Spills, chills and thrills highlight opening night of 23rd Annual MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge

By TONY PARIS

OSKALOOSA — Fans who braved unseasonably cool temperatures Friday night were treated to a night of spills, chills and thrills as a field of 172 drivers packed the pit area for opening night of the 23rd Annual MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge at the Southern Iowa Speedway Friday.

Chris Hovden of Cresco swept past Creston’s Steve Churchill on lap eight of the USRA Hobby Stock main event, then paced the final seven laps to score an impressive victory in his first trip to the Mahaska County Half-Mile Monster. The win cemented his position at the top of the American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series national points. Hovden’s twin brother, Mitch, was the USRA Hobby Stock National Champion in 2007.

Churchill held off Kellogg’s Don Nunnikhoven for second, while 2009 IMCA Hobby Stock National Champion Shannon Anderson of Atlantic came home fourth. Nathan Wood of Keswick, who captured the 2006 USRA Hobby Stock National Championship, rounded out the top-five finishers.

Todd Reitzler of Grinnell finished sixth and Craig Brown finished sixth ahead of fellow Eldon pilot and 2008 USRA Hobby Stock National Champion Jason McDaniel, who started 22nd. Adam Cline of Decorah and Danny Thrasher of Agency completed the top 10.

The USRA Hobby Stock feature race got off to a rocky start with two separate roll-overs bringing out two consecutive red flags before the first lap could be completed. Decorah’s Troy Hovey was the first to land on his lid, the Steve Holthaus of Cresco repeated he unfortunate feat on the first lap of the complete restart. Luckily, neither driver was injured in the incidents.

The USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods earned bragging rights for the night with 52 entries fighting for 24 starting spots in the 15-lap main event.

Luke Wanninger of Jefferson wrestled the lead away from Madrid’s Scott Davis on lap 9, then survived a late-race red flag to capture the checkered flag and $500 winner’s share of the purse.

Contact in turn 2 between Jeoff Olson of Ames and Davis sent Davis’ machine into a spin in front of the field, with four other drivers getting caught up in the melee. While Davis was able to continue, the crash sent Rocky Caudle, Jason McDaniel and 2009 USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mod track champion Tyler Groenendyk to the garage.

Tracy Johnson made the long tow from Lake Preston, S.D., pay off with a runner-up finish, while Olson hung on for third. Eddyville’s Bobby Greene finished fourth while two-time defending USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mod National Champion Matt Jones of Waukon finished fifth after winning his “B” Main before starting 20th in the “A” Main. Jones currently leads the national points as he looks to become the first three-time USRA titleist in any division.

Sixth through 10th, respectively, went to Matt Lettow of Roland, Brad Iverson of Grinnell, Davis, Mike Wanders of Oskaloosa and Curtis Engen of Monona.

Shane Weller of Agency muscled his way by Newton’s Mike Van Genderen on the third lap of the USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Car 20-lapper, then held off Nathan Wood over the last half of the race to take the win and pocket the $600 top prize.

Current USRA national points leader Tory Reicks of Waucoma finished third with 2009 Southern Iowa Speedway track champion Matt Greiner of Washington clawing his way to a fourth-place finish after starting 22nd on the 24-car grid. Kevin Donlan of Decorah finished fifth.

Brian Mitrisin of Oskaloosa, Van Genderen, Lynn Panos of Protivin, Chase Mitrisin of Oskaloosa and Mitch Hovden of Decorah completed the top 10 at the finish line.

Corey Dripps continued his late-season surge with the first trip to victory lane in 2009 for the 36-year-old from Waterloo.

Dripps, who finished 10th in the 2009 USMTS Casey’s General Stores National Tour points, inherited the lead on lap 2 of the USRA Modified 25-lap main event when leader Josh Truman of Indianola smacked the turn 1 wall and rolled his mount several times before coming to a rest on its side at the top of the racing surface. Truman, whose steering broke as he entered the corner, was disappointed but walked away unhurt from the hard crash.

