We were back at our Saturday night home last night, the Boone Speedway. The season championship was held for the inaugural RaceSaver Sprints, and a first time track champion was crowned. There was a spectacular finish in the Modified feature, and just an all around good night of racing through the entire night's events. A good field of 118 cars checked in and a nice crowd was on hand to witness it all.
This was the first year for the IMCA RaceSaver Sprint cars racing at the speedway, and their season ended on Saturday night with the running of their 25-lap championship event. Mike Moore weathered four yellow flag situations and led all laps to take the victory. Tyler Thompson came home in second place, Ben Woods started fourteenth, and finished third, fourth went to Bob Hildreth, and Michael Johnston completed the top five. Moore ended his year with four wins, and was crowned the inaugural RaceSaver Sprint track champion at Boone.
Charlie Brown would also lead all laps on his way to the Mod Lite feature win. Bryan Zehm came from ninth starting spot, to finish second, third was Joel Keenan, Joe Glick was fourth, and Kevin Grisham took fifth. Brown won for the second time at the track this season. Zehm holds a healthy lead in the points battle going into the final weeks.
There was quite the battle up front in the 18 lap IMCA Northern SportMod A feature. Johnathon Logue started eleventh, and worked his way to the front by lap nine, grabbing the lead from Algona, Iowa's Doug Cook. Cory Pestotnik joined in the fun, as the three duked it out, and not to be left out, Jake McBirnie had now made his way from twelfth, and was getting in the mix. The final laps were intense, but Johnathon Logue withstood all advances to take the win, McBirnie finishing a close second. Cory Pestotnik finished in third, fourth went to Doug Cook, and Sam Wieben came from sixteenth starting spot, to capture fifth place. This was Logue's fifth feature win of the year, and he is the point leader in the division.
The IMCA Modifieds rolled out next for 20 laps of what turned out to be another intense battle. Cory Sauerman had the lead at lap six, as he flew around the top of the track. He was soon joined by Mike VanGenderen, and Russ Dickerson in what turned into a fierce battle. Sauerman and VanGenderen ran side by side for several laps, as Dickerson waited for a mere bobble from either driver. Sauerman and VanGenderen threw slide jobs at each other, never touching. VanGenderen gained the lead at lap seventeen, but Sauerman regained it...never to relinquish it again as he took the flying checkers. Russ Dickerson took advantage of VanGenderen's slight bobble, and passed him on the final lap to take the runner up spot, VanGenderen taking third. Tyler Prochaska was fourth and Andy Tiernan was fifth.
Sauerman is in his first year of racing a Modified after jumping up from the Mod Lites. Sauerman was greeted in victory lane by the other top finishers, offering him congratulations on a job well done, on his first ever win in the Modified. He has come a long way in his first year of competing in the Modified class. Going into the final races, defending track champion VanGenderen continues to hold his point lead.
Another first time winner for the year came out of the IMCA Stock Car class. Tyler Pickett started third, and took over the top spot at lap two. Pickett had to hold off a hard charging Wayne Gifford much of the race, but was able to take the win, Gifford having to settle for second. Visiting Beatrice, Nebraska racer, Kyle Vanover, started tenth on the starting line up, and finished third, fourth was Josh Daniels, and Donavon Smith was fifth.
Point leader of the division, Jay Schmidt suffered woes in his heat, and did not finish. He started twenty-fifth for the feature, and finished ninth. He holds the point lead by a slim one point over Donavon Smith.
The night concluded with the running of the 12 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Shaun Wirtz took his first ever career win on July 15, and followed up with his second win on Saturday night. Wirtz had the lead by lap two, and never looked back to secure the victory. Several yellows plagued the feature, and a final one flew at lap eleven. This set up a green-white-checkered finish (that was under the time limit at this point) Wirtz taking the win and tenth place starter, Dustin Graham crossing the finish line in second place. Third was Dustin Lynch, Jack Phillips was fourth and Dean Hartwig came from sixteenth, to finish fifth. Ryan Wells was a DNF in the feature. His point lead dwindled to just four points ahead of Dustin Graham going into the final weeks.
Three out of state Stock Car drivers came to test the Boone waters before the upcoming Super Nationals. As mentioned above, Kyle Vanover had a good run to finish third in the feature. Brandon Czarapata, Pulaski, Wisconsin, is a former Super Nationals champion who also made his way to the speedway last night. He had a sixth place finish last evening. Another Nebraska driver, Shane Stutzman, finished tenth.
The upgraded scoreboard was up and running last night, showing the top ten positions via transponders. It is a perk for the fans, and looks to be a good thing for the upcoming Super Nationals.
Next week, August 5, the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks will join the field. There will also be a TiLube challenge race in the Modified division, where the top timed drivers from hot laps (via transponder times) will be locked into a 12-15 car, 15-lap race to cap off the night's racing. The winner will receive over $1,000 (as more sponsors are added) and the regular modified feature is also paying $1,000 to win, thanks to generous sponsors Saints Avenue Cafe in Boone, and West Side Auto Pros of Clive. It will also be a Fast Shafts Qualifier for the 2018 All Star ballot, and the Modifieds will be running a draw/redraw program.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Ward takes first Modified win, all other classes have repeat winners
The Marshalltown Speedway saw only one new winner on Friday night. That winner came from the Modified division, where Tim Ward made a first time appearance in victory lane in 2017. The Late Model, Stock Car, Northern SportMod, Hobby Stock and Mod Lite classes all saw repeat winners. Ninety-five race cars came to run the High Banks on a beautiful July night and provided some exciting racing for the nice crowd in attendance.
