Meyer takes Stock Car season opener at Marshalltown

Marshalltown Speedway held its long awaited season opener and Oldtimer's Lounge Night on Friday, with 143 hungry race drivers on hand for some racing action. Not only were the drivers hungry for racing, but so were the fans who finally got to set in the stands and see the racing live.

Logan Duffy claimed the IMCA Late Model feature, and Tom Berry, Jr. snagged a win in the IMCA Modified division.  It was Steve Meyer taking home the trophy in the Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars, Kaden Reynolds took the checkers in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Bryan Zehm won in the Mod Lites.

Feature racing kicked off with the Mod Lites with twenty-three cars vying for the checkers. This one was quickly red flagged just after the first lap when Travis Messamer from Redfield took a tumble in corner four.  Messamer was okay, and soon the field was back to green flag racing.

Bryan Zehm would take the early race lead and never look back on his way to that checkered flag.  Joe Glick took the runner up spot, Charlie Brown came from thirteenth starting spot to take third place, Randy Bryan was fourth, and Jonathan Braathun rounded out the top five. After the lap one incident, the race went caution free.

The IMCA Northern SportMods went eighteen laps for their main event with twenty-five entrants checked in.  Austin Kaplan would lead all laps in the race that went flag to flag to take the checkers.  He finished comfortably ahead of second place Brayton Carter.  Johnathon Logue started tenth, and finished third, Jenae Gustin, sporting a new look and a new #44....her mom Judy Gustin's number back in her racing days, was fourth, and Maquire DeJong came home in fifth.

Up next was the fifteen lap IMCA Hobby Stock A feature. There were twenty-eight cars checked into the pits, and a B main was run.  It was really not needed, as only six cars came out for the consy race, leaving just two cars that did not make the feature. Jeremiah Andrews won that.

Kaden Reynolds went home with the season opener win for the Hobby Stocks. Tom Killen finished a distant runner up.  Solomon Bennett was third, Aaron Rudolph came from thirteenth starting spot to capture fourth place, and Dustin Filloon completed the top five. Early race leader Dylan Nelson was looking strong, but abruptly left the track and drove to the pits.   

The IMCA Stock Car twenty lap feature, with all twenty-seven cars starting, had a hard time getting the first lap in the books.  When they found their rhythm and did get going, it was Damon Murty at the front of the field.  Jeff Mueller was up to challenge quickly, and then the two swapped the top spot back and forth several times.  Meanwhile, Steve Meyer had set his ride on the topside and was coming fast.  The final circuits would have all eyes on Meyers as he worked the rim, inching closer to leader Murty.  His timing was perfect, gaining the upper hand with a lap to go.... and keeping it to the flying checkers and the win.  Murty had to be content with second, Mueller, who started eleventh, finished third, fourth went to Jay Schmidt, and pole sitter Dallon Murty was fifth.

Logan Duffy found himself in the winner's circle at the conclusion of the fifteen lap IMCA Late Model main event.  Duffy led all laps on his way to victory in the caution free race.  Curtis Glover took the runner up spot, Luke Pestka went third, hometown boy Darrel DeFrance took fourth, and Dalton Simonsen was fifth. There was short field of eight Late Models last evening.

The night cap was twenty laps of IMCA Modified ground pounders going at it. A thirty-two car field called for a B main in this one too to set the twenty-four car starting field.  Justin McCreadie from Phoenix, Oregon won it. More on the contingency from out of state later.

Tom Berry, Jr. made it look easy in the Modified feature, taking command early, and pulling away from the field to take the checkered flag.  Jeff Aikey and rookie Jake McBirnie battled it out for position, but it was Aikey making it a runner up finish, McBirnie going third.  Fourth went to Joel Rust, and Tim Ward came from eleventh starting spot, to finish fifth.

