A fantastic field of 28 IMCA Late Models signed in to do battle Saturday night at Independence Motor Speedway and when the checkered flag waved, a new winner was in victory lane for the third time in four weeks.
After Darren Ackerman made his way around Joel Brasch for the lead eight laps into the event, he extended his advantage to a straightaway margin. Contact with a lapped car, however, ended Ackerman's run and handed the lead to Ron Klein for a three-lap dash to the finish.
Klein held on over the final three circuits of the 25-lap event to take his first Independence victory. He joined Joel Callahan and John Emerson as first-time Independence Late Model winners this season and also became the 101st different Late Model winner in weekly racing history at the speedway.
Prior to this season (the Stock Cars also did it this year), it was the first time a division saw three first-time winners in the first four weeks of a season in Independence since 1997 when there were three first-time Hobby Stock winners in the first four weeks. Never before have two divisions done it in the same season.
Benji Irvine continued to be the man to beat in the IMCA Hobby Stocks. Irvine took command early and then destroyed the field to take his third win in four weeks. Irvine took the checkers by half of a lap ahead of second place finisher Brian Happel.
Irvine now owns eight career Hobby Stock wins in weekly racing history at the speedway, placing him alone in 13th on the all-time list. It was his third career win during the month of May, but the first time Irvine has won back-to-back features at the speedway.
The last driver to win at least three Hobby Stock features in the first four weeks of a season was Brian Irvine. He won the first four Hobby Stock features of 2004. There's still hope, Benji. Brian didn't win again that year until week 10.
Irvine's eight career wins in weekly racing place him in a tie with Dan Nesteby, Bernard Reinking, Bob Fisher, Brian Kunkle, Chuck Larsen, Dave Thorsten, Dean Gissel, Dean Wagner, Jim Moss, Joe Schaefer, Joey Schaefer, John Light and Tom Fitzpatrick for 85th on the track's all-time list.
Ronn Lauritzen made his way around Keith Pittman midway through the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature, then held off pressure from Scott Hogan before driving away to his second win of the season.
With 10 Modified wins in weekly racing history in Independence, Lauritzen is tied with J.D. Auringer for 11th on the all-time list. Lauritzen's win Saturday was his first during the month of May. He has now won at least one feature in Independence during every calendar month from April through August. Only eight other Modified drivers in track history have done that.
His 10 career wins in Independence tie Lauritzen for 66th on the track's all-time list with Auringer, Adam Gates, Doc Mayner, Alan Wessels, John Walker, Lon Gadow, Nick Wroten, Red Droste, Rick Johnson and Rodney Brandt.
Jenae Gustin won for the second time in three weeks in the IMCA Northern SportMod division. Caution slowed action early, but when the dust cleared, Gustin took the checkers by a straightaway ahead of Rod McDonald.
Gustin is now one of a dozen drivers with multiple SportMod wins in weekly racing history at the speedway and one of 302 drivers all-time in Independence with multiple trips to the winner's circle.
Jason Hocken put the misfortune of the first three weeks of the season behind him as he led all 18-laps of the IMCA Stock Car feature to take his first win of the year. Hocken held off late pressure from Justin Temeyer to become the fourth Stock Car winner in as many weeks of racing this season.
This season marks just the fourth time in track history (22 years) that four different drivers won Stock Car features over the first four weeks of the season (2001, 2003, 2008). The record for the most consecutive different winners to start a season in the division is five, which occurred in 2003.
With four career Stock Car wins, Hocken is now tied with Dave Stricker and Tony Schimmels for 16th on the track's all-time list.
Despite the long winter and cold, wet spring, we've managed to successfully complete the first four weekly points races in Independence this season. Only seven times in track history has that been accomplished. Prior to this season, it hadn't been done since 2007. The last time we started the season without a rainout in the first five weekly programs was 1997. That remains the only season in track history that didn't suffer a single rainout. Hmmm...
Sunday night, it's a return to Benton County Speedway in Vinton for the third night of weekly racing on the Vinton quarter-mile. Vinton has not been quite as fortunate at dodging the wet weather. Including last Tuesday's rainout of the XSAN Hawkeye Dirt Tour, six of eight events scheduled so far this season in Vinton have been won by Mother Nature. Yes, we're due to race in Vinton. I hope to see you there!
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Emerson, Sherbon earn first career wins at Independence Motor Speedway
While John Emerson and Josh Sherbon experienced much success in the IMCA Stock Car and IMCA Northern SportMod divisions, respectively, both drivers earned their first career wins in their current divisions Saturday night at Independence Motor Speedway.
Emerson led all 25 laps of the IMCA Late Model feature to earn his first win in that division. After piloting Kenny Pint's Late Model a few nights last year, Emerson took just three nights this season to reach victory lane in his first full year in the division.
Emerson survived numerous stoppages in the first six laps and then held off Rick Wendling in lapped traffic to score the milestone victory. The Late Models have seen three different winners in the first three weeks of the season for the 11th time in the last 12 years.
With the win, Emerson became the 100th different Late Model winner in weekly racing at the speedway since the start of the 1967 season. He became the 23rd driver in the division to earn his first career win during the month of May.
When combined with his 10 career Stock Car wins, Emerson's 11 total wins in weekly racing history in Independence tie him with Dave Myers, Duane Bentley, Kevin Vorwald, Mike Krall, Patrick Stansbery, Quinton Miller, Scott Hogan and Todd Temeyer for 57th on the track's all-time list.
Josh Sherbon has fought demons throughout his brief two-plus years in the IMCA Modified division. After a strong career in the IMCA Northern SportMods, Sherbon earned his first Modified win in dominant fashion Saturday night. He pulled away from the pack to win convincingly ahead of Ronn Lauritzen.
Sherbon became the 82nd different Modified winner in weekly racing history at the speedway and the first new face to grace Modified victory lane in Independence since Tyler Droste nearly one year ago. Of the 82 different Modified winners, Sherbon became the 27th to earn his first win during the month of May.
Like the Late Models, the Modifieds have seen three different winners in as many weeks this season. This is the ninth straight year there were no repeat Modified winners in the first three weeks.
When combined with his two B Mod wins and 12 Northern SportMod wins, Sherbon has 15 career wins in weekly racing history at the speedway. That ties him for 35th on the all-time list with Denny Osborn, Jeff Aikey, Norman Chesmore, Tom Hanson and Tom Schmitt.
The trend of first-time winners continued in the IMCA Stock Cars. Not only did Jesse Brown become the third first-time winner of the night, he became the third straight first-time winner in the division.
Brown took the lead on the fourth of 18 laps and then held off a late charge from Jarod Weepie to earn his first win in Independence and the second Stock Car win of his career.
There have now been 47 different Stock Car winners in weekly racing history at the speedway and 13 of them earned their first win during the month of May. Saturday night marked the first time in track history that the Stock Car division produced three straight first-time winners to start a season. The last time any division had three consecutive first-time winners to start a season was in 1989 in the Hobby Stocks. That was the first season the Hobby Stocks were a part of the weekly program in Independence.
Rod McDonald won the IMCA Northern SportMod feature in convincing fashion. McDonald led the entirety of that 15-lapper to earn his first win of the year and the second of his career in Independence. McDonald is now alone in 11th on the division's all-time wins list at the speedway.
There have been three different SportMod winners to start the season in Independence four times in the seven years they have been a part of the weekly program. The SportMods have never produced four straight different winners to start a season.
