Todd Shute races to win in Ron Little Memorial at Stuart Speedway

A grandstand filled to capacity and a pit area holding over 100 cars were on the card for the 10th annual running of the Ron Little Memorial Sunday night at Stuart Speedway. A sunny, windy, late afternoon left the track dry-slick and shedding dust, but the drivers on hand put on a good show to honor the late modified driver Little. It is hard to believe that Ron left us back in 1999, it seems like just yesterday I was chatting with him in the infield in Des Moines. He is one of the faces I truly miss around the pit area. In remembrance - The modified of Ron Little paced the modified feature field Sunday night. - BWJ photo

Little Memorial winner - Todd Shute was the winner of the Ron Little Memorial IMCA modified feature on May 24. - BWJ photo

I think he would have been pleased with the program run in his memory Sunday as the action was wild and woolly at times, but with a minimum of yellow flags.
The main event was with the IMCA modifieds. Dennis Pittman started on the front row inside of Josh Gilman, and as the green flag dropped, the field went two and three wide as drivers dove and dashed for open positions. One of the more intense early battles was between Rex Parkison, Todd Shute and Nate Carruth as they raced hard and close for the lead. Shute would eventually pull out on top. The next hard chargers came from row five as Jimmy Gustin and Randy Havlik raced their way to the front. The duo had battled it out in the third heat race with Gustin taking the win, and now they picked off positions until Gustin held down second and Havlik third. It looked like Gustin may have something up his sleeve for Shute, but it wasn’t to be as the 2008 Stuart track champion held out for the big payday and the Ron Little Memorial win. Following Gustin and Havlik were Parkison and Gilman to round out the top-five.

For the early lead - From left, Rex Parkison (31R), Todd Shute (5) and Nate Carruth (7c) race for the modified feature lead. - BWJ photo

For second - Randy Havlik (3z) and Jimmy Gustin (19) race for the second spot, eventually taken by Gustin. - BWJ photo

The IMCA sportmod feature also showcased some good racing as Geoff Olson and Paul Nagle raced for the win. Joel Bushore looked to be a factor for several laps as well before settling for third. Nagle and Olson would decide amongst themselves with Olson taking the win.
IMCA hobby stocks saw Shannon Anderson school the field from his outside row one starting spot, while the IMCA stock cars put on a good show as fifth-starting Tim Bengard and third-starting Bryan Snell went door-to-door for the win. Bengard would win out to take the feature with Jason Day placing third.
In other action, Colton Nelson went from the back row to the lead in one lap to win the IMCA sportcompact feature while Josh May capitalized on his pole starting position to win the dwarf car main event.

Stock race - Tim Bengard (19B) races with Bryan Snell (3S) for the lead in the IMCA stock car feature. - BWJ photo

Sportmod battle - The race for the lead was between eventual winner Geoff Olson (2G) and Paul Nagle (05). - BWJ photo

Showing the way - Shannon Anderson topped the IMCA hobby stock field. - BWJ photo

Dwarf winner - Josh May was the dwarf car feature winner at Stuart - BWJ photo

Nelson wins - Colton Nelson was the IMCA sportcompact feature winner - BWJ photo

Dry slick conditions and some rough spots low in turn one put up their challenges on this windy night, but I came away from Stuart having seen some good racing. The sportmods struggled the most with cautions during their feature, while the remaining classes raced hard and kept on the gas for the most part. It was great to see a full grandstand and over 100 cars at Stuart Sunday night. It has always been one of my favorite places and it is deserving of some big nights like they had on Sunday. Bill Davis, Jr. and his staff do a fine job there, and I have never gone home regretting my drive to Stuart. Sunday night was certainly one of those nights.

