7/29/2021
Marshalltown Speedway
Lauritzen, Reitzler, and Richards score first wins
July 23, 2021
It was Casey's and Rumours Bar and Grill Salute to Marshalltown Law Enforcement Night at the Marshalltown Speedway Friday. The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks joined the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Northern SportMods, IMCA Hobby Stocks, and IMCA STARS Mod Lites for a full night of racing action.
The Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks started the feature racing off with their 15 lap A Main. Jeff Johnson took the lead from his pole starting position, with fourth place starter Bill Davis, Jr. quickly getting to second on lap two. Johnson had a good lead going but Davis began cutting into that lead as the laps wore on. On lap twelve, Davis made the move around Johnson on the frontstretch to take over the top spot. He would then hold it the final circuits to take the checkers, Johnson having to settle for the runner up spot. Third went to Bryan Spangler, fourth was Rick Clark,, and Dennis Plain posted a fifth place finish. This was the Karl Chevrolet Dirt Truck's second visit to the speedway this season, and Davis's second feature win. The race went caution free.
The IMCA STARS Mod Lites took to the track next for their 15 lap feature. Mike Kennedy took the lead when the race went green, and was still leading at lap three when the race was red flagged. David Raffurty got sideways on the backstretch just out of turn two, and Josh May had no where to go and rolled his ride over as he made contact. Though he was alert and talking, he was transported to the hospital for evaluation. Everyone's thoughts and prayers are with May, hoping all is well.
When the race resumed, Kennedy maintained his lead, but it was short lived. Dillon Raffurty, who started fifth, had the topside working and had the lead as lap four was scored. It was all Raffurty's race from then on, as he pulled away to a straightaway lead, and scored his fifth consecutive win at Marshalltown. Kennedy finished a distant second, Randy Bryan was third, David Raffurty made a great comeback after the red flag incident, had to tag the field, and still came back to take fourth. Doug Byers rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Northern SportMods ran an 18 lap feature with Travis Petersen coming from third starting spot, to be scored the leader as lap one went into the books. He too had a short lived run at the point, as fourth place starter Jenae Gustin flew to the lead by lap two. Meanwhile, Brayton Carter moved up to challenge Gustin a few laps later, and Austin Schrage fell in line to run third. The three drivers then raced nose to tail lap after lap as the race continued. In the final laps, Gustin would put a bit of distance between herself and her challengers, and take the comfortable win. Carter held the runner up spot, Schrage was third, fourth went to twelfth place starter Johnathon Logue, and Kyle Olson was fifth. The race went flag to flag with Gustin matching her win from last week.
Braden Richards went home with the win in the 15 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature, leading all laps in the race that went caution free. Ninth place starter Kaden Reynolds, who had previously won the last five races tried his best to catch Richards, and though he cut into the lead in the final laps, he could do no better than take second on this night. Jeremiah Andrews finished third, fourth went to Solomon Bennett, and Matt Wahl was fifth. This was Richards' first victory of the season at the speedway.
The IMCA Stocks put together the third consecutive caution free race. Josh Foster took advantage of his pole starting spot, and shot to the immediate lead. That lead would vanish on lap three, when fourth place starter Todd Reitzler took over the top spot. Reitzler would go on to lead the rest of the laps to take his first victory of the year at the High Banks. Foster never went away however, and chased Reitzler the entire race, but had to settle for second place. Kyle Everts was third, followed by Jeff Wollam in fourth, and Michael Jaennette completed the top five.
Dylan Thornton shot to the lead from his fourth place starting position in the IMCA Modified 20 lap event. He was still leading after a handful of yellow flags flew with only five laps in the books. By this time, Ronn Lauritzen had come from sixth starting spot into second, and was chomping at the bit for the restart. Thornton and Lauritzen flashed across the flagstand nearly neck and neck at lap six, but by lap seven, it was Lauritzen establishing the top spot. Lauritzen then put some distance between himself and the field and scored an easy win. Thornton held on to second, with tenth place starter Randy Havlik scoring a close third. Fourth went to Paul Nagle and Eric Barnes made the haul over from Colona, Illinois, and took home a fifth place finish. This was Lauritzen's first win of the season.
Next Friday, July 30, will be Triple E Insulators Night at the races. The IMCA Late Models are scheduled to join the IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks and STARS Mod Lites. Hot laps are 6:50 p.m. and racing at 7:30.
Article Credit: Joyce Eisele
Submitted By: Jerry Vansickel
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