Sunday, August 22, 2010

Krohn Tracks Down Hughes for Win at Corning

(Aug 21) - On Saturday my dad and I ventured southwest to the Adams County Speedway in Corning for yet another night of USMTS Hunt action. The slate also included hobby stocks, sportmods, and pro-stocks (stock cars).

A field of thirty-one hobby stocks were narrowed to a starting field of twenty-five. Chuck Hulett grabbed the lead from the start but soon received pressure from Jeremy Purdy. Purdy, the point leader, would suffer some bad luck a few laps later as he broke the driveshaft and forced him out of the race. Jeremy Auten would then take over the runner up spot, but he was unable to make a move to get by as Chuck Hulett took the win. Auten was second, Trent Davison third, Rob Allison fourth, and Jerod Weston rounded out the top five. Blaine Petersen, who started twelfth, sliced his way through the field early on to the top five before going off track. After losing several positions, he made his way back through the field and was running fourth on the last lap before he spun in turn four.

Twelve sportmods were on hand for their feature event. This class just got started at Corning a couple weeks ago, so twelve was a good turnout. Carter Vandenberg paced the field on lap one with Cayden Carter and Bill Gibson running right behind him. Gibson would later spin and tag the tail of the field. Meanwhile, Mike Shelton was on the prowl from the back. Shelton picked off one car after another on his way to the lead on lap six. Following a caution at the midpoint of the race, Cayden Carter used the outside line to pass Shelton for the lead. The two cars came together in turn four when Carter apparently changed his line and Shelton had nowhere to go as he spun to a stop to bring out the caution. Cayden Carter would go on to pick up the win as he finished ahead of Brett Sheppard, Mike Pruitt, Bill Gibson, and Rick Germar.

Seventeen pro stocks then hit the track for their feature. Cody Clark would lead lap one, but he would give way to Jeremy Swanson on lap two. Glenn Orr also got by Clark and moved into second, but would later inherit the lead when Swanson jumped the cushion in turn one and went over the banking. Swanson would come back onto the track in second and quickly run down Orr and make the pass back for the lead. Swanson's roller coaster night continued when he slowed on the front stretch after blowing his motor, ending his night with six laps remaining. Greg Miller used the restart to power his machine on the top side and make the pass on Orr for the lead. Greg Miller would go on to take the win ahead of Kevin Sharp, Craig Garner, Glenn Orr, and Brad Derry.

The time was now set for the thirty-five lap USMTS feature. Jason Hughes reluctantly sat on the pole with local favorite Chris Spieker to his outside. Hughes would take the lead while Al Hejna and Tommy Myer waged war for the fourth spot in the early going. Myer would secure the position as Hejna slid backwards on the rundown. Zack VanderBeek, who was celebrating his birthday, found the low side to his liking as he passed Tommy Myer to move into the fourth slot on lap nine. VanderBeek would later scoot by Chris Spieker and Jason Krohn to advance to the runner up position. Point leader Ryan Gustin was having a hard time moving through the field after starting eleventh. By lap fifteen he had only advanced four positions to climb into the seventh spot. The only caution of the race came with eight laps to go.

Jason Krohn used the double-file restart to power by VanderBeek for second. Meanwhile Ryan Gustin took advantage of the caution as well as he powered into the fourth position. With six laps to go Krohn worked the outside line and made the pass on Hughes coming out of turn four for the lead. Jason Krohn would go on to take the win ahead of Jason Hughes. Ryan Gustin made a last lap pass on Zack VanderBeek to take third (and fourth) with Tommy Myer rounding out the top five.

After seeing somewhat of a freight-train session of heat races, the features provided some great three-wide action. The track prep crew should be commended for providing a great surface for the drivers.

So eight races are now in the books for the USMTS Hunt for the Championship. Ryan Gustin unofficially (USMTS hasn't updated points yet) should hold the lead going into next weekend's Missouri double-header at La Monte and Moberly. The Thursday race is Nevada has been taken off the schedule. Then the USMTS comes back around our area on Tuesday, August 31 as they invade the Marshalltown Speedway on the first of six consecutive nights in Iowa and southern Minnesota.

- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
(Aug 19th) - I made my second trip in seven days to the Hancock County Speedway in Britt, Iowa, as it was host to the USMTS. Also on the card were limited modifieds and the Dart Iron Man Challenge series for USRA stock cars.

