Close Finishes Highlights Davenport Action

 Davenport, IA (Friday, November 6, 2020) - Everybody thought the 2020 racing season at the Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa had ended back in September, when the final scheduled event was held. But with the unusually warm forecast for the first weekend of November, the Darkside Promotions team of Ryan Duhme and Timmy Current combined with K Promotions of Ricky and Brenda Kay decided to add a Friday night event on the 1/4 mile track.

The risk would payoff, as a very nice crowd was greeted with 130 cars (30 Modifieds, 39 SportMods, 23 Street Stocks / Stock Cars, 26 4-Stocks, and 12 Hobby Stocks) signed in for action. If you were not part of the crowd sitting in the grandstands, then you missed out on some great racing action on a fast and smooth racing surface.

A mix of twenty-three Street Stocks / Stock Cars signed in, with twenty-three of those driver's taking the green for the 20 lap feature. Jesse Owen and Rob Nylin drew the front row for the event, with Owen grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Jeff Struck Jr. and John Oliver Jr. Struck Jr. tried to work under Owen for the top spot over the next 4 laps, but Owen was able to hold him off. That was until lap 6 when Struck Jr. finally got the lead. Struck Jr. then started to pull away, as Owen worked to hold back Oliver Jr. for the runner up spot. The field was brought back to Struck Jr.'s back bumper on lap 10, when Jake Lund spun in turn 1 to bring out the first caution. On the restart Struck Jr. moved back out front, with Owen and Oliver Jr. following. One more lap was scored complete when the second and final caution of the race appeared, as debris in turn 2 brought out the yellow. Struck Jr. once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Owen and Rob Henry, who started 6th, over taking Oliver Jr. for third. Owen would look under Struck Jr. over the next 6 laps, but Struck Jr. was able to hold him off. Then coming off turn 2 to get the white flag Owen was able to slip up in front of Struck Jr. to grab the lead. Struck Jr. tried to get back under Owen coming off turn 4 for the checkered, but Owen was able to edge him out for the win. Henry was 3rd, Oliver Jr. claimed the highest finishing IMCA legal Stock Car award in 4th, with Joe Bonney coming from 12th to finish 5th.

In what I believe to be the first ever visit by the Hobby Stocks at the Davenport Speedway resulted in twelve driver's signing in, with Jeff Schmidt and Randy LaMar leading the field to green in their 12 lap feature. LaMar would take advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Kaden Reynolds and Schmidt. The lead for LaMar only lasted for 1 lap, as Reynolds used the bottom of the track coming out of turn 4 to take the top spot on lap 2. LaMar's early run up front came to an end on lap 5, as he slipped off the track in turns 1 and 2 to bring out the yellow.  On the restart Reynolds jumped back out front, with seventh place starter Daniel Wauters and Russ Olson close behind. While Reynolds worked the top of the track, Wauters worked the bottom, as the two raced side-by-side around the 1/4 mile track over the final half of the race. Reynolds would edge out Wauters at the line each lap, except for the one that counted. As Wauters found some strong momentum coming off the bottom out of turn 4 to edge out Reynolds at the line on the final lap to claim the close victory. Olson was 3rd, LaMar recovered from his lap 5 caution to come back up to finish 4th, with Brandon White finishing 5th after starting in 10th.

Josh Starr and William Michel led the field to green in the 10 lap 4 Stock feature, with Starr jumping out into the lead on lap 1 over Cyle Hawkins and Travis Hawkins. Cyle Hawkins tried to grab the top spot away from Starr over the next 4 laps, but Starr was able to hold off his challenges. That was until lap 6 when Cyle Hawkins finally clear Starr for the lead. But before the lap was scored complete the first and only caution of the race appeared, as Michael Lundeen spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Which also handed the lead back over to Starr for the restart. On the restart Starr moved back out front, with Cyle Hawkins and Aaron Hitt, who started 10th, close behind. After trying to get under Starr for the lead over the next couple of laps, Cyle Hawkins went high coming out of turn 4 coming to the white flag to edge out Starr for the top spot. Starr would get back by Cyle Hawkins down the backstretch and then held him off at the line to score another close finish win. Hitt was 3rd, Travis Hawkins was 4th, with Mitch Bielenberg coming home in 5th.

Up next was the 20 lap SportMod feature, with Jacob Copley and Tyler Soppe drawing the front row for the event. Soope used his draw to his advantage by jumping out front on lap 1, with Copley and Mike Garland close behind. The action was slowed for the first time of the race on lap 2, as Clint Morehouse and Jeremy Gustaf spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Soppe moved back out front, with Copley and Scott Busch following. While Soppe paced the field out front, the action behind him went two and three wide at times for several positions behind him. The second caution of the race slowed the action on lap 7, as sixth place runner Logan Anderson spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Soppe jumped back out front on the restart, but now had sixth place starter Sean Wyett and ninth place starter Kyle Olson chasing him. One more lap was scored complete when the third caution of the race appeared, this time Chance Huston spun in turn 1 with a right front flat to bring out the yellow.

Once again Soppe moved back out front, with Kyle Olson over taking Wyett for second. Soppe, who was working the top of the track and Kyle Olson, who was working the bottom, raced across the strip on lap 11 dead even. When the fourth and final caution came out after the lap was scored to slow the battle. Jeremy Gustaf and Dylan VanWyk spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Soppe would jump back out front on the restart, with Kyle Olson and Wyett still challenging him. Kyle Olson tried to work under Soppe over the next 5 laps, when he got sideways in turn four and drove thru the infield to regain the car on lap 16. And before he could get back on track he fell clear to the back. This would allow Soppe to pull away for the win. Wyett was 2nd, Jared Boumeester was 3rd, Ryan Reed came from 8th to finish 4th, with Brayton Carter coming home 5th after starting in 10th.

The final feature to take to the track was the 25 lap Modifieds, with Steve Gustaf and Kelly Meyer drawing the front row. But it was third place starter Denny Eckrich who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Meyer and Tyler Droste. Then just after the lap was scored complete the first caution appeared, as Chris Lawrence, Gustaf and Spencer Diercks went off the track in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Eckrich moved back out front, with Droste and Jeff Aikey, who started 7th, close behind. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 4 Droste was able to get under Eckrich to take over the top spot. Droste, who was working the bottom of the track, then had to work to hold off Aikey, who was working the top, over the next 6 laps. But the action up front was slowed on lap 10, as Brad Moring spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow.

Droste would move back out front on the restart, with Aikey having to defend off Jason Bahrs, who started 11th, for the runner up spot. A couple of more laps were scored complete when the final caution of the race slowed the action, as TJ Patz spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. Aikey would use the momentum off the top of the track on the restart to take the top spot away from Droste. And with Aikey using the momentum off the top to start to pull away, Droste decided to go to the top of the track to keep pace with Aikey on lap 18. But coming off turn 4 to complete lap 19 Droste got the right rear off the top of the track, which allowed Spencer Diercks, who came from the rear after the lap 1 caution, to over take him for second. Diercks tried to cut into Aikey's lead over the final 5 laps. But even though Aikey got into heavy lapped traffic on lap 22, Aikey was able to go on to pick up the win. Diercks settled for 2nd, Droste was 3rd, Matt Werner came from 9th to finish 4th, with Bahrs finishing 5th.

Veteran Cedar Falls, Iowa racer Jeff Aikey added another Modified victory to his list of victories on Friday, November 6th at the Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa.

I would like to give the Darkside Promotions team of Ryan Duhme and Timmy Current, as well as K Promotions Ricky and Brenda Kay and both staffs a big THANK YOU for the great hospitality over the 2020 racing season. I can't wait for the 2021 season to begin, as I look forward to getting back to events ran by both these promotional teams.

