The IMCA modifieds were the focal point of racing action at the Lee County Speedway Saturday night as the first annual Modified Smackdown was on the slate. A good field of thirty-seven modifieds were on hand for the lofty payday while support class numbers were solid despite it not being a points race.
Upon arrival I met up with Positivelyracing.com's Jeff Broeg. Jeff welcomed me as we did a little catching up before I walked through the pit area. While walking the pits I noticed a few guys that I hadn't expected to see, some of which included Sean Jerovetz from Wisconsin and Corey Dripps, a regular on the USMTS tour.
I made my way to the stands and sat with fellow race fan Brad Sayre. This would be Brad's first trip to the Lee County Speedway. Hopefully he enjoyed it despite the chilly temperatures.
Hobby stocks were first to grace the track with twenty-one cars set to do battle. Pole sitter Jeremy Pundt set the pace early before a quick caution waved on lap four. The green flag didn't wave for long when another car didn't come up to speed on the restart and eventually came to a rest. When racing did resume, Jake Wenig and Jim Lynch engaged in a battle for the third spot while Derek Kirkland used the high side to take over the race lead from Pundt. Another caution waved, and Dan Wenig had a superb restart as he passed two cars to snare the runner up position. Jake Wenig and Jeremy Pundt made contact with Pundt ending up nose-first into the frontstretch wall to bring out the final caution. Derek Kirland was able to keep his machine out front with the two-lap shootout to lay claim to the win. He was followed across the line by Jim Lynch, Andy Coleman, Dale Porter, and Jake Wenig.
Fifteen "Wild Things", also known as hornets or front-wheel drives, were up next. James Oliver III dominated the first half the race, opening up a sizeable lead until the caution waved. He then had to hold off challenges from John Helenthal and Jerry Ostby for the win. Ostby got by Helenthal late for the second position.
After a consilation race narrowed the field down, twenty-four IMCA sportmods took the track for their feature event. They had a rough time getting started as the first two attempts failed. In fact, the second attempt saw roughly nine cars involved in a pileup in turn three before a lap could be counted. Officials made the call for a single file start the next time as Michael Bliven held down the top spot. Phillip Cossel used the inside lane to snare the lead away on lap three while Eric Flander moved into the third spot. Flander's night would end prematurely when his machine hit an implement tire. With three laps to go, Bliven's car bobbled in turn two allowing Jim Gillenwater to slip by underneath for the second position. But the night belonged to Phillip Cossel as he collected the bigger payday for his efforts. Not only did he win the $500 advertised winner's share, but he also received a $200 bonus for running a GM Performance Crate Engine that he purchased from Shottenkirk. Gillenwater crossed the line in second, but was later disqualified in post-race tech. That bumped up Michael Bliven to second, Kurt Hogan in third, Cayden Carter to fourth, and Thad Gaylord to complete the top five.
The final event of the night would be the Discount Tire and Service IMCA modified Smackdown thirty-five lap feature. Rich Smith set the pace early on from the pole while Mark Elliott followed closely behind. Michael Long and Josh Foster swapped the third spot for several laps before Long took it for good. Following a caution, Long went to work on the top side and passed Elliott for second. Another quick yellow came out, which allowed Foster and Scott Hogan to slip under Elliott for third and fourth, respectively. Elliott would challenge Hogan, but didn't have enough as most of the cars were hugging the inside lane. Richie Gustin then cracked the top five when he snuck in under Elliott.
Up front Long used the high groove to pass Smith for the lead around the lap twenty mark. Following a caution, Long was able to pull away from Smith and claim the $2,000 top prize. Lap money was also on the line from different sponsors, so he likely went home with around $2,400. Rich Smith garnered second place, but also picked up his fair share of lap money. Josh Foster was third, Scott Hogan fourth, and Mark Elliott got back by Richie Gustin for fifth. Nate Caruth, Troy Cordes, Max Corporan, and Andy Krieger finished out the top ten.
It was an entertaining night of racing at the Lee County Speedway. The track did have a few ruts surface in the modified feature, but for the most part I think it held up rather nicely. I'd like to thank promoter Terry Hoenig and his staff, along with Jeff Broeg, for their hospitality. It's very much appreciated.
