Docekal doubles up on championship night at Benton County Speedway

Joe Docekal flipped the script from 2012 by earning his career first IMCA Modified track title Sunday night at Benton County Speedway. (complete results follow)

Docekal led the points following 14 of 17 weeks in 2012 only to finish second in the final standings. This year, he led the points only once through 20 nights of racing - following Sunday's season finale.

The unique championship qualifying format allowed point leaders the opportunity to race their way into front row starting spots, yet also gave fans their money's worth by making the heat races a meaningful component of the season finale. While heat race lineups were structured like a regular weekly program - inverted based on season point averages - drivers lined up for features in the same order they finished their heat races. In divisions with two heats, the first heat comprised the inside row of the feature and the second heat the outside row. In divisions with more than two heat races (Modifieds and SportMods), the heat race winner who had the highest point total started on the pole. This guaranteed those drivers front row starts if they won their qualifiers.

Heat winner Docekal started the 20-lap Modified main from the pole position and quickly extended his advantage ahead of fellow front row starter Jerry Luloff. While Docekal pulled away, Luloff was challenged on the top side by Patrick Flannagan. Flannagan worked his way into second before the caution flag waved with seven laps scored complete.

On the restart, Docekal again held command with Flannagan and Luloff continuing their battle for second while Mark Schulte raced his way past Troy Cordes for fourth. Meantime, Ronn Lauritzen, who entered the night with a three point edge over Docekal in the standings, was working through the pack after contact from another driver in his qualifier forced him to a 10th place start. Lauritzen, who needed to finish within two spots of Docekal to secure the track title, made his way into fifth just before the final stoppage came to set up a green, white, checker finish.

When racing resumed, Docekal held on to lead the event in its entirety to score the win ahead of Flannagan and Luloff. Schulte came home fourth ahead of Lauritzen. Docekal edged Laurtizen in the final standings to earn the title by a single point.

The win was Docekal's fourth of the season, all coming in the final six nights of racing. It was his first on season championship night. Docekal has now earned 11 Modified wins in weekly racing history in Vinton, tying him for 14th on the all-time list with Mike Burbridge.

John Emerson entered the night needing a top-five finish to earn track champion honors in the IMCA Stock Car division. From his outside front row starting spot, Scott Pippert was hoping to gain five points on Emerson to claim the title for himself.

Pippert took command at the drop of the green with Damon Murty in tow. Emerson, who started alongside Murty in row two, chased the leaders until Pippert stopped off the top of turns three and four with a flat tire.

On the restart, Murty set sail to score the victory in the 15-lap event, his sixth win of the season and his fifth straight (yes, five-in-a-row) on championship night in Vinton. For his career, Murty has now earned 61 Stock Car wins in weekly racing in Vinton, which leads all drivers. In addition to his season championship feature wins in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, Murty also took top honors on championship night in 2005.

By virtue of his runner-up finish, Emerson locked up the track title and became the fifth straight different Stock Car driver to wear the crown in Vinton.

An excellent field of 33 IMCA Northern SportMods signed in to do battle for 20 starting spots in that championship feature. Outside front row starter Dakoda Sellers shot into the lead at the drop of the green in the 15-lapper.

From his second row start, Brennen Chipp slipped past pole-sitter Curt Hilmer to snag second. Chipp then went to work on Sellers for the lead as the two swapped the point numerous times until caution slowed action just past the midway point.

Chipp led the field back to green with Sellers heavy on the gas for the restart. The race was slowed for debris and Sellers was penalized two positions for jumping the restart. That put Hilmer back into the runner-up spot.

When racing resumed, Chipp took command with Hilmer in pursuit. Hilmer shot past Chipp and held off the furious pressure from a handful of drivers to score his second win of the season and the first of his career on championship night.

Hilmer has now won multiple features three straight years in the division. His eight career SportMod wins in Vinton tie him with Drew Fish for fourth on the all-time list.

Points leader Danny Dvorak came home fifth to secure his third straight points title and the fifth of his career in the nine-year history of SportMod racing in Vinton. His three straight SportMod titles in Vinton (2011, 2012, 2013) matches Austin Kaplan's record of three straight championships (2008, 2009, 2010).

Brian Happel simply needed to stay out of trouble to earn the first track title of his career in the IMCA Hobby Stock division. Happel, who entered the night with a nine point lead over Chris Luloff, needed to secure a ninth place or better finish in the 13-car field to guarantee title honors.

Pole-sitter Happel slipped back to fourth at the start of the 15-lapper while Jacob Keiser and Nathan Ballard worked by the point leader. Keiser quickly pulled away from the pack until Ballard was able to apply pressure in lapped traffic.

Keiser spun in the low side of turns three and four when navigating a backmarker, leaving Ballard on the point for the lap nine restart. Ballard led the remainder of the event to earn his first season championship win in Vinton ahead of Matt Brown, which was also Ballard's first win at the speedway since May of 2012.

With six career Hobby Stock wins in Vinton, Ballard now ranks tied for 21st on the all-time list with Bill Bonnett, Curt Hilmer, Curtis Roster and Rick Johnson.

Happel finished fourth to win his first championship by eight markers over Luloff, who ran third Sunday night.

Bill Whalen Jr. already had his first BCS track title locked up entering Sunday night in the IMCA Sport Compact division, but it was Merv Chandler out front for all 12 laps in the championship feature.

From his pole position start, Chandler took command and pulled away to victory, his fourth of the year. He became the first Sport Compact driver to win from the pole in 22 events this season. With 12 wins in his weekly racing career, Chandler is alone in fourth on the division's all-time list at the speedway.

Championship Night Notes: Sunday night marked the end of the 2013 season in Vinton. Twenty-two points nights were held in the SportMod, Hobby Stock and Sport Compact divisions, 21 nights in the Stock Cars and 20 in the Modifieds. The best thing about it? Four of the five track championships were still up-for-grabs entering Sunday night.

It was the 13th consecutive season championship program when at least one track champion finished the night in victory lane. Docekal was the lone titlist to get the job done. Ironically, he was also the only champion to enter the night not with the points lead.

Docekal became the fourth track champion in speedway history to earn all of his wins after August 1. And, he's the only champion to earn four wins in the same season after that date without a victory prior to August. Ironically, all of the other three champions to wait until August 1 to reach victory lane were Modified drivers, as well. Scott Hogan earned one win in 2012 and it came after August 1 in that championship season. Jerry Luloff's one win during his 2001 title run came in August. Aside from Docekal, the only driver to win multiple times during a championship season, but not once before August? Dave Burrell, whose three wins during his 1993 title run all came during the month of August. Those folks from Dysart must be late bloomers...

Only two drivers in track history have earned track titles without a single feature win during their championship seasons. Any ideas? This is a tough one so I'll give you some time to think. The answer follows below the complete results from Sunday night...

For those who may be curious, Docekal finished the month of July fifth in points. He moved to fourth August 11, to third August 18 and to second September 1 before his climb to the top Sunday night.

