Upon the news on Friday that the Fall Challenge in Oskaloosa was postponed til next Sunday, I made the quick decision to pack my bags and head south for warmer and dryer weather. My travels took me to the Outlaw Motor Speedway, located about 10 miles south of Muskogee, Oklahoma. The Fall Brawl special includes modifieds, 360 modifieds, pure stocks, and grand nationals (which are also called hobby stocks). Friday night saw heat races along with qualifying features for all four classes, with the top eight in modifieds and top six in the other classes locking themselves into the feature for Saturday night.
First up for feature action would be the 360 modifieds. Shannon Reheard would grab the lead from the pole and looked to hide from the rest of the competition. Track points champion Patrick Goodnight finished third in his heat, but apparently was disqualified for something as he started shotgun on the field. Goodnight put the pedal to the metal and immediately made his way towards the front as he found himself up to ninth by the completion of lap four. Goodnight continued to move forward a couple spots before the caution flag waved on lap ten. Goodnight used the low line to climb into second late in the race, but Reheard had built up an insurmountable lead in which he would not give up. The top six locked themselves into Saturday's feature.
1. 72 Shannon Reheard
2. 2G Patrick Goodnight
3. 38F Jeran Frailey
4. 327 Dale Richardson
5. 18 Casey Lindell ??
6. 57 ??
Eighteen pure stocks hit the track next for their twenty-lap feature. Pole sitter Matt Burnett took the lead early on, but Mike Bantaa would take over the top spot by using the low line on lap five. Bantaa would bobbled in turn four, allowing last week's feature winner Russell McLain to take the point. Burnett and Bantaa would make contact, resulting in a caution flag with both drivers suffering flat tires. Burnett went to the pits and would not return, while Bantaa went to the work area (known as "hot pit" down south) and returned. McLain would open up a straight away lead as the laps clicked off and would go on to the win. Once again, the top six locked themselves into the feature for Saturday night.
1. 6 Russell McLain
2. 19 Kyle Slader
3. 10x ??
4. 33 ??
5. 66 Mike Bantaa
6. 83M ??
Only nine grand nationals were on hand for their feature event. Colton Dunlap took over the lead on lap five and was able to take home the easy win. I believe the top six are in Saturday's feature.
1. 47 Colton Dunlap
2. 327 ??
3. 12K Billy Kelley
4. 73 Jay Arnold
5. 56D ??
The final event of the night would be the twenty-lap modified feature. Jason Hughes and Terry Phillips sat on the front row while Brian Bolin and Kelly Shryock made up row two. Hughes got the early jump with Shryock close behind. Phillips would push high on lap three, allowing Greg Skaggs to make the inside pass for third. Hughes would open up a straight-away lead on Shryock by lap five, but a caution flag bunched the field back up on lap ten. Tim Karrick and Randy Timms were two of the drivers involved, with Karrick ending up on his side. Both drivers were okay, but did not return. On the restart, Jeremy Payne maneuvered his machine from fifth to third in one lap before falling back a spot to his teammate Phillips. Shryock was able to keep pace with Hughes after the restart, but couldn't find a way around him. Phillips would close in on both front runners with three laps to go and get by Shryock on the top side after taking the white flag. Hughes continued using his low groove, allowing Phillips to drive his car deep into turn three on the top side. Phillips was able to make it stick and made the last corner pass on Hughes to take the win!! Shryock finished third, Payne fourth, and Skaggs fifth. The ironic thing about Phillips' last-lap pass, is that he was the victim of the same situation last month at the Deer Creek Speedway when Hughes made the low groove work on him on the final night.
1. 75 Terry Phillips
2. 12 Jason Hughes
3. 3 Kelly Shryock
4. 74 Jeremy Payne
5. 27 Greg Skaggs
6. 12x Johnny Bone Jr
7. 26 Brian Williams
8. 10c ??
9. 88 Chad Wheeler
10. F5 Fausten Whilhite
Racing action concluded before the 10:00 hour, with racing starting at 7:30. While there weren't a bunch of cars in the pits (I counted 70 total, 23 modifieds), the racing was pretty good throughout the night.
The Outlaw Motor Speedway is a wonderful facility with a high concrete wall and tall catch fence surrounding the track surface. The tall wall makes it difficult for spectators to see the numbers on the cars as they drive down the front stretch. The lighting is top-notch and the VIP/scorer's tower also appears to be nice. The grandstand seats plenty of people, although the crowd did not support the show as well as anticipated Friday night. The PA system is awesome, but a little unusual as the bigger speakers are actually on top of the VIP tower behind the fans in the stands. The announcer was very energetic throughout the night, but unfortunately there were times when he talked a little too fast when I tried jotting down driver names.
Night two is scheduled to get kicked on Saturday afternoon with hot laps at 4:00 and racing slated for 5:00. For more information, check out www.outlawmotorspeedway.com.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Shiverfest Provides Warmth and Rain, Not Shivers
Early Sunday morning I made the lengthy trek from southwest Missouri to southeast Iowa to attend the annual Shiverfest race held at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. Fellow and head positivelyracing.com personality Jeff Broeg would help promote this event along with Terri Hoenig and his wife. Shiverfest is typically billed as the last race in Iowa, but the month of October has been so crazy as far as weather goes, that you never know anymore. I drove through rain the first couple of hours during my trip, but eventually drove out of it the closer I got to the border.
Upon arrival at the track, the grounds had plenty of puddles in the driveways and grass. I walked over to the pit shack to sign in (thanks Jeff for the hospitality!!) and also saw Positivelyracing.com's webmaster Sue McDaniel. After a short conversation with her, I walked back to the car to get my layers of clothing and headed toward the grandstand. After finding a seat, I noticed the track appeared to be dry in turn three. That quickly changed after hot laps as the dirt was flying up from the low groove. After hot laps were completed, drivers who were participating in the trick-or-treating for the kids brought their cars out to the front stretch. Kids in costumes walked from car to car to collect candy, which allowed for me to catch up with racing friends in the stands.
All of the heat races were run in a relative efficient manner. The modifieds came out to run their bmain, which would transfer the top four cars to the feature. Tony Olson made his way to the pit area after being involved in a caution. For one reason or another, Olson attempted to come back out as the rest of the field hit the backstretch. The leader of the race had nowhere to go and made heavy contact with Olson, sending him into a tailspin. As officials were nearly completed with the cleanup, the rain made it's appearance at the track. Officials brought out the hobby stock bmain cars to help keep the track worked in, but Mother Nature was persistent and forced officials to cancel the rest of the event.
It was announced that fans should hold on to their ticket stubs as promoter Terry Hoenig will let fans use those next spring at the season opener and get $5 off that ticket. While the show was considered complete, I thought that was very generous of him to come up with that idea. The top twelve would equally share the prize money of all those positions while qualifiers 13-24 equally shared that prize money.
Despite the show being cancelled, the show had to be considered a success. The 60+ degree temperature allowed for fans to show up in the stands along with 140-some drivers in the pits. Money raised through sponsorships along with the 50/50 drawing helped raise over $1,800 for the Southeast Regional Dialysis Center to help with their battle against kidney disease.
While I am disappointed that the features were unable to be run, I'm already looking forward to next year's Shiverfest event. It's always a fun event, especially for the kids.
For more information on the Lee County Speedway, check out www.leecountyspeedway.com. I'd like to thank Jeff Broeg for his hospitality and his efforts to continually make Shiverfest a great race. Be sure to check out his blogs from the weekend and future races by checking out www.positivelyracing.com and clicking on "Back Stretch".
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Upon arrival at the track, the grounds had plenty of puddles in the driveways and grass. I walked over to the pit shack to sign in (thanks Jeff for the hospitality!!) and also saw Positivelyracing.com's webmaster Sue McDaniel. After a short conversation with her, I walked back to the car to get my layers of clothing and headed toward the grandstand. After finding a seat, I noticed the track appeared to be dry in turn three. That quickly changed after hot laps as the dirt was flying up from the low groove. After hot laps were completed, drivers who were participating in the trick-or-treating for the kids brought their cars out to the front stretch. Kids in costumes walked from car to car to collect candy, which allowed for me to catch up with racing friends in the stands.