There was a contingency of out of state drivers last night.  Most coming from the IMCA Western Region.  Some of those drivers were seeking a place to just race I believe, as some of their hometown states still have more of a Covid 19 lock down.  They always seem to love coming to the Midwest at other times as well, so some of them just might have packed their bags a bit fuller and plan to hang around for an extended time.  Some of those out of state drivers were Justin McCreadie, Phoenix, Arizona, Dylan Thornton, Santa Maria, California, Jeremy Richey, Phoenix, Arizona, Casey Delp, Rock Springs, Wyoming, and Justen and son Braxton Yeager from Green River, Wyoming.  Throw a couple of other regulars for the summer into it, Tim Ward who lists Chandler, Arizona as home, and young Kolin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nevada, and the Modified class was packed with west coast drivers.  Even the Mod Lites had a west coaster in the mix with Kaden Cochrun from Bakersfield, California.  Winner Tom Berry, Jr. use to hail from Oregon, then moved to Newburg, North Dakota, but word from announcer Jerry Vansickel last evening, is that he is now calling Des Moines home. 

Next up at Marshalltown Speedway will be this Tuesday, June 9, for the Dale DeFrance Memorial and 500th IMCA Deery Brothers Late Model Summer Series race.  Also on tap is the Dirt Knight IMCA Modified Tour Series opener.  The IMCA Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, and Hobby Stocks will also be competition.  The green flag drops at 7:30.  

Dirt Duel championships to Zevenbergen and Logue, Carter takes Davis Memorial win

Night #3 of the Dynamic Drivelines Dirt Duels at Stuart Speedway was THE place to be for racing last night.  That fast little quarter-mile provided great racing action all night long, with 125 race cars packing the pits.  Brandon Cox came out the victor in the IMCA Hobby Stock division, while it was Cayden Carter taking home the honor of winning the Bill Davis, Sr. Memorial race for the IMCA Modifieds. Dirt Duel championships went to Johnathon Logue in the IMCA Northern SportMod class, and Elijah Zevenbergen took the trophy in the IMCA Stock Cars.

The sixteen lap feature for the Hobby Stockers found Dylan Nelson and Brandon Cox dueling it out for the lead most of those laps.  Cox and Nelson would swap that top spot several times before Cox laid a firm hold on the lead in the final laps to secure the win.  Solomon Bennett made the pass on Nelson on the final run to the checkers to score the runner up spot, Nelson going third.  Miciah Hidlebaugh moved up nine spots to finish in fourth, and Travis Fenton came from eleventh to snag a top five.

On tap next was the 50-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature for the title of Dirt Duel champion.....and a duel it was! Eight cars had already secured their starting spots from the two previous nights qualifying, the final sixteen cars qualifying through last chance heats and a B main.

Shane Paris and Brayton Carter led the field to green.  Carter shot to the initial lead but Cody Thompson powered around him to take over the top spot by lap seven.  Thompson, running low, and Carter poised on the top of track.  By lap eleven, Carter took back the lead and began to pull away, hitting his mark in his smooth driving style lap after lap....he looked to be well on his way to taking back-to-back Dirt Duel wins at the track.  However, bad luck for Carter struck with just ten laps left when he was dealt a broken left front suspension, ending his night.  This handed the lead over to Cody Thompson with Johnathon Logue waiting in the wings running in second place as the race returned to green.  Thompson would hold that top spot through two more cautions, the final coming at lap forty-nine,...but Logue was not about to go away! He was able to claim the lead as the white flag flew, keeping it to the flying checkers and a $3,000 pay off. Thompson held second, Josh Most, the driver from Red Oak who will hop into any kind of racing machine, came from ninth to finish third, fourth went to Algona's Colby Fett, and Colby Langenberg out of Norfolk, Nebraska advanced fourteen positions to finish fifth.

 Elijah Zevenbergen and Todd VanEaston had earned their front row starting spot the two previous nights for the 50-lap IMCA Stock Car Dirt Duel feature with a plethora of top notch drivers behind them in the field. This one would get off to a bad start before the first lap was scored, drivers piling up in corner four.  When the race did get started, it was Zevenbergen and VanEaton shooting off to lead the field with young gun Dallon Murty running third and back in the pack, cars going three wide for position.  A yellow flew at lap twenty-one for a car spinning in corner four and by this time, it was Dallon Murty and dad Damon Murty running second and third.....Zevenbergen leading.  Those three would run nose-to-tail lap after lap.  The final yellow of the race flew with six laps left in the books, and on the restart those three cars would remain the same.  The "Game Changer", Dallon Murty gave it his all in the closing moments, make it very interesting with a last corner slide that just wasn't quite enough, Zevenbergen keeping his cool and flashing across the finish line in first, Murty finishing an every so close second.  Dad, Damon Murty took third place, it was Jesse Sobbing moving up nine spots to take fourth place, and Carthage, Missouri's Abe Huls came home in fifth. Zevenbergen was crowned Dirt Duel's champion and got the $3,000 check.

