Running the High Side: Long makes short work of Hawkeye Dirt Tour field at Oskaloosa

There was an interesting mix of modifieds at Oskaloosa last night. With 27 cars in total, it was decided that everyone would make the A main - a great idea as there is plenty of room on the track at Osky. Other news of note was that Luke Wanninger was on hand running one of the two test IMCA modifieds that are making the rounds this summer. Wanninger’s car had the crate 604 with the five-inch spoiler. Starting 12^th, Wanninger was up to 7^th with five laps complete and was in third with eight laps complete. How much of it was engine, how much was spoiler, and how much was Luke (he’s no slouch behind the wheel) will be up for debate for sure, but it was interesting to see this test car in action.

As for the race, I leave that up to Bill Martin at IMCA to spell it out for you here. I will close with some photos: “Michael Long made short work of his competition Tuesday night, leading all 25 laps of the JR Motorsports Hawkeye Dirt Tour main event at Southern Iowa Speedway.

“The IMCA Modified win paid $1,000 and made Long one of the earliest qualifiers for the 2013 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot. He’s also the eighth different winner in as many tour events so far this season.

“Long raced from the fourth starting spot to the front before a rash of early yellows. Threatened early by point leader Richie Gustin, he held off those challenges to and through the final caution, on the ninth circuit.

“Luke Wanninger got into the mix, passing Gustin for second after that restart. No one had anything for Long, however, and he won comfortably ahead of Wanninger and Gustin as the feature stayed green the last 16 laps.

“Jay Noteboom advanced 11 positions to finish fourth and Mike Van Genderen was fifth. Hard charger Jeremy Mills was a plus 18 spots on the night and ended in sixth. David Murray Jr., one of the travelers stopping at Oskaloosa prior to Thursday’s Harris Clash at Knoxville, was seventh.”

Feature results – 1. Michael Long , Quincy, Ill.; 2. Luke Wanninger , Grimes; 3. Richie Gustin, Gilman; 4. Jay Noteboom, Hinton; 5. Mike Van Genderen , Newton; 6. Jeremy Mills , Garner; 7. David Murray Jr., Oberlin, Kan.; 8. Mark Schulte, Delhi; 9. Mark Elliott, Webster City; 10. Kyle Strickler , Mooresville, N.C.; 11. Ryan Dolan, Lisbon; 12. Rich Smith, Davenport; 13. Andrew Schroeder, Keswick; 14. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, Ill.; 15. Jeff Conner, Panora; 16. Ronn Lauritzen , Jesup; 17. Jason Schoenberger, Russell, Kan.; 18. Dakota Hayden, Wilton; 19. Cayden Carter , Oskaloosa; 20. Jacob Murray, Hartford; 21. Greg Cox, Altoona; 22. Ray Cox Jr ., Maquoketa; 23. Scott Dickey, Packwood; 24. Wade Francis, Oskaloosa; 25. Tyler Cale, Donnellson; 26. Darin Duffy, Hazleton; 27. Jeremy Frenier , Fort Morgan, Colo.

1^st heat (top four redraw) – 1. Long; 2. Duffy; 3. Hayden; 4. Greg Cox; 5. Lauritzen; 6. Frenier; 7. Dolan; 8. Francis; 9. Jacob Murray.

2^nd heat – 1. Schulte; 2. Dickey; 3. Schroeder; 4. Wanninger; 5. Smith; 6. Connor; 7. Cox; 8. Strickler; 9. Waterman.

3^rd heat – 1. Gustin; 2. Carter; 3.Elliott; 4. Van Genderen; 5. Noteboom; 6. David Murray Jr.; 7. Cale; 8. Mills; 9. Schoenberger.