Stats Blitz! Benton County Speedway numbers through July

Below is the third installment of the 2012 Benton County Speedway Stats Blitz! The statistics included here are through the month of July. This includes weekly points races only and does not include the Spring Shakedown and Frostbuster specials in April, the Hawkeye Dirt Tour event in May or the Modified portion of July's Hogan Memorial. The Thursday night race during the Benton County Fair was a points race for SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts. Numbers for that event are included below.

All photos included here are courtesy of Scott Tjabring of Action Track Photography, the official track photographer of the speedway.

Car Count
Division (points events) - Average - High - Low
Modified (13 events) – 20.4 - 28 - 13
Stock Car (14 events) – 13.6 - 18 - 10
SportMod (15 events) – 18.7 - 32 - 14
Hobby Stock (15 events) – 14.7 - 23 -11
Sport Compact (15 events) – 12.0 - 16 - 8
TOTAL – 79.4 - 100 - 69

Points
* 203 drivers have earned points this season.
* No driver has led the points of his division after all nine weeks. The current points leaders include: Joe Docekal (Modified) has led the points the last 12 weeks, while Danny Dvorak (SportMod) and Scott Pippert (Hobby Stock) have led the points every night except following week two. Steve Miedke (Sport Compact) has led the points for five weeks this season, including the last four, while Phil Holtz (Stock Car) has led the standings for the last 10 weeks.

TOP HOBBY - Scott Pippert (47) battles Vince Buchholz for position in IMCA Hobby Stock action. Pippert is on pace to match Buchholz' record of four straight track titles in the division. A championship this season would be Pippert's fifth career Hobby Stock title, one short of Buchholz' all-time record.

IN THE HUNT
* 20 drivers have remained in the top-10 in the points every night of the season. Those drivers include:
Modified (3): Joe Docekal, Patrick Flannagan, Jerry Luloff;
Stock Car (3): Norman Chesmore, Jason Deshaw, Jay Schmidt;
SportMod (3): Danny Dvorak, Kyle Olson, Dave Schulze;
Hobby Stock (4): Matt Brown, Doug Laughridge, Cale Petersen, Scott Pippert.
Sport Compact (7): Merv Chandler, Nathan Chandler, Travis Losenicky, Steve Miedke, Gary Peiffer, Brett Vanous, Bill Whalen Jr.

POINT MAN - Doug Laughridge (25) has remained in the top 10 in points all season in the IMCA Hobby Stock division. He has been in the top five following each of the last 13 shows.

* 5 drivers have remained in the top-5 in the points every night of the season. Those drivers include:
Modified (2): Joe Docekal, Jerry Luloff;
Stock Car (0): No Stock Car driver has spent every week in the top-5 in points;
SportMod (1): Danny Dvorak;
Hobby Stock (2): Scott Pippert, Matt Brown; 
Sport Compact (0): No Sport Compact driver has spent every week in the top-5 in points.

MR. CONSISTENT: Jerry Luloff (18) has remained in the top five in IMCA Modified points all season. Luloff has ranked second, third or fourth following each of the 13 points races in the division. He currently sits third entering the month of August.

Feature Winners

* There have been 33 different feature winners in 72 feature events this season.
* Current points leaders account for only 25 of the 72 feature wins.
* Joe Docekal (Modified) is the only current points leader without a feature win. Every other points leader has at least four victories.

CLOSING THE GAP: Jay Schmidt (19J) works the low side of Andy Bryant for the lead in the IMCA Stock Car feature on July 29. Schmidt drove to his first win of the season, pulling to within three points of Phil Holtz at the top of the division's standings.

Top-10s
* 153 drivers have earned at least one top-10 finish this season. The top-10 leaders in each division are as follows:
Modified (32 drivers with at least one top-10): Joe Docekal (13); Scott Hogan, Jerry Luloff (11 each); Scott Hogan (7); Patrick Flannagan, Ronn Lauritzen (10 each); Jeff Streeter (9);
Stock Car (26): Jay Schmidt (14); Norman Chesmore, Jason Deshaw, Phil Holtz (13 each); John Emerson, Curtis Roster (11 each);
SportMod (42): Danny Dvorak (14); Kyle Olson, Jim Buhlman (13 each); Dave Schulze (12); Curt Hilmer (10); Rick Paulson (9);
Hobby Stock (28): Scott Pippert (15); Rod Grother, Jacob Keiser, Doug Laughridge (13 each); Matt Brown (12); Vince Buchholz, Justin Wacha (11 each);
Sport Compact (25): Steve Miedke, Travis Ross (14 each); Merv Chandler (13); Bill Whalen Jr. (12); Nathan Chandler (11); Brett Vanous (10).

CRUISE CONTROL: Danny Dvorak makes his way off turn four in IMCA SportMod action. Dvorak has earned 14 top-10 finishes in 15 nights this season.

Top-5s
* 89 drivers have earned at least one top-5 finish this season. The top-5 leaders in each division are as follows:
Modified (17 drivers with at least one top-5): Joe Docekal, Scott Hogan (10 each); Patrick Flannagan, Ronn Lauritzen, Jerry Luloff (7 each); Mike Burbridge (5);
Stock Car (18): Phil Holtz, Jay Schmidt (9 each); Norman Chesmore, Jason Deshaw (8 each); Damon Murty, Curtis Roster (6 each);
SportMod (24): Danny Dvorak (13); Jim Buhlman (9); Kyle Olson (8); Curt Hilmer (7); Dave Schulze (5); Racer Hulin, Mike McDonald (4 each);
Hobby Stock (16): Scott Pippert (13); Matt Brown, Vince Buchholz, Jacob Keiser (8 each); Rod Grother, Brian Happel, Doug Laughridge (6 each);
Sport Compact (14): Merv Chandler (13); Steve Miedke (12); Nathan Chandler, Brett Vanous (9); Bill Whalen Jr. (6); Travis Losenicky (5).

DRIVE FOR FIVE: Merv Chandler (2) held off Travis Ross for the IMCA Sport Compact feature win July 29. The victory was Chandler's 13th top-5 finish this season.

Top-3s
* 71 drivers have earned at least one top-3 finish this season. The top-3 leaders in each division are as follows:
Modified (15 drivers with at least one top-3): Scott Hogan (7); Ronn Lauritzen (6); Mike Burbridge, Patrick Flannagan (4 each); Troy Cordes, Richie Gustin (3 each);
Stock Car (14): Phil Holtz (8); Jason Deshaw, Damon Murty, Jay Schmidt (5 each); Norman Chesmore, John Emerson, Curtis Roster (3 each);
SportMod (18): Danny Dvorak (9), Jim Buhlman (6), Curt Hilmer (5), Racer Hulin (4), Dave Schulze (3);
Hobby Stock (12): Scott Pippert (13); Jacob Keiser (6); Matt Brown (5); Rod Grother, Brian Happel (4 each); Doug Laughridge, Chris Luloff (3 each);
Sport Compact (12): Merv Chandler (11); Steve Miedke (10); Nathan Chandler (9); Brad Chandler, Brett Vanous, Bill Whalen Jr. (3 each).

LOW AND GO: Mike Burbridge (11B) hugs the tractor tires on his way past Tony Olson for the IMCA Modified feature win July 29. The win was Burbridge's third of the season and his third straight top-3 finish.

Feature Lap Leaders
* 66 drivers have led at least one lap of feature competition.
* Division lap leaders include:
Modified (11 different lap leaders): Mike Burbridge (55 laps led); Ronn Lauritzen (39); Troy Cordes (32); Richie Gustin (30); David Brown, Kyle Brown (19 each);
Stock Car (14): Paul Shepherd (38 laps led), Phil Holtz (28), Curtis Roster (26), Damon Murty (22), Norman Chesmore (20);
SportMod (18): Danny Dvorak (43 laps led); Duane Van Deest (31); Mike McDonald (30); Curt Hilmer (24); Tyler Droste, Matt McCahen (14 each);
Hobby Stock (11): Scott Pippert (66 laps led), Brian Happel (34), Jacob Keiser (25), Doug Laughridge (24), Matt Brown (18);
Sport Compact (12): Nathan Chandler (82 laps led), Steve Miedke (41), Merv Chandler (30), Adam Gates (6), Travis Ross (5).

ALWAYS A THREAT: Nathan Chandler (22) has led more laps of feature action than any other driver in Vinton this season. Chandler has led 82 of the total 180 laps of IMCA Sport Compact feature competition. Chandler has earned eight feature wins and has held the lead during 11 of 15 features this year.