With the "Dirt In December" Gateway Nationals already postponed for 2020, this could quite possibly bring an end to my 2020 season. But there is one event on my radar I would like to take it, and that it is the Turkey Bowl scheduled for Friday, November 20th and Saturday, November 21st at the Springfield Raceway in Springfield, Missouri. We will see when the time comes closer if I decided to make the close to six hour drive down.

McFadden Tops Jason Johnson Classic at the Lake

Eldon, MO (Saturday, October 17, 2020) - With very little racing action to choose from in my area, I decided to meet up with long time photographer Dennis Krieger to make the 4 hour drive south to the Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri. On the card was the 2nd Annual Jason Johnson Classic, featuring the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Cars. Awaiting the winner in victory lane was a check worth $15,000, while $1,000 was guaranteed to just start the 41 lap A-Main.

Shane Stewart piloted the Jason Johnson Racing #41 Sprinter on Saturday at the Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, MO. The annual Jason Johnson Classic honors the late Jason Johnson. (Photo provided by Dennis Krieger)

Thirty-five NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and 21 Street Stocks, the only support class on the card, signed in for competition. And Brad Sweet started the night off by setting fast time, with a lap of 11.402 seconds around the 1/3 mile oval. Following time trial qualifying was the 4 10 lap heat races, in which the top 5 in each were locked into the 41 lap Jason Johnson Classic A-Main.

Brad Sweet jumped out into the lead on lap 1 of heat race one and then led all 10 laps to pick up the win. Jacob Allen was 2nd, Daryn Pittman came from 5th to finish 3rd, Parker Price-Miller was 4th, with Tyler Courtney finishing in the final transfer spot after starting in 7th. Kerry Madsen, Skylar Prochaska, Kory Bales, and Carson Macedo, who had mechanical issues, finished out heat one....James McFadden edged out Donny Schatz on lap 1 of heat race two and then held on to claim the win. Schatz finished 2nd, Ayrton Gennetten was 3rd, Logan Schuchart was 4th, with Hunter Schuerenberg holding on for the final transfer spot. Dominic Scelzi, Mason Daniel, Tucker Klaasmeyer, and Adam Parmeley finished out heat two....Aaron Reutzel took command of heat race three and then went on to score the win. Kraig Kinser crossed the line in 2nd, Tim Kaeding was 3rd, Sheldon Haudenschild was 4th, with Brian Brown holding on for the final transfer spot. Skylar Gee, Wayne Johnson, Kyle Bellm, and Frank Rogers completed the finish in heat three....Cory Eliason grabbed the lead in heat four and then held it until the checkered flag. Gio Scelzi finished in 2nd, Shane Stewart was 3rd, Ian Madsen was 4th, with Jason Sides holding on for 5th. Terry McCarl, Tyler Blank, and Bill Rose finished out heat four.

Three Street Stock heat races were ran next, and was then followed up by the 8 car 8 lap Fast Pass Dash. The dash was made up of the top two finishers in the four heat races, in which all driver's drew for their starting position. James McFadden and Gio Scelzi lead the field to green. But just as the green was waved the yellow light would come on, as eighth place starter Brad Sweet spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart McFadden grabbed the early lead over Scelzi and Aaron Reutzel. Going into turn 1 on the completion of lap 1 Cory Eliason tried to get under Reutzel and made contact with his left rear, which sent Reutzel spinning in turn 2. Donny Schatz tried to take evasive action and he would climb over Eliason's left front. And then Jacob Allen got on the binders and bumped into Reutzel's front nose, as both came to a stop in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Schatz headed to the work area to see if he received any damage from the contact, and he quickly returned for the restart. McFadden jumped back out front on the restart, with Scelzi and Sweet, who came from the rear, following. Sweet would get by Scelzi for the runner up spot on lap 3 and then tried to challenge Kasey Kahne Racing teammate for the win. But McFadden would hold on to pick up the dash. Sweet settled for 2nd, Scelzi was 3rd, Schatz came from the rear to finish 4th, Eliason was 5th, Reutzel was 6th, Allen was 7th, with Kraig Kinser rounding out the finish.

The final event for the fifteen remaining driver's not qualified out of the heat races was the 12 lap Last Chance Showdown, where the top 4 would make up the final two rows of the A-Main. Carson Macedo and Dominic Scelzi led the field to green, but just as the green was waved the yellow light would come on. As fifth place starter Terry McCarl spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart, Marcedo jumped out front to lead lap 1 over Scelzi and Kerry Madsen. The action was slowed on lap 6, when Adam Parmeley spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Marcedo grabbed the lead on the restart, with Madsen over taking Scelzi for the runner up spot. The caution appeared on lap 9, as Tyler Blank slowed in turn 4 when his hood came loose and blocked his view to bring out the yellow. On the restart Skylar Prochaska got into the cushion in turn 3 and got up on his left side briefly, before the car settled back down on all 4 wheels to bring the yellow light back on. Macedo once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Madsen and Scelzi following. Just after the lap was scored complete the red would appear, as Skylar Gee, who was battling for the final transfer spot, got into the cushion in turn 3 and rolled several times. He would climb from the car okay. On the final restart Macedo jumped back out front and held on to pick up the win. Madsen was 2nd, Scelzi was 3rd, with Wayne Johnson, who started 8th, holding off McCarl, who charged from the rear after spinning on the start, to claim the final transfer spot.

About 30 minutes was then taken to knock the cushion down on the top of turns 1 & 2 and 3 & 4, before the 41 lap Jason Johnson Classic A-Main was brought to the track.

Just part of the standing room only crowd in attendance on Saturday night at the Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, MO. (Photo provided by Dennis Krieger)

Here is the famous 4 wide salute to the huge crowd before the start of the 41 lap Jason Johnson Classic NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Car feature. (Photo by Dennis Krieger)

James McFadden and Brad Sweet made up the front row for the 41 lap Jason Johnson Classic WoO Sprint Car feature, with McFadden jumping out front to lead lap 1 over Sweet and Gio Scelzi. The action was slowed for the first time of the race on lap 2, as Carson Macedo slowed to a stop in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart McFadden jumped back out front, with Sweet and Donny Schatz close behind. The fast pace that McFadden was setting would put him into lapped traffic on lap 7, which allowed Sweet to close within his back bumper. On lap 10 Sweet tried to slid up in front of McFadden in turn 4, but McFadden used the momentum off the top to keep the lead. Sweet had to regroup and tried once again to slid McFadden in turn 4 for the top spot on lap 14, only for McFadden to use the momentum off the top of the turn to retain the lead. Once again Sweet had to regroup and he once again tried to slid McFadden in turn 4 on lap 18, to only have McFadden use the momentum off the top to keep the lead. On lap 28 McFadden struggled to put Jacob Allen a lap down, and this allowed Sweet to slid up in front of him off turn 4 for the top spot. But before they crossed the line to score the lap, the caution appeared. Ian Madsen drifted high in turn 3 and got into the wall before spinning in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Daryn Pittman, who was running 8th, got into a car in front of him and would roll softly onto the left side of the car to bring out the red. He was flipped over and pushed to the work area to look over the car. He would return for the restart.

