Carter, Huls, and Anderson Take Mid-Summer Shootout Cash at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway

Donnellson, IA (Saturday, July 27, 2019) - After having to take a week off because of excessive heat warnings, the Pepsi Lee County Speedway return to action with a rare Saturday night program. J.J. Nichting and Chem GRO AG Center, along with many other contributing sponsors, helped to present the Inaugural Mid-Summer Shootout on Saturday, July 27th. One Hundred and twenty-one race teams jammed the pit area in hopes of taking home the big prize money that was up for grabs.

After seventeen qualifying races were completed to help set the feature starting line-ups, the 15 lap Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compact feature took to the track first. Cody Bowman and Brandon Reu would draw the front row for the event. Just as the green flag waved the caution would come out, as contact between Josh Barnes and Brandon Allison sent Allison spinning in turn 3. On the original restart William Michel spun into the guardrail in turn 3 to bring the yellow light back on. A third attempt of a start saw Reu grab the lead on lap 1 over Jason Ash and Bowman. The action up front was slowed for the final time on lap 3, as Ryan Havel spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Reu jumped back out front on the restart, with Chuck Fullenkamp, who started 9th, and Ash following close behind. While Reu worked to hold off Fullenkamp and Ash, Barnes was working his way back to the front, as on lap 8 he joined the battle for the top spot. Reu, Fullenkamp, Ash and Barnes raced two and even three wide for the lead on laps 9 thru 11. On lap 12 Barnes emerged from the battle to take over the top spot, in which he held until the checkered flag. Fullenkamp made a last lap pass of Reu to finish 2nd, Reu was 3rd, Jacob Houston, who 10th in Barry Taft's #57 machine, finished 4th, with Ash rounding out the top 5.

Up next was the 20 lap Engler USAC IMRA Midget Series feature, with Andy Baugh and Devin Fegger leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Baugh took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Fegger and Mark McMahill. Fegger would try to look under Baugh over the next several laps, before the first caution appeared on lap 12 to slow the action. Tori Smith, who was running 9th, spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Baugh moved back out front, with McMahill and Jacob Sollenberger following. Two laps, lap 15, later another caution waved, as Tracy Hull, who was running 6th, spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Baugh once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Fegger and Sollenberger still close behind. The final caution of the race appeared on lap 17, as Jace Sparks spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Once again Baugh jumped back out front on the restart, with Fegger and Sollenberger following. Fegger would try to get under Baugh over the final laps. But coming off turn 4 to get the checkered flag he went to the top to try and get the win. But Baugh would hold him off at the line to claim the win. Fegger settled for a close 2nd, Tyler Roth came from 7th to finish 3rd, Sollenberger was 4th, with Kevin Battefeld coming home in 5th.

Barry Dugan and Logan Anderson drew the front row for the 22 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMod feature, with Anderson grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Sean Wyett and Carter VanDenBerg. Just as Anderson started to pull away from the battles behind them, the first and only caution of the event appeared on lap 5. Dan Brockert slowed in turn 2 with troubles to bring out the yellow. On the restart Anderson moved back out front, with VanDenBerg over taking Wyett for the runner up spot. VanDenBerg would follow in Anderson's tire tracks over the next 3 laps, when Austin Becerra joined the battle on lap 9. The top three cars would pull away from the rest of the side-by-side battles behind them. VanDenBerg and Becerra weren't able to mount a challenge on Anderson over the final laps. As Anderson held on for the win and the $1,500 top prize to go with it. VanDenBerg was 2nd, Becerra was 3rd, Blaine Webster was 4th, with Brayton Carter coming from 12th to finish in 5th.

The 22 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature was up next, and it would go green to checkered without a single caution. Les Blakley and Dallon Murty led the field to green, with Blakley grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Jason Cook and Dallon Murty. Cook would grab the lead from Blakley on lap 2, as Abe Huls, who was working the top of the track, slipped into the runner up spot. On lap 4 Huls used the momentum off the top of the track to take over the top spot. While Cook worked the bottom to try and get the lead back from Huls, who was working the top, Damon Murty would use the middle of the track to make it a three car battle for the lead on lap 8. These three driver's raced three wide around the 3/8th's mile track over the final half of the race, with Huls being scored the leader at the line each lap. Coming off turn 4 to get the checkered flag, Damon Murty made one last attempt to clear Huls. But Huls would use the momentum off the top to edge him out at the line to claim the win and the $1,500 check to go with it. Damon Murty was 2nd, Cook was 3rd, Shawn Ritter was 4th, with Cayden Carter rounding out the top 5.

Mike Smith and Jeff Guengerich drew the front row for the 20 lap I-Smile Silver IMCA Late Model feature, and just like the Stock Car feature the Late Model feature went green to checkered without a single caution. Guengerich would use his draw to his advantage to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Smith and Tommy Elston. Elston would slip under Smith on lap 4 to take over the runner up spot, and then went to work on Guengerich for the top spot. Over the next 10 laps Elston followed in Guengerich's tire tracks, waiting for him to make a mistake to then grab the lead. But Guengerich stayed smooth, until he entered lapped traffic on lap 14. Elston used the lapped cars to his advantage, as he got by Guengerich in turn 2 to grab the lead. Elston then held on over the final laps to score the win and the $1,000 top prize to go with it. Andy Eckrich got past Guengerich on the final lap to get 2nd, Guengerich held on for 3rd, Matt Ryan started 9th and finished 4th, with Chuck Hanna coming home in 5th.

The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 25 lap Budweiser IMCA Modifieds, with Kelly Shryock and Mitch Boles leading the field to green. Shryock took advantage of is starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Cayden Carter and Boles. On lap 4 Shryock slipped up the track in turn 4, which allowed Carter to slip past him for the top spot. The pace was slowed for the first time on lap 10, when Chris Zogg stopped down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. On the restart Carter moved back out front, with Shryock and David Brown following. Debris on lap 12 would slow the action for the second time of the race. Carter once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Kyle Brown over taking David Brown for third. Then just after the lap was scored complete, Dean McGee, Derrick Stewart, Mike Guldenpfenning, and Levi Smith collided under the flag stand to bring out the caution. On the restart Carter jumped back out front, with Shryock and Kyle Brown close behind. Two laps, lap 16, later DJ Shannon, who was running 4th, slowed in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Once again Carter moved back out front on the restart, with Shryock and Kyle Brown following. Carter would then go on to lead the final laps to claim the win and the $1,500 check to go with it. Shryock was 2nd, Kyle Brown was 3rd, David Brown was 4th, with Boles finishing a strong 5th.