All of the heat races were run in a relative efficient manner. The modifieds came out to run their bmain, which would transfer the top four cars to the feature. Tony Olson made his way to the pit area after being involved in a caution. For one reason or another, Olson attempted to come back out as the rest of the field hit the backstretch. The leader of the race had nowhere to go and made heavy contact with Olson, sending him into a tailspin. As officials were nearly completed with the cleanup, the rain made it's appearance at the track. Officials brought out the hobby stock bmain cars to help keep the track worked in, but Mother Nature was persistent and forced officials to cancel the rest of the event.
It was announced that fans should hold on to their ticket stubs as promoter Terry Hoenig will let fans use those next spring at the season opener and get $5 off that ticket. While the show was considered complete, I thought that was very generous of him to come up with that idea. The top twelve would equally share the prize money of all those positions while qualifiers 13-24 equally shared that prize money.
Despite the show being cancelled, the show had to be considered a success. The 60+ degree temperature allowed for fans to show up in the stands along with 140-some drivers in the pits. Money raised through sponsorships along with the 50/50 drawing helped raise over $1,800 for the Southeast Regional Dialysis Center to help with their battle against kidney disease.
While I am disappointed that the features were unable to be run, I'm already looking forward to next year's Shiverfest event. It's always a fun event, especially for the kids.
For more information on the Lee County Speedway, check out www.leecountyspeedway.com. I'd like to thank Jeff Broeg for his hospitality and his efforts to continually make Shiverfest a great race. Be sure to check out his blogs from the weekend and future races by checking out www.positivelyracing.com and clicking on "Back Stretch".
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Terry Phillips Wins Father's Memorial Race
With Shiverfest pushed back from Saturday to Sunday, I made alternate plans and attended the Larry Phillips Memorial race held at the Springfield Raceway in Springfield, Missouri Saturday afternoon. Classes in action included late models, modifieds, sportmods, and bombers. The pit area was packed with good car counts in every division.
The first feature to be run would be the sportmods. Steve Muilenburg paced the field early from his pole start, but he would give up that lead three laps later when David Kirkland used the high side to snag the lead away. Muilenburg would continue to lose spots as Billy Street and Dean Willie advanced one spot each. Street would lose the third spot when he bobbled and allowed Willie to drive around him. Muilenburg's car came alive as he persistently ran the bottom groove on his way back to the front. He passed Willie for the runner up spot with three laps to go before pulling even with Kirkland on the final lap. Muilenburg got the advantage exiting turn four and took the checkers ahead of David Kirkland, Dean Willie, Billy Street, and JC Morton.
Late models hit the track next with veteran drivers Terry Phillips and Bill Frye sitting on the front row. The two ran side by side at the line on lap one before Phillips got the edge on lap two. That didn't last long as Frye muscled his machine around the top groove and grabbed the lead on the next circuit. Phillips would make the pass back before the leaders caught up to the back of the field, but a caution flag would realign the lapped cars to the tail. Phillips got a great restart and moved ahead by nearly five car lengths and eventually a full straight away advantage. He would go on to take the win from there, but the battle was shaping up behind him. Jeremy Payne closed in on second-place runner Frye, and on the final set of corners Payne drove into the left rear of Frye and spun him out. Payne crossed the line in second, but when he drove around on the cool-down lap, Frye blasted over the front nose of Payne's machine in turn four. The crowd cheered as a result, and later Payne would be disqualified for rough driving. Brad Looney, Justin Wells, Eric Turner, and Tony Jackson Jr. would then round out the top five of the Larry Phillips Memorial.
Twenty modifieds were next on the card. Johnny Fennewald jumped out to the early command and set sail on the rest of the field. Erik Maggard and Rex Merritt swapped the runner up spot early on, but Merritt claimed that spot when the checkers waved. Fennewald was never challenged despite several caution flags throughout the race as he took home the top prize. Merritt was second, Maggard third, Jody Tillman fourth, and Jamie Ragland completed the top five.
With a long trip to Donnellson ahead of me on Sunday, I opted not to stick around for the bomber feature. The racing action seen at Springfield was top notch for a late October special. One late model heat race saw three cars battling three-wide for several laps for the lead. The trip to Springfield was my fourth in two years, but unfortunately it was only the second complete show I've witnessed. A USMTS show last year was cancelled before it started while last year's Turkey Classic was cancelled after hot laps when the rains came.
The Springfield Raceway will hold one more race yet this year before dropping the curtains on the year. The annual Turkey Classic is set for Saturday, November 28th where late models, modifieds, sportmods, and legends will be in action. Check out the track website at www.springfieldraceway.com for more information.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
The first feature to be run would be the sportmods. Steve Muilenburg paced the field early from his pole start, but he would give up that lead three laps later when David Kirkland used the high side to snag the lead away. Muilenburg would continue to lose spots as Billy Street and Dean Willie advanced one spot each. Street would lose the third spot when he bobbled and allowed Willie to drive around him. Muilenburg's car came alive as he persistently ran the bottom groove on his way back to the front. He passed Willie for the runner up spot with three laps to go before pulling even with Kirkland on the final lap. Muilenburg got the advantage exiting turn four and took the checkers ahead of David Kirkland, Dean Willie, Billy Street, and JC Morton.
Late models hit the track next with veteran drivers Terry Phillips and Bill Frye sitting on the front row. The two ran side by side at the line on lap one before Phillips got the edge on lap two. That didn't last long as Frye muscled his machine around the top groove and grabbed the lead on the next circuit. Phillips would make the pass back before the leaders caught up to the back of the field, but a caution flag would realign the lapped cars to the tail. Phillips got a great restart and moved ahead by nearly five car lengths and eventually a full straight away advantage. He would go on to take the win from there, but the battle was shaping up behind him. Jeremy Payne closed in on second-place runner Frye, and on the final set of corners Payne drove into the left rear of Frye and spun him out. Payne crossed the line in second, but when he drove around on the cool-down lap, Frye blasted over the front nose of Payne's machine in turn four. The crowd cheered as a result, and later Payne would be disqualified for rough driving. Brad Looney, Justin Wells, Eric Turner, and Tony Jackson Jr. would then round out the top five of the Larry Phillips Memorial.
Twenty modifieds were next on the card. Johnny Fennewald jumped out to the early command and set sail on the rest of the field. Erik Maggard and Rex Merritt swapped the runner up spot early on, but Merritt claimed that spot when the checkers waved. Fennewald was never challenged despite several caution flags throughout the race as he took home the top prize. Merritt was second, Maggard third, Jody Tillman fourth, and Jamie Ragland completed the top five.
With a long trip to Donnellson ahead of me on Sunday, I opted not to stick around for the bomber feature. The racing action seen at Springfield was top notch for a late October special. One late model heat race saw three cars battling three-wide for several laps for the lead. The trip to Springfield was my fourth in two years, but unfortunately it was only the second complete show I've witnessed. A USMTS show last year was cancelled before it started while last year's Turkey Classic was cancelled after hot laps when the rains came.
The Springfield Raceway will hold one more race yet this year before dropping the curtains on the year. The annual Turkey Classic is set for Saturday, November 28th where late models, modifieds, sportmods, and legends will be in action. Check out the track website at www.springfieldraceway.com for more information.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Jet Sails to Cool McCool 100 Victory
After spending the previous night in Hays, Kansas, I made the journey to McCool Junction, Nebraska for Sunday's running of the Cool McCool 100. This special event is typically one of the last races of the year in Nebraska and perhaps the region. The "100" aspect refers to the total amount of feature laps of the combined classes of competition. Cruisers, hornets, hobby stocks, stock cars, modifieds, and crate late models were on the card for Sunday afternoon's races.
The hobby stocks were the first class to be run in which I kept notes. Shannon Anderson started on the pole and despite receiving constant pressure from Jason Wilkinson, was able to lead every lap on his way to the checkered flag. Jason Wilkinson finished right behind Anderson with Andy Gregg, Kyle Bond, and Brandon Stange rounding out the top five.
Stock cars would hit the track next as twenty-two cars were ready to make the dirt fly. Mike VanGenderen and two other cars were three-wide at the line on lap two before VanGenderen would assume the lead on the next circuit. The field dropped into single file formation with a lot of bumping and pushing going on throughout. Several cautions waved throughout the twenty-lap feature, but VanGenderen was able to hold off all the challenges and take home the big money. Clay Christian and Michael Jaennette finished second and third, making it an all-Iowa podium finish.
