Evening Optimists, Relay For Life Night Kicks Off June!
by Denny Grabenbauer

MARSHALLTOWN, Ia (June 8) - After taking a one week break for inclement weather, race fans would come back to start the month of June to a beautiful night and for a good cause. Friday night was hosted by the Evening Optimist in conjunction with Relay for Life and sponsored by JR Motorsports. A near capacity crowd was on hand to welcome the eighth night of the season. The standing room crowd would witness 112-race teams, and some of the best racing of the season.

Everybody would be the winner on Friday night as the Evening Optimist treated all youngsters twelve and under to a free night at the races. “Our main theme is the youth,” said Optimist member Duane Davis. “To give the kids a pass to the races and see the gratitude on their faces is all that have to see to feel that what we did was good for the youth in our community.” The group from Relay for Life was on hand to promote their fight against Cancer. “If here at the speedway we can help out someone in any way, then that’s what we are going to do. I very happy that year after year we can give them the opportunity to come to our place to proudly display to our fans what they are doing in the community of Marshalltown”, commented Toby Kruse, track promoter.

The racing evening would start off on a somber note, with the passing of racecar driver Jason Rice. Larry Fricke, Jason’s mother, brother, wife and family would take part in a presentation to Toby Kruse. “Jason loved this sport, and he loved racing at Marshalltown”, said Fricke. “Our family just wants to thank all of the people that sent cars and well wishes to us, that really means a lot to all of us. Because Jason loved racing here, were are presenting Toby and the Marshalltown Speedway something that will keep Jason’s memory around forever.” A check was given to Kruse for improvements to be made on the facility. “Our family really don’t care what it is used for, we just want Toby to put it to the best use. In continuing to make this the best facility in the country.”

It would be a different type of race track on Friday night, even with the amount of moisture that we have been getting, the track would dry out making the drivers search for the right way to race on the high banked quarter mile raceway.

Brett Ladehoff would have things going his way in the I.M.C.A. Modified feature leading the first half of the event. Ladehoff scored his first feature win before the one-week break and appeared to be heading back to the Aarons Victory lane. While staying ahead of the tightly bunched pack, no one appeared to be concerned with Jason Murray, from Hartford who started in the twelfth starting position. By the half waypoint of the twenty-lap event, the blue groove was laid down on the high side and the low side. The front-runners were all running down low, except Murray. Murray was the only one running up high. Lap after lap, Murray was passing cars one at a time. With five laps to go, Murray was in second. With three laps to go, Murray would make a high side pass to come across the finish line tied with Ladehoff. With one lap remaining, Murray would take the lead, Ladehoff would get shuffled back to forth, and Verne Jackson would finish second. Murray would win his first I.M.C.A. Modified feature event of his career. “This is the first win ever for me in Marshalltown and my first Modified win,” said Murray in victory lane. “I’m just glad I could do it here, it feel great.”

Kyle Brown would make it two wins in two weeks in the I.M.C.A. Sport Mod class as he battled Kyle Bentley right to the checkered flag for the win. Danny Dvorak would finish second going for the win, would fly off turn one on the checkered flag, roll his car down the embankment. The car was damaged badly but Dvorak was not hurt.

Luke Veren would score his first win since week seven of 2006 in the Aarons I.M.C.A. Stock Car class. Veren would take the lead on lap four from Sean Johnson, stay in front of the two wide racing behind him to go on and take the win. Johnson would stay close and finish second with Donovan Smith third and Shawn Hoskins forth.

Dustin Elliott would win his second feature of the year in the I.M.C.A. Hobby Stock event. Adam Ricketts would lead the early laps before Elliott made the pass when Ricketts would spin, then would hold off the field for the win. Elliott first win of the season came during the third week of the year. Steve Kesl Michael Johnston and Jamie Schirm would finish out the top four.

Mike Kennedy would become the fifth different winner of the year in the Dwarf Car division. Kennedy dueled week four winner Mike Morrill right to the checkered flag before taking the win and pulling into victory lane. Point lead Andy Hennigar would finish third followed by Randy Bryan in forth.

Next Friday night will be Arnold Motor Supply Mid-Season Championships. Also on tap will be the make up Minuteman Printing Spring Car match race with a driver the fans choose to race head to head with Dennis Moore Jr. in his 410 winged Sprint Car.

