After last month's Butler County Fair races were rained out, fair officials rescheduled the event for Tuesday night and added IMCA Late Models to the program. Despite the hot and humid temperatures, a decent crowd made its way to Highway 3 Raceway for the make-up event.
In the Late Model division, pole-sitter Todd Cooney took the early lead as fellow front row starter Ryan Griffith settled into second. The lead pair pulled away from the field leaving Darrel DeFrance in third. Griffith stayed close with Cooney throughout the first half of the event as he ran the low groove while Cooney ran the middle-to-high line.
Griffth pulled to the inside of Cooney numerous times before Cooney dropped to a groove lower to fend off Griffith's challenges. The leaders approached lapped traffic in the waning laps of the 15-lapper, which allowed Cooney to drive away to the victory. Griffith followed in second a few car-lengths back.
1. 30 Todd Cooney
2. X Ryan Griffith
3. 99D Darrel DeFrance
4. 60 Dean Wagner
5. 5 Dave Hubbard
6. H2O Paul Watters
7. 29 Nick Pedersen
8. 4 Leon Thomsen
Brian Irvine topped an entertaining Stock Car feature after a late battle with Mike Van Genderen and Tory Reicks. It was outside front row starter Van Genderen setting the early pace in the 15-lapper. As Van Genderen led, John Emerson ran second with Irvine running the high side and Reicks down low.
Irvine and Reicks ran wheel-to-wheel in the waning laps as they closed in on Ven Genderen. Irvine swept to the outside of the leader to nab the top spot as he drove to the win. Van Genderen held off Reicks for second.
1. 26 Brian Irvine
2. 57V Mike Van Genderen
3. 27T Tory Reicks
4. 20 Dan Trimble
5. 00 Tony Schimmels
6. 121G Arlen Hoy
7. 287 John Emerson
8. G1 Mike Padden
9. 85 Ron Carey
10. 32 Dan Feltus
Outside front row starter Brian Mahlstedt held the early lead in the 15-lap B Mod main event. While Mahlstedt paced the field, Cayden Carter chased the leader to the front from his second row start. The leaders engaged in a side-by-side battle for the top spot before Carter edged ahead a handful of laps into the event.
Last place starter Brandon Hare, who left his heat early with mechanical problems, surged through the field and kept pace with the leaders during a trio of caution periods. He worked his way into the top three just after a mid-race caution. He then slipped past Mahlstedt following a late restart.
Carter, however, proved to be too strong out front as he sailed to the victory. Jake Timm, who also started deep in the field, made a nice run through traffic to beat Hare to the line for second.
1. 10 Cayden Carter
2. 19 Jake Timm
3. 56H Brandon Hare
4. 7X Carter Vandenberg
5. 14M Brian Mahlstedt
6. 32Z Alex Zwanziger
7. 88X Jimmy Broszeit
8. 86 Dan Tenold
9. 22A Shawn Albert
10. 10T Trevor Fecht
Despite a low turnout in the Hobby Stock division, Dan Hovden and Danny Sacquitne provided an entertaining race for the fans. Hovden held the early advantage at the drop of the green, but Sacquitne made a quick move to the front a short time later. The leaders pulled away, but never more than a car-length or two from each other throughout the event.
Hovden used both the high and low lines to try to make the pass on Sacquitne, however Sacquitne withstood those challenges to score the win. Alex George had a vicious head-on hit into the turn two wall, however was not injured.
1. 6 Danny Sacquitne
2. 16 Dan Hovden
3. 51N Nate Bonin
4. 37G Alex George
The 4-Cylinder Hornets closed the show with Adam Gates taking the lead from his pole position start. As Gates attempted to pull away, Andrew Lokenvitz moved from his second row start into the second spot after one lap.
Lokenvitz reeled in the leader in the waning laps of the eight-lapper and shot to the low side of the leader the final time around the speedway. Lokenvitz' bid came up short as Gates pulled away to lead the event in its entirety to take the victory.
1. 007 Adam Gates
2. 7 Andrew Lokenvitz
3. 39R Ben Rausch
4. 4X Mike Ludemann
5. 37 Ryan Brandt
6. 7K Ruben Standbrough
7. 79 Blake Fosaaen
While the weather was the topic of discussion for many tonight, my hat is off to the Butler County Fair Board and Highway 3 Raceway Committee for not pulling the plug on the night's show. Yes, it was less than desirable weather-wise, however it cooled off more than anticipated. The crew in Allison is dedicated to making the racing program successful in Allison and their willingness to stick with the show tonight proved that.
If you haven't already been to Highway 3 Raceway this year, the track is always in tip-top shape and offers oustanding racing. Not to mention, it is the home of the famous giant tenderloin! Your next chance to visit the facility is next Wednesday, July 27, when the Corn Belt Clash Late Model Series makes its annual stop. USRA B Mods, Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks are also scheduled to compete. That Corn Belt race is the second in a three-day swing next week. On Tuesday the 26th, the tour travels to Fayette County Speedway in West Union and then, after the stop in Allison on Wednesday, heads south to CJ Speedway in Columbus Junction on Thursday, July 28.
After a night off tomorrow, I'll be back in Independence for some funnel cake, fresh squeezed lemonade and Demolition Derby action. Big, Mid-Size and Small Car divisions will take to the front straightaway at 7 p.m. An old friend will be returning on Thursday, as well. Former IMS grandstand announcer Marc Magers will be back behind the mic as we split duties calling the action on Thursday. It should be a great time so come on out and support the Buchanan County Fair!
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