Twenty-one modifieds were now ready for their twenty-five lap finale. Jon Thompson led lap one from the pole, but Reese Coffee shot around him in turn two on lap three to snare the lead away. Thompson would give up the runner up spot as he slid up the banking, allowing Kyle Berck and Johnny Saathoff to race by. With ten laps to go, Berck would slide up the banking and drop back to the eighth position. Two laps later Coffee would make the same mistake and wouldn't be able to get back in line until Berck passed him. That handed the lead over to Saathoff, and that was all he needed as he raced away from the field and took the checkered flag first. Chris Abelson, Brett Behrends, Jason Friesen, and Andy Wilkinson completed the top five.
I opted not to stick around for the crate late model feature. It was 8:30 at that point and it was a lengthy 5-hour trip home. The announcers at the Junction Motor Speedway mentioned that they will be hosting the Spring Thaw once again in March, an event put on by the Junction Motor Speedway and the USMTS. That has always been the first race of the season in the upper midwest region the past several years. It's also been a tradition of mine for the past couple of years to kick my racing season off. Hopefully that trend will continue next year.
Check out the Junction Motor Speedway website for full results from the Cool McCool 100 at www.junctionmotorspeedway.com.
The racing schedule is getting smaller and smaller as the weeks go by. One event that I circle on the calendar every year is coming up this Saturday, October 24th. That event is "Shiverfest" held at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. While the event doesn't boast a large payout, it promotes fun for the kids as there are hayrack rides and trick-or-treating before the races. "Shiverfest" is typically the last race of the season in Iowa, although that won't be the case this year. It will still be a fun race with a lot of good cars, many of which will travel some distance. For more information on this race, check out www.leecountyspeedway.com.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
The hobby stocks were the first class to be run in which I kept notes. Shannon Anderson started on the pole and despite receiving constant pressure from Jason Wilkinson, was able to lead every lap on his way to the checkered flag. Jason Wilkinson finished right behind Anderson with Andy Gregg, Kyle Bond, and Brandon Stange rounding out the top five.
Stock cars would hit the track next as twenty-two cars were ready to make the dirt fly. Mike VanGenderen and two other cars were three-wide at the line on lap two before VanGenderen would assume the lead on the next circuit. The field dropped into single file formation with a lot of bumping and pushing going on throughout. Several cautions waved throughout the twenty-lap feature, but VanGenderen was able to hold off all the challenges and take home the big money. Clay Christian and Michael Jaennette finished second and third, making it an all-Iowa podium finish.
Twenty-one modifieds were now ready for their twenty-five lap finale. Jon Thompson led lap one from the pole, but Reese Coffee shot around him in turn two on lap three to snare the lead away. Thompson would give up the runner up spot as he slid up the banking, allowing Kyle Berck and Johnny Saathoff to race by. With ten laps to go, Berck would slide up the banking and drop back to the eighth position. Two laps later Coffee would make the same mistake and wouldn't be able to get back in line until Berck passed him. That handed the lead over to Saathoff, and that was all he needed as he raced away from the field and took the checkered flag first. Chris Abelson, Brett Behrends, Jason Friesen, and Andy Wilkinson completed the top five.
I opted not to stick around for the crate late model feature. It was 8:30 at that point and it was a lengthy 5-hour trip home. The announcers at the Junction Motor Speedway mentioned that they will be hosting the Spring Thaw once again in March, an event put on by the Junction Motor Speedway and the USMTS. That has always been the first race of the season in the upper midwest region the past several years. It's also been a tradition of mine for the past couple of years to kick my racing season off. Hopefully that trend will continue next year.
Check out the Junction Motor Speedway website for full results from the Cool McCool 100 at www.junctionmotorspeedway.com.
The racing schedule is getting smaller and smaller as the weeks go by. One event that I circle on the calendar every year is coming up this Saturday, October 24th. That event is "Shiverfest" held at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. While the event doesn't boast a large payout, it promotes fun for the kids as there are hayrack rides and trick-or-treating before the races. "Shiverfest" is typically the last race of the season in Iowa, although that won't be the case this year. It will still be a fun race with a lot of good cars, many of which will travel some distance. For more information on this race, check out www.leecountyspeedway.com.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
RPM Fall Nationals in Hays, KS (Part 2)
This is a couple days late, but I didn't have enough time to get on the computer Saturday night or Sunday. So for that I apologize.
Saturday's action at Hays saw hot laps start at 1pm. Racing action would resume with the remaining heat races from Friday night. By my count, 15 races were carried over to Saturday.
The format used was passing points, as stated in my night one recap. Drivers were able to use their highest passing point total to position themselves and determine what race they would be involved in next. Officials opted to use D, C, and B-mains to determine the remaining field of cars. The top seven in modifieds and top 5 in the stock cars, hobby stocks, and sportmods from each "session" of heat races were locked in to the front rows of the feature. Friday night's qualifiers made up the inside row and Saturday's the outside row.
Unfortunately from a fan's perspective, the Saturday show drug out like none other. Racing action got underway at 3pm with the 15 heats from Friday night to be run first. Those heats did not get finished until 6pm. At that point the alphabet would be run in the modifieds and stock cars with both classes running the D, C, and B-mains while the sportmods and hobby stocks also ran B-mains.
I failed to take notes on paper as the wind was overbearing, blowing directly towards the crowd. The temperatures were quite cold as well, as I had every layer of clothing I took with me for the trip. I did opt to hurry and type car numbers on my cell phone, so I can give a few results from the features.
BJ Dauer led every lap in the IMCA hobby stock main event. Tyler Frye sat on the pole of the IMCA sportmod finale and would run away from the field to capture the win. IMCA sportmod national champion Jesse Sobbing would finish second, but was several car lengths back at the finish after starting 10th.
Seven Iowa IMCA stock car drivers made the feature on Saturday, which paid $3,000 to win. Tim Bengard came home 3rd, Randy Brands (driving Aaron Haggerty's #62 ride) was 5th, Mike Nichols 6th, Abe Huls (from Carthage, IL) 7th, and Mike Jergens was 8th. Travis Shipman also made the show, but am uncertain where he finished as he went to the pits and rejoined the tail of the field.
The IMCA modified feature saw Jordan Grabouski sit on the pole and lead the first part of the race. That lead would shrink and he would eventually be overtaken by David Murray, who started 13th. Murray would immediately open a big advantage and take home the win followed by Wisconsin drive Benji LaCrosse, Iowan Chris Abelson, Jordan Grabouski, Ricky Alvarado, Iowan Jeremy Mills, Jason Schoenberger, and Iowan Jay Noteboom.
The modified feature finished at 11:30pm, with the three Kansas State Race of Champions Shootout races left to be run. I opted not to stay for those, as I had already been at the track for 10 1/2 hours.
I realize the theme of this website is to be positive, but there really wasn't much that was positive on Saturday. Officials opted to do track prep after the first 3 hobby heat races run Saturday, which seemed to take 45 minutes to work back in. There was at least one other intermission taken in which I only saw one truck driving around the top side of the track. Perhaps that time was used so officials could calculate the passing points and determine which alphabet race drivers would be placed in. If that is the case, then I suggest either having more people to help out so that time is not needed, or do away with that type of format of qualifying.
There is no reason a person should sit at a race track for 10 1/2, especially at least 8 or so before seeing a feature. Not to mention the cold temperatures and the persistent wind. Fans opted to leave early throughout the night, many leaving before some of the features had even started.
Back to the positive thinking... the facility is still one of the better ones I've been to this year. Great grandstands with a good PA system. The food was reasonably priced and for the most part, the racing was good. Unfortunately, this avid race fan will likely not make the 8-hour trip down again due to the time issue.
For full results, be sure to check out the track website at www.rpmspeedway.net.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Saturday's action at Hays saw hot laps start at 1pm. Racing action would resume with the remaining heat races from Friday night. By my count, 15 races were carried over to Saturday.
The format used was passing points, as stated in my night one recap. Drivers were able to use their highest passing point total to position themselves and determine what race they would be involved in next. Officials opted to use D, C, and B-mains to determine the remaining field of cars. The top seven in modifieds and top 5 in the stock cars, hobby stocks, and sportmods from each "session" of heat races were locked in to the front rows of the feature. Friday night's qualifiers made up the inside row and Saturday's the outside row.
