looked to the outside and after a couple of attempts at the pass, got the job done. The battle behind him was entertaining with Cayden Carter, Damon Murty, Jay Schmidt and Mike Hughes duking it out.  Carter took over the second spot and gave it his all, briefly over taking Agee in the closing laps.  However, Agee come back and won the dash to the checkers, sealing his win.  Carter came from starting sixth to claim the runner up spot, third went to twelfth place starter, Damon Murty, Schmidt was fourth and Mike Hughes rounded out the top five.

The SportMods ran 16 laps in their feature.  Successful driver out of Norfolk, Nebraska, Kyle Prauner, had little trouble in taking the win from his pole starting spot, winning it in comfortable fashion.  Things did not start well however, as a multi-car pile up before lap 2 was in the books, resulted in a parking lot out of turn four---eliminating several cars.  Following Prauner across the line in second place was Carter VandenBerg who had started seventh, third went to another Nebraska driver, Brandon Spanjer, fourth was Jake McBirnie and Wisconsinite, Lucas Lamberies, last year's Frostbuster winner at Osky, took fifth after starting deep in the field.

There was a stellar field of IMCA Modifieds in the house last night.  Among those were Kelly Shryock, who I think everyone has heard of his accomplishments over the years, last year's Frostbuster winner, Jason Wolla from North Dakota, Tim Ward, the Arizona driver who we understand bought a house in Iowa and will be running the racing circuit in the area this year, Richie Gustin was in the house running in the 7SR car, former NASCAR racer, Kenny Schrader came to play, and another Arizona driver, RC Whitwell was also on hand.  Throw in more local and out of state successful racers, and the field was stout!

Kyle Brown got the lucky pill draw to start on the pole position of the 20-lap feature, and Tim Ward sat along side him.  Cayden Carter and Kelly Shryock were right behind them.  This race also did not start well as several cars piled it up just out of turn four.  When things were cleared away and the race did get underway, Brown snapped up the #1 spot.  Shryock quickly claimed the runner up position, and from there on out, the chase was on.  Shryock stuck close to Brown the entire race, and when lap traffic played into the game in the final two laps, it was looking to be an interesting finish.  However, Brown never faltered at Shryocks attempt, nor did the lap traffic cause him grief, and he flew under the checkers first, taking the win.  Cayden Carter finished in third, fourth was RC Whitwell and Tim Ward completed the top five. Brown picks up at Osky, where he left off last year, as he won the Fall Challenge on October 3, 2015.

Nick Ulin lead the 15-lap Hobby Stock feature the entire race to claim victory.  He finished well ahead of second place John "The Mayor" Watson.  A distant third was Bobby Greene, followed by Benji Irvine and Nathan Ballard in a close fourth and fifth place finish. As a note, I had the #20 car of Brandon Schmitt crossing the line in third place, but a check of the finish on Speednet  Direct indicates that he was dq'd. There was a scary incident in corner three before lap two was scored, when cars made hard hits and one seemed to nose dive high in the air.  It was hard to see just what happened from our vantage point, but getting the worst end of the deal was the 7B of Eric Stanton.  Stanton, who was in a brand new race car, now has a pile of junk.  Luckily, he was not injured.

It was so good to get back to the Southern Iowa Speedway and to finally get in a race. Our season began late this year, partly due to the fact that we just had a late winter vacation.  Hawaii was beautiful, by the way.  It was great to see racing friends again.  The track did have some issues last night, ugly ruts reared their heads in the corners.  This is not usually the case at Osky.  We have learned that promoter Mike VanGenderen is not in charge of track prep this year.  The track got bladed several times between races in an attempt to lessen the rough rides.

Our plan was for night #2 of the Frostbusters at Vinton tonight.  However, just got word not long ago, that they have cancelled.  Therefore, tomorrow at Marshalltown and Saturday at Boone will be next up on our schedule.....pending Mother Nature's call of course.

Mark next Wednesday night, April 10 as the season opener at the Southern Iowa Speedway.

Shiverfest at the Lee County Speedway ends the Iowa racing season

Iowa's racing season came to an end on Saturday at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, with the running of the traditional Shiverfest.  This year, it was properly named!  162 cars came to race for one last chance for a racing fix.  The hardy fans were bundled up against the stiff breeze coming at the grandstand, and most stayed for the entire program.

