It was a night of firsts Tuesday night at Independence Motor Speedway. Three drivers who had never won in Independence, one of whom had never won before, scored feature wins during the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models event.
"First-timer" - Take One
Justin Kay earned a well-deserved first trip to the winner's circle in the Deery Series 50-lapper while Leah Wroten earned her first-ever IMCA Hobby Stock win, becoming the first female driver to stand in victory lane in 42 years at the speedway. Weekly points leader Alex Zwanziger also picked up his first Independence win in the IMCA Northern SportMods.
I won't go into race-by-race details here - that information is available in the official IMCA press release at www.imca.com and the track release at www.independencemotorspeedway.com - however complete results follow below if you haven't already seen them. Rather than rehash the race recap here, I'll cover a few other things about Tuesday night's program.
Prior to his win in Independence, Kay had been close to victory lane in Deery Series action. During the four-race winning streak put together by Brian Harris (which Kay snapped Tuesday night), Kay earned a pair of runner-up finishes. He had a score of other top-five and top-10 finishes in the previous eight series events this season, as well.
Most remarkable about Kay's win was how he emerged from a battle for position with Tyler Bruening and Rick Dralle into an instant contender in the 50-lapper. Kay started in the third row and was fighting for position with Dralle and Bruening while Aikey battled pole-sitter Harris for the lead.
Not only did he make up ground quickly on Aikey and Harris when he took over the third spot, he caught them and walked away as if nobody would notice. In fact, many people DIDN'T notice his march to the front.
After pulling even with Harris on lap 29, Kay was already ahead by about six car-lengths the next time by the flagstand. That's as close as anyone got to him over the final 20 laps.
Following Kay's triumphant run, my cell phone was going off like a kindergartner at naptime. I received a number of text messages and notifications for the track's facebook page from fans in disbelief at what they'd just seen or, in this case, didn't see.
One text (thanks, Big Al) read, "Did I just watch a 50 lap feature...I was somewhat mesmerized...Didn't realize 50 laps went by." He continued, "Didn't even see Kay until he pulled along side Aikey & I thought he was lap traffic since I was busy watching all the racing outside," before concluding, "Great win for him."
Another fan tagged the speedway in a facebook post that read, "Umm did anyone else think Brian Harris won in Independence Motor Speedway I never seen anyone pass him lol wtf." He continued, "3 of us never seen him pass Harris we watched him the whole race and thought he won lmao."
WTF was right, but not because the wrong man stood in victory lane, but how he seemed to do it while everybody was watching without realizing what they were watching. The green flag dropped at 9:46 and the checkered flag waved at 10:01. Around 15 minutes to run 50 laps non-stop in a race that saw multiple lead changes early, followed by an impressive run through lapped traffic for a first-time winner.
Congratulations, Justin! I've been waiting for that first Deery Series win and I'm glad you were able to get the job done in Independence!
"First-timer" - Take Two
With her family in the stands for the first time this season and a huge crowd in attendance, Leah Wroten picked the perfect time to score her first career IMCA Hobby Stock win. Wroten led all 15 laps to score the milestone win and was all smiles in victory lane. I think she was experiencing a little disbelief, too. I guarantee she wasn't praying, but I don't recall ever hearing the word "holy" exclaimed so often in the winner's circle.
Wroten's feature victory was the first for a female driver in Independence since the 1971 season. That year, a women's Mini-Cadet division competed occasionally during the weekly program. The list of winners that year included Maggie Andrews, Judy Hickey, Betty Sanger and Lois Johnson. Either that division was discontinued partway through the season and those drivers joined the Roadrunner class or the track results weren't correctly reported on a regular basis because Andrews and Johnson were both listed as Roadrunner feature winners toward the end of 1971. Granted, those results are from weekly racing only and, while my research from special events still has a few holes, they are the most recent female winners I've found in my research of the track. If anyone has any thoughts or published information that states otherwise, I'd love to see it.
I know Mary Koester (now Handberg) raced the red #10 IMCA Modified in the late 1980s and early 1990s. While she didn't win a feature, I'm certain she won at least one heat and possibly a B feature during her popular run in Independence. The name of former Hobby Stock driver Leslie Toothman also came up in conversation in the pits Tuesday night. While she didn't reach victory lane following feature racing, she, too, may have won a qualifying event or two.
