Day two of the Speedway Motors IMCA Supernationals held in Boone, Iowa got off to a much better start on Tuesday as clear skies graced the facilities. On the slate would be the last chance qualifying for IMCA hobby stocks, more qualifying for IMCA sportmods, and a complete show for the IMCA sport compacts.
I was able to witness two and a half of the four qualifying features that were to be run. The first of those would be the first of two for the IMCA sportmods. Outside front row starter Austin Moyer got the jump and early lead on the field. Following an early yellow, youngster Sam Wieben challenged Moyer on the inside as the two raced wheel to wheel for the top spot. Moyer would regain the advantage a lap later while Ben Kates dove under Nick Carlson for the third spot.
The second of seven caution periods would come on lap ten of the twenty-five lap race, once again bunching up the field. Cory Rose, a Boone Speedway regular, was methodically working his way towards the front. After starting sixteenth, Rose found himself in the top five before the halfway mark of the race. With nine laps to go and following a restart, Rose took his machine to the top side to make the pass on Wieben for the runner-up position. A late restart gave Rose one more chance, but it would be Austin Moyer taking the win in the first qualifying feature for the sportmods. Cory Rose, Ben Kates, Sam Wieben, Tyler Heetland, Brandon Leeman, Nick Carlson, and Kaid Calhoon rounded out the top eight qualifiers for Saturday's main event.
The second feature of the night belonged to the IMCA sport compacts. I believe it was announced 55 cars were on hand with only thirty of them making the feature, a three-wide start on top of that. Brad Chandler would take over the top spot on lap two. This race too would have its share of cautions, with the most important being the third one. Race leader Brad Chandler appeared to miss a shift on the restart as a few cars scattered to pass him. Mick Rykhus would inherit the lead with Tyler Whalen taking the second spot after starting 24th. The fifth and final caution would wave, and on this restart Chandler would begin to make up ground. Restarting fifth, he would quickly move to third after Rykhus pushed high. Chandler would duck to the inside of Whalen to snare the second position and begin to reel in new race leader Jacob Ellithorpe. Ellithorpe was able to maintain a small advantage in the late stages and held on to pick up the thrilling victory. Chandler settled for second, Rykhus was third, Whalen fourth, and Cameron Meyer rounded out the top five.
The third feature to hit the track was the second IMCA sportmod race. While I had every intention of staying for it, I decided it was time to go after witnessing six yellow flags and one red flag. The red flag was displayed when Brian Miller wheel-hopped another car and made contact with Tara Longnecker's machine as they both slammed into the outside wall exiting turn two. Luckily both drivers were okay and walked away. When I departed for home Jesse Sobbing was leading. After a quick glance at the IMCA website, it appears that Nick Roberts made a pass on Sobbing to pick up the win. Sobbing settled for second, Doug Cook was third, Max Harder fourth, and Troy Jerovitz secured the fifth spot. Six through eight that qualified for Saturday were Clint Luellen, Josh Legg, and Laini Schwartz.
An IMCA hobby stock feature was yet to be run when I made my way to my vehicle. No results have been posted for that event yet.
Wednesday marks the beginning of qualifying for the IMCA stock cars and modifieds as well as provides sportmod drivers in the top thirty in points accumulated one last chance to qualify for Saturday. With that said, it's time this guy calls it a night in order to get ready for another action-packed night at the Boone Speedway!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Murphy Captures Exciting Deery Victory at Supernationals!
Even though the weather forced a delay of about four and a half hours, Mike Murphy Jr. had to of believed it was well worth the wait. That's because the Kalona, Illinois driver found his way to victory lane at the Boone Speedway as opening night of the IMCA Supernationals got underway Monday evening.
