For those who follow my blog, I apologize for not posting anything for a week. If you'll recall, my last blog was written after Day #2 of the USMTS Fall Jamboree at the Deer Creek Speedway near Spring Valley, Minnesota. I chose not to take notes the rest of that weekend, which included stops at Deer Creek for Night #3 of the Fall Jamboree and the special at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City, Iowa.
Jason Hughes would take home the exciting win on the final lap as he edged out Terry Phillips at the line. The win was scheduled to pay $6,000 to the winner, but sponsors chipped in extra money to raise the winner's share to $9,500. Also that night, Kelly Shryock was crowned the USMTS National Champion. This would be Shryock's first "Hunt" championship after scoring eight championships prior to the current format. Ryan Gustin, the youngster out of Marshalltown (IA), would wind up second in points, 33 markers behind. Jason Hughes, Zack VanderBeek, and Rodney Sanders rounded out the top five in points for the Hunt.
I changed gears and added more clothing for my trip to Mason City for Sunday, September 27th's show. Blake Cole and Gary Stahl would take home the wins in the two hornet classes. Stac Schroeder would take home the narrow win in the hobby stock feature. Schroeder started on the pole, but had to hold off a charging Mick Meyers for the win. Meyers would run over debris in turn four on the final lap and wind up breaking a trailing arm at the finish line, sending his car into a rollover. Meyers would walk away.
Pole-sitter Dan Tenold would take home the win in the bmod feature. Traveler Scott Davis would take home the runner up honors. Nate Chodur, Jaime Anderson, and Doug Cook rounded out the top five.
Bert McDaniel would lead the early stages of the IMCA stock car feature, but Mike Jergens made the pass for the lead on the inside. Jergens appeared to be on his way to the win until Chad Palmer closed in and did a "bump and run" late in the race to steal the win away. Jergens, Brad Broers, Joe Willier, and Chris Adams would fill out the top five.
J.J. Wise opened up a lead of nearly half a track in the IMCA modified feature until a late caution bunched the field back up. Wise was still able to motor away from the field as he took the win ahead of James Slawson, Todd Stinehart, Jeff Feaster, and Jeremy Mills.
Skip ahead to this past weekend... I was planning to head to the Knoxville Raceway for the 6th Annual Late Model Nationals for three nights of exciting action. Unfortunately Mother Nature failed to cooperate as forced track officials to cancel Thursday and Friday night's events. I noticed that Knoxville cancelled early Friday, so I hurried and got things together to head south to the Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas for Friday night action. On the card would be the MLRA late models along with modifieds.
John Allen would lead flag to flag in the modified portion of the show. Steve Arpin, running Davin Eller's #21 modified, was a one-man show throughout the race. He used both the high and low sides of the speedway to advance his way up to the second spot before tagging the wall in turn two and exiting the track to the pits. Tim Karrick, Mark Dotson, Jake Richards, and Nic Bidinger rounded out the top five.
Jeremy Payne and teammate Terry Phillips sat on the front row of the MLRA late model feature. Payne held the top spot from the start until late in the race. On a restart, Phillips got a run off turn two to close the gap on Payne. Payne drifted up exiting the corner and made contact with Phillips, sending Payne into the outside wall on the backstretch. He would retire to the pits while Terry Phillips went on to win the $3,000 top prize ahead of Matt Miller, Kyle Berck, Dale McDowell, and Matt Lux. Clint Bowyer was also on hand with his late model, but failed to qualify for the show. McDowell's car is owned by Bowyer, so he at least had a little good fortune for the night.
Saturday I decided to try my luck back at the Knoxville Raceway for the Late Model Nationals. Three cars would suffer rollovers in hot laps as track conditions provided a tacky surface. Unfortunately hot laps was the only action for the night as the rains came around 8:00. Robert Lawton, promoter of the Boone Speedway, provided his jet dryer to the track and they would try to utilize that after the rain came Saturday night, but they couldn't keep it working and forced officials to postpone the show til Sunday at 4pm.
Upon arrival Sunday, the track was in much better shape. Despite the rain, the track was very smooth all night. The track dried out during the heats, which prompted the track crew to blade the track from top to bottom to make it a better surface. The decision worked out to be a fantastic idea as the racing improved dramatically in the C-main and B-main. That set the stage for the 100-lap, $40,000 to win finale.
