Hobby Stock Updates
The latest on the Galde Racing Hobby Stock is that we completed putting in the front bars and next is to get the fenders attached and give the old beast a blood transfusion. Due to some work commitments, this has delayed the start to my 2012 season. Anyway on to my West Liberty notes. Also check out Jeff Broeg's recap as well.
West Liberty Notes
Last night there was a great field of cars on hand. Also I would like to thank the Stock Car and Sport Compact drivers that took part in the Lil Racer Car Club, "Kid's riding in race cars" event.
The first feature event was the IMCA type Stock Cars. 11 cars were on hand tonight with Andrew Burke taking the early lead. David "Ricky Bobby" Brandies quickly made his way up to second. The first caution flew on lap 3 for the spun car of Josh Woods and the bottom on turn 2.
On the ensuing restart, Burke went into turns 1 and 2 and little too hot and got sideways in front of the field. This collected four of the classes competitors including points leader, John Hemstead.
From here on out, Brandies and former Late Model pilot, Tom Cannon put on a fantastic side-by-side battle swapping the lead numerous times throughout the rest of the feature. Cannon took the checkers with Brandies close behind. Jason Hartman finished third with Cody Harris and Chris Hinrichs rounding out the top 5. Heat races were won by Brandies and Burke.
Next up was the IMCA type Modifieds. 14 cars were on hand tonight. Mark Verbeck was the early race leader, but by lap 5, Brad Diercks took over the race lead. Ryan Dolan was also making his way towards the front by running the extreme high line around the track. Diercks would end up taking the checkers pursued by Dolan. Steve Stewart finished third with Dakota Haydon and Verbeck rounding out the top 5. Heat races were won by Diercks anbd Verbeck.
The IMCA Sport Compacts were next with what I believe is the highest car count this division has had this season. 14 cars started the feature with Ryan Walker taking the flag-to-flag feature win. Walker was being strongly pressured by last week's feature winner Nate Chandler throughout the last handful of laps. Cody Thompson, Jordy Walker, and Aaron Hitt rounded out the top 5. Heat races were won by Chandler and Hitt.
Next up were the SPI Modifieds and they did a 4-wide salute to the fans with American flags and God Bless the USA over the loudspeaker. 18 cars were on hand tonight with Rick Hixson scratched for the feature. Brad Dubil was the early race leader from the outside pole. Early in the feature, Ryan Dolan made his way around Dubil for the lead. Kurt Kile was making his way through the field and by lap 12 he got around Dolan for the lead and checked out on the field. Zack Vanderbeek made his way around Dolan for second with two laps remaining. The top 3 would stay this way as the checkers flew. Dan "Stumpy" Brockert finished fourth with Todd Hanson 5th. Heat races were won by Hanson, Johnny Spaw, and Scott Dickey.
The final feature of the night was the IMCA Late Models and they also did a 4-wide Memorial Day salute with Brooks and Dunn's "Only in America" playing over the sound system. 17 cars started the feature with Mike Klinkhammer taking off from the pole positions and was newver contested foir the top spot. Former Hawkeye Downs driver Kyle Hinrichs finished a strong second followed by Spencer Diercks, Andy Eckrich and Nick Marolf. Heat races were won by Bret Diercks, Ray Guss Jr, and Eckrich.
The final checkers flew around 9:58. All-in-all, a great night of racing at the Muscatine County Fairgrounds. I would be remiss in not mentioning the Big Wheel races for the younger Lil Racer Club Members as well as the kids riding in race cars prior to the start of the night's show.
Other notes
After the show I got a chance to speak with the legendary Roger Dolan briefly. I asked him if he ever run as high as Ryan did out here tonight. He chuckled at that. I also got a chance to talk to Keith Simmons and told him how great of the job his track crew has been doing in prepping the track. Last week the track was smooth but had a strong cushion. This week the track was more dry slick. He said a lot of it has to do with what Mother Nature gives us and he said he's been lucky this year at West Liberty.
That's all for now and we'll hopefully be out there racing in the next few weeks.
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