Grandstands will open at 5:30 with hot laps getting underway at 6:45 and the first race of the evening will begin at 7:30




“Aarons” I.M.C.A. STOCK CAR:

HEAT 1: Mike VanGenderen-Newton—Sean Johnson-Independence—Dave Atcher-M’town

HEAT 2: Tracy Gienger-Newton—Steve Meyer-Grundy Center—Luke Veren-Haverhill

HEAT 3: Shawn Hoskins-M’town—Rob Schneider-M’town—Michael Jaennette-Newton

FEATURE: Luke Veren—Sean Johnson—Donovan Smith—Shawn Hoskins—Tracy Gienger—Steve Meyer—Rick Brown—Damon Murty—Dave Atcher—Scooter Dulin—Dusty Vis—Mike VanGenderen—Jeff Wollam—Andy Bryant—Don Vis—Rob Schneider—Wendy Reisinger—Clay Deppe—Kyle Krampe—Michael Jaennette



I.M.C.A. MODIFIED:

HEAT 1: Brett Ladehoff-M’town—Marv Halverson-M’town—Jeff Schroyer-M’town

HEAT 2: Jimmy Gustin-M’town—J.D. Auringer-Waterloo—Jason Murray-Hartford

HEAT 3: Adam Bolin-Waterloo—Scott Simatovich-State Center—Tom Rawlins-Kellogg

FEATURE: Jason Murray—Verne Jackson—Jimmy Gustin—Brett Ladehoff—J.D. Auringer—David Brown—Scott Simatovich—Rob Olson—Mike Molle—Adam Bolin—Robert Schmuecker—Heath Kusel—Tom Rawlins—Jay Schmidt—Rick Huff—Marv Halverson—Leroy Staub—Dan Arp—Jeff Schroyer—Todd Conrad



I.M.C.A SPORT MOD:

HEAT 1: Kyle Brown-Kellogg—Kyle Bentley-Fairbank—Austin Lucas-Ames

HEAT 2: Brett Meyer-Ames—Shawn Ritter-Keystone—Fred Schimmels-Van Meter

HEAT 3: Danny Dvorak-Vinton—Austin Kaplan-Ankeny—Brad Iverson-Grinnell

FEATURE: Kyle Brown-Danny Dvorak—Kyle Bentley—Kurt Hogan—Kevin Sather—Mark McNeece—J.D. Albright—Keith Lester—Shawn Ritter—Ryan Engelkes—Shawn Simatovich—Neil Follett—Brad Iverson—Dustin Filloon—Brett Meyer—Austin Kaplan—Fred Schimmels—Austin Lucas—Brad Wilson—Brett Moffitt—Zach Rawlins—Rodney McDonald—Eric Becker



I.M.C.A HOBBY STOCK:

HEAT 1: Dustin Elliott-M’town—Luke Wanninger-Jefferson—Steve Kesl-Elberon

HEAT 2: Mike Smith-M’town—Adam Rickett—M’town—Trent Murphy-Jefferson

HEAT 3: Jamie Schirm-Dexter—Beau Kaplan-Ankeny—Leonard Loftus-Des Moines

HEAT 4: Terry Shaffer-State Center—Larry Fricke-Clemens—Kenny Loftus-Des Moines

FEATURE: Dustin Elliott—Steve Kesl—Michael Johnston—Jamie Schirm—Mike Smith—Trent Murphy—Terry Shaffer—Beau Kaplan—Josh Saunders—Larry Fricke—Eric Knutson—Gene Nicklas—Michael Vibbard—Josh Bly—Adam Rickett—Phil Morrison—Kenny Loftus—Jordon Watkins—Leonard Loftus—Luke Wanninger—Jennifer Hulin—Bo Hunter—Joe Bown—Bill Neasham—Allan Jones—Keith Miner—Mike Anderson



DWARF CARS:

HEAT 1: Mike Morrill-Altoona—Eric Hendrickson-Pleasant Hill—Duane Coffman-Grimes

HEAT 2: Tim Hennigar-Clarion—Terry Brown-M’town—Randy Bryan-Ames

FEATURE: Mike Kennedy—Mike Morrill—Andy Hennigar—Randy Bryan—Terry Brown—David Schmalzried—Tim Hennigar—Duane Coffman—Dusty Masolini—Jeff Stensland—Joel Huggins—Ron Bergman—Nathan Hovick--