A rare accomplishment was made over the weekend in racing. Chris Hovden, the 2009 USRA hobby stock national champion, picked up wins on Friday and Saturday night at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Missouri. He then backed it up with another victory on Sunday at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa. And to add to the impressive weekend, Chris noted in his post-race interview at Oskaloosa that he had never visited the Memphis track until this past weekend.
USRA modifieds were on tap first as only sixteen cars were checked in for action. Outside front row starter Brad Pinkerton wasted no time in assuming command of the race as he sprinted to the lead utilizing the top side. Ryan Gustin and Scott Dickey settled into the second and third positions, respectively, and tried to run down Pinkerton but were unable to gain any ground. The first caution waved on lap ten, but it wouldn't take Pinkerton long to put plenty of distance on the pack. His lead grew to a full straight away with six laps remaining while he was also putting cars a lap down. Scott Dickey rode the cushion to get by Ryan Gustin with three laps to go, and Gustin would lose another spot to Zack VanderBeek on the last lap. Pinkerton's dominance meant only five of the thirteen cars running at the end were on the lead lap. Pinkerton took home the impressive win followed by Scott Dickey, Zack VanderBeek, Ryan Gustin, and Donovan Lodge.
Thirty-two USRA bmods were narrowed to a field of twenty-four for their feature event, which saw Colter Deutsch jump out front early. A.J. Johnson would take the lead away from him on lap three as Johnson used the high line to zoom past. Scott Davis, who started twelfth, quickly drove his way up to the third spot by lap four. Cayden Carter would get by Davis and challenge Deustch for the runner up spot. Johnson extended his lead to a comfortable advantage, letting the rest of the pack duke it out behind him. Carter, Davis, and Deutsch were grouped together closely as the laps were winding down. A.J. Johson took the checkered flag first followed by Cayden Carter, Scott Davis, Colter Deutsch, and Matt Lettow. Andrew Schroeder had a great run as he transferred out of a b-main, started 21st, and finished in the sixth spot.
The USRA hobby stocks were next to hit the track for their feature event, with Chris Hovden taking the early command from his second row starting spot. Todd Reitzler challenged Hovden on the inside, but Hovden's momentum on the top side kept him out front. The field got spread out and primarily ran the top side of the speedway. Don Nunnikhoven began to close the gap on Hovden late in the race, but was unable to find a way by as Hovden pocketed yet another victory on the weekend. Nunnikhoven was second, Todd Reitzler third, Danny Thrasher was fourth, and Kris Walker fifth.
The finale of the night would be the USRA stock cars. Matt Greiner used the outside groove to propel himself into the lead on the first lap with Nathan Wood and Mike VanGenderen closely behind. Just a couple of laps into the race, Wood's machine broke something in the right front as his tire was wobbling down the front stretch. Heading into turn one, VanGenderen opted to shoot to the outside. Wood apparently was unaware of his malfunctioning car and drove it deep into the corner, sliding up and making heavy contact with VanGenderen's car. A chain reaction ensued behind them, totaling six cars involved in the melee. In fact, Todd Staley's machine stood up on its nose and landed on Dan Christopher's hood. Shane Weller was also involved, but had a tow truck transport him to the work area. Beings there was only one tow truck on hand Weller opted to make repairs, including changing an A-arm. He was able to get things fixed just in time to tag the restart after what seemed to be at least a twenty-minute delay.
Brian Mitrisin would snag the lead away from Greiner on lap three, but would later drop off the backstretch and hand the lead back to Greiner. Mitch Hovden would be the next to challenge Greiner's lead, but all eyes were on Shane Weller at that point. Weller was quickly making his way back to the front as he snuck inside of Steve Jackson for the fourth spot with four laps to go. He closed up on the front two cars and was within striking distance after taking the white flag. Weller got a great run off turn two, swung to the inside down the backstretch, and passed both front running cars along with a lapped car before entering turn three. The fans rose to their feet in anticipation of a great finish in which Weller held on for the win! Matt Greiner would settle for second, Mitch Hovden third, Mike Bergan fourth, and Steve Jackson fifth. Weller also picked up the opening night of the Fall Challenge in Oskaloosa back in October.
What an exciting way to cap off a good night of racing!! While many cars got torn up throughout the night and several suffered mechanical troubles, the racing was good throughout the night. Todd Staley and his staff kept the show moving all night. It was very nice sitting in the 60+ degree temperature throughout the first weekend of November.
I'd personally like to thank Todd and Janet Staley. They have shown me a lot of hospitality throughout the 2009 racing season, and for that I am very thankful. They always take the time to talk either before or after the races and answer my questions.
While we are in the month of November, the Staley's are not done promoting. They have two separate weekends of the USMTS Southern Series yet to go down in the state of Texas. It was announced at Oskaloosa that free tickets are available for those interested in going to the Houston Raceway Park triple-header. Simply call the USMTS office at 515-832-7944 for more information.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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