Travis Stensland kept his win streak alive in the Mod Lite division. Stensland started sixth, and led by lap one, holding down that top spot all the way to the checkers. Mike Morrill started eighth, and finished as the runner up, third went to tenth place starter, Josh May, fourth to Bryan Zehm and Jeff Stensland rounded out the top five. Stensland has won the last five races at the speedway. He has been having his most successful season of racing of his career.
Sam Wieben made it two in a row by winning the IMCA Northern SportMod A main. Wieben took the lead at lap four after starting ninth on the grid, passing then leader Tom Rawlins. Wieben then took to the rim of the track, circling the track flawlessly on his way to the checkers. Curt Hilmer was second, third went to tenth place starter Travis Peterson, Johnathon Logue came from twelfth, to finish fourth, and Jake McBirnie was fifth. Wieben captured his second win of the season, in back to back victories. He was sporting a spiffy new look...a stickered bare aluminum body, making it unique.
Shannon Anderson in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, also made back to back visits to the winner's circle. Anderson came from twelfth starting spot, to reach the rear bumper of leader Gene Nicklas in less than two laps. By lap five, Anderson had the top spot. The closing laps found Leah Wroten apply pressure to Anderson, but to no avail, as she finished as the runner up. Eric Knutson was third, followed by Gary Pfantz in fourth, and Luke Bird in fifth. Anderson scored his ninth win at Marshalltown this year. Anderson sits atop the IMCA National Hobby Stock points as he looks for another national championship.
The 18 lap IMCA Stock Car feature did not start well, as Curt Hook barrel rolled several times at the top of turns three and four before lap one was in the books. Thankfully, he was okay.
When the race did get back underway, Damon Murty got to the front quickly from his fifth row starting spot, chasing down leader Michael Jaennette, and taking command by lap seven. Jaennette looked for anyway to regain the lead, but his attempts fell short, and he had to be content with second place behind Murty. Thirteenth place starter Todd Reitzler had a good run to finish in third place, and Steve Meyer finished fourth, just holding off fifth place finisher, Donavon Smith, who had stayed committed to running the bottom of the track. Murty also made it two in a row, and claimed his fifth win of the regular season.
It was a fight to the finish in the 20 lap IMCA Modified A Main. Jenae Gustin looked poised to take back to back wins. But Tim Ward ran her down, and got the advantage with just a lap remaining. Gustin's last corner slide would then fall short to regain the lead and Ward took the win, Gustin having to settle for second. Jesse Hoeft came from eleventh starting spot, to take third, fourth was Jake Murray, and Ronn Laurtizen started thirteenth, and finished fifth. This was Ward's first win of the year at the speedway.
The night was capped off by the 20 lap IMCA Late Model feature and it was Richie Gustin going to victory lane with back to back wins, as he also won back on July 14....with a rain out in between. A caution on lap sixteen, and another at lap seventeen, shook up the running order. Darrel Defrance was leading on lap sixteen, Richie Gustin running second, and a badly smoking Todd Cooney was in third. When things restarted on that lap sixteen, Cooney got around DeFrance to take the lead as the smoke continued to roll from his ride. It was then on lap seventeen that Cooney's car gave up the ghost, and he coasted to a stop. This put Gustin to the point when action picked back up, and he would keep it the rest of the way to the checkers and the win. Gustin finished a comfortable distance ahead of second place Darrel DeFrance, Joe Zrostlik was third, Justin Mitchell started tenth, and finished fourth, and Paul Nagle, who led the early portion of the race, was fifth.
How quickly the racing season is winding down. Soon it will be season championships at many area tracks, and then right into the IMCA Super Nationals come Labor Day. Lots of racing still left before it all ends in our neck of the woods, so seek out a race to attend and help keep the sport we all love, alive and well.
Travis Stensland kept his win streak alive in the Mod Lite division. Stensland started sixth, and led by lap one, holding down that top spot all the way to the checkers. Mike Morrill started eighth, and finished as the runner up, third went to tenth place starter, Josh May, fourth to Bryan Zehm and Jeff Stensland rounded out the top five. Stensland has won the last five races at the speedway. He has been having his most successful season of racing of his career.
Sam Wieben made it two in a row by winning the IMCA Northern SportMod A main. Wieben took the lead at lap four after starting ninth on the grid, passing then leader Tom Rawlins. Wieben then took to the rim of the track, circling the track flawlessly on his way to the checkers. Curt Hilmer was second, third went to tenth place starter Travis Peterson, Johnathon Logue came from twelfth, to finish fourth, and Jake McBirnie was fifth. Wieben captured his second win of the season, in back to back victories. He was sporting a spiffy new look...a stickered bare aluminum body, making it unique.
Shannon Anderson in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, also made back to back visits to the winner's circle. Anderson came from twelfth starting spot, to reach the rear bumper of leader Gene Nicklas in less than two laps. By lap five, Anderson had the top spot. The closing laps found Leah Wroten apply pressure to Anderson, but to no avail, as she finished as the runner up. Eric Knutson was third, followed by Gary Pfantz in fourth, and Luke Bird in fifth. Anderson scored his ninth win at Marshalltown this year. Anderson sits atop the IMCA National Hobby Stock points as he looks for another national championship.