Five divisions raced---Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts.  The end of the season always brings changes and it was all I could do to TRY and keep up with who was driving what as a lot of drivers were not in their usual ride.

The Hobby Stocks ran their 15-lap A main first.  They were the lightest car count with 17 on hand.  Marengo, Iowa racer, Jacob Keiser led the pack when the race went green but it was the familiar #10G of Dustin Griffiths tight on his tail.  Action was halted by lap two when the 7C of Benji Clemons from Norwalk took a nasty roll, but thankfully, he was okay.  Action picked back up with Keiser still leading but he was not having an easy time holding off Griffiths.  Keiser had a lapse when he faltered, drifting high on lap twelve, and Griffiths snatched the lead. Griffiths held the lead the remaining three laps to the checkers.  Also taking advantage when Keiser drifted up the track was August Bach.  Bach, who recently had been racing the #19 of Bill Bonnett, was in the #2 last evening, and brought his hot rod home in second place.  Justin Lichty from Waterloo, was third, fourth went to veteran Bill Bonnett in his usual #19, and Nick Ulin rounded out the top five.

There were 30 Stock Cars racing at the Lee County Speedway last night.  They ran a B main to filter their starting line up to 24 cars.  When John Oliver, Jr. grabbed the lead immediately, and knowing of his mastery of the oval at Donnellson, thoughts were that the race may be over already.  However, the mass of cars behind him had other ideas.  What a battle ensued behind him.  Cars were going three-wide and nose to tail as six to seven cars jousted for position.  Damon Murty, the Chelsea Charger, made it to second and then Jeff Mueller snatched it away, with Mike Hughes throwing his hat into the ring as he struggled to hold back David Brandies.  Then there was the flash of orange, as Cayden Carter put his 10CC Roger Kelderman ride to the topside and was digging and making a lot of headway. Meanwhile, they were all catching Oliver.  Mueller got things sorted out and succeeded in taking the lead at lap 19 of the 22 lapper, and was able to hold off all the hard chargers behind him to secure the win.  Oliver held on to score the runner up spot, just ahead of Mike Huges in third, Cayden Carter in fourth and Brandies in fifth, and Murty in sixth.  The Stock Cars never disappoint!

Thirty-one Sport Compacts got weeded down to a 24-car starting field through a B main.  Track champion Kimberly Abbott looked to be in charge as she led the pack on the opening laps, but Josh Barnes quickly reeled her in.  By lap three, Barnes had taken command of the ship and from there on, it was a two-car battle for the lead.  Barnes held tight to the lead, making it to the checkers and the win first.  Abbott had to be content with a close second, third went to Jake Benischeck, fourth was Darin Smith and hometown Brandon Reu was fifth.

Thirty-nine SportMods were in the pits.  A C main taking six cars to a B main, and the B main taking eight to the 24-car A main field.  Sean Wyett held off Brandon Dale in the first six laps until Dale's good run was interrupted as he almost lost the handle coming out of turn four, allowing Tony Dunker to slip by into second place and Brayton Carter following suite into third.  Carter was able to take over as leader at lap fifteen, and Dunker followed him into the runner up spot.  At lap 18 of the 20 lap event, racing action halted when the 3M of David McCalla rolled his car in turn one.  He was not injured.  Carter was still in the lead when things picked back up, and he rode his 01 home to a convincing victory.  Dunker held on to the runner up spot, Wyett was third, fourth went Brandon Lennox and Tony Olson finished fifth.

The Modifieds topped the car count with 45 signed in.  They also ran a C main taking six cars to the B main, which qualified the final eight cars for the 25-lap feature.  Things did not get off to a good start when the green flag waved.  Five cars piled up low in turn four....and there were some frustrated drivers, as a steering wheel went flying in disgust over someone's car.  We believe the incident started when someone hit the tractor tire, and then with no where to go, piled up cars. Involved cars were Shawn Ritter, Ed Thomas, Kyle Brown, Scott Simatovich, and Andrew Schroeder.  Schroeder would reappear to tag the field with a missing right side of his car.  I only recall Ritter being towed off and out of the game and believe all others rejoined the field.

