Kay Outduels Eckrich to take Victory at Maquoketa
Justin Kay
By Anthony Ainslie & Jerry Mackey
Mohr, Burk & Paris Among Support Class Winners
MAQUOKETA, IOWA (May 25, 2024) – Justin Kay added his name to the growing list of winners for the Malvern Bank Super Late Models East Series in 2024 as he won Saturday’s show at Maquoketa Speedway.
The first of 3 stops over Memorial Day Weekend for the East Series took the tour to the high-banked quarter-mile bullring at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Maquoketa, Iowa. Drivers from Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin packed the pit area for a shot at a $3,000 payday on a warm Saturday night.
Derrick Stewart kicked the night off being the fastest in time trials as he clocked in at 14.139 seconds. Later, it was Dylan Thornton, Chris Spieker and Jeff Tharp taking heat race wins on the night.
Defending Race Winner Andrew Kosiski took the win in the B feature on the night, and after provisionals were decided, 23 cars took to the speedway for the 30-lap finale. Dylan Thornton jumped out to an early lead while a plethora of side-by-side battles ensued throughout the field.
Thornton saw himself in a tight 3-car battle with Tharp and Andy Eckrich. Tharp pursued Thornton on the top side of the racetrack while Eckrich ran the low end. Thornton was up for the challenge as he swapped lanes every couple of laps to block any potential overtakes.
Thornton, however, could not keep the defense up the whole way as Eckrich found his way to the lead as he and Thornton came off turn four with 18 laps remaining. The pass came just one lap before Luke Petska spun in turn four bringing out the race’s only caution.
When racing resumed, Eckrich led, but Justin Kay had worked his way into the top three after starting back in ninth. Kay and Eckrich became locked into a high-speed battle around the high banks of Maquoketa for the race lead. Eckrich stuck to his bottom lane run while Kay used every ounce of the top side he could get. Both drivers went back and forth, both trying to gain the upper hand on the other.
It was not until only six laps remained that Kay finally cleared Eckrich for the lead. From there, Kay went straight to the bottom lane to defend his spot. His efforts paid off sweetly, as the 2-time East Series Champion from Wheatland, Iowa took home the big win. It was his first win of the season and his 12th career series victory which helped Kay pass Corey Zeitner for 6th on the all-time win list. The victory also made Kay the fourth different winner in four appearances by the East Series at Maquoketa Speedway.
Andy Eckrich would have to settle for second while Dylan Thornton took third. Jeff Tharp finished fourth, and Spencer Diercks rounded out the top five.
The IMCA Modfifieds kicked off the feature portion of the program as a total of 126 race teams packed the pit area and a great crowd attended the special night of racing. The IMCA Modified feature saw drivers race every inch of the track as three and four wide battles were witnessed throughout the 20 lap main event. Charlie Mohr advanced from a fourth row start to take the win ahead of Brandon Jewell and Tim Current.
Andrew Burk scored the feature win in the IMCA Stock Cars holding off Tanner Allen and jarett Franzen. The 27Z normally driven by Chase Zaruba was driven by Franzen on Saturday night. Allen tried several time to get by Burk late in the race but Burk held his line and took the win by less than a car length.
31 drivers signed in the Amhof Trucking IMCA Sportmod class looking to qualify for the 24 starting positions. With four heats and a B feature having been run to set the 24 car field the drivers took to the track for their feature. Shane Paris has been very tough at the Maquoketa ¼ mile and Saturday was another example of having a superior car and driver in the 17C. Paris advanced to the front quickly from a 12th position start and Paris went on to record the win ahead of Jarrett Franzen who advanced 9 positions from a 11th position start.
Brandon White added his name to the Maquoketa Speedway’s winner list on Saturdday night scoring the win in the Hobby Stock main event. White put himself in position to take advantage when race leader, Jordan Miles encountered mechanical issues late in the race. White took the win ahead of Daniel Wauters and Kyler Hefty.
The final main event of the night saw Cyle Hawkins continue his mastery of the Maquoketa Speedway in the 4 Cylinder class. Hawkins shot to the front from a fifth row start and went on to take the win ahead of Dustin Forbes who came from very deep in the field.
Racing will continue on Saturday, June 1st with another full program of racing being headlined by the IMCA late Models. Hot laps will take to the track at 6 pm with racing to follow.
Category: Iowa