The Lee County Speedway will kick their season points schedule off next Friday night as the IMCA Late Model "Drive for Five" will also be in action. Late models have roughly ten dates on the schedule at the tricky oval in Donnellson. For more information and full results from last night, be sure to check out the track website: www.leecountyspeedway.com
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Murphy and Moffitt Claim Last Lap Victories
A cool and windy night graced the Marshalltown Speedway fans Friday night as racing action was set for Elliott Racing Night. Another solid field of cars were on hand to try their luck in hopes of beating the competition.
Fifteen Mod-Lite/Dwarf Cars were the first feature to hit the track. Randy Bryant held a slim advantage over Dusty Masolini early on before Masolini took command on the second circuit. An early caution kept the field close as the action picked up behind the leaders. Mike Morrill was the man on the move as he dashed to the inside and passed four cars within a handful of laps to snare the runner up spot. From that point on he tried to chase down Masolini, but his efforts weren't enough as Dusty Masolini picked up his first-ever win at the Marshalltown Speedway. Mike Morrill, Eric Hendrickson, Tim Hennigar, and Randy Bryant rounded out the top five.
IMCA sportmods were up next with outsider front row starter Cayden Carter getting the jump on the field. Carter would continue to set the quick pace while Brett Moffitt was lurking deeper in the field. Moffitt methodically charged through the field as he passed Jake Strayer on the outside to third and then later dove to the inside of Kyle Brown for second. Moffitt closed the gap on Carter's lead and on the final lap drove it deep into turn one and let the car slide up the banking. Carter saw it, hit the brakes, and appeared to be ready to charge back to the inside. Unfortunately the car didn't respond that way and got sideways, leaving Eric Flander nowhere to go as he wheel-hopped Carter's machine. Moffitt went on to take the win followed by Scott Davis, Jake Strayer, Eric Elliott, and Chad Louk. Carter, after leading the first 14 laps, finished in tenth.
The IMCA stock cars have always been one of my favorite classes over the years. Dubbed as "the class too tough to tame", Friday night was no exception to that moto. Clay Deppe assumed command early on in the eighteen lap main event, but perennial contender Dustin Smith was quickly slicing his way through the field. After starting eight, Smith had worked his way into third in just two laps. Another driver was also making his way through traffic as Brian Irvine joined the lead pack after starting tenth. Smith and Trent Murphy got by Deppe to take over the top two spots while Irvine would later utilize both lanes to pass both Deppe and Murphy. Irvine chased down Smith with seven laps to go to set up a dogfight to the finish. Irvine passed Smith on the outside with four to go, but Smith battled back and leaned on Irvine to snare the lead back. Irvine returned the favor the following lap to take the lead away before the final caution came out. Smith would again make contact with Irvine's car late in the race, allowing Trent Murphy to reel in the front runners. On the final set of corners, Murphy went to the outside while Irvine and Smith rubbed door handles. Murphy would inch out the win ahead of Smith, Irvine, Steve Meyer, and Clay Deppe. The finish had the crowd on their feet while Smith and Irvine had a heated discussion later in the infield.
Twenty-three IMCA modifieds were now ready for their shootout with Adam Larson setting the pace early. Mike O'Lear and Richie Gusin swapped the second position with Gustin getting the advantage. Gustin closed in on Larson's lead before brother Jimmy Gustin came to a stop outside turn two. Gustin would find a groove on the top side to race by Larson at the midpoint of the race while Vern Jackson steadily charged to the front. Jackson, who started eleventh, slipped through the field to the fourth spot before engaging a great battle with Jon Snyder. Those two swapped positions for a couple laps before Snyder took it for good. Up front there was no stopping Richie Gustin as he laid claim to his third feature win of the young season. Adam Larson was second, Mike O'Lear third, Jon Snyder fourth, and Vern Jackson completed the top five.
The IMCA hobby stocks were set to close out the night's action. In a weird turn of events, six cars who had qualified out of their respective heat races failed to make the call. All four qualifiers from the b-main were on the track, so only 18 cars took the green flag. Nick Murty set the pace from the start until Dustin Elliott applied the pressure. Elliott tried everything he could, but Murty was able to hold him off for the win. Elliott was second, Eric Knutson third, Devin Smith fourth, and Calvin Dhondt completed the top five.
It was another exciting night at the Marshalltown Speedway. The IMCA stock car feature was a thriller and a last lap pass in the IMCA sportmods highlighted the evening.
