As most of you know, we had a lot of rain around the state this week. The Marshalltown area had around five inches of the wet stuff. I asked Toby Kruse about the challenges the rain gave his staff, and he told me that they were on the track at 9:30 a.m. Friday, working on the race surface, as well as the pits. Kruse said that they had to bring in several loads of dirt and fill to help soak up the pit area and make it serviceable. If you have ever been to Marshalltown after a rain storm, you’ll know why. The pits have some water collection areas, but they looked to be in good shape after all of the attention they received.
Middle man - Joe Luethje (17AJ) found himself in a tough spot in IMCA stock car heat race action. In the top photo, Rob Schneider (17s) and Michael Jaennette (93) begin a synchronized spin in turns one and two. In the middle photo, Luethje finds himself in a tough spot. At bottom, Luethje was the only car to keep rolling of the three, but had damage to show for it. - BWJ photosThe track itself was amazing considering the conditions it presented. The surface was hard packed at race time and presented two, three and four-wide racing throughout the night. There was still a lot of moisture in the track, but it didn’t tear up as one might expect. In fact, there was more dust than I thought there might be, as a brisk breeze out of northwest helped dry things out on the surface, and make the track challenging for some. It seemed many of the racers benefited from the conditions and put on a good show. There were some who had their difficulties, but overall, there weren’t that many stoppages on the night. Some rain clouds looked to threaten before sundown, and I even drove home on wet pavement just south of Marshalltown, but the track’s luck held and we stayed dry. Congratulations to Toby and his staff as their hard work paid off!
Joel Huggins showed the way in the first feature of the night as the dwarf cars took to the track. Point leader Mike Morrill started deep in the field and managed to work his way to second, but Huggins took advantage of his early lead and held on for the win.
Twenty-eight sportmods made the tow to Marshalltown, but it was a familiar face in victory lane as ninth-starting Kevin Sather worked his way to the win. Point leader Scott Davis ran into difficulties, spinning following a restart, so his five point lead going into the night was used up with his misfortune. This points battle will go down to the wire with the season championship this week.
The stock cars saw their usual great racing at Marshalltown, but as the laps ran down in this one, it was a familiar name showing the way again. Third-starting David Smith made one of his infrequent visits to the track and paced the field for much of the race; however, his brother Dustin started 12th and was soon putting the pressure on. The duo raced close for several laps before Dustin grabbed another win on the season. Jeff Wollam would finish third.
The modifieds put on a great show from their heat races through the feature. Kyle Krampe led the feature early before dropping out. Soon, last week’s winner Brett Ladehoff had gone from his sixth starting spot to take the lead. Ladehoff would hold the top spot for the remainder of the race, but it looked as if he would have company from a first-time visitor to the track. David Murray made the tow in from Kansas and was behind the wheel of a #23 Victory chassis. Starting 12th, Murray worked his way to second. His biggest gains came in turns three and four as he found a unique line through the center of the corners that helped him catch the cars in front of him.
As the laps wound down, Murray was gaining on Ladehoff and looked like he would be able to make one last run to the checkers. It wasn’t to be though as Murray got caught up with a lapped car coming out of turn two on the final lap, losing all momentum. Murray showed why he is the IMCA total victory leader as he was impressive in a new car in the first time out at a new facility. Eleventh starting, and point leading Jimmy Gustin helped his cause by finishing third and giving Murray a run for the second spot.
The hobby stocks wrapped up the program. Todd Reitzler started tenth to take the win, while Michael Murphy and Terry Shaffar put on a show in their race for second. Point leader Devin Smith would start 13th and finish fourth. Smith led Murphy by four points going into the night, so their finishes set up a great contest this coming Friday night.
With all of the action we had at Marshalltown, events were still wrapped up before 10 p.m., a great capper to the evening. The track still has three big shows to go: the Deery Brother Summer Series on Sept. 1, season championships on Sept.4, and, Havoc on the Highbanks Sept. 18 and 19. My thanks to Toby Kruse and his staff for allowing me to make my final visit to the track this season – as always, it was well worth the drive.