Blakley, Taft and Mother Nature Wins at 34 Raceway

West Burlington, IA (Saturday, July 20, 2019) - What started out as a hot and humid Saturday night, turned out to be a race to beat mother nature at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. Before the regular scheduled nights events could begin there was a make-up feature for the IMCA Stock Cars and IMCA Sport Compacts from Saturday, July 6th to be ran first.

As the skies started to darken to the northwest, the 15 lap make-up feature for the IMCA Stock Cars came to the track. Jason Cook and Les Blakley led the field to green, with Blakley grabbing the advantage on lap 1 over Fenton and Shane Richardson. Blakley started to pull away from the battle for the runner up spot going on behind him, when a caution appeared on lap 6 to slow his pace. Jeremy Pundt spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Blakley jumped back out front, with Cook and David Brandies, who started 7th, following. While Cook tried to keep pace with Blakley, Brandies was trying to hold off John Oliver Jr., who started 8th, in the battle for third. Coming to the white flag Cook was able to close within a car length of Blakley, but Blakley would hold him off to claim his first career Stock Car feature win. Cook settled for 2nd, Oliver Jr. won the battle for 3rd, Brandies was 4th, with Richardson coming home in 5th.

Up next was the 12 lap make-up feature for the IMCA Sport Compacts, with Colton Keck and Cody Bowman on the front row. Bowman took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Keck and Larry Miller. The action up front was slowed on lap 2, as Jerrod Nichols got into the wall in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Bowman jumped back out front, with Keck working to hold off Barry Taft, who started 8th, for the runner up spot. Taft would get by Keck for second on lap 8, and then went to work Bowman for the top spot. Going into 3 on the final lap it looked like Bowman would get help from lapped traffic to help him score his first career Sport Compact feature win. But coming off turn 4 Bowman's car stalled, which allow Taft to go by on the outside to score his second win of the season at 34 Raceway. Keck was 2nd, Bowman got his car going to cross the line 3rd, Miller was 4th, with Jason Ash rounding out the top 5.

Just when the heat races for the regular scheduled night events were set to begin, lightning strikes close in the area forced the track to clear the grandstand area. Which would put the night in a holding pattern. At nine o'clock the decision was made to cancel the night, as rains started to approach. This would mean in 18 race night events scheduled so far in 2019, this would be the 9 rain out. A practice day in mid march and a Figure 8 Series event at the end of May would bring the total rains out for 34 Raceway to 11.

Wednesday, July 24th will kick off a busy week of racing in our area. You can catch the World of Outlaw Late Models, along with Modifieds and SportMods at the Davenport Speedway. Or you can see the Sprint Invaders, along with Modifieds, SportMods, and INEX Legend Cars at the Dubuque County Speedway in Dubuque, Iowa during the fair.

Thursday, July 25th the Jackson County Fair race night will be held at the Maquoketa Speedway in Maquoketa, Iowa. The IMCA Late Models, IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Hobby Stocks, 4-Cylinders and INEX Legend Cars will be racing.

On Friday, July 26th the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa plays host to the Gary Reinhart Memorial. The Modifieds will battle for a possible $2,500 to win ($1,500 to win the A-Feature and $1,000 to win the King of the Hill race). Also racing will be the Stock Cars/Street Stocks and Sport Mods going for $500 to win. Battling for $250 to win will be the Mod Lites/Micro Mods and 4 Stocks. Also racing on the night is the A.I.R.S. cars.

Saturday, July 27th the Pepsi Lee County Speedway hosts the Inaugural Mi-Summer Shootout. As the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, and IMCA SportMods are highlighted on this night. All three classes will be racing for $1,500 to win and $150 to start the feature. Also racing on this night will be the IMCA Late Models, which are going for a top prize of $1,000, and the Midgets. All class will be draw/redraw, with IMCA national, state, regional, and rookie points being awarded.

The week will come to a close on Sunday, July 28th at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. The Ollie's Bargain Outlet All-Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Cars make a visit to the track. This event will be paying $26,000 to win for the 410 Sprint Cars, in support of the Rayce Rudeen Foundation. In support of the 410 Sprint Cars will be the IMCA Stock Cars, racing for $1,000 to win.

It's hard to think the 2019 season is starting to wind down. So please get out and support these races if you can. Hope to see you at a track soon!

Howes Scores First Career Modified Win at Scotland County Fair

Memphis, MO (Friday, July 12, 2019) - The Pepsi Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Missouri returned to action on Friday, July 12th, after having four weeks off since their last race night. This time the racing action was held during the Scotland County Fair. After the final checkered waved one driver scored their first career win in there division, another one picked up their first win in fifteen years since there last win, and three others driver's won for the multiple times at the track.

Only three Hobby Stocks signed in for competition, with one of those loosing a drive shaft in hot laps to end their night early. So with two cars taking to the track for the feature it was down to who finished the race to determine the winner. Rick Van Dusseldorp took a commanding lead early in the event. When Jason Rindom excited the track with troubles on lap 7 the checkered flag was waved for Van Dusseldorp. Who said in victory lane that it had been 15 years since his last feature victory.

Barry Taft and Brandon Reu led the field to green in the 12 lap Sport Compact feature, with Reu grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Taft and Dylan Schantz. Taft would try to work under Reu over the next 5 laps, but Reu was able to hold him off each time at the line. Then coming off turn 4 to complete lap 6, Taft was able to get up beside Reu. The two would drag race down the long front stretch, with Reu still holding the top spot by inches. Over the next 5 laps Taft waited for Reu to slip up off the bottom, but again Reu was able to hold back Taft. Taft would make one final attempt to get by Reu for the win coming off turn 4. But Reu held him at bay to claim his third win in a row at the track. Taft settled for 2nd, Jeffrey DeLonjay finished 3rd, Jaden DeLonjay started 8th and finished 4th, with Schantz holding on for 5th.

The 15 lap Stock Car feature was up next, with John Oliver Jr. and Beau Taylor making up the front row. Oliver Jr. took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Taylor and Chad Krogmeier. Disaster would strike Krogmeier on lap 2, as he spun in turn 1 and collected Dean Kratzer to bring out the yellow. On the restart Oliver Jr. jumped back out front, with Taylor working to hold back Abe Huls for the runner up spot. While Taylor and Huls battled for second, Oliver Jr. started to put some distance between himself and that battle. On lap 12 Huls was finally able to get past Taylor for second, and they tried to chase down Oliver Jr. for the win. But Huls would run out of laps, as Oliver Jr. went on to claim his second win in a row at the Pepsi Scotland County Speedway. Huls was 2nd, Taylor was 3rd, Nathan Wood was 4th, with Pete Stogdel coming from 9th to finish in 5th.