Things get kicked off next Friday night with hot laps scheduled for 6:45 with races slated for 7:30. For more information, check out the track website at www.marshalltownspeedway.com.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Fifteen Mod-Lite/Dwarf Cars were the first feature to hit the track. Randy Bryant held a slim advantage over Dusty Masolini early on before Masolini took command on the second circuit. An early caution kept the field close as the action picked up behind the leaders. Mike Morrill was the man on the move as he dashed to the inside and passed four cars within a handful of laps to snare the runner up spot. From that point on he tried to chase down Masolini, but his efforts weren't enough as Dusty Masolini picked up his first-ever win at the Marshalltown Speedway. Mike Morrill, Eric Hendrickson, Tim Hennigar, and Randy Bryant rounded out the top five.
IMCA sportmods were up next with outsider front row starter Cayden Carter getting the jump on the field. Carter would continue to set the quick pace while Brett Moffitt was lurking deeper in the field. Moffitt methodically charged through the field as he passed Jake Strayer on the outside to third and then later dove to the inside of Kyle Brown for second. Moffitt closed the gap on Carter's lead and on the final lap drove it deep into turn one and let the car slide up the banking. Carter saw it, hit the brakes, and appeared to be ready to charge back to the inside. Unfortunately the car didn't respond that way and got sideways, leaving Eric Flander nowhere to go as he wheel-hopped Carter's machine. Moffitt went on to take the win followed by Scott Davis, Jake Strayer, Eric Elliott, and Chad Louk. Carter, after leading the first 14 laps, finished in tenth.
The IMCA stock cars have always been one of my favorite classes over the years. Dubbed as "the class too tough to tame", Friday night was no exception to that moto. Clay Deppe assumed command early on in the eighteen lap main event, but perennial contender Dustin Smith was quickly slicing his way through the field. After starting eight, Smith had worked his way into third in just two laps. Another driver was also making his way through traffic as Brian Irvine joined the lead pack after starting tenth. Smith and Trent Murphy got by Deppe to take over the top two spots while Irvine would later utilize both lanes to pass both Deppe and Murphy. Irvine chased down Smith with seven laps to go to set up a dogfight to the finish. Irvine passed Smith on the outside with four to go, but Smith battled back and leaned on Irvine to snare the lead back. Irvine returned the favor the following lap to take the lead away before the final caution came out. Smith would again make contact with Irvine's car late in the race, allowing Trent Murphy to reel in the front runners. On the final set of corners, Murphy went to the outside while Irvine and Smith rubbed door handles. Murphy would inch out the win ahead of Smith, Irvine, Steve Meyer, and Clay Deppe. The finish had the crowd on their feet while Smith and Irvine had a heated discussion later in the infield.
Twenty-three IMCA modifieds were now ready for their shootout with Adam Larson setting the pace early. Mike O'Lear and Richie Gusin swapped the second position with Gustin getting the advantage. Gustin closed in on Larson's lead before brother Jimmy Gustin came to a stop outside turn two. Gustin would find a groove on the top side to race by Larson at the midpoint of the race while Vern Jackson steadily charged to the front. Jackson, who started eleventh, slipped through the field to the fourth spot before engaging a great battle with Jon Snyder. Those two swapped positions for a couple laps before Snyder took it for good. Up front there was no stopping Richie Gustin as he laid claim to his third feature win of the young season. Adam Larson was second, Mike O'Lear third, Jon Snyder fourth, and Vern Jackson completed the top five.
The IMCA hobby stocks were set to close out the night's action. In a weird turn of events, six cars who had qualified out of their respective heat races failed to make the call. All four qualifiers from the b-main were on the track, so only 18 cars took the green flag. Nick Murty set the pace from the start until Dustin Elliott applied the pressure. Elliott tried everything he could, but Murty was able to hold him off for the win. Elliott was second, Eric Knutson third, Devin Smith fourth, and Calvin Dhondt completed the top five.
It was another exciting night at the Marshalltown Speedway. The IMCA stock car feature was a thriller and a last lap pass in the IMCA sportmods highlighted the evening.
