Storylines abundant on exciting night at Independence

A number of could-be headlines made for an exciting night at Independence Motor Speedway as 123 cars were on-hand to do battle. Among those headlines...

Cousins Cruise to Pair of Wins
The first feature to make its way to the speedway was in the I.M.C.A. Stock Car division. At the on-set of the 20-lapper, outside pole-sitter Justin Temeyer took the lead. He paced the field until veteran Dan Trimble made his bid for the top spot just two laps into the event when Temeyer spun in turn four to bring out the race's first caution.

When racing resumed, Trimble settled into the lead while Norman Chesmore, Brian Irvine and Jarod Weepie pursued the race leader. An exciting batle out front ensued as the leaders ran two and three-wide before Irvine made his way into second place on lap nine.

Four laps later, Irvine made his way around Trimble as he drove to the win, his fourth of the season. Trimble ran second and Temeyer, who raced his way back through the field, finished third. Phil Holtz passed Chesmore late to snag fourth. Weepie ran sixth.

Not to be outdone by his cousin, I.M.C.A. Hobby Stock driver Josh Irvine looked to collect his fourth win of the season, as well. At the start of the 15-lapper, pole-sitter Matt Burmeister held the advantage until action was slowed for caution on lap two.

When racing resumed, Irvine and Jeremiah Wilson powered under Burmeister as that pair quickly pulled away from the field. Despite a late race caution, Irvine matched his cousin's earlier efforts to drive to his fourth win of the season. Wilson, Matt Brown, Quinton Miller and Justin Lichty completed the top five.

By virtue of their wins, both Irvines moved into the points lead in their respective divisions.

Snyder Sails to First Win in Three Years
In the I.M.C.A. Modified division, Ed Thomas held the early lead. Thomas held the top spot until Jason Snyder made his bid for the lead just prior to a lap six caution. On the restart, Thomas retired with mechanical problems, allowing Snyder to extend his lead while Troy Cordes and Kevin Pittman made their way through the field.

Snyder held off the challenges of his competitors and survived a pair of mid-race cautions to drive to an impresive win ahead of veterans Pittman and Cordes. Chasing the leaders to the checkers were Jerry Luloff, who started 15th after qualifying through a B feature, and Darin Duffy, who blew an engine in his heat race, but was able to get it changed in time to qualify through a B feature. Duffy started the event in 20th.

For Snyder, it was his first win in three years. That year, Snyder earned a pair of wins, including the opening night checkers, as well as the mid-season championship crown.

Pittman was later disqualified in the claiming area when he denied an engine claim placed on the 26P by Patrick Flannagan. It was Flannagan's third claim attempt this season. Flannagan, who sat 12th in points entering the night, has had only a couple of top-10 finishes this season. Pittman, meanwhile, returned to the track on a weekly basis this year after a many year absence. It was his first top-four finish this season; he entered the night fifth in points.

Rookie Lerch Leads Late Model Way
Twenty-eight I.M.C.A. Late Models signed in to compete for the 24 starting positions in the 25-lap feature event. With perhaps the strongest field in weekly competition present in the division this season, first-year driver Chad Lerch (pronounced Lair-ek) left little doubt who was the man to beat.

From his outside front row starting position, Lerch rocketed into the lead and quickly distanced himself from his competitors. Over a straightaway ahead of the field 10 laps into the event, Lerch encountered heavy lapped traffic. By this time, seventh-starting Rick Dralle moved into the second position and mounted his charge for the lead.

Lerch worked through the backmarkers, running both high and low, although it was evident he preferred the high groove. While he did a great job at maneuvering through traffic, Dralle closed in and removed all lapped cars between them on lap 21.

With just a couple of laps to go, Dralle pushed high exiting turn two, giving up precious ground to Lerch. Lerch drove to the win, the first of his career in the division, ahead of Dralle, Greg Kastli, points leader Darren Ackerman and Tyler Bruening.

Legend Kraft Wheels Late Model at Independence
The Three-Wide Media legends car was on-hand again this week. Behind the wheel was former great Willie Kraft of San Antonio, Texas. Kraft, formerly of Minnesota, also created a Modified chassis that has been very popular throughout the region. Kraft qualified for the 25-lapper through a B feature and crossed the line 15th in the main event.

15-Year Old Nabs First SportMod Victory
Closing out the night was the I.M.C.A. SportMod 15-lapper. Joel Rust took charge following a lap three caution and drove away from the field to score his first victory in impressive fashion. The 15-year old was chased to the checkers by Jim Buhlman, Drew Fish, Danny Dvorak and Jake Strayer.

Overall, it was a great night of racing despite the 3.5 inches of rain that fell in the area on Friday morning. The wind, heat and sun provided great drying conditions Saturday and officials actually watered the track during the day. Dust was still present, but the track stayed in good shape even though weather was less than cooperative late in the week.

Up next at the speedway is the Buchanan County Fair. The Corn Belt Clash for Late Models will headline fair action this Thursday, July 16. Racing starts at 7 p.m. The annual Dick Frye Memorial will highlight next Saturday's weekly racing program. As always, gates open at 4 p.m. with racing scheduled to begin right around 6:30.