Capping off the night was twenty-six laps of IMCA Modified racing.  Why might you ask, twenty-six laps.  Because it was twenty-five +1 in honor of the #+1 always piloted by the honoree of the night, the late Bill Davis, Sr.  Davis, an absolute legend in area racing. was no doubt looking down on the race last evening and smiling.

Todd Shute, and Rock Springs, Wyoming racer Casey Delp would lead the field to green. Shute jumped to the immediate lead but Osky's Cayden Carter was quickly up to challenge.  Carter made a slide around Shute pay off, taking over the number one position at lap eighteen and then the race was red flagged when Jesse Dennis took a hard ride into the back wall out of turn two.  He was okay and the race was quickly restarted for the final eight lap dash to the checkers.  Carter restarted in the first place position, with "T Dub" Tim Ward realigned in second, and Shute shuffled back to third.  Carter would go on to hold the lead and saw the checkers first for his $1,000 pay day and win the 2nd Annual Bill Davis, Sr. Memorial feature.  Ward finished in second place, North Dakota's Tom Berry, Jr. got the upper hand in a tight battle over Shute as they went third and fourth respectively.  Grundy Center's Joel Rust rounded out the top five.

Promoter Mike VanGenderen saw his constant attention to keeping the track in racy shape last night pay off ....once again bringing forth some fabulous racing.  It was a steamy, hot night, and unlike the previous two night's near hurricane force winds from the south, there was hardly a breath of air. If you've not been to a show at the track, put it on your agenda if you want to see some great racing.....it's well worth the drive.
 

 

VanEaton and Carter secure their starting spots for the Dirt Duel finale

We made the trip back west to Stuart on Tuesday for Night #2 of the Dynamic Drivelines Dirt Duel.  Having seen the fantastic racing the previous night, we were up for more of the same.  The relentless strong winds were once again blowing from the south... their only redeeming factor was keeping the 90 plus degree temperatures more bearable. There were 106 cars competing for the night.  Those plus the eight already qualified from the night before....those getting some practice time....made for 114 cars on the track.

Qualifying continued for the IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA Northern SportMods, with a strong field of cars in each class still vying for a secured starting spot in Wednesday's $3,000 to win feature. The top four from the night's qualifying feature did just that.  Also on the docket were the IMCA Sport Compacts, and the MADCRA Mod Lites.

The Mod Lites hit the track for the first feature of the night. Josh May led the early portion of the race with Mike Morrill giving chase.  A yellow flew at lap thirteen for a spinning car, and on the restart three cars had a melee going into turn one. This resulted in Travis Stensland taking a high, wild flip, and the race was immediately red flagged.  All involved were okay.  May continued to lead with Morrill looking for a way around, but to no avail.  Two more yellows would fly before this one was over making for "overtime" and a green-white-checkered dash to the checkers.  There was lots of shuffling in that final circuit.  Tanner Gannon had been pressuring the leaders and when the field took it's final green and go, it appeared that then leader Josh May hesitated just a bit, and just enough that Gannon took advantage of it and had the lead by corner one.  Others in turn did the same thing, gaining positions.  Gannon would go home to the checkers, Morrill kept hold of the runner up spot, Randy Bryan came from ninth starting spot to take third, fourth went to Kaden Cochran who has been running in the area, all the way from Bakersfield, California, and Josh May fell back to finish fifth.

A little more than your average excitement ensued in the Sport Compact feature.  A pair of Vannausdle's, Bryan and Chris, who made the trip up from southwest Iowa, were waging a war for the lead.  The leaders caught up with lap traffic as the race was nearing its end, when a lap car interfered, and consequently got spun out...leading to a yellow flag.  The spun car did not take kindly to that, and the back runner decided to express his displeasure by some on track antics.  He refused to leave the track after repeatedly being told to do so and that's when race promoter Mike VanGenderen said, "No pay, no points", as the driver finally drove off into the pits. Of course, it wasn't over quite yet, but more on that later.  As the race did get back green, Kolby Sabin, who had been running third, shot to the lead, surprising the pair of Vannausdle's.  In the final moments however, it was Chris Vannausdle taking back that top spot, and putting his ride into Victory Lane.  Sabin finished second, Bryan Vannausdle was third, with Mitchell Bunch and Ashton Blain rounding out the top five.

