Ward, Schafroth, Carter, Cox, Fiebelkorn and Kraus Takes Stevens Memorial Wins at Stuart

Wednesday Night the 2022 track points championship title run began with the Tim and Tammy Stevens Memorial Season Opener at the Karl Chevrolet of Stuart International Speedway. Sauerman Trucking, Coca-Cola Atlantic Bottling Company, Motorsports Warehouse and Avey Sanitation was the night's sponsors plus family and friends of Tim and Tammy donate to the purse.

The night was in honor to remember Tim and Tammy Stevens, both who were heavily involved in racing before their passing. Tim passed away in August of 2018 expectedly and Tammy passed away in July of 2021 after a battle with cancer. Both loved racing and both became friends of the Foxman many years ago including allowing me to stay with them during Super Nationals. They meant so much too me and honestly I don't know how to put it to words.

One hundred-twenty eight cars checked in to Stuart Speedway with IMCA Stock Cars leading the way with 27 cars. Outlaw Mini Mods had 25, IMCA Sport Mods 24, IMCA Hobby Stocks 21, IMCA Sport Compacts 16 and IMCA Modifieds saw 15 cars sign in. It was a beautiful spring April night and the racing surface produced fantastic racing all night, which is no surprise since Track Owner/Promoter Mike Van Genderen and track crew do amazing job to create multiple lanes. The night was a little off schedule allowing time to get everybody checked in, however to fix that issue they will now have drivers check in near the pit concession stand starting with Sunday's special. The final checkered flag was waived at 10:28pm. 

First feature on the track was the John's Tree Service IMCA Sport Compacts 15 lap feature event. "Turbo" Tyler Fiebelkorn grabbed the early race lead from the pole position and Kolby Sabin followed suit from third to second.  Fiebelkorn got a little separation until the caution came out on lap four when Mitchell Bunch spun in turn two. On the restart, Michael Hotze was spun in turn four by Ryan Brown forcing the caution to come out again. The caution came out again on lap six when Hotze and Andrew Akers in turn two. Fiebelkorn held off several challenges from Sabin to take the feature win. Sabin finished second ahead of Zak Sickles, Jeremiah Downing and Curtis Masterson. 

Outlaw Mini Mods was up next as 25 cars took the green flag for 15 laps, however before a single lap was scored the caution came out when several cars got together in turn one.  Gage Hilgenberg led the first four laps before seventh place starter Ben Kraus took the top spot away. Kraus pulled away only to see the caution come out on lap eight for Chase Daniels in turn three with Matthew Grobe making contact. Kraus got a great restart and pulled away from TJ Stalker and Kamdyn Haggard again on the restart but the caution came out on lap 11 for Gale Worthington and Carlos Vergara getting together in turn two. Kraus got a great restart and held on to take the win. Haggard took second away from Stalker, Stalker finished third. Sixteenth place starter Nathan Kilwine was fourth and tenth place starter Dalton Faber was fifth.

In the Karl's Pre-Owned (Spangler Automotive) IMCA Sport Mods 20 lap feature, Osceola's Colton Nelson jumped to the race lead from the pole position as Cam Reimers worked his way from fourth to second on lap one. Colton Nelson led the first three laps before Reimers took the lead away on lap four. The caution came out a lap later when Bryan Morris and Kaylin Lopez get together in turn four. Reimers held off Colton Nelson and "Speedy Bray" Brayton Carter on the restart but the caution came out again on lap six when Blair Simmons and Joey Young in turn three. Carter got a great restart and took the lead away from Reimers on lap seven. The caution came out one more time on lap 12 when Mike Dullard and Hunter Longnecker get together in turn two. Carter held off Reimers and Colton Nelson on the restart and go on to take the win. Reimers finished second, Colton Nelson exited on lap 15. Tyler Inman finished third, ninth place starter Izac Mallicoat finished fourth and Mitchell Morris came home fifth. 

"Missile" Miciah Hidlebaugh grabbed the early race lead in the the Affordable Quality Roofing Exteriors IMCA Stock Cars 20 lap feature event with Bryan Snell running second and Dallon Murty in third. The caution came out on lap two when Hidlebaugh, Murty and Snell where three wide coming down the front stretch, contact between Murty and Snell forced the yellow to come out. Murty had a flat tire and went to the work area. Austin Bouzek took the race lead away on lap four. The caution came out again on lap five when Josh Pruitt spun in turn two and on lap six when Chuck Madden Jr spun turn four. Bouzek continued to lead until lap 11 when "Buck Wild" Buck Schafroth took the lead away just before another caution on lap 11 when Jeremy Gettler spun in turn three. One caution came out out on lap 13 when Josh Pruitt and Matthew Lance got together exiting turn four. Schaforth held off Bouzek to take the feature win. Bouzek and sixteenth place starter Troy Jerovetz rounded out the top three. Murty worked his way back for a forth place finish and Hidlebaugh fell back to fifth. 

