Gustin's last corner slider takes him to Victory Lane

August 2, 2024

It was EMW Trucking Military Memorial Night at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday. It was a warm one, but a slight breeze out of the NW helped the fans to be more comfortable.  Pre race ceremonies honored those that gave the ultimate sacrifice as well as honoring those veterans in attendance, who were given free admission thanks to EMW.  More money was also on the line for four of the classes racing.  Tom Berry, Jr. went away with the $2,000 IMCA Friesen Performance Modified win, Jimmy Gustin had the crowd on its feet on the final corner when he won the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car $1,000 feature, and sister Jenae Gustin won the $1,300 IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMods for the second week in a row.  It was another close one at the line in the $600 to win IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks as Calvin Dhondt crossed the finish line first in a dash to the checkers.  Jon Padilla won the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lite A main, and it was Cristian Grady going to Victory Lane for the third time straight in the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts.

The Northern SportMods, presented by Rugged Radios, ran their 16 lap feature event first. 

Kyle Olson jumped to the immediate lead from his pole starting position.  He was still holding down the lead on lap ten but had visiting Jake Sachau, Manning, Iowa, challenging and Jenae Gustin had now made her way into third after starting in eighth spot...both wanting more.  The three drivers waged a 3-wide battle at times,  and with a lap to go, that fight got the best of Sachau as he went for a spin, taking himself out of the game. Now it was a dash to the checkers with Gustin now in command as the white flag flew.... a spot she was not about to relinquish. Gustin took the win and matched her win from last week. Kyle Olson had to be content with the runner up position, third went to thirteenth place starter Will Wolf who made a late race rally.  Fourth place was Brayton Carter, and twelfth place starter Zander Keeland, Bakersfield, California, was fifth. Brayton Carter holds a seven point lead over Kyle Olson for the track title with the season soon coming to a close.  

The Mod Lite 15 laps feature, presented by  Knight Sanitation, was up next in a race that went flag to flag.  

Jon Padilla, the weekly Silvas, Illinois racer, took the lead from the outside front row as the race went green.  It was all but over then, as Padilla would never be challenged as he swept to the win by a lengthy margin, his second of the season.  Jason Masengarb, Colona, Illinois made it a 1-2 finish for our neighbor's to the east, finishing a distant second.  Third went to Ben George, Josh May was fourth, and Alex Eischeid rounded out the top five. Padilla is the point leader with a comfortable lead over Josh May for the track crown. 

The IMCA Stock Car 20 lap feature, presented by Drury Automotive, was a thriller at the finish.

Jerry Gifford, Boone, Iowa who was a first timer at the track this year, started on the outside front row and took the lead immediately when the race went green. By lap five, Jimmy Gustin had made his way from fifth starting spot to take over second place.  Gustin drew closer and closer to the leader, made several attempts in corner four with a slide move that just didn't stick, and it was looking like the newbie was going to Victory Lane.  However, the final corner went Gustin's way....a bit different slide job which Gifford didn't seem to expect, and Gustin made it work....taking his first ever Stock Car win at the Marshalltown Track. Gifford had to settle for second place on this night.  Third went to Maguire DeJong who had started in fourteenth spot, fourth was Steve Meyer, and Michael Jaennette raced his way from sixteenth starting place to finish fifth. Gustin holds a big 87 point lead over Jaennette for the track championship title in the Stock Cars. It was a good night for the Gustin clan as Ryan Gustin also won the Lucas Oil Late Model USA Nationals race at Cedar Lake Speedway. 

It was 15 laps of IMCA Sport Compact racing, presented by Hy-Vee of Marshalltown to come to the track next.

Mitchell Bunch started fourth and had the lead by lap one.  He continued his lead through lap seven with Cristian Grady following his tire tracks in second.  Bunch would suddenly be off power and pull to the infield on lap eight, handing the lead over to Grady.  It was all Grady's race from there on out, as he pulled away and took the checkers easily.  Second place went to ninth place starter, Spencer Roggentien, Amana, Iowa, a distant third went to David Kimmel, James Haring was fourth, and eleventh place starter Mark Smith rounded out the top five.  This was Grady's third consecutive win, and fourth of the season.  He is the point's leader in the division up 26 points on second place David Kimmel.

The IMCA Modifieds, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap, went 20 laps in their feature event.

Cody Laney was the early leader of the pack but a slide by Tom Berry, Jr. made him the leader on lap 11.  A yellow would fly at lap eleven when Rod Clement came to a standstill out of corner three, and then another yellow that went to red on lap fifteen when Trevor Fitz went off of the top of corner four and landed on his top.  He was not hurt, and when racing returned to green, it was still Berry at the helm.  Dylan Thornton had chased Berry in much of the race and a three car battle for third place between early leader Laney, Tripp Gaylord, and Joel Rust was brewing.  Berry would hold on to his lead the final five laps to the finish and secure the win.  Thornton finished as the runner up, Gaylord won the battle for third place, with Laney going fourth, and thirteenth place starter, and last week's winner, Tim Ward making a late race charge to finish in fifth place.  Gaylord hold a ten point lead over Zack Rawlins as the season winds down.  

The final race of the night was sixteen laps of IMCA Hobby Stock racing, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center. 

Solomon Bennett started on the outside front row, and got the jump on pole sitter Calvin Dhondt to take the lead as lap one was scored.  Bennett maintained his lead, not allowing the four cautions and subsequent restarts to hinder his run at the front.  The fourth and final yellow flew on lap eight as Bennett kept hold of his lead and now it was last week's winner Eric Knutson hot on his tail, Calvin Dhondt battling with him, and Bradly Graham was now throwing his hat into the mix.  It was a real tight battle the final two laps and on the run to the checkers, it was Dhondt getting the upper hand out of corner four to beat them to the finish line and score the exciting win.  Bennett had to settle for second place, third went to Knutson, Graham was fourth, and Dustin Filloon was fifth.  This was Dhondt's fifth feature victory of the year.

Racing action wound up at 9:54 p.m. allowing for an early exit for fans and drivers. Next Friday night August 9, will be VESSCO Inc. $1,000 to win special for the IMCA Mod Lites, and BHE's $1,000 to win for the IMCA SportMods.  All six IMCA classes will be on the docket.  Hot laps are 6:45 with racing at 7:30. 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Wards takes IMCA Modified win #100 at Marshalltown Speedway

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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