What makes Leah's story so great is the approach she has taken to her rookie campaign in the division. At the car show this past spring in Independence, she told me she had two goals for the season - she wanted to turn as many laps as she could and she wanted to have fun. That attitude has definitely paid off.
While her work schedule has limited her number of race nights this season, Leah has taken full advantage of the time she has been able to spend at the race track. She has joined us a number of times in Independence, along with a few trips to Farley Speedway on Fridays and Benton County Speedway in Vinton on the occasional Sunday.
Prior to a trip to Marshalltown Speedway for the weekly program there a couple weeks ago, Leah took in a mid-season practice session in Marshalltown to get more seat time and a better feel for her car. She not only came away with a lot more knowledge and understanding, but the willingness to do what it takes to become a winner. That dedication paid off Tuesday night. She has the right approach, the right attitude and is not going away anytime soon. Tuesday night was no fluke. It was the first of many wins for Leah.
"First-timer" - Take Three
Alex Zwanziger was another first-time winner in the IMCA Northern SportMod division. The soft-spoken Zwanziger, already a winner earlier this season in Mason City, earned his first win on the Independence oval. He has quietly become a force to be reckoned with in Independence.
This is Zwanziger's first full season racing in Independence. While he competed in just four weekly programs last season, his seven top-10 finishes in eight nights of racing have put him on the top of the SportMod points. Although Tuesday night wasn't a points race, Zwanziger is poised to turn a lot of heads on Saturday nights in Independence. The kid can flat out wheel a race car.
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Aside from the program itself, the highlight of my night had to be visiting a group of folks in the grandstands during a break in the action. Curt Hansen, Ed Sanger, Bill Zwanziger, Karl Sanger and Gary Henderson were taking in the night's program and we played an impromptu game of "Pass the Microphone" to allow each gentleman the opportunity to share their best racing memories from Independence Motor Speedway. It truly was an honor to have them in attendance Tuesday night. The memories they shared are the experiences that have given us the opportunity to enjoy the sport of racing today. Thank you.
Friend, former track official and 95.3-FM Trackside Report host Dick Moore was sitting with the former drivers listed above. It was Dick's first trip to the races this season and it was a pleasure to hear his voice on the microphone again. He even got in a good line on former radio and track colleague Jim Roper, who continues to work at the speedway. It was great to see you, Dick!
Likewise, Late Model driver and host of the Hawkeye Racing Report, Bobby Hansen joined the group for a trip down memory lane. He summed up the conversation perfectly by saying there's a lot of history to appreciate in Independence. We're lucky to have legendary drivers to share their stories. He encouraged everyone to take a friend to the races. He's right. There are a whole lot of people out there who are race fans, but they just don't know it if because they haven't been to a race. To close the chat, Bobby offered very wise words to keep our sport strong by encouraging everyone to keep the Internet feedback on racing at a positive level. Don't take our sport for granted and appreciate the time you are able to spend with friends and family at the races. You just never know, those first-time winners you saw Tuesday night may be tomorrow's legends in the making.
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A trip to Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa remains my tentative plan for Wednesday night. If I ultimately decide to head south, I'll provide a full report upon my return. Chances are, I'll be in the stands with fellow bloggers Dick and Joyce Eisele. Be sure to say hello if you see me!
Regardless what your plans may be for the Independence Day holiday this week, I hope you're able to enjoy time spent with family and friends. With any luck, it will be at the dirt track of your choice!
As always, thanks for reading!
RESULTS
DEERY SERIES IMCA LATE MODEL
Feature – 1. 15K Justin Kay (Wheatland); 2. 15R Brian Harris (Davenport); 3. 77 Jeff Aikey (Cedar Falls); 4. 16 Tyler Bruening (Decorah); 5. 40 Joel Callahan (Dubuque); 6. 1 Rick Dralle (Waterloo); 7. 31 Jason Utter (Columbus Junction); 8. 45 Curt Martin (Independence); 9. 69 Tom Goble (Burlington); 10. 50 Denny Eckrich (Tiffin); 11. 2 Jeremiah Hurst (Dubuque); 12. 56 Andy Eckrich (Oxford); 13. Z50 Joe Zrostlik (Long Grove); 14. 99D Darrel DeFrance (Marshalltown); 15. 58 Ray Guss Jr. (Milan, Ill.); 16. 32C Chad Holladay (Muscatine); 17. 33 Nick Marolf (Moscow); 18. 53 Darren Ackerman (Readlyn); 19. 21M Luke Merfeld (Dubuque); 20. 1M Rob Moss (Iowa City); 21. 46 Nate Beuseling (Silvis, Ill.); 22. 29 Spencer Diercks (Davenport); 23. 16S Dan Shelliam (Hazel Green, Wis.); 24. 38 Colby Springsteen (Wapello).