As the winner drove into the Victory Lane area after the race, here comes the disdained racer out of the pits, waving and gesturing, headed to confront the winner.  That all came to an end as promoter MVG got wind of what was about to take place.....meeting the disgruntled driver face-to-face on the track.  That was the end of that as he made an about face and headed back to his pits.

The Northern SportMod feature had much less dramatics as it followed with its 25-lap qualifying feature.  Brayton, "Speedy Bray" Carter enjoyed his pole starting spot, and had no trouble in leading all laps in taking the win. Three caution flags and subsequent restarts were no issue to Carter, and in the final laps, pulled away to take a comfortable win at the checkers. Columbus, Nebraska driver Brian Osantowski in his #999 followed Carter across the line to take the runner up position.  Algona, Iowa's Colby Fett had a good run, coming from tenth to finish third.  Johnathon Logue secured the fourth and final locked in spot for Wednesday's feature event.  Josh Most finished fifth, and will have to try again Wednesday for a final last chance qualifying spot.

The evening ended with the 25-lap IMCA Stock Car feature, as four more drivers attempted to get locked in to tomorrow's Dirt Duel championship race.  Todd VanEaton, Orient, and Joe Zrostlik, Lone Grove, coming from near opposite sides of central Iowa, led the field to green.  VanEaton would lead all laps to take the win to secure his spot in the Wednesday finale.  It was a battle for position behind him as Troy Jerovetz and Derek Green battled back and forth for the #2 spot.  Then enters the young gun Dallon Murty who threw his hat into the ring!  Murty, who had started eight, was giving both Jerovetz and Green a run for their money in the final portion of the race.  He was able to get around Green and then was tightening the screws on second place Jerovetz.  He gave it a good try, but had to chase him across the finish line to finish third, Green going fourth.  Just out of a qualifying spot was Damon Murty who has yet to qualify but will give it another go tonight.

Thanks to Mike VanGenderen for yet, another great show last night.  The weather conditions have not been a friend in track prep this week, but with his constant between race sprinkling, the track was smooth and racey once again.

Our plan is to return for the final night of the Dirt Duels which will also include the Bill Davis, Sr. Memorial race with the IMCA Modifieds on deck.  The IMCA Hobby Stocks will also be on hand.  The final starting spots for the Stock Car and SportMods will be determined through heats and last chance races, in what will no doubt, be a show you won't want to miss.  Hot laps are 6:45 with racing to follow.

 

Stuart Dirt Duel wins to Paris and Zevenbergen

It was a great night of racing at the Stuart International Speedway Monday night....the first of three nights for the Dynamic Drivelines Dirt Duels for the IMCA Stock Cars, and IMCA Northern SportMods.  The fans that were able to finally set in the stands saw some outstanding competition among the thirty-eight Stock Cars and also the thirty-eight SportMods, each class containing a field of stellar competitors.  Shane Paris, the Muscatine hot shoe took home the trophy in the SportMods and claimed the pole position for Wednesday night's upcoming feature event.  Elijah Zevenbergen from Ocheyedan, Iowa secured his inside front row starting spot for Wednesday's Stock Car finale. The top four finishers of their qualifying features locked themselves in to Wednesday's feature.

A pair of Oskaloosa, Iowa drivers sat side-by-side on the front row for the start of the 25-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature.  Carter Vandenberg had the pole position and Dylan VanWyk was to his right.  The two fellow hometown boys put on quite the duel in the early laps, and then were joined quickly by Shane Paris.  VanWyk was maintaining the lead and by lap ten, Paris had slipped by Vandenberg and was dogging the leader.  The leaders  had to then maneuver their way through heavy lap traffic as the laps wound down.  Paris made his move into the lead at lap eighteeen and from there on held that top spot to the waving checkers and the win.  VanWyk was the runner up, Sioux City's Cody Thompson took third, fourth went to pole sitter Carter Vandenberg.  Those drivers all secured their inside row starting spots for Wednesday's 50-lap grand finale.

