CJ Speedway Opens With Large Field of Racers
By Jerry Mackey
Columbus Junction, Iowa (May 6, 2022) – After three consecutive rain outs the 2022 Stock Car Racing Season finally got underway at the CJ Speedway on the Louisa County Fairgrounds. A large field of race car drivers took part in the season opener.
The final checkered flag of the night flew when the Stewart & Son Fuel IMCA Modifieds completed their main event with Dunkerton, Iowa Modified Ace Troy Cordes, making the two hour drive to Columbus Junction payoff by recording the win. Cordes started in the seventh position and and steadily worked his way to the front taking over the top spot from Jarrett Brown. Cordes led half of the 16 laps and took the checkers ahead of a fast closing Maguire DeJong who had started in the sixth row. Brown held on to finish third ahead of Kyle Montgomery.
The Mincer Ford IMCA Stock Cars never fail to delight the fans with great racing and the opening night feature was certainly no exception. Rookie Stock Car Driver Kaden Reynolds paced the field in the early going before a spin forced him to restart on the tail. David Brandies took over the top spot and led for several laps before Dustin Vis was able to move into the lead for good. Vis fresh off a Bristol Dirt Nationals championship has served notice that he is going to be a very strong competitor in 2022 in Eastern Iowa. Vis took the win by a slim margin over Corey Strothman and Brandies.
The Huston Brothers Trucking IMCA Sportmods feature saw a solid field of 21 drivers take the green flag for their A main event. Dylan VanWyk has raced three times this year and he has now parked his 117 in victory lane twice. VanWyk thanked promoter Larry Richardson for giving all of the drivers a place to race when several area tracks canceled again this week due to the wet conditions. VanWyk led the feature flag to flag from his outside front row starting spot. Brayton Carter provided several challenges for the leader as the pair of Oskaloosa drivers battled it out for the lead. Colton Livezey drove all the way from the 15th starting spot to take third a the checkers.
Ryan Havel purchased a Hobby Stock from the Reynolds race team late in 2021 and has taken to the new class very well. Havel took the opening night win in the CJ Auto Parts/NAPA Stores Hobby Stocks by besting veteran driver Randy LaMar. The two hot shoes raced wheel to wheel for the lead before Havel was able to move out to a comfortable lead in recording the win. LaMar took second at the finish ahead of John Irwin.
The Midwest Towing IMCA Sport Compacts main event saw the red flag come out for a hard roll over before one lap had been completed. Dustin Munn rode out a multi flip barrel role that caused some anxious moments. Munn exited his car unscathed and field re-aligned for their feature. Jason Staley may not have the prettiest car on the track but his #36 is fast. Staley held off a hard charging Alex Hayes to score the opening night win. Christian Grady crossed under the checkers in third.
Racing action will continue on Friday nights at the CJ Speedway located on the Louisa County Fairgrounds with hot laps taking to the 4/10 mile dirt track at 7 pm.
Friday, May 6 CJ Speedway Feature Results (Top Five)
Stewart & Sons IMCA Modifieds
- 71C Troy Cordes-Dunkerton
- 30 Maguire DeJong-Montezuma
- 88 Jarrett Brown-Ainsworth
- 32K Kyle Montgomery-Tipton
- 77 Kurt Kile-Nichols
Mincer Ford IMCA Stock Cars
- 20V Dustin Vis-Martelle
- C4 Corey Strothman-Mt. Union
- 71 David Brandies-Wilton
- 77 Josh Foster-Newton
- 1 Kaden Reynolds-Cedar Rapids
Huston Brothers Trucking IMCA Sport Mods
- 117 Dylan VanWyk-Oskaloosa
- 01 Brayton Carter-Oskaloosa
- 29 Colton Livezey-New Sharon
- T23 Tony Olson-Cedar Rapids
- 17C Shane Paris-Muscatine
CJ Auto Parts/NAPA Stores Hobby Stocks
- Ryan Havel-Lone Tree
- 4R Rndy LaMar-Buffalo
- 43J Jon Irwin-Hedrick
- 33 Luke Phillips-Wapello
- 33T Trevor Tanner-Knoxville
Midwest Towing IMCA Sport Compacts
- 36 Jason Staley-Letts
- 23h Alex Hayes-Lone Tree
- 89 Christian Grady-Cedar Rapids
- 87C Jay Crabill-Cedar Rapids
- 16 Seth Meinders-Ottumwa
Category: Iowa
