A great night of racing at 34 Raceway made the trip to southeast Iowa worthwhile on a cool, spring night. Although the 305 Sprints and I.M.C.A. Late Models had the night off, the 96 I.M.C.A. Modifieds, I.M.C.A. Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and 4-Cylinders on-hand provided a ton of action on the 3/8-mile oval. In addition, it was induction night for five individuals who entered the 34 Raceway Hall of Fame.
On display near the concession area were photos, points sheets, news clippings and advertisements dating back to the track's first season of operation, 1966. Three modifieds from the 1960s were also on display. The old rides of #11 Ron Jackson, #36 Bob Lane (the Schlitz Wagon) and #96 Bob Ensminger entertained as they made a few laps for the fans in attendance.
Prior to feature action, the 2009 Hall of Fame ceremony celebrated this year's five inductees. Newly enshrined members included original 34 Race Ways Park property owner Don Gugler and Rich Jackson, another of the original owners of the speedway. Car builder Robert Allender entered the Hall of Fame with the distinction of being the builder of the first car to grace 34 Race Ways Park's victory lane back in 1966 when Dick McClure was the first to carry a checkered flag at the speedway. Bud Bell, who took care of the racing surface for many years and long-time racer George Rogerson rounded out this year's inductees.
The I.M.C.A. Stock Cars started feature competition with a wildly entertaining event. At the on-set, outside front row starter Travis Finke set the pace. Running the high groove, Finke ran out front as Brett Timmerman and Greg Johnson battled behind him. Entering the mix only a handful of laps into the event were Bo Hunter and John Oliver.
The leaders ran nose-to-tail and wheel-to-wheel until the race's first caution flag waved at the midway point of the 20-lapper when Oliver made contact with Timmerman’s ride. This left Timmerman at the back of the pack for the ensuing restart and gave Oliver a free ride to the pits for the intentional spin.
On the restart, Finke continued to run the top side of the speedway while Hunter ran second. By this time, Jeff Mueller worked his way into the top three and challenged for second. He remained close until mechanical problems sidelined him two laps later when the yellow flag waved again.
Finke remained committed to the high groove when racing resumed, as Hunter ran one groove lower and Jason Cook entered the top three. The leaders ran three-wide as the field completed lap 13 with Cook taking the edge at the start-finish line.
Making an impressive charge through the field was sixth row starter Chris Larson. Running the low groove, Larson maneuvered his way through traffic and into the top three with only four laps remaining.
Larson then went to the high groove to try to chase down Cook as the white flag was displayed. Pulling onto Cook’s rear bumper entering turns one and two, Larson drifted high and slid off the top side of the speedway. This allowed Cook to drive away to the win ahead of Finke and Johnson.
In I.M.C.A. Modified action, Brandon Rothzen shot out to the early lead from his pole position start. Rothzen quickly extended his lead to a straightaway margin while Adam Birck, Jeff Waterman and Michael Long battled for second.
Rothzen’s big lead disappeared on lap seven when he was caught up in a wreck with lapped traffic, bringing an unfortunate early end to his night. Just prior to the caution period, Waterman made his way into second so, with Rothzen out of commission, he took over the top spot when racing resumed.
Waterman paced the field when the green flag replaced the yellow as Bill Roberts worked his way through traffic from a fourth row start and into second place by lap seven. Waterman, Roberts and Long pulled away from the field in an exciting three-car battle until Birck brought out the yellow flag on lap 13 when he slid off the high side of turns one and two.
Unfortunately for the hard-charging Roberts, he lost his air breather off of the #5R and elected to take his ride to the pits for the night as the race went yellow. Waterman continued to lead Long when the race went back to green as Scott Hogan, who started 16th, made his way into the top three.
Waterman led the remaining seven circuits to score the win ahead of Long. Josh Foster finished third ahead of Hogan, who was able to pilot the #33D over the final handful of laps despite the right front tire going flat.
Ray Raker led the 15-lap Hobby Stock feature wire-to-wire to score the win ahead of Rob Wilsey. Running the high side, Raker was able to hold off Wilsey’s challenges from the low groove to secure the win at the line. Dan Wenig made a strong run from the 11th starting position to finish third.
Wayne Nobel took the lead on the third lap of the 4-Cylinder feature to take the win in the 12-lapper. Dakota Fenton edged Chuck Fullenkamp at the line to steal second.
Making his debut tonight was 14-year old Dugan Thye, the son of racing veteran Darin Thye. On the first lap of his first night behind the wheel of the #11J Hobby Stock, Thye made contact with the front stretch wall, sending him on a wild, two-wheel ride before finally coming to rest upside down on the front straightaway. After a few tense moments, Thye emerged from the machine with a smile on his face. Not to let the moment get the best of him, Thye not only started the feature later in the evening, but took the checkers to score a 19th place finish in his first night out. Very impressive run, Dugan!
Tonight’s show started promptly at 7pm as it always does at Burlington and, even considering the special Hall of Fame ceremonies at intermission and Thye’s wild initiation into the sport, the show concluded just before 10pm. Thanks to the crew at 34 for another great night of racing!
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