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May 23, 2003

by David Wilkinson

(Des Moines, Iowa) (May 23, 2003) A jubilant Randy Faux celebrated his win in the IMCA late model feature in an interview with announcer Tim Trier Friday night at the Iowa State Fair Speedway. It was his first-ever late model win. Chris Wilke made a late race pass for the IMCA modified win and Maynard Davis III captured his third IMCA stock car feature in a row. Lou Sipolt won the Karl Chevrolet dirt truck feature and IMCA hobby stock mains were won by Bill Bonnett, Ryan Lundy, and Randy Embrey.

Randy Faux passed Craig Roberts on a second-lap restart of the IMCA late model feature and held on for the late model victory. Faux maintained a solid lead during most of the race, however it tightened near the end. The race behind Faux was furious with Todd Cooney and Tony Moro bumping doors as they raced down the straightaway fighting for second. Mike Smith and Darrell DeFrance joined the fray with positions changing on the last three laps. The final order behind Faux was Smith, DeFrance, and Cooney.

In the IMCA modified feature, John Yaw Sr. jumped into the lead just ahead of John Davis. On lap five, Yaw bobbled a bit after hitting a big rut in turn three, and Davis took advantage of the opportunity passing Yaw. Chris Wilke moved into a second a few laps later and on lap 13 Matt Donald threaded the needle between Yaw and Danny Wallace as he moved into third. On the next lap, Wilke passed Davis for the lead and held on to take the checkered first. Finishing behind Wilke were Davis, Donald, and Greg Cox.

Travis DeWitt took the early lead in the IMCA stock car feature. By the fourth lap Maynard Davis III had moved into second from his fifth-row starting place. For four laps in a row, DeWitt and Davis III traded the lead, as they roared down the front stretch side-by-side. Finally, Davis III took first place and finished ahead of DeWitt, Steve Jackson, and Mike Todd at the end of the race.

Carl Moyer passed Mike Hoffman on the second lap of the Karl Chevrolet dirt truck and led the rest of the race with Randy Strong finishing in second and Lou Sipolt third. During the post-race inspection, it was discovered that both Moyer and Strong had illegal axels and they were disqualified. Thus Lou Sipolt became the winner with Ben Nading in second, Bugs Vincent third, and Brett Moyer fourth.

The first IMCA hobby stock feature went to Bill Bonnett who led from green to checkered. Mike Meyer finished second, Frank Grove third, and Curtis Glover fourth.

The second hobby main saw Rob Allison and Larry Embrey swap the lead on the first three laps, then Ryan Lundy dove between the two of them on lap four and showed the way. Embrey didn’t give up and pulled along side Lundy late in the race, but was unable to pass. The finishing order was Lundy, Embrey, Justine Maschke, and Allison. This was Lundy’s fifth win in six weeks of racing.

Gene Behle jumped into the lead from his pole starting position in the third IMCA hobby feature. By lap four, Randy Embrey moved within a one-half car length of Behle, but couldn’t get around him. Embrey chased Behle for several laps and when Behle bobbled off turn two on the ninth lap, Embrey moved past him for the lead. In turn four of the same lap, the leaders were preparing to lap the Gayle Worthington, when Worthington spun sending the top four cars searching for safe ways around him. They all made it. After the white flag was thrown, the yellow was the thrown as Worthington was still stopped on the track. The yellow-checkered finishing order was Embrey, Behle, John Watson and Rick Gladson.

This evening was scheduled as opening night for the 305 winged sprint cars, but only two cars were on hand as several drivers were not yet ready to race. No races were held. It is expected that the class will compete soon.

Racing continues next Friday evening with IMCA late models, modifieds, stock cars, and hobby stocks as well as Karl Chevrolet dirt trucks and 305 winged sprint cars competing. Hot laps are at 6:00 PM with racing following around 6:30 PM.

Heat Winners

1. Randy Faux, Earlham

2. Nick Houseman, Earlham

3. Tony Moro, Ankeny

Feature

Heat Winners

1. John Davis, Altoona

2. Russ Gladson, Des Moines

3. Chris Wilke, Polk City

Feature

Heat Winners

1. Steve Jackson, Des Moines

2. Paul Anderson, Des Moines

3. Travis DeWitt, Indianola

Feature

Heat Winners

1. Don Wear, Des Moines

2. Bill Bonnett, Knoxville

3. Jason Murray, Hartford

4. John Thoren, Ankeny

5. Larry Embrey, Granger

6. Gene Behle, Des Moines

Feature # 1

Feature # 2

Feature # 3

Heat Winners

1. Carl Moyer, Ankeny

2. Ben Nading, Ankeny

Feature