McFadden moved back out front on the restart, with Sweet and Schatz close behind. The fast pace McFadden was setting helped him to built up a 1.89 second lead, which also put him into lapped traffic on lap 33. And just as he started to lap cars again, the yellow light would come on. As Shane Stewart, who was running 8th behind the wheel of the Jason Johnson Racing #41 sprinter, got into the wall down the backstretch and slowed to bring out the caution. On the restart eighth place runner Gio Scelzi lost power and stopped in turn 3, and Pittman  had no where to go and drove over Scelzi's left side. The contact sent Pittman rolling several time to bring out the red. Both driver's climbed from their cars okay. The following restart saw McFadden jump back out front, with Sweet and Schatz still following. In three laps McFadden had built himself a 2.08 second lead, but almost lost the handle in turn 2 on lap 37. This allowed Sweet to quickly close to within .479 seconds. But Sweet couldn't mount a challenge on McFadden coming off turn 4, as McFadden held on to claim his first WoO win in three years. The win was also worth $15,000. Schatz was 3rd, Kerry Madsen charged from 22nd to finished 4th, with Sheldon Haudenschild rounding out the top 5 after starting in 15th.

James McFadden scored the $15,000 victory in the 2nd Annual Jason Johnson Classic at the Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, MO on Saturday, October 17, 2020. (Photo by Dennis Krieger)

Finishing out the night was the 20 lap Street Stock feature, with Collin Parmer and Ted Welschmeyer making up the front row. Parmer took advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Toby Ott and Welschmeyer. The lead for Parmer only lasted for 1 lap, as Ott got under him coming out of turn 4 to take over the top spot. Justin McDowell spun in turn 4 on lap 3 to slow the action. On the restart Chris Brockert spun in turn 3 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Ott move back out front, with Welschmeyer and Derek Henson racing side-by-side for the runner up spot. One more lap scored complete produced another caution, as Mike Lucas spun down the front stretch from contact from Cliff Champney to bring out the yellow. Ott once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Welschmeyer, Parmer and Henson battling for the runner up spot. Just as Ott started to enter lapped traffic the final caution of the race appeared on lap 14, as Lucas spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Ott moved back out front, with the battle for second still going on between Welschmeyer, Henson and Parmer. Over the final laps Ott would pull away to pick up the easy win. Welschmeyer won the battle for 2nd, Henson was 3rd, Parmer was 4th, with Kenny Carroll coming from 11th to take home 5th.

Wheatland, Missouri's Toby Ott scored the 20 lap Street Stock feature win on Saturday, October 17th at the Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri.

For me Saturday night was two firsts, as it was my first visit to the Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Missouri despite driving by the place a few times in the past several years. It was also the first time I was able to shoot the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. Upon arrival to the hidden gem, which really isn't hidden as it is located just off Highway 54, I found the grounds and the facility very well maintained. A very nice grandstands stretched from turn 1 to turn 4 on the front stretch, with an equally nice grandstand located down the backstretch in the pits. MUSCO Lighting lite the place up very well.

One thing I was very impressed with was not only the safety crew on the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, but also the safety crew the Lake Ozark Speedway had. Both crews were quickly on scene to every yellow and red flag. Which resulted in quick clean up and back to green flag conditions.

I would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series PR Coordinator Nick Graziano for allowing me to come down and cover the action!!! I also want to give a BIG THANK YOU to Kevin Greven, who is the General Manger of Lake Ozark Speedway, and the entire staff for the friendly hospitality!!! I look forward to hopefully getting back to the Lake Ozark Speedway in 2021, and also getting to cover the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series.

Droste, Spaw and Soppe Among Night Two Winner's at Fall Bash

 Tipton, IA (Friday, October 2, 2020) - Not much changed as far as the weather on night two of the Fall Bash at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa, as the night started with temperatures in the mid 50's. Perhaps the biggest difference were the lighter winds, which helped make things more tolerable to handle. And once again the on track racing action should have helped to keep you warm.

Two Hundred thirty-six cars, up twenty-four from the night before, signed in for competition on night two. With one more state added to the five states represented from the previous night. Twenty-four heat races and seven B-Main's were ran to help set the starting line-ups for the six feature events.

The first feature to take to the track on this night was the 15 lap Mod Lites / Micro Mods, with Cole McNeal and Jon Padilla drawing the front row. Just after the green flag was waved the caution light would come on, as Cliff Barber slowed to a stop in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart McNeal jumped out front to lead lap 1 over Chad Dugan and Padilla. The lead for McNeal only lasted for 1 lap, as Dugan got under him coming off turn 2 to take over the top spot on lap 2. From there Dugan started to pull away and looked to be cruising to an easy win, when the second caution of the event appeared on lap 7. Dillon Letts would spin in turn 3 to bring the yellow out. On the restart Letts, Dale Schwamman and Logan Takes spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Dugan jump back out front, with Kaden Reynolds, who started 12th, and McNeal close behind. While Dugan and McNeal used the bottom of the track, Reynolds and RJ Gonzales, who started 16th, were using the top. Despite Reynolds pulling even with Dugan going into the corners over the final few laps, Dugan was able to come off the bottom to pull away down the straight-aways. Dugan would hold on to claim his second Mod Lites / Micro Mods Fall Bash win in back-to-back years. Reynolds was 2nd, Gonzales broke the strangle hold on the Micro Mods completing the top 5 sweep, as he finished 3rd, McNeal was 4th, with John Griffin making the pull down from Caledonia, Minnesota pay off with a top 5 finish.

Up next was the 12 lap 4 Stock feature, with Luke Benischek and Chuck Fullenkamp leading the field of twenty-eight to the wave of the green flag. Benischek took advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Fullenkamp and Josh Starr. Both Benischek and Fullenkamp worked the bottom of the track, while Starr tried to work the top to get past both of them. The lead trio started to pull away from the rest of the field, when the first caution brought the rest of the field back to their back bumpers on lap 6. Michael Lundeen slowed to a stop in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Matt Speiss slowed to a stop in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Benischek move back out front, with Starr over taking Fullenkamp for the runner up spot. With Starr using the top of the track to try and get past Benischek for the top spot, Benischek would move up to the middle groove to try and slow down Starr's momentum. But Starr was able to use the momentum off the top to final clear Benischek for the lead on lap 10. From there Starr held off Benischek to pick up the win. Fullenkamp was 3rd, Travis Hawkins was 4th, with Tommy Staggs finishing 5th after starting in 9th.

The Hobby Stocks had troubles getting their 15 lap feature going, as 5 cautions in the first 9 laps slowed the action. And rather then dwelling on those first 9 laps, I will write about the final 6 laps that turned out to be a barn burner. Kaden Reynolds, who used the top of the track to grab the lead on lap 2, jumped out front on the final restart, with Jake Benischek, who started 6th, and Daniel Wauters, who started outside the front row, challenging him. When Benischek, who worked the bottom, was able to pull even with Reynolds down the straight-aways, Reynolds would move to the bottom to force Benischek to use a different groove to get around him for the top spot. What Reynolds didn't know was that Wauters continued to work the top and he would use the momentum off the top to pull even with Reynolds. Then going into turn 3 on the final lap Reynolds on the bottom, Benischek in the middle and Wauters up top, enter the corner three wide. Reynolds would emerge off turn 4 with the lead and edged out Wauters for the win. Benischek was a close 3rd, Quinton Miller, who started on the pole, finished 4th, with Randy LaMar finishing 5th after starting in 11th.