Benji Irvine became the track's first repeat winner as he took top honors in the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Irvine took the lead from Jamie Whitaker on the 10th lap to drive to victory, the seventh of his career at the speedway.
All-time, Irvine is now tied with Justin Lichty and Rod Grother for 13th on the division's all-time wins list. His seven victories in weekly racing place him in a tie with 20 other drivers for 98th on the track's career wins list. His seven wins match Bob Bennett, Carl Severson, Dave Rice, Deon Turner, Don Erger, Duane White, Ed Thomas, Jerry Holbach, Johnathan Thimmesch, Justin Lichty, Larry Schmidt, Mark Noble, Max Corporon, Merv Chandler, Mike Sampson, Mitch Fretheim, Rick Dralle, Rod Grother, Ron Barker and Tim McBride on that list.
Other trends following the completion of Saturday night's program include:
* The first three weeks of the season mark the first time in track history that there were three first-time winners in three consecutive nights of weekly points racing. It had never happened during any three week stretch of any season prior to 2014.
* For the first time since the 2007 season, the first three scheduled nights of weekly points racing were completed without a rainout. Next week we will attempt four straight shows to start the season without a cancellation for the first time since 2007. That has only been done six times in the last 47 years.
* Looking ahead, only once since 1999 have we gone through the month of May without a single cancellation and only eight times in track history has the month of May had a perfect track record. Keep in mind, this season is one with five Saturdays during the month of May. Although the odds may be against us (and we definitely dodged a weather bullet Saturday night), we can hopefully buck those trends this year.
Weather permitting, I'll be across town at Benton County Speedway later today for the third night of weekly points racing in Vinton. That will be followed up by a return trip to BCS this Tuesday for the 2014 opener of the XSAN Hawkeye Dirt Tour for Modifieds.
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! Have a great Sunday!
Emerson led all 25 laps of the IMCA Late Model feature to earn his first win in that division. After piloting Kenny Pint's Late Model a few nights last year, Emerson took just three nights this season to reach victory lane in his first full year in the division.
Emerson survived numerous stoppages in the first six laps and then held off Rick Wendling in lapped traffic to score the milestone victory. The Late Models have seen three different winners in the first three weeks of the season for the 11th time in the last 12 years.
With the win, Emerson became the 100th different Late Model winner in weekly racing at the speedway since the start of the 1967 season. He became the 23rd driver in the division to earn his first career win during the month of May.
When combined with his 10 career Stock Car wins, Emerson's 11 total wins in weekly racing history in Independence tie him with Dave Myers, Duane Bentley, Kevin Vorwald, Mike Krall, Patrick Stansbery, Quinton Miller, Scott Hogan and Todd Temeyer for 57th on the track's all-time list.
Josh Sherbon has fought demons throughout his brief two-plus years in the IMCA Modified division. After a strong career in the IMCA Northern SportMods, Sherbon earned his first Modified win in dominant fashion Saturday night. He pulled away from the pack to win convincingly ahead of Ronn Lauritzen.
Sherbon became the 82nd different Modified winner in weekly racing history at the speedway and the first new face to grace Modified victory lane in Independence since Tyler Droste nearly one year ago. Of the 82 different Modified winners, Sherbon became the 27th to earn his first win during the month of May.
Like the Late Models, the Modifieds have seen three different winners in as many weeks this season. This is the ninth straight year there were no repeat Modified winners in the first three weeks.
When combined with his two B Mod wins and 12 Northern SportMod wins, Sherbon has 15 career wins in weekly racing history at the speedway. That ties him for 35th on the all-time list with Denny Osborn, Jeff Aikey, Norman Chesmore, Tom Hanson and Tom Schmitt.
The trend of first-time winners continued in the IMCA Stock Cars. Not only did Jesse Brown become the third first-time winner of the night, he became the third straight first-time winner in the division.
Brown took the lead on the fourth of 18 laps and then held off a late charge from Jarod Weepie to earn his first win in Independence and the second Stock Car win of his career.
There have now been 47 different Stock Car winners in weekly racing history at the speedway and 13 of them earned their first win during the month of May. Saturday night marked the first time in track history that the Stock Car division produced three straight first-time winners to start a season. The last time any division had three consecutive first-time winners to start a season was in 1989 in the Hobby Stocks. That was the first season the Hobby Stocks were a part of the weekly program in Independence.
Rod McDonald won the IMCA Northern SportMod feature in convincing fashion. McDonald led the entirety of that 15-lapper to earn his first win of the year and the second of his career in Independence. McDonald is now alone in 11th on the division's all-time wins list at the speedway.
There have been three different SportMod winners to start the season in Independence four times in the seven years they have been a part of the weekly program. The SportMods have never produced four straight different winners to start a season.
Benji Irvine became the track's first repeat winner as he took top honors in the 15-lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Irvine took the lead from Jamie Whitaker on the 10th lap to drive to victory, the seventh of his career at the speedway.
All-time, Irvine is now tied with Justin Lichty and Rod Grother for 13th on the division's all-time wins list. His seven victories in weekly racing place him in a tie with 20 other drivers for 98th on the track's career wins list. His seven wins match Bob Bennett, Carl Severson, Dave Rice, Deon Turner, Don Erger, Duane White, Ed Thomas, Jerry Holbach, Johnathan Thimmesch, Justin Lichty, Larry Schmidt, Mark Noble, Max Corporon, Merv Chandler, Mike Sampson, Mitch Fretheim, Rick Dralle, Rod Grother, Ron Barker and Tim McBride on that list.
Other trends following the completion of Saturday night's program include:
* The first three weeks of the season mark the first time in track history that there were three first-time winners in three consecutive nights of weekly points racing. It had never happened during any three week stretch of any season prior to 2014.
* For the first time since the 2007 season, the first three scheduled nights of weekly points racing were completed without a rainout. Next week we will attempt four straight shows to start the season without a cancellation for the first time since 2007. That has only been done six times in the last 47 years.
* Looking ahead, only once since 1999 have we gone through the month of May without a single cancellation and only eight times in track history has the month of May had a perfect track record. Keep in mind, this season is one with five Saturdays during the month of May. Although the odds may be against us (and we definitely dodged a weather bullet Saturday night), we can hopefully buck those trends this year.
Weather permitting, I'll be across town at Benton County Speedway later today for the third night of weekly points racing in Vinton. That will be followed up by a return trip to BCS this Tuesday for the 2014 opener of the XSAN Hawkeye Dirt Tour for Modifieds.
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! Have a great Sunday!
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Wood wins again in IMCA Stock Cars at CJ Speedway
A late caution helped Nathan Wood keep his Friday night record perfect this season at CJ Speedway. Running third on a restart with three laps to go, Wood made his way past Shane Paris and Blaine Dopler to earn his third win in as many nights of racing in Columbus Junction.
From his second row starting spot, Dopler battled outside front row starter Paris for the lead in the early stages of the 15-lapper. Dopler made his way to the front and was chased by Paris as the lead pair pulled away from the pack. Meanwhile, Wood made his way by Billy Faler for third, but the leaders had already extended their advantage to half of a straightaway.
Wood gained ground while Paris continually pestered Dopler for the lead. Dopler held the point when caution slowed action on lap 12.
