The race track on the Louisa County Fairgrounds has a long and rich history of dirt track action. My first time at the iconic speedway as I recall came on opening night of 1971 - if anyone could let me know who won that night, I would greatly appreciate it - and it quickly became a favorite venue. Of course the cars and stars of the old MVSC made trips to Columbus Junction, and West Liberty, as well, something special. In those days CJ was a big ol' half mile, since then it has been shortened to something close to a four tenths mile still with the unique levee off the back stretch. Of course the Mississippi Valley Speed Club is only a distant memory and several promoters, some successful and some not so much, have followed. Currently part time race Dan Keltner is the man in charge and on Friday he welcomed in Joe Kosiskis' traveling Super Late Model Series. And when the high powered Late Models come roaring in to town, it becomes a highlight of my season schedule.
Dubbed the Tony Stewart Tribute Race after a long time popular area competitor, the 2024 edition drew twenty seven entrants with the victory going to Nebraska driver Bill Leighton Jr.
The regular Friday night line up at CJ Speedway showcased four IMCA classes, Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Mods and Hobby Stocks, and they would fill out the card on this night.
Since our last visit, a cut has been made in that backstretch levee to keep cars from using it as banking. And entering turn one a series of concrete blocks have been put down to eliminate using the banking there. Before the races, one Late Model driver, upon viewing the "wall" for the first time said that would result in a destroyed car. More on that later.
SLMR uses time trials to set the heat race lineups, but rather than starting "straight up" there is a six car invert. Passing and finishing points then lock in the top sixteen points earners for a straight up feature starting grid. While a bit confusing, it does generally make for more exciting heat races.
Chad Simpson has yet to win a feature event as the series staged their fifth race of 2025, but with three consecutive runner up finishes, he began the night as the points leader. Building on that momentum, he set quick time with a lap of 18.829 seconds as the only driver to break the nineteen second barrier. On this night all three eight lap heats were won from the front row, with Jeff Tharp and Bill Leighton Jr. going flag to flag from the pole position while Brian Kosiski was victorious from outside row one.
As the Hobby Stocks ran their heat races the backstretch lights went out just as dusk was upon us. To their credit, officials continued on until it became a bit too dark, but it was only a brief delay before Stock Cars finished up the heats. A ten lap Late Model B Main took four more qualifiers to the feature, with Andy Eckrich victorious from the outside pole. Three provisional starters were added to give us a twenty three car starting grid.
Following intermission, Sport Mods kicked off feature racing, twelve strong for sixteen laps. Levi Gaunt charged from row two to lead lap one ahead of the first yellow flag for a Sheldon Herbert spin. Back to racing Dustin Griffiths moved from a row four start to grab the lead about lap four (CJ needs a scoreboard?) One lap later tenth starting Dylan VanWyk moved to second, then cleared the leader out of turn four for the top spot on lap five. He quickly opened a comfortable advantage, and with no more stops, VanWyk cruised to the win. Griffiths came home second chased by Cole Vanderwal, Tyler Heckart and Levi Laymon.
It was now Late Model time, and Nick Marolf and Charlie McKenna led the field to green. Marolf powered ahead with Chargin' Charlie in tow. Nick soon opened a sizable lead while Charlie also pulled away from the pack. By now the fast groove was around the top side and the leaders all seemed to migrate to the high line. About halfway through the twenty five lapper, Marolf missed his mark in turn one, allowing McKenna to close the gap, and by lap sixteen, Andrew Kosiski and Simpson had closed on the front two in a high speed chase. One more time around, and fifth running C.J. Horn lost the handle, spinning between turns three and four to bring out the first yellow flag. Curiously the field would restart single file, and following a called back start, the preferred groove seemed to now be one lane lower on the track. With four circuits left, McKenna suddenly slowed going down the back chute to bring a second and final caution. He would restart at the tail and showed plenty of speed, so I am not sure what happened to spoil his run. Again Marolf would drive off from the pack, scoring a popular win, his first ever with the SLMR series. A. Kosiski took runner up honors ahead of Simpson, Jesse Sobbing, and Dallon Murty. Leighton Jr. would pace the second five over B. Kosiski, Tim Ward, Derrick Stewart and Dylan Thornton.
Following the usual pomp and circumstance, Hobby Stocks lined up, a dozen cars for a dozen laps. Kyler Burmeister led seventh starting Nathan Ballard ahead of a lap two caution, and back under green it was Ballard in front by a nose as lap three was scored. Ballard began to pull away before a lap six yellow slowed the action. Preston McDonald would claim second as racing resumed, but he could not run down the leader as Ballard cruised to the win. Brett Timmerman, Burmeister and Jamie Hixson also scored top five finishes.
The IMCA Modified field was a bit light with nine cars, but it was a stacked group that took the green for sixteen laps. Shane Paris shot to the front from outside row one with fourth starting Kurt Kile hot on his heels. But soon Kile had his hands full with fifth starting Drew Janssen bearing down on the #77. Paris was able to pull well ahead before Janssen secured the runner up position at the mid point of the non stop event. By the time ninth starting Logan Anderson, who pulled out of the heat race, moved to third, Paris held a full straightaway advantage. As the laps wound down Janssen began to narrow the gap, but with no stops Paris sailed home to the checkers. Kile settled for fourth and Jerry King rounded out the top five.
So things were moving along nicely as the usually reliable Stock Cars lined up, sixteen strong for a sixteen lap finale. And that is when things went a bit south! John Oliver Jr. would line up on the pole, and would lead throughout what turned out to be a thirty minute plus marathon. Trenton Witt chased the leader through the first six caution free laps. Double duty Dustin Griffiths and tenth starting Gage Neal had worked into the top five when the first caution came about lap seven as Neal lost the handle in turn two. Griffiths climbed to third on the restart ahead of another yellow two laps later. Now row four starter Damon Murty jumped to third after languishing near the back in the early laps. Meanwhile Neal was already back in the first five. Three more yellow flags slowed the action at lap twelve. Then with just a couple laps remaining that first turn wall claimed its' victim. Robert Barnes and his #97 rode the top of the concrete, shooting sparks before flipping hard off the barrier. With what looked like a lengthy cleanup and the clock ticking near 11:00, we headed for the parking lot. The final running order did not appear to change, with Oliver Jr. scoring the flag to flag win over Witt, Murty, Griffiths and Neal.
It was overall an enjoyable evening with a large and enthusiastic crowd on hand. Many thanks to Dan Keltner and crew for their hospitality. Tonight, Joe Kosiski will bring his traveling warriors south to Lee County Speedway in Donnellson for another $3,000 to win spectacular. Modifieds, Sport Mods and Stock Cars will fill out the card, each racing for a cool $1,000 payday. Hot laps kick off around 6:00 P.M. Hope to see you there!
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