With plans getting changed at the last minute on Wednesday, Darryl and I made the decision to head for one of our favorite venues, the Marshalltown Speedway. The occasion was a first time visit by the Flo Racing folks, and another in the series of $22,022 to win star studded events. The series had MoTown on the schedule in 2021, but it was weathered out, and we were informed that it had been more than ten years since a super late model show had run on the high banked quarter mile speed plant.
Two of the weekly IMCA classes, modifieds and stock cars would fill out the card for this mid week extravaganza. As should be expected on a week night, the fans were slow to roll in, but by race time our section up top near the announcers perch was shoulder to shoulder. With the Flo racing folks more or less directing traffic, former announcer, now the new track race director Jerry VanSickle would be waving the sticks on this night, and with a great amount of enthusiasm, I might ad.
IMCA late models had been a weekly staple at the track for many years, always putting on a good show, but no match, speed wise for the supers, so it was no surprise that the track record was more than twenty years old, and held by the now retired Billy Moyer. It was also no surprise that it was broken on this night by a host of drivers. Mike Marlar is the new record holder, as he tripped the clock in 13.758 seconds on what was a lightning fast surface of rich Iowa black dirt.
The twenty nine cars signed in were then split into three eight lap heat races, lined up straight up by times, of course. Marlar captured the first heat, followed by Tim McCreadie and series points leader Brandon Sheppard. Hometown favorite Ryan Gustin powered from outside row one to top Earl Pearson, Jr., and Billy Moyer Jr. in heat two. The final heat went to pole sitter Hudson Oneal , besting Ricky Thornton Jr., and Garrett Alberson. With the top six from each heat locked in to the feature, only one B main was run, with Devin Moran and Logan Martin leading the top four to the fifty lap money race.
Heat races for the twenty three stock cars and twenty four modifieds clicked off quickly, as well, and after a short break for some track prep, twenty two late models came to the track.
Gustin lined up outside row one and took the early lead. The yellow flag flew on lap two as Chad Simpson looped his ride and was hit hard by Spencer Diercks, eliminating both cars. On the restart, Gustin and second place Marlar worked the low line around the track while third starting and running Oneal worked up top. It soon paid off, as Oneal powered around Marlar for second. Meanwhile, seventh starting Sheppard entered the top five about lap eight, and was passing for fourth when the red flag waved with eight laps in the books when sixth running Thornton Jr. slipped over the top between turns one and two, rolling his #20RT. After a rather lengthy delay to remove his car, it was back to green. Along with Sheppard, Tyler Erb was on the move, having come from outside row eight to ninth. As racing resumed, B Shepp quickly claimed fourth while Erb gained two spots to seventh. Gustin was approaching the back of the pack, catching up about lap twenty two, and now Oneal was breathing down his neck. Along with Marlar and Sheppard, the top four ran side by side and nose to tail at high speed. Sheppard grabbed third just after the halfway mark, and with twenty laps left on the scoreboard, Oneal pulled a slider out of turn four to take over the lead. The next time through turn four, Gustin returned the favor, but Hudson was able to cross him over to retake the spot. Oneal continued to rip the lip, while Gustin and Sheppard ran a low line in turns one and two, Gustin jumping up top in three and four while Sheppard stayed low on the tire barrier. With those two locked in a great duel for second, Marlar came back to join the chase. Ten circuits remained when Sheppard made his pass of Gustin, and Marlar followed in third. With Sheppard trying hard to make up ground, Oneal came close to disaster, as he barely slipped over the thinning cushion in turn two a couple laps from the end. But he was able to recover, taking the checkered flag and the big payday. Sheppard was strong in the runner up spot, trailed by Marlar and Gustin. Erb was the hard charger, nipping McCreadie late for fifth, gaining eleven spots in the race. Alberson was seventh, Chris Simpson cleared Bobby Pierce in the closing laps in a battle of #32s, and Moyer Jr. completed the top ten.
The good thing about the Flo Racing events is the running of the late model feature early in night, mostly for the benefit of those watching at home. The downside is the lengthy interviews of the top three, again mostly for the T.V. crowd. So with what would no doubt be a pair of outstanding features to go, but early calls on Thursday for us both, we headed to the parking lot to begin the three hour plus journey home!
There is no shortage of racing events on the calendar this weekend, and I urge everyone to take in one or more. With an eye on the radar, our early plans would take us to Lee County Speedway on Friday, Lucas Oil late models at 34 Raceway on Saturday, then the MARS late model action at Adams County, Illinois Speedway to wrap up the weekend on Sunday. Fingers crossed!
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