Light but persistent rain showers initially postponed the start of the festivities as the track prep crew waited until the rain had stopped to begin reworking the track. After the track had been reworked and a few hot laps sessions had been run, light rain again fell upon the track and forced another delay. The first green flag of heat race action would finally get thrown at around 7:35 for the first of fourteen IMCA hobby stock heats. Sprinkled in amongst those would be five IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series qualifying heats for the late models. Jason Hahne would take the narrow victory in heat one over Jeremiah Hurst. Jeff Aikey sailed to the win in heat two while Craig Jacobs took heat three. Ray Guss Jr claimed the fourth heat with Travis Smock leading the field to the checkers in the fifth and final heat. Two B-mains and a handful of provisionals would set an unprecedented 30-car field and three-wide start for the 30th Annual IMCA Speedway Motors Supernationals event.
After participating in his 400th straight start in Deery Series action on Sunday in Burlington, the "Iron Man" Darrel DeFrance redrew the pole of the 50-lap main event. Craig Jacobs and Jason Hahn would make up the rest of the front row. When the green flag dropped it would be DeFrance getting the advantage into turn one. However a mishap in turn four involving four cars would bring out the first of many caution flags. With a complete restart, the green didn't stay out long as Ryan Griffith got into the rear of Craig Jacobs in turn
one and collected a few cars to slow the action once again.
The third try was the charm, however, as DeFrance roared to the lead. Hahne would take over the top spot on lap two as he rode the cushion. Jason Utter quickly made his way to the front as he slipped into the runner-up position on lap three. Utter would take the top spot away from Hahne on lap five while Hahne gave way to Andy Eckrich for second. Mike Murphy Jr made his way into the fourth spot after he had some good luck go his way. Murphy started at the tail of his heat race earlier in the night and only managed a fifth place finish. He would go on to win his B-main and was scheduled to start inside row eight. However with the earlier cautions he was able to restart in the fourth row without a lap in the books.
The leaders would catch lapped traffic on lap ten, and it was a heavy dose of lapped traffic. At one point the slower cars were three-wide in front of the front-runners. That allowed Andy Eckrich to slip by Utter on the inside for the lead. A caution on lap fourteen would find one of those lapped cars getting into Eckrich and causing him to spin out, sending him to the tail. It was noticed under yellow that second-running Hahne had spoiler damage, and it would prove to be costly as he would back-peddle following the green flag waving once again. Murphy dove to the inside to take over the second spot while Craig Jacobs and DeFrance later made their way past. Perennial contenders Ray Guss Jr and Jeff Aikey were also on the move from mid pack as they climbed into a battle for fifth on lap eighteen. Guss would secure the position for a short time before Aikey found the top side to his liking to pass both Guss and DeFrance for fourth.
Up front Utter and Murphy had checked out on the field as they held a straight away advantage. Utter would bobble on lap 33, handing the reigns over to Murphy at the top of the leader board. One lap later Utter's car came to a rest atop turn three with suspension issues. So the top five on the restart would be Murphy, Jacobs, Aikey, DeFrance, and Guss. Aikey would power by Jacobs on the restart while Guss used the same top groove to get by DeFrance and Jacobs for third.
The final caution of the race came with just eight laps remaining. The field would be aligned with Murphy the leader followed by Aikey, Eckrich, Callahan, and DeFrance rounding out the top five. The Delaware double-file restart was just what Eckrich needed as he motored under Aikey to snare the second spot away. DeFrance used the same line to sneak by Callahan. Eckrich closed in on Murphy in the late stages, but Murphy was able to pull away on the final lap to take home the win. Eckrich would settle for second, Aikey third, DeFrance fourth, and Guss completed the top five.
Unfortunately this race didn't end until 12:15, and with a lot of racing still to be run I decided I'd better head for home and type up this blog so I can drive back later today for more racing action. So for hobby stock and sportmod updates, you'll have to check out the IMCA website.
This is my first attempt at writing a blog since March. I've had computer issues all summer and still have not got it fixed. Thankfully a relative agreed to let me use their laptop for the week so I can cover the 30th Annual Speedway Motors IMCA Supernationals.
So for now, I'm out...