Twelve limited modifieds took to the track first for their feature event. Young Parker Hale made the trip down from Minnesota and took advantage of redrawing the pole to grab the early lead. He put some distance on the field as USRA b-mod point leader Brandon Hare took over the third spot from Jamie Anderson. Hare would later get by Gerald Curry for the runner up spot as he began to focus on reeling in Hale. Anderson used the outside groove to get by Curry for third. Shane Swanson made a great run as he got by Anderson for third while Hare closed in on Hale's rear bumper. In the closing laps Hare was in the thick of contact with both Swanson and Anderson but was able to maintain his second spot. That meant that young Parker Hale was able to capture his first career win at the tender age of twelve. Brandon Hare finished second, Mike Carlson third, Gerald Curry fourth, and Brandon Leeman rounded out the top five.

Only ten stock cars were on hand, but that didn't mean the action was dull. Kevin Opheim and Mike VanGenderen sat on the front row with VanGenderen taking the early lead with Mike Bergan in second. Bergan got shuffled back as Kevin Opheim and Ryan Leeman slipped on the low side. Opheim looked under VanGenderen and took the lead. VanGenderen would power back on the outside and retake the lead as the two engaged in a battle up front for several laps. Mike VanGenderen was able to hold on for the exciting win ahead of Kevin Opheim, Ryan Leeman, Dan Christopher, and Kevin Paca. The series takes a driver's best ten finishes of the fifteen race schedule, and VanGenderen sits atop the standings thus far with three races remaining.

Bob Timm and Tommy Myer paced the field of USMTS modifieds to the green flag of their thirty-five lap event to close the evening. Timm would take the lead in the early going, but Myer snuck under him to overtake the lead. Mark Elliott, who has had success at Britt in the past, was working his way forward as he passed Steve Wetstein and Bob Timm for the runner up slot. Elliott would bobble and lose two positions to Timm and Johnny Scott, but quickly rebounded and got back by Scott. Timm would spin in turn one and get collected by Wetstein and Tim Donlinger to bring out the caution on lap ten.

After qualifying twenty-third on the grid, Ryan Gustin was slowly marching his way through the field. The young gun worked his way up to eighth at one point, but settled into the ninth position for much of the second half of the race. With five to go another caution came out to set up a shootout. Jason Hughes once again took advantage of the caution as he powered his way from fourth to second in the closing laps. Add that to the fact that Gustin lost a couple spots late in the race meant that Hughes would become the new points leader going into Friday night's campaign in Wisconsin. But for now, it was Tommy Myer taking the win ahead of Jason Hughes, Rodney Sanders, Mark Elliott, and Jason Krohn.

I'd like to thank Todd Staley and his staff for their hospitality Thursday night.

- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!

Gustin "Comes Home" With Webster City Win

(Aug 18th) - Ok, time for a little catching up. Back on Wednesday, the stars and cars of the United States Modified Touring Series made its much anticipated return to the Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City. It has been approximately six years or so since the popular touring series made it's last visit to the famed half-mile, but fans were treated to a great show that night. Along with the USMTS, stock cars and limited modifieds were also on hand for heated action.

Fifteen limited modifieds were in attendance to run Wednesday night. Pole-sitter Matt Lettow wasted little time in jumping out front. Carter Vandenberg used the inside groove to slip by Geoff Olson to take over the runner up spot on the second circuit. Olson continued to slip further back in the pack as Rodney Slagle, Kyle Brown, and Matt Northrop advanced forward. A caution flag bunched the pack back together, and Northrop took advantage by slipping into the third spot. Another caution set up a late two-lap shootout. Lettow was able to hold off the challengers as he picked up the win. Matt Northrop came home second, Carter Vandenberg third, Brandon Toftee fourth, and Brandon Leeman rounded out the top five.

The Dart Iron Man Challenge series for USRA stock cars were next to hit the track with fifteen cars set to do battle for twenty laps. Jake Masters would get credit for leading the first lap, but Mike VanGenderen stayed with him. Jason Wagoner, Damon Murty, and VanGenderen went three-wide for the runner up slot on lap two with Wagoner taking the spot a lap later. Murty used the low groove to get by VanGenderen for third while Mark Elliott later used the same line to get by VanGenderen for fourth. Wagoner closed in on Masters' lead and overtook the lead on the inside. Masters regrouped and found a line that worked for him as he and Wagoner swapped the lead a couple times throughout the waning laps. With two laps to go Masters would take the lead for good as he pocketed another Dart Iron Man Challenge series victory. Mark Elliott crossed the line in second, but was later disqualified for an illegal transmission. That bumped up Jason Wagoner to second, Damon Murty to third, Mike VanGenderen to fourth, and Adam Silvey topped off the top five.