The IMCA Stock Cars seldom disappoint, and it was no different last night.  They put on a whale of a contest in their 25-lap qualifier for Wednesday night.  Graettinger Iowa's Jake Masters held claim to the lead, catfishing the bottom of the oval while Elijah Zevenbergen put it up top in his quest to catch the leader.  It appeared it was going to be smooth sailing for Masters as the laps ran down, stretching out his lead. Zevenbergen was still eyeing his opponent up ahead with a pack of cars duking it out behind him.  A yellow flew at lap seventeen, just what Zevenbergen was looking for and it did turn out to be his good luck charm.  When the race restarted, Zevenbergen got the advantage and flew around Masters continuing his run on the rim of the track.  Another yellow flew two laps later, but it was no issue for Zevenbergen as he sailed home to the win.  This secured his pole starting spot for Wednesday's 50-lap Dirt Duel title race.  Abe Huls came from ninth starting spot and made good headway in the closing laps to finish second. Luke Lemmens, the Madison, Wisconsin racer, had a spectacular run, skillfully working himself through the field, starting twenty-first and finishing third. Jake Masters held fourth place to lock himself in to the main event on Wednesday.

The Stock Cars and SportMods also had a Chassis Manufacture race, pitting at least six different chassis in each of those.  These were no less intense than the qualifying features had been, with each paying $1,000 for the win.

The SportMod Chassis 25-lap clash was a battle of the "5's" in the early portion with the 5T of Tyler Inman and the 5TN of Dorchester, Nebraska's Tyler Nerud battling it out for the top spot.  Nerud secured the lead at lap seven and then had to fend off the advances of Sioux City's Cody Thompson by the halfway mark of the race.  Thompson, who had started in twelfth position, gained the advantage, taking over the helm and was poised to take the win.  But wait....a yellow flew with a lap to go, to set up a green-white checkered dash to the finish line.  By this time, Johnathon Logue was in second spot and eager for the restart and run to the checkers.  Thompson, in his Razor chassis, wasn't to be denied on this night however, and flashed across the finish line to take the win.  Logue had to be satisfied with the runner up spot,  Adam Birch, Canton, Missouri was third, and two Oskaloosa, Iowa drivers, Brayton Carter and Dylan VanWyk were fourth and fifth respectively.

The Stock Car 25-lap chassis feature was looking to be a clean sweep for Elijah Zevenbergen who had won the earlier qualifying feature.  He began on the outside front row and easily took the lead as the race went green.  However, working his way through traffic from starting fourteenth, was Luke Lemmens.  On lap ten, Lemmens was up to second spot, and then the two began their battle....Sniper chassis vs. G Force chassis.  Lemmens gained the upper hand and with less than a handful of laps remaining, Zevenbergen's night would end, spinning in turn four with glowing brake calipers.  Lemmens would go on to hold the top spot to the checkers and giving himself and his G Force chassis the prize.  He didn't have it easy in those closing laps however, as the young gun, Dallon Murty gave it his all, giving Lemmens a good challenge but just falling short and finishing a close second.  Shawn Ritter was third, Abe Huls came from twenty-first in an impressive run to finish fourth, and Jesse Sobbing rounded out the top five.

There were also fifteen Mini Mods on hand for some racing last evening, making the car count for the night ninty-one.  Nathan Kilwine, Glenville, Minnesota drove his #15 to the win from starting seventh.  Bobby Ruehlow, Logan Brown, Chase Daniels and Kadyn Haggard completed the top five.

Strong winds and heat were no friends to the Stuart Speedway yesterday, but promoter Mike VanGenderen kept at it between races, grooming and watering.  By feature time, the smooth, racey track was much more to the liking of the drivers.  Racing continues tonight with more qualifying for the Stock Cars and Northern SportMods with the Mod Lites and Sport Compacts joining the field for a full program.  Grandstands are open to spectators for another night of racing action. Then on Wednesday, the $3,000 to win Dirt Duels for the Stock Cars and Northern SportMods will be on tap along with a full show for the IMCA Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.  It is also the Bill Davis, Sr. Memorial in honor of the longtime racer.   