After the restart, 2009 track champion Brad Pinkerton of New Sharon challenged Dripps for a dozen laps before another caution slowed the pace. During the yellow flag, fellow New Sharon resident Zack VanderBeek inherited the third spot when Marshalltown’s Ryan Gustin headed to the pits with a right rear flat tire.

VanderBeek shot by Pinkerton on the restart and began to pressure Dripps for the lead. After a couple of laps, however, Dripps was able to increase his lead over VanderBeek but saw his advantage wiped out with three laps to go when the red flag waved for a six-car wipe out just before the start-finish line in front of the grandstands.

The crash saw Bruce Hanford, Brandon Banks, Steven Blattler and Donovan Lodge all leaving the race on the hook of a tow truck and leaving just nine of the 26 starters remaining for the final mile-and-a-half sprint to the checkered flag.

Dripps got a strong jump on the restart and won going away while VanderBeek settled for the runner-up paycheck. Pinkerton held on for third, with Clear Lake’s Al Hejna fourth and Mark Widmar of Ottumwa finished fifth.

Sixth and seventh went to John Davis of Altoona and Matt Waugh of Des Moines, while Josh Bindseil of Columbia, Mo., came home one lap down in eighth and Mike Louis of Ames two laps down in ninth position. Despite not finishing the race after the late-race crash, Hanford was credited with 10th place.

Due to a forecast of record low temperatures and snow falling in the early morning hours on Saturday, the second day of the 23rd Annual MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge has been postponed to Saturday, Oct. 31. Officials are already putting together plans for some special Halloween surprises, including trick-or-treating for the young race fans and more. With another complete show and an early start time. Pit gates will open at noon with grandstands opening at 1 p.m., hot laps at 2 p.m. and racing to follow.

Drivers who did not compete on Friday are invited to race on Saturday, Oct. 31. The early entry fees of $50 for Hobby Stocks and B-Mods, $75 for Stock Cars and $100 for Modifieds have been extended through race day for all new entries. All drivers will draw for heat race starting positions, and top qualifiers will re-draw for feature race starting positions.

Officials from the USRA have also announced that the Saturday, Oct. 31, event will award national points in the American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series for all USRA-licensed drivers in all four classes.

Defending MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge champions are Brad Pinkerton (USRA Modifieds), Tory Reicks (USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars), Cayden Carter (USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods) and Jason McDaniel (USRA Hobby Stocks).



American Racer USRA Weekly Racing Series

23rd Annual MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge

At Southern Iowa Speedway

Friday’s Results

USRA Hobby Stocks

Heat 1 (6 laps, top 4 advance) — 1. Shannon Anderson, Atlantic; 2. Steve Holthaus, Cresco; 3. Scott Shull, Eldon; 4. Dustin Griffiths, Ottumwa; 5. Alan Hultz, Madison, Mo.; 6. Rocky Fosdyck, Selma; 7. Andrew Hustead, Rutledge, Mo.; 8. Dale Porter, Pulaski; 9. Howard Gordon Jr., Oskaloosa; 10. Dean Hartwig, Boone.

Heat 2 (6 laps, top 4 advance) — 1. Bill Bonnett, Knoxville; 2. Don Nunnikhoven, Kellogg; 3. Matt Messmaker, Centerville; 4. Kris Walker, Oskaloosa; 5. Keith Schwartzhoff, Decorah; 6. Clayton Crump, Centralia, Mo.; 7. Scott Spilde, Ridgeway; 8. Matt Williamson, Des Moines; 9. Justin Hook, Oskaloosa; 10. Kyle Anderson, Decorah.

Heat 3 (6 laps, top 4 advance) — 1. Craig Brown, Eldon; 2. Steve Churchhill, Creston; 3. Troy Hovey, Decorah; 4. Adam Cline, Decorah; 5. Steve Larson, Decorah; 6. Justin Maschke, Des Moines; 7. Casey Greubel, Lacona; 8. Brian Snell, Coon Rapids; 9. Robert Fite Jr., Delta.