Heat Races

* There have been 60 different heat race winners in 164 heat races.
* 36 drivers have won multiple heat races this season.
* The heat race wins leaders in each division are as follows:
Modified (14 winners in 37 heats): Scott Hogan, Ronn Lauritzen (6 each); Troy Cordes (5); Kyle Brown (4); Joe Docekal, Jeff Streeter (3 each);
Stock Car (10 winners in 28 heats): Curtis Roster, Paul Shepherd (5 each); Norman Chesmore, Damon Murty (4 each); Jay Schmidt (3);
SportMod (16 winners in 39 heats): Danny Dvorak, Mike McDonald (6 each); Curt Hilmer (5); Jim Buhlman, John Schaefer (4 each);
Hobby Stock (12 winners in 33 heats): Jacob Keiser (7); Doug Laughridge (5); Erick Knutsen (4); Matt Brown, Brian Happel, Scott Pippert (3 each);
Sport Compact (8 winners in 27 heats): Nathan Chandler (8), Steve Miedke (7), Merv Chandler (4), Gary Peiffer (3), Brett Vanous (2).

HEAT ADVISORY: Jacob Keiser (07) has earned more IMCA Hobby Stock heat race wins (7) than any other driver in the division.

Efficiency Stats
* 238 races have been run this season.
* 2,359 green flag laps have been completed.
* 229 caution flags have been thrown (an overall average of 0.96 per race).
Cautions Per Race Ratio
Sport Compact: 17 cautions in 42 races (0.40 cautions per race)
Hobby Stock: 31 / 48 (0.64)
Stock Car: 30 / 42 (0.71)
SportMod: 72 / 56 (1.28)
Modified: 79 / 50 (1.58)
Race Laps Per Caution Ratio
Sport Compact: 342 laps with 17 cautions (average of 20.11 green flag laps between cautions)
Hobby Stock: 492 / 31 (15.87)
Stock Car: 435 / 30 (14.50)
SportMod: 535 / 72 (7.43)
Modified: 555 / 79 (7.02)
Races with No Caution Flags
Sport Compact: 29 of 42 races have run green to checkers without a caution (69.04%)
Hobby Stock: 31 / 48 (64.58%)
Stock Car: 25 / 42 (59.52%)
SportMod: 32 / 56 (57.14%)
Modified: 16 / 50 (32.00%)
133 of 238 (55.88%) races have gone green to checkers without a caution
Feature Cautions
Modified: 48 of 79 total cautions were thrown in feature races (60.75%)
Sport Compact: 12 / 17 (70.58%)
SportMod: 58 / 72 (80.56%)
Hobby Stock: 25 / 31 (80.64%)
Stock Car: 25 / 30 (83.33%) 
108 of 142 (76.05%) total cautions have been thrown during feature racing
Average Lap of First Feature Caution
Sport Compact: 7.27
Hobby Stock: 5.47
Stock Car: 5.00
Modified: 3.71
SportMod: 3.67

ACTION-PACKED: The IMCA Stock Car division has produced some of the most competitive and cleanest racing in Vinton this season. Shown here, Phil Holtz (7H) and Norman Chesmore (15) battle side-by-side for position.

Stuff Nobody Should Know…
* Of the 72 feature winners, 40 have come from inside starting spots and 32 from the outside.
* All feature winners have come from the first six rows of the feature lineup and every starting position in the first six rows has produced at least one winner.
* 14 of the 72 winners have come from an inside fifth row starting spot. That starting position has produced the most feature winners.
* Outside row six has produced only one feature winner. Racer Hulin came from that starting position to win the SportMod feature on June 10. All other starting spots in the first six rows have produced no fewer than three winners.
* Of the 15 Hobby Stock winners, seven came from the sixth row. Six times, the row six winner was Scott Pippert. Chris Luloff was the other.
* No SportMod driver has won a feature from the pole position. Every other division has seen at least one winner come from the pole.

SPORTMOD ACTION: Curt Hilmer (22H) leads Danny Dvorak (3R) and Jim Buhlman (00) into turn three in IMCA SportMod competition.

* Scott Hogan has earned five second place feature finishes this season in the IMCA Modifieds and Merv Chandler has earned six second place finishes in the IMCA Sport Compacts.
* 87 different drivers have cracked the top-10 in his division’s points for at least one week this season.
* 15 different drivers have held or shared their division's points lead at some point during the season.
* Joe Docekal has finished fourth in the Modified feature each of the last three weeks and four of the last five weeks.

LOOKING FOR 43: Benton County Speedway all-time IMCA Modified wins leader Scott Hogan has been in search of his 43rd career weekly points win on the Vinton oval this season. Although he has yet to visit victory lane in 2012, Hogan has earned five second place finishes through 13 weeks.

Stuff To Tell Your Friends That Makes Them Think You've Lost It...
* A Modified with a "1" in its number has won 12 of 13 features this season. A Modifieds with a "1" in its number has led 217 of 260 Modified feature laps.
* Over a span of nine consecutive weeks, Curt Hilmer and Rick Paulson flip-flopped or tied for the 5th and 6th positions in the SportMod standings.
* Of all drivers who have raced weekly, only five have not dropped in the points at any time this season. The following drivers have either moved up or held the same spot in the standings throughout the entire season: Joe Docekal (Modified), Phil Holtz (Stock Car), Jim Buhlman (SportMod), Justin Wacha (Hobby Stock), Travis Ross (Sport Compact).
* Of 72 feature events, only nine winners led those races in their entirety.
* Nine different Modifieds have earned wins in weekly racing this season. The record is 11, which was set in 2003 and matched in 2011. Three times has a season ended with exactly 10 different Modified winners (1991, 1994, 2002) and five times has a season ended with exactly nine winners (1997, 2001, 2006, 2010, 2011). With 13 Modified events in the books and only six nights remaining, 2012 is guaranteed to be the "shortest" season for the Modifieds in Vinton since the 15-event 2008 season.
* There have been eight different Stock Car feature winners in weekly racing this season. Each of the last three seasons ended with exactly eight different winners. Only twice in the 11-year history of the division in Vinton has a season ended with more than eight winners. There were 10 different winners in 2004 and nine in 2003. There have been exactly four drivers with multiple wins in each of the last six seasons. So far in 2012, three drivers have earned multiple wins.
* Through 15 events, there have only been three different feature winners in the IMCA Sport Compact division. The record for the fewest number of different Sport Compact winners in a season was five in 2007.
* Nathan Chandler has earned eight Sport Compact wins in weekly racing this season. That matches the Vinton record, which was set in 2007. That season, Jena Barthelmes and Gary Peiffer each collected eight wins.
* Scott Pippert has nine Hobby Stock wins this year and 44 for his career in Vinton. He is five wins shy of breaking both the single-season record for Hobby Stock wins (that he set last season) and the all-time Hobby Stock mark in Vinton (assuming Vince Buchholz remains at 48 before Pippert gets to 49.) If Pippert can win five of the final six features in Vinton this season, he will surpass both records on the same night. If he can sweep the season, Pippert will close out 2012 with 50 career Hobby Stock wins in weekly racing in Vinton. Coincidentally, over one-third of Pippert's wins have come in just over the last calendar year. Dating back to July 24, 2011, there have been 23 Hobby Stock features. Pippert has won seven of them. That sounds incredible enough, but it's even more incredible when you consider he went for four straight weeks this season (the entire month of June) without a single win.
* In track history, no Modified driver has won a track championship without a single feature win. With six nights to go, the top two in Modified points have yet to make it to victory lane. While Joe Docekal and Scott Hogan are still looking for their first wins of 2012, their nearest competitor is no closer than 17 points back. By the way, Jerry Luloff, Patrick Flannagan and Ronn Lauritzen complete the top five of the current standings and each of those drivers has won this year.

That's it for the month of July for Benton County Speedway. I'll be back at the end of the season to wrap up 2012. I will not compile a Stats Blitz at the end of August since there are only a couple of races scheduled for September. The early part of September will be focused on preparing for the IMCA Super Nationals.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your week!

Stats Blitz! Numbers through July for Independence Motor Speedway

Below is the third installment of the 2012 Independence Motor Speedway Stats Blitz! The statistics included here are through the month of July - 12 nights of weekly racing. There are some all-time statistics included at the end, dating back to 1967. While the track opened in 1965, my records date back to the beginning of the 1967 season. All of the statistics include races from only the six divisions that currently compete. Modifieds started competing in 1983, Hobby Stocks in 1989, Stock Cars in 1993 and SportMods in 2008. The information included for the Late Models dates back to 1967.

The IMCA Sport Compacts were added as a weekly division this season, starting Saturday, July 7. While there were a pair of draw/redraw special events in June, the July 7 show established the beginning of the division's weekly history at the speedway. A few stats from that division's current three-week history are included below.

All photos included here are courtesy of Scott Tjabring of Action Track Photography, the official track photographer of the speedway.