Reece Norton and Johnny Spaw drew the front row for the 20 lap Stock Car feature, with Spaw jumping out front to lead lap 1 over David Brandies and John Oliver Jr. After the lap was scored complete the yellow light came on, as Chase Zaruba went off the track in turn 1 to bring out the caution. On the restart Spaw jumped back out front, with Oliver Jr and Brandies glued to his back bumper. One more lap scored complete produced another caution, as Jeff Valentine spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. Spaw once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Oliver Jr. and Brandies still following him. When Oliver Jr. got under Spaw coming off the corners, Spaw decided to move down to the bottom of the track to slow Oliver Jr.'s momentum. Spaw was able to hold him back, when the third caution of the race slowed the pace on lap 14. Gene Ehlers slowed to a stop in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Spaw moved back out front, with Joel Rust, driving Jay Schmidt's back up car, over taking Oliver Jr. for the runner up spot. One more lap was scored complete before the yellow waved again, as Joe Zrostlik, who was running 8th, spun in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Dustin Vis spun in turn 2 and collected Tom Schmitt to bring the yellow light back on. The final restart saw Spaw jump back out front, with Rust and Damon Murty, who started 12th, moving into third. Rust, who was working the top, used the momentum off the top of turn 4 to edge out Spaw at the line to lead lap 18. But when Rust bobbled in turn 4 coming to the white flag, Spaw would work under him to grab the lead back. Disaster would strike Rust going into turn 3 on the final lap, as Damon Murty looked under Rust to try and make it a three car battle for the win. The right front of Damon Murty's car made contact with Rust's left rear, which sent Rust rolling several times off the track in turn 4 to bring out the red. Rust would emerge from the car okay. The race was declared finished, with Spaw claiming the win. Oliver Jr. was credited with 2nd, Dallon Murty was credited with 3rd after starting in 7th, Kyle Merkes was credited with 4th after starting in 10th, with Brandies credited with 5th.

Up next was the 20 lap SportMod feature, and with the reputation the SportMods have everyone thought this would be a caution plagued event. But instead it would go 20 laps caution free, with a great finish. Gage Neal and Jarett Franzen lead the field to green, with Neal leading lap 1 over Tyler Soppe and Shane Paris. With Neal working the bottom of the track, Soppe worked the top, and Soppe used the momentum off the top to grab the top spot on lap 4. The fast pace that Soppe was setting put him into lapped traffic on lap 13. With the lap traffic racing two and three wide in front of him, this allowed Paris and Brayton Carter to quickly close to his back bumper. Coming to the white flag Carter was able to clear Paris for the runner up spot, and then set his sights on Soppe for the win. Carter would look under Soppe coming off turn 4, but lapped traffic allowed Soppe to hold him off at the line by half a car length to pick up the win. Paris was 3rd, Justin Becker came from 10th to finish 4th, with Neal holding on for 5th.

The final feature to take to the track was the 30 lap Modifieds, with Eric Barnes and Spencer Diercks drawing the front row. Barnes took advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Diercks and Tyler Droste. The lead for Barnes only lasted for 1 lap, as Droste got under him coming off turn 4 to take over the top spot. While Droste worked the bottom of the track, Diercks worked the top to try and get the lead away from him. But Droste was able to hold him off each lap, when the first and only caution of the race appeared on lap 10. Tyler Madigan would spin in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Droste jumped back out front, with Diercks and Chris Simpson close behind. Again Droste stayed committed to the bottom, while Diercks worked the top to get past Droste. On lap 26 Droste would enter lapped traffic, which gave Diercks a chance to use the momentum off the top to get the lead. But when Diercks dropped his right rear off the top of the track in turns 1 and 2, this allowed Droste to pull away for the win. Diercks was 2nd, Simpson was 3rd, Joel Rust was 4th, with Cody Laney coming home in 5th.

It's ironic how last nights events mirrored Thursday night, as hot laps began shortly after 6 PM and the first feature rolled to the track at 9:50 PM and the final checkered flag waved just seconds before midnight. The third and final night of the Fall Bash concluded tonight, with hot laps set for 5:30 PM. The Street Stocks and A.I.R.S. replace the Mod Lites / Micro Mods and 4 Stocks on the card tonight.

Once again I would like to say THANK YOU to Ryan Duhme and Timmy Current and their entire staff for the hospitality. If you can't make it out for the final night, you can catch the action on pay-per-view at www.doneright.tv.

Kay, Rust, Mueller and Carter Shine During Fall Bash Night 1

 Tipton, IA (Thursday, October 1, 2020) - What a difference a weekend can bring, as last weekend's temperatures were in the upper 70's to low 80's, while this weekend's temperatures barely get out of the mid 50's. But that hasn't stopped the Darkside Promotions team of Ryan Duhme and Timmy Current from holding their annual Fall Bash at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa this weekend.

The action kicked off on Thursday night October 1, with 212 cars from 5 different states signing in for competition. After 24 heats races and 8 B-Mains were completed to help set the starting line ups for the six feature events, it was time to see who would stand in victory lane at the end of the night.

First up was the 10 lap 2 Man Cruiser feature, with Brandon Ehrisman and Thomas Thompson scheduled to lead the field to green. But when Thompson was a scratch this would move Austin Schuring to the outside of the front row. Ehrisman took advantage of his draw to jump out into the lead on lap 1, with Schuring and Wayne Hora, who started 9th, following. Ehrisman, who worked the bottom of the speedway, had to work to hold off Hora, who was working the top, over the next 3 laps. The action up front was slowed for the first caution of the race on lap 5. The caution was for safety reasons, as the car of Matt Aulwes front bumper was pointing straight out. After two laps of being black flagged and disobeying it, the caution would be thrown for the safety of all competitors on the track. On the restart Ehrisman moved back out front, with Hora and Schuring close behind. Hora once again worked the top of the track to get the lead away from Ehrisman, but Ehrisman was able to hold him off. That was until lap 8, as Hora finally used the momentum off the top of turn 4 to edge out front. Then just after the lap was scored complete the second and final caution appeared, as Craig Gonnerman slowed in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Hora grabbed the lead on the restart and held off Ehrisman to pick up the win. Kerry Davis came from 10th to finish 3rd, Paul Fleming finished 4th after starting in 7th, with Corey VanDerwilt coming from 8th to round out the top 5.

Up next was the 28 lap Late Model feature. You may wonder why 28 laps, well it was in honor of car owner Brad Coin. Coin lost his battle with cancer a few weeks back, so it they decided to run a 28 lap feature to honor his memory. His familiar #28c Late Model was mostly piloted by Terry Neal for many years, and tonight Neal would end the run of the #28c one last time. Neal would join Andy Eckrich on the front row of the feature, with Eckrich moving out front to lead lap 1 over Neal and Justin Kay. Kay would take to the top of the speedway, which he used to move into the lead on lap 2. The fast pace Kay was setting would move him into lap traffic on lap 8, and from there he would build a half a track lead by the halfway mark. Justin when it looked like Kay would cruise to an easy win, the first caution of the race appeared on lap 18. Preston Stoecker would spin in turn 3 to bring out the yellow, and brought the rest of the field to Kay's back bumper.

On the restart Kay moved back out front, with Eckrich and Joe Zrostlik battling for the runner up spot. Zrostlik was able to take command of the second spot on lap 20, and then tried to keep pace with Kay. When the second caution of the race waved on lap 23, this time Dave Wada II spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Kay once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Zrostlik and Logan Duffy, who started 10th, close behind. But just after the lap was scored complete, the third and final caution appeared, as Jacob Waterman spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the final restart Kay moved back out front, with Duffy and Jeff Aikey, who started 3rd and fell back to around 10th early on, working his way back to battle for the lead. While Duffy tried to work under Kay over the final laps, he also had to hold off the challenges of Aikey. As a result of Duffy trying to play defense, Kay was able to hold on to claim the win and the $1,500 top prize. Duffy held off Aikey in the battle for 2nd, Zrostlik was 4th, with Eckrich finishing 5th.

