Another great weather day turned into another good night at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City Sunday night. A few more cars were on hand this week, making things a little more interesting. The show was still run very efficiently, despite one red flag when Ryan Harris found himself tumbling down the frontstretch wall and into the catchfence. He would get out of the car under his own power and be okay.
The two hornet divisions were won by Tyler Trappe and Kelly Miller. Trappe noted in the post-race interview with announcer Jerry Vansickel that it was only his second night in the car. Sounds like he figured out things very quickly in his machine.
What turned out to be the "drama" portion of the show would be the IMCA hobby stocks. Mick Meyers took command of the race at the drop of the green while positions were up for grabs behind him. Scott Dobel found himself in second early on before opening night winner Chad Gentz and Heath Tulp scooted by under him. Tulp continued his momentum as he dove to the inside of Gentz to snare the second spot away. Gentz would lose his position to Cory Gansen at the midpoint of the race as Meyers continued to keep a comfortable lead up front. Mick Meyers would see the checkered flag first followed across the line by Heath Tulp, Cory Gansen, Chad Gentz, and Scott Dobel. However, Stac Schroeder attempted to claim Heath Tulp's engine. After some deliberation, Tulp denied the claim and drove away. So that bumped everybody up a spot from second on back.
Twenty-two IMCA sportmods would then hit the track next for their feature event. Pole-sitter Adam Ackerman wasted no time in assuming the lead, leaving the rest of the field to battle it out. Travis Greenfield held down the second position until he pushed up the track in turn four, allowing three competitors to advance a position. A caution flag bunched the field back up with only four laps down, but Ackerman was able to pull away once again. The top four remained unchanged the rest of the way as Adam Ackerman scored the win followed by Shane Swanson, Chad Louk, Geoff Olson, and Nate Chodur.
IMCA stock cars saw a field of eleven start the feature. Larry Portis used the outside front row starting spot to grab the lead early on. Coming to the completion of the first lap Canadian driver Ryan Harris went for a wild ride on the fronstretch. Harris' car went airborne and snagged part of the catchfence, but landed on all four wheels. He would exit his car under his own power and appeared to be okay. When racing resumed, a fierce battle for second ensued as Merlyn Hegland and Joe Willier slipped under Kevin Opheim as Opheim's car pushed up the corner. Portis would extend his lead as Opheim would later get back around Willier for third. But the night belonged to Larry Portis as he laid claim to the top prize. Hegland was second, Opheim third, Willier fourth, and Andrew Inman rounded out the top five.
The final event of the night would be the twenty-lap IMCA modified feature. Again the front row was the place to be as Curt Badker raced to the lead. Badker would open up a huge lead over Shane Monson as the lapped clicked off while three drivers duked it out for positions four, five, and six. Terrance Prochaska led that pack ahead of Jeremy Mills and Ryan Ruter for the time being, but Ruter got under Mills in turn one to take the spot away. Monson had a solid grip on second place until he lost the handle exiting turn two, allowing Rob Rose to make the pass. Ruter worked the inside lane on Prochaska later in the race to snare the fourth spot while Monson exited the track. There was no catching Curt Badker on this night, however, as he took home the win by nearly half a lap. Rob Rose was second, Ryan Ruter third, Terrance Prochaska fourth, and Jeremy Mills rounded out the top five.
Once again Joe Ringsdorf and his staff ran an efficient program. Races were completed by 8:45, a definite breath of fresh air for me considering my other races attended this weekend. For more information about the I-35 Speedway, check out their website at www.i-35speedway.com.
As mentioned, I did attend races on Friday and Saturday night. Due to the lengthy shows each night, I was unable to find time to write about them. Marshalltown had the unusual circumstances of a transformer blowing in the infield, thus no power or PA system for over an hour. Racing concluded there just before the midnight hour as did the action at 34 Raceway in Burlington on Saturday night. The IMCA Deery Brothers late model series got their season kicked off in grand style with the Slocum 50 in which Mark Burgtorf captured the $3,000 top prize with a late race pass on Nate Bueseling. For information regarding the Marshalltown races, check out Ryan Clark's blog on www.positivelyracing.com. For Burlington info you can check out Jeff Broeg's and Ryan Clark's writings.
Before I conclude, I must thank Blake Anderson for the couple of plus for PositivelyRacing Friday night in Marshalltown. Blake is an energetic personality on the mic and I look forward to listening to him each and every Friday night.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
First Half-Mile Track Visit in 2010
As the headline indicates, I caught my first racing action on a half-mile track this season by attending the season opener at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City Sunday night. Joe Ringsdorf had his Sunday night track looking in tip-top shape, and I noticed the banking in turns one and two appeared to be higher then last year. Either that or my eyes were deceiving me.