Up next was the 18 lap SportMod feature, with Blaine Webster and Jeff Frana leading the field to the drop of the green flag. But it was third place starter Daniel Fellows who shot into the lead on lap 1 over Webster and Frana. The action up front was slowed on lap 4, as Levi Long and Mack Ray collided in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Austen Becerra, who started 15th after losing a drive shaft in his heat race, spun from his 6th place running spot to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Fellows moved back out front, with Brandon Dale and Bobby Six, who both started in row three, close behind. After another lap was scored complete another caution appeared, as Colton Livezey, who was running 7th, slowed to a stop down the front stretch to bring out the yellow. Fellows once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Six and Dale battling for the runner up spot. While the battle for second went on between Six, Dale, and Adam Birck, who started 12th, Fellows started to pull away from the field. Just when it looked like Fellows would cruise to the win, the final caution of the race came out on lap 16. Debris down the backstretch would bring out the yellow, and bring the field back to Fellows' back bumper. On the restart Fellows jumped back out front, with Birck and Six following close behind. Birk stayed in Fellows' tire tracks, but wasn't able to mount a challenge over the final four laps. As Fellows went on to pick up his second win in a row at the track. Birck was 2nd, Six was 3rd, Dale was 4th, with Becerra recovering from his early troubles to come home in 5th.

The final feature to take to the track was the 20 lap Modifieds, with Jared Fuller and Dugan Thye drawing the front row. Just as the green flag waved the caution light would come on, as Scott Bryant spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Fuller used his starting spot to his advantage to grab the lead on lap 1 over Thye and Dalton McKenney. As the field was coming off turn 4 to complete lap 2, a few cars got stacked up in front of Jeff Waterman, who was running 4th, and he got on the brakes hard to avoid contact. As a result he spun down the front stretch to bring out the yellow. On the restart Fuller moved back out front, with McKenney and Thye following. Another lap was scored complete before the second and final caution of the race appeared. Bryant would spin in turn 2 to bring out his second caution to end his night. Fuller once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Austin Howes, who started 8th, and Brandon Lennox, who started 14th, close behind. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 5, Howes was able to get under Fuller and then would edge him at the line by half a car length to take over the top spot. At the halfway point in the race Lennox was able to get past Fuller for the runner up spot, and then went to work on Howes for the lead. Howes got the break he needed through lapped traffic on lap 15, as he was able to put some distance between himself and Lennox. This would allow Howes to go on to lead the final laps to score his first career Modified win. Lennox settled for 2nd, Dakota Simmons started 7th and finished 3rd, Thye held on for 4th, with Kiel Morton finishing in 5th.

The next race event at the Pepsi Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Missouri will be on Friday, August 9th. To keep up with all the events at the track, be sure you like their Facebook page.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Pepsi Scotland County Speedway, Memphis, Missouri

July 12, 2019 - Scotland County Fair Night

Modifieds

A-Feature: 1. Austin Howes, Memphis, MO; 2. Brandon Lennox, New London, MO; 3. Dakota Simmons, Douds, IA; 4. Dugan Thye, Burlington, IA; 5. Kiel Morton, LaPata, MO; 6. Craig Spegal, New London, MO; 7. Fisher Reese, Memphis, MO; 8. Jerry Asher, Kirksville, MO; 9. Jared Fuller, Memphis, MO; 10. Steve Pumphrey, Fairfield, IA; 11. Dalton McKenney, Clarksville, MO; 12. Scott Bryant, Baring, MO; 13. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, IL; 14. David Snyder, Greentop, MO; 15. Chase Breid, Madison, MO; 16. Tristen Fuller, Memphis, MO

Heat 1: 1. Jeff Waterman; 2. Dalton McKenney; 3. Dakota Simmons; 4. Dugan Thye; 5. Chase Breid; 6. Fisher Reese; 7. David Snyder; 8. Scott Bryant

Heat 2: 1. Austin Howes; 2. Jared Fuller; 3. Craig Spegal; 4. Kiel Morton; 5. Steve Pumphrey; 6. Jerry Asher; 7. Brandon Lennox; 8. Tristen Fuller

Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1. John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 2. Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 3. Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 4. Nathan Wood, Sigourney, IA; 5. Pete Stogdel, Fowler, IL; 6. Les Blakley, Fairfield, IA; 7. Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 8. Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 9. Dean Kratzer, Ft. Madison, IA

Heat: 1. John Oliver Jr.; 2. Beau Taylor; 3. Abe Huls; 4. Chad Krogmeier; 5. Nathan Wood; 6. Les Blakley; 7. Dean Kratzer; 8. Kevin Koontz; 9. Pete Stogdel

SportMods

A-Feature: 1. Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA; 2. Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 3. Bobby Six, Keokuk, IA; 4. Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 5. Austin Becerra, Carthage, IL; 6. Blaine Webster, Ottumwa, IA; 7. Brandyn Ryan, Coatsburg, IL; 8. Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 9. Tim Dawson, Callao, MO; 10. Michael Benjamin, Montrose, IA; 11. Hugh Eddy, Milan, MO; 12. Jeff Frana, Ottumwa, IA; 13. Levi Long, Payson, IL; 14. John M. Anderson, Kirksville, MO; 15. Colton Livezey, New Sharon, IA; 16. Jim Walker, Mystic, IA; 17. Kevin Skaggs, Kirksville, MO; 18. Mack Ray, Fayette, MO; 19. Thomas Bridgeman, Moulton, IA; 20. Michael Holcomb, Brachear, MO

Heat 1: 1. Bobby Six; 2. Brandyn Ryan; 3. Brandon Dale; 4. Mack Ray; 5. Michael Benjamin; 6. John M. Anderson; 7. Thomas Bridgeman

Heat 2: 1. Colton Livezey; 2. Adam Birck; 3. Tim Dawson; 4. Jeff Frana; 5. Hugh Eddy; 6. Brandon Lambert; 7. Kevin Skaggs

Heat 3: 1. Blaine Webster; 2. Daniel Fellows; 3. Michael Holcomb; 4. Jim Walker; 5. Austin Becerra; 6. Levi Long

Hobby Stocks

A-Feature: 1. Rick Van Dusseldorp, Oskaloosa, IA; 2. Jason Rindom, Moberly, MO; 3. Jadyn Stevens, Hedrick, IA

Heat: 1. Rick Van Dusseldorp; 2. Jason Rindom; 3. Jadyn Stevens

Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1. Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 2. Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 3. Jeffrey DeLonjay, Quincy, IL; 4. Jaden DeLonjay, Quincy, IL; 5. Dylan Schantz, Luray, MO; 6. Alvin Cooney, Mexico, MO; 7. Kevin Garrett, Bloomfield, IA; 8. Jason Ash, Burlington, IA; 9. Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 10. Zyan Tripplett, Edina, MO

Heat 1: 1. Barry Taft; 2. Brandon Reu; 3. Jeffrey DeLonjay; 4. Dylan Schantz; 5. Kevin Garrett

Heat 2: 1. Jason Ash; 2. Kimberly Abbott; 3. Alvin Cooney; 4. Jaden DeLonjay; 5. Zyan Tripplett

Lennox Claims First Career IMCA Modified Win

Donnellson, IA (Thursday, July 11, 2019) - It was Lee County Fair week, Iowa's oldest running county fair, at the Lee County Fairgrounds in Donnellson, Iowa. And Thursday night was set aside for racing action, as the Sprint Invaders highlighted the nights activities. At the end of the night two driver's won for the first time of the season at the track, while three others claimed multiple wins at the track on the season.

