Smock, Gustin, Temeyer score opening night wins at Independence

Rumors were going around that the car count at Independence could be good this year. If opening night was any indication of things to come in 2010, it should be an exciting season as 152 cars signed in for opening night action on May 1.

In the I.M.C.A. Late Model division, Travis Smock earned his first career win in impressive fashion as he bested the field by more than a straightaway margin. At the start of the 25-lapper, pole-sitter Drew Johnson took the lead. He held the advantage for five laps throughout a trio of early cautions while Smock battled Tyler Bruening for second.

On a lap five restart, Smock shot to the inside of Johnson and never looked back, cruising to his first career win in the division. Bruening made his way around Johnson late in the race for second, but was unable to reel in Smock despite heavy lapped traffic in the waning laps. Johnson came home third ahead of Brian Hunter and Luke Pestka.

Travis Smock earned his first career I.M.C.A. Late Model victory - photo courtesy of Action Track Photography/Scott Tjabring

Pole-sitter Troy Cordes led the first lap of the 20-lap I.M.C.A. Modified feature until fellow front row starter Richie Gustin moved to the inside of Cordes to take command on lap two. Gustin held off persistent challenges from Darin Duffy and Cordes to score the win, his first-ever in weekly competition at Independence. Duffy ran second at the finish, while Cordes, Scott Hogan and Vern Jackson completed the top five.

Richie Gustin scored top honors in the I.M.C.A. Modified division - photo courtesy of Action Track Photography/Scott Tjabring

Justin Temeyer led all 20 laps of the I.M.C.A. Stock Car feature to take home the victory. Temeyer was pressured by Jarod Weepie and Dan Trimble early. Weepie continued to pester Temeyer at the front of the pack throughout the duration of the event while Trimble faded, but he could not make his way around the 56T as Temeyer drove to the win. Weepie ran second ahead of Brian Irvine, Norman Chesmore and Sean Johnson.

Justin Temeyer earned the win in the I.M.C.A. Stock Car division. His 17th career Stock Car win in weekly racing at Independence, Temeyer is now tied with Jarod Weepie for third on the all-time list - photo courtesy of Action Track Photography/Scott Tjabring

Rod McDonald held the early lead of the 15-lap I.M.C.A. SportMod main event. Austin Lucas, making his first-ever appearance at the speedway, worked his way into the lead just prior to a lap eight caution and never looked back on his way to victory lane. Eric Flander, also making his first visit to the track, came home second. Kurt Hogan, Danny Dvorak and Joel Rust rounded out the top five.

Austin Lucas made his first-ever visit to Independence pay off as he finished the night in I.M.C.A. SportMod victory lane - photo courtesy of Action Track Photography/Scott Tjabring

Josh Irvine led much of the 15-lap I.M.C.A. Hobby Stock feature, but August Bach squeezed beneath Irvine's #35 as the flying green waved to drive to the win. Irvine followed Bach to the checkers. Todd Reitzler ran third, Wes Stanek Jr. fourth and Rod Grother fifth.

August Bach (19) makes a late pass on Josh Irvine to steal the I.M.C.A. Hobby Stock win - photo courtesy of Action Track Photography/Scott Tjabring

Notes: A total of 26 Late Models, 34 Modifieds, 27 Stock Cars, 38 SportMods and 27 Hobby Stocks were on-hand for opening night action. In all, 30 events were run for the 152 cars in attendance in just over four hours. The first green flag waved at 6:36 with the final checkered flag falling at 10:46.

A handful of drivers made the trip north from southeast Iowa after 34 Raceway in Burlington was rained out. Among those making the two-plus hour pull included Late Models Rob Toland, Colby Springsteen and Sam Halstead. Stock Cars from the area who made the trip were Jeff Mueller, Jason Cook, Corey Strothman and Nathan Wood. Modified drivers Scott Hogan and Rich Smith, who normally compete at 34, were also on-hand.

It was nice to see the new number on the side of Tysus Pattee's Late Model. Pattee switched from his familiar #68 to #101 for the 2010 season in honor of friend and former crewmember Roy Sturtz, who passed away during the off-season. Sturtz owned and operated 101 Welding north of Vinton for many years.

Tysus Pattee sports a new number in honor of friend and former crewmember Roy Sturtz - photo courtesy of Action Track Photography/Scott Tjabring

The night got off to a rocky start when yours truly realized that, not only did he not have a national anthem singer, but was also without a copy of the national anthem to play before action started. Unfortunately, I was left to sing the nation's song, leaving most in attendance to chuckle. I made it through (after some very off notes and missing words), although Simon and Randy almost certainly would have called me out had I been auditioning for American Idol.

Short blog tonight, but I had many new names to enter into the track web site, along with 30 race results and it's approaching 4 a.m. On tap for me tomorrow is a trip south to Benton County Speedway in Vinton.