When racing resumed, Wood made his way around Paris and then went to work on the low side of Dopler for the top spot. Exiting turn four on the final lap, Wood surged ahead of Dopler to drive to victory. Paris followed Dopler on the low groove to chase Wood to the front, but in all honesty, I was so caught up in the pass for the lead that I don't remember if Paris got the job done or settled for third. Check out CJ's results on speednet when they are posted.
Bill Whalen Jr. pulled off a close victory, as well, in the 10-lap IMCA Sport Compact feature. Whalen shot into the lead at the drop of the green from his second row starting spot while point leader Aaron Hitt challenged Wayne Noble and John Whalen for second.
Witt secured the runner-up spot a short time later and quickly went to work on chasing down the leader. Although he reeled him in at various points throughout the remainder of the event, Bill Whalen held on for the exciting win, his first of the season at the speedway. John Whalen ran third.
Dan Albright held the early lead in the 15-lap Modified feature and quickly pulled away from traffic. Brandon Rothzen and Todd Hansen, who both started in row four, raced their way into second and third a few laps into the event.
Rothzen caught Albright in the late stages and was making his bid for the lead when Albright spun exiting turn two to bring out the caution. With the leader gone, Rothzen and Hansen sat alongside each other at the front of the pack for the ensuing restart.
When racing resumed, Hansen powered ahead on the top side to drive away to his first win of the season. Rothzen ran second ahead of Wade Lee.
Dan Keltner dominated the 10-lap Mod Lite feature to earn his third win in three weeks. Along with three heat wins this season, Keltner remained perfect in all events at the speedway for 2014. Rob Guss ran second Friday night ahead of Mike Morrow.
Chad Milks led all 10 laps of the Truck feature to earn his first win of the season. He was chased to the checkers by Chase Klenk. Point leader and two-time feature winner Jason Delzell was hoping to join Wood and Keltner in the undefeated ranks. A wild ride over the turn four tractor tire midway through that event ended those hopes, however he was able to continue and salvaged a third place finish.
It was a great night of racing at CJ in my first visit in nearly two years. As I mentioned in my blog earlier in the week, CJ is one of those tracks where the low car count is a concern to many, however the fans got their money's worth with Friday's program as three of the five features went down to the final set of turns.
If you haven't been to CJ lately or if the reports of the low car count have deterred you from going, I encourage you to make the visit some night this season. They get the kids involved in the program and the crew ran a very efficient show tonight by keeping the action moving. The few times the yellow flag waved, realignments and a return to racing were soon to follow.
I realize there are numerous entertainment options these days, including plenty of Friday night race tracks in that part of the state, but give CJ a chance and you might be surprised. Whether you're a driver or a fan, it's a fun way to spend a Friday night.
Thanks to announcer Gene Arnold for asking me to fill him for him behind the mic and thanks to Kurt Burmeister, the Louisa County Fairboard and the entire CJ crew for their hospitality.
I also want to take a moment to thank the readers of my blog. What I wrote last Sunday night got a much larger response than I ever imagined. The intent of that post was not to upset nor point fingers at specific individuals, rather it was to create discussion about how we behave during and following the races. At times, all of us have room to improve how we handle our frustrations, especially if it negatively impacts our sport. I was floored when I started receiving positive comments and messages from people across the country who had read it. The 6,300-plus hits on that page is six times more than any other post I've written at Positively Racing and it is truly humbling. Whether or not you agreed with what I wrote, I appreciate you all for taking the time to read it and for providing your thoughts and comments. It's a discussion that I have discovered many feel is well worth the time.
Up next for me is the third night of weekly racing at Independence Motor Speedway on Saturday night and then night three at Benton County Speedway in Vinton on Sunday before Tuesday's XSAN Hawkeye Dirt Tour for Modifieds opener in Vinton. There's a lot of racing going on now as the season is in full swing. Get out and support a track near you!
As always, thanks for reading.
From his second row starting spot, Dopler battled outside front row starter Paris for the lead in the early stages of the 15-lapper. Dopler made his way to the front and was chased by Paris as the lead pair pulled away from the pack. Meanwhile, Wood made his way by Billy Faler for third, but the leaders had already extended their advantage to half of a straightaway.
Wood gained ground while Paris continually pestered Dopler for the lead. Dopler held the point when caution slowed action on lap 12.
When racing resumed, Wood made his way around Paris and then went to work on the low side of Dopler for the top spot. Exiting turn four on the final lap, Wood surged ahead of Dopler to drive to victory. Paris followed Dopler on the low groove to chase Wood to the front, but in all honesty, I was so caught up in the pass for the lead that I don't remember if Paris got the job done or settled for third. Check out CJ's results on speednet when they are posted.
Bill Whalen Jr. pulled off a close victory, as well, in the 10-lap IMCA Sport Compact feature. Whalen shot into the lead at the drop of the green from his second row starting spot while point leader Aaron Hitt challenged Wayne Noble and John Whalen for second.
Witt secured the runner-up spot a short time later and quickly went to work on chasing down the leader. Although he reeled him in at various points throughout the remainder of the event, Bill Whalen held on for the exciting win, his first of the season at the speedway. John Whalen ran third.
Dan Albright held the early lead in the 15-lap Modified feature and quickly pulled away from traffic. Brandon Rothzen and Todd Hansen, who both started in row four, raced their way into second and third a few laps into the event.
Rothzen caught Albright in the late stages and was making his bid for the lead when Albright spun exiting turn two to bring out the caution. With the leader gone, Rothzen and Hansen sat alongside each other at the front of the pack for the ensuing restart.
When racing resumed, Hansen powered ahead on the top side to drive away to his first win of the season. Rothzen ran second ahead of Wade Lee.
Dan Keltner dominated the 10-lap Mod Lite feature to earn his third win in three weeks. Along with three heat wins this season, Keltner remained perfect in all events at the speedway for 2014. Rob Guss ran second Friday night ahead of Mike Morrow.
Chad Milks led all 10 laps of the Truck feature to earn his first win of the season. He was chased to the checkers by Chase Klenk. Point leader and two-time feature winner Jason Delzell was hoping to join Wood and Keltner in the undefeated ranks. A wild ride over the turn four tractor tire midway through that event ended those hopes, however he was able to continue and salvaged a third place finish.
It was a great night of racing at CJ in my first visit in nearly two years. As I mentioned in my blog earlier in the week, CJ is one of those tracks where the low car count is a concern to many, however the fans got their money's worth with Friday's program as three of the five features went down to the final set of turns.
If you haven't been to CJ lately or if the reports of the low car count have deterred you from going, I encourage you to make the visit some night this season. They get the kids involved in the program and the crew ran a very efficient show tonight by keeping the action moving. The few times the yellow flag waved, realignments and a return to racing were soon to follow.
I realize there are numerous entertainment options these days, including plenty of Friday night race tracks in that part of the state, but give CJ a chance and you might be surprised. Whether you're a driver or a fan, it's a fun way to spend a Friday night.
Thanks to announcer Gene Arnold for asking me to fill him for him behind the mic and thanks to Kurt Burmeister, the Louisa County Fairboard and the entire CJ crew for their hospitality.