You have to feel for Modified driver Ronn Lauritzen. The 2013 Karl Performance Hawkeye Dirt Tour presented by XSAN champion had a stellar season in both weekly racing and his travels throughout Iowa, but he is still in search of his first track championship. And, boy, has he been close. In fact, Sunday night, Lauritzen was dangerously close to celebrating his fourth track title in the last two years.

Along with his runner-up finish to Docekal by a single point in this year's Modified standings in Vinton, Lauritzen was one point shy of Marshalltown Speedway track champion Jon Snyder, as well. He finished just four points behind Tyler Droste for top honors at Independence Motor Speedway. Yes, that's a combined six points away from three track titles. Lauritzen also finished second last year in Independence to Mark Schulte - by three points. Four runner-up finishes by a combined nine points. It's coming, Ronn. And when it does, many more will follow.

Thoughts are with IMCA Modified driver Mike Burbridge, a weekly regular in Vinton. Burbridge was recently hospitalized with a Staph infection in his leg. I hope you're feeling better soon, Mike!

A number of first-time visitors made their way to Vinton for championship night. Among them? A pair of SportMod drivers who traveled great distances to get another race night in the books. Matt Webb made the haul from Des Moines and Matthew Looft made the four hour trek from Swea City. Looft said he was still short on race nights and needed to go where they were still racing. I think a second place finish in a field of 33 made the trip worthwhile. If you're not sure where Swea City is, it's in extreme northern Iowa, about 25 minutes east of Estherville. If you still don't know, draw a line straight north from Fort Dodge to the Minnesota border. It's just west of there and it's a loooong drive for a Sunday night. Thanks for making the trip to join us, Matt!

Special thanks to BCS announcer Bucky Doren for asking me to announce the championship program with him. It was great to be behind the mic one final time this year and a pleasure to call the action with you, Bucky!

Although the season is now complete in both Independence and Vinton, my racing travels are far from over. Sunday night was my 81st race of the year and I may reach 90 before the end of the season. Next weekend I'm considering splitting time between post-season specials at Knoxville Raceway and Hamilton County Speedway. The following weekend, I plan to spend at least one day at Southern Iowa Speedway's Fall Challenge and I hope to make it to Shiverfest at Lee County Speedway in October. After that, I plan to make my second visit to Thunder Hill Speedway in Mayetta, Kansas, for the Thunder on the Hill special in mid-October. You never know, there may be more racing in store beyond those events!

A number of people have questioned my lack of race reports the last few weeks here at Positively Racing. They tell me they've seen me at the races, but that I haven't written much lately. I can honestly answer that by saying my focus shifts starting in mid-August. At that point in time, my attention always turns to preparation for season championship night at Independence and the IMCA Super Nationals. After Super Nationals, I like to attend post-season specials to socialize and catch up with folks I may not get the pleasure of seeing in the off-season. I dedicate this part of year to "me time" and love every minute interacting with friends and fellow fans as the season winds down without taking notes on all the action.

To those who are regular readers, thank you for your loyalty and fear not! I may or may not include notes here and there of the next few events I attend, but I guarantee I'll have a stronger presence this off-season compared to past years. I plan to do some writing through the off-season to keep the winter blahs from setting in.

One thing is certain - the five years I've written for Jeff Broeg and his crew has been a truly rewarding experience. I've made a lot of new friends that I may not have met otherwise and it's an honor that so many people look forward to the race reports I provide through this web site. In fact, I'm rapidly approaching 100,000 hits on my page alone at Positively Racing. That's incredibly humbling.

As we continue making our way through the post-season schedule, please support a track in your area or, if you're able, plan a trip to see a show at a track you've always wanted to visit, but have never been able to attend. The season may be winding down, but there are a number of great specials out there in the coming weeks. If we happen to cross paths at one of them, be sure to say hello.

As always, thanks for reading!

RESULTS
IMCA MODIFIED
Feature: 1. 12D Joe Docekal, Dysart; 2. F7 Patrick Flannagan, Cedar Rapids; 3. 18 Jerry Luloff, Independence; 4. 27M Mark Schulte, Delhi; 5. 10K Ronn Lauritzen, Jesup; 6. 71 Troy Cordes, Dunkerton; 7. 93K Jeff Kriz, Waterloo; 8. 80 Jerry Dedrick, Vinton; 9. 98 Jason Snyder, Dunkerton; 10. 20L Zach Less, Hopkinton; 11. 171 Buck Swanson, Waterloo; 12. 7 Todd Jensen, Waterloo; 13. 01 Ed Thomas, Waterloo; 14. 77 Tim McBride, Denver; 15. 14B Shane Burbridge, Manchester; 16. 81 Jesse Belez, Marengo; 17. 49 Mike Manson, Manchester; 18. 10 Kaleb Bentley, Fairbank; 19. 111 Buster Pate, Hiawatha; 20. 7S Robbie Schmuecker, Vinton.
Heat one: 1. Docekal; 2. Thomas; 3. Kriz; 4. McBride; 5. Pate; 6. Schmuecker; 7. Snyder.
Heat two: 1. Luloff; 2. Schulte; 3. Dedrick; 4. Lauritzen; 5. Swanson; 6. Burbridge; 7. Bentley.
Heat three: 1. Flannagan; 2. Less; 3. Cordes; 4. Belez; 5. Jensen; 6. Manson.

IMCA STOCK CAR
Feature: 1. 99D Damon Murty, Chelsea; 2. 87 John Emerson, Waterloo; 3. 22K Kevin Rose, Waterloo; 4. 15 Norman Chesmore, Rowley; 5. 7H Phil Holtz, Manchester; 6. 4JR Russell Damme; 7. 4Q Richard Quail, Waterloo; 8. 8 Curtis Roster, Vinton; 9. 17 Jason Niedert, Winthrop; 10. 76 Mike Galli, Urbana; 11. 22D Jared Daggett, Marshalltown; 12. 8B Scott Beauregard, Center Point; 13. 76S Chad Siems, Shellsburg; 14. 47 Scott Pippert, Elberon.
Heat one: 1. Damme; 2. Emerson; 3. Roster; 4. Quail; 5. Siems; 6. Holtz; 7. Daggett.
Heat two: 1. Pippert; 2. Murty; 3. Rose; 4. Niedert; 5. Beauregard; 6. Galli; 7. Chesmore.