The 18 lap IMCA Stock Car feature did not start well, as Curt Hook barrel rolled several times at the top of turns three and four before lap one was in the books. Thankfully, he was okay.
When the race did get back underway, Damon Murty got to the front quickly from his fifth row starting spot, chasing down leader Michael Jaennette, and taking command by lap seven. Jaennette looked for anyway to regain the lead, but his attempts fell short, and he had to be content with second place behind Murty. Thirteenth place starter Todd Reitzler had a good run to finish in third place, and Steve Meyer finished fourth, just holding off fifth place finisher, Donavon Smith, who had stayed committed to running the bottom of the track. Murty also made it two in a row, and claimed his fifth win of the regular season.
It was a fight to the finish in the 20 lap IMCA Modified A Main. Jenae Gustin looked poised to take back to back wins. But Tim Ward ran her down, and got the advantage with just a lap remaining. Gustin's last corner slide would then fall short to regain the lead and Ward took the win, Gustin having to settle for second. Jesse Hoeft came from eleventh starting spot, to take third, fourth was Jake Murray, and Ronn Laurtizen started thirteenth, and finished fifth. This was Ward's first win of the year at the speedway.
The night was capped off by the 20 lap IMCA Late Model feature and it was Richie Gustin going to victory lane with back to back wins, as he also won back on July 14....with a rain out in between. A caution on lap sixteen, and another at lap seventeen, shook up the running order. Darrel Defrance was leading on lap sixteen, Richie Gustin running second, and a badly smoking Todd Cooney was in third. When things restarted on that lap sixteen, Cooney got around DeFrance to take the lead as the smoke continued to roll from his ride. It was then on lap seventeen that Cooney's car gave up the ghost, and he coasted to a stop. This put Gustin to the point when action picked back up, and he would keep it the rest of the way to the checkers and the win. Gustin finished a comfortable distance ahead of second place Darrel DeFrance, Joe Zrostlik was third, Justin Mitchell started tenth, and finished fourth, and Paul Nagle, who led the early portion of the race, was fifth.
How quickly the racing season is winding down. Soon it will be season championships at many area tracks, and then right into the IMCA Super Nationals come Labor Day. Lots of racing still left before it all ends in our neck of the woods, so seek out a race to attend and help keep the sport we all love, alive and well.
Sunday, July 23, 2017
VanGenderen scores win at Boone, on a special day
There was hot racing action to go along with the hot July weather at the Boone Speedway on Saturday night. Two drivers earned their first trip to the winner's circle and four others made return visits.
Mike Kennedy stated fifth and had the lead at lap one of the 15 lap Mod Lite feature. Kennedy, who was driving the ride usually piloted by Randy Bryan, kept that lead until lap eight. That's when point leader Bryan Zehm was able to make the pass for the lead, only to have Kennedy snatch it back at lap twelve. Meanwhile, Travis Stensland had been lurking close at hand in third place. Lap fourteen turned into the game changer, when Stensland was able to pass both Zehm and Kennedy for the lead. He was able to hold them off the final lap and score the win. Zehm finished in second, Kennedy held third place, Josh May was fourth and Joe Glick was fifth. This was Stensland first win at Boone this season. Bryan Zehm holds a healthy lead in the points battle.
Jake McBirnie scored his second feature win of the regular season in the 18 lap IMCA Northern SportMods. McBirnie started tenth, caught then leader Tom Egenberger at lap eight, and began to apply pressure. Egenberger continued to hold back McBrinie through two yellow flag restarts, and was looking to be on his way to his first win. However, McBirnie had other ideas. He swung to the outside of Egenberger and was able to make the pass with a lap to go. He then held that top spot to the flying checkers and the win. Egenberger held the runner up spot over Cory Pestotnik in third place. Australian Frank Packer, who is here for his annual visit while it is winter back home, took fourth place, and Curtis Veber completed the top five. Johnathon Logue holds the point lead in the battle for the track championship.
The IMCA Modifieds ran their 20 lap feature next. Kent Croskey took the point position as the race went green and was still leading at lap two when the race was red flagged. Eric Elliott took a violent barrel roll on the front stretch which immediately halted the racing action. A few anxious moments later, Elliott emerged from his mangled car, unhurt. When the action picked back up, Croskey still maintained the lead with rookie to the class, Cory Sauerman, pestering him. By lap four, Sauerman had taken command, and had visions of getting his first feature win at the speedway. Meanwhile, tenth place starter, Mike VanGenderen, had moved into the runner up position and now he was challenging for the lead. After a few laps running neck and neck, VanGenderen was able to get around Sauerman and take the top spot, holding it to the finish line and the win. Sauerman was second, Joel Bushore was third, Russ Dickerson fourth and Tyler Prochaska, fifth. This was VanGenderen's second win of the season.
It was quite a day for VanGenderen. Earlier in the day, he welcomed son #3, Paxton, a trophy himself, and the win at Boone was a bit more icing on the cake. He escaped unscathed in the early race incident when a car nudged the wall, then came down into the on coming traffic...VanGenderen getting nudged, and then the chain reaction that resulted in Eric Elliott's scary roll. Elliott had been just five points behind VanGenderen in the track point's battle until the unfortunate incident left him with a battered and beaten ride.
