Quincy, IL (Thursday, July 28, 2016) - After watching the radar all day, and despite the radar showing a cell moving towards Quincy, I jumped into the car to head to the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, Illinois for the "2nd Annual Workforce 40" featuring the Craftsman World of Outlaws Late Models and the Neal Tire and Auto Service MOWA Sprint Car Series presented by Casey's General Stores.
Thirty miles south into my trip I was beginning to second guess my decision, as the pavement was wet from the front that just moved through the area. But the sun never disappeared from the skies, as I continued down to Quincy. Once I started to drop down the hill and seen the big haulers lined halfway up the hill on the median to get into the pits, I knew I had made the right call.
The night started off with Paul Nienhiser setting fast time in the MOWA Sprint cars, with a time around the 1/4 mile bullring of 12.118. That was followed up with Brian Shirley setting fast time in the WoO Late Models, with a lap of 13.562.
Up next was the three 10 lap heat races for the MOWA Sprint Cars, with all cars going to the feature later in the night. Heat race one saw outside front row starter Brady Bacon jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Paul Nienhiser and AJ Bruns. Bacon would go on to lead all 10 laps to pick up the win. He was followed across the line by Nienhiser, Bruns, Chris Urish, Chris Windom, Logan Faucon, Steven Russell, and Levi Curry.... Heat race two was similar to heat one, as Zach Daum used his outside front row start to grab the lead on lap 1 over Joey Moughan and Joe B. Miller. Daum would hold off Moughan to claim the win. While Moughan had to work to hold off Miller, who was working the bottom, for second. Jacob Wilson, Robbie Standridge, Jeremy Standridge, Bobby Mincer, and Cory Bruns followed them across the line in 4th - 8th.... Parker Price-Miller used his pole position to grab the lead on lap 1 of heat three, with Jake Blackhurst and Jerrod Hull close behind. While Price-Miller worked the top of the track, Blackhurst would work the bottom to take the top spot away from Price-Miller on lap 3. Blackhurst then held on to pick up the win over Price-Miller and Hull. They were followed across the line by Kris Spitz, Spencer Bayston, Kameron Key, Mitchell Wormall, and John Schulz.
Following the MOWA Sprint heats were the three 10 lap WoO Late Model heats races, with the top 6 going to the feature and the remainder going to the last chance showdown. Heat race one saw outside front row starter Josh Richards grab the lead on lap 1 over Brian Shirley and Joey Coulter. Richards held off several challenges from Shirley to score the win. They were followed by Coulter, Jason Perry, Tyler Erb, and Brandon Overton in the final transfer spot.... Bobby Pierce took advantage of his pole position start in heat race two to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Shane Clanton and Frank Heckenast Jr. Despite Clanton trying to work under Pierce over the 10 lap race, Pierce would hold him off to pick up the win. Heckenast Jr., Eric Wells, Chase Junghans, and Denny Woodworth, who was involved in a three car battle for the transfer spot, rounded out the top 6 to transfer into the feature.... Rick Eckert shot out into the lead from his outside front row starting spot in heat race three, with Chub Frank and Steve Casebolt close behind. Both Frank and Casebolt would work the bottom of the track to try and work past Eckert for the top spot. But Eckert would use the top of the track to hold them off for the win. Broom Briggs, Michael Kloos and Mark Burgtorf, who edged out Morgan Bagley at the line by inches, rounded out the top 6 to transfer into the feature.... The final event to set the 24 car field for the WoO Late Models was the 10 lap last chance showdown, with the top 4 going to the feature. Billy Moyer Jr. took advantage of his pole position to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Dustin Griffin, Morgan Bagley and Clint Kirkham. While Moyer Jr. pulled away, the battle to watch was for second. With Griffin and Bagley working the bottom of the track, Kirkham decided to work the middle, as they raced two wide. Moyer Jr. would go on to score the win, while Kirkham winning the battle for second, Griffin was third, with Bagley rounding out the top four. Since all of the WoO Late Models who have earned points in 2016 made it into the feature, Justin Reed, who was fifth, and Vance Wilson, who was sixth, were giving the final two spots in the feature.
The first feature to take to the track was the 25 lap MOWA Sprint Cars, with Parker Price-Miller and Joey Moughan leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Price-Miller would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1 over Moughan and Jake Blackhurst. The action up front was slowed just after the completion of lap 1, as fourth place runner Brady Bacon spun in turn 1 and collected Logan Faucon to bring out the yellow. On the restart Price-Miller jumped back out front, with Moughan and Paul Nienhiser close behind. Price-Miller would start to pull away from the battle behind him, until lap 15 when he started to entire lapped traffic. This would allow Moughan to close to his back bumper, that was until he jumped the cushion in turn 2 on lap 16. Which allowed Nienhiser to slip by into the runner up spot. Two laps later, lap 18, disaster would strike Moughan, as he got tangled with a lapped car going into turn 3. The lapped car of Steven Russell would get upside down to bring out the red, with Moughan leaving the track on the wrecker with a broken front end. Once again Price-Miller moved back out front on the restart, with Nienhiser and Blackhurst now glued to his back bumper. Going into turn 3 to complete lap 20 Nienhiser used a slid job to grab the slight lead, as Price-Miller turned back under him coming off turn 4 to keep the lead at the line. Nienhiser would try the same move going into turn 3 on the final lap, but Price-Miller would use the momentum off the top of the track to pick up the win. Nienhiser would settle for 2nd, Blackhurst was 3rd, Joe B. Miller started 8th and finished 4th, with AJ Bruns rounding out the top 5.