Hughes tallies three wins on current USMTS swing as Tesch picks up win in Marshalltown

After putting seven dates in the record books while on their current 16-race swing, the USMTS modifieds have seen one name come up with three of the wins while four other drivers have picked up one win apiece. The winner - Jon Tesch showed the way with his win at Marshalltown. - BWJ photo

Top Shelf - Jon Tesch heads into turn three using the high line that took him to victory. - BWJ photo

Jason Hughes has wins in Oskaloosa, Lansing, Minnesota, and Kasson Minnesota, to his credit. Jon Tesch picked up the win in Marshalltown; Zack VanderBeek in Cresco; Tim Donlinger at Deer Creek Speedway and Ryan Gustin in Fountain City, Wisconsin. These wins are divided, point-wise, among different regions in the USMTS national tour. Hughes sits atop both the Central States Region and Mo-Kan Region, while Tommy Myer leads the Great Plains Region and Steve Wetzstein leads the Upper Midwest Region. Zach VanderBeek and Jon Tesch are each in the top-five in points in the Central States, Great Plains and Upper Midwest Regions; so, as you can see, when you watch a USMTS show, there is a lot that goes on as far as points and regions are concerned. Feature action - Jimmy Gustin (19) and Mike Hansen (12H) race for a position early on in Wednesday's feature event. - BWJ photo

Looking better - After struggling the night before at Oskaloosa, Kenny Wallace put his number 36 in the show at Marshalltown. - BWJ photo

Top five - Ryan Gustin puts his 19R in the top five at both Oskaloosa and Marshalltown. - BWJ photo

Tire trouble - Richie Gustin was smoking his left rear tire as it came into contact with the car during the feature. - BWJ photo

Really, it's Steve - Steve Wetzstein shed body panels during his Marshalltown feature run. - BWJ photo

this most recent swing, the Oskaloosa and Marshalltown dates counted toward the Central States Region while the next five dates accumulated points in the Upper Midwest Region. Before the 16-date run concludes both the Mo-Kan and Great Plains Regions will also see shows in addition to more Upper Midwest and Central States dates, so as you can see, the upcoming nine shows will go a long way in determining several point races.
Night two of the USMTS swing through Iowa found the wind still blowing, and Jon Tesch battling Jason Hughes for victory lane honors once again. The Marshalltown Speedway was full of fans, and the track was smooth and ready to race. Toby Kruse and his staff had things ready to roll. The previously mentioned wind did them no favors as the track dried out fast, leaving the surface black from top to bottom, a little slick for some, but come main event time, the show was on. I’ve learned from experience that the USMTS drivers can put on a show from tacky to dry slick and any point in between. Pairing them up with Marshalltown left me entertained come the final checkered flag.
It also left me wondering how many races in the upcoming streak of USMTS dates would see the Tesch-Hughes pairing at the front of the pack. The two drivers look to be at a point in their seasons where they have everything figured out when they roll off the trailer. At Oskaloosa, a Tesch bobble opened the door for a Hughes win. At Marshalltown Wednesday night, Tesch did not give Hughes a chance to do it again as he held on for the win.
Tesch took advantage of an outside row one starting spot to gain the early advantage. Carnage behind him thinned out both row two and three on the opening circuit which gave the field a complete restart. Running either extremely high or low, drivers began to shuffle their way through the field. Eventually the high line became the line of choice and Tesch used it to his advantage. Hughes would try to take a couple of looks but couldn’t really do anything with the opportunity.
At the finish line it was Tesch followed by the eighth starting Hughes. Rounding out the top five were Zach VanderBeek, Ryan Gustin and Corey Dripps. VanderBeek looked solid in his first two outings on the swing, so it was no surprise to see him pick up the win the next night at Cresco.
The USMTS stop in Marshalltown was both successful and popular, so I would expect you will see this date on the schedule once again in 2010.

USMTS begins 16-race run with a Jason Hughes victory at the Southern Iowa Speedway

The USMTS modifieds kicked off a marathon run Tuesday night at the Southern Iowa Speedway. Over the course of 19 nights, the series has 16 events scheduled and that run started at Osky. Forty-one modifieds signed in for the night with a good mix of local and traveling heavy hitters.
It was a beautiful night for racing, though the persistent winds may have dried things out a bit more than hoped. The night held some good racing overall, but nobody was able to make a big charge to the front in the final 30-lapper. Still, up front, Jon Tesch and Jason Hughes kept things interesting. Tesch led from the opening laps in a feature that was slowed by only two cautions, those coming with seven and eight laps complete. Lead change - Jason Hughes (12) looks under Jon Tesch going into turn three of the closing laps of the feature. Note the spoiler damage on the 14 machine. - BWJ photo