I also want to take a moment to thank the readers of my blog. What I wrote last Sunday night got a much larger response than I ever imagined. The intent of that post was not to upset nor point fingers at specific individuals, rather it was to create discussion about how we behave during and following the races. At times, all of us have room to improve how we handle our frustrations, especially if it negatively impacts our sport. I was floored when I started receiving positive comments and messages from people across the country who had read it. The 6,300-plus hits on that page is six times more than any other post I've written at Positively Racing and it is truly humbling. Whether or not you agreed with what I wrote, I appreciate you all for taking the time to read it and for providing your thoughts and comments. It's a discussion that I have discovered many feel is well worth the time.
Up next for me is the third night of weekly racing at Independence Motor Speedway on Saturday night and then night three at Benton County Speedway in Vinton on Sunday before Tuesday's XSAN Hawkeye Dirt Tour for Modifieds opener in Vinton. There's a lot of racing going on now as the season is in full swing. Get out and support a track near you!
As always, thanks for reading.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Are you a race fan or just someone who goes to the races?
This is when I'd normally write about who won at Benton County Speedway Sunday night, how their achievements compared to the history of the speedway and which milestones were reached with the evening's racing program and blah, blah, blah. If you want results, they are included below, but that isn't what people were talking about after Sunday night's show.
And that's a shame.
There was some good, and I mean damned good, racing in Vinton Sunday night. Ask Sam Wieben how he won the IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Ask Benji Irvine how narrowly he beat Bill Bonnett in the IMCA Hobby Stocks. No, what I've heard or read since the end of Sunday night's show had little to do with the competitive racing or thrilling finishes.
Before I continue, no, I'm not upset. I'm not even mildly irritated. I'm just tired. Tired of dealing with so many people playing the role of the victim. Poor track conditions, expensive repairs, perceived bad calls, fighting with fellow competitors, car counts. It took me over 30 years of being a race fan to realize it, but I now understand that people just like to have a reason to complain.
And it isn't just about the track in Vinton. The negativity seems more widespread than ever. Just check out the message boards or the facebook newsfeed items from your racing friends. It's scary.
I was raised in a racing family. My dad raced. He had to put up with less than perfect track conditions on occasion, he was the victim of a "bad call" from time to time and my mom often saw dollar signs when repairs needed to be made to his race car. I understand the frustrations that come with that. I also understand that just because things don't go your way is no reason to blame or condemn someone else just to make yourself feel better.
The track in Vinton Sunday night was rough. I take that back, it got rough during the features. I spoke with many drivers in the infield following their heat races and they loved the surface. Despite rain nearly every day in the past week and incredibly cool temperatures, the track held up much longer than I, and numerous others, anticipated. Those opinions changed during the course of the features.
Everyone I talked to Sunday night mentioned how cold it was to be at the races. Many were bundled up in blankets, hats and gloves, yet there they were - the diehards were going to take in some racing. I think everyone in attendance would probably claim they have a passion for racing more than just that of the average fan based on the simple fact that they braved the conditions to be there. I'm not so sure.
Those who were there freezing yet still complaining about the track conditions forget that weather goes a long way toward track prep, too, and not just your comfort on race night. It's been wet, it's been cold and it's been less than ideal to prepare a race track. You were uncomfortable just sitting outside in the weather for a few hours? How do you think it is to try to work a racing surface in wet, cold conditions?
"No! Not acceptable! We expect perfection or the closest thing to it! If things don't go as we expect, we will bitch and complain until every set of ears hears what we have to say! It may not change anything, but I'm the victim and I must be heard! I put a lot of money into this hobby so I expect better results! I pay a lot of money to watch the races so I expect a better show! I am the victim!"
Guess what? No promoter wants to provide a less than perfect racing surface. No promoter wants to see wet and cold weather prevent him from preparing that surface, either. No promoter wants to see a driver spend a lot of money repairing his race car. No promoter wants to lose the return business because his drivers can't afford to race, either. It costs them money, too. They risk losing out whether they race or cancel. Maybe it's about more than just your own misfortune.
Well, why not cancel if the track is going to end up like that? Sure! They did that in Marshalltown Friday night and I know Toby and his crew have received some negative comments on that decision. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. It isn't even a matter of not pleasing everyone. It's a matter of people not accepting the fact that things don't always work out the way you want them to work out. The track was good early Sunday night and everyone was hopeful that it would stay smooth all night. It just didn't work out that way.
"No! Not acceptable! If it's dry on race day you shall not cancel and we shall race on an ideal surface regardless what conditions were like during the week! You shall only cancel if it's raining at race time! To cancel for any other reason or to provide a surface other than ideal on a dry race day is not acceptable! I am the victim!"
Arguing among drivers has also always been a problem. The best solution in that situation is to run over to the person who you feel cut you off/took you out/bladed you off the track and confront them immediately after the incident in question, threaten them and risk being fined and/or suspended. This is, of course, unless you have the opportunity to drive through them on the track before even making it back to the pit area. You are the victim!
Seriously? Unfortunately, I think a great number of people believe that.
I will always remember what a driver told me many years ago about how he handled the frustration during that type of situation. He told me he always waited a week to cool down before he approached another driver if he felt they wronged him on the track. Chances are, the week to cool off did the trick and removed any desire to confront the other party. Cooler heads prevail? If he still felt the need to talk to his competitor, giving himself a week to cool down meant he was much more likely to approach the situation in a more respectful way and actually achieve some type of resolution. Cooler heads prevail. Thank you, T.H., for that life lesson I wish others would follow, as well.
Another hot topic this spring has been car counts. If there's one phrase I've never understood it's "full field." What is a full field of race cars, anyway? Is it 10, 18, 20, 24? Something else? I've been in search of this number for years and it continues to escape me.
Folks have been commenting how certain tracks are getting good car counts, how others are down and how other tracks fluctuate from week to week. Much like the double standard in how the weather relates to race night comfort versus track prep ability, race fans hold a double standard when it comes to car count and the desire for a full field (whatever that is).
It seems a lot of people think you need around 20 or more cars for a division to have a "full field" on a given race night. Failing to reach that number mysteriously means you'll also fail to be provided with ample entertainment for your dollar.
"I need at least 20 cars in five divisions to get my money's worth. Only 60 cars total? I won't be back! I am the victim!"
"Full field" is one of the most over-used, meaningless phrases in weekly racing and is extremely misleading when it comes to getting your money's worth at a race track.
I think most of my readers attend the races in Vinton on a regular basis so I'll use opening night from a couple weeks ago at Benton County Speedway as an example. Ten IMCA Hobby Stocks signed in that night and I heard before the races even started that the car count was low. If you were in Vinton that night, you saw a hell of a feature. If you weren't there, you missed out despite the "lacking" car count that didn't amount to a "full field." What it DID amount to was one of the best five car battles, yes, I said FIVE CAR battles, for a win I've ever seen. Did you need 20 cars on that track to make the five car battle for the lead worth being there? Absolutely not. I'll take a great race over a "full field" any day.
Besides, it's the same people wanting 20-plus cars per division who also complain about the slower cars who are "always in the way" and "always cause a caution" and "ruin a good race." Really?
"Really! I expect there to be a 'full field' of 20-plus mistake-free contenders in each of five divisions every night I'm at a race track! Anything short of that and I am the victim!"
I'm sorry, as much as I hate to say it, but I've rarely seen a 10-car field, let alone a 20-car field, where all participants can win on any given night. Hell, even the "good" guys make mistakes once in a while. (Although, I'm sure your favorite driver is always the victim in those situations.) If you want the "full fields," you're going to have to accept the fact that they come with some guys who may get in the way on occasion. Victim or not, that, too, is a part of racing.
