Laney and Shyrock Take Wins on Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans Night

Just like I did last year I decided to make the almost two and half hour drive to the Kossuth County Speedway for some Thursday Night Thunder racing. Thursday night was the Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans Night. Many other sponsors donated money to the purses for all classes plus a fan zone party and prizes for Military Veterans. There was a pre-race flyover scheduled however because of the smoke from the wildfires out west, they were not able to fly. Military Veterans, Local Law Enforcement and First Responders were also giving a standing ovation.

Salute to Veterans had 3 tribute cars in the Modifieds, Stock Cars and Sport Mods. Modifieds was Kelly Shryock, Todd Shute and Nick Meyer. Stock Cars was David Smith, Loren Pesicka and Jeffrey Larson. Sport Mods was Cam Reimers, Colby Fett and Jared Boumeester. Salute to Veterans Night presented by Kemna Auto Group with support for Bruce Lundin Construction, Caterpillar Inc., Chrome Truckstop, Central Financial, F8 Creative, JDR Seeds, Klein Insurance, MaxYield Seed, Meyer Farms, S&B Farm Distillery, Skoglund Meats, Snap-On Tools, Brian's Repair and Algona Plumbing & Heating.

Hunting with Heroes is a non-profit organization based in Lakota, Iowa by Jason and Bernie Becker in 2011. The successes of this organization have been made possible through the generous support of the people of Lakota, Buffalo Center, Rake, Thompson, Ledyard, Algona and Bancroft.

The racing was fantastic as they went two, three and four wide racing. One Hundred Twenty Nine cars checked in on the night including 31 IMCA Sport Mods, 30 IMCA Stock Cars, 29 IMCA Modifieds, 23 IMCA Hobby Stocks, 11 IMCA Sport Compacts and 5 Cruisers. After opening Ceremonies wrapped the first official green flag from Flagman Logan Kelly displayed at 7:45p and the last checkered flag displayed at 12:14a.

Despite all the negativity people have put out about the Kossuth County Speedway in the last few weeks, because of comments made by a fill in announcer, you are wrong about the people and fans of the Kossuth County Speedway. I can tell you this last night I was down in the infield during the opening ceremonies and I can tell you every fan in the stands (packed) was standing up the entire time so to say they don't support the American Flag is wrong and I hope you give them a chance as Ron Reefer and Kossuth County Fairboard to amazing job in every thing they do. Okay enough of that time to get back to talk about the racing.

First feature of the night was the Cruisers 6 lap feature event, Thomas Gronbach and Dalton Lewis led the first lap of the feature event but they spun in turn four on lap two bring out the caution. The caution turned to red flag when the "The Ladies" Peg Lewis and Heather Pesicka made heavy contact with Gronbach and Lewis. Gronbach and Lewis then hit the front stretch wall exiting turn four, however both cars saw their night end. This forced racing officials to call for a green-white-checkered finish, Joe and Chris Heyes inherited the lead but the caution again came out just after lap three scored when the "Pesicka Twins" Makenna and Makiley Pescika spun in turn three. Zach and Brody Vader took the lead away from Joe and Chris Heyes on the restart allowing them to go on to take the feature win. Heyes / Heyes finished second and Pesicka / Pesicka was third. Lewis / Pesicka finished fourth and Gronbach / Lewis credited with fifth.

Jade Lange and Arianna Prothman led the field to the green in the IMCA Sport Compacts 8 lap feature. Lange grabbed lead early but the caution came out when Charles Prime spun in turn two. Lange challenged on the restart by Lucas Parsons and Kaytee Devries, Parsons took over the race lead. Lange refused to go away as he challenged Parsons for the race lead but Parsons able to fend him off until the white flag. Lange made the move to take the race lead away and held off Parsons to take his third feature win in as many weeks at Kossuth County. Parsons finished second, RJ Esqueda got by Devries for third, Devries was fourth and Chris Wilson was fifth.