When the race did officially get under way, it was Cayden Carter leading the troops, but soon it was veteran racer Kelly Shryock showing his prowess as to just why he has so many wins under his belt.Shryock took command at lap six as they crossed under the flagstand, and from there on, he held that lead the remainder of the 25-lap race to take the win.  Carter did everything he could find in the book to get back around Shryock but it wasn't to be and had to settle for the runner up spot.  Third went to a distant Bruce Hanford, fourth was Carter VanDenBerg who had started tenth on the grid, and Jim Waterman came home in fifth place.

Some notes on the evening: The drivers were given an opportunity to pay a non-required entry fee last evening in order to qualify for a gamble at doubling the pay for the win.  Most all of the winning drivers had done just that.

As mentioned earlier, there were several drivers hopping in different rides last evening.  In the Modified division, Jesse Hoeft who calls Forest City, Iowa home, was racing the second car that Kelly Shryock brought.  The SportMods found Eric Flander jumping back into the driver's seat after his retirement from racing. He was in the 53 of Greg Strohman.  He had suffered immediate mechanical issues in his heat, then flew through a C main from starting at the tail, to win.  He then ran the B main and qualified for the A, starting near the back of that, and finished a strong seventh in that feature. The Stock Cars had some "fruit basket upset", changes in drivers.  The "Orange Crush" #33Z usually piloted by Zack VanderBeek, found Mike Hughes behind the wheel.  Shane Paris was in the #566 that Jim Lynch usually races, and Michael Jaennette had a "rent a ride" last evening in Mike Petersen's #1X.

It was great to see the Modified #222 of Nick Nevins back racing this year.  We recall that Nevins is the driver who suffered some horrific burns at the Marshalltown Speedway a couple of years ago when an issue with a generator in the pits, caused the awful accident.

Veteran NASCAR racer Ken Schrader was on hand last night too, racing in the Modified division.  However, after a third place finish in his heat, he was disqualified for being too light.  He did not race again, evidently choosing not to run a C main.

A Fall Special Series for points concluded last night with the point champions being named for those running at the year ending races put on by promoter Mike VanGenderen.  I believe those securing those championship points were Shaun Slaughter in the Sport Compacts, Dustin Griffiths in the Hobby Stocks, Brandon Dale in the SportMods, Mike Hughes in the Stock Cars, and Kyle Brown in the Modified.

There was lots of activities going on outside the racing action and it was all geared toward the young race fans.  Hayrack rides were given through the pits, and then the drivers that wanted to participate in handing out treats to the youngsters in their Halloween costumes all came to the front of the grandstands before racing action got underway.  The turnout of the drivers was amazing and no ghost or goblin could have been disappointed with the "loot" they received.  Great job drivers!  Those young ones are your fans!  There were also "cardboard boxcar races" as well, with the kids participating in footraces in their cardboard racers.  Thanks to some generous drivers (the one I know of for sure was Jeff Mueller) donating some of their accumulated trophies, some of the kiddos received some really impressive trophies to take home!

There was a meeting early in the day concerning a crate motor Late Model class racing next year at the Lee County Speedway.  We heard there were 17 drivers in attendance to hear the proposal.  They then announced during race time, that there will be weekly Late Model racing next year at the track. Many in the crowd showed their approval with that announcement.

Thanks to Mike VanGenderen and crew for another great Shiverfest to end our racing season in Iowa for 2015.  It was most likely our last race until next Spring....when we look forward to another dirt track racing season in Iowa.



  

Fall Challenge wins to Brown, VanderBeek, VanDerWal, Hughes, Slaughter and Tish

The Southern Iowa Speedway wrapped up their final night of racing for 2015 on Saturday.  Night #2 of the 29th Annual Musco Fall Challenge is now in the books.  Two repeat winners from Friday night went back to victory lane, while all other classes saw new faces stepping into the winner's circle. Some new drivers came to play, as well as some not returning, and the healthy car count of around 128 provided the crowd with plenty of good racing action.  

Sport Compact feature saw Shaun Slaughter take the win after suffering woes the previous night with a DNF.  Slaughter got around Adam Gates with one lap remaining, to take the victory.  Gates took the runner up spot, third went to Ryan Walker, just holding off Josh Barnes in fourth, and Brandon Lambert rounded out the top five spots.