Light but persistent rain showers initially postponed the start of the festivities as the track prep crew waited until the rain had stopped to begin reworking the track. After the track had been reworked and a few hot laps sessions had been run, light rain again fell upon the track and forced another delay. The first green flag of heat race action would finally get thrown at around 7:35 for the first of fourteen IMCA hobby stock heats. Sprinkled in amongst those would be five IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series qualifying heats for the late models. Jason Hahne would take the narrow victory in heat one over Jeremiah Hurst. Jeff Aikey sailed to the win in heat two while Craig Jacobs took heat three. Ray Guss Jr claimed the fourth heat with Travis Smock leading the field to the checkers in the fifth and final heat. Two B-mains and a handful of provisionals would set an unprecedented 30-car field and three-wide start for the 30th Annual IMCA Speedway Motors Supernationals event.
After participating in his 400th straight start in Deery Series action on Sunday in Burlington, the "Iron Man" Darrel DeFrance redrew the pole of the 50-lap main event. Craig Jacobs and Jason Hahn would make up the rest of the front row. When the green flag dropped it would be DeFrance getting the advantage into turn one. However a mishap in turn four involving four cars would bring out the first of many caution flags. With a complete restart, the green didn't stay out long as Ryan Griffith got into the rear of Craig Jacobs in turn
one and collected a few cars to slow the action once again.
The third try was the charm, however, as DeFrance roared to the lead. Hahne would take over the top spot on lap two as he rode the cushion. Jason Utter quickly made his way to the front as he slipped into the runner-up position on lap three. Utter would take the top spot away from Hahne on lap five while Hahne gave way to Andy Eckrich for second. Mike Murphy Jr made his way into the fourth spot after he had some good luck go his way. Murphy started at the tail of his heat race earlier in the night and only managed a fifth place finish. He would go on to win his B-main and was scheduled to start inside row eight. However with the earlier cautions he was able to restart in the fourth row without a lap in the books.
The leaders would catch lapped traffic on lap ten, and it was a heavy dose of lapped traffic. At one point the slower cars were three-wide in front of the front-runners. That allowed Andy Eckrich to slip by Utter on the inside for the lead. A caution on lap fourteen would find one of those lapped cars getting into Eckrich and causing him to spin out, sending him to the tail. It was noticed under yellow that second-running Hahne had spoiler damage, and it would prove to be costly as he would back-peddle following the green flag waving once again. Murphy dove to the inside to take over the second spot while Craig Jacobs and DeFrance later made their way past. Perennial contenders Ray Guss Jr and Jeff Aikey were also on the move from mid pack as they climbed into a battle for fifth on lap eighteen. Guss would secure the position for a short time before Aikey found the top side to his liking to pass both Guss and DeFrance for fourth.
Up front Utter and Murphy had checked out on the field as they held a straight away advantage. Utter would bobble on lap 33, handing the reigns over to Murphy at the top of the leader board. One lap later Utter's car came to a rest atop turn three with suspension issues. So the top five on the restart would be Murphy, Jacobs, Aikey, DeFrance, and Guss. Aikey would power by Jacobs on the restart while Guss used the same top groove to get by DeFrance and Jacobs for third.
The final caution of the race came with just eight laps remaining. The field would be aligned with Murphy the leader followed by Aikey, Eckrich, Callahan, and DeFrance rounding out the top five. The Delaware double-file restart was just what Eckrich needed as he motored under Aikey to snare the second spot away. DeFrance used the same line to sneak by Callahan. Eckrich closed in on Murphy in the late stages, but Murphy was able to pull away on the final lap to take home the win. Eckrich would settle for second, Aikey third, DeFrance fourth, and Guss completed the top five.
Unfortunately this race didn't end until 12:15, and with a lot of racing still to be run I decided I'd better head for home and type up this blog so I can drive back later today for more racing action. So for hobby stock and sportmod updates, you'll have to check out the IMCA website.
This is my first attempt at writing a blog since March. I've had computer issues all summer and still have not got it fixed. Thankfully a relative agreed to let me use their laptop for the week so I can cover the 30th Annual Speedway Motors IMCA Supernationals.
So for now, I'm out...