Everyone is so caught up in what they feel is wrong with racing that they don't take the time to enjoy all that is good about it. I heard more complaining Sunday night than I heard how grateful people were to be at the races for just the second time this season after weather washed away four of the first five events. Were the conditions ideal? No, but we were where we wanted to be.
To me, a true race fan has a passion for the sport and understands what draws them to the track. A true race fan can take the good from any given race night and appreciate the atmosphere, the environment, the people and the family aspect of our sport. I realize there aren't as many racers out there as there were a few years ago and I know racing is more expensive now that it has ever been. I understand that those things can make us question the future of our sport.
I think there's a concern even greater than those two things. I believe the number of passionate race fans is decreasing and the number of people who simply go to the races is on the rise.
People with a passion and fire for racing wouldn't slam race tracks for the work they put into making a race program. Passionate race fans wouldn't spread negativity on social media. They wouldn't condemn someone else for every bit of their own misfortune. They wouldn't seek blame. They would support their local tracks by not simply attending the races, but by taking away and sharing the positives they experienced during their visits.
Yes, negative stuff happens at the track. That's true in all aspects of life, but the passionate fans don't dwell or thrive on the negativity. How do you look at people who have only negative things to say about their life outside of the track? We all have facebook friends who post nothing but negative, self-pity status updates. What thoughts go through your mind when you read it? Are you that person when it comes to racing? Are you always the victim? Those are the people who simply go to races and share the negativity because they don't understand the passion the rest of us have for the sport. If you're eager to blame, spread negativity and put our sport in a bad light are you really a race fan or just someone who goes to the races?
I'm honestly scared to think of the answer to that question. Then again, maybe racing just isn't as much fun anymore.
RESULTS
IMCA MODIFIED
Feature: 1. 57V Mike Van Genderen, Newton; 2. 00J J.D. Auringer, Waterloo; 3. 12D Joe Docekal, Dysart; 4. 10K Ronn Lauritzen, Jesup; 5. 26J Joel Rust, Grundy Center; 6. 17J Jason Seegmiller, Dubuque; 7. 80 Jerry Dedrick, Vinton; 8. 17R Derek Reimer, St. Anthony; 9. 7 Todd Jensen, Waterloo; 10. F7 Patrick Flannagan, Cedar Rapids; 11. 20L Zach Less, Hopkinton; 12. 14 Tom Hanson, Vinton; 13. 71 Troy Cordes, Dunkerton; 14. 23JR Nick Roberts, Des Moines; 15. 21K Kyle Brown, Kellogg; 16. 33D Scott Hogan, Vinton; 17. 7S Robbie Schmuecker, Vinton; 18. 22 Brandon Banks, Washington; 19. 505 Racer Hulin, Laurel; 20. 64 Casey Greubel, Lacona; 21/DNS. 18J Jake Strayer, Newton.
First heat: 1. Brown; 2. Flannagan; 3. Hogan; 4. Banks; 5. Seegmiller; 6. Reimer; 7. Schmuecker.
Second heat: 1. Cordes; 2. Roberts; 3. Lauritzen; 4. Less; 5. Hulin; 6. Dedrick; 7. Hanson.
Third heat: 1. Auringer; 2. Docekal; 3. Van Genderen; 4. Rust; 5. Jensen; 6. Greubel; 7. Strayer.
IMCA STOCK CAR
Feature: 1. 99D Damon Murty, Chelsea; 2. 47 Scott Pippert, Elberon; 3. 7H Phil Holtz, Manchester; 4. 67 Justin Stander, Vinton; 5. 15 Norman Chesmore, Rowley; 6. 52 Nathan Wood, Sigourney; 7. 76 Mike Galli, Urbana; 8. 8B Scott Beauregard, Brandon; 9. 74C Cole Mather, Dundee; 10. 8 Curtis Roster, Vinton; 11. 4JR Russell Damme Jr., Waterloo; 12. 99 Erick Knutsen, Cedar Rapids; DNS/13. 38 Matt Brown, Marion.
First heat: 1. Roster; 2. Damme; 3. Pippert; 4. Murty; 5. Galli; 6. Mather; 7. Brown.
Second heat: 1. Knutsen; 2. Chesmore; 3. Holtz; 4. Wood; 5. Stander; 6. Beauregard.
IMCA NORTHERN SPORTMOD
Feature: 1. 198 Sam Wieben, Dysart; 2. 3R Danny Dvorak, Vinton; 3. 95 Mike McDonald, Cedar Rapids; 4. 72 Brett Lowry, Montezuma; 5. CH19 Colby Heishman, Brooklyn; 6. 10S John Schaefer, La Porte City; 7. 22H Curt Hilmer, Dysart; 8. 19J Jenae Gustin, Marshalltown; 9. 4 Ryan Maitland, Waterloo; 10. 3T Tyler Soppe, Sherrill; 11 57R Ryan King, Montour; 12. 49 Brandon Smith, Quasqueton; 13. J2 Dave Schulze, Keystone; 14. 22 Matt Petrzlka, Norway; 15. 7D Dakoda Sellers, Vinton; 16. 199 Dave Burrell, Dysart; 17. 3B Brian Anderson, Garrison; 18. 00 Jim Buhlman, Cedar Falls; 19. 42L Lonnie Mercer, Urbana; 20. 7SR Shawn Ritter, Keystone; 21. T17 Tom Rawlins, Kellogg; 22. 19G Jenae Gustin, Marshalltown; 23. 16K Brandon Morris, Ely; DNS 36 Jacob Salisbury, Dunkerton.
First heat: 1. King; 2. Dvorak; 3. Heishman; 4. Petrzlka; 5. Morris; 6. Ritter; 7. Rawlins; DNS Salisbury.
Second heat: 1. McDonald; 2. Schulze; 3. Gustin; 4. Hilmer; 5. Wieben; 6. Buhlman; 7. Anderson; 8. Burrell.
Third heat: 1. Lowry; 2. Maitland; 3. Schaefer; 4. Soppe; 5. Gustin; 6. Sellers; 7. Mercer; 8. Smith.
IMCA HOBBY STOCK
Feature: 1. 79 Benji Irvine, Stanley; 2. 19 Bill Bonnett, Knoxville; 3. 07 Jacob Keiser, Marengo; 4. 17K Kyle Parizek, Belle Plaine; 5. 78 Matt Brown, Dysart; 6. 46 Brian Happel, Vinton; 7. 35B Shawn Kuennen, Hazleton; 8. 23 Andrew Torkelson, Lisbon; 9. 88 C.J. Dall, Marshalltown; 10. 19B Jim Sheldon, Marion; 11. 45 Justin Wacha, Vinton; 12. 29 Nathan Ballard, Marengo.
First heat: 1. Parizek; 2. Ballard; 3. Happel; 4. Bonnett; 5. Kuennen; 6. Dall.
Second heat: 1. Keiser; 2. Irvine; 3. Brown; 4. Wacha; 5. Torkelson; 6. Sheldon.
IMCA SPORT COMPACT
Feature: 1. 22 Nathan Chandler, Norway; 2. 00W Bill Whalen Jr., Riverside; 3. 99J Jeremy Lerch, Vinton; 4. 3S Craig Streeter, Vinton; 5. 44 Troy Scott, Fairfax.
Heat: 1. Chandler; 2. Lerch; 3. Whalen; 4. Streeter; 5. Scott.