Unfortunately from a fan's perspective, the Saturday show drug out like none other. Racing action got underway at 3pm with the 15 heats from Friday night to be run first. Those heats did not get finished until 6pm. At that point the alphabet would be run in the modifieds and stock cars with both classes running the D, C, and B-mains while the sportmods and hobby stocks also ran B-mains.
I failed to take notes on paper as the wind was overbearing, blowing directly towards the crowd. The temperatures were quite cold as well, as I had every layer of clothing I took with me for the trip. I did opt to hurry and type car numbers on my cell phone, so I can give a few results from the features.
BJ Dauer led every lap in the IMCA hobby stock main event. Tyler Frye sat on the pole of the IMCA sportmod finale and would run away from the field to capture the win. IMCA sportmod national champion Jesse Sobbing would finish second, but was several car lengths back at the finish after starting 10th.
Seven Iowa IMCA stock car drivers made the feature on Saturday, which paid $3,000 to win. Tim Bengard came home 3rd, Randy Brands (driving Aaron Haggerty's #62 ride) was 5th, Mike Nichols 6th, Abe Huls (from Carthage, IL) 7th, and Mike Jergens was 8th. Travis Shipman also made the show, but am uncertain where he finished as he went to the pits and rejoined the tail of the field.
The IMCA modified feature saw Jordan Grabouski sit on the pole and lead the first part of the race. That lead would shrink and he would eventually be overtaken by David Murray, who started 13th. Murray would immediately open a big advantage and take home the win followed by Wisconsin drive Benji LaCrosse, Iowan Chris Abelson, Jordan Grabouski, Ricky Alvarado, Iowan Jeremy Mills, Jason Schoenberger, and Iowan Jay Noteboom.
The modified feature finished at 11:30pm, with the three Kansas State Race of Champions Shootout races left to be run. I opted not to stay for those, as I had already been at the track for 10 1/2 hours.
I realize the theme of this website is to be positive, but there really wasn't much that was positive on Saturday. Officials opted to do track prep after the first 3 hobby heat races run Saturday, which seemed to take 45 minutes to work back in. There was at least one other intermission taken in which I only saw one truck driving around the top side of the track. Perhaps that time was used so officials could calculate the passing points and determine which alphabet race drivers would be placed in. If that is the case, then I suggest either having more people to help out so that time is not needed, or do away with that type of format of qualifying.
There is no reason a person should sit at a race track for 10 1/2, especially at least 8 or so before seeing a feature. Not to mention the cold temperatures and the persistent wind. Fans opted to leave early throughout the night, many leaving before some of the features had even started.
Back to the positive thinking... the facility is still one of the better ones I've been to this year. Great grandstands with a good PA system. The food was reasonably priced and for the most part, the racing was good. Unfortunately, this avid race fan will likely not make the 8-hour trip down again due to the time issue.
For full results, be sure to check out the track website at www.rpmspeedway.net.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
RPM Speedway Hosts Fall Nationals
Night number one of the Fall Nationals at the RPM Speedway in Hays, Kansas got off to a slower start then anticipated. Upon arrival at the track, drivers were packing in the moisture laid on the track. After getting that worked in, a few hot lap sessions were run before Mother Nature reared her ugly head and dropped some more moisture on the track. Track crew immediately hit the track when the precipitation ended and drivers were called back to the track to help wheel pack.
Once things finally got under, nearly 200 cars would be in action in several heat races. Announcers mentioned that there were 69 modifieds and 56 stock cars. There were two heats of sport compacts, three heats of sportmods, and four heats of hobby stocks to go along with 6 heats of stock cars and seven heats of modifieds.
This event had a much different format than I am used to. Rather then running the traditional heat races, bmains, and features, the format would use passing points. The twist on this event was the fact that drivers who did not like their passing points total in the heats, were allowed to run another set of heat races. I've never been to an event that has run in this particular way, and with the weather delays to start the show, the first set of heat races got over well after the 11:00pm hour. At that point many of the fans opted to head for home. While it was on the colder side, there was a pretty good crowd on hand. The wind coming out of the northwest did not help things, but fortunately that wind did later lay and it almost felt as though it warmed up at that point.
Due to the delays and such, track officials decided to stop running after the second set of sportmod heat races and pick up with the stock cars and modified heat races early Saturday afternoon. Hot laps are now scheduled to get underway at 1:00 rather then the previously scheduled 3:00 racing. I'm unsure as to what the format will be after the heat races are run. I can only assume bmains will be run to fill out the field after the top so-many cars are locked in through passing points?!
There was a good contingent of Iowa drivers in attendance for this show. Rod Scheuermann and Chris Abelson pulled off wins in their heat race while Jay Noteboom finished second in his. Jeremy Mills wheeled his modified to a third place finish in his heat race. Other noteable modified drivers in attendance included David Murray, Scott Drake, Ricky Alvarado, Grant Junghans, Dave Hardesty, Ricky Stephan, Will and Matt Brack, Benji LaCrosse, Matt Gilbertson, Jason Schoenberger, and Jordan Grabouski.
Several stock car drivers made the trip including Travis Shipman, Mike Nichols, Jeff Joldersma, Mike Jergens, Tim Bengard, Elijah Zevenbergen, Rod Statts, Mike Mauer, and Randy Brands. It was also unique seeing Abe Huls from Illinois along with Missouri hotshoes Gene Stigall and Brad Whitney. Only Jesse Sobbing represented Iowa that I could tell. Sobbing was paired up with Tyler Frye in heat race #2 to set up a shootout between the top two in final IMCA national points, with Sobbing earning the championship. Three hobby stocks made the trip out that included Dylan Book, Chris Hupp, and a number #86J from Red Oak with whom I'm not familiar.
By my count, there were eleven states represented last night: Kansas, Iowa, Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico, Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Minnesota. I think I may have heard that one of the drivers was from Texas, so that would possibly make it twelve states.
The RPM Speedway is a standout facility. The grandstand is all aluminum that reminded me of Junction Motor Speedway's stands, although not quite as tall. There was plenty of room for handicapped people in the front row of the raised grandstand. The PA system was state of the art with two speakers on each pole. The track itself is a 3/8-mile oval that only has a wall on the front stretch. There is a wall in turns three and four, but that is back away from the racing surface and is used to protect the pit area. At first glance, it appears as though there is quite a drop off from turns one and two as well as the backstretch. Several cars exited the track throughout the night but were able to make their way back to the track.
That puts a wrap on night one of the Fall Nationals. Check back later for a recap of night two.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Once things finally got under, nearly 200 cars would be in action in several heat races. Announcers mentioned that there were 69 modifieds and 56 stock cars. There were two heats of sport compacts, three heats of sportmods, and four heats of hobby stocks to go along with 6 heats of stock cars and seven heats of modifieds.
This event had a much different format than I am used to. Rather then running the traditional heat races, bmains, and features, the format would use passing points. The twist on this event was the fact that drivers who did not like their passing points total in the heats, were allowed to run another set of heat races. I've never been to an event that has run in this particular way, and with the weather delays to start the show, the first set of heat races got over well after the 11:00pm hour. At that point many of the fans opted to head for home. While it was on the colder side, there was a pretty good crowd on hand. The wind coming out of the northwest did not help things, but fortunately that wind did later lay and it almost felt as though it warmed up at that point.
Due to the delays and such, track officials decided to stop running after the second set of sportmod heat races and pick up with the stock cars and modified heat races early Saturday afternoon. Hot laps are now scheduled to get underway at 1:00 rather then the previously scheduled 3:00 racing. I'm unsure as to what the format will be after the heat races are run. I can only assume bmains will be run to fill out the field after the top so-many cars are locked in through passing points?!
There was a good contingent of Iowa drivers in attendance for this show. Rod Scheuermann and Chris Abelson pulled off wins in their heat race while Jay Noteboom finished second in his. Jeremy Mills wheeled his modified to a third place finish in his heat race. Other noteable modified drivers in attendance included David Murray, Scott Drake, Ricky Alvarado, Grant Junghans, Dave Hardesty, Ricky Stephan, Will and Matt Brack, Benji LaCrosse, Matt Gilbertson, Jason Schoenberger, and Jordan Grabouski.