I checked in and roamed the pit area, chatting with drivers that I saw race in Algona last night or asking guys if they had raced elsewhere. Had good conversations with a lot of different people, but the time soon came to get the motors running.
The heat races were run in an efficient manner as always. Ten junior hornets then made their way to the track. It would be Alan Aird taking home the win while Gary Stahl picked up the hornet victory. Stahl indicated he'd try to come back down from his hometown of Kasson, Minnesota as much as he could, but he plans to run at his hometown track located three blocks from his house. Don't blame him there!
Thirteen IMCA hobby stocks were ready to do battle next as outside front row starter, and Algona feature winner, Chad Gentz took the early lead. Pole sitter Kyle Schmauss lost the handle on his machine, handing the second spot over to Heath Tulp. Tulp would get under Gentz for the lead on lap three while Stac Schroeder followed right behind. Schroeder would use the only restart of the race to sneak inside of Tulp to grab the reigns away. A bit further behind, Dustin Wannarka was making big strides to the front. Wannarka started at the tail of the field, but had advanced to the third spot by passing Gentz on the outside. But Stac Schroeder was fastest on this night as he took home the win. He was followed across the line by Heath Tulp, Dustin Wannarka, Cory Gansen, and Chad Gentz. Gansen was driving an unfamiliar #71c car rather then his usual #6 car.
Up next would be the IMCA sportmod feature event with twenty cars making the call. Pole sitter Geoff Olson took advantage of his great starting spot by racing to the lead. He would pull away from the field before the caution came out that involved Adam Ackerman's car coming to a stop. That put Nate Chodur on Olson's rear bumper, but he was unable to get any closer as Olson again distanced himself. Shane Swanson got by Chad Louk for the third spot and quickly closed the gap to Chodur. Olson was able to take home the win followed by Nate Chodur, Shane Swanson, Matt Looft, and Chad Louk.
Only nine IMCA stock cars were on hand for opening night. Chris Adams dashed to the front of the field at the drop of the green flag, but that didn't last long as Larry Portis took the lead away on lap three. Adams would lose the runner up spot to Merlyn Hegland a short time later before the caution waved for Kevin Opheim, whose car spun in turn three. A double-file restart bunched the field back up, and Travis Shipman took full advantage of that as he motored by on the outside to advance from fourth to second within the first green flag lap. Hegland's night ended sooner then expected when he slowed exiting turn two. Just when it appeared that Portis had things well in hand with a lap to go, the transmission gave way as he took the white flag. Travis Shipman was in the right place at the right time as he would take home the unexpected win followed by Randy Killen, Joe Willier, Chris Adams, and Andrew Inman.
(Edit) - Apparently Randy Killen was disqualified, moving everybody else behind him up a spot.
Fourteen IMCA modifieds closed out the night's racing activities with a twenty lap feature. With Ryan Ruter and Jeremy Mills on the front row, everybody knew it was going to be a heck of a race. Ruter got the edge early on for the lead, but Mills stayed within striking distance. Terrance Prochaska entered into the battle as well, but Ruter and Mills separated themselves later in the race despite a couple yellow flags. Levi Nielsen and rookie Dustin Brown made heavy contact with each other as Nielsen spun and Brown had nowhere to go. Nielsen walked away while Brown was checked over in the pit area. I believe he was okay, just a little sore. Unfortunately his Skyrocket's front end can't say the same. When racing resumed, Mills applied pressure to Ruter in the closing laps, but Ryan Ruter was able to hold him off to take the win. Mills was second, Terrance Prochaska third, Shane Monson fourth, and Rob Rose rounded out the top five.
A very efficient program saw the final checkered flag wave before 8:30. Hopefully as the weeks go by the car count will pick up. I was very surprised to see only nine stock cars on hand.
Once again I'd like to thank Joe Ringsdorf for his hospitality tonight.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
I checked in and roamed the pit area, chatting with drivers that I saw race in Algona last night or asking guys if they had raced elsewhere. Had good conversations with a lot of different people, but the time soon came to get the motors running.
The heat races were run in an efficient manner as always. Ten junior hornets then made their way to the track. It would be Alan Aird taking home the win while Gary Stahl picked up the hornet victory. Stahl indicated he'd try to come back down from his hometown of Kasson, Minnesota as much as he could, but he plans to run at his hometown track located three blocks from his house. Don't blame him there!