Car Count
Division - Average - High - Low
Late Model - 19.3 - 22 - 17
Modified – 19.8 - 29 - 17
Stock Car – 17.0 - 25 - 14
SportMod – 19.3 - 24 - 16
Hobby Stock – 23.6 - 27 -17
Sport Compact - 9.8 - 13 - 8
TOTAL – 103.1 - 124 - 90

Points
* 203 drivers have earned points this season.
* Among those 170 drivers, 72 different hometowns have been represented.
* No driver has held the lead in his division's point standings all 12 weeks of the season. The reign of current points leaders are as follows: Mark Schulte (Modified) has led following 11 of 12 events, including the last six weeks; Tyler Bruening (Late Model) has led following seven weeks, including the last four; Sean Johnson (Stock Car) has led the last 11 weeks; Danny Dvorak (SportMod) has led for a total of eight weeks this season, including the last seven; and Justin Stander (Hobby Stock) has led for the last 10 weeks.

IN THE HUNT
* 22 drivers have remained in the top-10 in the points every week of the season. Those drivers include:
Late Model (5): Joel Brasch, Tyler Bruening, Drew Johnson, Curt Martin, Jon Passick;
Modified (5): Troy Cordes, Patrick Flannagan, Adam Johnson, Ronn Lauritzen, Mark Schulte;
Stock Car (4): Norman Chesmore, Phil Holtz, Sean Johnson, Jarod Weepie;
SportMod (6): Jim Buhlman, Danny Dvorak, Matt McCahen, Rick Paulson, Dave Schulze, Sam Wieben;
Hobby Stock (2): Nathan Christie, Justin Stander.

* 8 drivers have remained in the top-5 in the points every week of the season. Those drivers include:
Late Model (2): Tyler Bruening, Curt Martin;
Modified (2): Ronn Lauritzen, Mark Schulte;
Stock Car (2): Norman Chesmore, Sean Johnson;
SportMod (2): Danny Dvorak, Sam Wieben;
Hobby Stock (0): No Hobby Stock driver has spent every week in the top-5 in points.

SUPER SAM - Sam Wieben lifts the left front in IMCA SportMod action. Those 14-year-olds sure like to show off, don't they?

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING...
Drivers who lead their division's standings at the end of July don't always find themselves collecting track championship trophies at the end of August. Below are the trends of the points leaders over the last 20 years entering the final month of the season:

LATE MODEL: Tyler Bruening enters August with the points lead for the third consecutive season. He went on to earn the track title in 2010, but missed a night late in the 2011 season due to a friend's wedding and gave up his bid for back-to-back titles in the process. In the last 20 seasons (1992-2011), 14 drivers went on to win the track championship when leading the points at the end of July.

MODIFIED: Mark Schulte continued his stay at the top of the Modified points through the month of July. In the last 20 years (1992-2011), 13 drivers leading the Modified points at the end of July went on to win the points title.

STOCK CAR: Current points leader Sean Johnson has never led the division standings entering the final month of the season. In the 19 years the Stock Cars have competed in Indee, 13 of the points leaders at the end of July went on to take the track title.

SPORTMOD: Danny Dvorak is looking to become the first repeat champion in the brief history of the SportMod division. Now in its fifth season, Dvorak was the inaugural titlist back in 2008. Being at the top of the standings at the end of July is a good omen for eventual SportMod champions. The points leader entering the final month of racing has gone on to win the track title in each of the first four seasons of SportMod competition in Independence.

HOBBY STOCK: Although Justin Stander has led the IMCA Hobby Stock points for the last 10 weeks, his margin at the top is the smallest it's been since he took over the lead. He currently holds a two-point advantage over Benji Irvine as those two drivers are both in search of their first career track title. In the last 20 years, 13 times has the points leader at the end of July gone on to win the Hobby Stock track title.

GRAHAM CRACKS VICTORY LANE - Curt Graham (14G), shown in action earlier this season, earned his first win on the Independence oval on July 28 when he topped a 23-car field of IMCA Hobby Stocks.

Feature Winners

* There have been 34 different feature winners in 63 feature events this season.
* Current points leaders account for only 16 of the 63 feature wins.
* There were no first-time Late Model feature winners in the first 12 weeks for the first time since 2005. The last time a season produced no first-time Late Model winners was 2004.
* In the last seven weeks, only two different Stock Car drivers have reached victory lane. John Emerson has won four times and Sean Johnson has three wins in that span.
* John Emerson became only the sixth Stock Car driver to earn at least four wins during the season of his first career win in that division. Larry Portis won 10 Stock Car features in his first year of competition in Independence in 1995, Dan Trimble (nine in 1994), Lon Gadow (five in 1993), Justin Temeyer (four in 2001) and Brian Irvine (four in 2005).
* Benji Irvine and Curt Graham won their first-ever Hobby Stock features in back-to-back weeks. It's the first time that division has produced consecutive first-time winners since Don Arnold, Kevin Robinson and Matt Brown won their first career features in consecutive weeks in 2006.

RUSH HOUR - IMCA Modifieds do battle in three-wide formation during feature action. Jeff Streeter (1J) runs the low groove, while Ed Thomas (01) runs the top side and Shawn Ryan (91) takes the middle.

Top-10s
* 148 drivers have earned at least one top-10 finish this season. The top-10 leaders in each division are as follows:
Late Model (26 drivers with at least one top-10): Tyler Bruening, Curt Martin (11 each); Dale Hackwell Jr. (9); Dean Wagner, Travis Smock (8 each);
Modified (28): Mark Schulte (12); Patrick Flannagan, Ronn Lauritzen (11 each); Jeff Streeter (9); Adam Johnson, Vern Jackson (8 each);
Stock Car (25): Sean Johnson (12 each); Norman Chesmore, Jarod Weepie (11 each); John Emerson (9); Jason Hocken (8); Phil Holtz (7);
SportMod (30): Dave Schulze (12); Danny Dvorak (11); Jim Buhlman (10); Matt McCahen, Sam Wieben (9 each); Lucas Lundry, Brandon Smith (7 each);
Hobby Stock (26): Justin Stander (12); Benji Irvine (11); Curt Graham, Rod Grother, Marcus Wayne, (8 each); Nathan Christie, Justin Wacha (7 each);
Sport Compact (13): Merv Chandler, Steve Miedke, Neil Nabholz, Travis Ross, A.J. Witten (3 each).

BACK TO FORM - After missing the races on June 9 (for the first time in his career) due to a friend's poorly-timed wedding, Jarod Weepie has reeled off six straight top-10 finishes in IMCA Stock Car action.

Top-5s
* 96 drivers have earned at least one top-5 finish this season. The top-5 leaders in each division are as follows:
Late Model (21 drivers with at least one top-5): Tyler Bruening (10); Curt Martin (9); Dean Wagner (8); Travis Smock (5);
Modified (17): Mark Schulte (11); Ronn Lauritzen (10); Adam Johnson (6); Darin Duffy, Vern Jackson (5 each);
Stock Car (15): Sean Johnson (12); Norman Chesmore, Jason Hocken (8 each); John Emerson (7); Jarod Weepie (6);
SportMod (17): Danny Dvorak (8); Sam Wieben (7); Jim Buhlman, Dave Schulze (6); Shane Ebaugh, Lucas Lundry (5 each);
Hobby Stock (18): Benji Irvine (9); Justin Stander (6); Marcus Wayne, Chris Luloff (5 each);
Sport Compact (8): Merv Chandler, Steve Miedke (3 each); Duayne Herb, Travis Ross, Jeff Vislisel (2 each).

MAN TO BEAT - Adam Johnson has been the class of the IMCA Modifieds in recent weeks. With three wins and a fifth place finish in the last four weeks, things are dialed in for the #24R. (By the way, Bo and Luke Duke are not trying to out-run Roscoe P. Coltrane in the background. That #01 was an inflatable attraction during the Buchanan County Fair.)

Top-3s
* 71 drivers have earned at least one top-3 finish this season. The top-3 leaders in each division are as follows:
Late Model (15 drivers with at least one top-3): Tyler Bruening (8); Curt Martin (5); Travis Smock, Dean Wagner (4 each); Luke Pestka (3);
Modified (11): Mark Schulte (7); Ronn Lauritzen (6); Darin Duffy, Adam Johnson (5 each); Troy Cordes (4);
Stock Car (11): Sean Johnson (12); John Emerson (6); Jason Hocken (5); Norman Chesmore (3);
SportMod (15): Danny Dvorak (7); Sam Wieben (6); Tyler Droste, Lucas Lundry (4 each); Jim Buhlman (3);
Hobby Stock (14): Benji Irvine (7); Chris Luloff (5); Justin Stander (4); Scott Pippert, Jeremiah Wilson (3 each);
Sport Compact (5): Merv Chandler, Steve Miedke (3 each); Nathan Chandler, Duayne Herb, Adam Gates (1 each).

THE BEAT GOES ON: Sean Johnson continues to amaze in the IMCA Stock Car division. Johnson has earned 12 top-3 finishes through 12 weeks this season. The 2011 IMCA Super Nationals champion appears ready to defend in September.