Shane Clanton and Brian Shirley drew the front row for the 40 lap WoO Late Model feature, with Shirley grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Clanton and Josh Richards. The action up front was slowed on lap 2, as Michael Kloos spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Shirley jumped back out front, with Clanton and Richard close behind. Shirley, who was working the top, started to catch the back of the field on lap 9, which allowed Clanton, who was working the bottom, to get up beside Shirley. Clanton would edge out Shirley at the line to lead lap 10, as they sliced their way through heavy lapped traffic. The second caution of the race appeared on lap 18, as Eric Wells slowed to a stop in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. Clanton moved back out front on the restart, with Richards over taking Shirley for the runner up spot. A third caution of the event on lap 20 would slow the action, as Vance Wilson slowed with rear end troubles to bring out the yellow. On the restart Clanton jumped back out front, with Richards and Shirley battling for second. Disaster would strike Richards on lap 21, as he spun in turn 1 after trying to clear Shirley to bring out the yellow. Once again Clanton grabbed the lead on the restart, with Rick Eckert, who started 5th, over taking Shirley for the runner up spot. Just as it looked like Clanton would cruise to an easy win, his momentum was slowed on lap 32, as he tried to lap cars. This would allow Eckert to cut into Clanton's 1.5 second lead. But Eckert would run out of time, as Clanton, who lost last years event to Billy Moyer in lapped traffic, held on to score his sixth WoO Late Model win of the season. Eckert was 2nd, Shirley was 3rd, Bobby Pierce was 4th, with Steve Casebolt coming from 9th to round out the top 5.
Notes from Quincy: More notes and photos coming up.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Monday, July 11, 2016
Pierce Continues to Roll on DIRTcar Summer Nationals Tour With Win at Quincy Raceways
Quincy, IL (Sunday, July 10, 2016) - When it comes to Sunday and the scheduled visit by the DIRTcar Summer Nationals at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, Illinois that usually means mother nature will intervene. And that was no different again this year, as just about 45 minutes before the scheduled hot laps was suppose to start a brief shower moved over the track. But Ken Dobson and his crew didn't throw in the towel right away. Just after the rains moved out the track crew went to work on getting the track in shape, with the start time only being an hour late.
After all the qualifying events were completed, the UMP DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals 25 lap feature would take to the track first. Ray Bollinger and Kenny Wallace would lead the field to the green flag, with Bollinger grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Wallace and Ray Walsh. Wallace then tried to work past Bollinger for the lead over the next 10 laps, but Bollinger was able to hold him off each lap. That was until coming off turn 4 to complete lap 11, Wallace was able to slip under Bollinger to take over the top spot. One lap later, lap 12, Wallace started lapping cars. A lap car would be the disaster for Wallace, as he tried to get under one going into turn 1 on lap 14 and the two would make contact. Which resulted in Wallace coming to a stop in turn 2 with a broke right front to end his night and bringing out the one and only caution of the race. On the restart Bollinger would inherit the lead, with Michael Long, who started 6th, and Walsh glued to his back bumper. Long tried the low line in turns 1 & 2 and the high side in turns 3 & 4 to get past Bollinger. But Bollinger would hold him off over the final 10 laps to score his third win of the season on the series. Long was 2nd, Walsh was 3rd, Shawn Deering was 4th, with Donovan Lodge rounding out the top 5.
Kewanee, Illinois' Ray Bollinger won his third UMP DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals feature of the season on Sunday, July 10th at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL.
Tyler Erb and Bobby Pierce made up the front row for the 40 lap UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Model feature, with Pierce grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Ryan Unzicker and Erb. While Pierce worked the bottom of the track, Erb went to the top to work around Unzicker for the runner up spot on lap 2 and then went to work on Pierce for the lead. Erb was able to get up beside Pierce a few times, when the first caution appeared on lap 13 to slow the action up front. Bo Brockway would spin in turn 1, after contact with a lapped car, to bring out the yellow. On the restart Pierce jumped back out front, with Erb and Michael Kloos close behind. With Pierce setting the pace out front, Erb, Kloos and Unzicker battled two and even three wide at times for the runner up spot. The action was slowed for the second and final time on lap 20, as Gordy Gundaker slowed in turn 4 with troubles to bring out the yellow. Pierce once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Kloos and Erb continuing their battle for the runner up spot. Even with Pierce entering lapped traffic on lap 31 there was no catching him, as he pulled away over the final 20 laps to score his 10th win in 19 starts on the tour. Erb won the battle for 2nd, Kloos was 3rd, Unzicker was 4th, with Dustin Griffin finishing 5th after starting in 7th.
Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Illinois claimed his 10th win in 19 starts on the UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Model Tour at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL on Sunday, July 10th.