Mike Smith wrestled the early race lead away from fellow row starter Chris Krug in the twelve lap IMCA Hobby Stocks feature. Smith held off Krug and Dylan Fitzpatrick until the caution came out on lap four when Logan Knudson slowed in turn one. Smith held off Krug but now also had to contend with Josh Sidles, as Sidles took second away from Krug. The cautions came out again on lap seven for Justin Jones in turn two and lap nine for Brandon Nielsen in turn four and Josh Jorgenson in turn one. Smith held off Sidles on the restarts but Sidles continue to put pressure on the youngster. Sidles made the move and beat Smith to the finish line to take the feature win, just as they came across the line the caution came out for Tyler Beckler in turn one and Jorgenson in turn four. With Sidles taking the feature win and the Smith finished second, rounding out the top five was Fitzpatrick, Carter Koop and Krug.

Up next was the IMCA Sport Mods 15 lap feature event. Izac Mallicoat grabbed the early lead fendinf off George Nordman and Colby Fett. The caution came out just after lap two scored in the books when Jake Sachau spun in turn four. Mallicoat again fended off Nordman and Fett on the restart but the caution came out again after lap three scored when Greg Elliott spun in turn four. Mallicoat, Nordman and Fett went three wide on the restart with Mallicoat maintaining the lead on lap four. Fett edged out Nordman for second and then took the race lead away from Mallicoat on lap five. The caution came out two more times on lap six and seven for Greg Noah spinning. Colby Fett held off brother Alec Fett on the restart of both cautions before pulling away to go on and take his third win of the season in Algona. Nordman finished runner-up, Austin Schrage finished third, Jared Boumesster was fourth and Alec Fett fell back to fifth.

Chanse Hollatz and Donavon Smith led the field to the green flag in the IMCA Stock Cars 20 lap feature event. Hollatz grabbed the early lead meanwhile Devin Smith got by brother Donavon for second on lap one. The caution came out just after lap one scored when Bruce Wickman came to a stop in turn three. Hollatz held off Devin and Donavon Smith on the restart but Devin Smith continued to put pressure on Hollatz. Devin Smith took over the race lead on lap four, Kelly Shryock took over second a lap later. Shryock then battled with Devin Smith for the race lead and Shryock grabbed the lead away on lap nine. The last race caution came out on lap ten when Kevin Opheim got into McCain Jennings sending Jennings into the back stretch wall, Opheim got the black flag for questionable driving. Shryock held of Donavon Smith and Chad Palmer on the restart to go on and take the feature win. Palmer finished second with Wednesday's winner in Spencer Jake O'Neil finishing third. Donavon Smith finished fourth and Zane DeVilbiss was fifth.

Final feature of the night was the IMCA Modifieds 20 lap feature event. Cody Laney led from start to finish in the only feature to have no cautions. Laney had to fend off Zane DeVilbiss in the early going and then Jeremy Mills before getting a little separation. Laney took the feature win pocketing $4,525 for his winning effort, DeVilbiss finished second. Kelly Shryock, Tim Ward and Mills rounded out the top five. 

Once again great job by Jason and Bernie Becker for putting together the Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans Night, this year a three night tour between Clay County, Kossuth County and Boone. Also great job by Ron Reefer and the Kossuth County Fairboard for all their hard work on producing a great racing surface. Also great job by Race Director / Flagman Logan Kelly and Announcer Chad Meyer, you guys are among the best in the business.

Next Thursday August 5th, Kossuth County Speedway in Algona will be the Denny Hovinga and Gary Harken Memorial during the Kossuth County Fair. Both Hovinga and Harken inducted in the Kossuth County Agricultural and Motorsports Museum, Hovinga in 2008 and Harken in 2015. IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Compacts and Cruisers are all racing. Hot Laps at 7pm and Racing to Follow.

Following week August 12th, the weekly classes joined by Vintage Cars and Season Championship Night is on Thursday August 19th.