Look at that - Jason Hughes (white and blue) and Jon Tesch (red and black) look at the damaged spoiler on Tesch's car in victory lane as Tesch offered his congratulations. - BWJ photo

The winner - Jason Hughes in victory lane at Oskaloosa. - BWJ photo

Hughes kept Tesch in sight for the entire feature, taking an occasional shot at the point. With three laps to go, the change was made after Tesch lost the right side of his spoiler after a brush with the wall in turn one. Hughes would dive low entering turn three and take control as the duo raced through traffic. Tesch would hold on for second followed by pole-sitter Ryan Gustin, Brad Pinkerton and Zack VanderBeek, who raced into the top five after starting 12th. It was Hughes first-ever win at Oskaloosa, and seventh of the USMTS season.
In action in other classes on the night, Nathan Wood picked up the double on the evening topping both the hobby stock and stock car main events. In the stock car main, Brian Mitrisin would take one last dive under Wood in turns three and four of the final lap but he couldn’t make it stick.
In hobby stocks, Wood finished third in his heat, which was one of the more entertaining races of the night. Wood battled with Bobby Greene and Andy Coleman for several laps before settling for third behind Greene and Coleman respectively. In the main event, Wood took off from outside row one and never looked back. Greene trailed in second at the line.

Last chance - Brian Mitrisin (12m) dives under Nathan Wood (52) going into turn three on the final lap of the hobby stock feature but couldn't get his car to the front. - BWJ photo

All alone - Nathan Wood turns laps by himself at the front of the stock car main event. - BWJ photo

A good start - Tyler Groenendyk has two top-three finishes in the B-modifieds after winning Tuesday night's feature. - BWJ photo

In B-modifieds, Tyler Groenendyk looks to be off to a good start this season. After finishing third in last week’s opener, he coasted to a win Tuesday night, keeping the rest of the field at a distance.
It was a good, warm night of racing at Oskaloosa, and the large crowd on hand appreciated the effort as the show wrapped up around 10:30. Much of the talk of the night turned to this evening when the USMTS with Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace in tow head to Marshalltown. I’ll have some shots for you from there tomorrow.

A busy weekend at Iowa Speedway

I’m finally catching my breath after the first racing weekend at Iowa Speedway. As many of you know, I work there with the media relations department on race weekends. We help the press with whatever they may need, set up news conferences, handle victory lane activities and much, much more. It is a lot of work, but it is also a lot of fun. I’ve worked every racing event since the track opened and each one has been a blast. I work with some good people and have met some great people in my time there.
This last weekend’s activities were no exception as the USST trucks, ASA Midwest Tour and the NASCAR Camping World Series were all on hand – not to mention an appearance by Richard Petty and of course Kyle Busch, who won Sunday’s main event, and whose trophy fell apart in my arms, giving me column inches in the Des Moines Register, video time on the KCCI sports on Monday, and a rousing chorus of boos from the fans gathered to watch the victory lane activities Sunday evening.
Kyle Busch and his team were good-natured about the whole thing and that was good. It was a little embarrassing, yes, but on a scale of world events, pretty minor. I have to get a hold of my photographer friends to see if anybody got some good shots of me in action.
Race weekends at Iowa Speedway are like a family reunion, as series employees have become familiar faces and good friends as the seasons pass. I enjoy working with Kevin Ramsell and Doug Hornickel with ASA. I hadn’t seen them since last October in LaCrosse so it was good to shoot the bull. I’m hoping to see them again on July 3 when the ASA Midwest Tour comes to Hawkeye Downs. Working with Jason Christley, Jason Cunningham, Kevin Greene and Meghan Miley of NASCAR is also a pleasure. I will get to work with Kevin again on September 4 as the Camping World Series West cars return to Iowa Speedway on the weekend when the Camping World trucks make their Iowa debut. Can’t wait.
Richard Petty was on hand as well on Sunday. Richard has such an aura about him it is amazing. He is a great interview and his press conference was quality as Petty is a good speaker and a thoughtful answerer of questions. He is also very gracious with his time as he posed for numerous photos and signed many autographs while visiting the track. Auto racing couldn’t ask for a better ambassador. Whether you cheered for the number 43 or not (and there weren’t many that didn’t), you can’t help but admire the man for the way promotes the sport of auto racing. There are many reasons he is “The King.” Attention! - Richard Petty spent some time with the members of the Color Guard who took part in the pre-race ceremonies at Iowa Speedway - BWJ photo