The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 18 lap IMCA SportMods, with Spencer Coats and Michael Goodwin on the front row. But it was third place starter Justin Ebbing who jumped out into the lead on lap 1 over Goodwin and Austen Becerra. Just after the completion of lap 1 Glen Wiley would spin in turn 1 to bring out the caution. On the restart Coats spun down the front stretch to bring the yellow light back on. A third attempt of a restart resulted in another caution, as Brandon Lennox spun in turn 4 and collected Todd Reed and Justin Bartz to bring back out the yellow. Ebbing would grab the lead on the following restart, with Goodwin working to hold off Becerra for second. With another lap scored complete Levi Long, Austin Howes, who took the back row challenge and was battling for 5th, and Nathan Bringer collided in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Ebbing moved back out front, with Becerra over taking Goodwin for second. Becerra tried to work the top side of the track to take the lead away from Ebbing over the next 5 laps. When another caution appeared on lap 7, as Coats spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Ebbing again moved out into the lead on the restart, with Becerra trying to hold off Lennox, who started 12th and recovered from the spin on lap 1, in the battle for the runner up spot. While Ebbing set the pace out front, Lennox would try the high line to get by Becerra, and when he had no luck he would switch to the low line with 5 laps to go. The battle for second would allow Ebbing to go on to pick up his first career SportMod feature. Becerra won the battle for 2nd, Lennox was 3rd, Patrick Phillips came from 9th to finish 4th, with Bringer, who started 10th, recovering from his involvement in the lap 2 caution to come back up to finish 5th.
Justin Ebbing of Quincy, Illinois picked up his first career IMCA SportMod feature on Sunday, July 10th at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL.
Notes from Quincy: Sunday night was the first night that racing action was held at the Quincy Raceways since several area racers and crew members helped take some banking out of the corners and then added some fresh clay to the entire racing surface. The track would hold up nicely throughout the night, with the bottom being the preferred line most of the night. But knowing the crew at Quincy they will continue to work on the track to get several grooves of racing for the drivers to use......Kevin Blackburn started the Modified feature in 14th and passed 5 cars to come home in 9th....Russ Coultas came from 18th to finish 13th....Kenny Wallace's run into a lapped car while leading resulted in a 16th place finish for him....Joey Gower took the spoiler off his back up SportMod and raced it with the Modifieds. He would make a few laps in the feature and pulled off to finish 17th......Jason Feger lived up to his nickname, "The Highside Hustler", as he used the top of the track to pass 10 cars from his 16th place starting spot to finish 6th....Mark Burgtorf started 14th and finished 9th....Bo Brockway, who started 17th, recovered from his spin on lap 13 to come back up to finish 12th......Todd Reed recovered from his involvement in the lap 1 caution to finish 7th in the SportMod feature....Wesley Mayfield passed 9 cars from his 17th place starting spot to come home in 8th....Kenneth Bringer started 18th and finished 10th....Glen Wiley started 15th and recovered from his spin on lap 1 to come back up to finish 11th.
After all the qualifying events were completed, the UMP DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals 25 lap feature would take to the track first. Ray Bollinger and Kenny Wallace would lead the field to the green flag, with Bollinger grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Wallace and Ray Walsh. Wallace then tried to work past Bollinger for the lead over the next 10 laps, but Bollinger was able to hold him off each lap. That was until coming off turn 4 to complete lap 11, Wallace was able to slip under Bollinger to take over the top spot. One lap later, lap 12, Wallace started lapping cars. A lap car would be the disaster for Wallace, as he tried to get under one going into turn 1 on lap 14 and the two would make contact. Which resulted in Wallace coming to a stop in turn 2 with a broke right front to end his night and bringing out the one and only caution of the race. On the restart Bollinger would inherit the lead, with Michael Long, who started 6th, and Walsh glued to his back bumper. Long tried the low line in turns 1 & 2 and the high side in turns 3 & 4 to get past Bollinger. But Bollinger would hold him off over the final 10 laps to score his third win of the season on the series. Long was 2nd, Walsh was 3rd, Shawn Deering was 4th, with Donovan Lodge rounding out the top 5.
Tyler Erb and Bobby Pierce made up the front row for the 40 lap UMP DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Model feature, with Pierce grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Ryan Unzicker and Erb. While Pierce worked the bottom of the track, Erb went to the top to work around Unzicker for the runner up spot on lap 2 and then went to work on Pierce for the lead. Erb was able to get up beside Pierce a few times, when the first caution appeared on lap 13 to slow the action up front. Bo Brockway would spin in turn 1, after contact with a lapped car, to bring out the yellow. On the restart Pierce jumped back out front, with Erb and Michael Kloos close behind. With Pierce setting the pace out front, Erb, Kloos and Unzicker battled two and even three wide at times for the runner up spot. The action was slowed for the second and final time on lap 20, as Gordy Gundaker slowed in turn 4 with troubles to bring out the yellow. Pierce once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Kloos and Erb continuing their battle for the runner up spot. Even with Pierce entering lapped traffic on lap 31 there was no catching him, as he pulled away over the final 20 laps to score his 10th win in 19 starts on the tour. Erb won the battle for 2nd, Kloos was 3rd, Unzicker was 4th, with Dustin Griffin finishing 5th after starting in 7th.