The Hunting with Heroes Salute to Veterans Tour takes Friday Night off before wrapping up the three night Tour at "Iowa's Action Track" The Boone Speedway on Saturday Night. Saturday's Race sponsored by Karl Chevrolet and WHO DT 13 with support from Caterpillar Inc., EMW Trucking / Waltert Farms, Fareway Meat & Grocery, F8 Creative, Hy-Vee Food Stores, S&B Farm Distrillery, Skoglund Meats, Snap-On Tools and Wyckhoff Heating & Cooling. IMCA Modifieds race for a top prize of $3,000, Stock Cars and Sport Mods are $1,000 to win and IMCA Hobby Stocks are $600 to win. The IMCA Mod Lites are also on the card, Hot Laps at 6p and Racing at 7p.

For more information about Kossuth County Speedway like the Facebook page Kossuth County Speedway or contact Kossuth County Fairboard President Scott Schultze at (515) 341-1372 or Track Manager Ron Reefer at (515) 341-8803.

For more information about the Hunting with Heroes and the Salute to Veterans Tour like the Hunting with Heroes Facebook page Hunting with Heroes or contact Jason Becker at jasonb41@yahoo.com.

Kossuth County Speedway
Hunting with Heroes "Salute to Veterans"

Thursday July 29th, 2021

IMCA MODFIEDS

Feature (20 laps) : 1. 5L Cody Laney (Torrance, Calif.); 2. 18Z Zane DeVilbiss (Farmington, NM); 3. 3 Kelly Shryock (Fertile); 4. 4TW Tim Ward (Harcourt); 5. 10 Jeremy Mills (Clear Lake); 6. 82 Jake McBirnie (Boone); 7. 2 Nick Meyer (Whittemore); 8. 25 Ricky Stephan (South Sioux City, Neb.); 9. 6XXX Zach Dockter (Norwich, ND); 10. XXX Jesse Rogotzke (Sanborn, Minn.); 11. 74T Ben Schultze (Algona); 12. 3W Garrett Wilson (Carlisle); 13. 26J Joel Rust (Grundy Center); 14. 1X Chris Abelson (Sioux City); 15. 007 Zach Nitsch (Deila, Kan.); 16. 20 Brandon Schmitt (Beaver Dam, Wis.); 17. 49K Cody Knecht (Whittemore); 18. 343 Jeff Feaster (Humboldt); 19. 8L Lyle Sathoff (Sherburn, Minn.); 20. 19M Dan Menk (Franklin, Minn.); 21. 5 Todd Shute (Norwalk); 22. 49 Mat Hollerich (Good Thunder, Minn.); 23. 35 Nate Barker (Lakefield, Minn.); 24. 11X Tom Berry Jr. (Des Moines).

B-Feature (10 laps) : 1. Rust; 2. Hollerich; 3. Knecht; 4. Barker; 5. 5X Brandon Beckendorf (Danube, Minn.); 6. 60 Tyler Wirtjes (Mason City); 7. 98 Jacob Snyder (Dunkerton); DNS 21 David Brown (Kellogg); DNS 72 Austin Wolf (Algona).

Heat 1 (8 laps) : 1. Shute; 2. Rogotzke; 3. Stephan; 4. Schmitt; 5. Menk; 6. Rust; 7. Wirtjes; 8. Snyder. 
Heat 2 (8 laps) : 1. DeVilbiss; 2. Laney; 3. Dockter; 4. Meyer; 5. Sathoff; 6. Barker; DQ Brown.
Heat 3 (8 laps) : 1. Mills; 2. Wilson; 3. McBirnie; 4. Nitsch; 5. Abelson; 6. Hollerich; DNS Wolf.
Heat 4 (8 laps) : 1. Berry; 2. Ward; 3. Shryock; 4. Schultze; 5. Feaster; 6. Knecht; 7. Beckendorf.