Heat 4 (6 laps, top 4 advance) — 1. Danny Thrasher, Agency; 2. Todd Reitzler, Grinnell; 3. Pete Hutzel, Baxter; 4. Steve Allen, Oskaloosa; 5. Jeremy Auten, Clarinda; 6. Danny Sacquitne, Decorah; 7. Jason McDaniel, Eldon; 8. Tony Teninty, Eldon; 9. Tyler Sutter, Pleasantville.

Heat 5 (6 laps, top 4 advance): 1. Chris Hovden, Cresco; 2. Bobby Greene, Eddyville; 3. Nathan Wood, Keswick; 4. Andy Coleman, Packwood; 5. Shawn Coleman, Packwood; 6. Adam Bonnett, Norwalk; 7. Mike Wolfe, Madison, Mo.; 8. Denny Dettman, Monona; 9. Jeremiah Fry, Bloomfield.

“B” Main 1 (10 laps, top 2 advance) — 1. Alan Hultz, Madison, Mo.; 2. Steve Larson, Decorah; 3. Matt Williamson, Des Moines; 4. Shawn Coleman, Packwood; 5. Andrew Hustead, Rutledge, Mo.; 6. Robert Fite Jr., Delta; 7. Danny Sacquitne, Decorah; 8. Casey Greubel, Lacona; 9. Jeremiah Fry, Bloomfield; 10. Mike Wolfe, Madison, Mo.; 11. Clayton Crump, Centralia, Mo.; 12. Tony Teninty, Eldon; 13. Howard Gordon Jr., Oskaloosa; 14. Kyle Anderson, Decorah.

“B” Main 2 (10 laps, top 2 advance) — 1. Jason McDaniel, Eldon; 2. Keith Schwartzhoff, Decorah; 3. Adam Bonnett, Norwalk; 4. Rocky Fosdyck, Selma; 5. Justin Maschke, Des Moines; 6. Dean Hartwig, Boone; 7. Dale Porter, Pulaski; 8. Denny Dettman, Monona; 9. Scott Spilde, Ridgeway; 10. Tyler Sutter, Pleasantville; 11. Jeremy Auten, Clarinda; 12. Justin Hook, Oskaloosa; 13. Brian Snell, Coon Rapids.

“A” Main (15 laps) — 1. Chris Hovden, Cresco; 2. Steve Churchhill, Creston; 3. Don Nunnikhoven, Kellogg; 4. Shannon Anderson, Atlantic; 5. Nathan Wood, Keswick; 6. Todd Reitzler, Grinnell; 7. Craig Brown, Eldon; 8. Jason McDaniel, Eldon; 9. Adam Cline, Decorah; 10. Danny Thrasher, Agency; 11. Bobby Greene, Eddyville; 12. Kris Walker, Oskaloosa; 13. Keith Schwartzhoff, Decorah; 14. Dustin Griffiths, Ottumwa; 15. Steve Larson, Decorah; 16. Andy Coleman, Packwood; 17. Scott Shull, Eldon; 18. Steve Allen, Oskaloosa; 19. Alan Hultz, Madison, Mo. DNF — Matt Messmaker, Centerville; Pete Hutzel, Baxter; Bill Bonnett, Knoxville; Steve Holthaus, Cresco; Troy Hovey, Decorah.



USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods

Heat 1 (6 laps, top 3 advance) — 1. Jared Timmerman, Norwalk; 2. Jeoff Olson, Ames; 3. Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa; 4. Mike Pruitt, Redfield; 5. Brian Edel, Oskaloosa; 6. Austin Kaplan, Ankeny; 7. Michael Grantham, Bondurant; 8. Jayme Duinink, Pella; 9. Aaron Osweiler, South English.

