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!!
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