IMCA NORTHERN SPORTMOD
Feature: 1. 22H Curt Hilmer, Dysart; 2. 9L Matt Looft, Swea City; 3. 21 Brennen Chipp, Waterloo; 4. 3R Danny Dvorak, Vinton; 5. 7D Dakoda Sellers, Vinton; 6. 72L Brett Lowry, Montezuma; 7. 10S John Schaefer, La Porte City; 8. 4 Ryan Maitland, Waterloo; 9. CH19 Colby Heishman, Brooklyn; 10. J2 Dave Schulze, Keystone; 11. K3 Kyle Olson, Cedar Rapids; 12. 57R Ryan King, Montour; 13. 00 Jim Buhlman, Cedar Falls; 14. 14 Shane Ebaugh, Evansdale; 15. 51X Matt Webb, Des Moines; 16. 95 Mike McDonald, Cedar Rapids; 17. 80 Duane Van Deest, Grundy Center; 18. 26J Joel Rust, Grundy Center; 19. 3B Brian Anderson, Garrison; 20. 15B Troy Burkhart, Urbana.
Heat one (3 qualify): 1. Lowry; 2. Heishman; 3. Schulze; 4. Webb; 5. Van Deest; 6. Burkhart; 7. 93 Josh Burrell, Dysart; 8. 35B Kyle Bentley, Quasqueton; 9. 35 Josh Miller, Lisbon.
Heat two: 1. Hilmer; 2. M. McDonald; 3. Dvorak; 4. Anderson; 5. 9 Scott Williams, Atkins; 6. T17 Tom Rawlins, Kellogg; 7. 14A T.J. Hampton, Waterloo; DNS 115 Bob Ebaugh, Raymond.
Heat three: 1. Sellers; 2. Rust; 3. S. Ebaugh; 4. Maitland; 5. 86U Rod McDonald, Manchester; 6. Olson; 7. 11M Mike Mitchell, Cedar Rapids; 8. 45 Matt Petrzelka, Norway.
Heat four: 1. Chipp; 2. Schaefer; 3. Looft; 4. King; 5. 44G Brady Graham, Brooklyn; 6. Buhlman; 7. 339 Kevin Hurst, Janesville; 8. 50H Steve Wimer, Toddville.
B feature one (4 transfer): 1. Webb; 2. Van Deest; 3. Anderson; 4. Burkhart; 5. Burrell; 6. Miller; 7. Williams; 8. Rawlins; DNS Hampton; DNS Miller; DNS B. Ebaugh.
B feature two: 1. Maitland; 2. King; 3. Olson; 4. Buhlman; 5. Mitchell; 6. Wimer; 7. Petrzelka; 8. Hurst; 9. R. McDonald; DNS Graham.

IMCA HOBBY STOCK
Feature: 1. 29 Nathan Ballard, Marengo; 2. 78 Matt Brown, Dysart; 3. 18 Chris Luloff, Independence; 4. 46 Brian Happel, Vinton; 5. 23S Adam Streeter, Walker; 6. 07 Jacob Keiser, Marengo; 7. 45 Justin Wacha, Vinton; 8. 4P Matt Pohlman, Keystone; 9. 90 Chris Moore, Fairfax; 10. T64 Jeremiah Wilson, Waterloo; 11. 75D Dale Kite, Keystone; 12. 19B Jim Sheldon, Marion; 13. 17K Kyle Parizek, Belle Plaine.
Heat one: 1. Happel; 2. Ballard; 3. Wacha; 4. Streeter; 5. Pohlman; 6. Sheldon; 7. Parizek.
Heat two: 1. Keiser; 2. Brown; 3. Luloff; 4. Wilson; 5. Moore; 6. Kite.

IMCA SPORT COMPACT
Feature: 1. 2 Merv Chandler, Urbana; 2. 00W Bill Whalen Jr., Riverside; 3. 3S Craig Streeter, Vinton; 4. 69 Bill Michel, Muscatine; 5. 3 Neil Nabholz, Waterloo; 6. 111 A.J. Witten, Cedar Rapids; 7. 7B Brad Schmidt, Cedar Rapids; 8. 99J Jeremy Lerch, Vinton; 9. 44 Troy Scott, Fairfax; DNS 9 Toby Denning, Mt. Auburn.
Heat one: 1. Chandler; 2. Streeter; 3. Michel; 4. Schmidt; DNS Denning.
Heat two: 1. Whalen; 2. Nabholz; 3. Lerch; 4. Witten; 5. Scott.

Have you figured out the only two drivers in Benton County Speedway history to win a track title without a single feature win during their championship seasons? Hobby Stock driver Max Leonard was the first to do it in 1993. Leonard was winless in 16 events that season, but still earned title honors. The other was 2002 Hobby Stock champ Steve Kesl. Kesl won seven times in his career in Vinton, but none came during his title season, which included 18 Hobby Stock events.

Lauritzen wins in borrowed car at Benton County Speedway

With his car already at Boone Speedway ready for this week's IMCA Speedway Super Nationals fueled by Casey's, Ronn Lauritzen drove a borrowed car to victory lane in the IMCA Modified feature Sunday night at Benton County Speedway. (complete results follow.)

Not only was Sunday night's hot lap session Lauritzen's first time behind the wheel of Kaleb Bentley's machine, but Bentley's car has seen action only a handful of times.

Lauritzen, who started inside of row four, found himself in second place to Mike Burbridge after an early caution slowed action. Following another restart, Lauritzen worked the top side around Burbridge and pulled away to a near-straightaway lead. He led the field through lapped traffic to score the win in the 20-lapper, his third of the season.

With eight Modified wins in weekly racing history in Vinton, Lauritzen moved into a tie for 19th on the all-time list with Joey Schaefer, Kevin Pittman and Mike Sampson. Lauritzen joined Kyle Brown, Mike Burbridge and Joe Docekal as three-time winners this season. It's just the fourth time in track history the Modifieds have produced four three-time winners in a season and it is the first time since 2006. It was also done in 2004 and 2005.

Lauritzen took over the division's points lead and carries a three point margin over Docekal heading into the September 15 season championship program. Sunday's win was Lauritzen's second career win in Vinton during the month of September.

John Emerson made his way past race-long leader Jared Daggett on the seventh of 15 laps to win in IMCA Stock Car action. Emerson led the remainder of the event going away to secure his fifth win of the year.

Emerson has earned six IMCA Stock Car wins in weekly racing history, tying him with Brian Irvine for eighth on the track's all-time list. It was his first win during the month of September.

Emerson joined Norman Chesmore (six wins) and Damon Murty (five wins) as five-time winners this season, making it the first time in track history three drivers have won at least five Stock Car features in the same calendar year.

Joel Rust was the fourth and final leader in the IMCA Northern SportMod 15-lapper as he raced to his fifth win of the year. Josh Burrell held the early advantage before Troy Burkhart worked around the leader on the fifth circuit, only to give way to Dakoda Sellers following the race's first stoppage on lap 10.

By the time the yellow flag waved, Rust found himself in fourth, then took to the high side to challenge for the lead when racing resumed. Rust worked past the outside of Sellers on the final circuit to score the thrilling win.

Rust has now earned six career SportMod wins in weekly racing history at the speedway, placing him in a tie with Kyle Bentley and Kyle Olson for ninth on the all-time list. It was his first Vinton win during the month of September.

From his outside second row starting spot, Chris Luloff took command by the completion of lap one, then led all 15 caution-free laps to earn his sixth win of the year in the IMCA Hobby Stock division.

Luloff extended his advantage to a straightaway by the time points leader Brian Happel made his way into second on lap two. Happel chipped away at Luloff's lead, but fell short by a couple car-lengths at the line.

Luloff remains third on the track's career Hobby Stock wins list with 23 trips to the winner's circle. With his first career win in September, Luloff has now won in Vinton during every calendar month from April through September. Vince Buchholz, Scott Pippert and Brad Forbes are the only other Hobby Stock drivers to accomplish that feat in Vinton.