Shannon Babb would pace the field for most of the first half of the race before receiving pressure from Brady Smith. Smith would fade a bit while Jimmy Mars, Scott Bloomquist, and Billy Moyer all showed their playing cards. Mars at one point moved into second before losing a motor and ending his great run. Bloomquist would take the lead away from Babb exiting turn four with about forty laps to go. Moyer and last year's winner Tim McCreadie tried to apply pressure on a restart, but Bloomquist left them in his dust as he became the first repeat champion of this prestigous event. Billy Moyer was second, Tim McCreadie third, Brady Smith fourth, and Josh Richards completed the top five. Sixth-place finisher Brian Birkhofer and seventh finisher Tony Stewart exchanged paint a few times and continued their antics as they left the track. Stewart won the NASCAR race at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas earlier in the afternoon before flying to Knoxville. Ryan Newman and Ken Schrader were also on hand for the late model race, with Newman receiving a provisional also (Stewart used one) and finishing 22nd. Schrader failed to qualify.
That completes another weekend of racing for me, and gets you up to date as to where I've been lately. The plan for now is to head to the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa on Friday night before venturing to the Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City on Saturday. Sunday may include a trip to East Moline, Illinois. Of course, this is all dependant on the weather.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
VanderBeek Cashes in on Night #2 at Fall Jamboree
Night number two of the Featherlite Fall Jamboree was in doubt earlier in the day as Mother Nature decided to play her evil card and dump some moisture from above. However, Randy Queensland and his crew did an excellent job of removing the water off the track and getting it ironed back in for the night's show. In fact, the crew did such a great job that the national anthem started at its scheduled time!
The feature action got started once again with the Wissota Midwest Modifieds. They would run a twenty-lap feature that saw Jerry Young take home the hardware followed by Brandon Davis, Mike Paulson, Shane Sabraski, and Andrew Wiste. It was noted by the track announcers that Young captured the win last year on the second night of the Jamboree.
After another laser show set the stage for the USMTS forty-lap main event. Youngster Rodney Sanders would set the pace while being flanked by Nate Wasmund on the outside. However, it would be fourth-place starter Ryan Gustin leading the field at the completion of lap one. Sanders would use the outside to pass Wasmund for the second spot while Dereck Ramirez charged on the inside to fourth. Ramirez started ninth, but from that point on Ramirez would steadily back to his original starting position as both Zack VanderBeek and Corey Dripps passed him to take over fourth and fifth.
Another driver on the move was Tim Donlinger, last year's national champion. Donlinger started fifteenth on the grid and used the low groove to make his way to sixth on lap fourteen. VanderBeek continued his march towards the front as he worked under Sanders for the runner up spot. Four laps later VanderBeek would assume the captain's seat as he motored under Gustin for the lead. A caution came out on lap twenty-three to reset the field, but unfortunately things didn't get going on the restart as Jason Hughes made heavy contact with the opening to the pits in turn one. Hughes would walk away unscaved, but obviously frustrated as that extinguished his hopes of winning the national championship.
Donlinger would line up on the outside of Gustin on the restart and powered his machine to the second spot. Donlinger then set his sights on VanderBeek and briefly led a lap before VanderBeek regained the lead with twelve laps to go. Gustin was able to hit his marks and regain the second position as he got by Donlinger with eight to go. But he would be unable to catch Zack VanderBeek as he too would repeat last year's performance on the second day of the Jamboree. Ryan Gustin would finish second, Tim Donlinger third, Jon Tesch powered his way to fourth, and Corey Dripps rounded out the top five.
Gustin shaved into Kelly Shryock's point lead as Shryock again struggled throughout the night. He started deep in the pack in his heat race and was unable to make any moves to the front, forcing him to run one of the bmain events. Shryock would start fifteenth in his bmain and looked as though a provisional was in store for him, but a caution came out that bunched the field up. Shryock used that to his advantage as he was able to climb into the second spot and make the feature. Shryock would finish in the nineteenth position while Gustin nailed down the second spot. That means Shryock holds a 58-point lead going into the final night of the Jamboree. That amount is very difficult to make up in one night, so odds are Shryock will earn his ninth national championship at night's conclusion.
Racing action is scheduled to start at 5pm tonight at the Deer Creek Speedway. Midwest Modifieds will run their heat races first once again followed by the USMTS heat races. If you can't make it to the track, be sure to check out the action on www.racecastlive.com for play by play.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
The feature action got started once again with the Wissota Midwest Modifieds. They would run a twenty-lap feature that saw Jerry Young take home the hardware followed by Brandon Davis, Mike Paulson, Shane Sabraski, and Andrew Wiste. It was noted by the track announcers that Young captured the win last year on the second night of the Jamboree.