Several stock car drivers made the trip including Travis Shipman, Mike Nichols, Jeff Joldersma, Mike Jergens, Tim Bengard, Elijah Zevenbergen, Rod Statts, Mike Mauer, and Randy Brands. It was also unique seeing Abe Huls from Illinois along with Missouri hotshoes Gene Stigall and Brad Whitney. Only Jesse Sobbing represented Iowa that I could tell. Sobbing was paired up with Tyler Frye in heat race #2 to set up a shootout between the top two in final IMCA national points, with Sobbing earning the championship. Three hobby stocks made the trip out that included Dylan Book, Chris Hupp, and a number #86J from Red Oak with whom I'm not familiar.
By my count, there were eleven states represented last night: Kansas, Iowa, Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico, Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Minnesota. I think I may have heard that one of the drivers was from Texas, so that would possibly make it twelve states.
The RPM Speedway is a standout facility. The grandstand is all aluminum that reminded me of Junction Motor Speedway's stands, although not quite as tall. There was plenty of room for handicapped people in the front row of the raised grandstand. The PA system was state of the art with two speakers on each pole. The track itself is a 3/8-mile oval that only has a wall on the front stretch. There is a wall in turns three and four, but that is back away from the racing surface and is used to protect the pit area. At first glance, it appears as though there is quite a drop off from turns one and two as well as the backstretch. Several cars exited the track throughout the night but were able to make their way back to the track.
That puts a wrap on night one of the Fall Nationals. Check back later for a recap of night two.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Unique Twist to Saturday's Racing Trip!!
I experienced something for the first time Saturday, and it's likely that it may never happen again. But before I tell ya, let me set the stage for the day's activities....
I originally planned to head back to the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa Saturday afternoon for the second "day" of the MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge. However, those plans were spoiled when a friend of mine learned of the cancellation due to SNOW! Yes, I said SNOW... According to tv meteorologists, it's the earlier snow on record in Iowa. By the way, the race in Oskaloosa will be run on Saturday, October 31.
So I thought, no big deal... I'll head to Tipton, who was scheduled to start a couple hours later in the day. Approximately twenty minutes after receiving the Osky bad news, I pulled up the Tipton website only to find that their event was postponed as well. The date will now be Saturday, October 24.
Well... Now I was really bummed out. The only two shows in Iowa for the weekend had just postponed due to snow and cold temperatures. So I quickly did a little searching on the internet, and low and behold I found a race to attend!!
I gathered up all my winter gear and.... (wait for it) headed to Fountain City (Wisconsin) for their second night of the Fall Festival!! The further north I traveled on Highway 63, the brighter the skies were looking. Normally that's a good thing, but that meant colder temperatures without cloud cover for the night. I arrived at the track before hot laps got underway and positioned my folding chair (that track doesn't have a grandstand) before heading back to the car to put on more layers of warmer clothing.
Classes in action Saturday night included USRA modifieds, Wissota midwest modifieds, Wissota street stocks, Wissota super stocks, hornets, and vintage cars. I guess they also ran "mini mods", also known as slingshots. Or as I like to call them, "glorified go-karts". The track announcer mentioned that 125 cars were on hand, but that number did not include the vintage cars. That number was down from the previous night, but I thought that was a good number to be braving the cold weather.
Bob Timm led flag to flag in the USRA modified feature, but he had to hold off challenges from Jason Cummins and Josh Angst throughout much of the twenty-five lap feature. It would be Timm's first victory at the track this year, a track in which he promotes. Timm took over the reigns at the speedway and made significant changes to the track. Last year the track was a tri-oval, but Timm transformed it into a fast 3/8-mile oval.
To be honest, I didn't bother to take notes Saturday night as the temperatures were too bone-chilling. So for complete results, check out the track website at www.mississippithunder.com or for the results only check out their speednetdirect site.
I can tell you this... When crossing back over the Mississippi River to the town of Winona (Minnesota), I saw a sign that said the temperature was 35*. I had put on every layer I had taken with me, and even used hand warmers for the first time that I can recall. With the early start time of 5:00, the USRA modified feature got done shortly before 9:00 with only the hornets and vintage cars remaining. I decided not to stick around for those, and instead opted to head to the car for some warmth.
I had intended on heading to the Quad City Raceway in East Moline, Illinois Sunday afternoon. However, I called the track early Sunday morning to find that they had cancelled the event. I had noticed on their website that the "more information" link wasn't working on the schedule page, but thought nothing of the possibility of them cancelling. Good thing I called before heading that way!!
So as I said in the opening sentence, I experience something I may never get to again. I got snowed out in Iowa, and traveled to Wisconsin to see a race!! Go ahead, I can see you shaking your heads already! LOL.
The upcoming weekend schedule just got a little lighter. The Buena Vista Raceway in Alta has decided to cancel their two-day special that would have included topless modifieds among other classes. The Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City has rescheduled their Fall Challenge for Saturday with hot laps starting at 3:30. This event has been postponed twice already, so hopefully the third time is the charm. Friday and Saturday will also find the Dubuque Speedway in action as they will host the Spec Late Model Nationals. This event was held at the Farley Speedway last year, so time will tell if the change of venue will be a good thing. The 34 Raceway in Burlington has a special on Saturday. Looks like all weekly classes with the exception of the late models will be in action that night.
For those living to the south of me (or for those diehard race fans who might travel anywhere to see a race), there are a few other options with which you can choose. The I-55 Speedway in Pevely (Missouri) has their UMP Dirtcar Roundup scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Pevely is located south of St Louis for those interested in that. The Scotland County Speedway in Memphis (Missouri) will be running the Fall Nationals on Friday and Saturday. Todd Staley will be promoting this event as it will be the only races run at this track for the 2009 season. However, I had heard that a promoter has been named for the 2010 season. The final option for a Friday/Saturday twinbill is at the RPM Speedway in Hays, Kansas. IMCA modifieds will be racing for a $5,000 winner's check while IMCA stock cars will also be on the card.
For a Saturday/Sunday show, McCool Junction (Nebraska) is having their annual season closing special.
If you are interested in any of these shows, I'll be nice and list the track websites for ya.
Pevely (Missouri) - www.i55raceway.com
Dubuque - www.simmonspromotionsinc.com
Webster City - www.hamiltoncountyspeedway.com
Burlington - www.34raceway.com
Hays (KS) - www.rpmspeedway.net
McCool Junction (Nebraska) - www.junctionmotorspeedway.com
I do not have a website for Memphis (MO). However, here is the link for information on the race.
http://citrackside.com/uploads/memphisnationals.pdf
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
I originally planned to head back to the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa Saturday afternoon for the second "day" of the MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge. However, those plans were spoiled when a friend of mine learned of the cancellation due to SNOW! Yes, I said SNOW... According to tv meteorologists, it's the earlier snow on record in Iowa. By the way, the race in Oskaloosa will be run on Saturday, October 31.
So I thought, no big deal... I'll head to Tipton, who was scheduled to start a couple hours later in the day. Approximately twenty minutes after receiving the Osky bad news, I pulled up the Tipton website only to find that their event was postponed as well. The date will now be Saturday, October 24.
Well... Now I was really bummed out. The only two shows in Iowa for the weekend had just postponed due to snow and cold temperatures. So I quickly did a little searching on the internet, and low and behold I found a race to attend!!
I gathered up all my winter gear and.... (wait for it) headed to Fountain City (Wisconsin) for their second night of the Fall Festival!! The further north I traveled on Highway 63, the brighter the skies were looking. Normally that's a good thing, but that meant colder temperatures without cloud cover for the night. I arrived at the track before hot laps got underway and positioned my folding chair (that track doesn't have a grandstand) before heading back to the car to put on more layers of warmer clothing.
Classes in action Saturday night included USRA modifieds, Wissota midwest modifieds, Wissota street stocks, Wissota super stocks, hornets, and vintage cars. I guess they also ran "mini mods", also known as slingshots. Or as I like to call them, "glorified go-karts". The track announcer mentioned that 125 cars were on hand, but that number did not include the vintage cars. That number was down from the previous night, but I thought that was a good number to be braving the cold weather.
