Thursday I had planned on making the trip to the Hancock County Speedway in Britt for their weekly action along with a hobby stock special, but things changed with a front dumped some rain on the facility and forced track officials to cancel the show. I had made plans to go with a buddy of mine, and he quickly remembered that the USMTS were racing in Lansing, Minnesota that night. After doing some quick research on the internet he let me know that they were still racing, so after work I dashed home to change clothes, picked him up, and we were off to the Chateau Raceway!
This would be my first USMTS race since June 12 when they made a stop at Worthington, Minnesota. For those that know me, I enjoy watching these guys race and typically make every attempt to see them that I can. But Thursday night was only my fifth USMTS race I've been to thus far. A far cry from what I'm used to, but that's okay. Also in action Thursday night were the Iron Man Challenge series for the USRA bmods and the track's pure stock class.
Sixteen USRA bmods were on hand for the first time ever at the Chateau Raceway as they normally host Wissota midwest mods weekly. Kylie Kath wasted no time in putting a stranglehold on the pack as he jumped to the lead early on. Brandon Hare, last year's USRA national champion in the bmod division, was on the charge early and moved up to fourth after a nifty move to the inside of Nate Chodur. Jacob Bleess and Jake Timm were running second and third, but Kath opened up a straight away lead at the halfway point. Hare was able to work the outside of Timm to move into the third spot. Two laps later the caution flag waved, and Hare took advantage of the double-file restart as he rode the cushion and climbed into second by passing Bleess. The caution came out again two laps later when Timm spun to a stop. When the checkered flag waved it was Kylie Kath taking home the win. Brandon Hare followed in second, Jacob Bleess was third, Matt Lettow fourth, and Josh Bonnstetter rounded out the top five.
Thirty-four USMTS cars were on hand Thursday night, but that number had to be dwindled down to twenty-four along with a provisional starter. After winning the previous two races, Zack VanderBeek's luck continued as he redrew the pole position. Local favorite Tommy Myer would sit outside of him, and it was Myer who got the better start and led the field early. Rodney Sanders made an early move to the inside to pass Keith Foss for fourth, but that was the only position change within the first eleven laps or so. Myer would open up a big margin as he caught lapped traffic quickly by lap fifteen, but a yellow three laps later would eliminate the lapped cars in front of him. The double file restart didn't appear to help or hinder any drivers in the top ten as they all maintained their positions even though the track appeared to lock down on the bottom. Myer opened up his lead by a straight away with ten laps remaining while Corey Dripps ducked inside of VanderBeek for second with six laps to go. While Myer weaved through lapped traffic, Dripps made up ground quickly and closed in on Myer in the closing laps. Dripps was on Myer's rear bumper when they took the white flag and looked to the inside of the leader entering turn three. Dripps hit the gas in turn four, but had to check up a little to prevent getting in to Myer's door panel. Myer was able to fend off Dripps' challenge and pick up his first win of the 2011 season. Corey Dripps came home second, Zack VanderBeek was third, Rodney Sanders fourth, and Keith Foss rounded out the top five.
The night got off to an unusual start as some bigger name drivers struggled in their respective heat races. Heat one saw Jason Hughes start ninth and not crack the top five. Heat two saw the same thing for Ryan Gustin while heat four saw the same for Jon Tesch. Heat three Kelly Shryock started third and finished fourth, so all four of these drivers had to qualify through the b-mains.
It was nice getting back up to the Chateau Raceway as it's been a few years since I had been there. I was pleased that only two support classes were on hand for a mid-week special. Wish more promoters would do the same.
The USMTS got rained out last night at the Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wisconsin. They head to the famous Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin tonight to finish up some business left behind in June after a rain out. From there they have a few days off before attempting to get Mason City's race in on Tuesday, July 19. Mason City has had to reschedule their date two or three times, so here's hoping the weather holds off this time.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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