Luloff and Happel have each won six times, making 2013 the first season in the division's 24-year history in Vinton to produce two six-time winners.

Nathan Chandler drove to his 10th win of the season in the IMCA Sport Compact division. Chandler passed front row starter A.J. Witten on the first lap and led the entire 12-lapper going away to record the victory, his second straight. Chandler now owns 10 separate streaks of at least two straight wins in the division in Vinton.

His third career win during September, Chandler owns 45 Sport Compact wins in weekly racing history at the speedway, the most of any driver. With his third place finish, Bill Whalen Jr. locked up the track's point title.

Tonight, it's back to Boone Speedway for the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey's. The first of six straight nights of racing starts tomorrow and I am privileged to once again call all the action with Jerry Vansickel and Chet Christner. If you're in Boone, be sure to say hi!

Have a safe and enjoyable Labor Day holiday!

RESULTS
IMCA MODIFIED
Feature: 1. 10K Ronn Lauritzen, Jesup; 2. 80 Jerry Dedrick, Vinton; 3. 12D Joe Docekal, Dysart; 4. 12T Ty Glass, Cedar Rapids; 5. 11B Mike Burbridge, Delhi; 6. 93K Jeff Kriz, Waterloo; 7. 18 Jerry Luloff, Independence; 8. 7S Robbie Schmuecker, Vinton; 9. 77 Tim McBride, Denver; 10. T23 Tony Olson, Cedar Rapids; 11. 14B Shane Burbridge, Manchester; 12. 81 Jesse Belez, Marengo; 13. 19D Darin Duffy, Urbana; 14. F7 Patrick Flannagan, Cedar Rapids; 15. 32 Chris Snyder, Raymond.
Heat one: 1. Flannagan; 2. Docekal; 3. Dedrick; 4. Kriz; 5. Glass; 6. Schmuecker; 7. McBride; 8. Belez.
Heat two: 1. Olson; 2. Snyder; 3. Luloff; 4. Lauritzen; 5. M. Burbridge; 6. S. Burbridge; DNS Duffy.

IMCA STOCK CAR
Feature: 1. 87 John Emerson, Waterloo; 2. 47 Scott Pippert, Elberon; 3. 15 Norman Chesmore, Rowley; 4. 22D Jared Daggett, Marshalltown; 5. 8B Scott Beauregard, Center Point; 6. 76 Mike Galli, Urbana; 7. 22K Kevin Rose, Waterloo; 8. 4JR Russell Damme Jr., Waterloo; 9. 8 Curtis Roster, Vinton; 10. 7H Phil Holtz, Manchester.
Heat one: 1. Daggett; 2. Pippert; 3. Chesmore; 4. Rose; 5. Galli.
Heat two: 1. Emerson; 2. Roster; 3. Holtz; 4. Damme; 5. Beauregard.

IMCA NORTHERN SPORTMOD
Feature: 1. 26J Joel Rust, Grundy Center; 2. 7D Dakoda Sellers, Vinton; 3. 3R Danny Dvorak, Vinton; 4. 15B Troy Burkhart, Urbana; 5. 00 Jim Buhlman, Cedar Falls; 6. 80 Duane Van Deest, Grundy Center; 7. 93 Josh Burrell, Dysart; 8. 16K Brandon Morris, Ely; 9. 44G Brady Graham, Broolyn; 10. 11M Mike Mitchell, Cedar Rapids; 11. 95 Mike McDonald, Cedar Rapids; 12. 57R Ryan King, Montour; 13. 3B Brian Anderson, Garrison; 14. 10S John Schaefer, La Porte City; 15. 22H Curt Hilmer, Dysart.
Heat one: 1. Burrell; 2. Hilmer; 3. Dvorak; 4. Sellers; 5. Burkhart; 6. Anderson; 7. Morris.
Heat two: 1. McDonald; 2. Schaefer; 3. Buhlman; 4. Rust; 5. Graham; 6. King; 7. Van Deest; 8. Mitchell.

IMCA HOBBY STOCK
Feature: 1. 18 Chris Luloff, Independence; 2. 46 Brian Happel, Vinton; 3. 17K Kyle Parizek, Belle Plaine; 4. 78 Matt Brown, Dysart; 5. 23 Andrew Torkelson, Lisbon; 6. 90 Chris Moore, Fairfax; 7. 4P Matt Pohlman, Keystone; 8. M35 Tyler Mannion, Waterloo.
Heat: 1. Luloff; 2. Brown; 3. Parizek; 4. Happel; 5. Torkelson; 6. Moore; 7. Pohlman; 8. Mannion.

IMCA SPORT COMPACT
Feature: 1. 22 Nathan Chandler, Norway; 2. 111 A.J. Witten, Cedar Rapids; 3. 00W Bill Whalen Jr., Riverside; 4. 22T Travis Losenicky, Garrison; 5. 3S Craig Streeter, Vinton; 6. 7B Brad Schmidt, Cedar Rapids; 7. 99J Jeremy Lerch, Vinton; 8. 44 Troy Scott, Fairfax.
Heat: 1. Chandler; 2. Witten; 3. Whalen; 4. Losenicky; 5. Streeter; 6. Scott; 7. Lerch; 8. Schmidt.

Docekal, Happel get back-to-back wins for first time in Vinton

Although Joe Docekal and Brian Happel have won numerous features at Benton County Speedway, they both earned back-to-back wins for the first time in their careers Sunday night in Vinton.

Tony Olson took the lead at the drop of the green in the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature. Olson paced the field on the low groove while Mike Burbridge pursued. Burbridge slid beneath the leader on lap six, just before Olson spun in turn two to bring out the caution.

Burbridge led the field through another caution one lap later while Docekal ran second. Docekal followed Burbridge on the low side before moving to the top at the midway point. He worked around the outside of the leader on the 12th circuit before returning to the low groove on the way to his second straight victory.

With 10 Modified wins in weekly racing history in Vinton, Docekal is now tied for 15th on the all-time list with Darin Duffy, Don Erger and Jeff Barkdoll. He has won at least three features in three of the last four seasons.

All three of Docekal's wins this season have come in the last four events, making him the 13th member of that club. Other Modified drivers who have won a minimum of three features in a four week span in speedway history include:

Arlo Becker - 1979 (three straight wins);
Dave Venenga - 1980 (three straight wins);
Jack Mitchell - 1981 (four straight wins), 1982 (three straight wins), 1983 (one streak of four straight wins and another separate streak of five straight wins, the track record for Modifieds);
Kevin Pittman - 1990 (four straight wins and a separate streaks of three straight wins);
Dave Burrell - 1993 (three wins in four weeks);
Scott Hogan - 1995 (three wins in four weeks), 1996 (three wins in four weeks), 2005 (three wins in four weeks); 2010 (three straight wins);
Robbie Schmuecker - 1999 (three wins in four weeks), 2000 (three wins in four weeks);
Darin Duffy - 2000 (three straight wins);
Vern Jackson - 2001 (three straight wins), 2004 (three straight wins);
Troy Cordes - 2003 (three wins in four weeks), 2007 (four wins in five weeks);
J.D. Auringer - 2007 (three wins in four weeks and another separate streak of three straight wins);
Mike Burbridge - 2012 (three wins in four weeks).