Feature Lap Leaders
* 73 drivers have led at least one lap of feature competition.
* Division lap leaders include:
Late Model (12 different lap leaders): Travis Smock (53 laps led), Dean Wagner (52), Tyler Bruening (46), Bryan Klein (42), Luke Pestka (25);
Modified (15): Adam Johnson (59 laps led), Darin Duffy (32), Patrick Flannagan (30), Shawn Ryan (25), Mark Schulte (22);
Stock Car (14): Sean Johnson, John Emerson (62 laps led each); Tim Helle (23); Norman Chesmore (16); Dave Stricker (14);
SportMod (13): Danny Dvorak (49 laps led); Tyler Droste (30); Kip Siems; (23); Austin Kaplan, Matt McCahen, Travis Peterson (15 each);
Hobby Stock (16): Chris Luloff (62 laps led); Justin Stander (25); Nathan Ballard (16); Rod Grother (14); Curt Graham (13);
Sport Compact (3): Steve Miedke (23 laps led), Merv Chandler (9), Nathan Chandler (2).

SMOCK THAT!: Travis Smock has led 28 of the last 31 laps of IMCA Late Model feature action. His 53 total feature laps led this season tops the division.

Heat Races

* There have been 70 different heat race winners in 143 heat races.
* 33 drivers have won multiple heat races this season.
* The heat race wins leaders in each division are as follows:
Late Model (14 winners in 32 heats): Dean Wagner (7); Greg Hunter, Jon Passick (4 each), Tyler Bruening, Rick Dralle (3 each); Greg Kastli, Rory Metcalf (2 each);
Modified (15 winners in 27 heats): Johnathan Thimmesch (5); Ronn Lauritzen (4); Mike Burbridge, Troy Cordes, Darin Duffy, Adam Johnson, Mark Schulte (2 each);
Stock Car (12 winners in 23 heats): John Emerson (8), Jason Hocken (4), Tim Helle (2);
SportMod (10 winners in 26 heats): Tyler Droste, Danny Dvorak (5 each); Shane Ebaugh (4); Kip Siems (3); Jim Aschenbrenner, Curt Hilmer, Sam Wieben (2 each);
Hobby Stock (16 winners in 32 heats): Benji Irvine, Chris Luloff, Justin Stander (4 each); Rod Grother (3); Jim Ball, Nathan Ballard, Vince Buchholz, Curt Graham, Jeremiah Wilson (2 each); 
Sport Compact (3 winners in 3 heats): Merv Chandler, Nathan Chandler, Steve Miedke (1 each).

NOT ENOUGH HEAT?: While he's had his share of struggles in feature racing this season, Johnathan Thimmesch leads all IMCA Modified drivers with five heat race wins.

Efficiency Stats
* 207 races have been run this season.
* 2,306 green flag laps have been completed.
* 205 caution flags have been thrown (an overall average of 0.99 per race).
Cautions Per Race Ratio
Sport Compact: 3 cautions in 6 races (0.50 cautions per race)
Hobby Stock: 38 / 44 (0.86 cautions per race)
Late Model: 43 / 44 (0.98)
Stock Car: 36 / 35 (1.03)
Modified: 43 / 40 (1.08)
SportMod: 42 / 38 (1.11)
Race Laps Per Caution Ratio
Sport Compact: 51 laps with 3 cautions (average of 17.00 green flag laps between cautions)
Late Model: 559 / 43 (13.00)
Hobby Stock: 439 / 38 (11.55)
Stock Car: 403 / 36 (11.19)
Modified: 464 / 43 (10.79)
SportMod: 390 / 42 (9.29)
Races with No Caution Flags
Late Model: 25 of 44 races have gone flag-to-flag without a caution (56.81%)
Modified: 21 / 40 (52.50%)
Hobby Stock: 23 / 44 (52.27%)
Stock Car: 18 / 35 (51.42%)
SportMod: 19 / 38 (50.00%)
Sport Compact: 3 / 6 (50.00%)
109 of 207 races have gone green to checkers without a caution
Feature Cautions
Stock Car: 31 of 36 total cautions have been thrown in feature races (86.11%)
Modified: 35 / 43 (81.39%)
Late Model: 35 / 43 (81.39%)
SportMod: 33 / 42 (78.57%)
Hobby Stock: 26 / 38 (68.42%)
Sport Compact: 2 / 3 (66.66%)
162 of 205 total cautions have been thrown during feature racing
Average Lap of First Feature Caution
Late Model: 7.50
Hobby Stock: 5.50
Sport Compact: 5.33
SportMod: 5.00
Stock Car: 4.58
Modified: 3.25

NOW PLAYING...: The first addition to the weekly racing program in five years, the IMCA Sport Compact division now races weekly in Independence.

Since the year 1967...
* 671 Late Model feature events have been completed in weekly competition with 97 different winners. On average, a new Late Model winner visits victory lane every 6.9 events.
* 440 Modified feature events have been completed in weekly competition with 80 different winners. On average, a new Modified winner visits victory lane every 5.5 events.
* 288 Stock Car feature events have been completed in weekly competition with 43 different winners. On average, a new Stock Car winner visits victory lane every 6.7 events.
* 63 SportMod feature events have been completed in weekly competition with 17 different winners. On average, a new SportMod winner visits victory lane every 3.7 events.
* 349 Hobby Stock feature events have been completed in weekly competition with 90 different winners. On average, a new Hobby Stock winner visits victory lane every 3.9 events.
* 3 Sport Compact feature events have been completed in weekly competition with 2 different winners. On average, a new Sport Compact winner visits victory lane every 1.5 events.
* Overall, in the last 46-plus seasons, 1,814 features have been completed in the six divisions that currently compete at the speedway.

A PLACE IN HISTORY: Steve Miedke put his name in the history books by winning the first-ever IMCA Sport Compact feature held in Independence.

Qualifying Streaks
* The longest currently active feature qualifying streaks for weekly competition in each division include:
Late Model: Drew Johnson has qualified for 47 consecutive features. His last miss was July 11, 2009.
Modified: Patrick Flannagan has qualified for 43 consecutive features. His last miss was August 8, 2009.
Stock Car: Norman Chesmore has qualified for 99 consecutive features. His last miss was July 9, 2005.
Hobby Stock: Rod Grother has qualified for 41 consecutive features. His last miss was August 22, 2009.
SportMod: Jim Buhlman has qualified for all 63 features dating back to the first one at the speedway on June 21, 2008.

JUST ANOTHER DAY: Patrick Flannagan (F7) battles Ronn Lauritzen (10K) for position in IMCA Modified action. Flannagan has qualified for the last 43 features in Independence, the longest current streak in the division.

Weather Trends

* The 2012 season marked the fourth consecutive season that exactly one weekly program scheduled for the month of July was rained out. It was the 21st time in 46 years that at least one weekly racing program rained out in the month of July.
* In each of the last three seasons, exactly 14 nights of weekly racing were completed. With 12 nights in the books this season, four nights remain on the schedule.
* Twelve weekly racing programs were completed by the end of July for the first time since the 2007 season.
* In track history, only 13.7% of all cancellations (28/174) have occurred in the month of July. Historically, it is the driest month on the calendar.
* The races scheduled for the second Saturday in July were rained out for the first time since 1993 (which many consider the wettest season in track history).
* A weekly program has not been rained out in the month of August since August 4, 2007 (which was also the last time we were scheduled to race on August 4). That is a stretch of 20 straight successful weekly programs without a rainout. The longest dry stretch for August was a 28 week span from 1993-1999.
* With two rain-free months already in the books, should we go without a rainout in August, it would be the first time since 1999 that a season saw three calendar months without a cancellation.
* Historically, August is the second driest month. The month accounts for only 29 of 174 rainouts (16.7%) in track history, however each of the four dates scheduled for racing in August this season (August 4, 11, 18 and 25) have each suffered at least one rainout in track history. Each of those dates have had six weekly races scheduled on them, with August 4, 11 and 18 each raining out once, and August 25 raining out twice. Coincidentally, the August 18 rainout and the most recent August 25 rainout both occurred in 2001. That year, season championships were rained out for the first time in track history.

IN SYNC - Dean Wagner (#60) and Rory Metcalf (#0) battle for position in IMCA Late Model feature action.

Stuff Nobody Should Know…
* Of the 63 feature winners, 34 have come from inside starting spots and 29 from the outside.
* The Late Models, Modifieds and Hobby Stocks have produced more feature winners from inside starting spots than the outside. The Stock Cars, SportMods and Sport Compacts have produced more winners from the outside than the inside.
* The 11 Stock Car winners have come from 12 different starting spots. Outside row two is the only starting position to produce multiple Stock Car winners.
* The 12 different Hobby Stock winners have come from 10 different starting spots. Only the pole position and outside row six have produced multiple Hobby Stock winners.
* Thirteen different starting positions have produced feature winners so far this season - every position in the first six rows, plus outside row eight (Sean Johnson).
* Tyler Droste's four feature wins have come in alternating weeks over the past seven weeks.
* In the 11 weeks heats have been run, no Modified driver has earned more than six top-3 heat race finishes.
* Not including Sport Compacts, 86 different drivers have cracked the top-10 in his division’s points for at least one week this season.
* 14 different drivers have held or shared their division's points lead at some point during the season.
* Nine different drivers have finished in second place in the 12 Hobby Stock features
* Ten different SportMod drivers have finished ninth in the feature through 12 weeks of racing and ten different drivers have finished 10th through 12 weeks of racing.
* Eleven different Stock Car drivers have finished eighth in the feature through 12 weeks of racing.