Jeff Mueller and Justin Kay, fresh off his Late Model win, drew the front row for the 20 lap Stock Car feature, with Mueller grabbing the lead on lap 1 over son and father duo of Dallon and Damon Murty. The fast pace Mueller was setting would put him into lapped traffic on lap 10. While Mueller worked the bottom of the track, Dallon Murty worked the top to try and keep pace with Mueller through the lapped traffic. Matt Picray would spin in turn 4 on lap 12 to bring out the one and only caution of the race. On the restart Mueller jumped back out front, with Dallon Murty and Johnny Spaw following. Dallon Murty went back to using the top of the track to try and wrestle the top spot away from Mueller, when it bite him on lap 16. Dallon Murty got to high in turn 1 and fell off the track, and by the time he came back on the track down the backstretch he dropped all the way to the back of the field. This would allow Mueller to pull away for the win. Spaw was 2nd, Jay Schmidt started 6th and finished 3rd, Damon Murty was 4th, with Kay completing the top 5 in his first Stock Car start.

The 12 lap 4 Stock feature was up next, with Travis Hawkins and Cody Brewster leading the field to the drop of the green. Travis Hawkins took advantage of his draw to lead lap 1 over Brewster and Joe Zrostlik, who started 6th. The action was slowed on lap 2, when Rick Hempstead spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Brandon Setser spun in turn 4 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Travis Hawkins jump back out front, with Zrostlik and Cyle Hawkins close behind. Zrostlik tried to use the top, middle and lower grooves to grab the top spot away from Travis Hawkins over the next 4 lap. But Travis Hawkins was able to hold him off each lap. That was until lap 8 when Zrostlik finally got under him coming off turn 4 to take over the lead. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 9, Cyle Hawkins got under Zrostlik to grab the top spot away. Cyle Hawkins, who worked the bottom, and Zrostlik, who worked the middle groove, raced the final laps side-by-side. The two would come off turn 4 to the checkered flag banging wheels all the way down the short front stretch, with Zrostilk edging out Cyle Hawkins by half a car to pick up the win. Josh Riley finished 3rd after starting in 8th. Shawn McDermott was 4th. Josh Starr actually crossed the line in 3rd, but was docked two spots for pulling out of line on the final restart and was dropped with 5th.

Tyler Soppe and Justin Becker led the field to green in the 20 lap SportMod feature, with Soppe grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Becker and Brayton Carter. The action was slowed for the first time of the event on lap 3, as Logan Veloz spun in turn 3 and collected Preston Biggart, Perry Gellerstedt, Rance Powell and Levi Layman to bring out the yellow. On the restart Soppe moved back out front, with Becker holding off Carter for the runner up spot. Then just after the lap was scored complete the second caution of the race appeared, as Gellerstedt, Powell and Biggart spun down the front stretch to bring out the yellow. Soppe once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Carter over taking Becker for second. While Soppe worked the bottom of the track, Carter worked the top, as Carter used the momentum off the top to pull even with Soppe down the straight-aways. The side by side battle for the top spot was slowed on lap 12, when Kyle Olson spun in turn 4 to bring out the final caution. On the restart Soppe jumped back out front, with Carter and Becker close behind. Soppe decided to change his line to the top of the track in hopes of slowing down the momentum of Carter. But Carter went to the bottom of the track to try to get the top spot, which paid off on lap 15. As Carter was able to work under Soppe coming off turn 2 to grab the lead. From there Carter pulled away to claim the win. Soppe was 2nd, Becker was 3rd, Jarett Franzen was 4th, with Shane Paris coming from 10th to complete the top 5.

The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 25 lap Modifieds, with Jeff Aikey and Tyler Droste making up the front row. Aikey used his draw to his advantage, as he jumped out front on lap 1 over Joel Rust and Droste. Kory Meyer would spin in turn 2 on lap 3 to slow the early action. On the restart Aikey moved back out front, with Rust and Brad Dierks close behind. Rust would use the bottom of the track to slip under Aikey for the top spot on lap 5, leaving Aikey to battle three wide with Droste and Dierks for the runner up spot through lap 8. Droste was able to emerge with second on lap 8, and then went to work on Rust for the lead. Rust entered lap traffic on lap 16, which allowed Droste to really close to his back bumper. Disaster would strike Droste on lap 19, as he tried to get under Rust in turn 1 and made slight contact with the driver's door of Rust's car. Droste then ran out of room coming off turn 2 and clipped the tire and spun to bring out the yellow. Rust jumped back out front on the restart, with Chris Simpson and Dierks challenging. Simpson tried to use the momentum off the top of the track to get the top spot away from Rust. But Rust was able to hold him off to pick up the win and the $1,000 top prize to go with it. Simpson settled for 2nd, Dierks was 3rd, Justin Kay finished 4th after starting in 8th, with Aikey coming home in 5th.

Night one began shortly after 6 PM with hot laps, and once that began the action would continue non stop until the final checkered flag waved shortly before the midnight hour. I would like to say THANK YOU to Ryan Duhme, Timmy Current and their entire staff for the GREAT hospitality during night one of the Fall Bash. Night tow kicks off with hot laps once again at 6 PM, with the Hobby Stocks and Mod Lites/Micro Mods replacing the Late Models and 2 Man Cruisers. Look for coverage from tonight once again under "Midwest Racing News" on www.positvelyracing.com.

Aikey Dominates Hoker Trucking Super Late Models East Series Race at Davenport

Davenport, IA (Saturday, September 27, 2020) - With very limited choices to catch some racing action in my area. I decided to make the short 1 hour drive north to the Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa on Saturday for the Iowa Governor's Cup. On the card was the Hoker Trucking Super Late Models East Series (SLMR), with $5,000 up for grabs. Also joining the action was the Modifieds, SportMods, Street Stock, 4 Stocks, and American Iron Racing Series (A.I.R.S.).

The SLMR would use time trials to help set the starting line ups for their heat races, and Dave Eckrich would set fast time with a lap of 14.772 seconds around the 1/4 mile track. One hundred and fifty-five cars signed in on the night, including 38 SportMods, 33 Late Models, 28 Modifieds, 23 Street Stocks, 18 4 Stocks, and 15 A.I.R.S. With 18 heat races and 5 B-Mains being ran to help determine the starting line ups for the feature events.

After all qualifying events were completed it was time to go feature racing, with the 12 lap Street Stock feature coming to the track first. Jim Parr and Jeff Struck Jr. drew the front row. But just after the green flag was waved the yellow light would come on, as Phillip Schneider drove thru Mike Anderson in turn 1. Anderson would spin as a result, to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Struck Jr. jumped out front on lap 1 over Jesse Owens and Cary Brown. After the lap was scored complete, Parr would spin in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Struck Jr. jumped back out front on the restart, with Owens and Tony VonDresky, who was behind the wheel of Donnie Louck's #31 and started 9th, close behind. Another lapped was scored complete before another caution appeared, this time Veronica Anderson spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Von Dresky, who was running the bottom, edged out Struck Jr., who was up top, to take over the top spot. Struck Jr. stayed dedicated to the top of the track, which paid off on lap 8, as he edged back out in front. Then just after the lap was scored complete, Cameron Exline would spin in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Jake Lund spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Struck Jr. jump back out front, with VonDresky and Robert Cottom, who started 8th, following. Struck Jr. would hold off VonDresky and Cottom over the final laps to pick up the win. Brown came home in 4th, with Jeffrey Peterson coming from 12th to finish 5th.
                              