Bob Timm led flag to flag in the USRA modified feature, but he had to hold off challenges from Jason Cummins and Josh Angst throughout much of the twenty-five lap feature. It would be Timm's first victory at the track this year, a track in which he promotes. Timm took over the reigns at the speedway and made significant changes to the track. Last year the track was a tri-oval, but Timm transformed it into a fast 3/8-mile oval.
To be honest, I didn't bother to take notes Saturday night as the temperatures were too bone-chilling. So for complete results, check out the track website at www.mississippithunder.com or for the results only check out their speednetdirect site.
I can tell you this... When crossing back over the Mississippi River to the town of Winona (Minnesota), I saw a sign that said the temperature was 35*. I had put on every layer I had taken with me, and even used hand warmers for the first time that I can recall. With the early start time of 5:00, the USRA modified feature got done shortly before 9:00 with only the hornets and vintage cars remaining. I decided not to stick around for those, and instead opted to head to the car for some warmth.
I had intended on heading to the Quad City Raceway in East Moline, Illinois Sunday afternoon. However, I called the track early Sunday morning to find that they had cancelled the event. I had noticed on their website that the "more information" link wasn't working on the schedule page, but thought nothing of the possibility of them cancelling. Good thing I called before heading that way!!
So as I said in the opening sentence, I experience something I may never get to again. I got snowed out in Iowa, and traveled to Wisconsin to see a race!! Go ahead, I can see you shaking your heads already! LOL.
The upcoming weekend schedule just got a little lighter. The Buena Vista Raceway in Alta has decided to cancel their two-day special that would have included topless modifieds among other classes. The Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City has rescheduled their Fall Challenge for Saturday with hot laps starting at 3:30. This event has been postponed twice already, so hopefully the third time is the charm. Friday and Saturday will also find the Dubuque Speedway in action as they will host the Spec Late Model Nationals. This event was held at the Farley Speedway last year, so time will tell if the change of venue will be a good thing. The 34 Raceway in Burlington has a special on Saturday. Looks like all weekly classes with the exception of the late models will be in action that night.
For those living to the south of me (or for those diehard race fans who might travel anywhere to see a race), there are a few other options with which you can choose. The I-55 Speedway in Pevely (Missouri) has their UMP Dirtcar Roundup scheduled for Friday and Saturday. Pevely is located south of St Louis for those interested in that. The Scotland County Speedway in Memphis (Missouri) will be running the Fall Nationals on Friday and Saturday. Todd Staley will be promoting this event as it will be the only races run at this track for the 2009 season. However, I had heard that a promoter has been named for the 2010 season. The final option for a Friday/Saturday twinbill is at the RPM Speedway in Hays, Kansas. IMCA modifieds will be racing for a $5,000 winner's check while IMCA stock cars will also be on the card.
For a Saturday/Sunday show, McCool Junction (Nebraska) is having their annual season closing special.
If you are interested in any of these shows, I'll be nice and list the track websites for ya.
Pevely (Missouri) - www.i55raceway.com
Dubuque - www.simmonspromotionsinc.com
Webster City - www.hamiltoncountyspeedway.com
Burlington - www.34raceway.com
Hays (KS) - www.rpmspeedway.net
McCool Junction (Nebraska) - www.junctionmotorspeedway.com
I do not have a website for Memphis (MO). However, here is the link for information on the race.
http://citrackside.com/uploads/memphisnationals.pdf
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Osky Fall Challenge Night #1
A great field of cars turned out for the 23rd Annual Musco Lighting Fall Challenge at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa last night. An astounding 171 race teams packed the pits in hopes of taking home the checkered flag one last time. Competitors would have to battle cold temperatures along with other cars, but the racing action was fast and furious on the monster half-mile track. Five states were represented as drivers came from Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois, and Missouri.
USRA modifieds kicked off feature races with 27 modifieds taking the green flag. Pole-sitter Josh Truman paced the field from the onset, but my eyes were glued a little further back as Ryan Gustin was quickly making strides towards the front. Gustin, who started ninth and won his heat race rather handily, got the unlucky draw of starting twelfth and advanced up to the fifth spot at the completion of lap two. Lap two produced one of the turning points of the race as leader Josh Truman apparently slid up and made contact with the wall in turn one, and over the car went into a series of rolls. I didn't catch how it started, but Josh was able to walk away from the incident.
That handed the reigns over to Corey Dripps with Brad Pinkerton and Bruce Hanford lined up behind him on the restart. Gustin would use the restart to make it up to third as the leaders engaged in heavy lapped traffic. Pinkerton and Gustin were able to close the gap to Dripps at that time before a caution waved on lap 17. Gustin would suffer a flat right rear tire at that point and decide to retire his hotrod for the evening. Pinkerton would elect to restart on the outside, allowing Zack VanderBeek the inside line. VanderBeek would get the edge, setting up a battle of Casey's General Stores sponsored cars at the front of the pack. VanderBeek pulled even several times in the corners, but Dripps' momentum on the outside propelled him to the win. VanderBeek was second, Brad Pinkerton third, and Al Hejna rounded out the field of cars on the lead lap.
Next up would be the fifteen lap USRA bmod finale. 52 cars were narrowed down to a starting field of 24 after running six heats and two bmains. Scott Davis used the outside front row start to grab the early lead until lap seven when Luke Wanninger overtook him. After securing the final transfer spot in the last bmain, Colter Deutsch made the long trip from Minnesota seem worth it as he charged all the way to the top five by lap ten. Wanninger would distance himself from the rest of the pack until the caution came out that included Scott Davis, Jason McDaniel, Tyler Groenendyk, Rocky Caudle, and Colter Deutsch. Apparently Davis got too high and hit the wall, setting up a chain reaction behind him. Wanninger would continue to set the pace the rest of the way while Tracy Johnson would slip into the runner up spot late in the race. Geoff Olson, John Davis, and USRA points leader Matt Jones rounded out the field. Johnson, who started 16th, made the long pull from Lake Preston, South Dakota while Jones started 20th.
The USRA hobby stocks had a difficult time getting things started. 46 cars were narrowed down to twenty-four to start the fifteen-lap feature. Troy Hovey found himself upside down on the backstretch on the initial start while Steve Holthaus would roll several times entering turn three and winding up outside the racing surface. Don Nunnikhoven would set the pace when the first lap finally got completed, but that lead would be short-lived as Steve Churchill snared the lead away on lap six. Chris Hovden would challenge Churchill's lead late in the race until Churchill slipped up in turn one and made contact with the outside wall, opening the door for Hovden to slam the door shut on the lead. Hovden would go on to take the win followed by Churchill, Nunnikhoven, Shannon Anderson, and Nathan Wood. Ironically, the race would end the same way it started as Bobby Greene would up rolling after taking the checkered flag. A competitor apparently blew a motor after crossing the finish line and Greene drove through the fluid, sending his car into a spin. His tires then hit the drier surface and dug in, sending his car over a couple times. He would walk away.
The final race of the night would be the USRA stock cars. Again, 46 cars would check in and get narrowed down to twenty-four. While Chad Walter and Shane Weller sat on the front row, it would be fifth-place started Mike VanGenderen taking the lead at the drop of the green flag. Nathan Wood would challenge VanGenderen on the inside and pull even, but couldn't keep his momentum up enough to take the lead. Shane Weller would follow VanGenderen until he made his move and slid under him to snare the lead away on lap eight of the twenty-lap race. USRA points leader Tory Reicks moved into the third spot three laps later while Matt Greiner was slicing his way through the field. Greiner started 22nd, but used the inside line to advance up to the sixth spot on lap thirteen. Greiner would get two more spots before the checkered flag waved for Shane Weller as he took home the win. Nathan Wood, Tory Reicks, Matt Greiner, and Kevin Donlan competed the top five.
The final checkered flag waved at 11:27 last night, capping off a full night of racing as hot laps got underway around 6:15. Considering it was Friday night and competing with high school football, there was a decent crowd of diehard racefans braving the cold temperatures in support of the event. The racing surface provided lots of side-by-side action throughout the night, although the modifieds were throwing chunks of mud as the entered turn one in the feature. I'm sure that made things more difficult for the rest of the classes.
For full results, check out the track website at www.rlpromotions.com/oskaloosa.