I got to see Kathryn Knaack too. Kathryn is a friend of Petty’s and was on hand to catch up with Richard. She and I were able to catch up as well over lunch. I hadn’t talked with her in years and there was a lot to catch up on, and reminisce about too. Back in 1993, she and I hit a few of the Daytona Beach sites during Speedweeks, including a concert with Tex Beneke and his orchestra. Being a huge Glenn Miller fan, a chance to see and hear Beneke (Miller’s saxophone player and vocalist) was a treat, and a piece of my life I will never forget. It was great to see Kathryn at Iowa Speedway. Kathryn and The King - Kathryn Knaack and Richard Petty got a chance to catch up while at the track. - BWJ photo

One more item about Kyle Busch. In addition to being kind to me about breaking his trophy, he certainly went against the grain and his “bad boy” image that brings out the boo birds. I accompanied him back to his hauler in the pits and when we arrived, a swarm of fans was waiting. Busch didn’t hide or flinch. He waded into the people, signed autographs and posed for pictures, some top quality time with the people. The winner - Kyle Busch takes part in the post-race press conference. - BWJ photo

With the fans - Kyle Busch chats with the fans and signs some autographs back at his hauler after the race. - BWJ photo

Busch and many other drivers catch a bad reputation at times when it comes to dealing with fans. The good things are often overlooked because the confrontations make for better copy. When it comes to driver/fan relations, it is all a matter of timing – when you ask and what you are asking for. I could write 50 pages on the do’s and don’t of that, but it would be for nothing as people will always want autographs at the wrong time, or in the wrong place. Cut your favorite racers some slack and think before you approach them - that goes for Stuart, Iowa, as much as it does Daytona. And don’t forget “please” and “thank-you”. I may sound like your mother, but manners still hold some weight in 2009.
I get a month off from Iowa Speedway and then the action heats up big time as IndyCar rolls into town for its third visit. This is one of my most anticipated shows of the entire racing season, having a soft spot in my heart for Indy. I’ll give you some details following those busy three days.

A busy time in Oskaloosa as the Southern Iowa Speedway sees its opener on Thursday, tire testing on Monday night

It has been a busy week at the Southern Iowa Speedway leading to the May 19 appearance of the USMTS at the track. The season opener ran a day later than planned due to rain (see Dick, Joyce and Jeff’s reports for the details) and the track held out well after a lot of water hit on Wednesday. The racing on Thursday was fast, and everybody behaved, bringing out a minimum of cautions. It was a good way to get the season kicked off.
Monday evening found the track open for practice and some tire testing. Good Year tire technicians were on hand as modified and B-modified drivers strapped on some Good Year rubber and put it through its paces. Some of the mods put the tires on all four corners, while others put it only on the rear.
There were also hobby stocks and stock cars on hand to run some practice laps as well. There were about 100 people who took advantage of the free grandstand seating to watch the activities, and catch Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader turn some laps getting ready for tomorrow night’s USMTS race. It was a beautiful evening to be outside watching drivers gain some extra track time. I’ll be back with a USMTS report after tomorrow’s event. Below are a few shots from Thursday night’s opener.