Happel survived a wildly entertaining IMCA Hobby Stock feature that was slowed six times for caution. Although he started last in the 12-car field, Happel quickly found himself in the front half of the field following a first lap caution that involved numerous cars.

Following the fourth stoppage with two laps in the books, Happel made his way into the top five and raced his way into the top three on lap four. He chased Kyle Parizek and Justin Wacha at the front of the pack as the lead pair battled in side-by-side formation.

Happel went to the top side and followed Parizek past Wacha before the caution flag waved again on lap nine. On the restart, Parizek left the track with engine problems as Happel took command. He led the remainder of the event to score the victory, his second straight and sixth of the season.

With nine career Hobby Stock wins in Vinton, Happel tied Todd Temeyer for 14th on the all-time list. His sixth win of the year broke the tie with Chris Luloff as the most in the division. By virtue of his win and Luloff's DNF following the first lap mishap, Happel took the points lead. Unofficially, he will enter the final two nights of racing with a 10 point advantage.

Shane Ebaugh made his first visit to victory lane in over five years in the IMCA Northern SportMod division. Ebaugh took command from Colby Heishman midway through that 15-lapper, then held off heavy pressure from Jim Buhlman on the low side of the speedway to score the win, his first since May 11, 2008.

The span of 1,932 days (five years, three months and 14 days) between victories is the largest in division history in Vinton. Ebaugh's first win came on August 12, 2007, giving him the second longest span between first and most recent wins in SportMod history at the speedway. Danny Dvorak holds the record in that category.

Ebaugh's three career SportMod wins in Vinton place him in a tie for 15th on the all-time list with Chris Luloff, Damon Murty and Ken Kositzky.

Speaking of Murty, he was also victorious Sunday night and reached a milestone in the IMCA Stock Car division. Murty worked the high side around leader Scott Pippert to assume command at the midway point of that 15-lapper to drive to his division-leading 60th Stock Car win in weekly racing history at the speedway.

With the win, his fifth of the season, Murty has won at least five features in each of the last five seasons in Vinton. Of his 60 wins, 14 have come in the month of August.

Nathan Chandler picked up his ninth win of the year in the IMCA Sport Compact division. From his second row starting spot, Chandler worked past A.J. Witten on the fifth of 12 laps to drive to the win, the 44th of his weekly racing career in Vinton. The all-time leader in Sport Compact wins in Vinton, Chandler has now won eight times in the month of August.

RESULTS
IMCA MODIFIED
Feature: 1. 12D Joe Docekal, Dysart; 2. 00 J.D. Auringer, Waterloo; 3. 10K Ronn Lauritzen, Jesup; 4. F7 Patrick Flannagan, Cedar Rapids; 5. 71 Troy Cordes, Dunkerton; 6. T23 Tony Olson, Cedar Rapids; 7. 80 Jerry Dedrick, Vinton; 8. 14B Shane Burbridge, Manchester; 9. 18 Jerry Luloff, Independence; 10. 17S Alex Schmuecker, Vinton; 11. 11B Mike Burbridge, Delhi.
Heat one: 1. Dedrick; 2. Luloff; 3. Flanngan; 4. Lauritzen; 5. Schmuecker; 6. S. Burbridge.
Heat two: 1. M. Burbridge; 2. Auringer; 3. Docekal; 4. Cordes; 5. Olson.

IMCA STOCK CAR
Feature: 1. 99D Damon Murty, Chelsea; 2. 47 Scott Pippert, Elberon; 3. 87 John Emerson, Waterloo; 4. 8B Scott Beauregard, Center Point; 5. 15 Norman Chesmore, Rowley; 6. 8 Curtis Roster, Vinton; 7. 76 Mike Galli, Urbana; 8. 22D Jared Daggett, Marshalltown; 9. 22K Kevin Rose, Waterloo; 10. 4JR Russell Damme Jr., Waterloo; 11. 9E Mitch Evens, Independence; 12. 56T Justin Temeyer, Independence.
Heat one: 1. Damme; 2. Beauregard; 3. Chesmore; 4. Emerson; 5. Rose; 6. Evens.
Heat two: 1. Daggett; 2. Pippert; 3. Murty; 4. Roster; 5. Galli; 6. Temeyer.

IMCA NORTHERN SPORTMOD
Feature: 1. 14 Shane Ebaugh, Evansdale; 2. 00 Jim Buhlman, Cedar Falls; 3. 26J Joel Rust, Grundy Center; 4. 22H Curt Hilmer, Dysart; 5. CH19 Colby Heishman, Brooklyn; 6. 95 Mike McDonald, Cedar Rapids; 7. 7D Dakoda Sellers, Vinton; 8. 57R Ryan King, Montour; 9. 3R Danny Dvorak, Vinton; 10. 4 Ryan Maitland, Vinton; 11. 44G Brady Graham, Brooklyn; 12. 10S John Schaefer, La Porte City; 13. T17 Tom Rawlins, Kellogg; 14. 11M Mike Mitchell, Cedar Rapids; 15. 3B Brian Anderson, Garrison; 16. 93 Josh Burrell, Dysart; DNS/17. J2 Dave Schulze, Keystone; DNS/18. 72 Mike Hogencamp, Waterloo.
Heat one: 1. Heishman; 2. Buhlman; 3. McDonald; 4. Rawlins; 5. Burrell; 6. Schulze.
Heat two: 1. Maitland; 2. Ebaugh; 3. Dvorak; 4. King; 5. Graham; 6. Mitchell.
Heat three: 1. Sellers; 2. Rust; 3. Anderson; 4. Hilmer; 5. Schaefer; 6. Hogencamp.

IMCA HOBBY STOCK
Feature: 1. 46 Brian Happel, Vinton/Van Horne/Newhall/somewhere in Benton County; 2. 23 Andrew Torkelson, Lisbon; 3. 45 Justin Wacha, Vinton; 4. 2 Nick Welch, Cedar Falls; 5. 4P Matt Pohlman, Kesytone; 6. 21J Jason Williams, Belle Plaine; 7. 17K Kyle Parizek, Belle Plaine; 8. 07 Jacob Keiser, Marengo; 9. 88 C.J. Dall, Marshalltown; 10. 19B Jim Sheldon, Marion; 11. 78 Matt Brown, Dysart; 12. 18 Chris Luloff, Independence.
Heat one: 1. Luloff; 2. Wacha; 3. Parizek; 4. Torkelson; 5. Dall; 6. Williams.
Heat two: 1. Brown; 2. Keiser; 3. Welch; 4. Pohlman; 5. Sheldon; 6. Happel.

IMCA SPORT COMPACT
Feature: 1. 22 Nathan Chandler, Norway; 2. 00W Bill Whalen Jr., Riverside; 3. 2 Merv Chandler, Urbana; 4. 3S Craig Streeter, Vinton; 5. 99J Jeremy Lerch, Vinton; 6. 44 Troy Scott, Fairfax; 7. 111 A.J. Witten, Cedar Rapids; 8. 9 Toby Denning, Mt. Auburn.
Heat: 1. Witten; 2. N. Chandler; 3. Whalen; 4. M. Chandler; 5. Scott; 6. Lerch; 7. Streeter; DNS Denning.