The track was then ready for the USMTS feature. Mike Sorenson and Kelly Shryock sat on the front row for the thirty-five lap event with Sorenson racing to the early lead. Tim Donlinger grabbed the second position as Shryock failed to get a good grip through turn one. Jason Krohn and Mark Elliott were fighting for the fourth position before Ryan Gustin joined the duo. Gustin, who started ninth on the grid, used the low groove to sling by both competitors and work his way to fourth. Shryock got a handle on his machine as he passed Donlinger on the inside before using the same line to get by Sorenson for the lead. Gustin was still on the charge, however, as he shot by Donlinger and Sorenson on the inside for the runner up spot. With no caution flags, Gustin had some work to make up ground on the nine-time series champion. After running the first eighteen laps caution-free, the first yellow appeared.

At this point, the top three in the race were also the top three in the point standings as Shryock led Gustin and VanderBeek back to the green flag. The green flag would be replaced with the yellow flag again on lap twenty-four. Jason Hughes, who was running ninth at the time, got a great restart and moved up to fourth after passing Jason Krohn. Ryan Gustin was able to wrestle the lead away from Shryock as Gustin found some bit in the middle of turns three and four that rocketed him to the lead. Another restart saw Shryock perhaps go in a little too low and pushed up, making contact with Gustin's left rear. The contact sent Shryock spinning to a stop in turn two and ended his chances of winning at a track he has flourished at in the past. With three laps to go Gustin now had to hold off Jason Hughes to the finish. Hughes tried the low line in turns one and two while Gustin was diamonding that set of corners. Gustin's momentum allowed him to stay out front and take home the "hometown" win. Hughes finished second, Tommy Myer was third, Zack VanderBeek fourth, and Tim Donlinger was fifth.

The win was Gustin's 14th overall win on the USMTS circuit this year. It was his first at his "home" track as the Hamilton County Speedway is where the youngster got his start in dirt track racing. Gustin drove a limited modified for several years around the half-mile, racking up numerous victories.

Promoter Al Urhammer served up a great racing surface Wednesday night. The biggest crowd of the season saw two and three-wide racing throughout the night. The fans were on their feet as Gustin crossed the line for the win.

- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Mills Shines at Night of 1,000 Stars

On Thursday, August 11, I made my first trip north to the Hancock County Speedway. The 16th Annual Night of 1,000 Stars on the schedule, and this year it was joined by the Hawkeye Dirt Tour. With plenty of money up for grabs for IMCA modifieds, there was no surprise when fifty-seven cars were checked into the pits. Also racing that night were IMCA stock cars and IMCA hobby stocks.

The modifieds ran seven heat races with the top two cars transferring directly the to feature. Two big "b-mains" were later run that transferred the top eight from each. The rest of the thirty-five car field was set with five provisionals.

Before the modifieds came out, the other two classes had their feature events. First up was the IMCA hobby stock feature. Outside front row starter Brad Ratcliff grabbed the top spot with Nick Meyer and Cody Knecht battling for second. Knecht would begain to fade back as John Madson and Chad Gentz both got by him. Stac Schroeder was on the move as well as he passed Gentz for fourth. With two laps to go Schroeder worked his way by Madson for second, but the gap was too big to Ratcliff as Brad Ratcliff picked up the impressive win. Schroeder slowed on the final lap, allowing Nick Meyer to finish second. John Madson was third, Chad Gentz fourth, and Brandon Nielsen rounded out the top five. Schroeder rebounded for sixth.

Seventeen of the nineteen IMCA stock cars took the green flag of the feature. Bruce Wickman held down the top spot when the caution waved on lap one. Restarting in ninth, Damon Murty quickly worked his way to fifth in two laps before making passes on Kevin Opheim and Larry Portis for third. A short time later he got by Ned Kalis for second and Bruce Wickman for the lead. Murty wasted no time in opening up a comfortable advantage from that point as he won in dominating fashion. It would also be Murty's 100 career IMCA stock car feature win as he joins a narrow list of guys who have accomplished that feat. The rest of the top five were Bruce Wickman, Ned Kalis, Kevin Opheim, and Derek Green.

The time had arrived for the big IMCA modified feature. The format of the race would be twenty-five laps segments with the leader at the halfway point earning an extra $1,000. After that first twenty-five laps, a ten-minute pitstop occurred where drivers could make any adjustments they wanted, including adding fuel and changing tires. Thirty-five cars would be starting three-wide when the green flag dropped. Jeremy Mills, Jason Snyder, and Rob Hughes found themselves on the front row. Mills would take the lead while Jake Durbin and Hughes battled it out for second before a caution waved on lap one. Hughes would ride the rim to second after passing Durbin before using the same line to get by Mills for the lead.

