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!!
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