Getting ready - Pat Graham (1K) and Colt Mather (8) turn some hot laps as the evening got underway. - BWJ photo

Hot seat - Ron VerBeek ended his heat race in this way. The fire went out, the car was repaired, and VerBeek returned for the feature. - BWJ photo

B-mod winner - Kevin Fee was the B-modified feature winner last Thursday. - BWJ photo

Double trouble - Zack VanderBeek doubled-up on victory lane appearances, winning both the stock car and modified main events - BWJ photo

Hobby winner - Bobby Greene showed the way in winning the hobby stock feature. - BWJ photo

Headed for fourth - Scott Dickey blasts through the corner on his way to a top-five finish in the modified feature. - BWJ photo

Logan and Herrera rule the night as the IRA regulars take a stab at Knoxville

I had a great time Saturday night attending the IRA vs. Knoxville show at the Knoxville Raceway. A late arrival time kept me from reaching the infield, so I headed to the press box and watched from the top. I always have a good time in the press box when I make the visit. Seated next to track historian Bob Wilson, I get to the spend the night chatting with Bob and Stacy Ervin as they update the Knoxville website in real time, keeping those who can’t make it to the track up to speed.
We are also in the same room with Race Director Ralph Capitani as he keeps an eye on the evening and keeps the show moving. In the booth to our right is the announce team of Tony Bokhoven and Blake Anderson. So as you can see, sitting in the press box at Knoxville gives you an insight to all of the behind the scenes action as well as one of the best views of the track you will find at any facility.
There was a lot to view Saturday night as 42 360 sprint and 41 410 sprints filled the pit area. I always like attending in IRA sprint night as you can check out a few drivers that you normally don’t get to watch, plus, you can a look at how the 2009 IRA season is going to progress. Granted, the IRA guys tend to be the fish out of water at Knoxville on the big, fast half-mile compared to the smaller tracks they usually race for their title on; however, when the series brings 19 cars with it like it did Saturday night, you definitely get a feel for what they are about, and their drivers do play a key role in the show.
And here’s a helpful hint – if you want to see a great IRA show, and one of my favorites, go to Cedar Lake in June when the run the double-header with the late models. This year’s 11th annual Masters runs June 19 and 20 and pairs the WDRL late models with the IRA sprints. A good ticket at a premier facility.
Back at Knoxville Saturday night, the track was in good shape. By feature time it allowed for plenty of racing room as there were solid low and high grooves and lots of room in the middle. The low groove looked to have a little more grab in turns three and four than it did in one and two, but it still provided a solid option.
One of the drivers that made the low groove work in turns one and two was Randy Martin in his 360. Though feature winner Ricky Logan was pretty much untouchable in taking the win, eighth-starting Martin mounted the best challenge for the lead in the course of the feature. Martin gained positions on the low side in turns one and two and was soon trying to track down Logan. Martin’s stiffest competition for second was Clint Garner. Garner and Martin turned several laps before the position was decided.
Johnny Anderson held a strong second for several laps, until the close of the race neared and the performance of his number 2A machine dropped significantly and he faded to fourth.
My pick for a potential 360 winner was Nebraska’s Chad Humston. Humston put on a show in winning the first heat race, running his car in, up, down and around everyone else from his sixth starting spot. He started the feature sixth, but the car didn’t seem to have the fire it did at heat race time. Based on what I saw Saturday, though, I won’t be surprised when Humston is in victory lane with a 360 win.
Bob Weuve held quick time for much of qualifying as the track ran cars in group qualifying, five at a time. Skip Jackson would ruin Weuve’s speed party as he would grab quick time late. Jackson would also look to ruin 410 feature winner Johnny Herrera’s night early, applying pressure in the opening laps of the 20-lap feature.
Starting on the pole, Herrera would lead all 20 laps, but he wasn’t alone up front, and it took a skilled drive through traffic to gain a comfortable lead in a smoking car as the laps wound down. Don Droud, Jr., started fifth and looked to have the best answer for Herrera as he had the #47 Casey’s machine running hard. He would get close to Herrera and that was about it. Brian Brown finished third after starting eighth and also had a couple glimpses at a possible lead.
Putting on the big show for the night was Billy Alley, who started 20th and finished fifth. Alley was dealing with mechanical issues early, and posted a fourth-place finish in his heat to qualify for his starting feature spot. Whatever bugs had bitten the team early seemed to be fading as Alley made steady progress to the front.
I had a bit of the blues after missing the World of Outlaws opener at the track the week before, but Saturday night’s show cured me of that. I had a great time and watched a lot of good racing. From up in the press box I was able to watch a lot of the close calls that I miss when I’m working down in the infield. There is a lot of “calculating” that goes on with sprint car racing, and drivers give each other a minimum of clearance with a lot of horsepower all around the race track.
Standing at one spot in the infield I see a minimum of that. Sitting where I did Saturday night, I got to see a lot of amazing moves and close calls. Though the lead may not change, in the pack of a feature race at Knoxville, there is a lot that happens over the course of 15 or 20 laps and the fans in the stands get to see it all. That was the case Saturday. Logan and Herrera were too tough to beat, but behind them, I challenge anybody to say they didn’t get their money’s worth with the IRA vs. Knoxville show. I’m sorry to see this one go by so soon.