Up next was the A.I.R.S. 10 lap feature, with Brian Stock and Dan Kessler leading the field to green. Kessler took advantage of his starting spot to edged out Stock and Dennis Etten to lead lap 1. The lead for Kessler lasted until lap 3, when Stock got under him to take over the top spot. While Stock and Kessler battled for the lead, Bruce Yoerger, who started 10th, quickly moved through the field to make it a three car battle. Yoerger would slip past Stock and Kessler on lap 6 to take over the top spot, and then pulled away to claim the win in a caution free race. Kessler was 2nd, Owen Hayes came from 9th to finish 3rd, RJ Lank finished 4th, with Stock holding on for 5th.
                        

Richie Gustin and Jonathan Brauns made up the front row for the 40 lap SLMR Late Model feature, with Gustin using his starting spot to his advantage by leading lap 1 over Brauns and Matt Ryan. While Gustin and Brauns used the top of the track, Tad Pospisil, who started 6th, worked the bottom. On lap 3 Jeff Aikey slid past Brauns to move into the third spot. Aikey then tried to work through the middle of the track to clear Gustin, who was up top, and Pospisil, who was on the bottom, to grab the lead. But the momentum off the top helped to keep the lead for Gustin. Then going into turn 1 to come around to complete lap 14, Gustin made a surprising groove change, as he went to the middle of the track. This would allow Aikey to power off the top of turn 2 to take over the top spot.

Without a caution to slow the pace of the race, Aikey would enter lapped traffic on lap 17. This would allow Pospisil to close within Aikey's back bumper. But Aikey's car seemed to maneuver around the lapped cars better then Pospisil's. Which resulted in Aikey pulling away in the caution free event to claim the $5,000 top prize. Pospisil settled for 2nd, Gustin was 3rd, Brauns crossed the line in 4th but was disqualified in post race tech, which moved Ryan to 4th, and Jeff Tharp to 5th.
                     

The 12 lap SportMod feature was up next, with Kyle Olson and Mike Haines drawing the front row. Olson took advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Paul Howard and Shane Paris. The top of the track looked to be the dominating way around the 1/4 mile track, as very few made advancements using the bottom of the track. Just went it looked like the SportMod feature would go caution free, yes I said the SportMod feature almost went caution free, Anthony Franklin would spin in turn 4 on lap 7 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Olson jumped back out front, with Paris and Logan Veloz, who started 6th, both clearing Howard for second and third. Olson would make no mistakes over the final laps, as he held on to pick up the win. Paris was 2nd, Veloz was 3rd, Tyler Soppe was 4th after starting in 7th, with Tony Olson coming from 9th to round out the top 5.
                    

Bryce Garnhart and Mike Fryer, who recently purchased Joel Rust's #26J Rage Modified, led the field to green in the 15 lap Modified feature. But it was third place starter Eric Barnes who edged out Garnhart and Denny Eckrich to lead lap 1. Garnhart would use the momentum off the top to edge out front on lap 3, only to have Barnes come back on the bottom to take the top spot back on lap 4. Garnhart would take the lead back on lap 5, with Barnes taking the lead back on lap 6. As the top two swapped the lead back and forth, Spencer Diercks, who started 7th, moved in to make it a three car battle. Coming off turn 2 to come around to complete lap 7, Garnhart would give Diercks enough room to power off the top to take over the top spot. Just as Diercks started to pull away the first caution of the race appeared on lap 9, as Joe Beal spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow.

On the restart Diercks moved back out front, with Eckrich slipping past Garnhart and Barnes to move into the runner up spot. The action up front was slowed for the second and final time of the race on lap 13, as Fryer and Timmy Current spun in turn 3 while battling for sixth to bring out the yellow. Diercks once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Garnhart and Barnes battling for second. The battle for the runner up spot allowed Diercks to go on to pick up the win. Barnes edged out Garnhart for 2nd, Ryan Duhme finished 4th after starting in 11th, with Brandon Durbin coming from 9th to finish 5th.
                      

The 10 lap 4 Stock feature would end the nights action, with Tim Sibley and Tommy Staggs drawing the front row. Sibley took advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Cyle Hawkins, who started 9th, and Staggs. One more lap scored complete produced the one and only caution of the race, as Brandon Setser spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Sibley jumped back out front, with Hawkins and Staggs close behind. Hawkins would try to look under Sibley over the next four laps, but Sibley was able to hold him off. That was until lap 8, when Hawkins was finally able to get under him for the top spot. Hawkins then held off Staggs and Dustin Forbes, who started 8th, on the final lap to claim the win. Sibley held on for 4th, with Shawn McDermott coming home in 5th.
                        

I would like to say THANK YOU to Bob Wagoner and the entire DRT Trak Racing crew for the hospitality and a GREAT night of racing!! With unusual temperatures in the low 80's for this late in September and a very brisk wind, extra water was poured onto the racing surface to keep it from drying out to fast. And despite an hour late start the two, three and even four wide racing was completed just after 10:15 PM.

Next up for me is the three day Fall Bash at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa, with Darkside Promotions team of Ryan Duhme and Timmy Current promoting the event. It is set to kick off on Thursday, October 1st. And right now the weather looks to be co-operating to get in all three night's of racing. Yeah it may be a little cool, but it is a lot better then the "R" word!

Berry Jr. Continues His Dominance at Marshalltown

 Marshalltown, IA (Friday, September 4, 2020) - With most of the tracks in my area choosing to take this weekend off, I decided to trek northwest to the Marshalltown Speedway in Marshalltown, Iowa on Friday, September 4th. On tap was the "Showdown at MoTown", featuring the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA SportMods, IMCA Hobby Stocks, and IMCA Sport Compacts.

I arrived shortly before hot laps were set to begin to find most of the Sport Compacts were pitted on the outside of the fenced in pit area. A quick check of the car counts on the MyRacePass AP showed that 141 cars, 31 Modifieds, 23 Stock Cars, 22 SportMods, 25 Hobby Stocks, and 40 Sport Compacts, from 15 states were checked in for the nights competition. Which meant the pits were so full they had to use the outside grassy area to pit cars.

After all 21 qualifying events were completed, including 18 heat races and 3 B-Mains, it was time to go feature racing. First up was the 20 lap IMCA SportMod feature, which had a difficult time of getting consecutive laps completed throughout the entire race. Hermann, Missouri's Cullen Thompson and Somerton, Arizona's Ty Rogers drew the front row for the event. But just as the green flag was waved the yellow light would come on, as John Rebstock of Morton, Minnesota stopped in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Lee Rouse would spin in turn 4 on the restart to bring the yellow light back on. The next restart saw Rogers grab the lead on lap 1, with Cullen Thompson and Johnathon Logue close behind. Just after the lap was scored complete another caution appeared, as Jordan Braaten of Medford, Oregon went off the track in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Logue would use the top of the track coming off turn 4 to take over the top spot from Rogers, with Brayton Carter, who started 8th, moving into third. Three laps later Oakley, California's Scott Foster would spin in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Logue once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with tenth place starter Brian Osantowski of Columbus, Nebraska and Carter glued to his back bumper. Just after the lap was scored complete Fred Leytham would spin in turn 1 to bring out a caution. Logue jumped back out front on the restart, with Osantowski and Carter still following. While all eyes were on the top three, Cody Thompson, who started 21st, was working his way towards the front. On the halfway mark he had climbed his way up to 8th. The action was slowed on lap 11 when Bo Partain of Casa Grande, Arizona went over the track in turn 2 to bring out the yellow.