The 15 lap Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compact feature was the first to take to the track, with Chuck Fullenkamp and Jason Ash leading the field to green. Ash would use his starting spot to his advantage to grab the lead on lap 1 over Fullenkamp and Josh Barnes, who started 6th. The lead for Ash only lasted for 1 lap, as Barnes used the momentum off the top of the track to take the top spot away on lap 2. While Barnes paced the field out front, Ash, Fullenkamp, Barry Taft, and Trent Orwig battled for the runner up spot. The action was slowed for the one and only time on lap 11, as TJ Weyls slowed down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. On the restart Barnes moved back out front, with Fullenkamp, Taft, Ash and Orwig following close behind. Despite a few challenges over the final laps from Fullenkamp, Barnes would hold him off to pick up his third win on the season at the track. Fullenkamp was 2nd, Orwig was 3rd, Taft was 4th, with Ash rounding out the top 5.

Up next was the 18 lap Budweiser IMCA Modified feature, with Brandon Lennox and Dalton McKenney making up the front row. Lennox took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over McKenney and John Oliver Jr. On lap 2 Oliver Jr. would slip past McKenney to take over the runner up spot, and then went to work on Lennox for the lead. Over the next several laps Oliver Jr. tried to work under Lennox for the top spot. But Lennox was able to hold him off in the caution free event to score his first career IMCA Modified win. Oliver Jr. was 2nd, Jeff Waterman came from 7th to finish 3rd, Austin Howes started 8th and finished 4th, with Dennis LaVeine coming from 9th to come home in 5th.

Riley Goodno and Ayrton Gennetten led the field to green in the 20 lap Sprint Invaders feature, with Gennetten jumping out front on lap 1 over Goodno and Mason Daniel, who started 5th. Then just after lap 1 was scored complete the first and only caution of the race appeared, as Colton Fisher spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Gennetten moved back out front, with Daniel over taking Goodno for the runner up spot. The pace that Gennetten was setting would put him into lapped traffic on lap 9. Two laps later, lap 11, a lapped car got sideways in front of him and he had to check up to avoid contact. This would allow Daniel to charge past him for the top spot. Daniel then pulled away thru heavy lapped traffic to claim his first career Sprint Invaders win. Gennetten was 2nd, Jamie Ball finished 3rd after starting in 6th, Chris Martin passed 12 cars from his 16th place starting spot to come home in 4th, with Goodno holding on for 5th.

Just like the Modified feature, the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature went green-to-checkered without a caution. Jeremy Pundt and Les Blakley would make up the front row, with Pundt jumping out front on lap 1 over Blakley and Jason Cook. While most of the field worked the bottom of the track, Abe Huls, who started 5th, would work the middle groove to work himself into second on lap 7. Two laps later, lap 9, Huls worked around Pundt coming off turn 2 to take over the top spot. Cook would follow Huls into the runner up spot at the same time. Over the final laps Cook tried to work under Huls for the lead. But Huls was able to hold him off to claim his fourth win on the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. Cook was 2nd, Pundt was 3rd, Blakley was 4th, with Chad Krogmeier finishing in 5th.

The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMods, with Ron Kibbe and Barry Dugan making up the front row for the event. Kibbe used his starting spot to his advantage to grab the lead on lap 1 over Austen Becerra and Sean Wyett, who started 5th. The action up front was slowed for the first time on lap 4, when Brian Bergheger slowed in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Kibbe jumped back out front, with Wyett over taking Becerra for second. Another lapped scored complete produced another yellow, as Colton Bowman spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Wyett would slip past Kibbe on the restart to take over the top spot. Then after another lap was scored complete, Kyle Hamelton spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Wyett jumped back out front, with Becerra and Blaine Webster, who started 8th, close behind. On lap 11 Becerra would use the momentum off the top of turn 4 to edge Wyett out at the line to take over the lead. The battle up front was slowed on lap 14, as Bowman spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow and ending his night. On the restart Bergheger spun in turn 4 to bring the yellow light back on, and that would end his night. The next restart saw Becerra jumped back out front, with Wyett and Webster close behind. Another lapped scored complete produced the final caution, as Kibbe spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow and setting up a two lap dash to the finish. Becerra grabbed the lead on the restart, with Wyett and Webster following. Despite a challenge from Wyett over the final lap, Becerra was able to hold him off to score his third win of the season at the track. Wyett settled for 2nd, Webster was 3rd, Daniel Fellows came from 10th to finish in 4th, with Dan Brockert coming home in 5th.

Frank and Schram Repeat Knox County Fair Wins

Knoxville, IL (Wednesday, July 10, 2019) - What use to be the place to be on every Wednesday night during the 90's, now only holds one event a year during the fair. And that would be the big 1/2 mile track located on the Knox County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, Illinois. Which hosted the Knox County Fair race night on Wednesday, July 10th. At the end of the night two driver's repeated their performances from the 2018 fair race, while three others became new fair winners.

The first feature to take to the track on the night was the the 15 lap SportMods, with Travis Thrasher and Justin Schroeder drawing the front row. Thrasher took advantage of his draw to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Schroeder and Dustin Schram. On lap 3 Schram slipped past both Thrasher and Schroeder to take over the top spot. Then just after the lap was scored complete the first and only caution of the race appeared, as contact between Trasher and Shane Paris, who started 7th, ended up with Thrasher spinning down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. On the restart Schram moved back out front, with Tom Bowling Jr., who started 5th, and Schroeder following. Bowling Jr. would follow in Schram's tire tracks over the last part of the feature, waiting for Schram to make a mistake. But Schram would stay smooth over the final laps to score his second Knox County Fair race win in a row. Bowling Jr. was 2nd, Paris came back thru the field to finish 3rd, Schroeder was 4th, with Dan Hahn finishing 5th after starting in 9th.

