Entering Saturday night, Greg Kastli had 38 Late Model wins to his credit at Independence Motor Speedway, placing him fourth on the all-time list. His most recent win, however, came on August 12, 2006. Kastli updated his resume on July 10 as he scored his first win in the division at Independence in nearly four years.
At the start of the 25-lap IMCA Late Model feature, second row starter Drew Johnson swept beneath pole-sitter Blake Anderson to take the early lead before the race's only caution flag waved after the first lap. When racing resumed, Johnson rocketed away from the field while Kastli, who restarted fourth, worked the low groove past Anderson on lap two, then Joel Brasch one lap later to take the second spot.
Johnson quickly distanced himself from the pack by the time Kastli made it to second as the veteran went to work to run down the leader. Kastli pulled onto the rear bumper of Johnson's #88 just seven laps later, then swept around his outside exiting turn two on lap 11.
Just two laps later, Kastli encountered his first of many lapped cars as he navigated through the backmarkers with ease to notch the victory by over a straightaway margin. Curt Martin raced through the field from a fourth row start to take second ahead of Johnson. Tyler Bruening finished fourth to regain the points lead and Dean Wagner finished fifth.
The veterans of the division proved that while there may be a "youth movement" in the sport and, especially in the Late Model division, they still have what it takes to run up front. Four of the top five finishers of tonight's feature - Kastli, Martin, Johnson and Wagner - can be found looking back through the division's results from 20 years ago.
Kastli's win also moved him into second place in another all-time category at the speedway. His first Late Model win at Independence came on June 30, 1979. The 11,333 days between first and most recent wins leaves him trailing only Red Dralle on that list - by 399 days. The way the calendar works for next season, if Kastli can notch a win on August 13 next year, he'll match Dralle at 11,732 days between first and most recent wins. If he can win one later than that, he'll be the record-holder. That's just me trying to keep you out of considering retirement, Greg... assuming the thought has even entered your mind!
IMCA Stock Car points leader Sean Johnson added to his lead in that division by scoring his second win of the season. Pole-sitter Tim Helle held the early lead of that 20-lapper as Norman Chesmore gave chase. The lead pair ran unchanged over the first four circuits before Helle spun in turn two to bring out the yellow flag.
On the restart, Chesmore and Dave Stricker swapped the lead before Johnson powered to the inside to steal the lead on lap six. Johnson paced the field until the race's final caution flag on lap 14. By that time, Justin Temyeyer worked into the top three after starting in the fifth row.
When racing resumed, Temeyer pulled to Johnson's outside as the leaders engaged in an exciting wheel-to-wheel battle at the front of the pack, swapping the lead over the final six circuits. The low groove proved too strong as Johnson pulled away to victory ahead of Temeyer and Jarod Weepie. Chesmore and Dan Tirmble completed the top five.
Chris Wiltse was in search of his first career IMCA Hobby Stock victory. If not for a late race caution that negated his huge lead, he may have been celebrating at night's end instead of Vince Buchholz. From his outside front row starting spot, Wiltse shot into the lead and quickly pulled away from his competitors. He paced the field while Buchholz was working through traffic from a fourth row starting spot.
Just past the midway point, Buchholz motored past Mark Butler into second and attempted to chase down the leader. His efforts were assisted when the race's only caution flag waved with just three laps to go. On the restart, Buchholz went to work on the low side of Wiltse and came away with the lead as the white flag was displayed, driving to the victory a car-length ahead of Wiltse. Butler finished third ahead of Quinton Miller and Justin Lichty.
Lucas Lundry scored his second career IMCA SportMod win at Independence, nearly a year to the day after he won his first. First-year driver Matt McCahen held the early lead as he extended his advantage over the field out of the gate. Lundry quickly moved into second place after starting in the second row and, following a lap five caution, made his way around the leader one lap later.
Lundry survived another caution late in the event along with pressure from Josh Sherbon to drive to the win. His first win in the division came on July 18 of last year. Kaleb Bentley finished third ahead of points leader Austin Kaplan and Jim Buhlman.
Justin O'Brien survived a caution-plagued IMCA Modified feature to score his second win in three weeks. O'Brien took command from leader Ed Thomas following a lap four caution and never looked back en route to the win. Tony Olson ran second ahead of Darin Duffy, who made an impressive run through the field after a tire change during a first lap yellow. J.D. Auringer and Thomas completed the top five.
Up next for Independence is the Corn Belt Clash which kicks off the 2010 Buchanan County Fair this Wednesday. Along with the Late Models, also competing will be Stock Cars and SportMods.
Up next for me is a trip to Vinton tomorrow night for the annual Hogan Memorial. With a possible $3,500 going to the winner, there's bound to be a stellar turn-out for that great event. Details on that event are located by scrolling to the very bottom of this page. See you in Vinton tomorrow!
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