OSKALOOSA — It was back to Oskaloosa, sponsored by MUSCO Lighting of Oskaloosa and regular Casey’s General Stores USRA Weekly racing at the Southern Iowa Speedway.

This night found all repeat winners taking the checkers first as they found their way successfully around the big monster half-mile. It didn’t come without many caution flags flying, however, as mishap after mishap kept you wondering if drivers would ever be able to get their racing rhythm going. After heavy rains cancelled last Wednesday night’s show, it was good to be back for some racing action.

The Carter’s Manufacturing USRA B-Modifieds was the first feature taking to the track. Tyler Groenendyk drew the pole-starting postion with Cayden Carter right along side. Carter slipped past Groenendyk by lap three and from there on, he paced the field to take another win. In his interview in Victory Lane, it was announced it was his ninth over-all win of the season. Mike Shelton and Groenendyk finished second and third while Carter VandenBerg took the fourth place and AJ Johnson rounded out the top five. Twenty B-mods were on hand for racing.

Twenty-two USRA Hobby Stocks competed with 19 taking the green flag for their feature. Centerville driver Derek Kirkland paced the field from the start as he repeated an earlier win. He was challenged by Kris Walker through lap nine when Walker was suddenly off power and out of the race. A restart at lap nine, found the 1X of Michael Peterson rolling his car over in turn two before a lap was completed. He was OK. When the racing action resumed, another name from the past was found to be challenging the leader, the 2JR of Rick Metcalf. Metcalf has had much success in turning laps around the Southern Iowa Speedway in years past. Kirkland would go home to the checkers flying for the win, Metcalf took the runner-up spot and Danny Thrasher came from starting well back in the field, to take third. Fourth went to the last’s race winner, Steve Allen, and fifth was “birthday boy,” Justin Hook in car 33.

With 10 USRA Karl Chevrolet stock cars checked into the pits, nine would start the main event. The 1K of newcomer Don Killen of Des Moines was unable to start, as he was towed off even before taking the green flag in his heat race. The 20dub car of Shane Weller made it look easy as he won with a comfortable lead. Mike VanGenderen, “The Flying Dutchman,” slipped by Nathan Wood in the closing laps to take second place. With Wood in third, it was Kyle Harwood in fourth and making his debut in the 14S car to take fifth, was promoter Todd Staley.

To close out the events of the night, the Musco Lighting USRA A-modifieds found all 12 cars in attendance start their A main. It was a screaming fast Ron VerBeek (or “RVB” as he took the lead on lap three from starting 8th on the field, never to look back. VerBeek would run the CT525 GM Performance crate engine to its first ever win. The 525 hp chevy motor was just right for the slick race track. Following VerBeek for second place, was the "plain black wrapper" of the 94 car of Steven Blattler. Colt Mather got past Brad Pinkerton on the final lap as they took third and fourth. Scott Dickey rounded out the top five.

The Southern Iowa Speedway hosted a special event this Thursday night as the MARS DIRTcar series late models come to town. Terry Phillips from Springfield, Missouri is the defending series champion. The USRA B-mods and USRA hobby stocks will also be in action. Next Wednesday night will again be a regular night of USRA weekly racing. Check http://www.rlpromotions.com for full results and other information about the track. Happy racing!



Southern Iowa Speedway

Wednesday’s Results

MUSCO Lighting USRA A-Modifieds

Heat 1 — 1. Ron VerBeek, Oskaloosa.

Heat 2 — 1. Colt Mather, Webster.

Feature — 1. VerBeek; 2. Steven Blattler, Oskaloosa; 3. Mather; 4. Brad Pinkerton, New Sharon; 5. Scott Dickey, Packwood; 6. Tyler VandeKamp, Ankeny; 7. Greg Cox, Altoona; 8. John Fellman, Blue Grass; 9. David Ott, Ankeny; 10. Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon; 11. Josh Truman, Indianola; 12. Brandon Banks, Washington.

 

Carter Maunfacturing USRA B-Modifieds

Heat 1 — Carter VandenBerg, Oskaloosa.

Heat 2 — Bill Gibson, Knoxville.

Heat 3 — Mike Shelton, Bloomfield.

Feature — 1. Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa; 2. Shelton; 3. Tyler Groenendyk, Oskaloosa; 4. VandenBerg; 5. AJ Johnson, New Sharon; 6. Bobby Greene, Eddyville; 7. Ken Kositzky, Cedar Rapids; 8. Brad Iverson, Grinnell; 9. Tony Johnson, Oskaloosa; 10. Drew Lawson, Oskaloosa; 11. Curtis Barnes, Green Top, Mo.; 12. Chad Malone, Monroe; 13. LeRoy Groenendyk, Oskaloosa; 14. Gibson; 15. Tommy Lathrop, Ottumwa; 16. Chris Ammenhauser, Ottumwa; 17. Mike Wanders, Keswick; 18. Curtis VanderWal, Oskaloosa; 19. Jayme Duinink, Pella; 20. Jason McDaniel, Eldon.

 

Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars

Heat 1 — Shane Weller, Agency.

Heat 2 — Mike VanGenderen, Newton.

Feature — 1. Weller, Agency; 2. VanGenderen, Newton; 3. Nathan Wood, Keswick; 4. Kyle Harwood, Oskaloosa; 5. Todd Staley, Webster City; 6. Rich Vogt, Fairfield; 7. Brian Sterling, Oskaloosa; 8. Toby Smith, Oskaloosa; 9. Rick Todd, Des Moines; 10.Don Killen, Des Moines.

 

USRA Hoby Stocks

Heat 1 — Kris Walker, Oskaloosa.

Heat 2 — Justin Hook, Oskaloosa.

Heat 3 — Matt Messemaker, Centerville.

Feature — 1. Derek Kirkland, Centerville; 2. Rick Metcalf, Selma; 3. Danny Thrasher, Agency; 4. Steve Allen, Oskaloosa; 5. Hook; 6. Scott Schull, Eldon; 7. Shawn Coleman, Packwood; 8. 5Ron Downing, Ottumwa; 9. Todd Reitzler, Grinnell; 10. Andy Coleman, Packwood; 11. Tyler Ruepke, Chariton; 12. Messemaker; 13. Casey Gruebel, Lacoina; 14. Wes Almond, Oskaloosa; 15. Dale Porter, Bloomfield; 16. Michael Peterson, Montezuma; 17. Kris Walker; 18.Brad Benge, Selma; 19. Andrew Husted, Rutledge, Mo.; 20.Dustin Griffiths, Ottumwa; 21. Donovan Nunnikhoven, Sully; 22. Jim Hughes, Beacon.