Champions crowned during season championships at Independence

Brennen Chipp completed the hat trick Saturday night at Independence Motor Speedway.

The IMCA Northern SportMod driver wrapped up his first career track championship after piloting his #21 to victory lane in the 20-lap feature during Budweiser Season Championships. He was also the winner during Budweiser Mid-Season Championships in late June.

Saturday night's championship program included only features, which were lined up straight-up based on season point totals. The format allowed top points earners through the first 15 weeks of the season the rare opportunity to start at the front of their respective feature fields.

Points leader Chipp took the lead at the drop of the green and held off pressure from Alex Zwanziger early, then late charges from Kip Siems and Joel Rust to take the victory. It was Chipp's fifth win of the season in Independence and his fourth in weekly points racing at the speedway. Rust, in only his fourth start this season, raced from 22nd to finish second ahead of Zwanziger, who finished second in the standings, five points behind Chipp.

With four wins in weekly racing history at the speedway, Chipp finished the season tied with Siems for seventh on the all-time list. He is the fifth different SportMod champion in the division's six-year history in Independence.

Chipp's sweep of mid-season, season and track title honors was the 25th such accomplishment in the last 25 years at the speedway. Others to pull off the hat trick since 1989 include:

Late Model: Curt Martin (1990, 1991), Gary Crawford (1993), Darren Ackerman (2007);
Modified: Tom Bartholomew (1990, 1991), Darin Duffy (2009);
Stock Car: Dan Trimble (1994, 1999, 2000), Larry Portis (1995), Brian Irvine (2009), Sean Johnson (2012);
SportMod: Danny Dvorak (2012);
Hobby Stock: Forrest Frost (1992), Chris Wessner (1995), Doug Otto (1999), Josh Irvine (1997, 1999), Justin Stander (2012);
Pro Stock: Alan Wessels (1989), Vern Jackson (1990, 1992, 1993).

Sean Johnson made history of his own in the IMCA Stock Car division. The two-time defending champion dominated that 23-lapper to earn his third win of the season, his third straight win on championship night and his third straight track championship. Johnson became the first driver to win three straight points titles in Indee since Dan Trimble won seven straight stock car championships from 1998-2004. Prior to Johnson, only eight drivers had ever won three straight points championships in Indee. They include:

Late Model: Gary Crawford (1976-1979), Curt Martin (1984-1986, 2004-2006), Greg Kastli (2001-2003);
Modified: Tom Bartholomew (1989-1992), Steve Droste (1994-1996), Jerry Luloff (1999-2001);
Stock Car: Dan Trimble (1998-2004);
Pro Stock: Vern Jackson (1991-1996).

With 28 Stock Car wins in weekly racing history in Independence, Johnson sits third on the all-time list - and that is likely where he will stay. He plans to move to the IMCA Late Model division next season. His 28 career wins place Johnson 14th on the track's all-time list.

Darren Ackerman led all 30 laps on his way to a dominant win in the IMCA Late Model feature. The win was Ackerman's second of the season and the third of his career on championship night (2007, 2009).

With the victory, Ackerman has 18 Late Model wins in weekly racing history at the speedway. That places him alone in ninth on the all-time list.

Tyler Bruening earned his third Late Model points title in the last four years after finishing fifth in Saturday night's feature. Bruening joined Ed Sanger, Gary Crawford, Curt Martin and Greg Kastli as the only drivers to win at least three Late Model titles in a four-year span.

Ronn Lauritzen drove to his fifth Performance Bodies IMCA Modified win of the season and the first of his career on championship night in Independence. After a thrilling battle for the lead with defending track champion Mark Schulte and newly crowned titlist Tyler Droste, Lauritzen pulled away to score the victory. It was the 17th time in track history a Modified driver won at least five features in a single season.

With eight career Modified wins in Independence, Lauritzen ended the season tied with Greg Kastli, Joey Schaefer and Kevin Pittman for 13th on the all-time list. Lauritzen joined Mark Noble (1987), Tom Bartholomew (1990, 1991), Troy Cordes (2000) and Darin Duffy (2009, 2010) as the only Modified drivers in track history to sweep mid-season and season championship feature wins in the same year.

Droste, a first-year IMCA Modified driver, became the fifth straight different track champion in the division at the speedway and the 17th different titlist in the division's 31-year history in Independence. 

Chris Luloff earned his 30th, and perhaps final, win in the Hobby Stock division. Luloff took control on the second lap, then held off a furious late charge from Quinton Miller to score the victory, his seventh win of the season.

Luloff's 30 career Hobby Stock wins in weekly racing history in Independence ranks as the best all-time. He plans to move to the Stock Car division in 2014.

When also considering his three SportMod wins from 2009, Luloff's 33 career wins at the speedway place him alone in 10th on the all-time list.

Luloff, also the mid-season winner in late June, joined Ken Irvine (1989), Forrest Frost (1992), Rick Johnson (1993), Chris Wessner (1995), Tim Bartholomew (1997), Doug Otto (1998), Josh Irvine (2007, 2009) and Justin Stander (2012) on the list of drivers to sweep the events in the same season.

Benji Irvine, who entered the night with no finish worse than fourth in Hobby Stock competition this year, was scored 18th Saturday night after experiencing engine problems early in the 20-lap feature. Despite his struggles Saturday night, Irvine's consistency through the season lifted him to his first track championship. He became the sixth straight different Hobby Stock points champion and the 22nd different titlist in the division's 25-year history at the speedway.

Merv Chandler wrapped up his second straight IMCA Sport Compact track title a week ago, but he put the icing on the cake by also winning Saturday night's championship feature. Chandler took command from A.J. Witten on the second of 12 laps to drive to the win, his fourth of the year. With six career wins in the division in Independence, Chandler sits second to Adam Gates on the all-time list.

While the 2013 weekly racing season has come to a close in Independence, one event remains on this year's schedule. The Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models makes its second appearance of the year on Friday, September 20. Increased prize money for a special non-qualifiers feature that night for the Late Models should make it an even greater show. Add to that $2,000-to-win Stock Cars and the season finale should be huge.

Since the weekly points season is over in Independence, that means one final Stats Blitz is in store to recap all things numbers-wise for the 16-week season. This week will be busy preparing for next week's IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey's at Boone Speedway so, although I'll try to get it done, the final Stats Blitz may have to wait until the week after Super Nationals. I won't be able to talk after returning home from Boone anyway, so what else is there to do aside from crunching a few numbers?

Tonight, weekly racing continues at Benton County Speedway in Vinton. Although the temps are hot, the points battles in all five divisions are even hotter so make plans to come to Vinton tonight! I hope to see you there!

School can wait: Maitland, Witten pick up first wins in Vinton

Youth prevailed in a big way as two 14-year-olds earned the first wins of their careers Sunday night at Benton County Speedway. (complete results follow)

IMCA Northern SportMod driver Ryan Maitland, who turns 15 next month, and IMCA Sport Compact driver A.J. Witten, who turned 14 in April, had both been very close to their first wins in recent weeks. They brought down the house by earning their first trips to the winner's circle during a memorable night on the Vinton quarter-mile.