And that's a shame.
There was some good, and I mean damned good, racing in Vinton Sunday night. Ask Sam Wieben how he won the IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Ask Benji Irvine how narrowly he beat Bill Bonnett in the IMCA Hobby Stocks. No, what I've heard or read since the end of Sunday night's show had little to do with the competitive racing or thrilling finishes.
Before I continue, no, I'm not upset. I'm not even mildly irritated. I'm just tired. Tired of dealing with so many people playing the role of the victim. Poor track conditions, expensive repairs, perceived bad calls, fighting with fellow competitors, car counts. It took me over 30 years of being a race fan to realize it, but I now understand that people just like to have a reason to complain.
And it isn't just about the track in Vinton. The negativity seems more widespread than ever. Just check out the message boards or the facebook newsfeed items from your racing friends. It's scary.
I was raised in a racing family. My dad raced. He had to put up with less than perfect track conditions on occasion, he was the victim of a "bad call" from time to time and my mom often saw dollar signs when repairs needed to be made to his race car. I understand the frustrations that come with that. I also understand that just because things don't go your way is no reason to blame or condemn someone else just to make yourself feel better.
The track in Vinton Sunday night was rough. I take that back, it got rough during the features. I spoke with many drivers in the infield following their heat races and they loved the surface. Despite rain nearly every day in the past week and incredibly cool temperatures, the track held up much longer than I, and numerous others, anticipated. Those opinions changed during the course of the features.
Everyone I talked to Sunday night mentioned how cold it was to be at the races. Many were bundled up in blankets, hats and gloves, yet there they were - the diehards were going to take in some racing. I think everyone in attendance would probably claim they have a passion for racing more than just that of the average fan based on the simple fact that they braved the conditions to be there. I'm not so sure.
Those who were there freezing yet still complaining about the track conditions forget that weather goes a long way toward track prep, too, and not just your comfort on race night. It's been wet, it's been cold and it's been less than ideal to prepare a race track. You were uncomfortable just sitting outside in the weather for a few hours? How do you think it is to try to work a racing surface in wet, cold conditions?
"No! Not acceptable! We expect perfection or the closest thing to it! If things don't go as we expect, we will bitch and complain until every set of ears hears what we have to say! It may not change anything, but I'm the victim and I must be heard! I put a lot of money into this hobby so I expect better results! I pay a lot of money to watch the races so I expect a better show! I am the victim!"
Guess what? No promoter wants to provide a less than perfect racing surface. No promoter wants to see wet and cold weather prevent him from preparing that surface, either. No promoter wants to see a driver spend a lot of money repairing his race car. No promoter wants to lose the return business because his drivers can't afford to race, either. It costs them money, too. They risk losing out whether they race or cancel. Maybe it's about more than just your own misfortune.
Well, why not cancel if the track is going to end up like that? Sure! They did that in Marshalltown Friday night and I know Toby and his crew have received some negative comments on that decision. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. It isn't even a matter of not pleasing everyone. It's a matter of people not accepting the fact that things don't always work out the way you want them to work out. The track was good early Sunday night and everyone was hopeful that it would stay smooth all night. It just didn't work out that way.
"No! Not acceptable! If it's dry on race day you shall not cancel and we shall race on an ideal surface regardless what conditions were like during the week! You shall only cancel if it's raining at race time! To cancel for any other reason or to provide a surface other than ideal on a dry race day is not acceptable! I am the victim!"
Arguing among drivers has also always been a problem. The best solution in that situation is to run over to the person who you feel cut you off/took you out/bladed you off the track and confront them immediately after the incident in question, threaten them and risk being fined and/or suspended. This is, of course, unless you have the opportunity to drive through them on the track before even making it back to the pit area. You are the victim!
Seriously? Unfortunately, I think a great number of people believe that.
I will always remember what a driver told me many years ago about how he handled the frustration during that type of situation. He told me he always waited a week to cool down before he approached another driver if he felt they wronged him on the track. Chances are, the week to cool off did the trick and removed any desire to confront the other party. Cooler heads prevail? If he still felt the need to talk to his competitor, giving himself a week to cool down meant he was much more likely to approach the situation in a more respectful way and actually achieve some type of resolution. Cooler heads prevail. Thank you, T.H., for that life lesson I wish others would follow, as well.
Another hot topic this spring has been car counts. If there's one phrase I've never understood it's "full field." What is a full field of race cars, anyway? Is it 10, 18, 20, 24? Something else? I've been in search of this number for years and it continues to escape me.
Folks have been commenting how certain tracks are getting good car counts, how others are down and how other tracks fluctuate from week to week. Much like the double standard in how the weather relates to race night comfort versus track prep ability, race fans hold a double standard when it comes to car count and the desire for a full field (whatever that is).
It seems a lot of people think you need around 20 or more cars for a division to have a "full field" on a given race night. Failing to reach that number mysteriously means you'll also fail to be provided with ample entertainment for your dollar.
"I need at least 20 cars in five divisions to get my money's worth. Only 60 cars total? I won't be back! I am the victim!"
"Full field" is one of the most over-used, meaningless phrases in weekly racing and is extremely misleading when it comes to getting your money's worth at a race track.
I think most of my readers attend the races in Vinton on a regular basis so I'll use opening night from a couple weeks ago at Benton County Speedway as an example. Ten IMCA Hobby Stocks signed in that night and I heard before the races even started that the car count was low. If you were in Vinton that night, you saw a hell of a feature. If you weren't there, you missed out despite the "lacking" car count that didn't amount to a "full field." What it DID amount to was one of the best five car battles, yes, I said FIVE CAR battles, for a win I've ever seen. Did you need 20 cars on that track to make the five car battle for the lead worth being there? Absolutely not. I'll take a great race over a "full field" any day.
Besides, it's the same people wanting 20-plus cars per division who also complain about the slower cars who are "always in the way" and "always cause a caution" and "ruin a good race." Really?
"Really! I expect there to be a 'full field' of 20-plus mistake-free contenders in each of five divisions every night I'm at a race track! Anything short of that and I am the victim!"
I'm sorry, as much as I hate to say it, but I've rarely seen a 10-car field, let alone a 20-car field, where all participants can win on any given night. Hell, even the "good" guys make mistakes once in a while. (Although, I'm sure your favorite driver is always the victim in those situations.) If you want the "full fields," you're going to have to accept the fact that they come with some guys who may get in the way on occasion. Victim or not, that, too, is a part of racing.
Everyone is so caught up in what they feel is wrong with racing that they don't take the time to enjoy all that is good about it. I heard more complaining Sunday night than I heard how grateful people were to be at the races for just the second time this season after weather washed away four of the first five events. Were the conditions ideal? No, but we were where we wanted to be.
To me, a true race fan has a passion for the sport and understands what draws them to the track. A true race fan can take the good from any given race night and appreciate the atmosphere, the environment, the people and the family aspect of our sport. I realize there aren't as many racers out there as there were a few years ago and I know racing is more expensive now that it has ever been. I understand that those things can make us question the future of our sport.
I think there's a concern even greater than those two things. I believe the number of passionate race fans is decreasing and the number of people who simply go to the races is on the rise.
People with a passion and fire for racing wouldn't slam race tracks for the work they put into making a race program. Passionate race fans wouldn't spread negativity on social media. They wouldn't condemn someone else for every bit of their own misfortune. They wouldn't seek blame. They would support their local tracks by not simply attending the races, but by taking away and sharing the positives they experienced during their visits.