The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 18 lap IMCA SportMods, with Spencer Coats and Michael Goodwin on the front row. But it was third place starter Justin Ebbing who jumped out into the lead on lap 1 over Goodwin and Austen Becerra. Just after the completion of lap 1 Glen Wiley would spin in turn 1 to bring out the caution. On the restart Coats spun down the front stretch to bring the yellow light back on. A third attempt of a restart resulted in another caution, as Brandon Lennox spun in turn 4 and collected Todd Reed and Justin Bartz to bring back out the yellow. Ebbing would grab the lead on the following restart, with Goodwin working to hold off Becerra for second. With another lap scored complete Levi Long, Austin Howes, who took the back row challenge and was battling for 5th, and Nathan Bringer collided in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Ebbing moved back out front, with Becerra over taking Goodwin for second. Becerra tried to work the top side of the track to take the lead away from Ebbing over the next 5 laps. When another caution appeared on lap 7, as Coats spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Ebbing again moved out into the lead on the restart, with Becerra trying to hold off Lennox, who started 12th and recovered from the spin on lap 1, in the battle for the runner up spot. While Ebbing set the pace out front, Lennox would try the high line to get by Becerra, and when he had no luck he would switch to the low line with 5 laps to go. The battle for second would allow Ebbing to go on to pick up his first career SportMod feature. Becerra won the battle for 2nd, Lennox was 3rd, Patrick Phillips came from 9th to finish 4th, with Bringer, who started 10th, recovering from his involvement in the lap 2 caution to come back up to finish 5th.
Notes from Quincy: Sunday night was the first night that racing action was held at the Quincy Raceways since several area racers and crew members helped take some banking out of the corners and then added some fresh clay to the entire racing surface. The track would hold up nicely throughout the night, with the bottom being the preferred line most of the night. But knowing the crew at Quincy they will continue to work on the track to get several grooves of racing for the drivers to use......Kevin Blackburn started the Modified feature in 14th and passed 5 cars to come home in 9th....Russ Coultas came from 18th to finish 13th....Kenny Wallace's run into a lapped car while leading resulted in a 16th place finish for him....Joey Gower took the spoiler off his back up SportMod and raced it with the Modifieds. He would make a few laps in the feature and pulled off to finish 17th......Jason Feger lived up to his nickname, "The Highside Hustler", as he used the top of the track to pass 10 cars from his 16th place starting spot to finish 6th....Mark Burgtorf started 14th and finished 9th....Bo Brockway, who started 17th, recovered from his spin on lap 13 to come back up to finish 12th......Todd Reed recovered from his involvement in the lap 1 caution to finish 7th in the SportMod feature....Wesley Mayfield passed 9 cars from his 17th place starting spot to come home in 8th....Kenneth Bringer started 18th and finished 10th....Glen Wiley started 15th and recovered from his spin on lap 1 to come back up to finish 11th.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Gustin Wins Exciting "Hogan Memorial" Modified Feature
Vinton, IA (Sunday, July 3, 2016) - Sunday was not my first ever visit to the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa, but it was my first time taking in the Hogan Memorial. Which was the 22nd Annual event, that featured racing in the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Micro Mods.
It was great to see the racers and fans come out on the holiday weekend to support the hard work the Hogan family does to put on this event. They went out and got many sponsors to step up to help put extra money on the line, without requiring the drivers to pay an entry fee. All of their efforts paid off with 133 drivers signed in for competition on the night, in front of a standing room only crowd. After the 21 qualifying races were complete, it was time to move into the feature events.
The standing room only crowd showed up on Sunday, July 3rd at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa to support the "22nd Annual Hogan Memorial".
The first feature to take to the track was the 12 lap Micro Mods, with Josh Havlik and Cole McNeal leading the field to the drop of the green flag. But it was sixth place starter Don Erger who shot to the front to lead lap 1 over McNeal and Havlik. While Erger set a fast pace out front, the remaining drivers battled for positions behind him. With no caution to slow the pace, Erger would cruise to an easy win. McNeal was 2nd, Havlik was 3rd, Matt Post came from 7th to finish 4th, with Scott Beaty rounding out the top 5.
Don Erger cruised to an easy win in the Micro Mod feature on Sunday, July 3rd at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, IA. Which was also part of the "22nd Annual Hogan Memorial".
Up next was the 14 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature, with Benji Irvine and Dustin Graham drawing the front row. Just as the green flag was dropped, the caution light would come on. As Kyle Dulin, who started 3rd, spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Irvine grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Nathan Ballard and Bill Bonnett. After the completion of lap 2 another caution came out, as David Simpson spun in turn 3 and collected Chad Siems to bring out the yellow. Irvine moved back out front on the restart, with Ballard and Leah Wroten, who started 9th, close behind. Ballard would look under Irvine over the next 5 laps, until the final caution of the race appeared on lap 8 to slow the action. This time August Bach spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Irvine moved back out front, with Ballard and Bonnett, who over took Wroten for third, glued to his back bumper. Once again Ballard tried to work under Irvine for the top spot over the final 5 laps. But Irvine would hold him off to pick up the win and the $750 top prize to go with it. Ballard settled for 2nd, Bonnett was 3rd, Wroten was 4th, with Justin Wacha passing 15 cars from his 20th place starting spot to finish 5th.
The IMCA Hobby Stock portion of the "22nd Annual Hogan Memorial" at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa on Sunday, July 3rd was won by Benji Irvine.
Ben Chapman and Cory Pestotnik drew the front row for the 18 lap IMCA SportMod feature. But just as the green flag waved the caution light would come on, as Pestotnik spun in turn 2 and collected Kurt Hogan to bring out the yellow. On the restart Chapman jumped out into the lead over Matt Petrzelka and Taylor Musselman. Petrzelka would use the topside momentum off turn 4 to take the top spot away from Chapman on lap 2. Only to have Chapman come back on the bottom to regain the lead on lap 6. While Chapman and Petrzelka battled for the lead, Tony Olson, who started 12th, worked his way into third on lap 7. The action up front was slowed on lap 8, when Andy Edwards clipped a tire in turn 4 and spun to bring out the yellow. Chapman grabbed the lead on the restart, with Petrzelka working to hold off Olson for the runner up spot. On lap 12 smoke started to appear from Chapman's engine compartment. Then on lap 14 the final caution of the event appeared, as Kyle Bentley stopped in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Chapman moved back out front. with Olson over taking Petrzelka for second. Coming to the white flag the smoke on Chapman's car got heavier, as Olson was working to get under him. But Chapman would hold on to claim the win and the $1,000 top prize. Olson settled for 2nd, Petrzelka was 3rd, Danny Dvorak came from 13th to finish 4th, with Carter VanDenBerg finishing 5th after starting in 9th.
