Race fans were treated to some extra racing action on friday night at the Marshalltown Speedway. We had the make-up Fastor Pastor event from June and the annual Modified Gambler race to wrap the final night in the month of July.
The first event of the night was the the fastor pastor event in which it saw the Redeemer Lutheran Church pastor Dan Johnson out distance New Hope Christian Church pastor Kerry Jech. Johnson was in the #19D Hobby Stock of Dustin Elliott and he thanked dustin in victory lane for letting him drive his car.
The first feature of the night was the Mod Lite/Dwarf Cars for their 15 lap feature. Three different lead changes would take place in the feature event before Tim Hennigar would make the pass on Joel Huggins on lap 7. Hennigar would make the pass on Huggins on the restart of the first of 2 cautions, the caution was for Brad Talbert spinning in turn 2. The second caution would come out on lap 11 for Mike Thomas spinning out in turn 2. Tim Hennigar would not let it faze him as he would go on and get his first win since August 15, 2008. Behind Hennigar was Mike Kennedy, Mike Morrill, Joel Huggins and Eric Hendrickson.
Big 8 Tyre Center IMCA Sport Mods were up next for their 15 lap feature, for the first time this season there would be only 3 heats and no b-feature meaning all 25 cars started the race. The Racing Veteran from Conrad Duane Van Deest would take the lead on the start. the first caution came out on lap 1 when Joel Rust spun in turn 4. Van Deest didn't let it faze him as he maintain the lead through that caution and the other 2 cautions. one on lap 5 for Curt Hilmer in turn 1 & 2 and another one on lap 7 for Jade Robinson off top of turn 1 & 2. Van Deest still maintained the lead but on the restart he would have Luke Wanninger knocking on his back door. Wanninger would make the pass on lap 9 and go on to the win and get his first victory since August 20, 2008. Behind Wanninger was Scott Davis, Jake Strayer, Brad Iverson and Joel Bushore, Van Deest fell back to 6th.
Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel IMCA Modifieds were up next for their 20 lap feature event. Tim Murty would lead the race from start to finish in the feature despite holding off many challengers and 4 cautions. The cautions came out on lap 3 for Larson blowing up in turn 3, on the restart for a bad restart, lap 9 for Adam Bolin and Tim Stevens spinning in turn 4 and lap 17 for Jay Noteboom because of Electrical problems. For Murty this would be his first win since June 16, 2006. Ryan Gustin in Older Brother Jimmy's Back-up car would finish 2nd, Scott Hogan came in 3rd, Jimmy Gustin in 4th and Troy Cordes in 5th.
Up Next was the Aaron's IMCA Stock Cars for their 18 lap feature. Eric Flander would take the lead for the first 2 laps then Michael Jeannette took his shot at leading the next 2 laps before losing the lead to Dustin Smith. The only caution would come out on lap 11 when Trevor Titus and Dan Feltner spun in turn 2. Smith would go on and get his 7th win of the season at Marshalltown. Damon Murty, Jeff Wollam, Trent Murphy and Dave Atcher rounded out the top 5.
The Final Feature of the Night was the Junction Bar & Grille IMCA Hobby Stocks for their 12 lap feature. "Turbo" Terry Shaffar would go on and get his first win at Marshalltown since 2004, Shaffar would start 9th and take the lead from Josh Saunders on lap 4. Shaffar made have won but he would have to hold off challenges from Todd Reitzler. Behind Shaffar and Reitzler was Devin Smith, Eric Knutson and Michael Murphy.
Last on the evening was the 2nd Annual Modified Gambler Race slighted for 20 laps and $1000 to win winner take all race. Tim Murty looked to be cruising to the win in this race too but Youngster "Nitro" Nate Caruth would pass him on lap 4 and go on to the win despite a caution on lap 16 for Jimmy Gustin spinning in turn 4. Caruth would take the win and would be excited to pick up the money on the night, "Raymond Rocket" Troy Cordes would finish 2nd, "Showtime" Jon Snyder in 3rd, "Rocket" Ryan Gustin in 4th and Harris Clash Winner Jay Noteboom in 5th.
Racing action completed at 10:40pm. Next Friday Night will be the Americas Best Value Inn King of the Hill for the Stock Cars. Gates open at 5:30 with Hot Laps at 7 with races to follow at 7:30!