First heat – 1. Callahan; 2. Aikey; 3. Harris; 4. Merfeld; 5. Guss; 6. 98 Travis Smock (Independence); 7. DeFrance; 8. Marolf; 9. 145 Dale Hackwell Jr. (Washburn).
Second heat – 1. Ackerman; 2. Bruening; 3. Kay; 4. Shelliam; 5. Diercks; 6. A. Eckrich; 7. 2P Jon Passick (Waterloo); 8. 38S Dain Sires (Cedar Falls).
Third heat – 1. Martin; 2. Dralle; 3. Holladay; 4. Utter; 5. Moss; 6. 93 Jay Johnson (West Burlington); 7. 74 Ron Boyse (Kalona); 8. Beuseling; 9. 25 John Emerson (Waterloo).
Fourth heat – 1. Springsteen; 2. Zrostlik; 3. Goble; 4. Hurst; 5. D. Eckrich; 6. 07 Matt Ryan (Davenport); 7. 60 Dean Wagner (Evansdale); 8. 98X Jason Rauen (Farley).
First B feature (top 4 transfer) – 1. Shelliam; 2. Diercks; 3. Merfeld; 4. A. Eckrich; 5. DeFrance; 6. Sires; 7. Marolf; 8. Hackwell; 9. Guss; 10. Passick; 11. Smock.
Second B feature – 1. Hurst; 2. Utter; 3. D. Eckrich; 4. Moss; 5. Ryan; 6. Johnson; 7. Rauen; 8. Boyse; 9. Beuseling; 10. Emerson; 11. Wagner.
Hard Charger: DeFrance. Point Provisionals: Guss, Beuseling, Marolf.
IMCA NORTHERN SPORTMOD
Feature – 1. 32Z Alex Zwanziger (Nashua); 2. S16 Kip Siems (Cedar Falls); 3. 14 Shane Ebaugh (Evansdale); 4. 22H Curt Hilmer (Dysart); 5. 4 Ryan Maitland (Waterloo); 6. 25 Austin Moyer (Dubuque); 7. 3T Tyler Soppe (Sherrill); 8. 39 Brian Hilbert (Independence); 9. 00 Jim Buhlman (Cedar Falls); 10. 21J Joe Harken (Waterloo); 11. 96 Lucas Lundry (Maynard); 12. 86U Rod McDonald (Manchester); 13. 23 Synjun Bauer (Prairie du Chien, Wis.); 14. 21 Brennen Chipp (Waterloo); 15. 1JR Ben Chapman (Clarence); 16. 7D Dakoda Sellers (Vinton); 17. J2 Dave Schulze (Keystone); 18. 72 Mike Hogencamp (Waterloo); 19. 114 Mike Nielsen (Evansdale); 20/DNS 63 Matt McCahen (Waterloo).
First heat – 1. Siems; 2. Zwanziger; 3. Ebaugh; 4. Bauer; 5. Harken; 6. Nielsen; 7. McCahen.
Second heat – 1. Maitland; 2. Sellers; 3. Schulze; 4. Chipp; 5. Hilbert; 6. Moyer; 7. Buhlman.
Third heat – 1. Hilmer; 2. Chapman; 3. Lundry; 4. Soppe; 5. McDonald; 6. Hogencamp; 7. Soppe.
IMCA HOBBY STOCK
Feature – 1. 14C Leah Wroten (Independence); 2. 79 Benji Irvine (Cedar Falls); 3. 67 Justin Stander (Vinton); 4. 7B Jim Ball (Independence); 5. 73 Quinton Miller (Independence); 6. 46 Brian Happel (Vinton); 7. 35B Shawn Kuennen (Hazleton); 8. 45 Justin Wacha (Vinton); 9. 95 Matt Lundry (Oelwein); 10. 18 Chris Luloff (Independence).
First heat – 1. Happel; 2. Luloff; 3. Wroten; 4. Wroten; DNS Miller.
Second heat – 1. Ball; 2. Stander; 3. Irvine; 4. Kuennen; 5. Lundry.
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