The oppressive heat and humidity has altered the plans of promoters, racers, and fans alike this week, with several tracks either canceling races altogether or pushing back start times. One venue that stayed the course was the Marshalltown Speedway, where the highly anticipated Dale Defrance Memorial would be held despite less than favorable conditions. One of only two appearances by Late Models at the track in 2023, it would be under the banner of the Hoker Trucking SLMR East division series. The annual event is a staple of the facility, as the Defrance name is synonymous with racing at "Motown." Extra sponsorship dollars swelled the purse in all five classes racing on this night headlined by a Late Model payout of $4,644 to the winner of the feature event. The number 44 was the one campaigned by Dale Defrance during his racing career. The main event would also pay a tidy $720 to start. Four IMCA weekly classes at the track, Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Mods, and Hobby Stocks would also be competing for the extra cash.
Despite the three hour plus drive, we try each season to fit in a visit to the quarter mile high banks for racing action that never disappoints as well as a chance to visit with Positively Racing cohorts, the Eiseles, and several other racing friends we don't get to visit with often enough!
And despite a forecast that offered a possibility of storms, we rolled the dice, figuring we could at least enjoy some good Sugarfire barbeque along the way. Unfortunately that turned out to be the highlight of our trip. Soon after arriving at the track, the scorching sunny skies gave way to clouds accompanied by a stiff breeze which dropped the temps from the upper nineties by about fifteen degrees. In fact more than one person in what was a pretty sizable crowd donned long sleeves!
Track personnel were no doubt watching the radar and we could here the pit P.A. letting the one hundred and sixty three drivers know that once hot laps began we would be going non stop and the Late Model forty four lap main event would be moved to the front of the feature action.
The rain held off through hot laps, time trial qualifying for the twenty seven Late Models, and three of four Sport Mod heats. A couple of sprinkles fell, then looking beyond turn three, there it came. Sheets of rain, a complete deluge soaking everyone as we all made a mad dash for cover. It took only a short time before the announcement was made that the track was "lost" and the program would be run from the beginning next Friday night. Personally, I was thirty five for thirty five in complete race programs in 2023, so I guess I was due for a rain out.
Even though unsuccessful, we want to thank J Van and the staff at the speedway for their efforts and to Dick and Joyce for saving us prime seating.
As of now, we plan on Sunday night racing at Adams County, Il. Speedway, a whole lot closer to home!
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