Stuff To Tell Your Friends That Makes Them Think You've Lost It...
* The finishing order for the top four of the July 28 Late Model feature was exactly the same as the finishing order on July 21: 1. Travis Smock; 2. Curt Martin; 3. Tyler Bruening; 4. Dean Wagner. That means it was Martin's second straight second place finish, but it was also (get this).. Bruening's third straight third place finish and Wagner's fourth straight fourth place finish. Wild.
* To continue with that first point, through 12 weeks, 11 different Late Model drivers have finished in the same position two weeks in a row at some point this season. Seven different Modified drivers have also done it.
* Adam Johnson, Part I: Johnson won his second straight Modified feature on July 28. He is looking to become just the eighth driver in track history to string together three straight wins in that division. Others who have done it include Troy Cordes, Darin Duffy, Vern Jackson, Greg Kastli, Jack Mitchell, Mark Noble and Duane Van Deest.
* Adam Johnson, Part II: Entering July 28, only 12 Modified drivers in track history had won three times in a four week span. Along with the seven names mentioned above, others who have done it include Ron Barker, Tom Bartholomew, Steve Droste, Keith Pittman and Mike Sampson. Johnson became the 13th name on that list on July 28.
* Adam Johnson, Part III: Johnson is looking to win his fourth Modified feature in five weeks on August 4. Should he get the job done, he will put his name on a list that includes only four names. They are Darin Duffy, who won four times in a five week span in both 1999 and 2000, along with Jack Mitchell (1984), Greg Kastli (1986) and Keith Pittman (1997).
* Travis Smock earned his second straight Late Model win on July 28. While he could become just the fifth Late Model driver in track history to string together three straight wins (Gary Crawford, Curt Martin, Ed Sanger and Rick Wendling have already done it), I understand Smock will be out of town this weekend and won't be attempting to earn a share of history.
* Four Hobby Stock drivers have earned their first career wins so far this season. That is the most for a single season since 2007 when six drivers in that division made their first trips to victory lane.

* Entering the final month of the season last year, only two of five points leaders went on to earn track titles. Who were they? The answer will be available in the points sheet this Saturday night!


That will take care of the month of July for Independence. The next Blitz will come following the end of August and after the completion of the weekly points season. Updated all-time stats will be included in that edition. Tomorrow, I hope to have the Stats Blitz posted for Benton County Speedway through the month of July.

Thanks for reading!

Pippert pilots to Ron Tharp Memorial win at Benton County Speedway

A terrific night of racing in all five divisions Sunday night closed the 2012 edition of the Benton County Fair. The event was highlighted by the Ron Tharp Memorial, held in honor of the Vinton native and former competitor at Benton County Speedway who unexpectedly passed away late last year.

While increased prize money was up for grabs in all divisions, the showcase event of the evening was in the IMCA Hobby Stock division. Tharp spent most of his career driving the #75 Hobby Stock on Sundays, earning 13 career wins in the division.

The draw/redraw format was used for the 20 entries and it was pole-sitter Brian Happel who held the early advantage for the 20-lap feature. Running the top side, Happel took charge at the drop of the green while points leader Scott Pippert quickly challenged from a second row start. After running three-wide with Jacob Keiser and Doug Laughridge for the runner-up spot, Pippert broke free into second after two laps.

While Happel continued to run the high groove, Pippert challenged low, but was able to do little more than pull to within half a car-length of the lead. Pippert then went to work on the top groove, chasing Happel on the fast, smooth, quarter-mile.

Jacob Keiser and Chris Luloff joined the leaders in a four-car breakaway at the front of the pack as Pippert again changed lanes before the caution flag waved on lap 10.

Pippert went to work on the low side when racing resumed and got a good run on the leader exiting turn four on the following lap. At the line, Pippert nosed ahead of Happel by mere inches to take the lead before the yellow flag waved again for an incident in turn one on lap 11.

Although Happel remained within striking distance over the final stages of the race, Pippert held on to win his second straight feature and fifth in the last six events. Happel crossed the line in second with Keiser close behind.

It was Pippert's eighth straight top-three finish and his 13th top-three in 15 events this season. It also marked the ninth time in his career in Vinton that Pippert has strung together consecutive wins. For his career, Pippert now owns 44 Hobby Stock wins. He continues to close the gap on all-time leader Vince Buchholz, who tops the list with 48.

IMCA HOBBY STOCK
Feature - 1. 47 Scott Pippert; 2. 46 Brian Happel; 3. 07 Jacob Keiser; 4. 19X August Bach; 5. 55 Vince Buchholz; 6. 09X Brad Forbes; 7. 45 Justin Wacha; 8. 67 Justin Stander; 9. 78 Matt Brown; 10. 14J Jacob Floyd; 11. 7 Steve Kesl; 12. 20JN Justin Ginther; 13. 500 Garrett Eilander; 14. 12J Jeremy Floyd; 15. 18 Chris Luloff; 16. 26 Nathan Christie; 17. 2P Cale Petersen; 18. 25 Doug Laughridge; 19. 77 Rod Grother; DNS 75D Dale Kite.
First heat - 1. Pippert; 2. Happel; 3. Bach; 4. Forbes; 5. Ginther; 6. Kesl; DNS Kite.
Second heat - 1. Brown; 2. Eilander; 3. Stander; 4. Laughridge; 5. Buchholz; 6. Jacob Floyd; 7. Jeremy Floyd.
Third heat - 1. Luloff; 2. Grother; 3. Christie; 4. Kesl; 5. Petersen; 6. Wacha.

In IMCA SportMod action, Mike McDonald was in search of his first career win in the division in Vinton. McDonald paced the field from his outside front row starting spot and quickly pulled away from the pack until action was slowed for caution on lap five. By that time, last Sunday's winner, Curt Hilmer, made his way into second from a third row start.

When racing resumed, McDonald ran the top side while Hilmer ran down low. Hilmer was able to close the gap at various points and was able to pull alongside the leader briefly, but was unable to make the pass for the lead until the waning laps.

Exiting turn four on the 13th circuit, Hilmer feathered the throttle on the slick surface, rocketed off the corner to sneak beneath McDonald and took advantage at the line. While Hilmer led, Brennen Chipp was also making his way to the front. After starting in the sixth row, Chipp pulled to the inside of McDonald on the white flag lap, a car-length behind Hilmer.

Exiting turn four, McDonald shot to the high side with Chipp down low as they each tried to find a faster groove around the leader. Hilmer proved to be too strong out front as he drove to the exciting victory. Chipp edged McDonald for second at the line.

His second win of the season, Hilmer now owns five career SportMod wins in Vinton. That ties him with Kyle Bentley and Kyle Olson for seventh on the all-time list.

IMCA SPORTMOD
Feature - 1. 22H Curt Hilmer; 2. 21 Brennen Chipp; 3. 95 Mike McDonald; 4. 3R Danny Dvorak; 5. K3 Kyle Olson; 6. 00 Jim Buhlman; 7. T17 Tom Rawlins; 8. 3B Brian Anderson; 9. 28P Rick Paulson; 10. CH19 Colby Heishman; 11. 57R Ryan King; 12. 7D Dakoda Sellers; 13. 22 Brett Thomsen; 14. 93 Josh Burrell; 15. J2 Dave Schulze; 16. 505 Racer Hulin; 17. 7B Cliff Beauregard; DNS 10S John Schaefer; DNS 81 Jesse Belez.
First heat - 1. Buhlman; 2. Hilmer; 3. Hulin; 4. Anderson; 5. Heishman; 6. King; DNS Sellers.
Second heat - 1. McDonald; 2. Rawlins; 3. Paulson; 4. Schulze; 5. Burrell; 6. Beauregard.
Third heat - 1. Olson; 2. Dvorak; 3. Chipp; 4. Schaefer; 5. Belez; 6. Thomsen.

You often hear the old saying, "Nice guys finish last." That saying went out the window when one of the "good guys" made his first-ever trip to Benton County Speedway victory lane in the IMCA Stock Car division. Jay Schmidt, one of the true gentlemen of the sport, has been in the points hunt all season. In fact, he was the only Stock Car driver entering Sunday night with top-10 finishes in all 13 events this season. Schmidt added his first feature win of 2012 to that glowing record in Sunday's 16-lapper.

