The Benton County Fair came to an end Sunday night so I made the trek south to Vinton for the weekly points races. Despite the hot temperatures, a decent crowd was on-hand for the fesitivites. I spoke with many out-of-towners in attendance who had seen on the news the destruction caused by last Monday's storm. Most were amazed at the damage and even more surprised that the community came together to ensure that this year's fair would go on as scheduled. The pride of Benton County and the Vinton community was certainly on display this weekend!
While the car count was down due to the warm weather and the continued clean-up efforts, those in attendance witnessed another night of great racing on the quarter-mile oval. After helping my mom work the ticket gate and then helping stock the pit area concession, taking notes from the night's action wasn't high on my list of priorities. Instead, flagman John Huff welcomed me to the flagstand where I was able to take in the last couple of heat races and the five features.
In what was arguably the best race of the night, Doug Laughridge beat points leader Scott Pippert by a nose to take an exciting victory in the IMCA Hobby Stock division. At the start of the 15-lapper, however, it was pole-sitter Justin Wacha taking the early lead. Wacha built a half-straightaway lead in just a couple of laps while Laughridge settled into the second spot.
From the flagstand, it appeared that Wacha was fighting to control his #45 off turn four, which allowed Laughridge to close the gap. A handful of laps into the event, Wacha lost control on the low side of turn four, allowing Laughridge to skate by for the lead.
On the restart following Wacha's spin, Laughridge took charge while Pippert made his way around the high side of the speedway and into contention. When he settled into second, however, Pippert struggled both high and low to make a bid for the lead. Pippert was able to pull alongisde the leader in turn four on the final lap, but came up a bumper short at the line as Laughridge earned the popular hometown win.
Ronn Lauritzen took an emotional win in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. Lauritzen, whose mother-in-law passed away last week, worked the low side of the speedway and into the lead only a couple of laps into the event. He then pulled away from the field to score the win by nearly a straightaway ahead of Patrick Flannagan.
Drew Fish tussled with Dave Schulze throughout the first half of the IMCA SportMod main. Schulze held the early lead as Fish worked from a mid-pack start and into contention just a few laps into the event. The leaders ran side-by-side, swapping positions for a handful of laps before Fish pulled away to score the dominant win by nearly a straightaway.
Scooter Dulin stayed glued to the bottom of the speedway and fought off the challenges of numerous pursuers to take the win in the IMCA Stock Car division. In the IMCA Sport Compacts, Bill Whalen Jr. took advantage of his front row starting spot and dominated that 12-lapper to drive to the win.
It was announced during the program that start times will change in Vinton for the remainder of the season. Due to the hot summer temperatures, the program will be pushed back by 30 minutes starting next week. Hot laps will now be at 6 p.m. with racing to follow.
The calendar only gets busier from here. Tuesday night is the Butler County Fair make-up race at Highway 3 Raceway in Allison. IMCA Late Models have been added to that program, which was rained out in June. Following that, the Buchanan County Fair kicks off in Independence on Thursday night with the annual Demolition Derby. The annual Dick Frye Memorial will be held in Independence on Saturday night during the 10th night of weekly points racing at the track this season. On Sunday, there's a double-dip at the Great Jones County Fair in Monticello. The afternoon schedule offers stock car racing on the half-mile to be followed up with the annual Demolition Derby that evening. Assuming my voice holds out, I'll be there to call all of those events. There's plenty going on this time of year, so please get out to support a track (or county fair!) near you. I'll see you at the races!
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