Thirteen IMCA hobby stocks were ready to do battle next as outside front row starter, and Algona feature winner, Chad Gentz took the early lead. Pole sitter Kyle Schmauss lost the handle on his machine, handing the second spot over to Heath Tulp. Tulp would get under Gentz for the lead on lap three while Stac Schroeder followed right behind. Schroeder would use the only restart of the race to sneak inside of Tulp to grab the reigns away. A bit further behind, Dustin Wannarka was making big strides to the front. Wannarka started at the tail of the field, but had advanced to the third spot by passing Gentz on the outside. But Stac Schroeder was fastest on this night as he took home the win. He was followed across the line by Heath Tulp, Dustin Wannarka, Cory Gansen, and Chad Gentz. Gansen was driving an unfamiliar #71c car rather then his usual #6 car.
Up next would be the IMCA sportmod feature event with twenty cars making the call. Pole sitter Geoff Olson took advantage of his great starting spot by racing to the lead. He would pull away from the field before the caution came out that involved Adam Ackerman's car coming to a stop. That put Nate Chodur on Olson's rear bumper, but he was unable to get any closer as Olson again distanced himself. Shane Swanson got by Chad Louk for the third spot and quickly closed the gap to Chodur. Olson was able to take home the win followed by Nate Chodur, Shane Swanson, Matt Looft, and Chad Louk.
Only nine IMCA stock cars were on hand for opening night. Chris Adams dashed to the front of the field at the drop of the green flag, but that didn't last long as Larry Portis took the lead away on lap three. Adams would lose the runner up spot to Merlyn Hegland a short time later before the caution waved for Kevin Opheim, whose car spun in turn three. A double-file restart bunched the field back up, and Travis Shipman took full advantage of that as he motored by on the outside to advance from fourth to second within the first green flag lap. Hegland's night ended sooner then expected when he slowed exiting turn two. Just when it appeared that Portis had things well in hand with a lap to go, the transmission gave way as he took the white flag. Travis Shipman was in the right place at the right time as he would take home the unexpected win followed by Randy Killen, Joe Willier, Chris Adams, and Andrew Inman.
(Edit) - Apparently Randy Killen was disqualified, moving everybody else behind him up a spot.
Fourteen IMCA modifieds closed out the night's racing activities with a twenty lap feature. With Ryan Ruter and Jeremy Mills on the front row, everybody knew it was going to be a heck of a race. Ruter got the edge early on for the lead, but Mills stayed within striking distance. Terrance Prochaska entered into the battle as well, but Ruter and Mills separated themselves later in the race despite a couple yellow flags. Levi Nielsen and rookie Dustin Brown made heavy contact with each other as Nielsen spun and Brown had nowhere to go. Nielsen walked away while Brown was checked over in the pit area. I believe he was okay, just a little sore. Unfortunately his Skyrocket's front end can't say the same. When racing resumed, Mills applied pressure to Ruter in the closing laps, but Ryan Ruter was able to hold him off to take the win. Mills was second, Terrance Prochaska third, Shane Monson fourth, and Rob Rose rounded out the top five.
A very efficient program saw the final checkered flag wave before 8:30. Hopefully as the weeks go by the car count will pick up. I was very surprised to see only nine stock cars on hand.
Once again I'd like to thank Joe Ringsdorf for his hospitality tonight.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Algona Hosts My First Racing Action in Iowa
All week long I pondered my options on where to go come Saturday night. Several options were available including Boone, Webster City, Algona, Deer Creek, and Burlington. After working a couple hours Saturday morning, I finally made the decision to check out Joe Ringsdorf's Algona Raceway.
Upon arrival my friends and I met up with good friends Jerry Vansickel and Grant Oskvig. Jerry is one of the voices of the track while Grant waves the flags every week. After spending a couple minutes catching up on things from the winter, it was time to go check in and get settled in. When checking in at the pitshack, a woman noticed who I was and immediately knew my name. She was very friendly and thanked me for coming. My goal for my next visit to Algona is to figure out her name and thank her for being a follower of my blog.
By my count there were 83 total cars on hand. Classes in competition included IMCA modifieds, IMCA stock cars, IMCA sportmods, IMCA hobby stocks, cruisers, and two divisions of hornets. This is the first year that Ringsdorf has sanctioned with IMCA on the hobby stocks and sportmods. Naturally I wanted to see how drivers made the transition from last year to this, but it appears it may have been easier then I anticipated. Twenty-one IMCA hobby stocks and eighteen IMCA sportmods were on hand; definitely a good count for both in my opinion. I noticed in the heat races that several sportmods were dealing with tight race cars, a direct result likely from the rear spoiler. I'm sure drivers will get things figured out as the year progresses.
