5/7/2022
Maquoketa Speedway
Racing Season Gets The Green Flag At Maquoketa Speedway
Maquoketa, Iowa: The Racing season got underway on Saturday night following three consecutive postponements due to the wet weather in Eastern Iowa. Drivers and fans alike responded in a big way by attending the opening night races that saw the final checkered flag of the night wave at 9:40 pm.
The US Cellular IMCA 20 lap feature was the headliner of the night and the racing action was hotly contested on the very racy track. Travis Denning shot into the lead and was not to be denied the opening night victory as he led flag to flag. The feature saw one yellow flag wave for a minor spin early on lap two and the went the final 18 laps non-stop. Tim Current advanced from a 4th row start and closed on the race leader several times before settling for second. Veteran Maquoketa driver Ray Cox Jr. ran a very strong race in taking third on Saturday night.
A 23 car field of Amhoff Trucking IMCA Sportmods took the green flag for their opening night Feature event. The main event winner was no stranger to the Maquoketa Speedway victory lane. Tyler Soppe drew the outside front row and led the main flag to flag. The action behind Soppe saw several drivers take their turn at the second spot, at times the pack swelled to a five car battle. Justin Becker debuted a new car and he was definitely dialed in as he broke loose from the pack and chased down Soppe only to finish second by less than a car length. Shane Paris advanced from the fifth row to take third ahead of Jacob Arp.
The Hawkins Trucking & Construction IMCA Stock Cars victory proved to be a very popular win as hometowner Jacob Ellithorpe claimed the win. Ellithorpe, stated in victory lane, “ last year was a very frustrating year, so we spent a lot of time in the garage making changes to the car.” The changes proved to pick up a lot of speed for Ellithorpe as he took the win ahead of Richard Nelson and Keith Feller.
The INEX Legends 20 lap feature win went to a first time visitor to the Maquoketa Speedway. Legends Direct driver Jordan Miklas from Hartland, Wisconsin scored the 20 lap feature win. Miklas came from the third row and got out front as the laps wound down. After the white flag was thrown the order was jumbled as the second and third place cars tangled allowing Adrianne Hartman to come across the line in second ahead of Michael Weber.
The Ueland Auto IMCA Hobby Stocks started the night off with a roll over in the very first heat. That roll over proved to be the first of four roll overs covering all classes in night number one. When the Hobby Stock feature hit the track it was veteran driver Randy LaMar taking his number 4R to victory lane. LaMar held off Andrew Burke and Jordan Miles in taking the win.
The Jackson County Fairboard Sport Compacts saw the Hawkins Brothers wage a side by side battle for the entire feature race. When the checkers flew it was Cyle Hawkins celebrating the win over his brother Travis. The two were all smile as the celebration will surely be the first of many for the season.
Racing will continue next Saturday, May 14tth at the Maquoketa Speedway with hot laps scheduled to take to the track at 5:30 pm.
Maquoketa Speedway Saturday, May 7 Feature Results (top Five)
US Cellular IMCA Modifieds
56D Travis Denning-Sterling, IL
12T Timmy Current-Bernard
11 Ray Cox JR.-Maquoketa
8 Jaden Fryer-Freeport
3G Bryce Garnhart-Lanark, IL
Amhoff Trucking IMCA Sportmods
3T Tyler Soppe-Sherril
35JR Justin Becker-Bernard
17 C Shane Paris-Muscatine
10A Jacob Arp-Donahue
33 Jarrett Franzen-Maquoketa
Hawkins Trucking & Construction IMCA Stock Cars
72 Jacob Ellithorpe-Maquoketa
80N Richard Nelson-Cascade
10 Keith Feller-Eldridge
27 Chase Zaruba-Sabula
3T Scooter Dulin- Cedar Rapids
INEX Legends
44J Jordan Miklas-Hartland, WI
Z4 Adrianne Hartman-Blue Grass
8 Michael Weber-Marion
28 Braxton Franks-Cedar Rapids
Z2 Hal Russell-Blue Grass
Ueland Auto Hobby Stocks
4R Randy LaMar-Buffalo
77 Andrew Burke-Milan, IL
4 Jordan Miles-Bernard
86 Logan Gustaf-Hillsdale, IL
79 Michael Putt- Moline, IL
Jackson County Fairboard Sport Compacts
28 Cyle Hawkins-Blue Grass
8 Travis Hawkins-Davenport
12 Mitch Bielenberg-Charlotte
65C- Colton Stewart-Vinton
12X Tristan Clark-Maquoketa
Article Credit: Jerry Mackey