May Day Two Track Classic brings good racing to Farley and West Liberty

The May Day Two Track Classic at Farley and West Liberty was a good one, providing fans with some good racing, a great assortment of drivers from across the Midwest, and a boost of confidence that unsanctioned, open late model shows can still fill a pit area. It is nice to know that some big winner’s checks can still pull them in without a sanction name attached to it.
I guess I should clarify; we know that tours are doing well, and rightfully so, but late model racing has a history of big, unsanctioned shows. In uncertain times money-wise, it is nice to know that drivers will still make the tow when they aren’t racing for series points or championships; and there were several drivers at Farley and West Liberty that made a very long tow.
Friday night at Farley was a perfect storm – of good weather. With rain wiping out most if not all of the other open late model shows in the Midwest, the lure of $10,000 at Farley brought in a great assortment of drivers from every direction, and the Simmons Promotions staff was ready. The track at Farley was in great shape for the opener and provided for good racing all night long. Our only snag was a power line crapping out two miles south of town, plunging the speedway into darkness for an hour and 45 minutes. We were 18 cars into 51 qualifying runs and suddenly festivities came to a halt. The nice thing was, when the lights came back on, the motors fired up and we took off like nothing had ever happened. The staff kept the show rolling at a brisk pace, and the races were wrapped up in good fashion. It was still a late night, but it was completed with all speed possible.
Terry Phillips started outside the front row and led all 50 laps. At first look, that sounds boring, but the race was far from that. There were a lot of position changes going on behind Phillips, and Jeremiah Hurst and Matt Miller put on a show as they swapped positions between second and third numerous times. Hurst would eventually hold on to second for good, but lost it in the end, crossing the scales light.
Phillips is tough to pass when you give him the front row advantage, so even tough there were no lead changes, it was fun watching Phillips set the pace. He didn’t quite have the success he had at Farley at West Liberty, though he did make the show and finish inside the top ten in ninth.
The front row held the key on Saturday night at West Liberty as well, as Billy Moyer and Brian Birkhofer started up front and set the tone for the entire run of the feature. Shannon Babb had some say too, but for the most part it came down to Moyer and Birkhofer.
The first ten laps that the duo ran were intense. They drove hard into the corners, side-by-side, each trying to take the lead for good. Moyer led the first two, Birkhofer the third. Moyer led again until nine laps were complete, when Birkhofer had the edge again. He would hold on with Moyer in close pursuit for several laps.
A caution with 29 laps complete let Babb make a run on Moyer and race in second for several laps. With eight laps to go, Moyer retook second and gassed it, making one last drive after Birkhofer. He gained a lot of real estate, but couldn’t get in position to try one more pass. As was the case at Farley, there was a lot of movement throughout the field over the 50 laps, providing fans with plenty to watch in addition to what was going on at the front.
The modified feature at West Liberty was a good one too. Farley winner Brad Dierks was starting 14th, so I was honestly looking to see another face in victory lane Saturday. Dierks had other ideas, and as the laps ran down, he stuck his number 29D up on the wall and blasted around the field to take the lead and double up on trophies for the weekend. The car was on a rail and Dierks put on a show.
All told, it was a very successful weekend. I got to watch a lot of drivers I hadn’t had a chance to see yet in 2009, so that always counts big with me. The tracks were in good to great shape, and they provided for some good racing. Track officials kept both shows moving, providing line-ups fast and keeping races on the tracks.
That wraps up the reading part. Check back later today as I add some pictures to show you some more highlights…

Open house tonight, May 1, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at National Sprint Car Hall of Fame

If you are in the area, or in town early for the May 2 appearance of the World of Outlaws at the Knoxville Raceway, be sure and swing by the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame tonight as they will hold an open house for their new second floor additions. Running from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the open house is free to the public so that the Hall can show off its latest additions in grand style.
Under construction for some time, the second floor is now complete and ready for visitors. The new changes feature a research library, a display area containing all of the Hall inductees, and a new movie theater so that guests can watch some of the classic footage and documentaries that cover sprint car racing.