Nine junior hornets were the first feature to hit the track. It would be Ross Hingson taking the win after Joe Devries crossed the line first, but was later docked two spots for jumping the initial start. Dan Potts was second.
Patrick Barrett, Tim Doocy, and Jay Devries all battled it out in the seven-car hornet feature for the top prize. In the end it would be Devries holding off Doocy at the line for the win.
Six cruisers were on hand for their opening night as Peg Lewis and Heather Pesicka came home with the win. They are the defending track champions.
IMCA hobby stocks have been dubbed the "wild things" at other tracks in the Midwest. That tagline carried over to the Algona Raceway last night as twenty cars made the starting call. Outside front row started Chad Krug led the opening laps of the twelve-lap feature until the caution came out when Devin Smith looped his machine in turn four. Smith had been running fifth, but was relegated to the tail of the field. The caution would fly again when Kyle Ricke spun his machine to the inside of the corner, but happened to be a big break for Cody Knecht. Knecht was running third, but would be docked two spots for jumping the first restart.
More madness would follow as the following restart was called off because of the second-place car passing the leader before the flagstand. Unfortunately that didn't help Drew Barglof as he lost a right rear tire in the process to end his night. As if things couldn't get more hectic then that, the top three drivers made contact with each other when racing resumed and all spun to some degree thereafter. The caution came out for that incident, handing the reigns over to Nick Meyer. Alan Ricke would later spin his machine to the infield to bring out yet another caution, setting up a restart with Meyer, Heath Tulp, Chad Gentz, Derrick Barglof, and Cody Knecht the top five. However, before the green flag could wave Tulp was forced to the infield with a flat right rear tire. Meyer's machine slowed exiting turn four, causing drivers behind him to take evasive action. Devin Smith tried to changed lanes, but Barglof was there and wouldn't let him through. Barglof was black flagged for questionable driving on Smith as all three cars got together hard. After all the excitement, the final restart proved to be rather calm as Chad Gentz held off the rest of the field to pick up the win. Cody Knecht and Dustin Wannarka battled for second with Knecht getting the upper hand at the end. Micah Lavrenz and Kyle Ricke rounded out the rest of the top five.
Wheeew... time to catch my breath. Ok, now on to the IMCA sportmods. This feature would prove to be much different as no caution flags were thrown. Outside front row starter Mike Carlson grabbed the lead from the drop of the green flag, but Brett Meyer was charging through the field at a high pace further back. Meyer started sixth on the grid, but quickly moved to second by the third circuit. Meyer dove to the inside of Carlson in turn three to take the lead, but in doing so Carlson spun his machine to the bottom of turn four. He kept the engine running and fell back to ninth. The battle of the "5" cars was a good one to watch at Friday night's winner in Fairmont, Tad Reutzel, and Jake Simpson were also moving forward. They passed George Nordman to climb to third and fourth, respectively while Meyer opened up a straight away lead. Reutzel would dispose of Denny Penning for the runner up spot, but was unable to make up ground as Brett Meyer took home the win. Jake Simpson got by both Penning and Reutzel late in the race to snare second, Reutzel was third, Penning fourth, and Matt Hoeft completed the top five.
Nineteen IMCA stock cars hit the track next and sophomore Josh Hohensee was quick on the trigger to take the lead. Kevin Opheim quickly made his way to second while perennial contender David Smith worked his way to fourth. He then ducked inside of Andrew Inman for the third spot before the caution came out. A Delaware double-file restart was used, giving the leader a row to himself with the field doubled up behind him. Jared Dirks used this to his advantage as he shot to the outside and picked off a couple cars to advance up to third. Chad Palmer would get back by Dirks for third, and a bit later Opheim went entered turn three carrying a little too much momentum and slid up the track a couple car widths, allowing Palmer to get that position at the halfway point of the race. Dirks would battle with Opheim and take the third spot away just before the caution waved again for Laura Curry and Craig Berhow. Both drivers wound up hitting the frontstretch wall with Curry's car getting the worst of it. Tough luck for Curry as earlier she won the best appearing stock car award at the car show. After the restart, Dirks would find himself spinning in front of traffic to the inside of turn four. Luckily everybody missed him, but that ended his night. Palmer closed in on Hohensee late in the race, but it wasn't enough as Hohensee took the win. Palmer was second, Dave Smith third, Kevin Opheim fourth, and Calvin Lange rounded out the top five.
