Saturday was Done Right T.V. night at 34 Raceway outside West Burlington with $1,000 to win and $100 to start offered up in the five classes on the card. In addition, the once a year late model bonus of $250 to the winner made for a solid payday in all divisions. Also, former racer Tony Dunker, from Quincy,Il. put up a $50 bonus to the hard charger in each feature race. The action would be taking place under a draw, redraw format, so it was no surprise when a total of one hundred and eleven cars came through the pit gate.
The fourteen heat races clicked off in good fashion, with only a pair of yellow flags slowing the action. As the temperature cooled rapidly the moisture was coming to the surface of the high banked 3/8 mile, so track officials decided to do some grooming ahead of a pair of B mains needed to whittle the thirty six IMCA sport mods down to a twenty four car feature. As they were the only group needing extra qualifiers, the feature lineup was altered, with 305 sprint cars the first of five twenty lappers.
All fifteen cars took the green flag, and Ben Wagoner went for a 360 degree spin, however the yellow flag waved for a car off turn one, and Wagoner was able to restart in his original spot. Nick Guernsey took the early lead and by lap five, Dan Keltner had made it a two car race with Wagoner closing in ahead of a caution at the halfway mark. Back under green, Keltner grabbed the lead and was cruising when Noah Samuels and Duggan Thye got together in turn two, with both cars turning over. Finally racing resumed, with Keltner powering to the win. Guernsey came home second ahead of Cody Wehrle, Wagoner, and Devon Rouse.
IMCA late models were up next, with all but one of the fifteen cars coming to the grid. After a false start, pole sitter Tommy Elston grabbed the lead. with third starting Andy Eckrich in close pursuit and Nick Marolf hanging tough. On lap six, Elston drifted a bit coming out of turn two and Eckrich shot under him for the lead. Matt Starassheim and Don Pataska got together in turn four on lap eight to bring out the yellow. Marolf used the Delaware restart to grab second as the green flag waved, and one lap later Matt Ryan, who had started in row five and restarted sixth, powered to third. Justin Kay also picked up the chase in fourth just past the halfway mark, but with no further cautions, Eckrich cruised to the victory. Marolf, Ryan, Kay, and Elston enjoyed top five runs. Mark Burgtorf ran sixth ahead of Denny Woodworth, Jay Johnson, Kevin Peters, and North Carolina visitor, Carter Fischlein.
Next up was the IMCA sport mod marathon. Seven yellow flags interrupted the action, sending several folks scurrying for the exits. Unfortunately, this is a scene that we see all too often, but I digress. Outside row one starter Austen Becerra grabbed the early lead, with first Brayton Carter, then Dylan VanWyk and Logan Anderson applying the pressure. After the fifth caution in the first seven laps and the field realigning single file, Becerra saw his night end with a puff of smoke from his "old" #22. Carter, who had started on the pole and fallen to fourth, also headed for his pit at the same time. VanWyk was now in charge, and he survived a final stoppage to take the win. Anderson was second, besting Sean Wyett, Barry Taft, and Gage Neal.
All twenty entrants in the IMCA stock car class lined up for twenty laps. Outside row one starter Abe Huls got the jump on his row one mate Chris Wibbell and was leading when the first caution came at lap seven. A multi car scrum saw Matt Picray on the hook with front end damage, and John Oliver Jr. and Jeremy Pundt in the work area with flat tires. Both tagged the tail on the restart as Jason Cook moved in to challenge Huls, taking the top spot at lap eleven. One more trip past the flag stand and Oliver Jr. was back to third. A lap thirteen yellow was what Oliver Jr. needed to power to second, and with four circuits remaining he completed his worst to first journey. He then held on for the win, topping Cook, Dustin Griffiths, Huls, and Shane Richardson.
The IMCA modified finale got off to a rocky start, with the red flag immediately following the green, as the field stacked up and it took considerable time to separate a pair of cars. Two more lap one cautions, then Ethan Braaksma led the opening laps. Dennis Laveine grabbed the spot two circuits ahead of a lap five caution. The field restarted single file, with row three starter Michael Long on the move. He charged to second on lap thirteen, and caught the leader who soon hit slower traffic. Long was out front as lap seventeen was scored, and the pair continued to race side by side, with Laveine running the low line and Long racing around the top. Long took the white flag first, then all heck broke loose. As the checkered flag was about to wave, a car spun in turn two, the yellow light was turned on and the checkers was displayed for the leaders. Long then drove to victory lane, but was waved off and Laveine declared the winner. With this turn of events, I am unsure of the finish behind those two, but I think it was some combination of Mark Burgtorf, Cayden Carter, and Braaksma scoring top fives.
The long night of racing wrapped up a bit after 11:00 with much of what had been a good crowd already on the road home. Thanks to Jessi, Brad, and the staff for their hospitality and for a full night of action. There are at least a half dozen good choices for racing on this holiday weekend Sunday, so we will see where we wind up. Enjoy the rest of your long weekend, and don't forget to thank a veteran!
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