Ben Chapman took home the $1,000 to win "22nd Annual Hogan Memorial" IMCA SportMod feature on Sunday, July 3rd at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa.
Up next was the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, with Jared Daggett and Kevin Rose leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Daggett took advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Rose and Jeff Mueller, who started 5th. Rose's run up front came to an end on lap 3, as he spun in turn 2 and collected Lon Mercer to bring out the one and only yellow of the race. On the restart Daggett jumped back out front, with Mueller and Damon Murty, who started 8th, now glued to his back bumper. Coming out of turn 2 on lap 6 Mueller, who was on the bottom, Daggert, who was in the middle, and Murty who was up top, raced three wide down the backstretch and into turn 3. The same trio raced that way coming out of turn 4 to complete lap 7, with Murty scored as the new leader. While Murty worked to hold off Mueller for the top spot, Kyle Brown, who was driving Murty's back up car and started 11th, had worked his way into the battle for the top spot. The bottom of the speedway seemed to be the preferred line, as Mueller tried to get under Murty for the lead, while Brown looked under Mueller for the runner up spot. But Murty would make no mistakes over the final laps, as he held on to pick up the win and the $1,000 top prize to go with it. Mueller held on for 2nd, Brown was 3rd, Daggett was 4th, with Scooter Dulin coming home in 5th.
The IMCA Stock Car portion of the "22nd Annual Hogan Memorial" at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa on Sunday, July 3rd was won by Damon Murty.
The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 50 lap IMCA Modifieds, with Richie Gustin and Mike Jergens drawing the front row. Gustin would take advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Jergens and Todd Shute. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 12, Shute was able to slip under Gustin to take over the top spot. The 1/4 mile track provided the fans with some great racing, as several grooves were being used by the drivers to battle for positions throughout the 26 car starting field. The lead cars would work into lapped traffic by lap 19. With the first caution of the race appearing on lap 20, to slow the action down. Jergens, who was running 3rd, slowed in turn 1 with front end troubles to bring out the yellow. On the restart Gustin used the bottom of the track to over take Shute for the lead, while Corey Dripps, who started 12th, moved into the battle for the top spot. With Gustin working the bottom of the track, Shute went to the top and used the momentum off turn 4 to grab the lead back on lap 22. Shute then held it until the caution on lap 25, which was the halfway point in the race. All cars were brought to a stop on the front stretch for a 5 minute pit stop. Shute was scored the leader at this point, with Gustin 2nd, Dripps was 3rd, Cody Laney from Torrance, California was 4th, with J.D. Auringer, who started 13th, completing the top 5.
On the restart Shute moved back out front, with Dripps over taking Gustin for the runner up spot. With Shute choosing to run the bottom of the track, Dripps would go to the top. Dripps then used the momentum off turn 4 to take the top spot away from Shute on lap 33. The battle up front was slowed on lap 39, when debris in turn 4 and down the front stretch brought out the yellow. Once again Dripps grabbed the lead on the restart, with Gustin and Shute battling for second. Two laps later, lap 41, Troy Cordes would spin in turn 1 to bring out the caution. Gustin would slip under Dripps on the restart to take the top spot away. A few laps later Dripps got his right rear over the edge of the track in turn 4, which allowed Shute, Auringer, and Joel Rust, who charged from 19th, to all slip past him. Rust's run to the front would come to an end on lap 48, when he clipped a tire in turn 4 while trying to work under Auringer for 3rd. As a result Rust spun to bring out the caution, and set up a two later dash to the checkered flag. Gustin grabbed the lead on the restart, with Shute and Hunter Marriott, who started 21st, looking for a way around Gustin. But Gustin would hold on to claim his second "Hogan Memorial" race win and the $3,100 top prize. Shute held on for 2nd, Marriott was 3rd, Auringer was 4th, with Dripps coming home in 5th.
Richie Gustin topped an exciting IMCA Modified feature to score his second Hogan Memorial win on Sunday, July 3rd at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa.
Second place finisher in the "22nd Annual Hogan Memorial" IMCA Modified feature on Sunday, July 3rd at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa was Todd Shute.
Hunter Marriott started 21st and finished 3rd during the "22nd Annual Hogan Memorial" IMCA Modified feature on Sunday, July 3rd at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa.
Corey Dripps settled for 5th, after starting 12th and leading some laps, during the "22nd Annual Hogan Memorial" IMCA Modified feature on Sunday, July 3rd at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa.