Up next was the Ricks Towing IMCA Hobby Stocks 18 lap feature event.  Dylan Nelson started fourth but by the end of lap one, he was scored the leader. Brandon Cox did not go away and began to battle with Nelson for the lead, Cox took the lead away on lap two, Nelson regained it on lap four. Cox took the lead back on lap five and hung on to it until Nelson took it back on laps eight and nine. Cox regained the lead on lap ten. The only caution came out on lap 13 when Brandon Holbrook had his hood come up leaving debris on the front stretch. Cox held off Nelson and Luke Ramsey on the restart to take the feature win. Nelson, Ramsey, Solomon Bennett and Skylar Pruitt rounded out the top five,

Final feature of the night was the VIP Contractors and Karl Chevrolet of Stuart IMCA Modifieds 20 lap feature. Tim Ward grabbed the race lead early and after the completion of lap one, the caution came out when Dennis Pittman was spun in turn three after slight contact from Tom Berry Jr. Ward held off Chase Rudolf and Pittman on the restart and cruised to the feature win. Drew Janssen finished second, "The Game Changer" Dallon Murty was third, "Toddzilla" Todd Shute was fourth and Rudolf was fifth. 

Pictures I took are posted on the Trackside Report by Foxman Facebook Page in a photo albums called Stuart Tim & Tammy Stevens Memorial Season Opener 4-27-22.

Next Race at the Karl Chevrolet of Stuart International Speedway is on Sunday May 1st when the Malvern Bank Super Late Model Racing Series makes a visit to the quarter mile bullring for $3,000 to win. IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Compacts and Outlaw Mini Mods are also on the card. The Night is sponsored by Conrad's Pillow Pets, Choice Inc, Interstate Power Systems, Dirt Track Bank, Hawkeye Auto Salvage and VIP Contractors. Pit Gate opens at 3:30pm, Hot Laps at 5:45pm and Racing to Follow.

After that then the Dynamic Drivelines Dirt Duel on Monday May 16th featuring the IMCA Modifieds.  More details of the Dirt Duel will be posted soon. Then the speedway hosts the Whole Hog 50 on Sunday May 29th and Monday May 30th. 

For more information about Stuart Speedway checked out stuartspeedway.net or like the Facebook page Karl Chevrolet of Stuart Speedway or call promoter Mike Van Genderen at 641-521-0330.

Karl Chevrolet of Stuart International Speedway
Tim & Tammy Stevens Memorial - Season Opener

Wednesday April 27th, 2022

IMCA MODIFIEDS
presented by VIP Contractors & Karl Chevrolet of Stuart

A Feature (20 Laps): 1. 4TW-Tim Ward (Harcourt); 2. 127-Drew Janssen (Pella); 3. 99X-Dallon Murty (Chelsea); 4. 5-Todd Shute (Norwalk); 5. 8R-Chase Rudolf (Norwalk); 6. 83G-Josh Gilman (Earlham); 7. 17-Cory Sauerman (Johnston); 8. 58-Dennis Pittman (Jamaica); 9. 2Z-Zack Rawlins (Kellogg); 10. 11X-Tom Berry Jr. (Des Moines); 11. 14B-Scott Bash (Windsor Heights); 12. 99B-Martin Bennett (Ankeny); 13. 49D-Doug Heimbaugh (St. Joseph, Mo.); 14. 05-Paul Nagle (Nevada); 15. 3Z-Randy Havlik (Ankeny).

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. Shute; 2. Murty; 3. Nagle; 4. Sauerman; 5. Rudolf; 6. Gilman; 7. Bennett; 8. Havlik.
Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. Janssen; 2. Berry; 3. Ward; 4. Rawlins; 5. Pittman; 6. Bash; 7. Heimbaugh.