The Iowa Sportsman Series was back in action again at the Monster Half Mile....running a 30-lap feature event.  Matt Deaton, who had led much of the race the previous night...only to suffer mechanical woes in the closing laps, leaped to the lead as the green flew.  But never count out Gene Tish.  Tish, who had started eighth out of the nine-car field, worked his way through the pack, reeled in leader Deaton, and then took command at lap fourteen.  From there on, he kept that top spot the remaining way to the checkers.  Deaton held on to the runner up spot, the two finishing well ahead of third place finisher Darin DeZwarte, fourth place Travis Dawson (the previous night winner) and Derrick Seddon in fifth.

The SportMod feature was 18-laps in length and there was another $1,000 awaiting the winner.  The "Hurryin', Scurryin', Missourian", Louis Lynch, led the troops in the opening laps.  When a yellow flew at lap four, it bunched up the field and for the restart, he had Logan Anderson close on his heels. The restart was Lynch's nemesis, as Anderson charged to corner one and took over the lead.  Two laps later, it was Curtis VanDerWal, who started seventh, making his way to nip at Anderson's heels and in the hunt.  By lap nine, VanDerWal had made the pass for the lead and from there, never looked back in scoring the win for the second night in a row.  Anderson, who had finished second to VanDerWal the previous night, again had to settle for the runner up spot.  Third was Colton Livezey, and Jason Hall and Brandon Dale were fourth and fifth.  This marked the tenth time in 2015 that VanDerWal had taken the checkers at Osky.

The Stock Cars went 22-laps for their main event.  The night before, Zack VanderBeek had chosen to re-qualify in hopes of better his starting spot from being locked into row four Saturday.  His lucky redraw from the heat, put him starting fourth on the grid.  'Beek wasted no time in taking command from that starting spot, leading by the time lap one was scored.  Meanwhile, the other Orange Crush car from Roger Kelderman's garage, the 10C of Cayden Carter had worked his way into the runner up spot, closed in on the leader and was trying everything to find a way around VanderBeek.  His attempts at getting under the leader in corner one just fell short of paying off at every attempt for the last eight laps.  VanderBeek would be the victor as the double checkers flew, Carter finishing as the runner up.  Finishing in third a good distance behind was night #1 winner, Mike Hughes.  Fourth was Elijah Zevenbergen who had started eighth, and veteran racer Johnny Spaw finished in fifth after starting twelfth.  Kelderman's Orange Crush team has had much success this year at the Southern Iowa Speedway....VanderBeek has won five times, while Carter has put it in victory lane six times.

The Modified feature was also 22 laps and with the 19G of  "G Money", Richie Gustin sitting on the pole, many thought he was going to take that money home as he has often done at the bigger paying shows in the past.  Tonight however, it was not to be.  Gustin did immediately jump to the lead bringing brother Jimmy Gustin along in second.  This would be how they would restart after a yellow at lap three.  However, by lap four, it was seventh place starter, "Downtown" Kyle Brown from State Center, moving up to take over second.  Brown, who had finished second the previous night had chosen to start in row four, and it was looking to be a good choice.  As the race drew on, Gustin once again pulled the field, Brown running in second and now it was Cayden Carter, (who had won the previous night and chosen to re-qualify...and started thirteenth) reeling in Brown.  Another yellow stopped the action at lap eleven when Tyler Vandekamp (announcer Tony Paris likes to call him the "Flying Fishstick") hit one of the tractor tires and spun out.  When action picked back up, Gustin was keeping hold of the top spot....until lap fourteen when Brown was able to make the pass into the lead.  Brown would then put some distance between himself and the pack.  Brown held that lead to the flying checkers and the $1,000 victory. In the waning laps, Carter was able to move by Gustin as they finished second and third.  Fourth went to Andrew Schroeder, who had started tenth, and rounding out the top five was twelfth place starter Tyler Groenendyk. Brown and Carter swapped the top two positions from their finish the night before.  This was Brown's second victory at Osky this year, having made the trip back in May pay off in a weekly race.

The night's racing ended with the running of the 16-lap Hobby Stock feature.  Mike Hughes, who was one of several drivers pulling double duty last night, and who usually pilots a Stock Car only at Osky, had chosen to lock himself into the feature after the win on Friday night, started in row four.  Second place finisher from Friday night, Nathan Ballard was not in the house last evening.