Shane Richardson and Tyler Gilmour led the field to green in the 10 lap Street Stock feature, with Gilmour grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Robert Cottom and Jesse Owen. Gilmour would go on to lead all 10 laps in a caution free race to earn his first Knox County Fair race win. Cottom was 2nd, Owen was 3rd, Richardson was 4th, with Rick Schriner completing the top 5.

The 12 lap Sport Compact feature was up next, with Jeremy Hancock and David Lauritson drawing the front row. Lauritson used his starting spot to his advantage to grab the lead on lap 1 over Hancock and Chuck Fullenkamp. On lap 4 the action was brought to a stop, when Wesley Talley rolled in turn 3 to bring out the red. He climbed from his car okay. On the restart Lauritson jumped back out front, with Fullenkamp and Hancock close behind. Fullenkamp tried to work under Lauritson over the final laps of the race. But Lauritson would hold him off to claim his first Knox County Fair race win. Fullenkamp was 2nd, Hancock was 3rd, Matt Mackey was 4th, with Dakota Schmick coming home in 5th.

Tommy Elston and Todd Frank made up the front row for the 20 lap Late Model feature, with Todd Frank jumping out into the lead on lap 1 over Elston and Gary Webb. The action was slowed for the first and only time of the race on lap 3, as Perry Gellerstedt spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Todd Frank jumped back out front, with Elston and Webb close behind. Elston would try to work under Todd Frank for the top spot over the next several laps. But Todd Frank was able to hold him off thru lapped traffic to score his second Knox County Fair race win in a row. Elston was 2nd, Webb was 3rd, Sam Halstead was 4th, with Gunner Frank finishing 5th.

The 20 lap Modified feature was the final race to take to the track, with Mark Anderson and Ray Bollinger drawing the front row.  Bollinger used his front row draw to his advantage by grabbing the lead on lap 1 over AJ May and Anderson. Disaster would strike Anderson on lap 2, as he spun into the guardrail in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Bollinger moved back out front, with Dave Wietholder, who started 6th, over taking May for the runner up spot. Wietholder tried to work under and even looked to the outside of Bollinger over the next 8 laps, when the caution appeared on lap 12 to slow his challenges. May would slow in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Bollinger once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Wietholder and Donovan Lodge, who started 7th, following close behind. Just when it looked like Bollinger would hold off all challenges from Wietholder to pick up the win, a caution came out on lap 19. Richard Vela would spin in turn 3 to set up a one lap dash to the finish. On the restart Bollinger would hold on to claim the $1,000 top prize. Wietholder was 2nd, Lodge was 3rd, Kurt Kile, who was scheduled to start 8th, was the only driver to except the back row challenge for a chance to win $4,100. He would drive his way up to a 4th place finish, with Dean McGee coming home in 5th.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Knox County Fair Raceway, Knoxville, Illinois

Wednesday July 10, 2019 - Knox County Fair Night

Late Models

A-Feature: 1. Todd Frank, Montrose, IA; 2. Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 3. Gary Webb, Blue Grass, IA; 4. Sam Halstead, New London, IA; 5. Gunner Frank, Montrose, IA; 6. Matt Strassheim, Morning Sun, IA; 7. Jim Hagedorn, East Peoria, IL; 8. Tegan Evans, Clinton, IA; 9. Perry Gellerstedt, Moline, IL; 10. David Norton, Colona, IL

Heat 1: 1. Tommy Elston; 2. Gary Webb; 3. Sam Halstead; 4. Jim Hagedorn; 5. Tegan Evans

Heat 2: 1. Todd Frank; 2. Gunner Frank; 3. Matt Strassheim; 4. Perry Gellerstedt; 5. David Norton

Modifieds

A-Feature: 1. Ray Bollinger, Kewanee, IL; 2. Dave Wietholder, Liberty, IL; 3. Donovan Lodge, Moline, IL; 4. Kurt Kile, Nichols, IA; 5. Dean McGee, Galesburg, IL; 6. Dustin Schram, Sterling, IL; 7. Brandon Banks, Washington, IA; 8. Dugan Thye, Burlington, IA; 9. Matt Ramer, Mendota, IL; 10. Mark VerVynck, Kewanee, IL; 11. Dan Hahn; Hooppole, IL; 12. Richard Vela, Kewanee, IL; 13. Tom Bowling Jr., Danville, IA; 14. AJ May, East Peoria, IL; 15. Justin Schroeder, Low Moor, IA; 16. Mark Anderson, Canton, IL; 17. Frankie Wellman, Quincy, IL

Heat 1: 1. Donovan Lodge; 2. Mark Anderson; 3. Ray Bollinger; 4. Dave Wietholder; 5. Frankie Wellman; 6. Brandon Banks; 7. Matt Ramer

Heat 2: 1. AJ May; 2. Kurt Kile; 3. Dugan Thye; 4. Dean McGee; 5. Mark VerVynck; 6. Richard Vela

SportMods

A-Feature: 1. Dustin Schram, Sterling, IL; 2. Tom Bowling Jr., Danville, IA; 3. Shane Paris, Muscatine, IA; 4. Justin Schroeder, Low Moor, IA; 5. Dan Hahn, Hooppole, IL; 6. Brandon Bollinger, Kewanee, IL; 7. Kevin Goben, Sherrard, IL; 8. Brad Salisberry, Lynn Center, IA; 9. Jared Coppejans, Hillsdale, IL; 10. Kevin Anderson, London Mills, IL; 11. Keith Siegel, Elmwood, IL; 12. James Thompson, Mineral, IL; 13. Travis Thrasher, Clinton, IL; 14. Josh Marth, Tampico, IL; 15. Levi Layman, Muscatine, IA; 16. Dustin Branch, London Mills, IL

Heat 1: 1. Shane Paris; 2. Justin Schroeder; 3. Kevin Goben; 4. Kevin Anderson; 5. Dan Hahn; 6. Josh Marth; 7. Brandon Bollinger; 8. Levi Layman

Heat 2: 1. Tom Bowling Jr.; 2. Travis Thrasher; 3. Dustin Schram; 4. Brad Salisberry; 5. James Thompson; 6. Jared Coppejans; 7. Dustin Branch; 8. Keith Siegel

Street Stocks

A-Feature: 1. Tyler Gilmour, Peoria, IL; 2. Robert Cottom, Galesburg, IL; 3. Jesse Owen, Colona, IL; 4. Shane Richardson, Wapello, IA; 5. Rick Schriner, Rock Island, IL; 6. Jeff Struck, Davenport, IA