Racing resumes this afternoon at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa for the second day of the Musco Lighting Fall Challenge. No hot laps will be run today, and racing action is scheduled to start at 2pm. Promoter Todd Staley elected to bump up the start time to try to beat the weather while also hoping to finish in time to watch the Iowa Hawkeye football game as they host Michigan for Homecoming. Today's show will put the final touches on the racing action for the year at the Southern Iowa Speedway. However, fans in that area have another weekend of racing if they so choose as Todd Staley will be promoting next weekend's Memphis Fall Nationals at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Missouri.
Thanks to Todd and Janet Staley for the hospitality last night! Let's hope for some more great racing today and hope the Hawks can prevail later tonight!!
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
USRA modifieds kicked off feature races with 27 modifieds taking the green flag. Pole-sitter Josh Truman paced the field from the onset, but my eyes were glued a little further back as Ryan Gustin was quickly making strides towards the front. Gustin, who started ninth and won his heat race rather handily, got the unlucky draw of starting twelfth and advanced up to the fifth spot at the completion of lap two. Lap two produced one of the turning points of the race as leader Josh Truman apparently slid up and made contact with the wall in turn one, and over the car went into a series of rolls. I didn't catch how it started, but Josh was able to walk away from the incident.
That handed the reigns over to Corey Dripps with Brad Pinkerton and Bruce Hanford lined up behind him on the restart. Gustin would use the restart to make it up to third as the leaders engaged in heavy lapped traffic. Pinkerton and Gustin were able to close the gap to Dripps at that time before a caution waved on lap 17. Gustin would suffer a flat right rear tire at that point and decide to retire his hotrod for the evening. Pinkerton would elect to restart on the outside, allowing Zack VanderBeek the inside line. VanderBeek would get the edge, setting up a battle of Casey's General Stores sponsored cars at the front of the pack. VanderBeek pulled even several times in the corners, but Dripps' momentum on the outside propelled him to the win. VanderBeek was second, Brad Pinkerton third, and Al Hejna rounded out the field of cars on the lead lap.
Next up would be the fifteen lap USRA bmod finale. 52 cars were narrowed down to a starting field of 24 after running six heats and two bmains. Scott Davis used the outside front row start to grab the early lead until lap seven when Luke Wanninger overtook him. After securing the final transfer spot in the last bmain, Colter Deutsch made the long trip from Minnesota seem worth it as he charged all the way to the top five by lap ten. Wanninger would distance himself from the rest of the pack until the caution came out that included Scott Davis, Jason McDaniel, Tyler Groenendyk, Rocky Caudle, and Colter Deutsch. Apparently Davis got too high and hit the wall, setting up a chain reaction behind him. Wanninger would continue to set the pace the rest of the way while Tracy Johnson would slip into the runner up spot late in the race. Geoff Olson, John Davis, and USRA points leader Matt Jones rounded out the field. Johnson, who started 16th, made the long pull from Lake Preston, South Dakota while Jones started 20th.
The USRA hobby stocks had a difficult time getting things started. 46 cars were narrowed down to twenty-four to start the fifteen-lap feature. Troy Hovey found himself upside down on the backstretch on the initial start while Steve Holthaus would roll several times entering turn three and winding up outside the racing surface. Don Nunnikhoven would set the pace when the first lap finally got completed, but that lead would be short-lived as Steve Churchill snared the lead away on lap six. Chris Hovden would challenge Churchill's lead late in the race until Churchill slipped up in turn one and made contact with the outside wall, opening the door for Hovden to slam the door shut on the lead. Hovden would go on to take the win followed by Churchill, Nunnikhoven, Shannon Anderson, and Nathan Wood. Ironically, the race would end the same way it started as Bobby Greene would up rolling after taking the checkered flag. A competitor apparently blew a motor after crossing the finish line and Greene drove through the fluid, sending his car into a spin. His tires then hit the drier surface and dug in, sending his car over a couple times. He would walk away.
The final race of the night would be the USRA stock cars. Again, 46 cars would check in and get narrowed down to twenty-four. While Chad Walter and Shane Weller sat on the front row, it would be fifth-place started Mike VanGenderen taking the lead at the drop of the green flag. Nathan Wood would challenge VanGenderen on the inside and pull even, but couldn't keep his momentum up enough to take the lead. Shane Weller would follow VanGenderen until he made his move and slid under him to snare the lead away on lap eight of the twenty-lap race. USRA points leader Tory Reicks moved into the third spot three laps later while Matt Greiner was slicing his way through the field. Greiner started 22nd, but used the inside line to advance up to the sixth spot on lap thirteen. Greiner would get two more spots before the checkered flag waved for Shane Weller as he took home the win. Nathan Wood, Tory Reicks, Matt Greiner, and Kevin Donlan competed the top five.
The final checkered flag waved at 11:27 last night, capping off a full night of racing as hot laps got underway around 6:15. Considering it was Friday night and competing with high school football, there was a decent crowd of diehard racefans braving the cold temperatures in support of the event. The racing surface provided lots of side-by-side action throughout the night, although the modifieds were throwing chunks of mud as the entered turn one in the feature. I'm sure that made things more difficult for the rest of the classes.
For full results, check out the track website at www.rlpromotions.com/oskaloosa.
Racing resumes this afternoon at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa for the second day of the Musco Lighting Fall Challenge. No hot laps will be run today, and racing action is scheduled to start at 2pm. Promoter Todd Staley elected to bump up the start time to try to beat the weather while also hoping to finish in time to watch the Iowa Hawkeye football game as they host Michigan for Homecoming. Today's show will put the final touches on the racing action for the year at the Southern Iowa Speedway. However, fans in that area have another weekend of racing if they so choose as Todd Staley will be promoting next weekend's Memphis Fall Nationals at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Missouri.
Thanks to Todd and Janet Staley for the hospitality last night! Let's hope for some more great racing today and hope the Hawks can prevail later tonight!!
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Monday, October 5, 2009
A Little Catching Up to Do
For those who follow my blog, I apologize for not posting anything for a week. If you'll recall, my last blog was written after Day #2 of the USMTS Fall Jamboree at the Deer Creek Speedway near Spring Valley, Minnesota. I chose not to take notes the rest of that weekend, which included stops at Deer Creek for Night #3 of the Fall Jamboree and the special at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City, Iowa.
Jason Hughes would take home the exciting win on the final lap as he edged out Terry Phillips at the line. The win was scheduled to pay $6,000 to the winner, but sponsors chipped in extra money to raise the winner's share to $9,500. Also that night, Kelly Shryock was crowned the USMTS National Champion. This would be Shryock's first "Hunt" championship after scoring eight championships prior to the current format. Ryan Gustin, the youngster out of Marshalltown (IA), would wind up second in points, 33 markers behind. Jason Hughes, Zack VanderBeek, and Rodney Sanders rounded out the top five in points for the Hunt.
I changed gears and added more clothing for my trip to Mason City for Sunday, September 27th's show. Blake Cole and Gary Stahl would take home the wins in the two hornet classes. Stac Schroeder would take home the narrow win in the hobby stock feature. Schroeder started on the pole, but had to hold off a charging Mick Meyers for the win. Meyers would run over debris in turn four on the final lap and wind up breaking a trailing arm at the finish line, sending his car into a rollover. Meyers would walk away.
Pole-sitter Dan Tenold would take home the win in the bmod feature. Traveler Scott Davis would take home the runner up honors. Nate Chodur, Jaime Anderson, and Doug Cook rounded out the top five.
Bert McDaniel would lead the early stages of the IMCA stock car feature, but Mike Jergens made the pass for the lead on the inside. Jergens appeared to be on his way to the win until Chad Palmer closed in and did a "bump and run" late in the race to steal the win away. Jergens, Brad Broers, Joe Willier, and Chris Adams would fill out the top five.
J.J. Wise opened up a lead of nearly half a track in the IMCA modified feature until a late caution bunched the field back up. Wise was still able to motor away from the field as he took the win ahead of James Slawson, Todd Stinehart, Jeff Feaster, and Jeremy Mills.
Skip ahead to this past weekend... I was planning to head to the Knoxville Raceway for the 6th Annual Late Model Nationals for three nights of exciting action. Unfortunately Mother Nature failed to cooperate as forced track officials to cancel Thursday and Friday night's events. I noticed that Knoxville cancelled early Friday, so I hurried and got things together to head south to the Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas for Friday night action. On the card would be the MLRA late models along with modifieds.
