Thrillers at Marshalltown as night two of the Stock Car Shootout offers last-lap feature wins

Tuesday night was the reason we all go to the races. One of my favorite annual events is the Stock Car Shootout – wherever it may be, and whatever the sanction. A diehard stock car fan, I look forward to these events every year around the Fourth of July. This year it was especially true with my schedule allowing me to make two of the three IMCA events – Marshalltown and Oskaloosa. I was encouraged by the solid numbers at Monday’s opener at BVR and the racing got good reviews too.

Marshalltown kept the streak going.

Toby and crew at Marshalltown had the track ready to race, and kept tossing water on it all night to ensure the drivers had room to race, which they did. It paid off with the final three races being won on the last lap, and two of those wins taking place coming out of turn four.  That’s what I mean by Tuesday being why we all go to the races – to see close racing and to see wins come down to the last lap. It was a great show, run off quickly, and even with the nasty temps, once the sun went down, and the breeze kept blowing, it wasn’t all that bad outside.

Be sure and check out Dick and Joyce’s column for more of the details. I’ll throw some pictures at you here after a couple of more thoughts. 

In the sportmods, Tony Dunker didn’t let Scott Davis get too far away, shadowing the 81D for several laps. Dunker made his winning move out of turn four, making the trip north worth it for the point leader at Quincy Raceways.

In the hobby stocks, Marshalltown point leader Scott Pippert looked comfortable out front, but Brandon Pruitt had followed him through the field after both started the main event mid-pack. Riding in second again was the key to success as Pruitt made his move out of turn four to win on the last lap.

When Brian Irvine shows up for a stock car special, he automatically goes on my list of favorites to win; actually, he goes on a lot of people’s lists because he is good when the big money is on the line. Even starting 18^th, you knew he would be one to watch.

On the opening lap, a scramble/caution in turns three and four sent some drivers to the back, including Irvine, and I admit, with the talent on hand, I figured he had his work cut out for him. Instead, he put on a show and charged to the front, taking the lead in turn two on the last lap and winning the feature.

This was a fitting end to the night of action, and I’m looking forward to more of the same tonight at Oskaloosa. The last two Wednesdays at Osky the stock cars have been the class to watch, running three and even four wide as they sort themselves out in their heats and features. Stock cars have always been THE show at Osky to me, and with strong regulars and visitors chasing big bucks tonight, I hope you are there to see it live. I’ll update you tomorrow.

Brian Irvine digs in as he works his way to the front in the stock car feature. - BWJ photo

Scott Davis (81D) leads, but Tony Dunker lurks off of his right rear corner. - BWJ photo

Sean Johnson (8R) led for much of the stock car feature. Donavon Smith (35) would take the lead when Johnson drifted high in turn two late in the race. Irvine would then pass Smith in the same spot on the final lap for the win.- BWJ photo

Scott Pippert (47) led for many of the hobby stock feature laps. - BWJ photo

Brandon Pruitt (10B) would pass Scott Pippert in turn four on the final lap to win the hobby stock feature. - BWJ photo

Sportmod winner Tony Dunker. - BWJ photo

Stock car winner Brian Irvine and family in victory lane. - BWJ photo