 

Sauerman to victory lane, Nelson goes back-to-back

Boone Speedway saw another big car count for its Saturday night racing program with 199 race cars checked into the pits.  Dylan Nelson repeated his win from last week in the IMCA Pickett Salvage Hobby Stock division.  Cory Sauerman took home the victory in the IMCA Snap-On Tools Modified contest, and it was Jay Schmidt making a last lap pass for the win in the IMCA Arnold Motor Supply Stock Car division.  Jake Sachau took the win in the IMCA Elmquist Towing Northern SportMod class, and Joel Huggins took the checkers, winning in the MADCRA My Race Pass Mod Lites. This was the second week of track points for all the IMCA classes, and the first week for Mod Lites. 

Feature racing kicked off with the Mod Lite 15-lap feature.  Joel Huggins would start on the pole of this one and lead all laps on his way to victory.  He finished well ahead of second place Charlie Brown.  Bryan Zehm came from seventh starting position to finish in third place.  Jeff Stensland and Joe Glick finished fourth and fifth. Only one yellow marred this feature, that coming at lap two.  From there on, the race went unhindered to the checkers. 

Up next was the 18-lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature event.  Ryan King led the first two laps, only to have Jake Sachau, Manning, Iowa, snatch it away on lap three.  From there on, Sachau had little trouble in holding a comfortable lead the remaining way to the checkers in a race that went caution free.  Cam Reimers took the runner up spot, Osceola, Iowa driver Garrett Nelson came home in third place, fourth went to twelfth place starter Doug Smith, and Johnathon Logue took fifth after starting eleventh.

The IMCA Modified 20-lap main event came next.  This one saw pole sitter Tony Hofbauer lead the first nine circuits of the race, but Cory Sauerman changed that on lap ten when he took command.  Sauerman was enjoying his ride at the front of the pack until Tim Ward began to reel him in.  When a yellow flew at lap nineteen,,,the only caution of the race, sending it into over time with a green-white-checkered finish.  It was not what Sauerman was wanting, but JUST what Ward was hoping for.  When the race restarted, Ward moved to the topside hoping the momentum would carry him around leader Sauerman, but it was all for naught as Sauerman sailed across the finish line first to take the win.  Ward had to settle for the runner up spot.  Rookie in the division, Jake McBirnie posted a third place finish, last week's winner Aaron Johnson, Brainerd, Minnesota came from eleventh starting position to finish in fourth place, and Joel Rust came from sixteenth to round out the top five. This was  Sauerman's first win at Boone Speedway since July of 2017 . 

In the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car A main, Kyle Everts was looking to be on his way to victory until he was suddenly off power, handing the lead over to second place runner Bob Daniels.  Daniels was then smelling the roses as he took the white flag....only to have a caution fly for a spinning car.  This would set up another green-white-checkered showdown, and happy to see it was second place runner Jay Schmidt.  Schmidt, who started twelfth and was coming hot on the topside was eager for the restart.  It was a near dead heat as the two flashed across under the final white flag, but Schmidt had the topside momentum that carried him around Daniels, and sent him to victory lane for the first time this season.  Daniels had to be content with second place this night.  Todd Fisher had a good run and finished third, fourth went to veteran racer Robert Stofer, and Devin Smith started twenty-second, coming from a B main, and finished fifth.

As a note, all three Smith brothers in the Stock Car class, Devin, David, and Donavon  all had to qualify through a B main. Something you seldom see! They would finish fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively. 

The IMCA Hobby Stocks ended the night's racing with their 15-lap feature event.  Braden Richards led the troops in the early going of the race but Dylan Nelson was quickly up to challenge him by lap three.  By lap five, Nelson had taken over the top spot, and was successful in warding off Richards the rest of the way to the checkers.  Richards held the second spot, Eric Knutson came from eleventh starting position to take third place, fourth was Solomon Bennett, and Shane Butler completed the top five. Nelson matched his win from last week. Only one caution flew for the Hobby Stocks, that coming on lap two.

At least ten Minnesota drivers were on hand again last night, as they seek to go racing while they await their state opening up their tracks.  As of June 1, Iowa will be allowing fans in the stands at 50% capacity as social distancing for Covid 19 remains.  Boone Speedway will be open for the fans next Saturday night, June 6.   Pits open at 3:30, grandstands at 4, hot laps at 5, and racing at 6. IMCA TV will also be broadcasting PPV as it will each week. 