Heat: 1. Tyler Gilmour; 2. Robert Cottom; 3. Shane Richardson; 4. Jesse Owen; 5. Rick Schriner; 6. Jeff Struck

Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1. David Lauritson, Normal, IL; 2. Chuck Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 3. Jeremy Hancock, Peoria, IL; 4. Matt Mackey, Delavan, IL; 5. Dakota Schmick, Pekin, IL; 6. Jimmy Dutlinger, Creve Cour, IL; 7. Mark Dennis Altona, IL; 8. Nick Johnson, Pekin, IL; 9. Wesley Talley, Monmouth, IL; 10. Butch Mackey, Bartonville, IL; 11. Lester Massey, Creve Cour, IL; 12. Brandon Cornell, Hanna City, IL

Heat 1: 1. David Lauritson; 2. Dakota Schmick; 3. Mark Dennis; 4. Wesley Talley; 5. Butch Mackey; 6. Lester Massey

Heat 2: 1. Chuck Fullenkamp; 2. Matt Mackey; 3. Jeremy Hancock; 4. Nick Johnson; 5. Jimmy Dutlinger; 6. Brandon Cornell

Marlar's Surprise Visit to Quincy Results in Win

Quincy, IL (Sunday, July 7, 2019) - The UMP Summer Nationals, also known as "The Hell Tour", along with the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals made their stop at the Quincy Raceways in Quincy, Illinois on Sunday, July 7th. And finally mother nature would co-operate with no rain in the forecast.

As I arrived to the track and took a walk thru the pit area to see who was signed in for competition, one driver stood out as a surprise to me. That would be the driver of the 157 out of Winfield, Tennessee, Mike Marlar. Yeah, Mike has ran a few of the tour races, but I didn't expect him to make the trip over to Quincy on a Sunday night. His trip would pay off at the end of the night, as he stood in victory lane and collected a check worth $5,000. More about how Mike claimed the win coming up shortly.

First up was the 25 lap UMP Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals feature, with Tyler Nicely and Nick Hoffman leading the field to green. But it was third place starter Dave Wietholder who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Nicely and Hoffman. While most of the field chose to work the bottom of the speedway, Hoffman went to the top to try and get the top spot. The move would pay off for Hoffman on lap 7, as he used the momentum off the top of turn 4 to grab the lead. As Hoffman stayed committed the the high side of the track, his chasers would stay glued to the bottom. Which allowed Hoffman to pull out to a full straight-away lead thru lapped traffic. Just as it looked like Hoffman would cruise to an easy win, the first and only caution of the race appeared on lap 21. A cone was clipped in turn 4 and dragged down the front stretch to bring out the yellow. On the restart Hoffman jumped back out front, with Nicely and Wietholder glued to his back bumper. Despite Nicely trying to get under Hoffman over the final laps, Hoffman would hold him off to claim his sixth Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals win of the season. Nicely settled for 2nd, Wietholder was 3rd, Michael Long was 4th, with Kenny Wallace completing the top 5.

Rusty Schlenk and Bobby Pierce led the field to the drop of the green in the 40 lap UMP Summer Nationals Late Model feature. Schlenk would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Brian Shirley and Kyle Bronson. The action up front was slowed for the first time of the event on lap 3, as debris down the backstretch brought out the yellow. On the restart Shirley got under Schlenk to take over the top spot, with Mike Marlar, who started 5th, battling Schlenk for the runner up spot. The pace that Shirley was setting brought lapped traffic to him on lap 11. While Schlenk and Marlar battled for second, Shirley had pulled out to over a three second lead. That lead was wiped away on lap 21, as David Jaeger spun in turn 2 to bring out the second and final caution of the race. Shirley jumped back out front on the restart, with Marlar and Schlenk close behind. While Shirley worked the bottom of the track, Marlar worked the middle groove to try and take the top spot away. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 26 Marlar would edge out Shirley to take the lead. Marlar would use the lapped traffic to his advantage to pull away over the final laps to pick up the win and the $5,000 check to go with it. Shirley was 2nd, Schlenk was 3rd, Frank Heckenast Jr. started 7th and finished 4th, with Pierce finishing in 5th.

The 30 lap IMCA SportMod feature was the final event of the night, with Reed Wolfmeyer and Tanner Klingele making up the front row. Klingele used his starting spot to his advantage to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Wolfmeyer and Tyler Burton. The action was slowed on lap 2, as Michael Goodwin spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Klingele moved back out front, with Terry Wilson and Wolfmeyer following. Just as Klingele started to put some distance on the runner up spot, the second caution of the race appeared on lap 5 to bring the field back to him. Nathan Bringer would slow down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. Once again Klingele grabbed the lead on the restart, with Daniel Fellows and Adam Birck, who started 10th, now glued to his back bumper. Fellows and Birck would follow in Klingele's tire tracks, waiting for him to make a mistake. When the third caution of the race slowed the pace on lap 11. This time Gary Stephenson would spin in turn 1 to bring out the yellow.

On the restart Klingele jumped back out front, with Birck over taking Fellows for the runner up spot. While the top runners worked the bottom of the track, Austen Becerra, who started 17th after having a flat tire in the heat race, went to the top of the track to work himself to the front. On lap 17 Becerra would take the runner up spot from Birck, and then 1 lap later, lap 18, he got passed Klingele to take over the top spot. One lap after that, lap 19, Brandyn Ryan spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Becerra jumped back out front on the restart, with Klingele and Birck close behind. The only thing to slow Becerra down was another caution, as Michael Benjamin stopped down the front stretch on lap 26 with a left rear flat to bring out the yellow. Once again Becerra moved back out front on the restart, with Birck over taking Klingele for second. Just when it looked like Becerra would pull away for the win, the caution light came on on lap 29 to set up a one lap shootout. Derek Goble would spin in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Becerra got a great restart to hold on over the final lap to claim the $1,000 win. Birck was 2nd, Wolfmeyer was 3rd, Klingele was 4th, with Fellows coming home in 5th.

Notes from Quincy: Will Krup started the Modified feature in 9th and would finish 6th....Shawn Deering came from 13th to finish in 7th....Bill Roberts Jr. finished 11th after starting in 14th....Josh Newman started 18th and finished 12th....Dugan Thye came from 20th to finish 13th to earn the hard charger award....Ronnie Yelton had troubles in his heat race that forced him to scratch from the feature......Rickey Frankel won the hard charger award in the Late Model feature, after starting in 16th and finishing in 8th....Jamie Wilson came from 12th to finish in 9th....Rusty Griffaw made 1 lap and pulled off....Denny Woodworth, Melvin Linder and Jason Feger to the green and then pulled off on the backstretch to end their nights early......Michael Goodwin recovered from his spin on lap 2 of the SportMod feature to come back up to finish 7th....AJ Tournear came from 14th to finish in 8th....Austin Poage finished 11th after starting in 19th....Dalton McKenney had troubles after his heat that forced him to scratch from the feature.