Only thirteen IMCA modifieds were on hand for opening night, which was kind of disappointing. Ricky Stephan used his pole starting spot to take control the race early on. Clayton Christensen's machine would slow to a stop atop turn four to bring out the caution. Jeremy Mills was running second when he used the outside groove to pass Stephan for the lead. Eric Dailey and Austin Wolf engaged in a battle for third while all eyes were watching Matt Gilbertson towards the middle of the pack. Gilbertson was fast in his heat and started tenth on the grid, but people were noticing his hot orange brakes on his rear wheels. Gilbertson kept slowing advancing positions as he climbed inside the top five with the orange colored glow. He got by Austin Wolf for fourth before getting black flagged for sparks falling from his right rear brakes. At that time parts flew off in turn three to bring out the caution flag, setting up a double-file restart with four laps to go. Restarting in fifth, Ryan Watnem made the outside lane work to his liking as he climbed to the runner up spot with two laps to go. But he would not catch Jeremy Mills as he went on take the win. Watnem was second, Eric Dailey third, Ricky Stephan fourth, and Austin Wolf fifth.
All in all it was a good night of racing at Algona. The show moved along at a quick pace all night, or at least when the caution flag wasn't being thrown. There were quite a few black flags thrown, something I rarely see at a season opening event. But they were all good calls made by the officials, at least in my opinion.
I'd like to thank Joe Ringsdorf for his hospitality and look forward to making a return trip to Algona in the future. Tonight I'll make the trip to his Sunday night home, the I-35 Speedway in Mason City for their season opener. Hot laps get underway at 6pm with racing action to follow.
I'd like to take this time to wish all of you a Happy Easter!!
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Upon arrival my friends and I met up with good friends Jerry Vansickel and Grant Oskvig. Jerry is one of the voices of the track while Grant waves the flags every week. After spending a couple minutes catching up on things from the winter, it was time to go check in and get settled in. When checking in at the pitshack, a woman noticed who I was and immediately knew my name. She was very friendly and thanked me for coming. My goal for my next visit to Algona is to figure out her name and thank her for being a follower of my blog.
By my count there were 83 total cars on hand. Classes in competition included IMCA modifieds, IMCA stock cars, IMCA sportmods, IMCA hobby stocks, cruisers, and two divisions of hornets. This is the first year that Ringsdorf has sanctioned with IMCA on the hobby stocks and sportmods. Naturally I wanted to see how drivers made the transition from last year to this, but it appears it may have been easier then I anticipated. Twenty-one IMCA hobby stocks and eighteen IMCA sportmods were on hand; definitely a good count for both in my opinion. I noticed in the heat races that several sportmods were dealing with tight race cars, a direct result likely from the rear spoiler. I'm sure drivers will get things figured out as the year progresses.
Nine junior hornets were the first feature to hit the track. It would be Ross Hingson taking the win after Joe Devries crossed the line first, but was later docked two spots for jumping the initial start. Dan Potts was second.
Patrick Barrett, Tim Doocy, and Jay Devries all battled it out in the seven-car hornet feature for the top prize. In the end it would be Devries holding off Doocy at the line for the win.
Six cruisers were on hand for their opening night as Peg Lewis and Heather Pesicka came home with the win. They are the defending track champions.
IMCA hobby stocks have been dubbed the "wild things" at other tracks in the Midwest. That tagline carried over to the Algona Raceway last night as twenty cars made the starting call. Outside front row started Chad Krug led the opening laps of the twelve-lap feature until the caution came out when Devin Smith looped his machine in turn four. Smith had been running fifth, but was relegated to the tail of the field. The caution would fly again when Kyle Ricke spun his machine to the inside of the corner, but happened to be a big break for Cody Knecht. Knecht was running third, but would be docked two spots for jumping the first restart.
