Simmons Scores First Ever CJ Speedway Modified Win
Columbus Junction, Iowa: IMCA Weekly Racing returned to the CJ Speedway on Friday night with near perfect weather conditions and a solid field of race cars were on hand to put on a great night of racing on a perfectly prepared race track in front of a nice crowd.
It is always special to see a regular competitor score the first win of their racing career at the track and that was the case Friday night as Dakota Simmons the “Douds Missile” captured the win in the very tough Stewarts and Sons Fuel IMCA Modified feature. A first lap dust up saw the cars of Troy Philpott and Brian Bushong retire to the pit area before one lap was completed. With the lineup reset the race was on and the very racy track allowed plenty of action as the front runners came from deep in the field. Danny Brau led early before Tim Simpson took over the top spot for a couple of laps. 9th starting Simmons took over the top spot and went on to record his first ever CJ Speedway win. Simmons took the win as a battle for second was waged between Brandon Banks and Shane Richardson. Banks came from the sixteenth starting spot to nip Richardson at the finish line.
The Huston Brothers Trucking IMCA Sportmods saw a strong field of 18 drivers take the initial green flag. Shane Paris emerged from a pack of front runners to take over the top spot with four laps completed. Paris would go on to lead until a lap car slowed Paris as he entered turn three and that brief slow down allowed Dylan VanWyk to shoot to the bottom of turn three and take over the top spot with five laps to go. Van Wyk continued his recent hot streak by taking the win over Paris and defending track champion Trey Rock.
Corey Strothman returned to the CJ Speedway after setting out of racing for several weeks due to Farming commitments. Strothman appeared to be in route to the Mincer Ford IMCA Stock Car feature win. While getting ready for a restart Strothman was picking up speed and his fan belt let go causing over heating which sent him to the pit area. Johnny Spaw took over the point position and went on to score the win ahead of Dustin Griffiths and Jason See.
The CJ Auto Parts/NAPA Stores IMCA Hobby Stocks feature win went to Luke Phillips, who has become a regular visitor to the FoCo victory lane at the CJ Speedway. Phillips raced to the front from a third row start and went on to record the win ahead of the youngster, Tucker Richardson. Defending track champion Rand LaMar crossed the finish line in third.
The Midwest Rod & Restoration IMCA Sport Compacts put on a great feature race with the winner in doubt until the front runners crossed under the checkers. Bob Hayes led a good portion of the main event only to have Shane Barnes get to the inside in turn four coming to the finish line. Barnes was able to get the win by a mere two feet over the veteran Hayes. Tim Schnathorst took the third position.
IMCA Weekly racing will continue at the CJ Speedway on Friday, June 16th with hot laps taking to the track at 7 pm.
Friday, June 9 CJ Speedway Feature results (top Five)
Stewarts & Sons Fuel IMCA Modifieds
- 40 Dakota Simmons-Douds
- 22 Brandon Banks-Washington
- IB25 Shane Richardson-Wapello
- 17 Tim Simpson-Iowa City
- 88 Jarrett Brown-Ainsworth
Huston Brothers Trucking IMCA Sportmods
- 117 Dylan VanWyk-Oskaloosa
- 13C Shane Paris-Muscatine
- 7T Trey Rock-New Boston, IL
- 44G Levi Gaunt-Muscatine
- 13M Matt Mayo-Bakersfield, CA
Mincer Ford IMCA Stock Cars
- 00 Johnny Spaw-Cedar Rapids
- 10G Dustin Griffiths-Hedrick
- 79 S Jason See-Albia
- 32 Tom Cannon-West Branch
- 99 Scott Jordan-Wapello
CJ Auto Parts/NAPA Stores IMCA Hobby Stocks
- 33 Luke Phillips-Wapello
- 28 Tucker Richardson-Morning Sun
- 4R Randy LaMar-Buffalo
- 33T Trevor Tanner-Knoxville
- 73 Aaron Martin-Delta
Midwest Rod & Restoration IMCA Sport Compacts
- 26 Shane Barnes-Washington
- 0 Bob (Gabby) Hayes-New Sharon
- 63 Tim Schnathorst-Burlington
- 69JX William Michel-Columbus Junction
- 20C Caleb Giese-Morning Sun
Category: Iowa