IMCA STOCK CARS

Feature (15 laps) : 1. 3 Kelly Shryock (Fertile); 2. 14 Chad Palmer (Renwick); 3. 0 Jake O'Neil (Tucson, Ariz.); 4. 35 Donavon Smith (Lake City); 5. 18Z Zane DeVilbiss (Farmington, NM); 6. 43 Calvin Lange (Humboldt); 7. 5L Dustin Larson (Rushmore, Minn.); 8. 6 Chanse Hollatz (Clear Lake); 9. 5X Brandon Beckendorf (Danube, Minn.); 10. 81 Devin Smith (Lake City); 11. 25D Bob Daniels (Des Moines); 12. 92 Dan Mackenthun (Hamburg, Minn.); 13. 21K Jake Masters (Graettinger); 14. 29N Cody Nielsen (Spencer); 15. 8 David Smith (Lake City); 16. 73 Troy Swearingen (Thompson); 17. 88 Ryan Watnem (Humboldt); 18. 27 Bruce Wickman (Emmetsburg); 19. 46M Loren Pesicka (Burt); 20. 2 Wayne Landheer (Thompson); 21. 77K Jacob Kofoot (Algona); 22. 517 McCain Jennings (Algona); 23. 7L Jeffrey Larson (Lakefield, Minn.); 24. 44K Kevin Opheim (Mason City).

B-Feature (10 laps) : 1. Watnem; 2. Kofoot; 3. Swearingen; 4. Landheer; 5. 32J Austin Jahnz (Lewisville, Minn.); 6. Z3 Mike Albertsen (Audubon); 7. 90.5 Tommy Fain (Abilene, Texas); 8. 95 Chance Larson (Dunnel, Minn.); DNS 98 Daniel Hanselman (Algona); DNS 5 Luke Sathoff (Jackson, Minn.).

Heat 1 (8 laps) : 1. DeVilbiss; 2. Beckendorf; 3. Masters; 4. Opheim; 5. Kofoot; 6. Chance Larson. 
Heat 2 (8 laps) : 1. Devin Smith; 2. Hollatz; 3. Lange; 4. Nielsen; 5. Swearingen; 6. Hanselman. 
Heat 3 (8 laps) : 1. O'Neil; 2. Jeffrey Larson; 3. Daniels; 4. Pesicka; 5. Albetsen; 6. Watnem. 
Heat 4 (8 laps) : 1. Donavon Smith; 2. Palmer; 3. David Smith; 4. Wickman; 5. Landheer; 6. Fain. 
Heat 5 (8 laps) : 1. Dustin Larson; 2. Shyrock; 3. Mackenthun; 4. Jennings; 5. Sathoff; 6. Jahnz.

IMCA NORTHERN SPORT MODS

Feature (15 laps) : 1. 00 Colby Fett (Algona); 2. 90 George Nordman (Mason City); 3. 14X Austin Schrage (Cresco); 4. 81 Jared Boumeester (Waseca, Minn.); 5. 08 Alec Fett (Burt); 6. 1 Jeff Maasch (Vesta, Minn.); 7. 11 Izac Mallicoat (Boone); 8. 2K Taylor Kuehl (Cave Creek, Ariz.); 9. 5J Justin Raymond (Burt); 10. 14 Brian Schrage (Cresco); 11. 181 Charlie Stevens (Algona); 12. 008 Drew Fett (Thompson); 13. 79W Bill Wegner (Armstrong); 14. T16 Greg Elliott (Webster City); 15. 3F Jeramie Faber (Burt); 16. 25S Alex Smith (Algona); 17. 25 Doug Cook (Algona); 18. 14S Jake Sachau (Manning); 19. XXX  Mathew Hanson (Klemme); 20. 21 Cam Reimers (Kelley); 21. 56 Greg Noah (Buffalo Center); 22. 5D Devyn Peterson (Milford, Neb.); 23. 24Z Jacob Zellner (New Franken, Wis.); 24. 88N Nate Albrant (Clear Lake). 

B-Feature (10 laps) : 1. Elliott; 2. Raymond; 3. Peterson; 4. Wegner; 5. 14Z Zach Norgaard (Spencer); 6. 39 Kevin Wiemers (Burt); 7. 40 George Gilliland (Lehigh); 8. 21F Richard Fish (Corwith); 9. 86 Randy Cram (Algona); 10. 98X Mike Hansen (Gillett Grove); 11. 12 Devin Fish (Corwith).

Heat 1 (6 laps) : 1. Sachau; 2. Austin Schrage; 3. Brian Schrage; 4. Albrant; 5. Hansen; 6. Wiemers; 7. Devin Fish.
Heat 2 (6 laps) : 1. Zellner; 2. Maasch; 3. Reimers; 4. Smith; 5. Elliott; 6. Raymond. 