Yes, negative stuff happens at the track. That's true in all aspects of life, but the passionate fans don't dwell or thrive on the negativity. How do you look at people who have only negative things to say about their life outside of the track? We all have facebook friends who post nothing but negative, self-pity status updates. What thoughts go through your mind when you read it? Are you that person when it comes to racing? Are you always the victim? Those are the people who simply go to races and share the negativity because they don't understand the passion the rest of us have for the sport. If you're eager to blame, spread negativity and put our sport in a bad light are you really a race fan or just someone who goes to the races?
I'm honestly scared to think of the answer to that question. Then again, maybe racing just isn't as much fun anymore.
RESULTS
IMCA MODIFIED
Feature: 1. 57V Mike Van Genderen, Newton; 2. 00J J.D. Auringer, Waterloo; 3. 12D Joe Docekal, Dysart; 4. 10K Ronn Lauritzen, Jesup; 5. 26J Joel Rust, Grundy Center; 6. 17J Jason Seegmiller, Dubuque; 7. 80 Jerry Dedrick, Vinton; 8. 17R Derek Reimer, St. Anthony; 9. 7 Todd Jensen, Waterloo; 10. F7 Patrick Flannagan, Cedar Rapids; 11. 20L Zach Less, Hopkinton; 12. 14 Tom Hanson, Vinton; 13. 71 Troy Cordes, Dunkerton; 14. 23JR Nick Roberts, Des Moines; 15. 21K Kyle Brown, Kellogg; 16. 33D Scott Hogan, Vinton; 17. 7S Robbie Schmuecker, Vinton; 18. 22 Brandon Banks, Washington; 19. 505 Racer Hulin, Laurel; 20. 64 Casey Greubel, Lacona; 21/DNS. 18J Jake Strayer, Newton.
First heat: 1. Brown; 2. Flannagan; 3. Hogan; 4. Banks; 5. Seegmiller; 6. Reimer; 7. Schmuecker.
Second heat: 1. Cordes; 2. Roberts; 3. Lauritzen; 4. Less; 5. Hulin; 6. Dedrick; 7. Hanson.
Third heat: 1. Auringer; 2. Docekal; 3. Van Genderen; 4. Rust; 5. Jensen; 6. Greubel; 7. Strayer.
IMCA STOCK CAR
Feature: 1. 99D Damon Murty, Chelsea; 2. 47 Scott Pippert, Elberon; 3. 7H Phil Holtz, Manchester; 4. 67 Justin Stander, Vinton; 5. 15 Norman Chesmore, Rowley; 6. 52 Nathan Wood, Sigourney; 7. 76 Mike Galli, Urbana; 8. 8B Scott Beauregard, Brandon; 9. 74C Cole Mather, Dundee; 10. 8 Curtis Roster, Vinton; 11. 4JR Russell Damme Jr., Waterloo; 12. 99 Erick Knutsen, Cedar Rapids; DNS/13. 38 Matt Brown, Marion.
First heat: 1. Roster; 2. Damme; 3. Pippert; 4. Murty; 5. Galli; 6. Mather; 7. Brown.
Second heat: 1. Knutsen; 2. Chesmore; 3. Holtz; 4. Wood; 5. Stander; 6. Beauregard.
IMCA NORTHERN SPORTMOD
Feature: 1. 198 Sam Wieben, Dysart; 2. 3R Danny Dvorak, Vinton; 3. 95 Mike McDonald, Cedar Rapids; 4. 72 Brett Lowry, Montezuma; 5. CH19 Colby Heishman, Brooklyn; 6. 10S John Schaefer, La Porte City; 7. 22H Curt Hilmer, Dysart; 8. 19J Jenae Gustin, Marshalltown; 9. 4 Ryan Maitland, Waterloo; 10. 3T Tyler Soppe, Sherrill; 11 57R Ryan King, Montour; 12. 49 Brandon Smith, Quasqueton; 13. J2 Dave Schulze, Keystone; 14. 22 Matt Petrzlka, Norway; 15. 7D Dakoda Sellers, Vinton; 16. 199 Dave Burrell, Dysart; 17. 3B Brian Anderson, Garrison; 18. 00 Jim Buhlman, Cedar Falls; 19. 42L Lonnie Mercer, Urbana; 20. 7SR Shawn Ritter, Keystone; 21. T17 Tom Rawlins, Kellogg; 22. 19G Jenae Gustin, Marshalltown; 23. 16K Brandon Morris, Ely; DNS 36 Jacob Salisbury, Dunkerton.
First heat: 1. King; 2. Dvorak; 3. Heishman; 4. Petrzlka; 5. Morris; 6. Ritter; 7. Rawlins; DNS Salisbury.
Second heat: 1. McDonald; 2. Schulze; 3. Gustin; 4. Hilmer; 5. Wieben; 6. Buhlman; 7. Anderson; 8. Burrell.
Third heat: 1. Lowry; 2. Maitland; 3. Schaefer; 4. Soppe; 5. Gustin; 6. Sellers; 7. Mercer; 8. Smith.
IMCA HOBBY STOCK
Feature: 1. 79 Benji Irvine, Stanley; 2. 19 Bill Bonnett, Knoxville; 3. 07 Jacob Keiser, Marengo; 4. 17K Kyle Parizek, Belle Plaine; 5. 78 Matt Brown, Dysart; 6. 46 Brian Happel, Vinton; 7. 35B Shawn Kuennen, Hazleton; 8. 23 Andrew Torkelson, Lisbon; 9. 88 C.J. Dall, Marshalltown; 10. 19B Jim Sheldon, Marion; 11. 45 Justin Wacha, Vinton; 12. 29 Nathan Ballard, Marengo.
First heat: 1. Parizek; 2. Ballard; 3. Happel; 4. Bonnett; 5. Kuennen; 6. Dall.
Second heat: 1. Keiser; 2. Irvine; 3. Brown; 4. Wacha; 5. Torkelson; 6. Sheldon.
IMCA SPORT COMPACT
Feature: 1. 22 Nathan Chandler, Norway; 2. 00W Bill Whalen Jr., Riverside; 3. 99J Jeremy Lerch, Vinton; 4. 3S Craig Streeter, Vinton; 5. 44 Troy Scott, Fairfax.
Heat: 1. Chandler; 2. Lerch; 3. Whalen; 4. Streeter; 5. Scott.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
More new winners in victory lane at Independence Motor Speedway
For the second straight week, new faces were found in victory lane at Independence Motor Speedway. For the 2006 IMCA Hobby Stock track champion, it was his first IMCA Stock Car win at the speedway, and for another it was her first win in Independence in the IMCA Northern SportMod division.
Perhaps the most eye-opening, however, was Matt White's first IMCA Hobby Stock victory at the speedway - in his first time on the Independence oval.
White, who lives in Nashua, spends most of his time behind the wheel on the half-mile at I-35 Speedway in Mason City on Sundays. He decided to travel southeast Saturday night and made the haul payoff with a trip to victory lane following the 15-lap feature.
White started the event outside of row five and worked his way into sixth by the time a late caution slowed action. He rocketed into second one lap later before the caution flag waved a final time. White made his way around Brian Happel with just a couple laps to go to take the victory.