In the early going, Curtis Roster held the lead until Andy Bryant worked beneath him for the top spot on lap two. Bryant paced the field with Roster on his rear bumper while Schmidt was patiently working through traffic from a fourth row start.

Following the race's only caution on lap nine, Schmidt restarted in the fourth spot, then quickly went to work on Norman Chesmore for third. Running the high side, Schmidt swept past Chesmore with six laps remaining, then challenged Roster for second. With Bryant still within his sights, Schmidt raced past Roster with three laps to go, then shot to the inside of Bryant as the leader drifted high in turn two on lap 14.

Schmidt took charge down the back stretch, then led the final two-and-a-half laps to secure the win. Bryant ran second ahead of Roster. Schmidt became the 31st different Stock Car winner in track history, joining John Emerson as the only first-time winners this season. The win pulled Schmidt to within three points of Phil Holtz atop the division standings.

IMCA STOCK CAR
Feature - 1. 19J Jay Schmidt; 2. 77 Andy Bryant; 3. 8 Curtis Roster; 4. 15 Norman Chesmore; 5. 52 Nathan Wood; 6. 87 John Emerson; 7. 7H Phil Holtz; 8. 76 Mike Galli; 9. 4JR Russell Damme; 10. 21DE Jason Deshaw; 11. 8B Scott Beauregard; 12. 09X Cole Mather; 13. 89B Dave Stricker; 14. 36 Trevor Titus.
First heat - 1. Roster; 2. Deshaw; 3. Stricker; 4. Bryant; 5. Beauregard; 6. Mather; 7. Damme.
Second heat - 1. Chesmore; 2. Wood; 3. Schmidt; 4. Emerson; 5. Galli; 6. Titus; 7. Holtz.

Tony Olson has suffered more than his share of mechanical problems this season, but it looked as though his fortunes were about to change when the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature went green. Olson, who started outside of the front row, used the high side to race away from the pack until a handful of cautions slowed action over the first seven laps.

By the time the green flag waved a final time following the lap seven yellow, Mike Burbridge found himself in third place and within striking distance. Burbridge followed Jeff Streeter for a handful of laps, eventually making his bid for second on the low groove at the completion of lap 12. By that time, Olson had already built another sizable lead.

Burbridge chipped away at the deficit as Olson remained committed to the top side with Burbridge staying glued to the infield tires. In just four laps, Burbridge reeled in the leader as the top pair raced side-by-side at the start/finish line to complete lap 16. Exiting turn two, Burbridge slipped past Olson to assume command as Ronn Lauritzen closed the gap on the leaders.

The top three ran in close formation over the final few laps with Lauritzen joining Burbridge on the low side with Olson up top. Burbridge fought off all challenges to drive to the thrilling win ahead of Olson and Lauritzen.

With the finish, Burbridge became the first Modified driver with three victories this season. The win guarantees at least one Modified driver with at least three wins in every season the Modifieds have competed in Vinton. The division has been included on the weekly racing schedule in Vinton for 28 different seasons, dating back to 1979. Only twice in track history (1980 and 1993) have the Modifieds gone an entire season without at least one four-time feature winner.

If you're counting, Burbridge's three wins in Vinton this season have all come in the last six points races. For his career, Burbridge now owns seven Modified wins in Vinton. Sunday's win moved him into a tie for 20th on the all-time list. He is tied with Dave Burrell (how he got seven wins is anybody's guess, let alone three straight track championships from 1992-1994... joking, Dave!), Joe Docekal and Rich Krafka.

IMCA MODIFIED
Feature - 1. 11B Mike Burbridge; 2. T23 Tony Olson; 3. 10K Ronn Lauritzen; 4. 33D Scott Hogan; 5. 12D Joe Docekal; 6. 18 Jerry Luloff; 7. 21K Kyle Brown; 8. F7 Patrick Flannagan; 9. 1J Jeff Streeter; 10. 26P Kevin Pittman; 11. 8 Tony Snyder; 12. 57B Dennis Betzer; 13. 80 Jerry Dedrick; 14. 1XX Tom Hanson; 15. 14B Shane Burbridge; 16. 17 Dawn Krall; 17. 7S Robbie Schmuecker; 18. 14 Dustin Marlon; 19. 7T Tim McBride; 20. 92 Shawn Bistline; 21. 01 Ed Thomas; 22. 15D Dustin Johnson; 23. 96 Eric Tuttle.
First heat - 1. Thomas; 2. Brown; 3. Betzer; 4. Pittman; 5. Schmuecker; 6. Snyder; 7. McBride; 8. Tuttle.
Second heat - 1. Olson; 2. Docekal; 3. Lauritzen; 4. Streeter; 5. Krall; 6. Flannagan; 7. Johnson; 8. Dedrick.
Third heat - 1. Hogan; 2. S. Burbridge; 3. M. Burbridge; 4. Luloff; 5. Hanson; 6. Bistline; 7. Marlon.

Nathan Chandler appeared to be on his way to win number nine in the IMCA Sport Compact division until a scary accident ended his run late in that 12-lapper. Chandler, who had around 10 car-lengths over his nearest pursuer with just four laps to go, went high entering turn three and barrel-rolled off the corner to bring action to a halt. Chandler was okay (more on that later), but done for the night.

The incident left Nathan's father, Merv, in the lead for the ensuing restart. When the green flag returned, Merv held off heavy pressure from Travis Ross to score his second win this season in weekly points racing. The eighth weekly win of his career in Vinton, he is now tied with Brad Chandler for fifth on the all-time list.

IMCA SPORT COMPACT
Feature - 1. 2 Merv Chandler; 2. 83 Travis Ross; 3. 22T Travis Losenicky; 4. 03 Neil Nabholz; 5. 3S Craig Streeter; 6. 111 A.J. Witten; 7. 35 Brett Vanous; 8. 22 Nathan Chandler; 9. 57 Duayne Herb; 10. DNS 11 Steve Miedke.
Heat - 1. N. Chandler; 2. Ross; 3. Nabholz; 4. M. Chandler; 5. Streeter; 6. Vanous; 7. Witten; 8. Losenicky; 9. Herb; 10. Miedke.

As always, a ton of credit goes to Don Burkey as he put together another incredible racing surface Sunday night. There was plenty of side-by-side and three-wide racing throughout the entire show and all five features offered great finishes ... A tip of the hat also goes to the Tharp family and their group for a great job with the memorial event. A lot of time and effort went into making Sunday night's show a success and it went off without a hitch... As I mentioned earlier, Nathan Chandler took a nasty roll off turn three in the Sport Compact feature. Although he had a comfortable lead, he was unaware that his nearest threat was around half a straightaway behind him. After emerging from his mangled #22, Chandler laughed by saying he thought his dad was challenging a little bit closer. Added Chandler, "I just started pushing it harder." It was a tough break for the younger Chandler, who was clearly the class of the field on Sunday... Always entertaining, track announcer Bucky Doren was in rare form. It's fun to change things up on occasion to keep the race commentary fresh and unique. Bucky, however, was even second-guessing himself after a comment he made during the second Stock Car heat. As Nathan Wood pressured Norman Chesmore for the lead late in that event, Doren commented that Chesmore "had a back pocket full of Wood." Yup, sometimes the filter works a little slower than we'd prefer and things juuuuust don't come out the way we expect. That's also what makes it fun though, right, Bucky?

There are no mid-week races on my schedule for this week. Instead, I plan to process the monthly stats for both Independence and Vinton. The July Stats Blitz for Indee should be posted sometime tomorrow night and the Vinton Blitz should be available Tuesday. While the stats are fun to put together, this time around means only one month of weekly racing remains before the post-season specials flood the calendar. Many area tracks end their points seasons at the end of August or the early part of September, so if you haven't made it to your local track as often as you'd hoped this year, make plans to support a track near you as we enter the stretch run! Have a great week!

Points battles tighten entering final month at Independence

The race for the championship in a couple of divisions continues to heat up at Independence Motor Speedway. Following Saturday night action, a mere two points separate the leaders in the IMCA Hobby Stock division while a four point margin is all that remains at the top of the IMCA Modified standings.

In the Modified division, Adam Johnson continued his recent dominance by winning that 20-lapper going away. Johnson took the point from race-long leader Josh Sherbon on the seventh circuit, then cruised to his third win in four weeks and division-leading fourth victory of the year. Sherbon, in his first year in the division, drove to his best finish by crossing the line in second.

Johnson has now earned 12 career Modified wins in weekly racing in Independence. That places him alone in ninth on the all-time list. He sits one victory behind Duane Van Deest and Steve Droste, who are tied for seventh.

Johnson earned back-to-back wins at the speedway for the first time in his career, becoming one of only 20 Modified drivers in speedway history to accomplish that feat. Next week, he will look to become just the eighth Modified driver to win three straight features in Independence.

All-time, Johnson now has 16 career wins in weekly racing history on the Indee oval. When including his Hobby Stock and Pro Stock wins from earlier in his career, Johnson ranks tied for 29th all-time with Danny Dvorak, Darren Ackerman and Larry Portis.

