Checkers fly for McBirnie, Pickett, Carter, Filloon, and Zehm at Iowa's Action Track

It was another comfortable and beautiful night for racing at the Boone Speedway for another of their weekly racing series on Saturday night. There is only one more week of points racing to go with season championship night next week.  Two drivers picked up their first season wins as Tyler Pickett took the checkers in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car class, and Dustin Filloon went to victory lane for the first time when he won the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature.  Jake McBirnie won the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified main event, Brayton Carter took the honors in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class, and  Bryan Zehm was the winner of the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites. 

Feature racing kicked off with the 15 lap Mod Lite feature, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck, & Farm.

William Nobles was holding down the lead when the race was red flagged at lap three when Joel Huggins, in just his second night out this year, rolled violently several times in corner one when he appeared to wheel hop a car trying to avoid another that was sitting still on the track.  It was a relief to have Huggins emerge from the car unhurt, but his car was not as fortunate. We noted many dangling parts as it was taken off the track. Not a good way to end his first weekend of racing after having nabbed a successful second place finish the previous night at Marshalltown.  

When the race returned to action, Noble kept hold of the lead for another lap until Joe Glick took command on lap five, and then it was tenth place starter Bryan Zehm taking over at lap six.  Zehm never gave up that top spot as he continued to lead the pack the rest of the race and took the checkers. He finished well ahead of second place Joe Glick. Eleventh place starter Austin Gray was third, just holding off Josh May in fourth, and Bryan Compart rounded out the top five. This was Zehm's second feature win of the year. Joe Glick holds a 19 point edge for the track title over Josh May as they head into next week's season championship night.

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

Brayton Carter took immediate advantage of his pole starting spot, shot off into the lead, never to relinquish his run to the checkers.  Randy Havlik, last week's winner, chased Carter the entire distance but had to be content with a second place finish this week.  Third went to eighth place starter Tyler Inman in a borrowed ride, fourth was Hunter Longnecker, and Dusty Masolini completed the top five. This was Carter's first weekly win at the track, after taking the Frostbuster special win. Dusty Masolini leads the points race by 20 over Cory Pestotnik as the season concludes next Saturday night.

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

Joel Bushore started on the outside front row and got the jump on pole sitter Danny Fye as the race went green.  Visiting driver Cory Wray, Trenton, Missouri came from fourth place to soon be pestering leader Bushore, and twelfth place starter Jake McBirnie had taken to the top of the track, and was gaining a lot of ground on the leaders at lap nine as lap traffic was coming into the picture.  Bushore was suddenly off power and drove off the track, and at lap ten, it was McBirnie taking the lead.  McBirnie was still easily leading when Wray went for a spin right near the flagstand, and came to a rest.  Somehow, all cars avoided him in what could have been a real disaster.  When the racing action picked back up, McBirnie went back to the top shelf, and was never seriously challenged on the final circuits to the checkers and the win.  Tenth place starter Cory Sauerman came on strong in the latter portion of the race to finish in second place.  Third went to eleventh place starter Zachary Madrid, Arizona native who is now calling Boone, Iowa home, fourth was Jacob Snyder, Dunkerton, Iowa, and Matthew Meinecke was fifth.  McBirnie won for the sixth time this season, and look to have the track title all but wrapped up going into next week's season championship as he leads by Cory Sauerman by 43 points.

The IMCA Stock Cars went 20 laps for their feature, presented by Boone Moose Lodge.  

Doug Smith jumped to the lead from his outside front row starting spot when the race started.  He was still leading when the first of two yellows flew at lap eight, with "Hot Rod" Richards running in second place, and eleventh place starter Tyler Pickett had flown through the pack to run in third place.  When the race returned to green, Pickett wasted no time in taking command and had the lead at lap nine.  Another yellow with just four laps remaining still found Pickett in charge of the pack, and when racing picked back up, he had no issue in maintaining that top spot the rest of the way to the finish to secure his first win of the season.  Austin Bouzek, the Trenton, Missouri racer who makes the trip up to Boone weekly, ripped the lip of the track and came from eighth place to finish as the runner up.  Doug Smith took third place, fourth went to brother Devin Smith who came from sixteenth starting spot, and another brother, Dave Smith started fourteenth, and finished fifth.  David Smith leads Tyler Pickett by 16 points as we head into Season Championship night next week.

The 15 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature, presented by Pickett Salvage put a nightcap on the racing.