Once again Logue moved back out front on the restart, with Carter and Osantowski swapping the runner up spot. One more lap completed produced another caution, as Leytham spun in turn 1 to bring out his second yellow of the race to end his night. Logue jumped back out front on the restart, with Osantowski and Carter swapping the runner up spot once again. Another lap got scored complete before the final caution of the race appeared, this time Cullen Thompson would spin in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the final restart Logue moved back out front, with Carter and Osantowski swapping the runner up spot. While Carter and Osantowski battled for the runner up spot, this allowed Logue to pull away over the final laps to claim his fourth win in a row and fifth overall at the Marshalltown Speedway. Carter edged out Osantowski at the line for 2nd, Cody Thompson was 4th, with Travis Peterson coming from 13th to finish in 5th. But a look at the official results before writing the column I see that third and fourth place finishers of Osantowski and Cody Thompson were disqualified in post race tech. This would move Peterson to 3rd, Austin Kaplan, who started 11th, was moved to 4th, with Guy Ahlwardt from Antioch, California moved up to 5th.

Up next was the 15 lap IMCA Sport Compact feature, with Kolby Sabin and Hunter Patrick leading the field to the green. But it was fifth place starter Jake Benischek who quickly shot to the front to lead lap 1 over Patrick and Sabin. The action was slowed for the first and only time of the race on lap 3, as Cody Pontious went over the track in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Benischek jumped back out front, with Patrick and Sabin trying to keep pace. Despite entering lapped traffic late in the race, there was no catching Benischek on this night. As he pulled away to claim the win, which happened to be worth $1,100. Thanks to the many people and businesses the advertised $650 to win turned out to be $1,100 to win right before hot laps were set to begin. Patrick, who crossed the line in 2nd, was disqualified in post race tech. Which moved Jade Lange to 2nd, Mitchell Bunch, who started 12th, was moved up to 3rd, Sabin was moved up to 4th, with Curtis Masterson being moved up to 5th after starting in 11th.

Jeremiah Andrews and Shane Palmer drew the front row for the 20 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature, with Andrews using his draw to his advantage by leading lap 1 over Carter Koop and Lance Mielke, who made the pull over from Norfolk, Nebraska. Just after the lap was scored complete the caution would appear, as Gary Ollendieck spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Andrews jumped back out front, with Eric Stanton, who started 10th, and Mielke following. One lap later Stanton used the bottom off turn 4 to get the top spot away from Andrews. While Stanton pulled away, the rest of the field was left battling for positions behind him. And just when it looked like Stanton would pull away to an easy win, the second caution of the race appeared on lap 14. Colby Christensen and Mike Kincaid would spin in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Stanton moved back out front, with Erik Knutson, who started 15th, and Miekle close behind. The action was slowed for one final time on lap 17, as Tanner Uehling, who pulled over from Norfolk, Nebraska, came to a stop on the top of turn 1 to bring out the yellow. Stanton once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Knutson and Koop following. Knutson tried to keep pace with Stanton over the final laps, but Stanton would hold on to claim his 100th career IMCA Hobby Stock feature win. Knutson settled for 2nd, Tyler Ollendieck was 3rd, Mielke was 4th, with Aaron Martin coming from 17th to complete the top 5.

Up next was the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, with AJ Dancer of Red Rock, Texas and Jared Daggett leading the field to green. Daggett used his draw to his advantage by leading lap 1 over Donavan Smith and Scott Rice. The action was slowed for the first time on lap 2, as Cameron Exline spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Daggett jumped back out front, with Smith and Rice still following. While Daggett used the top of the track, Smith would work the bottom, which allowed Dallon Murty, who started 9th, to use the middle groove coming off turn 2 to complete lap 5. Murty would then shoot to the top of the track coming off turn 4 to grab the lead on lap 5. One lap later Exline would spin in turn 4 to bring out his second yellow of the race to end his night. Murty jumped back out front on the restart, with Smith and Daggett close behind. Todd Reitzler, who started 12th, pounded the top side of the track to work himself into the runner up spot on lap 9. On lap 12 Murty decided to go to the bottom of the track in turns 1 and 2, which allowed Reitzler to pull even with him. But Murty was able to clear him going into turn 3 to maintain the lead. The action up front was slowed on lap 13, as Daggett's run up front came to an end when he spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Dancer and Nathan Robbins from Paige, Texas would spin in turn 4 to bring the yellow light back on. Murty moved back out front on the following restart, with Reitzler and Smith glued to his back bumper. Two laps later the final caution of the race appeared, as Bo Partain came to a stop in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Once again Murty grabbed the lead on the restart, with Reitzler and Smith battling for the runner up spot. Reitzler was able to stay glued to Murty's back bumper over the final laps, but wasn't able to mount a challenge for the lead. As Murty held on to pick up his second win in a row and fourth overall at the track. Reitzler held on for 2nd but was disqualified in post race tech. Which moved 21st place starter Steve Meyer to 2nd, Smith was moved up to 3rd, Michael Jaennette, who has sat out of racing for about 2 years and recently purchased a car, was moved up to 4th, with Peoria, Arizona's Chase Alves, who started 14th, being moved up to round out the top 5.

The final feature to take to the track on this night was the 25 lap IMCA Modified feature, with Pacifica, California's Shane DeVolder and Rapid City, South Dakota's Casey Skyberg leading the field to green. DeVolder used his starting spot to his advantage by grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Skyberg and Eric Barnes. Just after the lap was scored complete Thor Anderson, who was running 4th, got sideways in turn 2 and Jared Spalding of Troy, Pennsylvania, who was running 7th, spun into Anderson. The contact from Spalding would straighten Anderson back out, leaving Spalding sitting in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Anderson was given his fourth place running spot back, as it was determined his car was moving as the yellow light came on. On the following restart Spalding shot off the track in turn 1 to bring the yellow light back on, and as a result it would end his night with his second yellow of the race. The following restart saw seventh place runner Chris Albeson drop his right rear off the top of turn 1, which resulted in him rolling to bring out the red. But just as the rescue crew got over to Albeson to check on him, he would fire the car up and appear on the backstretch to drive his car to the pits.

On the following restart Skyberg would slid up in front of DeVolder to take over the top spot, with seventh place starter Tom Berry Jr. moving into third. Going into turn 3 to come an complete lap 3, Berry Jr. would drive it hard into the bottom of turn 3 and then slid up in front of Skyberg coming off turn 4 to grab the lead. Then just after the lap was scored complete the caution would come out, as Mike Goodson of Overbrook, Oklahoma spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Berry Jr. jumped back out front on the restart, with Riley Simmons of Susanville, California over taking Skyberg for the runner up spot. The fast pace that Berry Jr. was setting would put him into lapped traffic on lap 12. But the only thing to slow him down on this night was the final caution on lap 13, as debris in turn 4 brought out the yellow. On the final restart Berry Jr. moved back out front, with Tim Ward, who started 12th, over taking Simmons for the second spot. Ward tried to keep pace with Berry Jr. over the final 12 laps, and despite more lapped traffic on lap 22. There was no challenging Berry Jr., who went on to win his sixth in a row and ninth overall in eleven starts at the Marshalltown Speedway. Ward settled for 2nd, Simmons was 3rd, Cody Laney started 8th and finished 4th, with Abilene, Texas' Chris Elliott coming from 9th to take home 5th.

I would like to say THANK YOU to Toby Kruse and the entire staff at the Marshalltown Speedway for the great hospitality!! A special THANK YOU to Jerry Vansickel for getting my name added to the media credentials list at the last minute, I GREATLY appreciate it! The Marshalltown Speedway will end their 2020 season on September 17th thru the 19th. The 17th will be the 500th and final Deery Brothers Summer Series race, as well as the Dale DeFrance Memorial. Then the 14th Annual World Nationals will take place on the 18th and 19th.