Heat 3 (6 laps) : 1. Cook; 2. Mallicoat; 3. Hanson; 4. Faber; 5. Peterson; 6. Norgaard.
Heat 4 (6 laps) : 1. Alec Fett; 2. Nordman; 3. Kuehl; 4. Noah; 5. Cram; DQ Richard Fish. 
Heat 5 (6 laps) : 1. Colby Fett; 2. Boumeester; 3. Stevens; 4. Drew Fett; 5. Wegner; 6. Gilliland. 

IMCA HOBBY STOCKS

Feature (15 laps) : 1. 99X Josh Sidles (Emmetsburg); 2. 22 Mike Smith (Lake City); 3. 82 Dylan Fitzpatrick (Magnolia, Minn.); 4. 52 Carter Koop (Rockwell); 5. 91 Chris Krug (Emmetsburg); 6. 38R Aaron Rudolph (Grand Junction); 7. 12K Eric Knutson (Slater); 8. 50K Kolby Goepel (Britt); 9. 10M Colton Monson (Humboldt); 10. 01X Gavin Bussinger (Granada, Minn.); 11. 20J Darin Johnson (Dickens); 12. 28 Jay Sidles (Emmetsburg); 13. 10X Brett Doege (Buffalo Center); 14. T8 Brandon Nielsen (Spencer); 15. 01 Micah Lavrenz (Burt); 16. 76 Justin Jones (Renwick); 17. 48 Steve Wickman (Emmetsburg); 18. 88B Tyler Beckler (Titonka); 19. 86 Josh Jorgenson (Emmetsburg); 20. 1 Greg Sidles (Fairmont, Minn.); 21. 24W Doug Wickman (Algona); 22. 7 Logan Knudson (Buffalo Center); 23. 27 James Burns (Algona).

Heat 1 (6 laps) : 1. Knutson; 2. Rudolph; 3. Johnson; 4. Bussinger; 5. Burns; 6. Jones. 
Heat 2 (6 laps) : 1. Steve Wickman; 2. Koop; 3. Greg Sidles; 4. Knudson; 5. Jorgenson; 6. Beckler.

Heat 3 (6 laps) : 1. Josh Sidles; 2. Fitzpatrick; 3. Doug Wickman; 4. Monson; 5. Jay Sidles; 6. Lavrenz.
Heat 4 (6 laps) : 1. Krug; 2. Smith; 3. Nielsen; 4. Goepel; 5. Doege. 

IMCA SPORT COMPACTS

Feature (8 laps) : 1. 43 Jade Lange (Humboldt); 2. 38 Lucas Parsons (Burt); 3. 16 RJ Esqueda (Granada, Minn.); 4. 8K Kaytee Devries (Spencer); 5. 99 Chris Wilson (Britt); 6. 28K Brayton Kajewski (Bancroft); 7. 7P Charles Prime (Britt); 8. 75 Arianna Prothman (Algona); 9. 63 Frank Holt (Corwith); 10. 11D Dan Potts (Algona); 11. 21T Tayla Lange (Ames). 

Heat 1 (4 laps) : 1. Parsons; 2. Wilson; 3. Tayla Lange; 4. Kajewski; 5. Prime; 6. Holt.

Heat 2 (4 laps) : 1. Devries; 2. Esqueda; 3. Potts; 4. Prothman; 5. Jade Lange. 

CRUISERS

Feature (6 laps) : 1. 7 Zach Vader / Brody Vader (Pocahontas); 2. 83 Joe Heyes / Chris Heyes (Burt); 3. 6M Makenna Pesicka / Makiley Pesicka (Burt); 4. 31 Peg Lewis / Heather Pesicka (Cylinder); 5. 31.5 Thomas Gronbach / Dalton Lewis (Titonka). 

Heat 1 (4 laps) : 1. Lewis / Pesicka; 2. Vader / Vader; 3. Heyes / Heyes; 4. Pesicka / Pesicka; 5. Gronbach / Lewis.