New entry - This is the entrance to the Hall of Fame inductee area on the second floor. - BWJ photo

Inductees - Guests are able to get up close and personal with the Hall of Fame inductee photos. - BWJ photo

Have a seat - The new theater has plenty of room for good viewing. - BWJ photo

Screen view - Another look at the theater. - BWJ photo

The first floor still contains the vintage sprint cars and memorabilia that have made the Hall a “must visit” for people racing at Knoxville. Weld machine - Greg Weld's 1967 USAC Championship sprinter is now on display. - BWJ photo

One cherry machine - Tom Cherry's Mercury Special. - BWJ photo

It's super - A look at the Oswego supermodifieds. - BWJ photo

Still on display is one of my favorites, an exhibit covering the supermodifieds at Oswego. There are also some new cars hitting the museum floor, including the 1967 USAC National Championship car of Greg Weld, and, the Tom Cherry-driven Mercury Special.
So, if you are around Knoxville this weekend, be sure and swing by the Hall to see what is new. And don’t forget, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight, you can check out the new second floor for free.

Burgtorf wins "Drive For Five" opener at Donnellson's Lee County Speedway

Just a quick catch up. The technology demons got a hold of my Internet provider and I was unable to post for a few days. I’ll give you a quick recap of the “Drive for Five” at Lee County Speedway last Friday night as 33 IMCA late models made the tow for $1,000 to win.
A decent amount of rain on Thursday left the track well-watered for the Friday show, which made for a tough track to figure out. Even with a strong wind, the surface did not dry out, and drivers saw corners that developed a couple of ruts and left a lot of clods leading to some challenging conditions. I would hate to have to prepare a track in April in Iowa, and last Friday night was proof of that.

For the lead - Mark Burgtorf (7B) goes under Tom Darbyshire (42) to grab the lead in the IMCA late model 25-lap feature. - BWJ photo

All in the family - Lonnie Bailey (25) and Matt Bailey (52) joust for position in turns three and four during the late model feature. - BWJ photo

The track didn’t deter the action as everyone stayed on the gas and Mark Burgtorf continued his winning streak. Tom Darbyshire made him work for it, but Burgtorf held his momentum through the night. He would lose it on Saturday and Sunday, but as for Friday, the 7B was running strong.
In addition to late models on a regular basis at Lee County, the “Drive for Five” also brings an interesting contest for fans. Each night the late models are on hand, one name will be draw from the fans that enter the contest. The person drawn will have the option of drawing a driver, or drivers, from the feature field. If the fan draws one driver name and that driver wins the feature, the fan pockets $500. There is also the option of drawing five names from the field, and if any of those five drivers win the feature, the fan wins $100 - a pretty sweet deal to come home from the races with some pocket money. The first go around of this last Friday saw the fan pick five drivers but come up empty in the money column.
Doug Huls had the other highlight for the night after rolling his IMCA stock car in the feature. The car landed back on its tires, Doug fired it up, rejoined the field, and finished the race in seventh. The crowd went crazy when he restarted the car and took off after the field for the restart.

Coming down - Doug Huls' IMCA stock car settles back onto its wheels after tipping in turns three and four during the feature event. - BWJ photo

Back in action - Huls is back on the gas as the green flag flies to complete the feature. - BWJ photo

A good race - Jeff Mueller (77) and Jason Cook (27J) race for the lead in the IMCA stock car feature. - BWJ photo

The next round of late models at Lee County Speedway is set for May 8, but you can catch great action at the track every Friday night – except for tonight, as the May 1 show at the speedway has been cancelled due to weather.