It was quite a day for VanGenderen. Earlier in the day, he welcomed son #3, Paxton, a trophy himself, and the win at Boone was a bit more icing on the cake. He escaped unscathed in the early race incident when a car nudged the wall, then came down into the on coming traffic...VanGenderen getting nudged, and then the chain reaction that resulted in Eric Elliott's scary roll. Elliott had been just five points behind VanGenderen in the track point's battle until the unfortunate incident left him with a battered and beaten ride.
A first time winner came out of the IMCA Stock Car class. Rod Richards led the 18 lap feature event from flag to flag to get the win. Wayne Gifford made a last ditch attempt to slip by at the finish line, but fell short and had to be content with second place. Point leader Jay Schmidt finished in third place, veteran Kevin Opheim was fourth, and Donavon Smith was fifth. The race went caution free. This was Richards' first win at Boone since the 2015 season. Jay Schmidt holds a five point lead over Donavon Smith in the track point battle.
The IMCA RaceSaver Sprint 20 lap main event saw Michael Moore making a return visit to victory lane. Moore started ninth, and took command at lap eight. He then had to fend off the advances of Tyler Thompson, holding him at bay the rest of the race, for the win. Following second place Thompson, was Joel Thorpe in third, early leader Nathan Mills was fourth, and pole sitter Devin Wignall rounded out the top five. This marked Moore's third win this year at Boone. Moore broke Thompson's four win streak, and holds his point lead.
Finishing off the night's racing action, was 12 laps of IMCA Hobby Stock competition. Shane Butler led the first handful of laps, until Solomon Bennett came calling...taking over the top spot. Bennett never relinquished that coveted spot the remaining way to the finish, and claimed the victory. Aaron Rudolph was the runner up, Tyson Overton was third, followed by fourth place Dustin Graham and Dustin Lynch in fifth. Bennett now has two wins in 2017. Ryan Wells holds the point lead going into the final weeks of racing.
Racing continues next Saturday, July 29, with racing in all six divisions. It will be the last night of racing for the IMCA RaceSaver Sprints in 2017, as they conclude their first season at the speedway.
Friday, July 21, 2017
Abelson tops field at Knoxville HDT, VanDerWal repeats
The Hawkeye Dirt Tour for IMCA Modifieds ran at the famed Knoxville Raceway's half-mile last night. With the sweltering heat, the show was moved back, and hot laps started at 7:30 and racing followed at a tick before 8 p.m. There were thirty-seven of the HDT Modifieds as well as the IMCA Northern SportMod support class.
The SportMods ran their 20 lap A feature first, after completing four heat races, and two B-mains to fill out the 24 car starting feature. The top twelve from the heats, drew for starting position. The front row was Shawn Cooney and Brayton Carter. Sitting right behind them were Curtis VanDerWal and Randy Roberts. The initial start was called back when Cory VanZante went for a spin in corner one, right after the green flag flew. When things did get underway, Brayton Carter took the point spot, with VanDerWal close at hand. By lap two, VanDerWal had the lead. The race went clean the rest of the way to the checkers, with VanDerWal sweeping to the win. Tim Plummer took the distant runner up spot, Brayton Carter was third, Randy Roberts fourth, and Carter VanDenBerg was fifth. VanDerWal also won last year during the HDT race at Knoxville.
Things began to pick up pace as the program wore on, as Mother Nature was beginning to come into the picture, with things building to the west. Seems that is inevitable on our hot, muggy summer nights.
The Modifieds also ran four heat races, and two B mains...the top twelve from the heats drawing for starting position for their 25 lap A main. Two provisionals were tagged on the tail...Dan DeMay and Cory Sauerman. They were the two with the most points in the series, that had not qualified.
The starting line up had some heavy hitters starting upfront. Chris Abelson drew the pole, with Hunter Marriott sitting along side. Lurking in the second row was Ricky Thornton, Jr. (piloting Todd Cooney's ride) and Richie "G Money" Gustin. Abelson shot off to the lead as the green came out. He was motoring around the oval with no trouble, keeping Marriott at bay . It was looking as if the feature would go green to checkered, until Brandon Banks put it in the back wall at lap nineteen, halting the action. The race then went to red, in order to clear the track. Marriott was still sitting in second for the restart, Thornton was third, and Todd Shute, who had started eleventh, had shot through the field to run fourth. We were all thinking this might just be a game changer!
Abelson shot back to the lead as the action picked back up, but it was Thornton making the move around Marriott to take over second place. With five laps remaining, another yellow flew when Thornton went around in corner two.... Marriott deemed the villain, sending him to the tail on the restart. This now put Todd Shute in the runner up position for what would be the final restart, with Richie Gustin in third place. This could still be a dogfight to the finish! The efforts were futile however, as Abelson never wavered on his run to the checkers. Shute and Gustin remained second and third. Jeff Aikey started twelfth and finished fourth, and Justin Kay started fifteenth, and finished fifth.
It looks as if (from my calculations) that with an eighth place finish by Joel Rust, and Kelly Shryock finishing in ninth, that Rust now holds a one point lead in the series over Shryock.