Steve Allen, a regular at the speedway, drew the pole position and would lead lap one, but when a yellow flew at lap three, it was Mike Hughes already in command as captain of the ship.  Two more yellows were no hindrance to Hughes, as he easily retained that lead the remaining distance to the finish and the win....his second in as many nights.  Dustin Griffiths moved up to finish in second place after starting deep in the field.  Third was the orange hatchback #66 of Norwalk's Brandon Cox, fourth went to numerous times IMCA National Champion Shannon Anderson (he finished second in the national points in 2015) and Casey Greubel, piloting his mom Gina's car, was fifth.  Hughes took home another $1,000 and after winning both the Stock Car and Hobby features the night before, completed a very successful weekend of racing.

I mentioned earlier that a few drivers pulled double duty, running in more than one class.  Those that we noted were Zack VanderBeek in both the Modified and Stock Car, Kyle Brown in the Modified and Stock Car class (he blew up leading his heat race last night in the Stock Car) Mike Hughes in the Stock Car and Hobby Stock divisions, and veteran racer who has much experience on both asphalt and dirt, Johnny Spaw, ran Modified and Stock Car.

Some of the new drivers making an appearance last evening were "Gentleman" Jim Waterman in the Modifieds, Greg Gill, Andrew Husted, Kevin Fee, and Mike McClure in the Stock Car class....and Howard Gordon, Jr. jumped in his brother Dan's car and raced in the Stock Car division.  New drivers in the SportMod class were Mike Hay, Kyle Hill and Jason Hall.  The Hobby Stocks had several new faces on the night too.  Brian Derry, Zach Swanson, Tommy Killen, Kenny Hay and Jacob Keiser ran and Bill Bonnett gave up his ride from the previous night to August Bach.  In the Sport Compacts, new faces were Larry Hopkins, Steve Struck, Brad Havel, Adam Gates, Jim Garrett, and Ashton Blaine.  Andy Peck was a new driver in the Iowa Sportsman class.

Thanks to promoter Mike VanGenderen and crew for the great weekend of racing provided at the Southern Iowa Speedway.  There was a definite nip in the air again last night and the breeze was coming toward the grandstand. Still, what better to be doing than sitting at a dirt track race on an October night in Iowa!  There are still specials to be found before things end in our neck of the woods.  Check out Positively Racing's calendar for a race you may want to attend.  

Hughes cashes in twice in one night at Osky Fall Challenge

It was a brisk, and breezy Friday night at the Southern Iowa Speedway for the 29th Musco Lighting Fall Challenge....Night #1.  Drivers in the Modified, Stock Car, SportMod and Hobby Stock classes were all racing for the $1,000 winning prize in each of those divisions.  One driver who was doing double duty, would cash in twice for a $2,000 payday.

Also running last evening, were the Iowa Sportsman Series.  This is a traveling series that we see at several area tracks during the season.  They brought 11 drivers to run their 30-lap feature.  A driver we see run a stock car at the Marshalltown Speedway, Matt Deaton, was looking to take home the prize for the night as he led the feature easily, until lap 23 when he was suddenly off power....and out of the race.  When things picked up then, it was the 77 of Travis Dawson inheriting the lead, but he had big time company in the 54 of Gene Tish.   Tish would do everything he could to find a way around Dawson those final few laps, but it was all in vain as Dawson took home the trophy on this night.  Tish was the runner up, Darin DeZwarte took third place, fourth went to Paul Meiners, and fifth was Wayne Webert.

Ryan Havel took the win in the 10-lap Sport Compact class.  He passed early leader Brandon Lambert and then pulled away to take the checkers.  It was a real battle at times for 2-4 positions, but winning out for the runner up position was Bill Whalen (who was piloting his brother John's car), Josh Barnes took third place, Lambert fell back to finish fourth, and Darin Smith rounded out the top five.  Fifteen cars raced in the Sport Compact division last evening.  

B mains were run for the Modified (29 cars), Stock Car(29 cars), and SportMod (33 cars), each taking four cars to tag the field of their respective main event.