Another caution waved when Mark Noble slowed down the backstretch. Soon after racing resumed, Durbin used the inside line to make the pass on Hughes for the race lead. Ryan Watnem was on the move as well as he passed Michael Long to move into fourth and later got by Mills for the third spot. Watnem would also get by Hughes for the second spot before the halfway point and the crucial pitstop.

So at the halfway point, the field looked like this- Durbin, Watnem, J. Mills, Ryan Ruter, Pat Graham, Rob Hughes, Clint Hattlestad, Jay Noteboom, Mark Elliott, Jeff Feaster, Keith Schmitz, JJ Wise, Clayton Christensen, Mike Jergens, Vern Jackson, Alex Yohn, Ron Pope, Michael Long, Ricky Stephan, Curt Badker, Terrance Prochaska, Richie Gustin, Rich Smith, and Todd Stinehart. That's 24 of the 35 cars remaining. And just like the initial start, the field would be lined up three-wide behind race leader Jake Durbin.

When racing resumed, Noteboom advanced two spots to take over sixth. Mills passed Watnem for the second spot before the caution came out when Noteboom spun in turn one. On the resart Ruter made a good move to advance from fourth to second. Pat Graham also made his way by Mills for third with sixteen laps to go. Hawkeye Dirt Tour points leader Rich Smith pulled to the infield during the next caution. Ruter would make the pass on Durbin for the lead but the caution waved once again with seven laps remaining. That's when things got a little interesting!

After the restart, contact was made between Jake Durbin and Ryan Ruter that resulted in Ruter spinning to a stop in turn two. Ruter was sent to the tail of the field, but not before swerving at Jeremy Mills, who had inherited the lead. Apparently Ruter thought Mills spun him out. Durbin was blacked flagged for the initial contact, and Ruter was black flagged for his outburst on Mills.

So with seven laps to go, the lineup looked like this: Mills, Watnem, Jackson, Graham, Hughes, Hattlestad. Remember, Jackson was 15th at the halfway point. Pat Graham snuck by Vern Jackson on the restart to take over third. Up front it was Jeremy Mills taking the win ahead of Ryan Watnem, Pat Graham, Clint Hattlestad, and Jeff Feaster. Jackson faded to 12th while Hughes faded to sixteenth, the last car running at the end.

So with the turn of events, Mike Jergens on the strength of his sixth-place finish becomes the new Hawkeye Dirt Tour points leader. Rich Smith sits second and Richie Gustin is third with three races remaining. Two of them will be at Gustin's home territory, the Marshalltown Speedway, in September as part of the Havoc on the Highbanks event.

I'd like to thank promoter Joe Ringsorf for his hospitality Thursday night! I'd also like to thank Bucky Doren and Chris Marchese from the HDT. They took time to chat with me after the races and thanked me for coming. Marchese filled in nicely as the assistant flagman. And I'd like to thank Brett Root for answering some random questions I had as well.

For complete results from the night, there are several places you can look. www.dirttour.com has the modified results and updated Hawkeye Dirt Tour point standings. www.hcspeedway.com has the stock car and hobby stock results. www.imca.com has results from all three classes.

- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!

Season Championships At Alta

Last Wednesday, Aug 11, would be the final night of the regular season at the Buena Vista Raceway in Alta, Iowa. BVR used a different kind of strategy for the final night as they opted to go with a draw/redraw formate, rather then lining the feature field up by points. It provided some hot racing action to go along with the hot temperatures endured by a packed crowd.

First up for feature action were the BVR bombers. Pole-sitter Jess Bieret would set the pace out front of the ten-car field. Bieret would go on to take the win ahead of Tim Hanson, Nick Smith, Austin Riecks, and Colby Davis. Davis would win the season points title.

A twelve-pack of IMCA sport compacts took to the track next. The Chandler family, who arrived a bit late, would make their presence felt. Merv Chandler sat on the outside front row, and it would be him and Brad Chandler pacing the field on lap one. Brad Chandler would take control on lap two while Caine Mahlberg moved into second around Merv Chandler. Points leader Cory Flanigan moved into the runner up spot with two laps remaining, but his car came to a stop atop turn four to end his night. From that point on Brad Chandler cruised home with the win in his first appearance of the year. Mahlberg, Merv Chandler, Dallas Chandler, and Josh Egesdal rounded out the top five. The Chandler's are from Vinton, which according to Brad's post-race interview, is approximately 4 1/2 hours of drive time away from Alta.