Heat 2 (6 laps, top 3 advance) — 1. Tyler Groenendyk, Oskaloosa; 2. Rocky Caudle, Webster City; 3. Curtis Engen, Monona; 4. Matt Jones, Waukon; 5. Colter Deutsch, Ellsworth, Minn.; 6. Emory Fretheim, Decorah; 7. Troy Oliver, Des Moines; 8. Gatlin Leytham, Garwin; 9. Bob Lynch, Ottumwa.

Heat 3 (6 laps, top 3 advance) — 1. Matt Lettow, Roland; 2. Brian Schrage, Cresco; 3. Tyler Droste, Waterloo; 4. Brad Iverson, Grinnell; 5. Jeremy Embrey, Granger; 6. Kent Croskey, Polk City; 7. Bill Hildreth, Rhodes; 8. Tom Lathrop, Ottumwa; 9. A.J. Johnson, Oskaloosa.

Heat 4 (6 laps, top 3 advance) — 1. Scott Davis, Madrid; 2. Chad Louk, Jefferson; 3. Tracy Johnson, Lake Preston, S.D.; 4. Carter VanDenBerg, Oskaloosa; 5. Eric Verthein, Waukon; 6. Kevin Fee, Knoxville; 7. Lynn Brockett, Ogden; 8. Jim Krier, Ollie; 9. Kyle Brown, Kellogg.

Heat 5 (6 laps, top 3 advance) — 1. Luke Wanninger, Jefferson; 2. Mike Shelton, Bloomfield; 3. Jimmy Broszeit, Postville; 4. Greg Mitchell, Decorah; 5. Mike Wanders, Oskaloosa; 6. Brandon Hare, Elma; 7. Paul Underwood, Ottumwa; 8. Chris Eggers, Lancaster, Mo.

Heat 6 (6 laps, top 3 advance) — 1. Jason McDaniel, Eldon; 2. Bobby Greene, Eddyville; 3. Bill Gibson, Knoxville; 4. Drew Lawson, Oskaloosa; 5. Josh Modde, Des Moines; 6. Jeremy Geisler, Monona; 7. Mark Forrester, Columbia, Mo.; 8. Rick VanDusseldorp, Oskaloosa.

“B” Main 1 (10 laps, top 3 advance) — 1. Brad Iverson, Grinnell; 2. Greg Mitchell, Decorah; 3. Mike Wanders, Oskaloosa; 4. Jeremy Embrey, Granger; 5. Brandon Hare, Elma; 6. Mike Pruitt, Redfield; 7. Austin Kaplan, Ankeny; 8. Kent Croskey, Polk City; 9. Michael Grantham, Bondurant; 10. Paul Underwood, Ottumwa; 11. Bill Hildreth, Rhodes; 12. Aaron Osweiler, South English; 13. Tom Lathrop, Ottumwa; 14. Brian Edel, Oskaloosa; 15. A.J. Johnson, Oskaloosa; 16. Jayme Duinink, Pella; 17. Chris Eggers, Lancaster, Mo.

“B” Main 2 (10 laps, top 3 advance) — 1. Matt Jones, Waukon; 2. Drew Lawson, Oskaloosa; 3. Colter Deutsch, Ellsworth, Minn.; 4. Josh Modde, Des Moines; 5. Carter VanDenBerg, Oskaloosa; 6. Kevin Fee , Knoxville; 7. Eric Verthein, Waukon; 8. Lynn Brockett, Ogden; 9. Troy Oliver, Des Moines; 10. Gatlin Leytham, Garwin; 11. Emory Fretheim, Decorah; 12. Jeremy Geisler, Monona; 13. Mark Forrester, Columbia, Mo.; 14. Jim Krier, Ollie; 15. Bob Lynch, Ottumwa; 16. Rick VanDusseldorp, Oskaloosa; 17. Kyle Brown, Kellogg.