Notes from BCS: 47 Modifieds, 37 SportMods, 21 Hobby Stocks, 19 Stock Cars and 9 Micro Mods made up the 133 cars signed in on the night......Russ Olson started the Micro Mod feature in 9th and passed 3 cars to come home in 6th......Matt Pohlman finished 7th in the Hobby Stock feature after starting in 11th....Justin Hansen started 12th and finished 8th....Matt Brown passed 8 cars from his 17th place starting spot to come home in 9th....Adam Petrzelka finished 10th after starting in 13th....David Simpson recovered from his spin on lap 2 to come back up to finish 11th....Brett Vanous finished 12th after coming from the back from pitting on the first caution of the race....August Bach recovered from his spin on lap 8 to come back up to finish 13th....Jacob Floyd started 18th and finished 14th....Bryan Keeney came from 21st to finish 15th....Randy Byerly, who started 16th and had worked his way to 7th, pulled off on the lap 8 caution with a left front flat to end his night in 16th......Ryan King started the SportMod feature in 20th and passed 9 cars to come home in 11th....Andy Edwards recovered from his spin on lap 8 to come back up to finish 12th....Jim Buhlman finished 13th after starting in 21st....Mitch Manternach started 19th and finished 14th....Erick Knutsen received a track points provisional and started 24th. He then passed 5 cars to come home in 19th......John Oliver Jr. passed 12 cars from his 18th place starting spot in the Stock Car feature to finish 6th....Norman Chesmore started 12th and finished 7th....Scott Pippert finished 8th after starting in 14th....Curtis Roster came from 13th to finish in 9th....Shane Ebaugh started 15th and finished 10th....Kevin Rose recovered from his spin on lap 2 to come back up to finish 11th......Cayden Carter passed 18 cars from his 24th place starting spot in the Modified feature to finish in 6th....Mooresville, North Carolina's Kyle Strickler started 10th and finished 7th....Kyle Brown came from 14th to finish in 8th....Torrance, California driver Cody Laney was 9th.... While Bakersfield, California driver Ethan Dotson was 10th....Racer Hulin finished 11th after starting in 18th....Scott Hogan came from 22nd to finish in 14th....Tony Snyder was 16th after starting in 20th....Ryan Maitland finished 18th after starting in 23rd.
A lot of racing action can be found in the central Midwest this week, and I encourage you to get out and support these events. Because they can't be put on the schedule for next year if people don't get out and show how much they want to see dirt track racing survive! Here is a list of events that I know are going on:
-Tuesday, July 5th is night 1 of the IMCA Stock Car Shootout at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Hobby Stocks, and IMCA Sport Compacts will run double heat races on qualifying night.
-Wednesday, July 6th will be the final night of the Stock Car Shootout at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The Stock Cars will be racing for $2,000 to win, while the SportMods and Hobby Stocks are going for a top prize of $1,000. The Sport Compacts will compete for $700 to win. Also joining the card will be the IMCA Modifieds, racing for $500 to win.
-Wednesday, July 6th the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models will be at the Independence Motor Speedway in Independence, Iowa to race during the fair. Also racing will be the IMCA Modifieds and IMCA SportMods.
-Wednesday. July 6th the Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois will play host to the UMP Summernationals "The Hell Tour" for the UMP Late Models. Also racing will be the Summit Nationals Modified Tour and UMP Hornets.
-Thursday, July 7th the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa will hold their annual fair race, The IMCA Stock Cars will be battling for $1,000 to win. Plus an additional $1,000 winner take all race from the top 20 in points from Tuesday and Wednesday at the Southern Iowa Speedway. Also racing on the night will be the Lee County Late Models, 305 Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, and IMCA Sport Compacts.
-Thursday, July 7th the World of Outlaw Late Models invade the Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City, Iowa for the first time ever. Also racing will be the USRA Iron Man Stock Cars and SportMods.
-Thursday, July 7th the 165th, Illinois' oldest running county fair, Knox County Fair in Knoxville, Illinois will host their annual Stock Car races. In action will be the Modifieds, Steel Block Late Models, Street Stocks and Hornets.
-Friday, July 8th the CJ Speedway in Columbus Junction, Iowa will be holding the "Firecracker 25", featuring the IMCA Stock Cars racing for $750 to win and $100 to start. Also in action will be the Modifieds, SportMods, Mod Lites, IMCA Sport Compacts, and CJ Mini Haulers.
-Friday, July 8th the World of Outlaw Late Models move to the Mason City Motor Speedway in Mason City, Iowa. This will be the first ever visit by the Outlaws to this track. Also racing will be the USRA Iron Man Stock Cars and SportMods.
-Sunday, July 10th the UMP Summernationals "The Hell Tour" for UMP Late Models invades the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, Illinois. Also racing will be the Summit Nationals Modified Tour and IMCA SportMods.
It was great to see the racers and fans come out on the holiday weekend to support the hard work the Hogan family does to put on this event. They went out and got many sponsors to step up to help put extra money on the line, without requiring the drivers to pay an entry fee. All of their efforts paid off with 133 drivers signed in for competition on the night, in front of a standing room only crowd. After the 21 qualifying races were complete, it was time to move into the feature events.
The first feature to take to the track was the 12 lap Micro Mods, with Josh Havlik and Cole McNeal leading the field to the drop of the green flag. But it was sixth place starter Don Erger who shot to the front to lead lap 1 over McNeal and Havlik. While Erger set a fast pace out front, the remaining drivers battled for positions behind him. With no caution to slow the pace, Erger would cruise to an easy win. McNeal was 2nd, Havlik was 3rd, Matt Post came from 7th to finish 4th, with Scott Beaty rounding out the top 5.