I would like to thank Jason Goble and his staff for the great hospitality. Every time I make the trip down to Quincy Raceways Jason and his staff are always very welcoming.

Wednesday, July 10th will kick off my first of three county fair races for this week, as the Knox County Fair race in Knoxville, Illinois will be up first. Late Models and Modifieds will race for $1,000 to win. While the SportMods race for $500 to win and the Stock Cars race for $400 to win. Also added is the Sport Compacts. Then on Thursday, July 11th it's off to the Lee County Fair in Donnellson, Iowa. The Sprint Invaders will be the headliner, with the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA SportMods, and IMCA Sport Compacts also in action. Friday, July 12th will end my fair week at the Scotland County Fair in Memphis, Missouri. In action will be the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Sport Compacts. I hope to see you at least one, if not all of those fair events!

Carter Takes Final Hogan Memorial Checkered Flag

Vinton, IA (Wednesday, July 3, 2019) - As I left my home in Monmouth, Illinois to make the almost 3 hour drive up to the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa for the 25th Annual Hogan Memorial, the sun was shining bright and the temperature read 92 in the car with heat indexes close to 100. But as I drove east towards Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and then heading north towards Iowa City, the skies started to get dark.

The closer I got to Iowa City the more it looked like I would run into some heavy rain showers. And that was the case, as just on the south edge of town the skies opened up and it started to down pour. I would run in the heavy rain all the way to Cedar Rapids, as I made the turn onto highway 30 heading west. A quick look at the radar showed I would run in the heavy stuff all the way to Vinton, it even showed Vinton was getting hammered. So I debated on turning around and going back home or continuing my drive to Vinton. I decided I was already 2 hours into the drive, so I might as well continue to finish off the commute.

As I pulled into the fairgrounds the ground looked like they got a brief shower, which helped to settle the dust on the gravel road leading up to the pit shack. After signing in and doing a walk thru the pits, I discovered there was 153 cars signed in for the nights action. For those who believe in angels, I believe there were two angles looking down on the Benton County Fairgrounds tonight. As most of the heavy rains stayed to the south, the west, the east and the north of the grounds, to allow the 25th and final Hogan Memorial to go on as planned.

Just after three Hobby Stock heats and three Stock Car heats were completed, the 8 lap Micro Mod feature came to the track. Only six of the eight cars signed in took to the track for the event, with Shawn Fisher and Chad Dugan drawing the front row. Fisher took advantage of his draw to lead lap 1 over Dugan and Cole McNeal. Fisher then held the top spot until lap 4, when McNeal got under him coming off turn 4 to take over the top spot. McNeal then led the final 4 laps to score another Micro Mod win. Dugan would finish 2nd, Fisher was 3rd, Jason Gorman was 4th, with Matt Post rounding out the top 5.

Following four SportMod heats and six Modified heats the 16 lap Sport Compact feature came to the track next, with Adam Gates and Zeke Wheeler leading the field to green. Gates jumped out into the lead on lap 1 over Barry Taft, who started 6th, and Michael Grossman, who started 7th. Just as Taft got under Gates coming off turn 2 for the lead on lap 3, the caution would appear to give Gates the lead back. Korey Lana would spin in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Gates moved back out front, with Taft and Jamie Wood close behind. Coming off of turn 2 to come around to complete lap 4 Taft went high, as Gates and Taft raced side-by-side into turn 3. Taft would use the momentum off of turn 4 to grab the top spot on lap 4. While Taft started to pull away, Josh Barnes would work himself into the runner up spot on lap 9. And then went to work on trying to chase down Taft for the lead, that was until he pulled off with 2 laps to go with mechanical problems. This would allow Taft to cruise to an easy win. Lana, who spun in turn 3 on lap 2 to bring out the only caution, came back thru the field to finish 2nd, Nathan Chandler started 13th and finished 3rd, Gates held on for 4th, with Travis Losenicky completing the top 5.

Two SportMod B Mains and three Modified B Mains were ran next to complete the rest of the feature starting fields, and then it was time for the 16 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Justin Ginther and Leah Wroten drew the front row for the event, with Ginther grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Wroten and Daniel Wauters. The action was slowed up front on lap 3, as Jeremiah Andrews spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Wauters used the top of the track to take over the top spot, with Justin Wacha and Wroten following. Just after lap 4 was scored complete, Randy LaMar and Andrews got together down the front stretch to bring out the yellow. Wauters once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Wroten and Wacha battling for the runner up spot. After the lap was scored complete the caution light came on, as Quinton Miller spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. Once again Wauters jumped back out front on the restart, with Wroten and Wacha still following. The action up front was slowed for the fourth time of the race on lap 8, when Kaden Reynolds, who was running 7th, went over the track in turn 3 to bring out the yellow.

On the restart Wauters moved back out front, with Wroten and now Nathan Ballard, who started 7th, close behind. The final caution of the event appeared just after the lap was scored complete, as Jacob Floyd spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Wroten used the bottom to edge out Wauters at the line for the top spot. But Wauters used the momentum off the top to edge Wroten out at the line by inches to lead lap 11. The two continued to race side-by-side around the track, as it was a dead even race at the line on lap 12. Wauters would come out ahead on lap 13 and then held of Wroten over the final lap to score the win and the $1,350 top prize to go with it. Wroten settled for 2nd, Ballard was 3rd, Brett Vanous was 4th, with Erick Knutsen coming from 8th to finish in 5th.

Kyle Brown and Abe Huls drew the front row for the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, with Brown jumping out into the lead on lap 1 over Huls and Damon Murty. The action up front was slowed on lap 2, as Jason Zaruba slowed down the front stretch with mechanical troubles. On the restart Brown moved back out front, with Murty and Huls battling for the runner up spot. Three laps later, lap 6, the action was slowed for the second time of the race, as Dean Kratzer got sideways off turn 4 and collected Kyle Merkes and Dusty Vis to bring out the yellow. Once back to green Brown took the lead, with Huls and Murty continuing their battle for second. Over the next 5 laps Murty tried to get under Brown for the lead, but Brown would hold him off each lap to keep the lead. The battle up front was slowed on lap 12, when Brandon Jacoby spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Brown once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Murty and Huls still following. Three laps later, lap 16, Jacoby spun in turn 3 to bring out his second solo caution to end his night. Once again Brown jumped out front on the restart, with Murty and Huls close behind. With Murty and Huls battling for second, Brown was able to hold on to claim the win and the $1,000 check. Huls got by Murty on the final lap to finish 2nd, Murty was 3rd, Johnny Spaw came from 10th to finish 4th, with Dan Trimble finishing 5th after starting in 9th.

