Luellen Edges Out Luellen on Opening Night

Story by Josh Reynolds

Stuart, IA (May 12) – Season number 52 took an extra week to start but once it got under way the cars were flying and drivers were slinging some serious clay at Stuart Speedway! Winners on National Investors Night were Josh May, Ty Luellen, Mike Nichols, Luke Wanninger, Shannon Anderson, Jim Britton and Deavon Richards.

One of the improvements that took place over the winter was a transformation of the south pit area. Chuck and company put in a ton of hours along with over 16,000 cubic yards of dirt and a new fence! Many people commented on how improved everything looked and I for one agree! Great job to everyone involved!

Kicking off the 2013 season was the Mod Lites with Gale Worthington and Mike Morrill setting the pace. Morrill would lead lap one with Andy Hennigar showing the way for the next two circuits. Seventh starting Josh May took over on lap four and never looked back in cruising to the victory. Hennigar hung on for second over Randy Bryan, Morrill and Worthington. Bryan was the heat race winner.

IMCA Northern Sportmods were up next with Clint Luellen and Taylor Musselman on the front row. Luellen took command and looked to ride off into the sunset to the feature win. Ten laps in Luellen’s lead began to shrink with first Cole Ferguson and then Luellen’s brother, Ty challenging for the top spot. As the two came out of turn four to get the white flag, a bit of contact sent Ty to the lead and one lap later the win as Clint came in a disappointing second. Ferguson crossed in third with Matt Webb and Curt Ganoe rounding out the top five. Webb was the heat race winner.

Jeff Joldersma and Brian Blessington brought out the IMCA Stock Cars next with Joldersma leading the first four times around the track. Blessington caught and passed Joldersma on lap five, but the man on the move was sixth starting Mike Nichols. Nichols found a way around Joldersma on lap eight and jumped into the lead on lap nine. Ben Walding drew the red flag with a wild roll in turn four on lap twelve. Walding was ok, but his car was not so lucky and he would be finished for the evening. Once the action started back up it was all Nichols as the Harlan hotshoe took the win over Blessington, fifteenth starting Marcus Fagan, Joldersma and Jamie Schirm. Bob Daniels and Nichols were the heat race winners.

IMCA Modifieds took to the track next with Luke Wanninger and Shay Woods pulling the top two chips in the redraw. Woods led lap one, but it would be Wanninger taking the top spot on lap two. Two quick yellows on laps five and six slowed the race, but there would be no slowing Wanninger on this night as he would lead nineteen of the twenty laps to take home the win. Josh Gilman finished in second with Jimmy Gustin third, Woods fourth and Jason Murray rounding out the top five. Gustin and Wanninger were the heat race winners.

 The largest draw for the evening, the IMCA Hobby Stocks, was up next with eighteen cars taking to the track. Mike Pruitt and Shannon Anderson drew 1-2 and led the field to green with Anderson leading the first four laps. Pruitt moved by on lap five with Paul Nagle overtaking the top spot on lap six. Nagle led through the white flag with Anderson right behind, just waiting for the smallest bobble. That bobble would happen on the last lap in turn two, and Anderson moved by to snag the win away from Nagle. Nagle held on for second with Pruitt third, Eric Stanton fourth and Andrew Burg fifth. Garrett Eilander, Anderson and Brandon Pruitt were the heat race winners.

6 Cylinder FWD’s were up next with Andy Forcht and Cory Sauerman on the front row. Forcht led the first two laps until Jim Britton moved by, with quite a bit of contact with Forcht, on lap three. Britton looked to take the easy win, but Forcht stayed the course and passed for the win on the last lap. That’s when things got interesting as Britton pulled alongside Forcht in turn two. The two came to a stop to have some words and were ordered off the track. As Britton pulled away, Forcht turned into Britton and spun him up the track. Forcht was promptly disqualified and the win was given to Britton. Sauerman finished second with Deavon Richards third. Forcht was the heat race winner.

Last up on the evening was the IMCA Sport Compacts. Logan Richards and Shawn Cooney started out front with Cooney taking the lead on lap one. Cooney would hold the top spot until Deavon Richards passed for the lead on lap seven and went on to the win. Cooney finished second with L. Richards third and Nash Coe fourth. D. Richards was also the heat race winner.

We’d like to thank all who came out to support the race track at our first event of the year. Next week is Horizon Financial Night at the Races with all of our regular classes plus the IMCA Late Models come to town for their first appearance at the Speedway this season. See you then!

 

 

Category: Iowa, Stuart Speedway