Dustin Filloon grabbed the lead from his outside front row starting spot and from there on, never looked back on his way to the checkers and his first ever win at the track.  He held off some stiff competition from John Watson who chased the leader for much of the race until falling back at the conclusion, and then having to fend off Eric Knutson and last week's winner and twelfth place starter Mike Smith as the checkers flew.  Filloon was no doubt a happy camper to secure his first time in Victory Lane at the track.  Knutson finished in the runner up spot, Smith went third, Watson fell to fourth place in the final run to the finish, and Joe Wollenhaupt took fifth. It's a tight race for the track championship next week with Mike Smith holding a slim 3 point lead over Eric Knutson.  

A few new drivers made their appearance at the track last night.  Among the Modified class were two Wisconsin drivers, Dan Ratajczak, and Rob Charapata, and Ryan Gillmore, Springfield, Missouri, the driver who sat on the pole for the Super Nationals a couple of years ago, only to have to miss championship night due to his father's passing.  Also, veteran racer Lloyd Henderson, Bouton, Iowa made his first appearance of the year as he always does right before Super Nationals.  

Things are getting prepped at Boone as Super Nationals approaches quickly.  The new infield slab that was poured last week was in use last night, with the scales in use and the first driver to use the slab for a feature win was Mod Lite racer Bryan Zehm. The entire area behind the grandstand had been newly sealcoated as well and looking fresh.  Some new pit RV hook ups have been installed, and this past week, new dirt along with the well-known Boone wood chips had been added to the racing surface.  

The season is oh so quickly winding down.  Find a track to support, and help keep the sport we all love....dirt track racing....alive and well!

Next week, August 17, is Season Championship night when five track champions will be crowned.  Pits open at 4:30, gates at 5:30, with hot laps at 6, and racing at 7. 

 

Jaennette, Inman, Nielsen, Gardner all first time winners at Motown

It was quite a change from our recent hot and humid weather we've endured at races, as it was a beautiful night at the Marshalltown Speedway on Friday night with a spectacular sunset that is always something I love. It was VESSCO/BHE/RBF Electric night at the track with those sponsors adding extra money to the SportMod, Hobby Stock and Mod Lite classes, all paying $1000 to win.  Visiting driver in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class, Tyler Inman took the checkers in that division.  It was another visitor on the night, Brandon Nielsen, taking the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock win, and Jon Padilla was back in victory lane in the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites.  Tripp Gaylord matched his opening night win when he took the checkers in the IMCA Friesen Performance Modifieds, and Michael Gardner won the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compact feature.  

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

Tyler Inman, Altoona, Iowa who was a hired gun for the evening racing the Thomas Behle car, redrew the outside front row starting spot, and from there on out, never looked back on his run to the checkers and the win.  Cory Van Zante, Sully, Iowa and Oskaloosa's Brayton Carter chased Inman for the entire race but Inman never faltered and took the flying checkers and the win.  Carter and Van Zante finished second and third respectively.  Kyle Olson and Colton Livezey rounded out the top five.  Inman went home with the $1000 pay day thanks to Bob Harris Enterprises (BHE). From the post race interview, Inman said the car had gone from the frame shop to victory lane on Friday.  Brayton Carter holds a nine point lead over Kyle Olson as we go into next week's season championship

The Mod Lite 15 lap feature, presented by Knight Sanitation also paid $1,000 thanks to VESSCO, Inc.

Joel Huggins, who was racing for the first time last night after being absent from the scene in 2024, drew the outside front row. His bright yellow machine quickly grabbed the lead as the race went green with third place starter Jon Padilla tagging to his tail. Padilla harassed Huggins immediately and by lap four, snatched the lead away.  Two yellows would fly....one at lap five and another at lap thirteen....but it was no issue for Padilla on the restarts as he stretched out the lead in the final circuits and took the comfortable win. Joel Huggins had to be pleased with his second place finish on just his first start of the year, third went to tenth place starter Bryan Zehm, fourth was Josh May, and twelfth place starter Ben George completed the top five.  This was Padilla's third feature win of the season.  Padilla leads the point chase by 26 over Josh May as the season concludes next week.

The Stock Cars ran a 20 lap feature, presented by Drury Automotive.  Scott Rice started third on the grid, had the lead immediately, was running strong and looked to be on his way to seeing checkers for the first time this year.  Michael Jaennette started fifth and tucked in to run second.  Jaennette continued to chase Rice lap after lap, taking a peek on lap thirteen in corner four, but it wasn't until lap fifteen that he got the job done, making the pass on the backstretch and taking the lead.  Jaennette then kept that top spot the rest of the way to the finish to score his first win at the speedway this season.  Rice held on to take the runner up spot, third went to Steve Meyer, Jimmy Gustin started tenth, had to recover from avoiding an incident on the track, and came back up to finish a close fourth, and Austin Schrage was fifth.  Jimmy Gustin is way out in front of the points chase for the track title, leading by 84 points going into next week's final season race.   