Curt Graham led wire-to-wire in the IMCA Hobby Stock feature to earn his first-ever win on the Independence oval. Graham started in the third row, quickly worked his way to the front, then survived numerous stoppages to take the milestone win ahead of a hard-charging Scott Pippert and Benji Irvine.

Justin Stander entered the night as the division's points leader and passed more cars than anyone to hold his spot atop the standings. After drifting off the high side of turn four and bringing out the caution on the first lap, Stander tagged the tail of the 23-car field on the restart. He made his way through the pack to an impressive fourth place finish. By virtue of that finish, Stander held a two-point margin over Irvine to end the night.

For Graham, he became the 90th different Hobby Stock winner in track history and the second first-time winner in as many weeks. Graham joined Stander, Irvine and Nathan Ballard as first-time Hobby Stock winners this season. The four newcomers to victory lane is the most in a season for the division since six drivers earned their first wins in 2007.

Tyler Droste raced from the fourth row to challenge for the lead late in the IMCA SportMod feature. Droste worked past Travis Peterson for the lead just a couple of laps before that feature timed out. Peterson crossed the line in second, however he was disqualified following post-race inspection. That moved Sam Wieben to second in the final run-down ahead of Brennen Chipp. It was Droste's fourth win in just five appearances this season.

The 12th win of his career in Independence, Droste is now tied for second on the division's all-time wins list at the speedway with Josh Sherbon. He is now just one win behind Danny Dvorak at the top of that list. His 12 career wins at the speedway put Droste in a tie for 52nd all-time with Forrest Frost, Keith Braun, Tyler Bruening and Vince Buchholz.

Travis Smock took his second straight win in the IMCA Late Model division. From his fourth row starting spot, Smock made his way into second just prior to a lap three caution. One lap following the restart, Smock worked past Dirk Hamilton for the lead, then held off Curt Martin, Tyler Bruening and the caution flag to earn the win.

Smock became the 22nd Late Model driver in track history to earn back-to-back wins in weekly points racing. Only Curt Martin, Gary Crawford, Ed Sanger and Rick Wendling have won three straight in Independence and Smock looks to join that elite list next weekend. The last time a Late Model driver won three-in-a-row in Independence was when Curt Martin did it in a stretch from July 10-24, 2004.

The fifth career Late Model win for Smock in Independence, he is now tied for 27th on the all-time list with Dale Hackwell Jr., Les Verly, Rick Dralle and Terry Neal.

From a third row starting spot, John Emerson raced to the lead after just two laps of the IMCA Stock Car feature. Points leader Sean Johnson worked into second on the seven lap mark, then tried both high and low to get past the leader. Emerson proved to be too fast on the low groove as he drove to his fourth win of the season, all in the last seven weeks. He now sits tied with Damon Murty, Dave Stricker and Tony Schimmels for 14th on the all-time list.

Merv Chandler and Steve Miedke raced much of the 10-lap IMCA Sport Compact feature in side-by-side formation. The lead pair pulled away from the pack and swapped the lead numerous times in that event before Chandler lunged ahead at the line to take the win. While Chandler won a draw/redraw special for the Sport Compacts earlier this season, Saturday night's win was his first in points competition in Independence since he won the IMCA Modified feature on May 26, 1984.

Sunday night, racing action resumes at Benton County Speedway in Vinton for the Ron Tharp Memorial. The Vinton native, who was a popular Hobby Stock driver throughout much of his career, passed away unexpectedly prior to the start of the 2012 season.

After tonight's show in Vinton, I'll put together month-ending Stats Blitzes for both Independence and Vinton. I hope to have those posted Monday and Tuesday nights. I hope to see you in Vinton tonight!

Points leaders top mid-week Benton County Fair special

Three points leaders extended their advantages atop the standings during a special points race Thursday night at Benton County Speedway. The draw/redraw show, which kicked off grandstand entertainment for this year's Benton County Fair, ended with Danny Dvorak, Scott Pippert and Nathan Chandler celebrating in victory lane.

Pole-sitter Sam Wieben took the lead at the drop of the green in the 15-lap IMCA SportMod feature. He paced the field while Danny Dvorak, who started outside of Wieben, pursued the leader. Dvorak shot to the inside of Wieben to take the lead at the line on lap two, then pulled away from the pack.

Wieben was able to close back in on the leader as Dvorak encountered slower traffic late in the event. Dvorak held on by a couple of car-lengths to take the win, his seventh victory in points racing at the speedway this season. For Dvorak, it was his 45th career SportMod win in points racing history on the Vinton oval. The SportMods ran their entire program without a single caution Thursday.

After holding on to a fourth place finish with a flat tire in his heat race, Doug Laughridge redrew the pole position for the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. He quickly took charge at the drop of the green and was over half of a straightaway ahead of his nearest competitor when he suffered another flat tire five laps into that event. Laughridge spun and forced a caution, which left Justin Wacha in the lead for the restart.

Wacha paced the field back to green with points leader Scott Pippert on his rear bumper. Running the top side, Wacha held off Pippert's pressure until Pippert inched ahead at the 10-lap mark. He survived a late caution to take the win, his eighth of the season in weekly racing. Wacha held on for a season-best second place run. Pippert has now won 43 career Hobby Stock features in points racing history in Vinton, just five shy of all-time leader Vince Buchholz.

Merv Chandler held the early lead in the IMCA Sport Compact feature. While Chandler led, Gary Peiffer, Nathan Chandler and Steve Miedke joined the leader in a four-car breakaway at the front of the pack.

The leaders ran in tight formation, jockeying for position, until Nathan Chandler worked the low side to the front on lap six. He pulled away from the pack to take the victory. Chandler's eight wins in weekly racing this season tops his previous all-time high of seven, which he earned each of the last two years. Chandler now leads the division's all-time list with 32 career points wins in Vinton.

RESULTS
IMCA SPORTMOD
Feature - 1. 3R Danny Dvorak; 2. 198 Sam Wieben; 3. J2 Dave Schulze; 4. K3 Kyle Olson; 5. 00 Jim Buhlman; 6. 10S John Schaefer; 7. 3B Brian Anderson; 8. 11 Al Sweerin; 9. 93 Josh Burrell; 10. 22H Curt Hilmer; 11. T17 Tom Rawlins; 12. 28P Rick Paulson; DNS 42L Lon Mercer; DNS 7D Dakoda Sellers.
First heat - 1. Hilmer; 2. Schaefer; 3. Paulson; 4. Schulze; 5. Anderson; 6. Rawlins; DNS Mercer.
Second heat - 1. Dvorak; 2. Wieben; 3. Olson; 4. Burrell; 5. Buhlman; 6. Sweerin; DNS Sellers.

IMCA HOBBY STOCK
Feature - 1. 47 Scott Pippert; 2. 45 Justin Wacha; 3. 07 Jacob Keiser; 4. 55 Vince Buchholz; 5. 09X Brad Forbes; 6. 2P Cale Petersen; 7. 46 Brian Happel; 8. 77 Rod Grother; 9. 78 Matt Brown; 10. 25 Doug Laughridge; 11. 6 Randy Vandevegte.
First heat - 1. Forbes; 2. Pippert; 3. Brown; 4. Happel; 5. Petersen.
Second heat - 1. Wacha; 2. Keiser; 3. Grother; 4. Laughridge; 5. Buchholz; 6. Vandevegte.

IMCA SPORT COMPACT
Feature - 1. 22 Nathan Chandler; 2. 2 Merv Chandler; 3. 11 Steve Miedke; 4. 83 Travis Ross; 5. 3S Craig Streeter; 6. 03 Neil Nabholz; 7. 57 Duayne Herb; 8. 111 A.J. Witten; 9. 36DD Gary Peiffer.
Heat - 1. N. Chandler; 2. Miedke; 3. Peiffer; 4. M. Chandler; 5. Streeter; 6. Ross; 7. Herb; 8. Nabholz; 9. Witten.

Thursday night was a lot of fun working with a rookie in the flagstand. Former (and I say this only because he is not currently racing) IMCA Modified driver Shawn Fisher was the chief starter for Thursday's show. He did a fantastic job waving the sticks Thursday night and admitted that the perspective from the flagstand was entirely different than on the race track. I think he would agree that wearing a headset and radio instead of a helmet for at least one night would show his fellow racers just how different things are on the other side of a racing program. Awesome job, Shawn!

Tomorrow, I'm planning on making the trip to Lee County Speedway in Donnellson for the IMCA Modified special, then return to Independence Motor Speedway on Saturday for another night of weekly points racing. Sunday, it will be back to Vinton to close out the 2012 Benton County Fair with weekly points racing in all five divisions. Bonus money will be added to each division as part of the Ron Tharp Memorial.

Thanks for reading!