Up next was the 14 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature, with Benji Irvine and Dustin Graham drawing the front row. Just as the green flag was dropped, the caution light would come on. As Kyle Dulin, who started 3rd, spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Irvine grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Nathan Ballard and Bill Bonnett. After the completion of lap 2 another caution came out, as David Simpson spun in turn 3 and collected Chad Siems to bring out the yellow. Irvine moved back out front on the restart, with Ballard and Leah Wroten, who started 9th, close behind. Ballard would look under Irvine over the next 5 laps, until the final caution of the race appeared on lap 8 to slow the action. This time August Bach spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Irvine moved back out front, with Ballard and Bonnett, who over took Wroten for third, glued to his back bumper. Once again Ballard tried to work under Irvine for the top spot over the final 5 laps. But Irvine would hold him off to pick up the win and the $750 top prize to go with it. Ballard settled for 2nd, Bonnett was 3rd, Wroten was 4th, with Justin Wacha passing 15 cars from his 20th place starting spot to finish 5th.
Ben Chapman and Cory Pestotnik drew the front row for the 18 lap IMCA SportMod feature. But just as the green flag waved the caution light would come on, as Pestotnik spun in turn 2 and collected Kurt Hogan to bring out the yellow. On the restart Chapman jumped out into the lead over Matt Petrzelka and Taylor Musselman. Petrzelka would use the topside momentum off turn 4 to take the top spot away from Chapman on lap 2. Only to have Chapman come back on the bottom to regain the lead on lap 6. While Chapman and Petrzelka battled for the lead, Tony Olson, who started 12th, worked his way into third on lap 7. The action up front was slowed on lap 8, when Andy Edwards clipped a tire in turn 4 and spun to bring out the yellow. Chapman grabbed the lead on the restart, with Petrzelka working to hold off Olson for the runner up spot. On lap 12 smoke started to appear from Chapman's engine compartment. Then on lap 14 the final caution of the event appeared, as Kyle Bentley stopped in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Chapman moved back out front. with Olson over taking Petrzelka for second. Coming to the white flag the smoke on Chapman's car got heavier, as Olson was working to get under him. But Chapman would hold on to claim the win and the $1,000 top prize. Olson settled for 2nd, Petrzelka was 3rd, Danny Dvorak came from 13th to finish 4th, with Carter VanDenBerg finishing 5th after starting in 9th.
Up next was the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, with Jared Daggett and Kevin Rose leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Daggett took advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Rose and Jeff Mueller, who started 5th. Rose's run up front came to an end on lap 3, as he spun in turn 2 and collected Lon Mercer to bring out the one and only yellow of the race. On the restart Daggett jumped back out front, with Mueller and Damon Murty, who started 8th, now glued to his back bumper. Coming out of turn 2 on lap 6 Mueller, who was on the bottom, Daggert, who was in the middle, and Murty who was up top, raced three wide down the backstretch and into turn 3. The same trio raced that way coming out of turn 4 to complete lap 7, with Murty scored as the new leader. While Murty worked to hold off Mueller for the top spot, Kyle Brown, who was driving Murty's back up car and started 11th, had worked his way into the battle for the top spot. The bottom of the speedway seemed to be the preferred line, as Mueller tried to get under Murty for the lead, while Brown looked under Mueller for the runner up spot. But Murty would make no mistakes over the final laps, as he held on to pick up the win and the $1,000 top prize to go with it. Mueller held on for 2nd, Brown was 3rd, Daggett was 4th, with Scooter Dulin coming home in 5th.
The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 50 lap IMCA Modifieds, with Richie Gustin and Mike Jergens drawing the front row. Gustin would take advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Jergens and Todd Shute. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 12, Shute was able to slip under Gustin to take over the top spot. The 1/4 mile track provided the fans with some great racing, as several grooves were being used by the drivers to battle for positions throughout the 26 car starting field. The lead cars would work into lapped traffic by lap 19. With the first caution of the race appearing on lap 20, to slow the action down. Jergens, who was running 3rd, slowed in turn 1 with front end troubles to bring out the yellow. On the restart Gustin used the bottom of the track to over take Shute for the lead, while Corey Dripps, who started 12th, moved into the battle for the top spot. With Gustin working the bottom of the track, Shute went to the top and used the momentum off turn 4 to grab the lead back on lap 22. Shute then held it until the caution on lap 25, which was the halfway point in the race. All cars were brought to a stop on the front stretch for a 5 minute pit stop. Shute was scored the leader at this point, with Gustin 2nd, Dripps was 3rd, Cody Laney from Torrance, California was 4th, with J.D. Auringer, who started 13th, completing the top 5.
On the restart Shute moved back out front, with Dripps over taking Gustin for the runner up spot. With Shute choosing to run the bottom of the track, Dripps would go to the top. Dripps then used the momentum off turn 4 to take the top spot away from Shute on lap 33. The battle up front was slowed on lap 39, when debris in turn 4 and down the front stretch brought out the yellow. Once again Dripps grabbed the lead on the restart, with Gustin and Shute battling for second. Two laps later, lap 41, Troy Cordes would spin in turn 1 to bring out the caution. Gustin would slip under Dripps on the restart to take the top spot away. A few laps later Dripps got his right rear over the edge of the track in turn 4, which allowed Shute, Auringer, and Joel Rust, who charged from 19th, to all slip past him. Rust's run to the front would come to an end on lap 48, when he clipped a tire in turn 4 while trying to work under Auringer for 3rd. As a result Rust spun to bring out the caution, and set up a two later dash to the checkered flag. Gustin grabbed the lead on the restart, with Shute and Hunter Marriott, who started 21st, looking for a way around Gustin. But Gustin would hold on to claim his second "Hogan Memorial" race win and the $3,100 top prize. Shute held on for 2nd, Marriott was 3rd, Auringer was 4th, with Dripps coming home in 5th.