The IMCA Modifieds came to the track next for their 20 lap main event, presented by Tire Demon by Love Tap.

Scott Simatovich started on the outside front row, led the first lap, but it was eighth place starter Dallon Murty taking over at lap two.  Seventh place starter Tripp Gaylord followed suit, and was soon on Murty's tail.  Gaylord took the lead on lap four with Murty looking determined to regain the lead.  That would happen on lap seventeen but it was a brief moment as Gaylord came storming back to take command once again and hold it the final two times around the track to score the win.  Murty had to be content with the runner up spot.  Third and fourth place put on a great contest running neck and neck in the final laps with Kellogg, Iowa boys Zack Rawlins just beating David Brown at the line.  Visiting driver from Springfield, Missouri, Ryan Gillmore, started thirteenth, and finished fifth.  This was Gaylord's second time in victory lane at the speedway as he also won the season opener back on May 3. Gaylord is up twelve points on Zack Rawlins for the run for the track title in the Modified division.

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

Michael Gardner, Des Moines, Iowa started seventh, and had the lead on lap two.  He had to hold off point leader Cristian Grady most of the race with Grady taking a brief lead on lap twelve, only to have Gardner come right back to the top spot. Gardner wasn't about to give it up again as he kept the lead the final three laps to score the win.  Grady took second place, third went to Oskaloosa, Iowa's Katlynn Watts, fourth was Corwyn Whisler, and David Kimmel rounded out the top five. This was Gardner's first ever win at the Marshalltown Speedway.  Grady is up 29 points on second place David Kimmel for next week's finale.

The night's racing action drew to a close with the 16 lap Hobby Stock $1,000 RBF Electric feature, presented by Big 8 Tyre Center.

Solomon Bennett started fourth and had the lead by lap one with Calvin Dhondt giving chase.  It wasn't long until visiting Spencer, Iowa racer Brandon Nielsen, in his Blue Angel's tribute car was joining in the run for the front after starting seventh on the field. It was a close race up front with those three drivers, but it was Nielsen who finally got the job done on the backstretch and was scored the leader when lap twelve went in the books.  He would then hold that lead and go home to the flying checkers and the win.  Solomon Bennett took the second place, Dhondt going third, fourth went to visiting Morning Sun racer, Tucker Richardson, and eleventh place starter Eric Knutson made a good comeback after an early incident put him far back in the field, and took fifth. Calvin Dhondt holds a nine point lead over Bradly Graham for the track title.

 Where did the season go? Next Friday night, August 16 is N 3rd Avenue Dairy Queen Larry Wollam season championship night.  Should it be needed due to a rain out, the following week, August 23 will be used for season championship night.  If not needed on the 23rd, there will be no racing that night.  

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

  

Mike Smith gets 100th win as Ward, Smith, Havlik, Gray, and Grady also find Victory Lane

It was Elmquist Towing & Recovery night at the Boone Speedway on Saturday where six classes took to the track for a full night of racing action. It was another hot Iowa summer night that saw history made when young Mike Smith found his way to Victory Lane, marking his 100th career win in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. Tim Ward returned to the winner's circle when he won the IMCA Friesen Performance Modified feature, and Devin Smith got the win in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars.  Randy Havlik got his first win at Boone in the IMCA Friesen Performance Northern SportMod class, Austin Gray repeated his win from last week in the IMCA Stealth STARS Mod Lites, and visiting class on the night, the IMCA Mach-1 Sport Compacts saw Cristian Grady take the win.

The Mod Lite 15 lap feature, presented by Carquest Auto, Truck, & Farm was first on the track for their main event of the evening.  

William Nobles led the troops through the first three laps until eighth place starter Ben George snatched it away on lap four.  Meanwhile, Austin Gray had been making his way through the field from tenth starting spot and on lap five, flew around George to take over the lead.  From there on out, it was Gray's race as he pulled away from the field to take the comfortable win as the checkers flew.  Bryan Zehm took the runner up spot, coming from ninth place, third went to Ben George, pole sitter Jon Braathun was fourth, and Tracen Glick completed the top five.  Gray got his second win of the year in repeating his victory from last week.

The Northern SportMod 18 lap feature, presented by Elmquist Towing, had problems getting the first lap in the books.  Before the initial first lap was scored, there was a big pile up of cars coming out of corner three.  This eliminated six cars, and took some time to clear the track. The second attempt to start the race got as far as turn one when another incident took place taking out two more race cars. The third time was the charm and the race finally got underway with Kenser Ellis grabbing the lead for lap one.  Ellis was still leading when yet another yellow flag flew on lap two.  Randy Havlik was hot on the leader's tail when the race went green and soon had the lead.  Havlik then took command of the race which continued caution free, and pulled away from the field.  Havlik put his first SportMod feature win in the books after previously racing in the Modified class in years past.  Logan Veloz, Colona, Illinois made his trip worthwhile, racing from eleventh starting spot, to finish in second place.  Dusty Lynch took third place, Brett Thomas started twenty-second and finished in fourth, and Ryan Leeman was fifth.