The races were completed at 10:12 p.m. and a good thing. We had begun to notice lightning in the distance and a check of radar showed the rain fast approaching. Our drive home found us running into a deluge of rain and strong wind. We were more than grateful when we got home. We did enjoy our night with good racing friends, all of us thankful for the breeze that kept us sane...plus a frozen treat to cool us! Thanks Jeff!
The SportMods ran their 20 lap A feature first, after completing four heat races, and two B-mains to fill out the 24 car starting feature. The top twelve from the heats, drew for starting position. The front row was Shawn Cooney and Brayton Carter. Sitting right behind them were Curtis VanDerWal and Randy Roberts. The initial start was called back when Cory VanZante went for a spin in corner one, right after the green flag flew. When things did get underway, Brayton Carter took the point spot, with VanDerWal close at hand. By lap two, VanDerWal had the lead. The race went clean the rest of the way to the checkers, with VanDerWal sweeping to the win. Tim Plummer took the distant runner up spot, Brayton Carter was third, Randy Roberts fourth, and Carter VanDenBerg was fifth. VanDerWal also won last year during the HDT race at Knoxville.
Things began to pick up pace as the program wore on, as Mother Nature was beginning to come into the picture, with things building to the west. Seems that is inevitable on our hot, muggy summer nights.
The Modifieds also ran four heat races, and two B mains...the top twelve from the heats drawing for starting position for their 25 lap A main. Two provisionals were tagged on the tail...Dan DeMay and Cory Sauerman. They were the two with the most points in the series, that had not qualified.
The starting line up had some heavy hitters starting upfront. Chris Abelson drew the pole, with Hunter Marriott sitting along side. Lurking in the second row was Ricky Thornton, Jr. (piloting Todd Cooney's ride) and Richie "G Money" Gustin. Abelson shot off to the lead as the green came out. He was motoring around the oval with no trouble, keeping Marriott at bay . It was looking as if the feature would go green to checkered, until Brandon Banks put it in the back wall at lap nineteen, halting the action. The race then went to red, in order to clear the track. Marriott was still sitting in second for the restart, Thornton was third, and Todd Shute, who had started eleventh, had shot through the field to run fourth. We were all thinking this might just be a game changer!
Abelson shot back to the lead as the action picked back up, but it was Thornton making the move around Marriott to take over second place. With five laps remaining, another yellow flew when Thornton went around in corner two.... Marriott deemed the villain, sending him to the tail on the restart. This now put Todd Shute in the runner up position for what would be the final restart, with Richie Gustin in third place. This could still be a dogfight to the finish! The efforts were futile however, as Abelson never wavered on his run to the checkers. Shute and Gustin remained second and third. Jeff Aikey started twelfth and finished fourth, and Justin Kay started fifteenth, and finished fifth.
It looks as if (from my calculations) that with an eighth place finish by Joel Rust, and Kelly Shryock finishing in ninth, that Rust now holds a one point lead in the series over Shryock.
The races were completed at 10:12 p.m. and a good thing. We had begun to notice lightning in the distance and a check of radar showed the rain fast approaching. Our drive home found us running into a deluge of rain and strong wind. We were more than grateful when we got home. We did enjoy our night with good racing friends, all of us thankful for the breeze that kept us sane...plus a frozen treat to cool us! Thanks Jeff!
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Carter claims HDT win, Griffiths, VanDerWal, and Anderson go two-for-two
It was night #2 of racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, and another hot and muggy one. The Hawkeye Dirt Tour for the IMCA Modifieds was the headliner, with all four of the other weekly IMCA classes running as well, in another draw/redraw show.
Levi Heath and Ryan Havel battled for the lead in the early laps of the IMCA Sport Compact feature. Havel won the dogfight for the lead at lap five, and then Heath suddenly absent, having exited into the pits. This put Bill Whalen, Jr. into the runner up spot. Havel then easily distanced himself from the rest of the field to take the easy win. Bill Whalen, Jr. just held off John Gill as they went second and third. A close fourth place was the previous night's winner, Nathan Moody, and Dalton Winkleman was fifth.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks came next and the $300 bounty was still hovering over Shannon Anderson's head. He drew the ninth starting position for the start. It took him just five laps to get the lead, and then he once again pulled away to take the win. Chanse Hollatz finished in second place, Mike Kincaid, Steve Allen, and Christian Huffman were third, fourth and fifth in that order. In Anderson's interview in victory lane he said he had wrenched a lot on the car from damage with broken bolts, etc. from the previous night. His efforts paid off as he still remains a perfect 11 for 11 at the Southern Iowa Speedway.
The SportMods were scheduled to run after the Hobby Stocks, but a check of radar showed a possible cell moving toward the track and the headliner HDT feature was moved up in the program. Twenty-one Modifieds were on hand and the top twelve finishers from the three heats, drew for their starting position. Drawing the lucky #1 was Hunter Marriott. Marriott, who recently dominated in the Dakota Classic Series, took the lead as the 25-lap race went green.