John Allen would lead flag to flag in the modified portion of the show. Steve Arpin, running Davin Eller's #21 modified, was a one-man show throughout the race. He used both the high and low sides of the speedway to advance his way up to the second spot before tagging the wall in turn two and exiting the track to the pits. Tim Karrick, Mark Dotson, Jake Richards, and Nic Bidinger rounded out the top five.
Jeremy Payne and teammate Terry Phillips sat on the front row of the MLRA late model feature. Payne held the top spot from the start until late in the race. On a restart, Phillips got a run off turn two to close the gap on Payne. Payne drifted up exiting the corner and made contact with Phillips, sending Payne into the outside wall on the backstretch. He would retire to the pits while Terry Phillips went on to win the $3,000 top prize ahead of Matt Miller, Kyle Berck, Dale McDowell, and Matt Lux. Clint Bowyer was also on hand with his late model, but failed to qualify for the show. McDowell's car is owned by Bowyer, so he at least had a little good fortune for the night.
Saturday I decided to try my luck back at the Knoxville Raceway for the Late Model Nationals. Three cars would suffer rollovers in hot laps as track conditions provided a tacky surface. Unfortunately hot laps was the only action for the night as the rains came around 8:00. Robert Lawton, promoter of the Boone Speedway, provided his jet dryer to the track and they would try to utilize that after the rain came Saturday night, but they couldn't keep it working and forced officials to postpone the show til Sunday at 4pm.
Upon arrival Sunday, the track was in much better shape. Despite the rain, the track was very smooth all night. The track dried out during the heats, which prompted the track crew to blade the track from top to bottom to make it a better surface. The decision worked out to be a fantastic idea as the racing improved dramatically in the C-main and B-main. That set the stage for the 100-lap, $40,000 to win finale.
Shannon Babb would pace the field for most of the first half of the race before receiving pressure from Brady Smith. Smith would fade a bit while Jimmy Mars, Scott Bloomquist, and Billy Moyer all showed their playing cards. Mars at one point moved into second before losing a motor and ending his great run. Bloomquist would take the lead away from Babb exiting turn four with about forty laps to go. Moyer and last year's winner Tim McCreadie tried to apply pressure on a restart, but Bloomquist left them in his dust as he became the first repeat champion of this prestigous event. Billy Moyer was second, Tim McCreadie third, Brady Smith fourth, and Josh Richards completed the top five. Sixth-place finisher Brian Birkhofer and seventh finisher Tony Stewart exchanged paint a few times and continued their antics as they left the track. Stewart won the NASCAR race at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas earlier in the afternoon before flying to Knoxville. Ryan Newman and Ken Schrader were also on hand for the late model race, with Newman receiving a provisional also (Stewart used one) and finishing 22nd. Schrader failed to qualify.
That completes another weekend of racing for me, and gets you up to date as to where I've been lately. The plan for now is to head to the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa on Friday night before venturing to the Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City on Saturday. Sunday may include a trip to East Moline, Illinois. Of course, this is all dependant on the weather.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Jason Hughes would take home the exciting win on the final lap as he edged out Terry Phillips at the line. The win was scheduled to pay $6,000 to the winner, but sponsors chipped in extra money to raise the winner's share to $9,500. Also that night, Kelly Shryock was crowned the USMTS National Champion. This would be Shryock's first "Hunt" championship after scoring eight championships prior to the current format. Ryan Gustin, the youngster out of Marshalltown (IA), would wind up second in points, 33 markers behind. Jason Hughes, Zack VanderBeek, and Rodney Sanders rounded out the top five in points for the Hunt.
I changed gears and added more clothing for my trip to Mason City for Sunday, September 27th's show. Blake Cole and Gary Stahl would take home the wins in the two hornet classes. Stac Schroeder would take home the narrow win in the hobby stock feature. Schroeder started on the pole, but had to hold off a charging Mick Meyers for the win. Meyers would run over debris in turn four on the final lap and wind up breaking a trailing arm at the finish line, sending his car into a rollover. Meyers would walk away.
Pole-sitter Dan Tenold would take home the win in the bmod feature. Traveler Scott Davis would take home the runner up honors. Nate Chodur, Jaime Anderson, and Doug Cook rounded out the top five.
Bert McDaniel would lead the early stages of the IMCA stock car feature, but Mike Jergens made the pass for the lead on the inside. Jergens appeared to be on his way to the win until Chad Palmer closed in and did a "bump and run" late in the race to steal the win away. Jergens, Brad Broers, Joe Willier, and Chris Adams would fill out the top five.
J.J. Wise opened up a lead of nearly half a track in the IMCA modified feature until a late caution bunched the field back up. Wise was still able to motor away from the field as he took the win ahead of James Slawson, Todd Stinehart, Jeff Feaster, and Jeremy Mills.
Skip ahead to this past weekend... I was planning to head to the Knoxville Raceway for the 6th Annual Late Model Nationals for three nights of exciting action. Unfortunately Mother Nature failed to cooperate as forced track officials to cancel Thursday and Friday night's events. I noticed that Knoxville cancelled early Friday, so I hurried and got things together to head south to the Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas for Friday night action. On the card would be the MLRA late models along with modifieds.
John Allen would lead flag to flag in the modified portion of the show. Steve Arpin, running Davin Eller's #21 modified, was a one-man show throughout the race. He used both the high and low sides of the speedway to advance his way up to the second spot before tagging the wall in turn two and exiting the track to the pits. Tim Karrick, Mark Dotson, Jake Richards, and Nic Bidinger rounded out the top five.
Jeremy Payne and teammate Terry Phillips sat on the front row of the MLRA late model feature. Payne held the top spot from the start until late in the race. On a restart, Phillips got a run off turn two to close the gap on Payne. Payne drifted up exiting the corner and made contact with Phillips, sending Payne into the outside wall on the backstretch. He would retire to the pits while Terry Phillips went on to win the $3,000 top prize ahead of Matt Miller, Kyle Berck, Dale McDowell, and Matt Lux. Clint Bowyer was also on hand with his late model, but failed to qualify for the show. McDowell's car is owned by Bowyer, so he at least had a little good fortune for the night.
Saturday I decided to try my luck back at the Knoxville Raceway for the Late Model Nationals. Three cars would suffer rollovers in hot laps as track conditions provided a tacky surface. Unfortunately hot laps was the only action for the night as the rains came around 8:00. Robert Lawton, promoter of the Boone Speedway, provided his jet dryer to the track and they would try to utilize that after the rain came Saturday night, but they couldn't keep it working and forced officials to postpone the show til Sunday at 4pm.
Upon arrival Sunday, the track was in much better shape. Despite the rain, the track was very smooth all night. The track dried out during the heats, which prompted the track crew to blade the track from top to bottom to make it a better surface. The decision worked out to be a fantastic idea as the racing improved dramatically in the C-main and B-main. That set the stage for the 100-lap, $40,000 to win finale.
Shannon Babb would pace the field for most of the first half of the race before receiving pressure from Brady Smith. Smith would fade a bit while Jimmy Mars, Scott Bloomquist, and Billy Moyer all showed their playing cards. Mars at one point moved into second before losing a motor and ending his great run. Bloomquist would take the lead away from Babb exiting turn four with about forty laps to go. Moyer and last year's winner Tim McCreadie tried to apply pressure on a restart, but Bloomquist left them in his dust as he became the first repeat champion of this prestigous event. Billy Moyer was second, Tim McCreadie third, Brady Smith fourth, and Josh Richards completed the top five. Sixth-place finisher Brian Birkhofer and seventh finisher Tony Stewart exchanged paint a few times and continued their antics as they left the track. Stewart won the NASCAR race at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas earlier in the afternoon before flying to Knoxville. Ryan Newman and Ken Schrader were also on hand for the late model race, with Newman receiving a provisional also (Stewart used one) and finishing 22nd. Schrader failed to qualify.
That completes another weekend of racing for me, and gets you up to date as to where I've been lately. The plan for now is to head to the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa on Friday night before venturing to the Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City on Saturday. Sunday may include a trip to East Moline, Illinois. Of course, this is all dependant on the weather.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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