The SportMod's ran their 18-lap feature immediately after the B features were completed, in the fast moving program last night.  Logan Anderson, who houses his car "just across the road from turn one", jumped to the lead from his outside front row starting spot and looked strong as he led the troops through lap ten, keeping pole starter Tim Plummer at bay.  That lap 10 may have been Anderson's downfall when the yellow flew for Plummer, who went into spin mode trying to deal with lap traffic. This tightened up the field for the restart and numerous times track champion, Curtis VanDerWal wasted no time in pulling to the rear of Anderson's bumper when the race went green.  Those final laps run to the checkers was an all out dog fight between the two.  VanDerWal was able to make the pass in the final lap but Anderson wasn't quite done as he tried the slide out of turn four and also dealing with a lap car, on that final charge to the checkers.  It wasn't to be however, and VanDerWal made it to the checkers first for another win at the track.  Anderson had to be content with the runner up spot, third went to Jason McDaniel, Brayton Carter took fourth with a nice run from his eleventh place starting spot, and Des Moines driver Glenn Gladson, completed the top five positions.

The Stock Cars went 22 laps in their main event and ironically, the two sitting on the front row for the start were two of the best at Osky....Zack VanderBeek and Mike Hughes.  Hughes was able to get the drop on VanderBeek, taking the lead from the get-go.  Hughes would never relinquish that top spot, though VanderBeek tried everything for a way around the leader, but to no avail.  Hughes took the win and VanderBeek was the runner up.  Cayden Carter reeled in the leaders from his ninth starting spot, but could muster no better than third place at the finish.  Fourth went to the hot shoe from Ocheyedan, Iowa, Elijah Zevenbergen, who had started twelfth, and John Oliver, Jr. rounded out the top five.  The race was non-stop, going flag to flag.

The Modifieds also ran a 22 lap feature.  The opening laps were led by front row starters Carter VandenBerg and Andrew Schroeder, but soon it was "G Money", Richie Gustin rushing past and into the lead.  Gustin continued his lead, content to let a pack of cars battle it out behind him.  That pack included Vandenberg, Schroeder, ninth place starter Cayden Carter, eighth place starter Kyle Brown, and Tyler Groenendyk.  Carter and Brown "found something" on the bottom of the track and both reeled in Gustin.  Carter took over the lead with a handful of laps remaining, and Brown followed to take over the runner up spot.  Carter stamped his name in the books with a win at the Fall Challenge, and Brown took second place.  Richie Gustin finished third, VandenBerg was fourth and Schroeder was fifth.

The night's racing ended with 16-laps of Hobby Stock racing.  Bobby Greene and Mike Hughes (who was doing double duty...running Stock Car and Hobby) were the lucky one's drawing the front row for the start.  Hughes grabbed the immediate lead and then checked out from the rest of the pack.  When a yellow flew at lap twelve, this bunched up the field, putting second place runner, Nathan Ballard on the leader's tail for the restart.  This wasn't a bother at all to Hughes, as he motored off and distanced himself from the pack in taking the comfortable win.  Ballard was the runner up, third went to ninth place starter Dustin Griffiths, fourth was Nick Ulin and Shannon Anderson finished fifth.  The win for Hughes made it two on the night after his earlier Stock Car victory and another $1,000 in his pocket.

A few notes on the night:  Fellow PR'er, Jeff Broeg mentioned to me that Tim Plummer from Norway, Iowa has an asphalt background, and a little digging on my part found that he has several track titles at Hawkeye Downs.  He is also the nephew of the 1983 IMCA Modified Champion, Mike Schulte.

The top two finishers in the features last evening were given the option of locking themselves in to tonight's feature, but starting in row four.  Otherwise, they could try to re-qualify tonight to better their starting position.  I heard two drivers say that they would try to do just that.  Zack VanderBeek in the Stock Car class and Cayden Carter in the Modified will be starting from square one in hopes of starting further up in their A feature tonight.  Both VanDeWal and Anderson in the SportMods opted to start in row four for tonight's A main as did Mike Hughes in the Stock Car and Kyle Brown in the Modified. I did not catch the decisions in the Hobby Stock class.

We will do it all over again tonight at the Monster Half Mile.  Hot laps are scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight and racing to follow.  Hope to see some of you there.  Come and support your favorite drivers and the dirt track racing we all love.