Since Lee County Speedway raced on Thursday of this week, I spent my free Friday at CJ Speedway in Columbus Junction, where the second of four Late Model specials was held in conjunction with the regular weekly racing program.
A field of 11 Late Models signed in on Friday to compete on the smooth, fast, half-mile oval. Both Jason Utter and Tom Goble experienced engine problems prior to heat race qualifying, leaving nine cars to take the green flag for the 20-lap feature.
Matt Strassheim, the Late Model winner at CJ during my most recent visit there last summer, started the event in the pole position. He quickly pulled away from fellow front row starter Ron Boyse at the drop of the green flag.
While Strassheim led, Tom Darbyshire made his way past Boyse for second, but Strassheim was already checking out by that time. In just three laps, Strassheim was enjoying a half-straightaway lead over Darbyshire, who extended his second place margin over Boyse by the same distance one lap later.
By lap seven, Strassheim extended his advantage to a full straightaway as he cruised to the win by that same margin ahead of Darbyshire. Boyse crossed the line in third, half of a lap behind Strassheim. Tommy Elston and Jay Chenoweth completed the top five. Jonathan Brauns, Jay Johnson, Colby Springsteen and Jeff Mitrisin rounded out the field.
With Donnellson off for the night, a number of IMCA Sport Compacts made the trip north as that division fielded an impressive 17 entries in Columbus Junction. Cory Sheetz took the early lead from his outside front row starting spot and paced the field through two early yellows during the first two laps.
Sheetz led Chuck Fullenkamp and Cody Thompson to the green flag when racing resumed. The lead trio broke away from the pack in a tight three-car battle before Thompson ran the low groove to the front three laps later. He built his lead to half of a straightaway when the caution flag waved one final time with two laps to go.
Thompson held the point on the restart to drive to the win ahead of Sheetz. Darin Smith drove the high side from a fifth row start to come home third ahead of Tyler Whalen and Fullenkamp.
Sky Griffith led the entirety of the IMCA Stock Car feature to make his way to victory lane. From his second row starting spot, Griffith quickly worked his way to the front, then survived a pair of early cautions and one late stoppage to take the win ahead of Blaine Dopler and Tad Payne. Alex Buffington and Bill Faler completed the top five.
Points leader Evan Epperson earned the win in the Mod Lite division. From his second row starting spot, Epperson quickly made his way past front row starters Collin Ball and Rob Guss. Following a mid-race caution, Epperson pulled away from a charging Troy Philpot to race to the win. Rob Guss ran third ahead of Daniel Guss and Johnathan Huston.
Steve Stewart continued his dominance in the Modified division. After starting in the third row, Stewart slid beneath Brandon Banks to steal the lead on the second circuit of that 15-lapper. Stewart pulled away from the pack to score the win in dominant fashion, half of a track ahead of his nearest pursuers. Zach Less put on a show running the high side of the speedway, making his way past Banks late to take second. Banks ran third ahead of John Fellman and Todd Hansen.
Race Notes: It was a tough night for both Utter and Goble in the Late Model ranks. While Goble lost power in hot laps and required a push back to his pit area, Utter never made it out of the pits. While talking with him later during the show, Utter figured something must have broken during his trip to Oskaloosa earlier this week for the Deery show... IMCA Stock Car points leader Nathan Wood also experienced engine problems during his qualifier. Those problems kept him from making the start in the main event. Based on the finishes of his competitors, I believe Wood will carry into next week a slim one point lead over both Alex Buffington and Blaine Dopler... The $200 bounty is still out on Steve Stewart in the Modifieds. The only stipulations for a driver to collect the bounty (aside from winning, of course), is that Stewart must be running and the winning driver must have already competed one previous week at CJ this season. That will be a tall order as Stewart is simply bad fast at CJ.
It was great to see Sharon Wood at the track on Friday. Sharon, who has helped promote the speedway in recent years, suffered a stroke during the off-season this past year. Sharon, you looked amazing and it was great to see your smile again!
It's back to Independence Motor Speedway on Saturday for Dunlap Motors Night at the Races. A number of specials are planned from the auto dealer in Indee, plus IMCA Sport Compacts will make their first-ever appearance this weekend. Also, there will be an added bonus for the 50/50 winner this week. The winner of Saturday's drawing will also receive a free grandstand pass to the World of Outlaws Late Model Series event held at Indee on Monday, August 6. I hope to see everyone in Indee on Saturday!
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