Things get kicked off next Friday night with hot laps scheduled for 6:45 with races slated for 7:30. For more information, check out the track website at www.marshalltownspeedway.com.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Badker Blasts Off to Victory
Another great weather day turned into another good night at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City Sunday night. A few more cars were on hand this week, making things a little more interesting. The show was still run very efficiently, despite one red flag when Ryan Harris found himself tumbling down the frontstretch wall and into the catchfence. He would get out of the car under his own power and be okay.
The two hornet divisions were won by Tyler Trappe and Kelly Miller. Trappe noted in the post-race interview with announcer Jerry Vansickel that it was only his second night in the car. Sounds like he figured out things very quickly in his machine.
What turned out to be the "drama" portion of the show would be the IMCA hobby stocks. Mick Meyers took command of the race at the drop of the green while positions were up for grabs behind him. Scott Dobel found himself in second early on before opening night winner Chad Gentz and Heath Tulp scooted by under him. Tulp continued his momentum as he dove to the inside of Gentz to snare the second spot away. Gentz would lose his position to Cory Gansen at the midpoint of the race as Meyers continued to keep a comfortable lead up front. Mick Meyers would see the checkered flag first followed across the line by Heath Tulp, Cory Gansen, Chad Gentz, and Scott Dobel. However, Stac Schroeder attempted to claim Heath Tulp's engine. After some deliberation, Tulp denied the claim and drove away. So that bumped everybody up a spot from second on back.
Twenty-two IMCA sportmods would then hit the track next for their feature event. Pole-sitter Adam Ackerman wasted no time in assuming the lead, leaving the rest of the field to battle it out. Travis Greenfield held down the second position until he pushed up the track in turn four, allowing three competitors to advance a position. A caution flag bunched the field back up with only four laps down, but Ackerman was able to pull away once again. The top four remained unchanged the rest of the way as Adam Ackerman scored the win followed by Shane Swanson, Chad Louk, Geoff Olson, and Nate Chodur.
IMCA stock cars saw a field of eleven start the feature. Larry Portis used the outside front row starting spot to grab the lead early on. Coming to the completion of the first lap Canadian driver Ryan Harris went for a wild ride on the fronstretch. Harris' car went airborne and snagged part of the catchfence, but landed on all four wheels. He would exit his car under his own power and appeared to be okay. When racing resumed, a fierce battle for second ensued as Merlyn Hegland and Joe Willier slipped under Kevin Opheim as Opheim's car pushed up the corner. Portis would extend his lead as Opheim would later get back around Willier for third. But the night belonged to Larry Portis as he laid claim to the top prize. Hegland was second, Opheim third, Willier fourth, and Andrew Inman rounded out the top five.
The final event of the night would be the twenty-lap IMCA modified feature. Again the front row was the place to be as Curt Badker raced to the lead. Badker would open up a huge lead over Shane Monson as the lapped clicked off while three drivers duked it out for positions four, five, and six. Terrance Prochaska led that pack ahead of Jeremy Mills and Ryan Ruter for the time being, but Ruter got under Mills in turn one to take the spot away. Monson had a solid grip on second place until he lost the handle exiting turn two, allowing Rob Rose to make the pass. Ruter worked the inside lane on Prochaska later in the race to snare the fourth spot while Monson exited the track. There was no catching Curt Badker on this night, however, as he took home the win by nearly half a lap. Rob Rose was second, Ryan Ruter third, Terrance Prochaska fourth, and Jeremy Mills rounded out the top five.
Once again Joe Ringsdorf and his staff ran an efficient program. Races were completed by 8:45, a definite breath of fresh air for me considering my other races attended this weekend. For more information about the I-35 Speedway, check out their website at www.i-35speedway.com.
As mentioned, I did attend races on Friday and Saturday night. Due to the lengthy shows each night, I was unable to find time to write about them. Marshalltown had the unusual circumstances of a transformer blowing in the infield, thus no power or PA system for over an hour. Racing concluded there just before the midnight hour as did the action at 34 Raceway in Burlington on Saturday night. The IMCA Deery Brothers late model series got their season kicked off in grand style with the Slocum 50 in which Mark Burgtorf captured the $3,000 top prize with a late race pass on Nate Bueseling. For information regarding the Marshalltown races, check out Ryan Clark's blog on www.positivelyracing.com. For Burlington info you can check out Jeff Broeg's and Ryan Clark's writings.