“A” Main (15 laps) — 1. Luke Wanninger, Jefferson; 2. Tracy Johnson, Lake Preston, S.D.; 3. Jeoff Olson, Ames; 4. Bobby Greene, Eddyville; 5. Matt Jones, Waukon; 6. Matt Lettow, Roland; 7 Brad Iverson, Grinnell; 8. Scott Davis, Madrid; 9. Mike Wanders, Oskaloosa; 10. Curtis Engen, Monona; 11. Brian Schrage, Cresco; 12. Tyler Droste, Waterloo; 13. Drew Lawson, Oskaloosa; 14. Greg Mitchell, Decorah; 15. Colter Deutsch, Ellsworth, Minn.; 16. Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa; 17. Chad Louk, Jefferson; 18. Mike Shelton, Bloomfield; 19. Jared Timmerman, Norwalk. DNF — Jason McDaniel, Eldon; Tyler Groenendyk, Oskaloosa; Rocky Caudle, Webster City; Bill Gibson, Knoxville; Jimmy Broszeit, Postville.



USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars

Heat 1 (7 laps, top 4 advance) — 1. Mitch Hovden, Decorah; 2. Kurt Krauskopf, Decorah; 3. Cody Henkes, Postville; 4. Brian Gjere, Mabel, Minn.; 5. Casey Sebastian, Cresco; 6. Dan Christopher, Decorah; 7. Mike Bergan, Ridgeway; 8. Derrick Agee, Huntsville, Mo.; 9. Derek Dettmann, Monona; 10. Rich Vogt, Fairfield.

Heat 2 (7 laps, top 4 advance) — 1. Mike Van Genderen, Newton; 2. Nathan Wood, Keswick; 3. Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon; 4. Elijah Zevenbergen, Ocheyedan; 5. Troy Hansmeier, Waukon; 6. Kyle Anderson, Oskaloosa; 7. Casey Walter, Duncans Bridge, Mo.; 8. Shawn Peter, Mabel, Minn.; 9. Corey Stout, Oskaloosa.

Heat 3 (7 laps, top 4 advance) — 1. Brian Mitrisin, Oskaloosa; 2. Lynn Panos, Protivin; 3. Steve Jackson, Polk City; 4. Nicholas Johansen, Russell, Minn.; 5. Loren Kuennen, Osslan; 6. Ben Jones, Williamsburg; 7. Gary Rotenberger, Calmar; 8. Danny Cole, Lansing; 9. Carl Yaw Jr., Des Moines.

Heat 4 (7 laps, top 4 advance) — 1. Tory Reicks, Waucoma; 2. Kevin Donlan, Decorah,; 3. Shay Curtin, Cresco; 4. Chase Mitrisin, Oskaloosa; 5. Pete Solum, Spring Grove, Minn.; 6. Kyle Falck, Decorah; 7. Randy McClure, Floris; 8. Greg Harsch, Bloomfield; 9. Steve Churchill, Creston.

Heat 5 (7 laps, top 4 advance) — 1. Shane Weller, Agency; 2. Chad Walter, Clarence, Mo.; 3. Clay Mercer, Corning; 4. Arlen Hoy, Marble Rock; 5. Barry Sanderman, Creston; 6. Kevin Harsch, Keota; 7. Austin Curtin, Cresco; 8. Matt Greiner, Washington; 9. Brandon Banks, Washington.

“B” Main 1 (10 laps, top 2 advance) — 1. Loren Kuennen, Osslan; 2. Kyle Anderson, Oskaloosa; 3. Derek Dettmann, Monona,; 4. Barry Sanderman, Creston; 5. Casey Sebastian, Cresco; 6. Kyle Falck, Decorah; 7. Mike Bergan, Ridgeway; 8. Gary Rotenberger, Calmar; 9. Greg Harsch, Bloomfield; 10. Carl Yaw Jr., Des Moines; 11. Austin Curtin, Cresco; 12. Shawn Peter, Mabel, Minn.; 13. Brandon Banks, Washington.