J.D Auringer started 13th and finished 4th during the "22nd Annual Hogan Memorial" IMCA Modified feature on Sunday, July 3rd at the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa.
Notes from BCS: 47 Modifieds, 37 SportMods, 21 Hobby Stocks, 19 Stock Cars and 9 Micro Mods made up the 133 cars signed in on the night......Russ Olson started the Micro Mod feature in 9th and passed 3 cars to come home in 6th......Matt Pohlman finished 7th in the Hobby Stock feature after starting in 11th....Justin Hansen started 12th and finished 8th....Matt Brown passed 8 cars from his 17th place starting spot to come home in 9th....Adam Petrzelka finished 10th after starting in 13th....David Simpson recovered from his spin on lap 2 to come back up to finish 11th....Brett Vanous finished 12th after coming from the back from pitting on the first caution of the race....August Bach recovered from his spin on lap 8 to come back up to finish 13th....Jacob Floyd started 18th and finished 14th....Bryan Keeney came from 21st to finish 15th....Randy Byerly, who started 16th and had worked his way to 7th, pulled off on the lap 8 caution with a left front flat to end his night in 16th......Ryan King started the SportMod feature in 20th and passed 9 cars to come home in 11th....Andy Edwards recovered from his spin on lap 8 to come back up to finish 12th....Jim Buhlman finished 13th after starting in 21st....Mitch Manternach started 19th and finished 14th....Erick Knutsen received a track points provisional and started 24th. He then passed 5 cars to come home in 19th......John Oliver Jr. passed 12 cars from his 18th place starting spot in the Stock Car feature to finish 6th....Norman Chesmore started 12th and finished 7th....Scott Pippert finished 8th after starting in 14th....Curtis Roster came from 13th to finish in 9th....Shane Ebaugh started 15th and finished 10th....Kevin Rose recovered from his spin on lap 2 to come back up to finish 11th......Cayden Carter passed 18 cars from his 24th place starting spot in the Modified feature to finish in 6th....Mooresville, North Carolina's Kyle Strickler started 10th and finished 7th....Kyle Brown came from 14th to finish in 8th....Torrance, California driver Cody Laney was 9th.... While Bakersfield, California driver Ethan Dotson was 10th....Racer Hulin finished 11th after starting in 18th....Scott Hogan came from 22nd to finish in 14th....Tony Snyder was 16th after starting in 20th....Ryan Maitland finished 18th after starting in 23rd.
A lot of racing action can be found in the central Midwest this week, and I encourage you to get out and support these events. Because they can't be put on the schedule for next year if people don't get out and show how much they want to see dirt track racing survive! Here is a list of events that I know are going on:
-Tuesday, July 5th is night 1 of the IMCA Stock Car Shootout at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Hobby Stocks, and IMCA Sport Compacts will run double heat races on qualifying night.
-Wednesday, July 6th will be the final night of the Stock Car Shootout at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The Stock Cars will be racing for $2,000 to win, while the SportMods and Hobby Stocks are going for a top prize of $1,000. The Sport Compacts will compete for $700 to win. Also joining the card will be the IMCA Modifieds, racing for $500 to win.
-Wednesday, July 6th the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models will be at the Independence Motor Speedway in Independence, Iowa to race during the fair. Also racing will be the IMCA Modifieds and IMCA SportMods.
-Wednesday. July 6th the Peoria Speedway in Peoria, Illinois will play host to the UMP Summernationals "The Hell Tour" for the UMP Late Models. Also racing will be the Summit Nationals Modified Tour and UMP Hornets.
-Thursday, July 7th the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa will hold their annual fair race, The IMCA Stock Cars will be battling for $1,000 to win. Plus an additional $1,000 winner take all race from the top 20 in points from Tuesday and Wednesday at the Southern Iowa Speedway. Also racing on the night will be the Lee County Late Models, 305 Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA SportMods, and IMCA Sport Compacts.
-Thursday, July 7th the World of Outlaw Late Models invade the Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City, Iowa for the first time ever. Also racing will be the USRA Iron Man Stock Cars and SportMods.
-Thursday, July 7th the 165th, Illinois' oldest running county fair, Knox County Fair in Knoxville, Illinois will host their annual Stock Car races. In action will be the Modifieds, Steel Block Late Models, Street Stocks and Hornets.
-Friday, July 8th the CJ Speedway in Columbus Junction, Iowa will be holding the "Firecracker 25", featuring the IMCA Stock Cars racing for $750 to win and $100 to start. Also in action will be the Modifieds, SportMods, Mod Lites, IMCA Sport Compacts, and CJ Mini Haulers.
-Friday, July 8th the World of Outlaw Late Models move to the Mason City Motor Speedway in Mason City, Iowa. This will be the first ever visit by the Outlaws to this track. Also racing will be the USRA Iron Man Stock Cars and SportMods.
-Sunday, July 10th the UMP Summernationals "The Hell Tour" for UMP Late Models invades the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, Illinois. Also racing will be the Summit Nationals Modified Tour and IMCA SportMods.
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