Another Saturday brought about the road trip to the Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City. Threat of rain was on the radar earlier in the afternoon, but things stayed dry all night to give the drivers a smooth racing surface. The track would take rubber as the night went on, providing drivers a couple different racing grooves.
First up would be the seven-car field of hornets. Lyle Oberhelman and Adam Strunk drove to the inside and outside of the front row starters at the drop of the green flag with Strunk leading lap one. Oberhelman would look to the outside of Strunk and momentarily take the lead exiting turn two, but Strunk would battle back on the next set of turns and regain the lead. Adam Strunk would go on to pick up his fifth win in a row at Webster City. Lyle Oberhelman finished second, Mike McFarland was third, Daniel Ayers fourth, and Jason Clark rounded out the top five.
Twenty cars would take the green flag in the IMCA hobby stock feature, but the caution flag waved just as fast as the green flag had. When racing resumed it was Roger Haupt Jr leading the first lap after some of the field had raced four-wide. Brad Ratcliff was on the move as he advanced into the second position while points leader Kevin Fee worked his way to fourth on lap three. However a caution flag came out and Fee was put back in the seventh position. When the green flag dropped again Fee and David Rieks would hook bumpers and come to a stop in turn three to bring out another yellow. Ratcliff used the restart to his advantage as he used a slingshot move in turn one to overtake Haupt Jr at the front of the field. Blake Miller, Craig Graham, and Cody Nielsen raced three-wide for the third position before Miller took the spot. Miller would use the inside line to pass Haupt Jr for second, but it would be Brad Ratcliff picking up the win. Blake Miller finished second, Roger Haupt Jr was third, Craig Graham was fourth, and Cody Nielsen finished fifth in his first visit of the year.
Next up would be the stock car main event. Pole sitter Dave Atcher would grab the lead, but Mark Elliott was quickly on the prowl. Elliott started eighth, but quickly sliced his way to the third spot utilizing the inside line on lap two. Mark Haglund ducked to the inside of Atcher to snare the lead away while Elliott followed him into second. A few short laps later Elliott swung to the outside of Haglund and took command out front. Jason Wagoner found the high side to his liking as well as he passed Reid Keller for third and later passed Haglund for the runner up position with six laps remaining. Wagoner quickly closed in on Elliott, but the caution came out on the final lap. On the restart Wagoner drove in a little hot in turn one and jumped the cushion, allowing Haglund to sneak by under him for second. Wagoner would regain his composure and get back by Haglund, but time ran out as Mark Elliott picked up another win in the stock car ranks. Jason Wagoner finished second, Mark Haglund was third, Curt Hook finished fourth, and Reid Keller rounded out the top five.
The field of IMCA sportmods were dwindled down to a starting field of twenty-four with outside front row starter Jeremy Embrey getting the nod out front early. Embrey would receive heavy pressure from Jared Timmerman before relinquishing the lead, but Embrey would battle back and retake the top spot. Timmerman regained control up front as Matt Lettow got by Embrey for second. In the closing laps the leaders had to deal with lapped traffic, and exiting turn four Lettow chose the correct lane in making the pass on Timmerman for the lead. Lettow would go on to take the win ahead of Jared Timmerman, Jeremy Embrey, Cayden Carter, and Kyle Brown.
Pole sitter Luke Wanninger grabbed the lead at the drop of the green flag on the IMCA modified feature. After starting seventh, JJ Wise quickly sliced his way using the bottom line to the third position. Mark Elliott was on the charge on the top side and made his way around Wise to settle in third. Wise's night would end prematurely as his machine began to pour out heavy smoke. On the restart Wanninger slid too high and allowed Elliott to motor by for the lead. Jeremy Mills worked his way around Jacob Murray for third after starting thirteenth while Adam Larson was trying to rally from being involved in an early caution. Larson would wind up fifth when the checkered flag dropped, but it would be Mark Elliott taking his car to victory lane for the second time that night. Jeremy Mills finished second, Richie Gustin was third, Luke Wanninger held on for fourth with Larson in fifth.
Curt Schroeder took control in the IMCA late model finale, but the caution flag waved on lap two to slow the pace. Darrel DeFrance dashed to the inside and made a pass on Kyle Wahlert on lap four to take over the third position. Ryan Griffith would challenge Schroeder for the lead before overtaking him on lap six. DeFrance would also get by Schroeder a few laps later, but was unable to close the big gap as Ryan Griffith nabbed his first win of the season. Darrel DeFrance finished second, Kyle Wahlert was third, Curt Schroeder was fourth, and Jeff Aikey completed the top five.
After last week's rough terrain on account of rainy weather, Saturday night was a complete turnaround as it was a dry and smooth track. It would take rubber and provide for some great side by side action, giving the fans lots of excitement. For a complete rundown from Saturday night and updated point standings, check out the Hamilton County Speedway website.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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