Up next was the 20 lap IMCA SportMod feature, with Brandon Tharp and Chris Burke leading the field to the drop of the green flag. But just as the green flag waved the yellow light came on, as Logan Anderson got into the tire in turn 2 to spin and bring out the caution. On the restart Kyle Olson, who started third, got under Tharp to lead lap 1. The action up front was slowed for the second and final time on lap 2, as Ron Kibbe spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Olson jumped back out front on the restart, with Ben Chapman and Tharp close behind. While most of the field was using the bottom of the track, Tyler Soppe, who started 5th, worked the top of the track to try and get to the front. On lap 5 Soppe over took Tharp for third and then went to work on Chapman for the runner up spot. Soppe used the momentum off the top of turn 4 to go from third to the lead on lap 11. Then going into turn 1 on the next lap Soppe, Chapman and Jake McBirnie, who started 13th, raced three wide for the top spot. Chapman emerged of turn 4 with the lead on lap 13, with Soppe coming off the top of turn 4 to take the lead back on lap 14. McBirnie used the bottom of the track to grab the top spot on lap 15. From there McBirnie pulled away over the final 5 laps to claim the win and the $1,000 check. Soppe was 2nd, Olson was 3rd, Chapman was 4th, with Joe Docekal coming from 12th to come home in 5th.

The final feature to take to the track was the 50 lap IMCA Modified feature, with two youngsters in Cayden Carter and Austin Howes drawing the front row for the event. Just as the green flag waved the yellow light came on, as David Brown, Tyler Droste and Mike Burbridge collided in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Carter would edge Howes by inches at the line to lead lap 1. Howes, who was using the top of the track, used the momentum off turn 4 to grab the lead on lap 3. Carter, who was on the bottom, would come back to grab the lead on lap 5. While these two battle for the lead, Cody Laney went around them both on the top to take the lead on lap 7. Carter would come back on the bottom on lap 8 to get the top spot back. Only to have Laney edge him out at the line to lead lap 9. Laney would enter lapped traffic on lap 13, as Carter went to the top of the track to challenge Laney for the lead. Carter would slip past Laney on lap 14 to get the top spot back. The action up front was slowed for the first time on lap 22, as Scott Hogan slowed in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Carter moved back out front, with Joel Rust and Jeff Aikey, who started 13th, now following him. The caution appeared after lap 25 was scored complete, as this was the mid race break. The cars were brought to a stop on the front stretch, and then the crews had 5 minutes to do anything to the cars but change tires.

After 5 minutes it was back to green flag racing, with Carter going back to the lead over Aikey and Rust. While Carter set the pace out front, Aikey and Rust traded slid jobs for the runner up spot. Even though Carter started to enter lapped traffic on lap 36, there was nobody gaining on him. That was until lap 43 when Dennis LaVeine went over the track in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Carter jumped back out front on the restart, with Rust and Aikey continuing their battle for the runner up spot. Aikey would slid past Rust on lap 45 and then went to work on Carter for the top spot. But Carter was able to hold on over the final laps to score the final checkered flag in the 25th Annual Hogan Memorial. After all the lap money and other awards, Carter took home a check worth $4,908. Aikey settled for 2nd, Rust was 3rd, Tim Ward was 4th, with Hunter Marriott passing 11 cars from his 16th place starting spot to come home in 5th.

Notes from Vinton: 44 Modifieds, 37 SportMods, 26 Stock Cars, 23 Hobby Stocks, 15 Sport Compacts and 8 Micro Mods made up the 153 cars signed in on the night......Luke Benischek started the Sport Compact feature in 11th and came up to finish 6th....Andrew Steepleton finished 7th after starting in 14th......Mike Kimm started the Hobby Stock feature in 19th and then passed 11 cars to come home 8th, and took home the hard charger award....Luke Bird came from 17th to finish in 9th....Quinton Miller recovered from his spin on lap 5 to come back up to finish in 10th....Matt Brown finished 12th after starting in 20th....Scott Sondag had troubles and was a scratch from the feature......Jay Schmidt came from 11th in the Stock Car feature to finish in 6th....Neal Miller finished 8th after starting in 15th....Dallon Murty started 14th and finished 9th....Danny Dvorak started 21st and passed 10 cars to finish in 11th....Shane Ebaugh finished 13th after starting in 25th. Which was good enough to take home the hard charger award....Kevin Rose finished 16th after starting in 23rd......Mitch Mantemach, who won the first B-Main, started 19th and then passed 12 cars to come home in 7th....Gage Neal finished 8th after starting in 15th....Dylan VanWyk started 22nd and then passed 13 cars to come home in 9th. Which earned him the hard charger award....Carter VanDenBerg came from 21st to finish in 12th....Kip Siems started 18th and finished 13th......Spencer Dierks started the Modified feature in 19th and would pass 13 cars to come home in 6th....Richie Gustin finished 8th after starting in 20th....Kyle Brown came from 21st to finish in 9th....Ethan Dodson finished 10th after starting in 24th. Which gave him the hard charger award....Brennen Chipp started 22nd and finished 15th......Ronn Lauritzen, Dennis Betzer, Taylor Musselman, Josh Barta, Steve Johnson, Eric Barnes, Zack VanderBeek, Sam Wieben, Bryce Garnhart, Jerry Dedrick, Leon Wilson, Patrick Flannagan, Matt Short, Greg Kastli, Tommy Belmer, Jeff Sampson, Todd Summers, and Brekken Kleinschmidt were the Modifieds who did not make the final Hogan Memorial feature....Adam Birck, Jason Doyle, Brian Pullman, Brian Sondag, David Hoover, Danny Dvorak, Austen Becerra, Cody Thompson, Kevin Goben, Brett Thomas, Tom Lathrop, Will Forester, Jason Hall, Bradley Ivy, and Robert Patava were the SportMod cars who didn't make the feature event.

I would like to say thank you to the entire Benton County Speedway staff for the great hospitality, which I always get whenever I make the trip up there. I would also like to say thank you to the Hogan family for allowing me to be a small part of the Hogan Memorial for the past three years. As big as this event has turned out to be, it's sad to see it come to an end. But I certainly understand the reasons behind it, and respect the Hogan family for their decisions to bring it to an end. THANK YOU again to all of the Hogan family members for all you have done for the sport in the 25 year history of the Hogan Memorial!!