Marriott, and Kyle Brown ran one-two in the opening laps, but Marriott soon put some distance between them, and now Brown was having to deal with Cayden Carter. Carter took over the runner up spot on lap seven, and began to slowly reel in Marriott. Carter began closing the gap, when at lap sixteen, the lap car of Dan Brockert lost the handle right in front of the leaders, backed it into the tractor tire in turn two, and rolled his car. When the race restarted, leader Marriott was MIA, having retired to the pits with what we understand was a broken left rear brake line that had happened a few laps prior to the caution. This would then put Carter in the captain's seat, leading for the restart. Running in second now, was Ricky Thornton, Jr., who was piloting a Todd Cooney car. Carter would pull away in the final handful of laps, and took the comfortable win in his VanderBuilt chassis. Thornton finished in second, fending off Joel Rust in third, and Kyle Brown got back around Kelly Shryock in the closing lap, as they finished fourth and fifth in that order.
The weather was now less threatening as the IMCA Northern SportMods came to the track. The opening laps were quite the thriller as Carter VanDenBerg, cousin Brayton Carter, and Curtis VanDerWal were running at the front of the field, ready for battle. VanDenBerg was holding down the top spot with Carter running second....until VanDerWal was able to thread the needle between the two, and on his second attempt, made it work. He took command at lap eight, and then pulled away to another victory. Brayton Carter was second, VanDenBerg was third, Dan Drury, Jr. was fourth, and Tony Johnson completed the top five. VanDerWal now has nine wins at the track this season.
The night cap was the IMCA Stock Car 14 lap feature. Tonight's race ended the same as the previous night. Dustin Griffiths took the win, as Nathan Wood tried every which way for a way around him, but again, had to be content with second place. Mike Hughes was third, Derrick Agee, fourth, and Danny Thrasher was fifth.
It was another hot, muggy, July night of racing. Thank goodness for the nice breeze from the south that kept us gathering of race fans from melting! We enjoyed our evening sitting with racing friends again, a few more even joining us last night. It always makes the time more enjoyable to share it with racing enthusiasts, from far and wide. Tonight, most of those racing friends will join us as we move down the road to the Knoxville Raceway. They will be hosting another Hawkeye Dirt Tour with the Northern SportMods joining them in support. Going into tonight's HDT race, we see that Kelly Shryock and Joel Rust are tied in a point's battle. Drivers are always eager to run the famed half-mile track, so we look for a good car count in both classes. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:45 with racing to follow. UPDATE: The HDT at Knoxville has moved the hot lap time to 7:30 due to the extreme heat. Races to follow.
Levi Heath and Ryan Havel battled for the lead in the early laps of the IMCA Sport Compact feature. Havel won the dogfight for the lead at lap five, and then Heath suddenly absent, having exited into the pits. This put Bill Whalen, Jr. into the runner up spot. Havel then easily distanced himself from the rest of the field to take the easy win. Bill Whalen, Jr. just held off John Gill as they went second and third. A close fourth place was the previous night's winner, Nathan Moody, and Dalton Winkleman was fifth.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks came next and the $300 bounty was still hovering over Shannon Anderson's head. He drew the ninth starting position for the start. It took him just five laps to get the lead, and then he once again pulled away to take the win. Chanse Hollatz finished in second place, Mike Kincaid, Steve Allen, and Christian Huffman were third, fourth and fifth in that order. In Anderson's interview in victory lane he said he had wrenched a lot on the car from damage with broken bolts, etc. from the previous night. His efforts paid off as he still remains a perfect 11 for 11 at the Southern Iowa Speedway.
The SportMods were scheduled to run after the Hobby Stocks, but a check of radar showed a possible cell moving toward the track and the headliner HDT feature was moved up in the program. Twenty-one Modifieds were on hand and the top twelve finishers from the three heats, drew for their starting position. Drawing the lucky #1 was Hunter Marriott. Marriott, who recently dominated in the Dakota Classic Series, took the lead as the 25-lap race went green.
Marriott, and Kyle Brown ran one-two in the opening laps, but Marriott soon put some distance between them, and now Brown was having to deal with Cayden Carter. Carter took over the runner up spot on lap seven, and began to slowly reel in Marriott. Carter began closing the gap, when at lap sixteen, the lap car of Dan Brockert lost the handle right in front of the leaders, backed it into the tractor tire in turn two, and rolled his car. When the race restarted, leader Marriott was MIA, having retired to the pits with what we understand was a broken left rear brake line that had happened a few laps prior to the caution. This would then put Carter in the captain's seat, leading for the restart. Running in second now, was Ricky Thornton, Jr., who was piloting a Todd Cooney car. Carter would pull away in the final handful of laps, and took the comfortable win in his VanderBuilt chassis. Thornton finished in second, fending off Joel Rust in third, and Kyle Brown got back around Kelly Shryock in the closing lap, as they finished fourth and fifth in that order.
The weather was now less threatening as the IMCA Northern SportMods came to the track. The opening laps were quite the thriller as Carter VanDenBerg, cousin Brayton Carter, and Curtis VanDerWal were running at the front of the field, ready for battle. VanDenBerg was holding down the top spot with Carter running second....until VanDerWal was able to thread the needle between the two, and on his second attempt, made it work. He took command at lap eight, and then pulled away to another victory. Brayton Carter was second, VanDenBerg was third, Dan Drury, Jr. was fourth, and Tony Johnson completed the top five. VanDerWal now has nine wins at the track this season.