After battling all season with each other, it was ironic that Devin Smith and Shannon Anderson lined up side by side in row three of the IMCA hobby stock feature. On the initial start Anderson split three cars and quickly moved into the second spot. However, a lap was not completed as Daniel Smith brought out the caution with a flat tire. Anderson would also suffer a flat and headed to the work area. When racing went back green, Craig Brotherton got out front to lead the field. While Anderson was trying to work his way back through the field, he would suffer two more flat tires and retired from the event early. The battle for second began to heat up as Jim Mickelson, Adam Hicks, and Michael Murphy raced three-wide. Mickelson was driving Justin Nehring's machine. Murphy would get the advantage to take second with Mickelson just behind him. Craig Brotherton went on to take the win ahead of Jim Mickelson, Bill Woehler, Adam Hicks, and Devin Smith. Michael Murphy faded to eighth as a result of a flat tire on the last lap. Even with the bad luck, Shannon Anderson would still take the hobby stock track championship.

Brett Meyer rocketed to the lead in the IMCA sportmod feature after starting in the second position. Dylan Book, who started just behind Meyer, followed him to the second spot. The first seven laps clicked off in quick fashion when the caution flag waved with five laps remaining. Greg Sidles would take advantage as he would pass two cars following the restart to advance to third. Dylan Book would suffer just the opposite, as he jumped the cushion and lost four spots to drop to fifth. But at the front of the field it remained Brett Meyer as he scored the win. Tim Rupp would finish second, Tim Wilcox third, Dylan Book fourth, and Jesse Sobbing rounded out the top five. Greg Sidles crossed the line in third, but was later disqualified in post-race tech.

Ten IMCA stock cars were lined up for their feature with Donovan and David Smith lined up on the front row. David would take the top spot while Donovan settled back in second. Dustin Smith used the inside line to get by Stefan Sybesma for third to set up an all-Smith podium running. A caution with five laps to go allowed Dustin to get by Donovan for second. David Smith would lead every lap as he scored the win followed by Dustin Smith, Donovan Smith, Chris Ullrich, and Brian Blessington. Donovan Smith would be crowned the track champion.

The final event of the night would be the IMCA modified feature. While low on cars, 9, two drivers in particular made it a spectacle event. Pole-sitter Brian Schmitt set the pace early on as he took control at the front of the field. Stacey Mills and Brad Williams fought it out for the second spot with Mills getting the nod before the caution waved on lap two. Chris Abelson was on the charge following the caution as he moved into the fourth spot after starting at the tail. Williams and Mills exchanged the runner up position a few times before Abelson made the pass on Mills for third. Abelson and Williams then put on a slide job clinic for the fans as they maneuvered their machines seemingly every set of corners in that fashion. A caution with three laps to go let the fans catch their breath for the shootout, but also allowd Williams and Abelson to get right behind leader Schmitt. On the restart both Williams and Abelson got by Schmitt before exiting turn two. The slide jobs on each other picked up where it left off. Abelson had the lead when the white flag was thrown, but Williams dove to the inside of turn one and slid up in front of Abelson to snatch the lead away. Abelson had to hit the binders and lost a couple carlengths, but he drove his machine deep into turn three and made intentional contact in taking Williams out. While the two cars tangled, Brian Schmitt steered clear and took home the surprising win ahead of Stacey Mills, Justin Sackett, Jim Thies, and Matt Bonine. Brad Williams would still win the track championship.

During Brian Schmitt's post-race interview, he mentioned my name over the microphone. You see, Schmitt now has two wins at Alta and another one at Fort Dodge. Ironically, I was in attendance at all three. So Brian and his family consider me their "good luck charm". In fact, when I informed Brian's wife Brenda that I had planned to make the trip to Alta, she said "cool, it will be nice to end the season off with a win." I guess the stars were all aligned perfectly Wednesday night for that to happen.

While the regular season has concluded at the Buena Vista Raceway, they still have an event left on the calendar. The "Going Topless at the Beaver" event will be held October 15-16. On the slate those nights will be topless modifieds, stock cars, sportmods, hobby stocks, sport compacts, and dwarf cars. For more information, check out www.buenavistaraceway.net.

I'd like to thank promoter Jeff Herrig and his sidekick Eric for their hospitality. They always greet me with a smile and hell when they see me. I'm already looking forward to their special in October!

- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!