Rain cuts short Julien Dubuque Classic during Dubuque County Fair races

Wow, did we ever need that rain! I'm not sure how much rain fell in Dubuque, Farley, Dyersville or any other town along Highway 20 on Wednesday night, but I, along with a number of other fair-goers, drove through every inch of it on the way home from the Dubuque County Fair. In fact, the rain was so heavy at times, my return trip to Vinton was 30 minutes longer than it would have been on a normal night.

I can't count the number of separate torrential downpours that slowed the trip home. The waves of rain and the blinding lightning displays forced me to pull off the road a number of times, along with many other motorists. Despite all that (and some wicked hydroplaning along the way), this was one rare time when nobody should be upset that Mother Nature won the night.

Prior to the rain, two of six scheduled features were completed in the annual Julien Dubuque Classic during the fair at Dubuque Speedway. Austin Moyer topped a field of 19 IMCA SportMods while Mitch Bielenberg ran away with the IMCA Sport Compact feature.

Eric Pollard took the early lead in the SportMod feature. From his outside front row starting spot, Pollard went to work on the high side while Matt Miller pursued the leader from the low groove after starting in the third row.

Moyer, who started right behind Miller, quickly advanced through the pack on the low side of the multi-groove surface. Although a handful of cautions slowed the early to middle stages of the event, Pollard maintained his lead while Moyer made his way through the field.

Following a lap eight caution, Moyer ran the low side past Miller, then pulled even with Pollard. The leaders put on a whale of a show for the lead before Moyer pulled ahead to take the win. Pollard ran second ahead of Austin Heacock and Miller.

Bielenberg raced from a second row starting spot to take charge by the completion of the first lap of the Sport Compact main event. In just a handful of laps, Bielenberg extended his advantage to a full straightaway as he cruised to the win over Lane Vohringer. Ryan Schilling and Bob Taggart completed the top four.

Just as the IMCA Modifieds were ready to resume racing following a lap four caution, the rains came and washed out the remainder of the program. The Modifieds, along with the IMCA Hobby Stocks, SPI Stock Cars and IMCA Late Models were unable to complete their features. Keep your eye on www.simmonspromotionsinc.com for word on if/when those events will be rescheduled.

Special thanks to Keith Simmons, Kevin and Carey Feller, Jerry Mackey, Larry Bontz, Doug Haack and the entire SPI crew for their hospitality Wednesday night. It was also a very pleasant surprise to see Jerry's wife, Marnee, who also used to work at the speedway. I hadn't seen Marnee in around eight years, but had the opportunity to catch up with her before and during the races. Marnee, I don't think you've aged a bit! Those grandkids are keeping you young!

Speaking of the Mackeys, Wednesday night was my first visit to Dubuque since May 19, 2002. Although that was over 10 years ago, I remember it well because I was there to report double Late Model features for Hawkeye Racing News and that night I said farewell to a friend who was moving to California the following day. The friend was Travis Mackey, a fellow co-worker at Hawkeye Racing News and the son of Jerry and Marnee. I knew it had been a while since my last visit to Dubuque, but it seems even longer when I realize Travis and his wife Jessica have had two kids and re-established themselves in the Cedar Rapids area since that time.

Out of curiosity, I thought it would be interesting to see who was in attendance during my last trip to Dubuque. After a 10-year absence, I was pretty sure the names would change. While there were a few names in those results that you don't see today, a number of drivers are still making circles at tracks throughout the area. Below are the results from the double features 10-plus years ago:

First feature - 1. Gary Webb, Blue Grass; 2. Darren Miller, Chadwick, Ill.; 3. Steve Boley, West Liberty; 4. Denny Eckrich, Tiffin; 5. Luke Merfeld, Dubuque; 6. Dave Eckrich, Oxford; 7. Darren Mish, Cassville, Wis.; 8. Ed Sanger, Postville; 9. Terry Neal, Ely; 10. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls; 11. Troy Bruder, Freeport, Ill.; 12. Bobby Hansen, Dike; 13. Mark Merfeld, Dubuque; 14. Bob Silaggi, Freeport, Ill.; 15. Mark Curwen, Hazel Green, Wis.; 16. Steve Johnson, Camanche; 17. Ed McGuire, Monroe, Wis.; 18. Steve Ihm, Kieler, Wis.; 19. Jon Rogers, Freeport, Ill.
Second feature - 1. Denny Eckrich; 2. Webb; 3. Miller; 4. Boley; 5. Aikey; 6. Sanger; 7. Neal; 8. Hansen; 9. Curwen; 10. Merfeld (no clue which one); 11. Ihm; 12. Bruder; 13. Silaggi; 14. McGuire; 15. Johnson; 16. Mish; 17. Merfeld (no clue on this one, either); 18. Dave Eckrich.

Aikey, Hansen, Luke Merfeld and Ihm were among those from 10 years ago who were scheduled to take the green in Wednesday night's feature. Current points leader Dan Shelliam was winning many Pro Stock features a decade ago at the speedway.

A lot has changed at Dubuque, most notably the new MUSCO lights that were recently installed. Along with the lights, my last visit was also prior to the installation of the wall that was built around the entire track. Although it had been a few years, Dubuque remains one of my all-time favorite places to go racing. Thanks again to SPI for a fun night, even though it was cut short!

Thursday, I'll be at Benton County Speedway in Vinton for the annual mid-week fair races. IMCA SportMods, IMCA Hobby Stocks and IMCA Sport Compacts will be competing in a draw/redraw show for track points. Nostalgia cars will also be added for the fair event. I'll be splitting time with promoter Mick Trier behind the microphone and scorer's table. Former IMCA Modified driver Shawn Fisher will also be working that event. He'll be waving the flags while regular chief starter John Huff races his Nostalgia car. I'm looking forward to working with you, Shawn. It should be a blast!

Friday, I will be making the trip to Lee County Speedway in Donnellson for $1,000-to-win IMCA Modifieds, which will also include points racing in the other weekly divisions, plus Mod Lites. While I'll be in attendance, I won't be behind the microphone in Donnellson. When new management takes over a business, there are growing pains. It takes a certain length of operation to see what's viable and what is not. Race tracks are no different. After discussing the matter with promoter Dewain Hulett earlier in the week, it was mutually decided that I would serve as a fill-in on an as-needed basis.

As I mentioned to fellow LCS announcer "Dan the Man" in the booth last Friday, "You live in town and I live two hours away. Why aren't you announcing here weekly? They don't need two of us." With that, my Fridays will be free for the most part, and it may also allow me to visit some other tracks for the remainder of the season. Regardless how I fill my Fridays, I wish the Lee County Speedway crew the best of luck for the remainder of the season and I hope to make it back down there a few more times before the end of 2012.

Before I forget, I recently posted a press release on the Independence Motor Speedway web site and facebook page about the August 6 World of Outlaws Late Model Series event. That event, which will include $1,000-to-win IMCA Modifieds ($200-to-start), has been generating a lot of discussion. If you want to avoid standing in potentially long ticket lines on race night, I have grandstand tickets available for purchase in advance. Along with Vinton and Donnellson the next two days, I'll also be in Independence on Saturday and back in Vinton on Sunday. Tickets for that event (cash only) are $30 for adults and $15 for ages 12 and under.

The weather looks much more comfortable for the coming days. If you have the opportunity, take the time to get out and support your local track! I'll see you at the races!

World of Outlaws Late Model Series returns to Independence August 6

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa – For the second consecutive year, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will invade Independence Motor Speedway. The event, which pays $10,000 to the winner, will be held Monday, August 6, and is the only Iowa stop for the series this season.

The nation’s top touring Late Model drivers will compete through time trials and qualifying races for a spot in the Dirt Late Model Magazine 50. Josh Richards beat 2011 series champion Rick Eckert to the checkers in the series’ first-ever visit to the speedway last August.

The tire rule for the August 6 event, which differs from last season, will be 20/30/40/1600 (no white dots)/55.

In addition to the Late Models, IMCA Modifieds will compete for a $1,000 winner’s share in the Dirt Modified Magazine 25. The draw/redraw event, which is a Fast Shafts All-Star Qualifier for the 2013 IMCA Super Nationals, pays $200 to start.

The Modifieds will be competing for IMCA state, regional and national points. Track points will not be awarded.

While there is a $50 registration fee for all Modifieds competing, those drivers will receive a free pit pass for the event.

General grandstand admission for the August 6 event is $30. Tickets for kids 12 and under are $15. Those wishing to purchase grandstand tickets in advance will be able to do so during the next two weekly Saturday racing programs at the speedway. Tickets will be available for purchase at both the July 28 and August 4 events. Pit passes on August 6 are $35.

Both pit gates and grandstand open at 4 p.m., with hot laps at 6:45 and qualifying to follow. The rain date is Tuesday, August 7.

For more information, contact Rick Hartzell at (319) 415-9330 or by e-mailing hartzell@threewidemedia.com. For series information, log on to www.worldofoutlaws.com.