A hot and sticky Saturday afternoon was in store for race fans across the state and much of the Midwest region, but that didn't stop the action at the Hamilton County Speedway. Fans still showed up to support the speedway and 95 race teams were ready for action. Track officials spent most of the day dumping water on the track, and unfortunately had to ask help from the drivers to roll it in as the program got started later then advertised.
Once a little track prep and a host of activities on the stage during intermission ended, the hornets made their way to the track for their feature action. Four of the five cars on hand took the green flag and Adam Strunk quickly shot to the lead. The field quickly spread out and Adam Strunk became a six-time winner on the season. He was followed across the line by Daniel Ayers, Lyle Oberhelman, and Chris Friesth.
Next up would be the IMCA hobby stocks, and the slogan "wild things" would definitely fit on this night. Nate Bonin raced to the lead from his outside front row start before a caution flag on lap two slowed the action. On the restart Bobby Dilley shot to the outside of Bonin and took over the race lead. Behind them Randy Embrey was making a charge forward, as the veteran driver quickly advanced to third after passing David Rieks on the top side. Embrey continued to motor around the top and made his way past Bonin for second prior to a lap four stoppage. The restart saw first-time visitor Dustin Griffiths from Ottumwa make a great move to the outside and advance four spots to jump into the third position, but the caution would come out prior to the completion of the lap and he would fall back in seventh. Embrey, meanwhile, used this restart to make the pass on Dilley using the low line this time, but once again the yellow came out a lap later.
Brad Ratcliff was working his way to the front as well. After starting tenth, he used the high line to swing past Allen Dixon for third and later ducked inside of Bobby Dilley when he pushed high in turn two, taking over the second position. Yet another caution flag waved, and Embrey would push entering turn one to open the door for Dilley and Ratcliff to motor on by under him. Embrey rebounded and would pass Ratcliff back on the outside and Dustin Griffiths passed Dixon for fourth. Embrey would find himself atop the leader board once again after passing Dilley and would hang on for the win after suffering through seven caution periods. Brad Ratcliff finished second and is now the lone points leader, Craig Graham was third, Nate Bonin fourth, and Kevin Fee rounded out the top five. Twenty cars made the call for the feature, but only seven of them were running at the end.
Next up would be the stock cars. A slim field of eight were on hand and pole sitter Dennis Plain narrowly edged Mark Elliott at the line to lead lap one. Down the back stretch Elliott pulled even and then ahead of Plain on the inside to take over the lead. Curt Hook challenged Plain and would make the pass for second while Mark Haglund also found his way by Plain a lap later. Two cautions would give Hook opportunity to make a move for the lead, but he was unable to make anything stick as Mark Elliott drove to his ninth win of the season in the stock car class. Curt Hook finished second, Mark Haglund was third, Reid Keller fourth, and Ryan Leeman rounded out the top five.
A solid field of twenty-six IMCA sportmods were checked in and ready for battle with Randy Krampe holding the lead from his inside front row start. The man on the move was Bryon Weyer as he started tenth and quickly sliced and diced his way up to fourth after passing Jared Timmerman on the outside. He would also work past Dane Larson for third before a caution flag slowed the action. The restart was just what Bob Sutherland was looking for as he powered by Krampe for the lead using the cushion. Weyer would follow to second but again the caution would come out. Lined up fourth on the restart, two-time winner Cayden Carter pounced on the restart and passed Krampe and Weyer to move into the second slot. Carter would pull even with Sutherland on the inside before overtaking the veteran racer for the lead. Two more yellows would keep the competition close, but after taking the white flag Sutherland would push high and relinquish the second spot. That allowed Cayden Carter some breathing room as he went on to pick up his third win of the season. Bryon Weyer finished second, Dane Larson was third, Joel Rust finished fourth, and Bob Sutherland completed the top five.
Seventeen IMCA modifieds were now set for their finale of the evening. Things got off to a slow start, however, as two attempts to get a lap in failed. Chris Webb spun and collected Jon Snyder on the initial try while Jeremy Brogaard spun on the second attempt. While under caution Adam Larson visited the work area to change a flat tire. When the green finally came out on the third try, it was Levi Nielsen who jumped out to the lead. Daniel Hilsabeck settled into the second spot while Scott Olson gave up the third position to Scott Williams. Jeremy Mills was the first car using the inside line and made it work, passing both Olson and Williams to advance to the third position. Nielsen was enjoying a comfortable lead when his machine slowed down the front stretch and brought out the caution, giving the reigns to Hilsabeck. Mills made short work of Hilsabeck's time out front as he ducked to the inside and took over the lead. With six laps remaining Jon Snyder had worked his way back up to fourth after passing Williams. Another late caution for Scott Olson coming to a stop allowed Snyder to restart behind Mills and Hilsabeck. Snyder shot to the inside and made the pass for second and closed the gap to Mills, but he ran out of time as Jeremy Mills scored his third win of the season. Jon Snyder finished second, Daniel Hilsabeck was third, Mark Elliott fourth, and Todd Shute rounded out the top five.
The night's finale would be the IMCA late model feature as eighteen cars strong took the green flag. Scott Badker would hold the lead in the opening laps with Jason Hahne in second. On lap three Hahne made his move on the outside and made the pass for the lead. Al Johnson would use the same line to get by Badker while Ben Nading later used the inside line past Badker. Jeff Aikey and Todd Cooney slowly made their way into the top five, but it was Jason Hahne taking his second win of the season. Al Johnson finished second, Jeff Aikey third, Todd Cooney fourth, and Ben Nading fifth.
Other then the late start, I'd say it was a good night of racing. There were two grooves of racing throughout the night and plenty of action on the track. The season is quickly winding down at the Hamilton County Speedway as only two more point races are on the slate. The Hamilton County fair gets started this Tuesday and the speedway will host it's 6th annual Thursday Night Thunder program. All six classes will be in action with higher purses, including $2,000 to win for IMCA late models and $1,500 to win for IMCA sportmods. For more information on this race, along with full results and updated point standings, check out the Hamilton County Speedway website. I'd also like to thank track announcer Ryan Bergeson for the many plugs he provided for Positivelyracing.com throughout the night and this season.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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