IMCA STOCK CARS
presented by Affordable Quality Roofing Exteriors 

A Feature (20 Laps): 1. 92-Buck Schafroth (Orient); 2. 14B-Austin Bouzek (Trenton, Mo.); 3. 01-Troy Jerovetz (Iowa Falls); 4. 99X-Dallon Murty (Chelsea); 5. 72H-Miciah Hidlebaugh (Menlo); 6. 7C-Chad Legere (Ankeny); 7. 3S-Bryan Snell (Coon Rapids); 8. 69JR-Johnathon Logue (Logansport); 9. 77M-Jeff Mueller (Albion); 10. 10B-Brandon Pruitt (Stuart); 11. $-Cody Center (Mesa, Ariz.); 12. 50B-Brock Badger (Bagley); 13. 5K-Keith Simmons (Truro); 14. 8-Austin Meiners (Polk City); 15. 3-Mike Albertsen (Audubon); 16. 23-Cody Gustoff (Scranton); 17. 77-Tobie Talk (Malcom); 18. 57VG-Rowdee Van Genderen (Newton); 19. 20 Jeremy Gettler (Adair); 20. 71-Corey Piffer (Indianola); 21. 12X-Matthew Lance (Savannah, Mo.); 22. 37-Kylie Rawlins (Kellogg); 23. V31-Todd VanEaton (Orient); 24. 3H-Ty Hill (Winterset); 25. 25-Michael Murphy (Jefferson); 26. 80-Josh Pruitt (Stuart); 27. 2X-Chuck Madden Jr (Avoca).

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. VanEaton; 2. Snell; 3. Hidlebaugh; 4. Piffer; 5. Legere; 6. Center; 7. Rawlins.
Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. Logue; 2. Murty; 3. Hill; 4. Brandon Pruitt; 5. Albertsen; 6. Lance; 7. Talk.
Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. Gustoff; 2. Schafroth; 3. Gettler; 4. Murphy; 5. Josh Pruitt; 6. Simmons; 7. Van Genderen.
Heat 4 (8 Laps): 1. Mueller; 2. Madden Jr; 3. Bouzek; 4. Jerovetz; 5. Badger; 6. Meiners. 

IMCA NORTHERN SPORT MODS
presented by Karl Pre-Owned (Spangler Automotive)

A Feature (20 Laps): 1. 01-Brayton Carter (Oskaloosa); 2. 21-Cam Reimers (Kelley); 3. 5T-Tyler Inman (Altoona); 4. 11-Izac Mallicoat (Boone); 5. 26M-Mitchell Morris (St Charles); 6. 2A-Matt Avila (Prescott); 7. 28-Nic Runyan (Altoona); 8. 20X-Cody Yaw (Altoona); 9. 95N-Garrett Nelson (Osceola); 10. 8-Dusty Masolini (Des Moines); 11. 16K-Kaylin Lopez (Chowchilla, Calif.); 12. 93-Hunter Longnecker (Woodward); 13. 29V-Brett Vanderheiden (Earlham); 14. 34N-Thomas Nelson (Stuart); 15. 26J-Jace Whitt (Hamilton, Mo.); 16. 15X-Boe Jenkins (Marshalltown); 17. 26-Mike Dullard (Winterset); 18. 84-Brandon Morris (Cedar Rapids); 19. 72-Joey Young (Indianola); 20. 93N-Colton Nelson (Osceola); 21. 57S-David Schwartz (Greenfield); 22. 32S-Blair Simmons (Des Moines); 23. 26BM-Bryan Morris (St Charles); 24. 7-Steve McLaughlin (Newton).

Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. Colton Nelson; 2. Inman; 3. Vanderheiden; 4. Masolini; 5. Bryan Morris; 6. Dullard; 7. Jenkins; 8. Garrett Nelson.
Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. Reimers; 2. Longnecker; 3. Schwartz; 4. Whitt; 5. Mitchell Morris; 6. Young; 7. McLaughlin; 8. Lopez.
Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. Mallicoat; 2. Carter; 3. Avila; 4. Yaw; 5. Simmons; 6. Runyan; 7. Thomas Nelson; 8. Morris. 