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Dirt Racing of Another Kind
While my official dirt track racing season won't start until March 24 (at Winston, Missouri for a USMTS event), I have become an addict of another kind of dirt racing. For the past several weeks, I've become a fan of AMA Supercross. For those who may be unfamiliar with the sport, it is dirt bike racing held at football or baseball stadiums. There is also Arenacross, which is the same bikes but competing at basketball or hockey arenas.
Supercross is telecast live on the SPEED channel typically on Saturday nights with replays airing later on. While watching last night's event in St. Louis, the announcers mentioned that one of the drivers is originally from Fort Dodge, Iowa. That driver is Justin Brayton, who had his best finish of the season with a third place podium finish. Brayton started off the night by taking the early lead in his heat race, but soon found himself in the familiar position of following Ryan Villopoto (who happens to be the point leader). Villopoto went on to take the heat race win ahead of Brayton, and then backed it up with his sixth victory of the season already.
St. Louis was round 9 of 17 on the circuit. Next Saturday night's event will be held at Daytona. Villopoto takes a 13-point advantage into that event over Ryan Dungey, who finished in the runner-up position in St. Louis. Dungey hails from Belle Plaine, Minnesota. Justin Brayton ranks seventh in the point standings, 89 points behind Villopoto. However, he only sits twelve points out of fourth place with that fourth place rider Chad Reed sidelined with an injury.
A couple other riders were mentioned as being from Iowa as well. Gavin Faith also resides in Fort Dodge. He just missed the final transfer position in his heat race Saturday night, but was able to bounce back in the LCQ (last chance qualifier) and advance to the main event. Faith garnered a 17th-place finish. Faith sits 29th in points out of the 35 drivers listed as he's only managed to qualify for three main events.
The other rider is Cody Gilmore from Blair, Iowa. He finished twelfth in the same heat at Faith and ran the LCQ as well, but finished seventh in that with only the top two riders advancing. Gilmore has yet to qualify for a main event on the season, but he too got some air-time from the SPEED announcers.
While I can honestly say I've never heard of any of these three riders, I find it impressive that they have made it to the "big time" of their sport. I look forward to following their progress in second half of their short Supercross season. For more information with the Supercross, be sure to check out their website at http://www.supercrossonline.com or check out the appropriate link on the SPEED website.
Supercross is telecast live on the SPEED channel typically on Saturday nights with replays airing later on. While watching last night's event in St. Louis, the announcers mentioned that one of the drivers is originally from Fort Dodge, Iowa. That driver is Justin Brayton, who had his best finish of the season with a third place podium finish. Brayton started off the night by taking the early lead in his heat race, but soon found himself in the familiar position of following Ryan Villopoto (who happens to be the point leader). Villopoto went on to take the heat race win ahead of Brayton, and then backed it up with his sixth victory of the season already.
St. Louis was round 9 of 17 on the circuit. Next Saturday night's event will be held at Daytona. Villopoto takes a 13-point advantage into that event over Ryan Dungey, who finished in the runner-up position in St. Louis. Dungey hails from Belle Plaine, Minnesota. Justin Brayton ranks seventh in the point standings, 89 points behind Villopoto. However, he only sits twelve points out of fourth place with that fourth place rider Chad Reed sidelined with an injury.
A couple other riders were mentioned as being from Iowa as well. Gavin Faith also resides in Fort Dodge. He just missed the final transfer position in his heat race Saturday night, but was able to bounce back in the LCQ (last chance qualifier) and advance to the main event. Faith garnered a 17th-place finish. Faith sits 29th in points out of the 35 drivers listed as he's only managed to qualify for three main events.
The other rider is Cody Gilmore from Blair, Iowa. He finished twelfth in the same heat at Faith and ran the LCQ as well, but finished seventh in that with only the top two riders advancing. Gilmore has yet to qualify for a main event on the season, but he too got some air-time from the SPEED announcers.
While I can honestly say I've never heard of any of these three riders, I find it impressive that they have made it to the "big time" of their sport. I look forward to following their progress in second half of their short Supercross season. For more information with the Supercross, be sure to check out their website at http://www.supercrossonline.com or check out the appropriate link on the SPEED website.
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