Be sure to check out Tapfan’s Tours for more details on the night at Marshalltown.
Joel Huggins showed the way in the first feature of the night as the dwarf cars took to the track. Point leader Mike Morrill started deep in the field and managed to work his way to second, but Huggins took advantage of his early lead and held on for the win.
Twenty-eight sportmods made the tow to Marshalltown, but it was a familiar face in victory lane as ninth-starting Kevin Sather worked his way to the win. Point leader Scott Davis ran into difficulties, spinning following a restart, so his five point lead going into the night was used up with his misfortune. This points battle will go down to the wire with the season championship this week.
The stock cars saw their usual great racing at Marshalltown, but as the laps ran down in this one, it was a familiar name showing the way again. Third-starting David Smith made one of his infrequent visits to the track and paced the field for much of the race; however, his brother Dustin started 12th and was soon putting the pressure on. The duo raced close for several laps before Dustin grabbed another win on the season. Jeff Wollam would finish third.
The modifieds put on a great show from their heat races through the feature. Kyle Krampe led the feature early before dropping out. Soon, last week’s winner Brett Ladehoff had gone from his sixth starting spot to take the lead. Ladehoff would hold the top spot for the remainder of the race, but it looked as if he would have company from a first-time visitor to the track. David Murray made the tow in from Kansas and was behind the wheel of a #23 Victory chassis. Starting 12th, Murray worked his way to second. His biggest gains came in turns three and four as he found a unique line through the center of the corners that helped him catch the cars in front of him.
As the laps wound down, Murray was gaining on Ladehoff and looked like he would be able to make one last run to the checkers. It wasn’t to be though as Murray got caught up with a lapped car coming out of turn two on the final lap, losing all momentum. Murray showed why he is the IMCA total victory leader as he was impressive in a new car in the first time out at a new facility. Eleventh starting, and point leading Jimmy Gustin helped his cause by finishing third and giving Murray a run for the second spot.
The hobby stocks wrapped up the program. Todd Reitzler started tenth to take the win, while Michael Murphy and Terry Shaffar put on a show in their race for second. Point leader Devin Smith would start 13th and finish fourth. Smith led Murphy by four points going into the night, so their finishes set up a great contest this coming Friday night.
With all of the action we had at Marshalltown, events were still wrapped up before 10 p.m., a great capper to the evening. The track still has three big shows to go: the Deery Brother Summer Series on Sept. 1, season championships on Sept.4, and, Havoc on the Highbanks Sept. 18 and 19. My thanks to Toby Kruse and his staff for allowing me to make my final visit to the track this season – as always, it was well worth the drive.
Be sure to check out Tapfan’s Tours for more details on the night at Marshalltown.
Winner - Joel Huggins was Friday night's dwarf car feature winner. - BWJ photo
Three wide - Brad Iverson (8), Jake Strayer (18J) and Zach Rawlins (2Z) go three-wide in the early shuffle of the IMCA sportmod feature. - BWJ photo
To the front - Kevin Sather (3E) works his way by early leader Brad Iverson (8) on his way to winning the IMCA sportmod feature. - BWJ photo
Tough night - IMCA sportmod point leader Scott Davis (81d) got sideways on a restart. Neil Follett (32N) missed the action going high, but Bill Hilldreth (98) got a good close look. - BWJ photo
Brotherly battle - David Smith (8x) led early, but Dustin Smith (85) would get by to win the IMCA stock car feature. - BWJ photo
On his way - Brett Ladehoff (12x) works underneath Mike O'Lear (2x) on his way to winning his second IMCA modified feature in-a-row at Marshalltown. - BWJ photo
From afar - David Murray (23) made his first-ever visit to Marshalltown and finished second. Here he works on taking a position from Adam Larson (2L). - BWJ photo
For second - Terry Shaffar (35) and Michael Murphy (25M) contest the second spot during the IMCA hobby stock feature. - BWJ photo
Hobby winner - Todd Reitzler shows the way coming out of turn four in the IMCA hobby stock feature. - BWJ photo
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