7/26/2020
Marshalltown Speedway
Tom Berry and Damon Murty go back to back, Carter takes three in a row
Friday was Casey's and Rumors Bar and Grill Salute to Marshalltown Law Enforcement night at the Marshalltown Speedway, and a full night of great racing action.
Hometown boy, Darrel DeFrance got his second win this year when he captured the IMCA Late Model feature. Tom Berry, Jr. continues his domination at the track this year, taking win number five in the IMCA Modified division. Damon Murty took his third victory in the IMCA Stock Car class, and Brayton Carter made it three in a row in the IMCA Northern SportMods. Eric Knutson took the trophy home in the IMCA Hobby Stocks, and Mike Morrill bounced back from his wild roll over last week, and come home to the checkers in the Mod Lites. The ladies took a turn on the track at the end of the night with the running of a Mod Lite Powder Puff. Jane Zehm got those bragging rights.
Things kicked off with the Mod Lite 15 lap main event. Joel Huggins led the first handful of laps, but Mike Morrill had his ride wound up on the topside and took command at lap six. From there on out, Morrill would circle the top of the speedway, pull away, and win going away. Joel Huggins finished as the runner up, last week's winner Tanner Gannon was third, fourth went to ninth place starter Randy Bryan, and Travis Stensland took fifth place. This was Morrill's first win at the High Banks this season.
IMCA Northern SportMods made their appearance next in an 18 lap feature race. Austin Kaplan snatched the lead away from pole sitter Brian Lepa at lap two and sailed away to a nice lead until the first yellow of the evening reared its ugly head at lap five. On the restart, Kaplan kept hold of the top spot, but by this time ninth place starter Brayton Carter was soon to be nipping at his heels. Kaplan led with Carter sizing him up lap after lap. The drivers ran side by side as the race neared completion, and with a lap to go, Carter would complete the pass coming out of turn four as the white flag waved. Carter kept the lead the remaining distance to the checkers. Kaplan had to be content with the runner up spot. Johnathon Logue came from tenth starting spot to finish in third. Fourth went to Austin Schrage, and Kyle Olson completed the top five. This marked "Speedy Bray's" third consecutive win at the track.
Eric Knutson stepped into Victory Lane for the first time this year in the IMCA Hobby Stock ranks. He had a bit of good luck after Nathan Ballard passed him for the lead on lap six, and had to be content to trail a good distance to the leader as the race progressed. His good fortune came about with just one lap remaining when Ballard was suddenly off power and out of the race. Knutson took the checkers and the win, trailed by Eric Stanton, who came from twelfth starting spot to take second. Jacob Floyd ran at the front of the pack all race long and took third. William Klosterman finished fourth, and eleventh place starter Austin Mehmen rounded out the top five.
It was a popular win with the crowd when hometown boy Darrel DeFrance came home to the checkers first when he won the 15 lap IMCA Late Model feature. DeFrance was running second to then leader Curtis Glover when on lap nine, Glover suddenly drove off the track as he exited turn two. DeFrance then held the lead the rest of the way to the finish line to seal his second win at the speedway this year. Dalton Simonsen finished in the runner up position, pole sitter Shawn Cooney took third, Ben Seeman came from fifteenth starting spot to finish fourth, and fifth went to Logan Duffy.
Two drivers that love to run the topside put a show on for the fans in the 18 lap IMCA Stock Car main event. Todd Reitzler who started eighth, and Damon Murty who started tenth, wasted no time in getting to the front by lap four. Then it was a shoot out to see who would maneuver the High Banks the best on this particular night. Reitzler held the upper hand until the thirteenth lap when Murty made his move into the lead. The "Chelsea Charger" would then keep that lead the rest of the way to the checkers....marking back to back wins, and his third time in the winner's circle this year. Reitzler had to be satisfied with second place. Dustin Vis had a good run, coming from fifteenth to finish third. Steve Meyer and Dallon Murty completed the top five.
The final feature race of the evening was 20 laps of IMCA Modified fury. Tom Barry, Jr. would walk away with yet another victory....his fifth of the year in this race that went flag to flag. Barry started tenth, had the lead at lap eight, and then pulled away, leaving the field far behind. Ethan Braaksma came from ninth starting spot to trail a distant second. Tim Ward went third, fourth was Gatlin Leythem, and Scott Simatovich
Next Friday, July 31 is Triple E Insulator Night at the Races, with racing in all divisions. The green flag drops at 7:30
Article Credit: Joyce Eisele
Submitted By: Jerry Vansickel