Dakoda Sellers took the lead at the drop of the green in the 15-lap SportMod main. Working the high side from his second row starting spot, Maitland quickly made his way into second by the completion of the first lap.

Maitland pursued Sellers before sweeping to his outside to assume command on the fourth circuit and then quickly pulled away from the field. Maitland distanced himself from the pack while Dave Schulze worked into a battle with Sellers for the runner-up spot until the caution flag waved with nine laps scored complete.

When racing resumed, Maitland again built a comfortable lead while Curt Hilmer and Danny Dvorak raced their way into contention. Three more stoppages kept the field close before the final caution on lap 13 set up a green, white, checkered finish. On the restart, Dvorak was able to work past Hilmer for second, however Maitland pulled away to drive to the milestone win.

The number four played an eerily recurring role in Maitland's first win. Not only does the #4 adorn the side of his race car, but Maitland started in the fourth position and took the lead on lap four of a feature that was stopped four times for caution. Maitland also became the 44th different SportMod winner in weekly racing history at the speedway.

One of 19 SportMod drivers in track history with a single SportMod win, Maitland enters the Benton County Speedway record books tied for 26th on the division's all-time list.

Speaking of the number 26 (yes, the number coincidences continue)...

Witten became the 26th different IMCA Sport Compact winner in weekly racing history in Vinton. From his outside front row starting spot, Witten assumed command with points leader Bill Whalen Jr. in tow. The front-runners pulled away from the pack while Witten continued to extend his advantage.

Witten enjoyed a big lead throughout the race as he led the 12-lapper in its entirety to score his first win in the caution-free event. Witten, who drives the #111 is one of 11 (1 of 11? 111?) drivers in division history in Vinton with a single win in the division. That places him in a tie for 16th on the all-time list.

With the victory, Witten became the first new Sport Compact winner in nearly two years in Vinton. It had been 721 days since the last first-timer, Jacob McVay, won on August 28, 2011. The 721 day span is the longest between first-time Sport Compact winners in track history.

Joe Docekal drove to his second win of the year in the IMCA Modified division. Following a restart before the completion of the first lap, third row starting Docekal raced into the lead by the time the first lap was scored.

Driving the low groove, Docekal maintained the point while Patrick Flannagan worked the high side into contention and Ronn Lauritzen ran down low. Flannagan closed in on the leader before a miscue in turns three and four on the fourth lap allowed Lauritzen to sneak by.

Docekal continued to show the way while Flannagan regrouped and closed in on the leader. With Docekal down low and Flannagan in the top groove, the leaders came upon lapped traffic in the late stages of the 20-lapper.

A car-length separated the front-runners as they made their way past the slower traffic exiting turn four to the checkers. Docekal was able to sneak beneath the backmarker to score the win, his second in three weeks.

Docekal has now earned nine Modified wins in his weekly racing career in Vinton, which places him in sole possession of 18th on the all-time list. He is one win shy of tying three other drivers for 15th on the Modified wins list. Four of Docekal's nine wins have come during the month of August. 

The eerie number coincidences didn't end with Maitland and Witten. In fact, they became even more interesting with Docekal's win. Aside from the fact that Docekal, 28, is the same age as Maitland and Witten combined (now that's just plain funny stuff, old man), the pattern in which Docekal wins Modified features in Vinton is just as interesting.

On four other occasions Docekal has won a Modified feature in Vinton, he has followed up with another win exactly two events later. Docekal's first win in Vinton came on Sunday, July 18, 2010. Although he won the following Sunday, July 25, he did not win the Modified points race held between those events that year during the Benton County Fair on Thursday, July 22.

Docekal's third win came on August 22, 2010. His fourth? You guessed it, two events later on September 5. Docekal also won on July 31, 2011. His next win? Yep, two events later on August 14.

Fast forward to 2013 (because it had been such a loooong time since he last won) when Docekal won August 4. Yep, two weeks ago.

The only time Docekal won a Modified feature in Vinton and didn't follow it up with a win two events later was after his win May 15, 2011. I did a little digging and discovered Docekal finished third to J.D. Auringer and Troy Cordes two weeks later on May 29. Couldn't even muster a runner-up finish that night, Joe?

Norman Chesmore reached a milestone of his own in the 15-lap IMCA Stock Car feature. After stealing the lead from Scott Pippert following a lap seven restart, Chesmore drove to his sixth win of the year and the 20th of his career in Vinton.

Mike Galli and Kevin Rose split time at the front of the 15-lapper before Pippert made his way between the front-runners to snag the lead. He took over just before caution slowed action on lap three. Pippert worked the top side on the restart while Chesmore raced the low groove into second on lap six. He was running second when the caution waved one lap later.

Chesmore powered to the low side of Pippert when racing resumed and took control the following time by the flagstand. He survived one more stoppage to take the victory.

Chesmore's sixth victory this season doubled his previous best mark - three wins in 2008. His 20 career wins place Chesmore alone in fourth on the division's all-time list. His six career wins in the month of August in Vinton are more than any other calendar month for Chesmore.

Brian Happel earned his fifth win of the year in the IMCA Hobby Stock division. Happel chased Justin Wacha for the first two circuits before working the outside lane past the leader to assume command. Happel survived a mid-race caution, then pulled away from traffic to score the victory.

With eight Hobby Stocks wins in his weekly racing career in Vinton, Happel is now tied with Jerry Dedrick for 15th on the all-time list. Three of those eight wins have come during the month of August. Sunday's win came just four days after the eighth anniversary of Happel's first Hobby Stock win in Vinton (August 14, 2005).

Happel joined Chris Luloff as five-time Hobby Stock winners in Vinton this season. Only two other times have multiple Hobby Stock drivers won at least five features in the same season in Vinton. In 2001, Scooter Dulin won six times while Vince Buchholz was a five-time winner and, in 2009, Scott Pippert was a nine-time winner while Brad Forbes won five times. If two-time winners Matt Brown, Jacob Keiser or Kyle Parizek could sweep the final three events of the season, the track will have three five-time Hobby Stock winners in the same season for the first time in history.

IMCA Late Models joined the weekly program for the fourth time this season. Although short in number, the eight-car field provided plenty of excitement for the fans in attendance.

Darren Ackerman worked past early leader Luke Pestka to take command just prior to a lap two caution. Ackerman showed the way until the caution flag waved one lap later when Todd Cooney spun to the top of turn four.

On the restart, Ackerman pulled away from the pack while Cooney raced the low groove back into contention. Conney slipped beneath Pestka for the runner-up spot on the 13th of 20 laps, then worked to reel in Ackerman before caution bunched the field on laps 15 and 19.

The lap 19 caution set up a green, white, checkered finish with Ackerman leading the field back to action. Cooney, who traded slidejobs with Ackerman throughout the late stages on the event, powered to the low side of Ackerman exiting turn four on the final lap. When the dust settled, Cooney emerged with the win, his first at the speedway.