IMCA HOBBY STOCKS
presented by Rick's Towing

A Feature (18 Laps): 1. 66-Brandon Cox (Norwalk); 2. 13N-Dylan Nelson (Adel); 3. 17-Luke Ramsey (Bedford); 4. 11B-Solomon Bennett (Minburn); 5. 96-Skylar Pruitt (Stuart); 6. 4W-John Watson (Des Moines); 7. 22B-Seth Butler (Scranton); 8. 1K-Tom Killen Jr (Des Moines); 9. 33S-Jared Smith (Adair); 10. 84B-Rusty Bates (Casey); 11. 64L-Tommy Luft (Corning); 12. 33M-Blake McCann (Adair); 13. 16-Buddy Haidsiak (Bedford); 14. 59-Daniel Pittman (Jamaica); 15. 32-Ethan Atcheson (Waukee); 16. 79-Charles Belew (Adel); 17. 515-Brandon Holbrook (Altoona); DNS 20A-Steven Crees (Des Moines); DNS 7B-Eric Stanton (Carlisle); DNS 47X-Raymond Fees (Des Moines); DNS 2L-Leonard Loftus (Des Moines).

Heat 1 (7 Laps): 1. Pruitt; 2. Atcheson; 3. Fees; 4. Crees; 5. Belew; 6. McCann; 7. Holbrook.
Heat 2 (7 Laps): 1. Nelson; 2. Stanton; 3. Watson; 4. Bennett; 5. Bates; 6. Haidsiak; 7. Luft. 
Heat 3 (7 Laps): 1. Cox; 2. Ramsey; 3. Loftus; 4. Killen; 5. Smith; 6. Pittman; 7. Butler.

IMCA SPORT COMPACTS
presented by John's Tree Service

A Feature (15 Laps): 1. 61F-Tyler Fiebelkorn (Stuart); 2. 9-Kolby Sabin (Des Moines); 3. 50-Zak Sickles (Fontanelle); 4. 980-Jeremiah Downing (Woodward); 5. 16-Curtis Masterson (New Virginia); 6. 19-Ryan Brown (Fontanelle); 7. 12C-Craig Furstenau (Earlham); 8. M80-Mark Smith (Huxley); 9. 3R-Keegan Russell (Creston); 10. 22L-Harold Robb Sr (Creston); 11. 28-Andrew Akers (Gravity); 12. 10G-Dustin Grout (Prescott); 13. 95-Michael Hotze (Macedonia); 14. 83B-Mitchell Bunch (Des Moines); 15. 21-John Schuring (Kellogg); 16. 98-Elijah Hoyt (Creston).

Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. Sabin; 2. Sickles; 3. Bunch; 4. Brown; 5. Masterson; 6. Grout; 7. Furstenau; 8. Hoyt.
Heat 2 (6 Laps): 1. Smith; 2. Fiebelkorn; 3. Downing; 4. Hotze; 5. Schuring; 6. Akers; 7. Russell; 8. Robb Sr.

OUTLAW MINI MODS
presented by Drury Automotive & Truck Repair

A Feature (15 Laps): 1. 9-Ben Kraus (Britt); 2. 95-Kamdyn Haggard (Humboldt); 3. 2-TJ Stalker (Mason City); 4. 15-Nathan Kilwine (Glenville, Minn.); 5. 17X-Dalton Faber (Burt); 6. 4-Gage Hilgenberg (Waukee); 7. 25C-Chase Daniels (Carlisle); 8. 26B-Bobby Daniels (Des Moines); 9. 69K-Kaden Rice (Bondurant); 10. 10R-Rick Ritchie (Fontanelle); 11. 34-Dan Kline (Ankeny); 12. 33W-Gale Worthington (Des Moines); 13. 85-Chris Trulson (Polk City); 14. 13X-Glenn Orr (Creston); 15. 12-Zachary Dunham (Ankeny); 16. 007-Brett Orr (Creston); 17. 51C-Carlos Vergara (Ankeny); 18. 111-Matthew Grobe (Austin, Minn.); 19. 5X-Garrett Seals (Corning); 20. 33-Jayden West (Des Moines); 21. 65-Logan Brown (Clear Lake); 22. 01-Zoey Yaw (Altoona); 23. Z83-Zackary Schaefer (Creston); 24. 25L-Lucas Daniels (Des Moines); 25. 5M-Megan Daniels (Indianola).

Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. Brown; 2. Orr; 3. Hilgenberg; 4. Lucas Daniels; 5. Seals; 6. Worthington; DNS Orr.
Heat 2 (6 Laps): 1. Grobe; 2. Yaw; 3. Schaefer; 4. Ritchie; 5. Dunham; 6. Vergara.
Heat 3 (6 Laps): 1. Kraus; 2. Faber; 3. Bobby Daniels; 4. Megan Daniels; 5. Chase Daniels; 6. West.

Heat 4 (6 Laps): 1. Kline; 2. Stalker; 3. Haggard; 4. Kilwine; 5. Rice; 6. Trulson.