After spending three days in South Dakota, it was nice to finally come home. Well, at least for a little while. I received a text message alert notifying me that Marshalltown had cancelled for last night, so I quickly called some friends and asked if Britt was racing. Sure enough, they were still on. So after being home for a mere 30 minutes, I changed clothes and hopped back in the car and headed back north to the Hancock County Speedway.
The list of events offered a little more then their normal weekly show as the Midwest 305 sprint cars were on hand. A modified king of the hill event would also be run.
Blake Cole took home the win in the junior hornet feature while Matt Baker dominated the senior hornets.
Next on to the track would be the hobby stocks. Fourteen cars took the green flag that saw Cody Knecht take the early lead from the pole. Knecht's car would push up coming out of turn four on lap three and Nick Meyer would take advantage and race to the lead. Behind him Chad Gentz put his car on the top side of the track and starting chasing down the front runners as he found his way up second just before the halfway point of the race. A caution would come out, allowing Gentz to restart on Meyer's rear bumper. Gentz tried to maneuver his car to the inside to make the pass on Meyer, but Meyer had the momentum off the middle groove to stay out front. Gentz tried about all he could think of, but it wasn't enough as Nick Meyer found victory lane. Chad Gentz was second, Mike Schadendorf third, Randy Hadacek fourth, and Roger Haupt Jr rounded out the top five.
Twenty-nine bmods were on hand last night, but only twenty-four started the feature. Thomas Buns grabbed the early lead, but all eyes were on Scott Davis as he threaded the needle midpack to move up to third in just a couple of laps. He didn't stop there, though, as he went to the inside of Todd Hildman for second and would snag the lead away from Buns at the the halfway point of the twelve lap race. A caution bunched the field back up, but Scott Davis would not be challenged the rest of the way as he took home the trophy. Adam Ackerman and Mike Carlson both got by Thomas Buns late in the race to garner second, third, and fourth place finishes (respectively) and Matt Hoeft completed the top five.
One of the more entertaining races of the night would be the IMCA stock cars. Jared Dirks got to the lead first from his pole start, but behind him Kevin Opheim began his march to the front as he found himself battling Calvin Lange for second. Lange and Opheim not only swapped positions back and forth, but they changed lanes on each other a few times in the process. This intense battle allowed Dirks to open up a sizeable advantage. Lange's car would get a bit loose in the corner that cost him several positions until a caution waved with five laps to go.
A three-car battle emerged as Dirks, Opheim, and Palmer all set their sights on the prize. Palmer got inside of Opheim, but couldn't make it stick. Opheim would try the same move the next lap on Dirks, but he had no luck either. Palmer was able to get enough momentum to get by Opheim as the field crossed the stripe with two laps to go. Dirks opened up a comfortable margin while Opheim closed in on Palmer. Opheim dove to the inside of Palmer in turn three, but his car slid up and made contact with Palmer resulting in a flat left front tire on Palmer's machine. Jared Dirks would take home the win as Kevin Opheim, John Campbell, and Jeff Dolphin followed him across the line. Chad Palmer was able to limp his car across for fifth. However, officials penalized Opheim for rough driving and would later penalize Palmer after he rear-ended Opheim leaving the track. So that moved everybody up accordingly at the pay window.
Seventeen IMCA modifieds checked into the pits tonight to run a twenty lap feature. J.J. Wise grabbed the lead from the pole as Ryan Watnem got by T.J. Stalker for second. After a yellow flag slowed the field, Watnem challenged Wise on the inside while Jeremy Mills set sail on the top side to challenge Rob Hughes. Mills would later use the high side again to his advantage as he got by Watnem for second. Watnem would not back down though as he pressured Mills for several laps. Mills dove to the inside of Wise after a restart and would make it stick to grab the lead. Behind him, Adam Larson was making his way to the front as he took over the third spot with five laps to go. Larson's car would jump the cushion in turn two to allow Watnem to get by momentarily, but Larson regrouped and one lap later make the pass back. But tonight belonged to Jeremy Mills as he took home the checkers. J.J. Wise finished second, Adam Larson third, Rob Hughes fourth, and Ryan Watnem rounded out the top five.
The final event of the night would be the twenty lap Midwest 305 sprint car feature. The race had a tough time getting started as four cautions and a red flag were thrown prior to three laps being completed. Bruce Anderson took the command early and looked to have things well in hand, but he jumped the cushion in turn one and found himself on the outside of the track. He kept his foot on the gas and returned to the speedway after giving up several spots as the caution flag waved again. Randy Reinhard would inherit the lead after Anderson's misfortunes, but he would receive a challenge from Gordy Vogelaar's machine. The two battled side by side for a couple laps before Vogelaar grabbed the advantage. Meanwhile Anderson was making his way up through the field again as he raced back up to third by using the top side. He would have to settle for second though as Gordy Vogelaar beat him to the checkers. Bruce Anderson was second, Marty Stephenson third, Randy Reinhard fourth, and Matt Stephenson rounded out the top five.
It was a great night of racing last night in Britt. The track held moisture and stayed in good shape throughout the night. Plenty of side by side racing in all classes. It was definitely worth the trip back. Had a few travelers show up as the Marshalltown Speedway had cancelled earlier in the afternoon, so it was great to see Adam Larson, Scott Davis, Paul Nagle, and Jared Timmerman make the tow up.
-Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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