More madness would follow as the following restart was called off because of the second-place car passing the leader before the flagstand. Unfortunately that didn't help Drew Barglof as he lost a right rear tire in the process to end his night. As if things couldn't get more hectic then that, the top three drivers made contact with each other when racing resumed and all spun to some degree thereafter. The caution came out for that incident, handing the reigns over to Nick Meyer. Alan Ricke would later spin his machine to the infield to bring out yet another caution, setting up a restart with Meyer, Heath Tulp, Chad Gentz, Derrick Barglof, and Cody Knecht the top five. However, before the green flag could wave Tulp was forced to the infield with a flat right rear tire. Meyer's machine slowed exiting turn four, causing drivers behind him to take evasive action. Devin Smith tried to changed lanes, but Barglof was there and wouldn't let him through. Barglof was black flagged for questionable driving on Smith as all three cars got together hard. After all the excitement, the final restart proved to be rather calm as Chad Gentz held off the rest of the field to pick up the win. Cody Knecht and Dustin Wannarka battled for second with Knecht getting the upper hand at the end. Micah Lavrenz and Kyle Ricke rounded out the rest of the top five.
Wheeew... time to catch my breath. Ok, now on to the IMCA sportmods. This feature would prove to be much different as no caution flags were thrown. Outside front row starter Mike Carlson grabbed the lead from the drop of the green flag, but Brett Meyer was charging through the field at a high pace further back. Meyer started sixth on the grid, but quickly moved to second by the third circuit. Meyer dove to the inside of Carlson in turn three to take the lead, but in doing so Carlson spun his machine to the bottom of turn four. He kept the engine running and fell back to ninth. The battle of the "5" cars was a good one to watch at Friday night's winner in Fairmont, Tad Reutzel, and Jake Simpson were also moving forward. They passed George Nordman to climb to third and fourth, respectively while Meyer opened up a straight away lead. Reutzel would dispose of Denny Penning for the runner up spot, but was unable to make up ground as Brett Meyer took home the win. Jake Simpson got by both Penning and Reutzel late in the race to snare second, Reutzel was third, Penning fourth, and Matt Hoeft completed the top five.
Nineteen IMCA stock cars hit the track next and sophomore Josh Hohensee was quick on the trigger to take the lead. Kevin Opheim quickly made his way to second while perennial contender David Smith worked his way to fourth. He then ducked inside of Andrew Inman for the third spot before the caution came out. A Delaware double-file restart was used, giving the leader a row to himself with the field doubled up behind him. Jared Dirks used this to his advantage as he shot to the outside and picked off a couple cars to advance up to third. Chad Palmer would get back by Dirks for third, and a bit later Opheim went entered turn three carrying a little too much momentum and slid up the track a couple car widths, allowing Palmer to get that position at the halfway point of the race. Dirks would battle with Opheim and take the third spot away just before the caution waved again for Laura Curry and Craig Berhow. Both drivers wound up hitting the frontstretch wall with Curry's car getting the worst of it. Tough luck for Curry as earlier she won the best appearing stock car award at the car show. After the restart, Dirks would find himself spinning in front of traffic to the inside of turn four. Luckily everybody missed him, but that ended his night. Palmer closed in on Hohensee late in the race, but it wasn't enough as Hohensee took the win. Palmer was second, Dave Smith third, Kevin Opheim fourth, and Calvin Lange rounded out the top five.
Only thirteen IMCA modifieds were on hand for opening night, which was kind of disappointing. Ricky Stephan used his pole starting spot to take control the race early on. Clayton Christensen's machine would slow to a stop atop turn four to bring out the caution. Jeremy Mills was running second when he used the outside groove to pass Stephan for the lead. Eric Dailey and Austin Wolf engaged in a battle for third while all eyes were watching Matt Gilbertson towards the middle of the pack. Gilbertson was fast in his heat and started tenth on the grid, but people were noticing his hot orange brakes on his rear wheels. Gilbertson kept slowing advancing positions as he climbed inside the top five with the orange colored glow. He got by Austin Wolf for fourth before getting black flagged for sparks falling from his right rear brakes. At that time parts flew off in turn three to bring out the caution flag, setting up a double-file restart with four laps to go. Restarting in fifth, Ryan Watnem made the outside lane work to his liking as he climbed to the runner up spot with two laps to go. But he would not catch Jeremy Mills as he went on take the win. Watnem was second, Eric Dailey third, Ricky Stephan fourth, and Austin Wolf fifth.
All in all it was a good night of racing at Algona. The show moved along at a quick pace all night, or at least when the caution flag wasn't being thrown. There were quite a few black flags thrown, something I rarely see at a season opening event. But they were all good calls made by the officials, at least in my opinion.
I'd like to thank Joe Ringsdorf for his hospitality and look forward to making a return trip to Algona in the future. Tonight I'll make the trip to his Sunday night home, the I-35 Speedway in Mason City for their season opener. Hot laps get underway at 6pm with racing action to follow.
I'd like to take this time to wish all of you a Happy Easter!!
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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