The IMCA Modified 20 lap feature, presented by  D & E Outside services came to the track next.

Jimmy Gustin started fourth, snatched the lead as the race went green, with visitor Jesse Patterson, Marana, Arizona sniffing at his heels. Patterson grabbed the lead on lap three, only to have Gustin come right back to the lead as he made the topside his own.  Gustin, who was no doubt hoping to match his Stock Car win from the previous night at Marshalltown, continued to lead through cautions at lap five and another at lap nine.  When the race restarted after the caution at lap nine, he had Izac Mallicoat and seventh place starter Tim Ward right behind him, and ready to change things up. The restart was not Gustin's friend, and when lap ten went into the books, it was Ward leading and Mallicoat in second, Gustin falling to third.  The race then would continue to the checkers caution free as Ward and Mallicoat flew around the rim of the track.  Ward, defending Super Nationals champion, took the flying checkers to secure his win, his first at the track in 2024.  Mallicoat finished in the runner up spot, eleventh place starter and last week's winner, Jake McBirnie got around Gustin in the closing laps as they went third and fourth respectively, and Owen Barnhill, the Florida native who has called Iowa, and Super 8's his home for the summer, rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Sport Compacts were in the house last night for a tune up for their upcoming Super Nationals run.  They ran a 15 lap feature.

Gilbert Aldapt, Sioux City, Iowa went from starting fourth and into the lead on lap one.  Seventh place starter Cristian Grady was soon into second place and beginning to pressure the leader.  Aldapt seemed to lose power coming out of turn two, and Grady got by him to take over the top spot on lap nine.  After his falter, Aldapt regained his momentum and soon got back to second place.  The only caution of the race came at lap twelve, with Grady still holding down the top spot.  It was no issue for him on the restart and he kept hold of the lead the rest of the way to the checkers to take the win.  Aldapt held on to score second, third place went to Kolby Sabin, Amana, Iowa's Spencer Roggentien took fourth, and ninth place starter Jake Paysen, Wall Lake, Iowa was fifth.  

The IMCA 20 lap feature for Stock Cars, presented by Boone Moose Lodge came to the track next, and for much of the race it was looking like an Indiana racer was going to be going to Victory Lane.  Sheldon Oberle, Battle Ground, Indiana grabbed the lead from the pole as the race went green. Sixth place starter Doug Smith was soon chasing him as he ran second.  Oberle was still leading with just two laps to go when Smith made a bit of contact with Oberle, causing him to spin, and bringing out a caution.  This knocked both Oberle and Smith out of the game, handing the race lead over to brother and twelfth place starter Devin Smith when the race restarted. Smith then held on to the top spot the final circuits to the checkers and scored the win, his second of the season. Another Smith brother, David Smith, came from eighth starting spot to take second place, third went to last week's winner Troy Jerovetz who had started tenth, fourth was ninth place starter Buck Schafroth, and Tyler Pickett raced his way from sixteenth to finish in fifth.  

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

Christian Cook, Coon Rapids, Iowa started on the pole and grabbed the immediate lead when the race went green.  On lap four, some contact coming out of corner four made for mayhem on the frontstretch, Cook took a tumble, and the race was red flagged.  Cook was okay, but his night was over.  When the race restarted, Seth Janssen had the lead but it didn't take long until Mike Smith, who had restarted in fourth place, took to the outside going down the backstretch, and had the lead on lap five.  It was all but over then. Smith pulled away from the field as the rest of the race continued to the checkers caution free, and took his record setting 100th IMCA Hobby Stock win.  Janssen took second, third went to Keith Burg, fourth to Eric Knutson, and Tom Killen was fifth.  It was a big party in Victory Lane as the Smith Clan, 100th win banner and all, celebrated Mike Smith's win. It took less than five years for the now 20 year old to get the milestone after his first racing debut in 2019.  

There were many new faces last night at the track, as drivers show up to test the waters for the upcoming Super Nationals which is in less than four weeks. The Indiana Stock Car driver, Sheldon Oberle was one of those.  We understand that he may be just one of two IMCA Stock Car registered drivers from the state of Indiana....the other being Ricky Thornton, Jr.  Two Wisconsin Modifieds racers were also in the house....Cody Apfelbeck and Will Garceau, and Justin Kinderknecht from Salina, Kansas was racing in the Stock Car class.

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

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!