Only three weeks of racing remain in Vinton this season. After weekly racing programs the next two Sundays (August 25 and September 1), the speedway takes a week off for the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals, then returns for championship night on Sunday, September 15. If you haven't been to Vinton in a while, be sure to visit over the final three nights. I have never seen points battles this close in so many divisions at one track this late in the season.

The points at the top of four of the five weekly divisions are paper thin. Consider, three drivers are separated by five points at the top of the IMCA Modified standings. J.D. Auringer holds a slim two point edge over Ronn Lauritzen and a five point advantage over Joe Docekal.

In the IMCA Stock Car division, John Emerson leads Scott Pippert by a mere four points and Norman Chesmore by 19. Keep in mind, Chesmore missed opening night and has finished no worse than fourth in his 16 appearances this season. That three-car battle is far from over.

Chris Luloff holds a one point lead over Brian Happel after 19 nights of points racing for the IMCA Hobby Stocks. Bill Whalen Jr. is just eight points ahead of Merv Chandler in the IMCA Sport Compacts.

Even the largest lead remains undecided. Danny Dvorak is ahead of Joel Rust by 16 points in the IMCA Northern SportMods. With three weeks remaining and the SportMods averaging nearly 22 cars a night, that race is far from over, either.

It's crazy to think that the points can remain so close in every division despite the fact that 2,801 laps have been completed in 276 events this season. The racing is only bound to get more intense and entertaining as we enter the final three weeks of the season in Vinton. Make plans to be there!

RESULTS
IMCA LATE MODEL
Feature: 1. 30 Todd Cooney, Des Moines; 2. 53 Darren Ackerman, Readlyn; 3. 15C Curt Schroeder, Ames; 4. 73 Greg Kastli, Waterloo; 5. 60 Dean Wagner, Evansdale; 6. 99 Luke Pestka, Robins; 7. 68 Tysus Pattee, Vinton; 8. 31 Chad Cooney, Des Moines.
Heat: 1. T. Cooney; 2. Pestka; 3. Ackerman; 4. Kastli; 5. Schroeder; 6. Wagner; 7. C. Cooney; DNS Pattee.

IMCA MODIFIED
Feature: 1. 12D Joe Docekal, Dysart; 2. F7 Patrick Flannagan, Cedar Rapids; 3. 10K Ronn Lauritzen, Jesup; 4. 00 J.D. Auringer, Waterloo; 5. 18 Jerry Luloff, Independence; 6. 11B Mike Burbridge, Delhi; 7. 21K Kyle Brown, Kellogg; 8. 8 Tony Snyder, Readlyn; 9. 80 Jerry Dedrick, Vinton; 10. 7S Robbie Schmuecker, Vinton; 11. 71 Troy Cordes, Dunkerton; 12. T23 Tony Olson, Cedar Rapids; 13. 98X Jason Snyder, Dunkerton; 14. 81 Jesse Belez, Marengo; 15. 14B Shane Burbridge, Manchester.
Heat one: 1. Flannagan; 2. Olson; 3. Cordes; 4. Luloff; 5. Auringer; 6. S. Burbridge; 7. T. Snyder; 8. Schmuecker.
Heat two: 1. Docekal; 2. M. Burbridge; 3. Lauritzen; 4. Brown; 5. J. Snyder; 6. Dedrick; 7. Belez.

IMCA STOCK CAR
Feature: 1. 15 Norman Chesmore, Rowley; 2. 47 Scott Pippert, Elberon; 3. 56T Justin Temeyer, Independence; 4. 87 John Emerson, Waterloo; 5. 22K Kevin Rose, Waterloo; 6. 8 Curtis Roster, Vinton; 7. 8B Scott Beauregard, Center Point; 8. 87A Aaron Matthias, Fairbank; 9. 4JR Russell Damme, Waterloo; 10. 22D Jared Daggett, Marshalltown; 11. 76 Mike Galli, Urbana; 12. 9E Mitch Evens, Independence.
Heat one: 1. Emerson; 2. Rose; 3. Pippert; 4. Galli; 5. Daggett; 6. Evens.
Heat two: 1. Temeyer; 2. Chesmore; 3. Roster; 4. Beauregard; 5. Damme; 6. Matthias.

IMCA NORTHERN SPORTMOD
Feature: 1. 4 Ryan Maitland, Waterloo; 2. 3R Danny Dvorak, Vinton; 3. 22H Curt Hilmer, Dysart; 4. T17 Tom Rawlins, Kellogg; 5. 10S John Schaefer, La Porte City; 6. 00 Jim Buhlman, Cedar Falls; 7. 19J Jenae Gustin, Marshalltown; 8. CH19 Colby Heishman, Brooklyn; 9. 14 Shane Ebaugh, Evansdale; 10. 11M Mike Mitchell, Cedar Rapids; 11. 15B Troy Burkhart, Urbana; 12. 7D Dakoda Sellers, Vinton; 13. 57R Ryan King, Montour; 14. 3B Brian Anderson, Garrison; 15. 12 Kendall Arp, Brooklyn; 16. J2 Dave Schulze, Keystone; 17. 26J Joel Rust, Grundy Center; 18. 93 Josh Burrell, Dysart; 19. 72 Mike Hogencamp, Waterloo.
Heat one: 1. Schulze; 2. Burrell; 3. Maitland; 4. Buhlman; 5. King; 6. Burkhart.
Heat two: 1. Sellers; 2. Dvorak; 3. Hilmer; 4. Gustin; 5. Mitchell; 6. Rawlins.
Heat three: 1. Rust; 2. Schaefer; 3. Ebaugh; 4. Anderson; 5. Arp; 6. Heishman; 7. Hogencamp.

IMCA HOBBY STOCK
Feature: 1. 46 Brian Happel, Vinton; 2. 18 Chris Luloff, Independence; 3. 78 Matt Brown, Dysart; 4. 17K Kyle Parizek, Belle Plaine; 5. 45 Justin Wacha, Vinton; 6. 23 Andrew Torkelson, Lisbon; 7. 90 Chris Moore, Fairfax; 8. 88 C.J. Dall, Marshalltown; 9. 19B Jim Sheldon, Marion; 10. 4P Matt Pohlman, Keystone; 11. 07 Jacob Keiser, Marengo.
Heat one: 1. Parizek; 2. Luloff; 3. Wacha; 4. Dall; 5. Torkelson; 6. Sheldon.
Heat two: 1. Keiser; 2. Happel; 3. Brown; 4. Moore; 5. Pohlman.

IMCA SPORT COMPACT
Feature: 1. 111 A.J. Witten, Cedar Rapids; 2. 00W Bill Whalen Jr., Riverside; 3. 22 Nathan Chandler, Norway; 4. 11 Steve Miedke, Shellsburg; 5. 2 Merv Chandler, Urbana; 6. 9 Toby Denning, Mt. Auburn; 7. 99J Jeremy Lerch, Vinton.
Heat: 1. Witten; 2. N. Chandler; 3. Miedke; 4. Lerch; 5. Whalen; 6. M. Chandler; DNS Denning.