Pruitt Takes Exciting Win In Season Opener

Story by Josh Reynolds

Stuart, IA (May 18) – Mother Nature took the checkered flag each of the first three nights, but she provided a beautiful night to open season number 53 at Stuart Speedway! Matt Webb, Cody Cleghorn, Mike Nichols, Dean Richards, Mike Pruitt and Todd Shute were the feature winners on Ruby’s Pub Night at the Races.

Once heat races were completed, the IMCA Northern SportMods came out for the first feature of the night. Brandon Williams and Arie Schouten brought the field to green, but it wouldn’t last long as Schouten pounded the outside wall in turn 4. Schouten was ok, but his night was over. A couple more quick yellows slowed the field, but once they got going on lap five Matt Webb was in control. Clint Luellen gave chase high and low, but Webb was too strong and went on to take the win. Luellen settled for second with Williams third, rookie and last-starting Kendall Davis fourth and Jerry Hinton fifth. Webb and Luellen were the heat race winners.

Next up was the IMCA Sport Compacts with Cody Cleghorn and Jordan Androy showing the way. Jeff Dvorak led the first two laps until Cleghorn took over. Dvorak did all he could, but Cleghorn took the win. Dvorak crossed in second with Dean Richards third, Logan Richards fourth and Androy fifth. Cleghorn made it a perfect night with the heat race win.

Brian Blessington and Mike Nichols brought out the IMCA Stock Cars for their 20 lap feature, and the pair took off with Nichols getting the jump into the lead. While those two were sailing off into the sunset, last-starting Chris Pruitt was moving forward. Pruitt made it to sixth by lap two, but back up front Nichols was holding strong over Blessington. As the laps wound down, Blessington closed the gap as lap traffic came into sight with two laps to go. When the two came out of turn four to take the checkered flag, Nichols went under a lap car with Blessington going high. Nichols took the win by a car length over Blessington and Marcus Fagan. Pruitt took fourth after a spirited battle with his uncle Terry, who came home fifth. Chris Pruitt and Nichols were the heat race winners.

6 Cylinder FWD’s came out next with Dean Richards and Korbin Nourse on the front row. Richards led right away with Nourse in second and Cody Cleghorn third. Cleghorn passed Nourse going into turn three, but Nourse put the bumper to him, sending Cleghorn for a spin in turn three. Cleghorn would get going and Nourse got the black flag for the spin. Meanwhile, Richards kept the lead all the way to the checkered flag. Cleghorn finished second with Nourse third. Cleghorn was the heat race winner.

Next up was the IMCA Hobby Stocks with Andrew Burg and Tyson Overton at the point. Burg took the lead with Overton in second. From there back it was any one of five drivers vying for the third spot. Mike Pruitt, Shannon Anderson, Eric Stanton, Chad LeGere and Jamie Songer took turns in the third position as cars were bobbing and weaving all over the track! Cars were four wide at times and almost five wide once, and all the while Burg continued to lead. Pruitt took his car to the top side on lap ten and rocketed into the lead with Burg moving up behind him in second. Pruitt would go on to take the win in the caution free event with Burg second, Stanton third, Anderson fourth and LeGere fifth. Stanton and Austin Luellen were the heat race winners. I have to say, that Hobby Stock race was one of the best races I’ve seen at in my 18 years of attending shows at Stuart Speedway. Every driver in that race needs to be commended on an excellent job of driving!

Last but not least was the IMCA Modifieds with Todd Shute and Cole Ferguson leading the field to the green flag. Shute took command right away with Ferguson and Jimmy Gustin in tow. Gustin would make the pass on Ferguson on lap seven and set out to track down Shute. A caution on lap ten erased the lead and bunched the cars up for a restart. Shute continued to lead until a spin by Brandon Pruitt brought out the yellow for one last time. As the green flag flew, Josh Gilman made a move to get into second place. As Shute continued to lead, Gustin moved back into second on lap nineteen. Shute went on to take the win over Gustin in second, Gilman third, Randy Havlik fourth and Luke Wanninger fifth. Shute and Havlik were the heat race winners.

We’d like to thank all who came out to support the race track at our first event of the year. Next week is the 14th annual Ron Little Memorial presented by Interstate Chevrolet. This is one of our crown jewels for the season and one you won’t want to miss. We will have our regular classes along with Mod Lites and Micro Sprints. See you then!

Category: Iowa, Stuart Speedway