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“Frost Buster” Special By Denny Grabenbauer MARSHALLTOWN, IA (April 4) - Weekly racing began in 1964 at the current location of the Marshalltown Speedway, and after 44-years of continues racing, history was made this past Friday evening. A little more than 24-hours after a winter like snow mix set into the city, hopes of kicking off the season seemed doubtful, except for one person, promoter Toby Kruse. In the early hours of Friday morning, snow still made its presence known. The forecast was favorable so why not pursue getting the racing season started and put the dreaded winter behind. “My phone never stopped ringing all day, people just couldn’t believe that we were even serious about running, but I just knew it would work out, and I am just thankful we did,” said Kruse. What he didn’t expect was the turnout that would await him. 160-race teams made their way to compete, a new record of entries and twenty-three from the state of Wisconsin. Kruse had set and advertised his payout purse for his classes. Then to his surprise, out side sponsors started coming forth wanting to donate to the purse. Before it was over with, the Modified feature winner would take home the largest payoff in speedway history, $2,008 for winning the feature event. “This is my third year of being here in Marshalltown work promoting this speedway, I don’t think anyone could have ever believed that something like this could happen, but it did. Now they say that next year they want me to raise the Modified payoff to $2,009 for the winner, and you know, I think we will. We are going to continue to grow this event to be one of the premier events in the country”. Not only did the Modified division benefit with extra money, but the other I.M.C.A, divisions also had money added to the feature winner. It was a busy night of racing as 30-races were run though out the night with close side by side racing in almost every lap. Two drivers found their world turned upside down as Mike Morrill and Keith Miner would go for wild rides but both drivers would walk away. One of the twenty-three Wisconsin drivers who made the trip to Marshalltown was Brian Mullen. Mullen was making his first appearance at the speedway, and by the end of the 25-lap feature he was glad he decided to come to town. Mullen would win his heat race then start in the top five of the feature. With the drop of the green flag, Ryan Reuter would jump into the lead until lap fourteen when a flat tire would force him into the pits. Taking over the lead would be Mullen. Mullen would hold off charges by John Snyder, Vern Jackson and Jimmy Gustin, but no driver was to deny Mullen a chance at history. Mullen would lead the last eleven laps and would score his Frostbuster feature. “This is just assume,” said Mullen in victory lane. “I’ve never won so much money in one race in my life. The track was great, this was great, heck, everything is just great right now.” The lead would change hands three different times in the Aarons I.M.C.A.
Stock Car feature but it would be Dustin Smith who would lead the final laps
to score the victory. Rick Brown would lead the three wide racing in the
early going but mechanical problems would slide line him on lap three. Then
it would be Luke Veren who would have the rest of the field following him
until a slight bobble in turn four opened the door for Dustin Smith to grab
the lead. After the Veren bobble, Smith would lead the remaining laps
picking up the victory. Devin Smith would join his brother in victory lane by winning the I.M.C.A.
Hobby Stock event. Todd Reitzler would challenge Smith through out the event
and Dustin Elliott would make his move to the front, but Smith would not be
denied this night and would score the victory. |