Racing Season Gets The Green Flag At Maquoketa Speedway
Maquoketa, Iowa: The Racing season got underway on Saturday night following three consecutive postponements due to the wet weather in Eastern Iowa. Drivers and fans alike responded in a big way by attending the opening night races that saw the final checkered flag of the night wave at 9:40 pm.
The US Cellular IMCA 20 lap feature was the headliner of the night and the racing action was hotly contested on the very racy track. Travis Denning shot into the lead and was not to be denied the opening night victory as he led flag to flag. The feature saw one yellow flag wave for a minor spin early on lap two and the went the final 18 laps non-stop. Tim Current advanced from a 4th row start and closed on the race leader several times before settling for second. Veteran Maquoketa driver Ray Cox Jr. ran a very strong race in taking third on Saturday night.
A 23 car field of Amhoff Trucking IMCA Sportmods took the green flag for their opening night Feature event. The main event winner was no stranger to the Maquoketa Speedway victory lane. Tyler Soppe drew the outside front row and led the main flag to flag. The action behind Soppe saw several drivers take their turn at the second spot, at times the pack swelled to a five car battle. Justin Becker debuted a new car and he was definitely dialed in as he broke loose from the pack and chased down Soppe only to finish second by less than a car length. Shane Paris advanced from the fifth row to take third ahead of Jacob Arp.
The Hawkins Trucking & Construction IMCA Stock Cars victory proved to be a very popular win as hometowner Jacob Ellithorpe claimed the win. Ellithorpe, stated in victory lane, “ last year was a very frustrating year, so we spent a lot of time in the garage making changes to the car.” The changes proved to pick up a lot of speed for Ellithorpe as he took the win ahead of Richard Nelson and Keith Feller.
The INEX Legends 20 lap feature win went to a first time visitor to the Maquoketa Speedway. Legends Direct driver Jordan Miklas from Hartland, Wisconsin scored the 20 lap feature win. Miklas came from the third row and got out front as the laps wound down. After the white flag was thrown the order was jumbled as the second and third place cars tangled allowing Adrianne Hartman to come across the line in second ahead of Michael Weber.
The Ueland Auto IMCA Hobby Stocks started the night off with a roll over in the very first heat. That roll over proved to be the first of four roll overs covering all classes in night number one. When the Hobby Stock feature hit the track it was veteran driver Randy LaMar taking his number 4R to victory lane. LaMar held off Andrew Burke and Jordan Miles in taking the win.
The Jackson County Fairboard Sport Compacts saw the Hawkins Brothers wage a side by side battle for the entire feature race. When the checkers flew it was Cyle Hawkins celebrating the win over his brother Travis. The two were all smile as the celebration will surely be the first of many for the season.
Racing will continue next Saturday, May 14tth at the Maquoketa Speedway with hot laps scheduled to take to the track at 5:30 pm.
Maquoketa Speedway Saturday, May 7 Feature Results (top Five)
US Cellular IMCA Modifieds
- 56D Travis Denning-Sterling, IL
- 12T Timmy Current-Bernard
- 11 Ray Cox JR.-Maquoketa
- 8 Jaden Fryer-Freeport
- 3G Bryce Garnhart-Lanark, IL
Amhoff Trucking IMCA Sportmods
- 3T Tyler Soppe-Sherril
- 35JR Justin Becker-Bernard
- 17 C Shane Paris-Muscatine
- 10A Jacob Arp-Donahue
- 33 Jarrett Franzen-Maquoketa
Hawkins Trucking & Construction IMCA Stock Cars
- 72 Jacob Ellithorpe-Maquoketa
- 80N Richard Nelson-Cascade
- 10 Keith Feller-Eldridge
- 27 Chase Zaruba-Sabula
- 3T Scooter Dulin- Cedar Rapids
INEX Legends
- 44J Jordan Miklas-Hartland, WI
- Z4 Adrianne Hartman-Blue Grass
- 8 Michael Weber-Marion
- 28 Braxton Franks-Cedar Rapids
- Z2 Hal Russell-Blue Grass
Ueland Auto Hobby Stocks
- 4R Randy LaMar-Buffalo
- 77 Andrew Burke-Milan, IL
- 4 Jordan Miles-Bernard
- 86 Logan Gustaf-Hillsdale, IL
- 79 Michael Putt- Moline, IL
Jackson County Fairboard Sport Compacts
- 28 Cyle Hawkins-Blue Grass
- 8 Travis Hawkins-Davenport
- 12 Mitch Bielenberg-Charlotte
- 65C- Colton Stewart-Vinton
- 12X Tristan Clark-Maquoketa
Category: Iowa