“B” Main 2 (10 laps, top 2 advance) — 1. Matt Greiner, Washington; 2. Pete Solum, Spring Grove, Minn.; 3. Dan Christopher, Decorah; 4. Troy Hansmeier, Waukon; 5. Ben Jones, Williamsburg; 6. Steve Churchill, Creston; 7. Casey Walter, Duncans Bridge, Mo.; 8. Rich Vogt, Fairfield; 9. Danny Cole, Lansing; 10. Kevin Harsch, Keota; 11. Randy McClure, Floris; 12. Derrick Agee, Huntsville, Mo.; 13. Corey Stout, Oskaloosa.

“A” Main (20 laps) — 1. Shane Weller, Agency; 2. Nathan Wood, Keswick; 3. Tory Reicks, Waucoma; 4. Matt Greiner, Washington; 5. Kevin Donlan, Decorah; 6. Brian Mitrisin, Oskaloosa; 7. Mike Van Genderen, Newton; 8. Lynn Panos, Protivin; 9. Chase Mitrisin, Oskaloosa; 10. Mitch Hovden, Decorah; 11. Elijah Zevenbergen, Ocheyedan; 12. Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon; 13. Kurt Krauskopf, Decorah; 14. Steve Jackson, Polk City; 15. Brian Gjere, Mabel, Minn.; 16. Pete Solum, Spring Grove, Minn.; 17. Clay Mercer, Corning; 18. Nicholas Johansen, Russell, Minn.; 19. Loren Kuennen, Osslan; 20. Shay Curtin, Cresco; 21. Arlen Hoy, Marble Rock; 22. Cody Henkes, Postville. DNF — Chad Walter, Clarence, Mo.; Kyle Anderson, Oskaloosa.



USRA Modifieds

Heat 1 (7 laps) — 1. Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown; 2. Steven Blattler, Oskaloosa; 3. Brandon Banks, Washington; 4. Matt Waugh, Des Moines; 5. Charles Baker, Labelle, Mo.; 6. John Fellman, Blue Grass; 7. Mark Widmar, Ottumwa; 8. Bill Davis Jr., Des Moines; 9. Scott Dickey, Packwood.

Heat 2 (8 laps) — 1. Colt Mather, Webster; 2. Corey Dripps, Waterloo; 3. Brad Moriarty, Des Moines; 4. Bruce Hanford, Davenport; 5. John Davis, Altoona; 6. Tyler VanDeKamp, Ankeny; 7. Mike Schump, Iowa City; 8. David Ott, Ankeny; 9. Josh Bindseil, Columbia, Mo.

Heat 3 (8 laps) — 1. Zack Vanderbeek, New Sharon; 2. Al Hejna, Clear Lake; 3. Brad Pinkerton, New Sharon; 4. Josh Truman, Indianola; 5. Donovan Lodge, Andover, Ill.; 6. Eddie Whitney, Sturgeon, Mo.; 7. Tim Dotson, Sturgeon, Mo.; 8. Steve Stewart, Burlington; 9. Mike Louis , Ames,

“A” Main (25 laps) — 1. Corey Dripps, Waterloo; 2. Zack Vanderbeek, New Sharon; 3. Brad Pinkerton, New Sharon; 4. Al Hejna, Clear Lake; 5. Mark Widmar, Ottumwa; 6. John Davis, Altoona; 7. Matt Waugh, Des Moines; 8. Josh Bindseil, Columbia, Mo. (-1 lap down); 9. Mike Louis, Ames -1 lap down). DNF — Bruce Hanford, Davenport; Brandon Banks, Washington; Steven Blattler, Oskaloosa; Donovan Lodge, Andover, Ill.; Brad Moriarty, Des Moines; Steve Stewart, Burlington; Tim Dotson, Sturgeon, Mo.; Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown; John Fellman, Blue Grass; Charles Baker, Labelle, Mo.; Tyler VanDeKamp, Ankeny; David Ott, Ankeny; Mike Schump, Iowa City; Eddie Whitney, Sturgeon, Mo.; Colt Mather, Webster; Josh Truman, Indianola. DNS — Scott Dickey, Packwood; Bill Davis Jr., Des Moines.

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