Yankee Dirt track Classic – Friday night HDT Modifieds and Deery Brothers Late Models.
An impressive field of the “Best in the Midwest” HDT Modifieds and Deery Brothers Late Models were on hand tonight for the Friday night version on the 35th Annual Yankee Dirt Track Classic. 56, yes 56 Late Models were on hand along with 48 HDT Modifieds featuring a who’s who of Midwest IMCA Late Model and Modified racing.
It would take 6 heats and 3 “B” Features to set the field for both classes. Hot laps were scheduled for 6:30pm, but the first heat didn’t take to the track until 8:00pm as track crews were preparing the racing surface. The track was very wide and allowed for great racing throughout the event.
The first feature was the 25 lap HDT Modifieds. Co-points leader Jimmy Gustin had problems in the heat and did not start the “B’ main. The other points leader, Jay Noteboom also had problems and was borrowing a car to start at the tail of the “A” main. Noteboom would retire early in a borrowed car, which after all was said and done we have a new points leader. More about that later.Darren Duffy took the early lead from the outside pole position. By lap 8, there was a three car breakaway with Duffy, Troy Cordes, and Mark Elliott. Around lap 10 Elliott worked around Cordes and Duffy. Elliott and Cordes swapped the lead numerous times.
The caution flew for debris on lap 19 which spelled doom for Cordes. The top five at that time was Cordes, Elliott, Duffy, Jake Waterman, and Ron Barker. On the ensuing restart, Cordes didn’t get up to speed and forced the field behind him to scramble. Fortunately for Cordes the caution flew on the same lap as Ray Cox, Jr tagged the turn 2 wall. This put Cordes back in front of Elliott, but once again on the ensuing restart Cordes could not get up to speed handing the lead to Elliott. Elliott would take the win followed by Waterman, Barker, Duffy, and Ryan Dolan. Heat races were won by Mark Schulte, Dolan, Barker, new HDT points leader Jeremy Mills, Ryan Deshaw, and Waterman. The “B” Mains were won by Kevin Pittman, Vern Jackson, and Jason Schueller.
To rRace Director, Bucky Doren, you have a great organization with the HDT and I wish continued success with the Hawkeye Dirt Tour.
Next up was the 50 lap IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series. As mentioned before we had a elite cast of driver tonight on hand to do battle on the ½-mile. Young, Justin Kay took the early lead from the outside pole. Both Kay and Mike Murphy, Jr checked out on the field. Tyler Breuning started reeling in the front runners to make it a 3-car race.
Murphy made his way around Kay for the lead around lap 14, but it was short lived as only 9 laps later Murphy would pull his car into the pits with motor problems. This handed the lead back to Kay with Breuning, Nick Marolf, Andy Eckrich, and Mark Burgtorf the top 5. Marolf seemed to be getting stronger as the race progressed as he made his way around Breuning for 2nd around lap 40 and set his sights on race leader Kay, Lap 46 was the magic lap for Marolf as he passed Kay for the lead and the race win. Kay followed Marolf across the stripe with Breuning, Andy Eckrich, and Burgtorf the unofficial top 5. The final checkers flew just past midnight. Heat races were won by: Burgtorf, Jeff Mitrisin, Kay, Murphy Jr,, Breuning, and Andy Eckrich. “B” Mians were won by Jason Rauen, Denny Eckrich, and Jeff Aikey.
A very impressive field of cars and I can’t wait for the Saturday show. Bring your coats as this is probably going to be a late night tonight, but as I’ve seen so far this year:, an excellent track, great fields of drivers, and in my mind, the 35th Anniversary of the Yankee Dirt Track Classic is definitely a ‘Can’t miss’ show.
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