After another laser show set the stage for the USMTS forty-lap main event. Youngster Rodney Sanders would set the pace while being flanked by Nate Wasmund on the outside. However, it would be fourth-place starter Ryan Gustin leading the field at the completion of lap one. Sanders would use the outside to pass Wasmund for the second spot while Dereck Ramirez charged on the inside to fourth. Ramirez started ninth, but from that point on Ramirez would steadily back to his original starting position as both Zack VanderBeek and Corey Dripps passed him to take over fourth and fifth.
Another driver on the move was Tim Donlinger, last year's national champion. Donlinger started fifteenth on the grid and used the low groove to make his way to sixth on lap fourteen. VanderBeek continued his march towards the front as he worked under Sanders for the runner up spot. Four laps later VanderBeek would assume the captain's seat as he motored under Gustin for the lead. A caution came out on lap twenty-three to reset the field, but unfortunately things didn't get going on the restart as Jason Hughes made heavy contact with the opening to the pits in turn one. Hughes would walk away unscaved, but obviously frustrated as that extinguished his hopes of winning the national championship.
Donlinger would line up on the outside of Gustin on the restart and powered his machine to the second spot. Donlinger then set his sights on VanderBeek and briefly led a lap before VanderBeek regained the lead with twelve laps to go. Gustin was able to hit his marks and regain the second position as he got by Donlinger with eight to go. But he would be unable to catch Zack VanderBeek as he too would repeat last year's performance on the second day of the Jamboree. Ryan Gustin would finish second, Tim Donlinger third, Jon Tesch powered his way to fourth, and Corey Dripps rounded out the top five.
Gustin shaved into Kelly Shryock's point lead as Shryock again struggled throughout the night. He started deep in the pack in his heat race and was unable to make any moves to the front, forcing him to run one of the bmain events. Shryock would start fifteenth in his bmain and looked as though a provisional was in store for him, but a caution came out that bunched the field up. Shryock used that to his advantage as he was able to climb into the second spot and make the feature. Shryock would finish in the nineteenth position while Gustin nailed down the second spot. That means Shryock holds a 58-point lead going into the final night of the Jamboree. That amount is very difficult to make up in one night, so odds are Shryock will earn his ninth national championship at night's conclusion.
Racing action is scheduled to start at 5pm tonight at the Deer Creek Speedway. Midwest Modifieds will run their heat races first once again followed by the USMTS heat races. If you can't make it to the track, be sure to check out the action on www.racecastlive.com for play by play.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Jason Cummins Posts Jamboree Opening Win
For as long as I can remember, the saying "sometimes it's better to be lucky then good" has been around. That saying was thrown out the window for Thursday night's USMTS feature as track champion Jason Cummins proved why he was crowned the champ. Kyle Jumbeck would also score a win in the Wissota Midwest Modified feature on this night.
The Wissota Midwest Modifieds were the first feature on the card with Jumbeck leading the field to the green flag for a twenty-lap event. Jumbeck would grab ahold of the lead at the start with fellow front row starter Dustin Scott challenging on the inside. Just past the halfway point, I noticed that Andrew Wiste was charging through the pack. Wiste started 20th on the grid, but found his way up to ninth at the completion of lap twelve. Closer to the front, Brandon Davis and Troy Brand were racing door to door for the third spot with Davis getting the nod a couple laps later. Kyle Jumbeck would go on to take the feature win followed by Dustin Scott, Brandon Davis, and Troy Brand. Forty-three Midwest Modifieds were on hand for tonight's event.
After the Midwest Modifieds were done, it would be time for the much-anticipated laser show. I didn't keep track of the time, but I'm sure it ran for a good 10-15 minutes, playing several songs and giving the fans a good showcase. When the lights came back on, it would be time for the USMTS thirty-lap main event. Corey Dripps and Hank Rollinger would set the pace with Dripps getting the early advantage.
The inside row got a great start as Bob Timm slid into second with Jon Tesch right behind in third. On lap four Tesch drove to the outside of Timm to take over the runner up spot while Al Hejna was on the move deeper in the pack. Hejna, who started tenth, charged to the fourth spot by lap eight using the cushion. Jason Cummins found his marks on the low groove as he took over the second spot from Tesch on lap ten. A lap later Cummins drove by Dripps on the inside to snare the lead away.
