5/4/2024
Maquoketa Speedway
139 Race Teams Pack Maquoketa Speedway For Season Opener
Maquoketa, Iowa: The 2024 racing got underway on Saturday, May 4th at the Maquoketa Speedway ¼ mile dirt track located on the Jackson County Fairgrounds on the East edge of Maquoketa. A whopping 139 teams took part in the racing program held on a blustery chilly night at the races.
The Kinion Auto Sales IMCA Late Model feature was the headliner of the night. 18 drivers took the initial green flag with local standout Justin Kay starting on the pole by virtue of the qualifiers redraw. Kay went on to record the win by leading the main event flag to flag. Defending track champion Andy Nezworski kept Kay in his sights but was unable to mount a serious challenge in taking second ahead of third place finisher Travis Denning who started the main in the 10th position.
Veach Septic and Sewer IMCA Modifieds main event saw defending track champion Jeff (Bone) Larson score the opening night win as will pursue back to back titles at the Maquoketa Speedway. Larson started fourth and took the lead early wrestling the point position away from pole sitter Jake Morris. Larson went on to race under the checkers ahead of Mitch Way and Jason Schueller, who advanced from a fourth row start.
The QC Jeeps.Com IMCA Stock Cars saw an outstanding field of 23 drivers sign in for the opening night's races. The IMCA Stock Cars always provide plenty of action and Saturday night was certainly no exception. Tom Schmitt led early until defending track champion and hometowner Jacob Ellithorpe took over the point position. The 72 of Ellithorpe went on to record the win but not without a late race challenge by Tanner Allen who had taken the initial green flag way back in the 10th position. Schmitt held on to take third at the checkers.
26 Amhof Trucking IMCA Sportmods lined up for their 15 lap feature on Saturday night. Jared Staver led early from his outside front row start while 9th starting Shane Paris was making his way to the front. Paris took over the top spot as the race passed the midway point and the 17C of Paris went on to record the win ahead of a strong running Logan Veloz. Scott Williams turned in the drive of the night in the Sportmods coming from 13th to finish third.
The Hawkins Trucking and Construction IMCA Hobby Stocks also saw a large field of 23 drivers take the initial green flag. The Hobby Stock main event was red flagged twice for rollovers. Both Logan Jones and Lukas Short were uninjured in separate rollover incidents. Jared Miller scored the opening night win in the Hobby Stock feature racing to the checkers ahead of Daniel Wauters and Sheldon Hunter.
The INEX Legends saw several drivers take their turns at the point position. At the checkers it was Jackson Lewis from Lakeville, MN scoring the in ahead of defending track champion Dave Eberle. Robby Morrison crossed under the checkers in third.
The Tri-City Construction 4 cylinders main event saw 18 drivers take the initial green flag. Cyle Hawkins has been the man to beat in the 4 cylinder division and that was the case again Saturday night. Hawkins charged to the front from his 4th row start and went to record the win ahead of Shawn McDermott and early leader Jacob Welter.
Racing will continue at the Maquoketa Speedway on Saturday, May 11th and it will be Tub O Towels night at the races with all in attendance receiving free product from Tub O Towels. Hot laps will get underway at 6 pm.
Maquoketa Speedway
2024 Season Opener
Feature Results (top Five)
Kinion Auto Sales IMCA Late Models
15k Justin Kay-Wheatland
7 Andy Nezworski-Blue Grass
56D Travis Denning-Sterling, IL
5 Mike Fryer-Freeport, IL
07 Matt Ryan-Davenport
Veach Septic & Sewer IMCA Modifieds
1B Jeff (Bone) Larson-Freepoort, IL
01M Mitch Way-Davenport
3 Jason Schueller-Dubuque
99M Charlie Mohr-Bettendorf
99 Brandon Jewell-Camanche
QC Jeeps.Com IMCA Stock Cars
72 Jacob Ellithorpe-Maquoketa
22 Tanner Allen-Springville
18 Tom Schmitt-Independence
72H Miciah Hidlebaugh-Menlo
12N Gage Neal-Anamosa
Amhof Trucking IMCA Sportmods
17C Shane Paris-Muscatine
43LV Logan Veloz-Colona, IL
9 Scott Williams-Atkins
24X Cole Stichter-Hampton, IL
33 Jarrett Franzen-Maquoketa
Hawkins Trucking & Construction IMCA Hobby Stocks
17M Jared Miller-West Branch
H2O Daniel Wauters- Tipton
28 Sheldon Hunter-Wyoming
5 Kaden Staley-Muscatine
4 Jordan Miles-Bernard
Legends Direct INEX Legends
7 Jackson Lewis-Lakeville, MN
5 Dave Eberle-Freeport, IL
32 Robby Morrison-Alburnett
19 Jeff Schmidt-Rock City, IL
25 Cole O'Brien-Cedar Rapids
Tri-City Construction 4 Cylinders
28 Cyle Hawkins-Durant
4 Shawn McDermott-Davenport
49 Jacob Welter-Farley
12 Mitch Bielenberg-Charlotte
630 Dustin Munn-Davenport
Article Credit: Jerry Mackey
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