Thursday night the stars and cars of the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) invaded the half-mile track at the Highway 3 Raceway in Allison, Iowa. It was supposed to be stop number two of five on the Memorial Day weekend swing, but mother nature did not cooperate on Wednesday and officials were forced to postpone the event at the Southern Iowa Speedway until July. When I arrived at the track in Allison around 5:00, I was very surprised when I saw the water truck applying more water to the track!
A great number of cars were on hand Thursday night as 107 teams packed the pit area. That number included 29 USMTS modifieds, 36 USRA Ironman stock cars, and an astounding 42 USRA Ironman b-mods. After getting things started a bit behind schedule, the action picked up for heat race action and then on into the b-mains to set all three feature fields.
The first feature to hit the track was the USRA Arnold Motor Supply Ironman series for stock cars. Twenty-seven cars took the green flag with pole sitter Tory Reicks grabbing the early lead. The pace soon slowed on lap two when Randy Killen spun in turn four. Soon after that restart, Mike VanGenderen also spun in turn four to bring out the caution. Kevin Donlan enjoyed the ensuing restart as he advanced two positions to climb to the second spot. Defending series champion Nathan Wood also proved he would be a contender as he used the bottom groove to slip by Matt Griener for third prior to a caution. Donlan again took advantage of the restart as he ducked low on Reicks to take over the race lead on lap five. Several position changes would occur throughout the race, especially among the top four, seemingly every lap. Following the fifth and final caution of the race, Dan Christopher took control at the front of the field. Nathan Wood climbed into the second position before sliding to the inside in turn four and securing the lead. Christopher's good run came up short as he lost the handle in turn four, giving up several positions. When the checkered flag waved it would be Nathan Wood in victory lane followed by Tory Reicks, Kevin Donlan, Mike VanGenderen rebounded nicely for a fourth place finish, and Dan Trimble completed the top five.
Up next would be the USRA Ironman series for the b-mods. Twenty-four starters took the green flag and again it would be pole sitter Brian Schrage getting a great start to secure the top spot. The first caution of the race came on lap five, and as the field was going down the backstretch for the ensuing restart the second place machine of Cayden Carter ducked into the infield to end his night early. As the laps clicked off Jimmy Broszeit found his groove as he climbed the leaderboard, making the low side work in passing Bob Sutherland for the second position. Broszeit used the same line to sneak under Schrage for the lead. Defending USRA b-mod national champion Brandon Hare was also on a mission, making passes on both Sutherland and Schrage to move into the second position late in the race. Jimmy Broszeit led the field to the checkered flag and the win ahead of Brandon Hare, Brian Schrage, Bob Sutherland, and Tyler Droste. However, following post race inspection both Broszeit and Schrage were disqualified and giving the win to Brandon Hare. Sutherland was bumped up to second, Droste third, Mike Shelton fourth, and Matt Lettow completed the top five.
It was then time for the ground pounding action of the USMTS feature. Unfortunately the pace came to a stop shortly after it started as Keith Foss went for a ride in turn three on the first lap. Fortunately he would walk away unhurt. When the green remained out it was Eric Dailey rocketing to the lead from his outside front row starting spot. Dailey would enjoy almost a straight away advantage until smoke started showing. Dailey was given the black flag for excessive smoke and exited to the infield. Ryan Gustin would inherit the lead, but that was short lived as Colt Mather used the inside groove to make the pass and get out front.
With fifteen laps in the book, another restart saw Rodney Sanders make the outside line work in his favor as he advanced two spots and into the third position. Up front Mather and Gustin raced wheel to wheel, keeping the fans on the edge of their seats throughout the race. While that battle was going on VanderBeek had tracked down Sanders once again as those two engaged in a battle for third. In both cases the bottom side was the quick way as Mather remained out front and VanderBeek got the advantage for third. Gustin would not give up on the top side as he regained the lead prior to the caution flag waving. During the caution I noticed Kelly Shryock, who was running in the top five, had broken his left front tie rod. He would attempt to race with it, but would retire to the infield a few laps later. Mather kept the pressure on Gustin and took advantage of the quicker bottom groove to put himself back atop the leaderboard with a few laps remaining. Gustin would try everything he could, but was unable to keep pace as Colt Mather picked up his first-ever USMTS feature win. Gustin would settle for second, Zack VanderBeek finished third, Rodney Sanders was fourth, and Al Hejna held off Jon Tesch for fifth and sixth, respectively. It was a solid run for Hejna as it was his first night behind the wheel of his new Big Cock Chassis by Corey Dripps.
While the show did run a bit late, I think the only thing officials could have done different was start earlier. In hearing conversations after the races, officials did not expect that many cars to be on hand. As most would say though, "that's a good problem to have." While the track did have a major rut in turns one and two, I thought overall the track stayed in decent shape considering the conditions officials were dealt. For full results, be sure to check out the following websites: Highway 3 Raceway, USMTS, and USRA.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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