The night cap was the IMCA Stock Car 14 lap feature. Tonight's race ended the same as the previous night. Dustin Griffiths took the win, as Nathan Wood tried every which way for a way around him, but again, had to be content with second place. Mike Hughes was third, Derrick Agee, fourth, and Danny Thrasher was fifth.
It was another hot, muggy, July night of racing. Thank goodness for the nice breeze from the south that kept us gathering of race fans from melting! We enjoyed our evening sitting with racing friends again, a few more even joining us last night. It always makes the time more enjoyable to share it with racing enthusiasts, from far and wide. Tonight, most of those racing friends will join us as we move down the road to the Knoxville Raceway. They will be hosting another Hawkeye Dirt Tour with the Northern SportMods joining them in support. Going into tonight's HDT race, we see that Kelly Shryock and Joel Rust are tied in a point's battle. Drivers are always eager to run the famed half-mile track, so we look for a good car count in both classes. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:45 with racing to follow. UPDATE: The HDT at Knoxville has moved the hot lap time to 7:30 due to the extreme heat. Races to follow.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Anderson still perfect, Moody scores first career win
It's doubleheader week at the Southern Iowa Speedway. Last evening, was the first night of racing during the Southern Iowa Fair. There were no Modifieds on the docket, but all other four regular classes were in competition in the draw/redraw show.
It was a short field of only five IMCA Stock Cars last evening. However, three cars made it a close nose-to-tail, entertaining finish at the checkers. Dustin Griffiths got the drop on Nathan Wood as the race went green. Mike Hughes was about to join the two front runners, when he got into the outside wall coming out of turn four, ending his night. Meanwhile, Wood was still on the hunt to catch Griffiths, and Danny Thrasher had joined them to run in third. Wood looked for anyway around leader Griffiths, but there was nothing to be had. The three crossed the finish line 1-2-3, Griffiths the victor, Wood in second, and Thrasher, third. Donnie Pearson would be scored in fourth, but had dropped out at lap five with issues.
It was no surprise to find Curtis VanDerWal standing in victory lane once more, after winning the IMCA Northern SportMod feature. VanDerWal nudged past AJ Johnson at lap seven, and then flew off into the sunset. Colton Livezey finished a distant second, Jason McDaniel was third, fourth went to AJ Johnson, and Blaine Webster, was fifth. This was VanDerWal's eighth feature win at the speedway this year.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks closed out the program with the other sixteen cars on hand looking to grab the $300 bounty still hanging on Shannon Anderson. The draw/redraw format found Anderson starting in the #5 position. He had the lead at lap two. Chanse Hollatz, who is from Clear Lake, Iowa, but I believe is a student at the University of Iowa, settled into second place in hopes of catching Anderson. But once again, it was not to be, as Anderson pulled away to yet another victory. Jeff Anderson, who has been piloting the #8R as of late, made a last corner pass to take second over Hollatz in third. Steve Allen took fourth over Christian Huffman in fifth. This marked the tenth consecutive win for Anderson at the Southern Iowa Speedway...a perfect 10 for 10.
Tonight, the Southern Iowa Speedway will host the Hawkeye Dirt Tour for IMCA Modifieds. The Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts will also be running. The Southern Iowa Fair is still on, and like last evening, a bit different means of entering the grandstands. When purchasing your ticket at the ticket booth, you will receive an armband, and enter through the usual entrance. The normal concession stand (to our surprise) is not open, so you must purchase "fair" food to satisfy that rumble in the tummy. Hot laps are 7 with racing at 7:30. Tomorrow night, the HDT moves to the Knoxville Raceway with the SportMods also on the docket.
Levi Heath jumped to the lead of the ten lap IMCA Sport Compact main event, with Nathan Moody tagging to run second. Moody tried his darnedest to get past Heath , but it wasn't until lap eight that he was successful in making the pass. He then held off Heath to take the checkers and the win...the first of his career. Heath was second, Bill Whalen, Jr. took third, over Bryan Claussen in fourth and Dalton Winkleman in fifth.
It was a short field of only five IMCA Stock Cars last evening. However, three cars made it a close nose-to-tail, entertaining finish at the checkers. Dustin Griffiths got the drop on Nathan Wood as the race went green. Mike Hughes was about to join the two front runners, when he got into the outside wall coming out of turn four, ending his night. Meanwhile, Wood was still on the hunt to catch Griffiths, and Danny Thrasher had joined them to run in third. Wood looked for anyway around leader Griffiths, but there was nothing to be had. The three crossed the finish line 1-2-3, Griffiths the victor, Wood in second, and Thrasher, third. Donnie Pearson would be scored in fourth, but had dropped out at lap five with issues.
It was no surprise to find Curtis VanDerWal standing in victory lane once more, after winning the IMCA Northern SportMod feature. VanDerWal nudged past AJ Johnson at lap seven, and then flew off into the sunset. Colton Livezey finished a distant second, Jason McDaniel was third, fourth went to AJ Johnson, and Blaine Webster, was fifth. This was VanDerWal's eighth feature win at the speedway this year.