Another car on the move was youngster Ryan Gustin. After winning the first of five bmain events, Gustin would start nineteenth on the grid. By lap thirteen he had worked his way up to the eighth spot as he hugged the tires around the entire track. Up front Hejna drove by Dripps and Tesch to take the second spot just after the halfway point. By that time Cummins had opened up a half-straight away lead, but Hejna quickly cut that lead down within two laps as Cummins caught lapped traffic.
Hejna would make the pass on the outside of Cummins in turn four to lead lap twenty-three. Lapped cars would make things difficult for Hejna as he seemed to get boxed in, allowing Cummins to sprint back by on the inside to the lead. Hejna would make contact with the turn two wall late in the race to provide enough insurance for Jason Cummins to take home the $2,000 top prize. Al Hejna, Corey Dripps, Jon Tesch, and Zack VanderBeek rounded out the top five.
Points leader Kelly Shryock had an unusually bad night. After appearing to have the first heat race in hand, he would get passed by Al Hejna. That prevented him from making the top 18 in passing points, meaning he would have to race his way in from a bmain. He would win bmain #2, thus starting 20th on the grid. Shryock would only advance three spots from there, so both Jason Hughes and Ryan Gustin were able to make up some ground in the points championship with just two races remaining.
The Featherlite Fall Jamboree continues Friday and Saturday with two separate and complete shows for both the Wissota Midwest Modifieds along with the USMTS modifieds. Racing action starts at 6pm Friday while things will get kicked off an hour earlier on Saturday.
For more information, check out www.usmts.com or www.deercreekspeedway.com.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
The Wissota Midwest Modifieds were the first feature on the card with Jumbeck leading the field to the green flag for a twenty-lap event. Jumbeck would grab ahold of the lead at the start with fellow front row starter Dustin Scott challenging on the inside. Just past the halfway point, I noticed that Andrew Wiste was charging through the pack. Wiste started 20th on the grid, but found his way up to ninth at the completion of lap twelve. Closer to the front, Brandon Davis and Troy Brand were racing door to door for the third spot with Davis getting the nod a couple laps later. Kyle Jumbeck would go on to take the feature win followed by Dustin Scott, Brandon Davis, and Troy Brand. Forty-three Midwest Modifieds were on hand for tonight's event.
After the Midwest Modifieds were done, it would be time for the much-anticipated laser show. I didn't keep track of the time, but I'm sure it ran for a good 10-15 minutes, playing several songs and giving the fans a good showcase. When the lights came back on, it would be time for the USMTS thirty-lap main event. Corey Dripps and Hank Rollinger would set the pace with Dripps getting the early advantage.
The inside row got a great start as Bob Timm slid into second with Jon Tesch right behind in third. On lap four Tesch drove to the outside of Timm to take over the runner up spot while Al Hejna was on the move deeper in the pack. Hejna, who started tenth, charged to the fourth spot by lap eight using the cushion. Jason Cummins found his marks on the low groove as he took over the second spot from Tesch on lap ten. A lap later Cummins drove by Dripps on the inside to snare the lead away.
Another car on the move was youngster Ryan Gustin. After winning the first of five bmain events, Gustin would start nineteenth on the grid. By lap thirteen he had worked his way up to the eighth spot as he hugged the tires around the entire track. Up front Hejna drove by Dripps and Tesch to take the second spot just after the halfway point. By that time Cummins had opened up a half-straight away lead, but Hejna quickly cut that lead down within two laps as Cummins caught lapped traffic.
Hejna would make the pass on the outside of Cummins in turn four to lead lap twenty-three. Lapped cars would make things difficult for Hejna as he seemed to get boxed in, allowing Cummins to sprint back by on the inside to the lead. Hejna would make contact with the turn two wall late in the race to provide enough insurance for Jason Cummins to take home the $2,000 top prize. Al Hejna, Corey Dripps, Jon Tesch, and Zack VanderBeek rounded out the top five.
Points leader Kelly Shryock had an unusually bad night. After appearing to have the first heat race in hand, he would get passed by Al Hejna. That prevented him from making the top 18 in passing points, meaning he would have to race his way in from a bmain. He would win bmain #2, thus starting 20th on the grid. Shryock would only advance three spots from there, so both Jason Hughes and Ryan Gustin were able to make up some ground in the points championship with just two races remaining.
The Featherlite Fall Jamboree continues Friday and Saturday with two separate and complete shows for both the Wissota Midwest Modifieds along with the USMTS modifieds. Racing action starts at 6pm Friday while things will get kicked off an hour earlier on Saturday.
For more information, check out www.usmts.com or www.deercreekspeedway.com.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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