Johnson, Smith brothers, Nelson, and Forster top huge field of cars at Boone Speedway

A huge field of 234 cars checked into the Boone Speedway on Saturday night which included a Corn Belt Nationals Series race for the Mod Lite division.  A West Coast driver, Zac Forster would take home that crown for the night.  Minnesota racer Aaron Johnson swept to the win in the final circuit in the IMCA Snap-On Tools Modified class.  Devin Smith topped the IMCA Arnold Motor Supply's IMCA Stock Cars, while brother Doug Smith took the checkers in a field of sixty-five entries in the Elmquist Towing IMCA Northern SportMods. The night cap saw defending Super Nationals Champion Dylan Nelson take home the win in the IMCA Pickett Salvage Hobby Stocks.

The governor's proclamation of no fans in the stands continued, with an empty grandstand and drivers and their pit crew, as well as track staff, practicing social distancing. 

Forty-two My Race Pass Mod Lites were in town for one of their Corn Belt Nationals Series races.  Drivers from all over Iowa plus several states came to try their luck at Iowa's Action Track.  A pair of  #11 cars led the field through much of the race with the #11P of Jon Padilla, Silvis, Illinois, holding off the #11 of long tow Zac Forster from Bakersfield, California.  As the 20-lap feature race was a lap from finished, two cars spun in front of the leaders, and though the green light never went off, it was apparent that leader Padilla was expecting a caution to fly, as he let off the throttle. Forster was quick to realize the green was still out, and flew around Padilla to take the win.  Padilla held on to take second, third went to Josh May, Joel Huggins was fourth and last week's winner Mike Kennedy rounded out the top five.  It was a hard lesson learned for Padilla of you never stop racing until you take the checkers!

A huge field of sixty-five IMCA Northern SportMods were on hand for a night of racing.  Dylan VanWyk, the youngster from Oskaloosa, Iowa led the way in the 18 lap feature event from the drop of the green flag and was looking strong as he held back the thundering herd behind him.  Among those drivers charging hard were Johnathon Logue, Doug Smith, and from deep in the pack, Brayton Carter.  It then became a pack of those four cars getting locked into a tight battle, with Doug Smith getting the upper hand at lap twelve.  He never relinquished that lead, sailing home under the flying checkers to score the victory.  It was a fight to the finish for position behind him, with Brayton Carter, taking the runner up position after starting twenty-third.  Dylan VanWyk was third, Johnathon Logue fourth, just holding off Hunter Longnecker in fifth.

Thirty-nine IMCA Modifieds were in competition and it was appearing that hometown driver Russell Dickerson was going to top them all as he immediately powered to the lead from his fourth place starting spot.  Dickerson was still leading the 20-lap feature event as the laps wound down but Brainerd, Minnesota driver, Aaron Johnson, who had started ninth on the grid, had reeled him in and was challenging.  Dickerson held the upper hand at lap nineteen, but was unable to hold off his nemesis that final lap with Johnson making the pass and snatching the win.  Dickerson had to settle for second.  Kyle Brown moved up from eleventh starting position, to finish third, fourth was Trent Loverude, New Ulm, Minnesota, and Chase Rudolph completed the top five.

Forty-seven of the Class too Tough to Tame, the IMCA Stock Cars entered the pits.  This one would be led from start to finish the entire 18-laps by Lake City's Devin Smith.  He finished comfortably ahead of brother Donavon Smith who had started seventh on the field.  Jay Schmidt finished third, Scott Davis, defending track champion in the division, was fourth, and another of the Smith brothers, David Smith, finished fifth.

The night cap finale was the the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature.  Dylan Nelson, defending Super National's champion of the class, took full advantage of his pole starting spot, leading the entire race to take the win.  Seth Butler challenged Nelson in the final two laps but had to be content with the runner up spot.  Solomon Bennett was a hard charger, coming from thirteenth starting position to finish third, as was fourth place finisher Jimmy Johnson who started twenty-second.  Zac Smith rounded out the top five.