The IMCA Hobby Stocks closed out the program with the other sixteen cars on hand looking to grab the $300 bounty still hanging on Shannon Anderson. The draw/redraw format found Anderson starting in the #5 position. He had the lead at lap two. Chanse Hollatz, who is from Clear Lake, Iowa, but I believe is a student at the University of Iowa, settled into second place in hopes of catching Anderson. But once again, it was not to be, as Anderson pulled away to yet another victory. Jeff Anderson, who has been piloting the #8R as of late, made a last corner pass to take second over Hollatz in third. Steve Allen took fourth over Christian Huffman in fifth. This marked the tenth consecutive win for Anderson at the Southern Iowa Speedway...a perfect 10 for 10.
Tonight, the Southern Iowa Speedway will host the Hawkeye Dirt Tour for IMCA Modifieds. The Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts will also be running. The Southern Iowa Fair is still on, and like last evening, a bit different means of entering the grandstands. When purchasing your ticket at the ticket booth, you will receive an armband, and enter through the usual entrance. The normal concession stand (to our surprise) is not open, so you must purchase "fair" food to satisfy that rumble in the tummy. Hot laps are 7 with racing at 7:30. Tomorrow night, the HDT moves to the Knoxville Raceway with the SportMods also on the docket.
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Masolini and Wirtz first time winners, Thompson goes four in a row
It was another action packed, and warm July Saturday night of racing at the Boone Speedway. A nice field of 121 race cars checked into the pits. Two drivers would finally get their first wins at the speedway. Two drivers made it two in a row, and another scored for the fourth time in as many weeks.
Randy Bryan was one of those drivers making it two in a row as he took the checkers in the Mod Lite feature. Bryan Zehm started tenth, and finished as the runner up, Kevin Grisham was third, Joel Keenan started fourteenth, and finished fourth, and Justin Rankin worked his way back through the pack from an early race incident that sent him to realign at the tail of the field, to finish fifth. Bryan led all fifteen laps on his way to the win. Zehm continues to hold his points lead.
Up next was the IMCA Northern SportMod 18-lap A main. Dusty Masolini jumped to the immediate lead from his fourth starting spot. From there on, he kept that top spot, all the way to the checkers. He finished a comfortable distance ahead of second place Brian Efkamp. Johnathon Logue finished third from starting twelfth, Jason Purvis was fourth and Daniel Tasler, fifth. Masolini scored his first ever SportMod win at Boone, after switching from the Mod Lite class a few years back. His last time seeing the checkers was in the Mod Lite class, back in 2014. Johnathon Logue continues as the point leader.
Joel Bushore started sixth in the 20 lap IMCA Modified feature, and took the lead just before the halfway mark of the event. He then put a comfortable distance between himself and the field, and swept to the easy win. Finishing a distance behind in second place was Tyler Prochaska. Russ Dickerson had a nice run, coming from row six, to finish third, and Chris Webb and Cory Sauerman were fourth and fifth. This was Bushore's fourth win at Boone this season.
An early incident in the feature, left point leader Mike VanGenderen with a wounded ride. However, he was able to continue the race, with a toed out right front, to maintain his point lead.
An early incident in the feature, left point leader Mike VanGenderen with a wounded ride. However, he was able to continue the race, with a toed out right front, to maintain his point lead.
Donavon Smith went back to victory lane for the second week in a row, winning the 18 lap IMCA Stock Car main event. He started tenth, and caught up to then leader Matt West by lap eight. Robert Stofer threw his hat into the ring as well, and the three went to battle. Smith made the move around West a couple of laps later to take over the lead. He would then hold that top spot to capture the win. West held on to second, finishing just ahead of third place Robert Stofer. Jay Schmidt started eleventh, and finished fourth. and Josh Daniels completed the top five. Smith claimed his third win of the season. Schmidt still holds a slim three point lead over Smith.
The IMCA RaceSaver Sprints saw Tyler Thompson back in the winner's circle for the fourth consecutive week. Thompson started seventh in the 20 lap feature, and was leading by the time lap two was scored. He lead all the remaining laps and scored the win by a healthy margin. Michael Moore finished as the runner up after starting ninth, tenth place starter Ben Woods was third, Joel Thorpe took fourth, and Bob Hildreth rounded out the top five. Thompson now has five wins at the track. Michael Moore holds his point lead.
The evening's racing concluded with the IMCA 12 lap Hobby Stock feature. They had some issues in getting the race completed before the time limit expired, but finally got the job done. Shaun Wirtz would lead this one from flag to flag to take the win. Aaron Rudolph attempted to reel in leader Wirtz, but ran out of laps and had to settle for second place. Point leader Ryan Wells came from twelfth starting spot, to finish third, Jack Phillips was fourth and Eric Stanton started fourteenth, and finished fifth. Wirtz, a long time racer at the track, scored his first ever career win, after sixteen years of trying. Ryan Wells continues to lead Hobby Stock points.
The season is quickly winding down, but a lot of racing still lies ahead. We are planning for Tuesday and Wednesday nights at the Southern Iowa Speedway, during their fair week. Tuesday, all weekly classes will be in competition except the IMCA Modifieds. Then on Wednesday, the Modifieds will headline the show with the Hawkeye Dirt Tour series, with all four other classes also running. Both nights will be a draw/redraw format. Then on Thursday night, the Hawkeye Dirt Tour for the IMCA Modifieds will move to the historic Knoxville Raceway, with the SportMods also in competition. Check the calendar at Positively Racing for other scheduled races that you may want to put on your agenda. Get out and enjoy a race in support of the sport we all love.
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