Fairgrounds Frostbuster starts my slowly developing 2013 racing season on a positive note

The start to my racing season has been a whirlwind of just about everything but racing. When the weather has been good, I’ve had other obligations; and, when the weather has been rotten (which has been most of the time it seems) I have had racing on my schedule.

Fortunately I was able to attend open night of the Frostbusters at the Iowa State Fairgrounds last Thursday night.

I found myself really enjoying the evening. Mick Trier and crew had the track in good shape for racing in spite of the fickle weather we have had so far this year. It seemed especially fast, and there was plenty of room to race throughout the night. I think the speed factor came into play because it was my first race of the year and those nights always seem especially fast as you get used to seeing racing live again. Couple that with racing on a half mile, and the cars looked to be flying. They also raced fairly clean as carnage was minimal for an opening night.

There was a nice mix of locals and visitors, and it was a quality field throughout. Being at Des Moines, you also had the satisfaction of knowing the show was going to run off without any delays as they face the curfew every week and have their routine down. At feature time, the lights on the pace car were flashing for the next event as soon the winner crossed the finish line. Curfew or not, as a race fan, that’s something you like to see.

First of Three - Jeremy Mills won last Thursday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, kicking-off a three night winning streak for the IMCA modified driver. - BWJ photo

Hobby Winner - Shannon Anderson was the IMCA hobby stock winner at Des Moines, giving him a successful start to his weekend. - BWJ photo

Race-wise, in hindsight, what I find interesting is how that night kicked off good weekends for some people. Jeremy Mills topped the modified main event, and then would go on to win the next nigh tat Marshalltown and then on Saturday night at Algona. Three nights, three wins, not too shabby.

Damon Murty was the stock car winner at Des Moines, going on to win Sunday at Vinton and adding a fourth place at Marshalltown. Shannon Anderson also tallied bookend wins with the Frostbusters, winning at Des Moines and Vinton. Mills, Murty and Anderson look like they haven’t slipped when it comes to performance. They have been the ones to beat on any given night in the past, and their starts to 2013 don’t bode well for the competition this year either.

 For sportmods Thursday night, the name was Gladson. Rick and Glenn Jr. both showed well in their heats, and it was Rick holding off challengers to win the A. The rest of the weekend, it was Luellens running up front, with Ty winning at Marshalltown, followed by Clint; Ty then had a third at Boone, and then it was Clint winning at Vinton.

Sportmod Battle - Carter VanDenBerg (7) kept the pressure on Rick Gladson (77), but Gladson would prevail at Des Moines. - BWJ photo

Murty wins - Damon Murty was the IMCA stock car feature winner. - BWJ photo

So yes, there were some dominant performers for the Frostbusters, but there were so many drivers out last weekend, I don’t think you’ll have to worry about seeing different faces in victory lane this summer. There are plenty of teams ready to step up. Go through the rosters of those who have appeared at Beatrice, Donnellson, 34 Raceway, Algona, Des Moines, Marshalltown, Boone and Vinton, and you will find plenty of drivers that will be winning races this summer. If that doesn’t get you fired up on a cold, rainy/snowy day in April, I don’t know what will.

Sportcompact winner - Jake Coughennower was the Fairgrounds winner of the sportcompact feature. - BWJ photo

Truck topper - Tony Moro was the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Truck feature winner. - BWJ photo

Also getting folks fired up was the Deery opener at 34 Raceway. Denny Eckrich won the Slocum Memorial 50 in the company of a strong field of late models. Jeff Aikey looks ready to defend his 2012 title, while Brian Harris looks to win his share as well in the Richard number 15.  Andy Eckrich and Jason Utter rounded out the top five and can be counted among the contenders as well.

The Sprint Invaders have also been off to a great start, fielding 30, 29 and 26 sprint cars in their first three shows. Paul Nienhiser and Russ Hall won the first two events; unfortunately, the last show in Davenport was rained out before feature time, and constant rain has washed them out at Oskaloosa for the season. Still, they have plenty left on the schedule, so sprint car fans should travel accordingly, including the series’ first ever appearance at Independence coming up on April 19.

That’s all for now. I had to bust the frost around here and get back on Positively Racing as my season has started nicely, and I’m looking forward to getting back out on the High Side. I have included some shots here, but to see the pictures I actually got in focus at Des Moines, be sure and check out our Facebook page.