Out of state drivers were in abundance last evening.  Two drivers in the Mod Lite division hauled all the way from California to compete in the National series.  Winner of  their feature, Zac Forster as well as Kaden Cochrun, were from Bakersfield, California.  Others racers on hand for that series came from Illinois and Kansas. 

Grey Ferrando and Kersey Ferrando who call Stayton, Oregon home, competed in the Modified class.  Word is that they are keeping their hauler in the Midwest, as racing in their home area is up in the air as to whether racing will be held at all.  Other racers on hand came from Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, Arizona, and Michigan. 

It was another night of empty grandstands as we await word that spectators will be allowed.  Until then, tune in to IMCA TV for coverage weekly. Check Boone Speedway on Facebook and the www.raceboone.com website for updated information. 

Boone Speedway kicks things off for 2020....with Covid 19 restrictions

The Boone Speedway finally got its season kicked off on Saturday night, albeit with a revised format due to Covid 19 restrictions dictated by the State of Iowa.  Though racing went on as usual, the stands were empty, void of the fans cheering on the drivers.  The fans had the option of watching a live video cast on IMCA.TV of the racing action.

Mike Kennedy took the first checkers of the 2020 racing season, winning the 15-lap Mod Lite feature.  Kennedy started sixth and had the lead by lap four, never to look back.  Bryan Zehm worked his way to the front of the field from his ninth starting position, and took home the runner up spot.  Early leader Terry Brown was third, fourth went to Randy Bryan, last years track champion, and Joel Huggins completed the top five. Eighteen of the Mod Lites were on hand for opening night.

Johnathon Logue, the 2019 IMCA Super Nationals Champion in the SportMod division, picked up where he left off and took the win in the IMCA Elmquist Towing SportMod 20-lap event.  Logue took command on lap nine, passing then leader Cory Pestotnik, and kept a tight hold on that top spot the remaining distance to capture the victory.  Pole sitter Curtis Veber came home in second place, third went to Cam Reimers, fourth to Cory Pestotnik, and Daniel Tasler came from tenth starting spot, to finish fifth.

There were thirty-six SportMods in competition last evening and they, along with the rest of the IMCA classes, all required a B main to whittle their starting feature to twenty-four cars.  Dusty Masolini won that B main.

The IMCA Snap-on Tools Modifieds went 20-laps in their feature event with Ricky Thornton snaring himself another of his many wins, leading all but the first lap of the contest.    Tim Ward chased Thornton much of the distance but had to settle for the runner up position.  Todd Shute started seventh, and took third, fourth went to Joel Rust, and Brainerd, Minnesota's Aaron Johnson rounded out the top five.  Dakota Sproul, from Hays, Kansas won the B main required to set the twenty-four car starting main event.

The IMCA Arnold Motor Supply Stock Cars were up next for another 20-lap feature event.  Tony Hofbauer and Lakefield, Minnesota's Jeff Larson started on the front row, and entered into a battle at the drop of the green.  Larson jumped to the lead and then the two swapped the top spot for several laps until Hofbauer was able to establish it for good on lap eleven.  From then on, he pulled away and took the checkers, securing his first ever IMCA Stock Car victory.  Hofbauer, who did double duty on the night, also racing in the Modified class, finished comfortably ahead of second place Todd Reitzler.  Brothers David and Devin Smith finished third and fourth, and Jeff Larson was fifth. There were thirty-three IMCA Stock Cars checked in at the speedway.  Jesse Smith from Boxhom won the B main.

The night cap was the Pickett Salvage IMCA Hobby Stock 15-lap feature.  This one was lead from start to finish by pole sitter Jack Phillips.  Last year's track champion, Aaron Rudolph was gaining on the leader as the laps wound down, but ran out of laps to finish no better than second.  Solomon Bennett took third, fourth went to Curt Reed, and Brandon Cox started seventeenth, and took fifth.  Brandon Long from Norwalk, Iowa won the division's B main.

It was strange seeing the empty grandstands during the racing.  The usual grandstand side was quiet except for staff in the tower.  Everyone is anticipating Governor Reynold's announcement that spectators will soon be allowed.  But until then, racing will continue at Boone Speedway next Saturday night, May 23 with empty stands.  IMCA TV will once again be providing pay per view as they did last night, for those interested.