My plan for tonight is to sit back and take in the action during the Prelude to the Super Nationals at the Boone Speedway in Boone, Iowa. Then I also plan on relaxing and returning to Boone starting Monday for the start of the Super Nationals. I will hopefully get to see the action all week long, if the weather co-operates. Before returning home to work at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa on Saturday, September 12th. The "Drive For 5" for the IMCA Late Models will highlight the action, as twelve driver's chase $5,000 to win. The rest of the field is guaranteed $2,000 if they win. Also on the card will be the Sprint Invaders racing for $2,000 to win and the IMCA Sport Compacts battling for $300 to win. Everyone stay safe out there!

Leighton Jr. Surprises Iowa With Malvern Bank Win at the Davenport Speedway

d Davenport, IA (Saturday, August 15, 2020) - Night two of the doubleheader featuring the Malvern Bank Super Late Model East Series took place on Saturday at the Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa, with 31 Late Models returning. Lavista, Nebraska racer Bill Leighton Jr. would surprise the Iowans by claiming the $5,000 victory on this night.

The night would start off with Dave Eckrich setting the fast time in qualifying, with a lap of 14.979 around the 1/4 mile track. Andy Eckrich, Justin Kay, Charlie McKenna, and Curt Schroeder would then pick up the four heat race wins. While Nick Marolf scored the win in the semi event. After ten heat races and two semis in support competition, it was time to go feature racing.

Up first was the 15 lap Street Stock feature, with Jeff Struck Jr. and Jesse Owen drawing the front row. Struck Jr. took advantage of his draw to lead lap 1 over Owen and Joe Bonney. The action was slowed on lap 5, when Jacob Beal spun in turn 2 and collected Nick Proehl to bring out the yellow. On the restart Struck Jr. jumped back out front, with Bonney and Rob Henry close behind. While Struck Jr. stayed glued to the bottom of the track, Bonney decided to try the middle to the top of the track to get by Struck Jr. But when he would loose ground he decided to go back to the bottom to try and work under Struck Jr. The second and final caution of the race appeared on lap 11, when Austin Riggs spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow.  On the restart Nick Hixson, who was up top, Stuck Jr., who was on the bottom, and Bonney, who was in the middle, raced three wide for the lead, with Hixson grabbing the top spot by inches. Hixson, who was the only driver to get the top to work in his advantage, would hold off Struck Jr. over the final laps to pick up his fourth win of the season at the track. Bonney was 3rd, Owen was 4th, with Henry completing the top 5.

Lane Wise and Thomas Adams led the field to green in the 12 lap Sport Compact feature, with Adams jumping out into the lead on lap 1 over Dustin Begyn and Wise. While Adams set the pace out front, Shane Kelly, who started 10th, and Jimmy Dutlinger, who started 11th, were working their way towards the front. But without a caution there was no catching Adams, as he went on to claim his first win of the season at the Davenport Speedway. Kelly was 2nd, Dutlinger was 3rd, Cody Staley came from 8th to finish in 4th, with Shawn McDermott rounding out the top 5.

Up next was the 40 lap Malvern Bank Super Late Model East Series feature, with Spencer Dierks and Bill Leighton Jr. on the front row. Dierks took advantage of his starting spot to grab the top spot on lap 1 over Charlie McKenna and Matt Ryan. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 7, Ryan, who was on the bottom, Leighton Jr., who was in the middle, and Dierks, who was up top, raced three wide off the corner, with Ryan edging out front to lead the lap. Ryan then had to work to hold off Leighton Jr. over the next three laps, as the two raced side-by-side. Leighton Jr. would use the middle groove to edge Ryan out at the line to grab the top spot on lap 11. Seven laps later, lap 18, Leighton Jr. would start to enter lap traffic.

Jeff Aikey, who started 7th, worked himself into the runner up spot on lap 22, but by then Leighton Jr. had built up a 5.2 second lead. One of two things were obvious, either Leighton Jr. slowed his pace down or the lap traffic was holding him up. Because on lap 30 Aikey had trimmed 3 seconds off the lead, which was down to 2.2. It got even closer on lap 35, as Aikey looked under Leighton Jr. coming off turn 4, with Leighton Jr. holding the lead by .17 seconds. After that close call Leighton Jr. either got the signals from his crew or he decided to pick up his pace, as he pulled away in the caution free race to win by 2.8 seconds. Aikey settled for 2nd, Richie Gustin came from 9th to finish 3rd, Ryan was 4th, with Justin Kay finishing 5th after starting in 11th. Jason Hahne was 6th after starting 10th, Dierks was 7th, McKenna was 8th, Dave Eckrich was 9th, with Tad Pospisil completing the top 10.

Logan Veloz and Bryan Moreland drew the front row for the 15 lap IMCA SportMod feature. Just as the green flag waved the yellow light would come on, as Andrew Francis spun in turn 1 to bring out the caution. On the original restart Veloz jumped out front to lead lap 1 over Moreland and Shane Paris. Moreland's run up front came to an end on lap 6, when he spun down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. On the restart Veloz moved back out front, with Paris and Jeremy Gustaf, who started 7th, glued to his back bumper. One more lap scored complete, lap 8, Francis spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow, which ended his night with two solo cautions. On the restart Brad Salisberry spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. This would bring out the yellow and checkered flags, as the time limit was up on this race. Veloz would score his first win of the season at the Davenport Speedway. Paris was 2nd, Gustaf was 3rd, Logan Anderson started 8th and finished 4th, with Ryan Walker completing the top 5.

The final feature to take to the track was the 20 lap IMCA Modifieds, with Dustin Smith and Jason Bahrs making up the front row. But it was third place starter, and the current IMCA national points leader, Tom Berry Jr. who shot to the front to lead lap 1 over Smith and Bahrs. The fast pace that Berry Jr. was setting would put him into lap traffic on lap 7. An unfortunately it was lap traffic that cost Berry Jr. the win on this night, as he got into Matt Stein on lap 15. With both spinning in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Chris Simpson, who started 7th and was running 2nd, inherited the lead on the restart, with Eric Barnes, who started 9th, and Ryan Duhme, who started 11th, following. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 18 Bryce Garnhart, who started 10th in Travis Denning's #56D machine, was looking under Duhme. And his right front got stuck under the left rear of Duhme's car, causing both to spin to bring out the yellow. And with the 10:30 PM curfew only a minute away, and the amount of time it was taking to get the cars unhooked the yellow checkered was thrown on this race. Simpson picked up the win, Barnes was 2nd, Kollin Hibdon came from 12th to finish 2nd, Chris Zogg finished 4th after starting in 14th, with Dennis LaVeine coming home in 5th after starting in 8th.

I know some people were upset that the last two features were called before all laps were scored complete. But what people don't know is the Davenport Speedway in under a strict curfew of 10:30 PM by the city. If they race past that time, then they will receive a fine. Could there have been things done to maybe prevent them from reaching the curfew. Perhaps they could have started one hour earlier then the previous night. Or maybe run a semi in the SportMods and only start 20 cars. And driver's it's very helpful to you to make sure you have a working raceceiver every time you pull out onto the race track. It really helps to get you realigned under cautions. And another thing that will help to get you in the correct running order, is to get single file as soon as the caution flies. No matter if you feel you are ahead of the car you are side by side with, it is important to get single file. You will get moved into your correct position before going back to green. But that is just my observations on this night.

A THANK YOU goes out to Ricky and Brenda Kay, and all the crew at the Davenport Speedway for the hospitality once again. I believe K-Promotions only has two races left on the 2020 season at the Davenport Speedway, so I encourage you to get out their over the next two Friday nights to take in the action.