With his victory, White became the 91st different Hobby Stock winner in weekly racing history in Independence and the first new Hobby Stock winner at the speedway since Curt Graham's win July 28, 2012. That span of 644 calendar days between first-time Hobby Stock winners is the longest such span in the division's 25-plus years in Independence. The longest previous span between first-time Hobby Stock winners was a mere 364 days in the mid-2000s.
Jenae Gustin earned her first IMCA Northern SportMod win on the Independence oval. Gustin started inside row two, built a huge lead, then held off a charging Alex Zwanziger to take the win.
Gustin became the 26th different SportMod winner in track history, marking the first time since 2008 (the first year SportMods competed in Independence) that a season opened with back-to-back first-time winners in the division. It was the fourth time in SportMod history in Independence that first-time winners were seven days apart.
Dating back to July 6 of last season, there have been six new winners in the last 10 weekly points races for SportMods in Independence. Since the start of last season, nine of the 18 SportMod victors have been first-time winners.
In the IMCA Stock Car division, Paul Shepherd came from deep in the field to earn his first Independence win since he topped the IMCA Hobby Stock feature July 1, 2006 - the year he won that division's points title.
From a 13th starting spot, Shepherd worked through traffic and into the top three by the time a mid-race caution slowed action. He made his way around Jarod Weepie and Blake Cole when racing resumed to drive to victory.
All-time, Shepherd became the 46th different Stock Car winner in Independence and the second in as many weeks following Troy Hovey's win during last week's opening night program. Back-to-back first-time Stock Car winners to open the season has happened four times in the division's 22 year history at the speedway. This year was the first time it happened since 2005 when Damon Murty and Brian Irvine earned their first Independence Stock Car wins in the first two weeks of that season.
Saturday night marked the ninth time in track history that first-time Stock Car winners graced victory lane in successive weeks.
In IMCA Modified action, J.D. Auringer slipped beneath Troy Cordes as the white flag waved to take the win in that 20-lapper. Ed Thomas and Dennis Betzer split time out front over the course of the first four laps before Cordes took charge. A couple cautions kept the field bunched and allowed Auringer the chance to make his move in the late stages.
With the win, Auringer now owns 10 Modified wins in weekly racing history at the speedway. He ranks alone in 11th on the all-time list. Saturday's win was the third of Auringer's career during the month of May in Independence.
Tyler Bruening won by over a straightaway margin in the 25-lap IMCA Late Model feature. Bruening, who led by nearly half a track late in the event, carefully worked through traffic to beat Tyler Droste to the checkers.
The win was the 18th of Bruening's weekly racing career in Independence and moved him into a tie with Darren Ackerman for ninth on the all-time list. Bruening has now won at least one Late Model feature in each of the last five seasons at the speedway, the longest active streak in the division. He has won features in eight of the last nine years in Independence.
While the weather has been the story in the Midwest this spring, we have managed to successfully complete the first two weekly programs in Independence without a rainout. That hadn't been done since the 2007 season when we completed the first four weekly shows without a cancellation. It was the 16th time in track history that the first two weekly programs were successfully completed at the speedway without a weather postponement. It has been done seven times since 1986, when the season first started scheduling the season opener in late April.
Weather permitting, Benton County Speedway will be back in action this Sunday. After three rainouts delayed the start of the season, we managed only one race prior to last weekend's rainout. With four of the first five shows canceled due to weather, I think it's safe to say we're due for a dry Sunday in Vinton. I hope to see you there!
Perhaps the most eye-opening, however, was Matt White's first IMCA Hobby Stock victory at the speedway - in his first time on the Independence oval.
White, who lives in Nashua, spends most of his time behind the wheel on the half-mile at I-35 Speedway in Mason City on Sundays. He decided to travel southeast Saturday night and made the haul payoff with a trip to victory lane following the 15-lap feature.
White started the event outside of row five and worked his way into sixth by the time a late caution slowed action. He rocketed into second one lap later before the caution flag waved a final time. White made his way around Brian Happel with just a couple laps to go to take the victory.
With his victory, White became the 91st different Hobby Stock winner in weekly racing history in Independence and the first new Hobby Stock winner at the speedway since Curt Graham's win July 28, 2012. That span of 644 calendar days between first-time Hobby Stock winners is the longest such span in the division's 25-plus years in Independence. The longest previous span between first-time Hobby Stock winners was a mere 364 days in the mid-2000s.
Jenae Gustin earned her first IMCA Northern SportMod win on the Independence oval. Gustin started inside row two, built a huge lead, then held off a charging Alex Zwanziger to take the win.
Gustin became the 26th different SportMod winner in track history, marking the first time since 2008 (the first year SportMods competed in Independence) that a season opened with back-to-back first-time winners in the division. It was the fourth time in SportMod history in Independence that first-time winners were seven days apart.
Dating back to July 6 of last season, there have been six new winners in the last 10 weekly points races for SportMods in Independence. Since the start of last season, nine of the 18 SportMod victors have been first-time winners.
In the IMCA Stock Car division, Paul Shepherd came from deep in the field to earn his first Independence win since he topped the IMCA Hobby Stock feature July 1, 2006 - the year he won that division's points title.
From a 13th starting spot, Shepherd worked through traffic and into the top three by the time a mid-race caution slowed action. He made his way around Jarod Weepie and Blake Cole when racing resumed to drive to victory.
All-time, Shepherd became the 46th different Stock Car winner in Independence and the second in as many weeks following Troy Hovey's win during last week's opening night program. Back-to-back first-time Stock Car winners to open the season has happened four times in the division's 22 year history at the speedway. This year was the first time it happened since 2005 when Damon Murty and Brian Irvine earned their first Independence Stock Car wins in the first two weeks of that season.
Saturday night marked the ninth time in track history that first-time Stock Car winners graced victory lane in successive weeks.
In IMCA Modified action, J.D. Auringer slipped beneath Troy Cordes as the white flag waved to take the win in that 20-lapper. Ed Thomas and Dennis Betzer split time out front over the course of the first four laps before Cordes took charge. A couple cautions kept the field bunched and allowed Auringer the chance to make his move in the late stages.
With the win, Auringer now owns 10 Modified wins in weekly racing history at the speedway. He ranks alone in 11th on the all-time list. Saturday's win was the third of Auringer's career during the month of May in Independence.
Tyler Bruening won by over a straightaway margin in the 25-lap IMCA Late Model feature. Bruening, who led by nearly half a track late in the event, carefully worked through traffic to beat Tyler Droste to the checkers.
The win was the 18th of Bruening's weekly racing career in Independence and moved him into a tie with Darren Ackerman for ninth on the all-time list. Bruening has now won at least one Late Model feature in each of the last five seasons at the speedway, the longest active streak in the division. He has won features in eight of the last nine years in Independence.
While the weather has been the story in the Midwest this spring, we have managed to successfully complete the first two weekly programs in Independence without a rainout. That hadn't been done since the 2007 season when we completed the first four weekly shows without a cancellation. It was the 16th time in track history that the first two weekly programs were successfully completed at the speedway without a weather postponement. It has been done seven times since 1986, when the season first started scheduling the season opener in late April.
Weather permitting, Benton County Speedway will be back in action this Sunday. After three rainouts delayed the start of the season, we managed only one race prior to last weekend's rainout. With four of the first five shows canceled due to weather, I think it's safe to say we're due for a dry Sunday in Vinton. I hope to see you there!
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