Before I conclude, I must thank Blake Anderson for the couple of plus for PositivelyRacing Friday night in Marshalltown. Blake is an energetic personality on the mic and I look forward to listening to him each and every Friday night.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
The two hornet divisions were won by Tyler Trappe and Kelly Miller. Trappe noted in the post-race interview with announcer Jerry Vansickel that it was only his second night in the car. Sounds like he figured out things very quickly in his machine.
What turned out to be the "drama" portion of the show would be the IMCA hobby stocks. Mick Meyers took command of the race at the drop of the green while positions were up for grabs behind him. Scott Dobel found himself in second early on before opening night winner Chad Gentz and Heath Tulp scooted by under him. Tulp continued his momentum as he dove to the inside of Gentz to snare the second spot away. Gentz would lose his position to Cory Gansen at the midpoint of the race as Meyers continued to keep a comfortable lead up front. Mick Meyers would see the checkered flag first followed across the line by Heath Tulp, Cory Gansen, Chad Gentz, and Scott Dobel. However, Stac Schroeder attempted to claim Heath Tulp's engine. After some deliberation, Tulp denied the claim and drove away. So that bumped everybody up a spot from second on back.
Twenty-two IMCA sportmods would then hit the track next for their feature event. Pole-sitter Adam Ackerman wasted no time in assuming the lead, leaving the rest of the field to battle it out. Travis Greenfield held down the second position until he pushed up the track in turn four, allowing three competitors to advance a position. A caution flag bunched the field back up with only four laps down, but Ackerman was able to pull away once again. The top four remained unchanged the rest of the way as Adam Ackerman scored the win followed by Shane Swanson, Chad Louk, Geoff Olson, and Nate Chodur.
IMCA stock cars saw a field of eleven start the feature. Larry Portis used the outside front row starting spot to grab the lead early on. Coming to the completion of the first lap Canadian driver Ryan Harris went for a wild ride on the fronstretch. Harris' car went airborne and snagged part of the catchfence, but landed on all four wheels. He would exit his car under his own power and appeared to be okay. When racing resumed, a fierce battle for second ensued as Merlyn Hegland and Joe Willier slipped under Kevin Opheim as Opheim's car pushed up the corner. Portis would extend his lead as Opheim would later get back around Willier for third. But the night belonged to Larry Portis as he laid claim to the top prize. Hegland was second, Opheim third, Willier fourth, and Andrew Inman rounded out the top five.
The final event of the night would be the twenty-lap IMCA modified feature. Again the front row was the place to be as Curt Badker raced to the lead. Badker would open up a huge lead over Shane Monson as the lapped clicked off while three drivers duked it out for positions four, five, and six. Terrance Prochaska led that pack ahead of Jeremy Mills and Ryan Ruter for the time being, but Ruter got under Mills in turn one to take the spot away. Monson had a solid grip on second place until he lost the handle exiting turn two, allowing Rob Rose to make the pass. Ruter worked the inside lane on Prochaska later in the race to snare the fourth spot while Monson exited the track. There was no catching Curt Badker on this night, however, as he took home the win by nearly half a lap. Rob Rose was second, Ryan Ruter third, Terrance Prochaska fourth, and Jeremy Mills rounded out the top five.
Once again Joe Ringsdorf and his staff ran an efficient program. Races were completed by 8:45, a definite breath of fresh air for me considering my other races attended this weekend. For more information about the I-35 Speedway, check out their website at www.i-35speedway.com.
As mentioned, I did attend races on Friday and Saturday night. Due to the lengthy shows each night, I was unable to find time to write about them. Marshalltown had the unusual circumstances of a transformer blowing in the infield, thus no power or PA system for over an hour. Racing concluded there just before the midnight hour as did the action at 34 Raceway in Burlington on Saturday night. The IMCA Deery Brothers late model series got their season kicked off in grand style with the Slocum 50 in which Mark Burgtorf captured the $3,000 top prize with a late race pass on Nate Bueseling. For information regarding the Marshalltown races, check out Ryan Clark's blog on www.positivelyracing.com. For Burlington info you can check out Jeff Broeg's and Ryan Clark's writings.
Before I conclude, I must thank Blake Anderson for the couple of plus for PositivelyRacing Friday night in Marshalltown. Blake is an energetic personality on the mic and I look forward to listening to him each and every Friday night.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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