9/16/2023
Tom Berry Jr.
Berry Jr. wins Marshalltown World Nationals finale in Modified and Stock Car
Tom Berry Jr. picked up a pair of statement victories over the weekend as he took both the IMCA Modified and IMCA Stock Car checkered flags in the 17th annual World Nationals finale at Marshalltown Speedway (Marshalltown, Iowa).
Berry bested a 30-car Modified and 21-car Stock Car field at the quarter-mile speed plant during the event’s Saturday conclusion – the Local UAW 893 Cliff Chambers Memorial.
Berry began the Modified portion of the evening by driving from fifth to second in his heat race aboard his No. 11x car, positioning him on the pole for the 30-lap, $2,000-to-win main event. He never trailed during the race, leading all 30 circuits to take the victory by a wide margin over runner-up Ethan Braaksma. Todd Shute came home third, with Cody Laney fourth and Tripp Gaylord taking the fifth spot.
Berry also dominated Saturday’s Stock Car action behind the wheel of the No. 11x car from Jeff Wollam’s Team 3W Racing stable. Berry grabbed a win in his heat and began the 30-lap, $1,000-to-win feature from the third spot. He took the lead on Lap 3 and led the rest of the way, crossing the start-finish line 2.058 seconds in front of Dallon Murty. Third place went to Kaden Reynolds, with Damon Murty fourth and Austin Kaplan completing the top five.
The victories were Berry's 11th and 12th of the season and capped a weekend in which he finished no worse than second.
When the competition kicked off with "Friday Night Lights" on Friday evening, Berry was one of 34 Modified and 27 Stock Car drivers in the pits.
He drove his No. 11x Modified to a win in his heat race and rolled off fifth for Friday’s 30-lap main event. He scored a runner-up result in the $2,000-to-win race, finishing 0.688 seconds behind Tim Ward. Todd Shute, Dylan Thornton and Joel Rust rounded out the top five.
Meanwhile, in the Stock Car ranks, Berry finished fifth in his Friday heat race in the No. 11x. H then began the 30-lap, $1,000-to-win A-Main from the 13th position. Berry charged to a second-place finish, coming up just short with a slider and settling for the runner-up spot 0.572 seconds behind winner Dallon Murty. Kaden Reynolds rounded out the podium, with Austin Kaplan and Gage Neal finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
Full results are at www.marshalltownspeedway.com.
Article Credit: Make it You Photography image
