This past weekend I was provided with a difficult choice. There were two two-day shows going on at tracks that I really enjoy attending. The weather was similar for both locations both days. What is a person to do? Well, I decided to go to one track one night and the other track the following night. That meant a whole lot of traveling and a lengthy weekend without much rest.
So Friday night I headed south to the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis (MO) for their Pepsi Memphis Fall Nationals event. Memphis has been a favorite track of mine for the last couple of years. I knew they would get a large car count, and I was right when announcer Tony Paris noted 149 cars in the pit area.
Upon arrival there were a couple vehicles on the track trying to pack the moisture in. The problem was, there was too much water placed on the track and not enough vehicles wheel-packing. That prompted the grader to make an appearance, and about ninety minutes later we finally got to hot laps. And of course one minor issue would have to lead to another, right? During one of the hobby stock heat races, a driver drove a little too deep into turn one and ended up driving over the concrete barrier and through the fencing. Needless to say that took a fair amount of time to get cleaned up.
Because of the delays, I opted not to keep my usual notes. I can tell you the winners of the upper divisions were: Michael Long (open modifieds), Rich Smith (IMCA-type modifieds), Matt Greiner (stock car), Ryan Gustin (b-modified), and Dan Wenig (hobby stock). For more complete results, check out www.heartlandmotorsports.com/Memphis/2010/10_15_2010.htm.
Friday night's races concluded at 2:38am Saturday morning. Tack on another 3+ hour trip home for me, and I pulled into my driveway at 6AM!! The racing action was fast and furious, and there weren't too many incidents that were a direct result of the spongy surface.
The delays and time getting home helped make my decision easier for heading to the Buena Vista Raceway in Alta (IA) Saturday night for their Topless at the Beaver event. The IMCA modifieds would run without their roofs on this chilly night. 119 cars were packed into the pit area with some drivers having to pit outside of turn four.
The 4-cylinder class made their way to the track first for their feature. A solid field of twenty cars were on hand and Cory Flanigan wasted no time in taking his machine to the top spot. Bill Whalen Jr made the long haul from Riverside seem worthwhile as he hounded Flanigan for a majority of the race. Whalen Jr slowed in turn two after receiving the white flag, allowing three cars to make their way by. Not sure if Whalen Jr experienced problems or just thought it was the checkered flag, but he would end up with a fifth place finish. Flanigan would lead flag to flag to pick up his 17th win of the season. Kennin Colestock finished second, Tom Summerfield third, and Randy Cass fourth.
Next up would be the mod-lites/dwarf cars. Only seven cars were on hand, but they provided decent racing. Outside front row starter Ed Zehm rocketed to the lead, but Mike Kennedy would try to close the gap as the race went on. The gap was just too big as Zehm picked up the caution-free race win ahead of Mike Kennedy, Dalton Dingman, Colby Oberembt, and Matt Goodin.
Things were now set for the hobby stock feature. Pole sitter Jeff Lyon paced the field the first lap, but Devin Smith snuck under him and took over the lead on lap two. Deeper in the field Justin Nehring was making significant progress early in the running. After starting thirteenth, he quickly manuevered his way to seventh in just three laps. The only caution of the race came on lap five. Nehring would be the beneficiary of this restart as he was on the outside of the third full row (7th). He powered his machine on the cushion and advanced to the fourth spot on the next circuit before advancing to second by the time he crossed the finish line again. Nehring pulled even with Smith down the backstretch and ran side by side with him for a couple laps. Nehring would finally clear Smith with four laps to go, but it appeared as though his car got tight in the corners as Smith kept within striking distance. When the checkered flag waved it was Justin Nehring taking the exciting win by a mere fender over Devin Smith. Matt Mahoney finished third, Craig Brotherton fourth, and Michael Murphy rounded out the top five. Jeff Lyon crossed the line in fourth, but was later disqualified in post-race tech.
Twenty-two b-modifieds were now set for their finale of the night. Outside front row starter Austin Lucas grabbed the early lead, but pole sitter Tim Rupp would keep pace with him. Rupp would take over the lead by using the bottom groove, but Lucas would regain the lead on lap five. The caution flag waved on lap six, and at that point I noticed that Doug Smith had already worked his way up to fifth after starting twelfth. A lap after the restart Smith found himself in second while Jason Mallicoat pursued in third. Mallicoat was driving the #36 car normally driven by Matt Pittman. With six laps to go Smith ducked under Lucas entering turn one and got the advantage exiting turn two to pick up the race lead. Jake Simpson and Austin Lucas would battle it out for the second spot with Simpson getting the nod with three to go before the caution waved a lap later.
Just before they went back racing, I noticed the #67 Ron Beckstrom had a right rear flat tire. Unfortunately he found out the hard way as the next lap under green he lost the handle on the backstretch and went for a wild ride that saw him knock over a couple cement barriers. Luckily he would be okay. When racing picked back up, nobody had anything for Doug Smith as he picked up the win. Jake Simpson was second, Jason Mallicoat third, Steve Reetz was fourth, and Tim Rupp completed the top five. Smith won Friday night's event as well.
The stock cars made their way to the track next. Nineteen cars were on hand with the "open" or "big" carb rules in effect. Pole sitter Ken Tietz took command from the drop of the green flag. Jason Ward quickly settled into second with Wayne Crimmins chasing in third. The stock cars were typically the most competitive all year at BVR, but last night they were single file on the bottom side of the track. Crimmins was able to sneak by Ward with three laps to go, but Ken Tietz was never seriously challenged up front as he picked up the win. Wayne Crimmins was second, Jason Ward was third, Roger Tripp finished fourth, and Brian Blessington rounded out the top five.
The finale of the night would be the Topless modified feature. Twenty-one cars were on hand with Rick Seaman not making the call. Before the field could even make it to the flagstand, the green light was quickly replaced with the yellow. Austin Wolf got turned sideways exiting turn four on the start and collected about six cars. Following the cleanup, it would be Mike Jergens taking the lead while Craig Reetz passed Jeff Conner for the second spot on lap two. The only caution of the race came on lap four. Brian Schmitt took advantage of the restart as he snuck by two cars to move into the fourth spot. Reetz and Todd Shute would put on a good show for the fans as they battled it out for the second spot. Reetz hugged the inside line while Shute worked the middle of the track. Shute pulled even with about six laps to go, but was unable to make it stick as Reetz pulled ahead by a few carlengths. Shute reeled him back in with two to go, but again pushed in turn one to give up what he had gained. Up front it would be Mike Jergens picking up his first career modified victory. Todd Shute was able to sneak by Craig Reetz at the line for second with Brian Schmitt in fourth and Shane Demey in fifth.
It was a good way to close the season at the Buena Vista Raceway. It's always a tossup when scheduling a race in October in Iowa as you never know what kind of weather you're going to get. A beautiful day turned into a cool evening, but the racing action was good throughout the night. For more complete results, check out the BVR website at www.buenavistaraceway.net and click on the results tab.
I'd like to thank Jeff Herrig and Eric Blum for their hospitality all year long. I enjoyed the six trips I made this season and hope to attend a few more times next season.
My next race will be next Saturday, October 23rd for Shiverfest. Shiverfest is typically the final racing event of the year in Iowa and is held at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. Fellow Positivelyracing.com blogger Jeff Broeg helps promote this event for the local kidney dialysis units. It's a fun time for the kids as well, as hay rack rides before the races and trick-or-treating after hot laps are held. For more information, be sure to check out www.leecountyspeedway.com. Hope to see you there!!
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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