Des Moines, Iowa

JJAM Racing Promotions

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July 25, 2004

by David Wilkinson

(Des Moines, Iowa) (July 25, 2004) Gerry’s Place Night at the Iowa State Fair Speedway Friday provided some of the most competitive racing of the season. The track had multiple grooves that led to lots of two- and three-wide racing and lead changes. Announcer Tim Trier’s summary of the Karl Chevrolet dirt truck feature described the whole evening. He said during Mike Stark’s win over Bret Moyer, "They went back and forth and raced side-by-side." Todd Cooney won the IMCA late model feature for the fifth time this season and for the fourth consecutive week. Other winners were Russ Gladson, IMCA modifieds; Steve Jackson, IMCA stock cars; and Doug Seidl and Bill Bonnett in IMCA hobby stocks.

The track appeared to be drying out during the heats and the low groove was the only one working. Then in the last division on the track, the IMCA modifieds, Melissa Johnson started the make the high groove work and moved through the field. As the sun went down, moisture returned to the track and provided a great racing surface.

Todd Johnson jumped into the lead of IMCA late model feature, but was challenged at all times - first by Craig Roberts and later by Chad Cooney. Cooney moved into second by the sixth lap of the 18-lap race and looked for ways around Johnson. Finally, on lap 13, he passed Johnson using the high groove and was looking for his first checkered. His cousin, Todd Cooney, moved into second at the same time and started to close the distance. For the last three laps, Todd tried to pass Chad. On the last lap, in the final turn, Todd Cooney drove pass Chad Cooney to capture the victory. Johnson finished third and Ryan Griffith fourth.

The IMCA modified feature had only one leader as Russ Gladson led from green to checkered. Gladson made good use of his front row start and developed a nice lead over Dave Farren at first and Pat Graham later. A late race caution tightened the field, but Gladson was still the best. A last-lap yellow ended the race under a yellow-checkered flag combination with the top four finishers being Gladson, Graham, Bill Davis Jr., and Greg Cox. After the race, Tony Hofbauer claimed Gladson’s engine.

Randy Killen spent much of the IMCA stock car feature defending his lead from challengers. For several laps, he raced side-by-side with Jason Murray with Murray arriving at the finish line once in the lead. Then in a classic Iowa State Fair Speedway stock car race, both Steve Jackson and Don Killen, who started in the sixth row, made their way to the front. On the eighth and ninth lap, Randy Killen led with a battle between Murray, Jackson, and Don Killen for second just lengths behind him. On lap ten, Jackson was able to move past the others and into the lead leaving the other three competing for second. At the end of the race, it was Jackson first, Don Killen second, Randy Killen third, and Murray fourth. After the race, Paul Anderson claimed Jackson’s engine.

The Karl Chevrolet dirt truck feature was the first on the track and it was an exciting race. Mike Fagen edged Bugs Vincent to lead the first lap, but by the second lap Bret Moyer made his way from his fourth row start to take the lead. The race was on between Moyer and Mike Stark as they exchanged the lead several times with Moyer leading at the finish line. Moyer was running the low groove as Stark run low in turns one and two and high in turns three and four. Finally, on lap nine, Stark officially took the lead. On lap twelve, a violent crash sent the cars of Rick Clark and Carl Knight into the guard rail on the front stretch by the scorer’s tower. Stark was able to hold on to the lead till the finish with Moyer second, Ben Nading third, and Carl Moyer fourth.

The first IMCA hobby stock main was led from green to checkered by Doug Seidl. He was challenged for the first half of the race by Gerald Snyder. The top four were Seidl, Don Wear, Patrick Lowe, and Bruce Wolfe. After the race, Don Williams claimed Seidl’s engine.

Gene Behle took the lead on the first lap in the second hobby feature. Todd Inman edged past Behle on the second lap and was challenged by Bill Bonnett. The raced door-to-door for the last three laps and Bonnett defeated Inman by a bumper at the finish. Justin Maschke finished third and Behle fourth.

Racing continues next Friday evening during Good Guys Weekend at the fairgrounds with IMCA late models, modifieds, stock cars, and hobby stocks as well as Karl Chevrolet dirt trucks competing. Hot laps are at 6:00 PM with racing following around 7:00 PM.

Heat Winners

1. Todd Inman, Des Moines

2. Steve Borts, Ames

3. Darrell DeFrance, Marshalltown

Feature

Heat Winners

1. Pat Graham, Ames

2. Dave Farren, Des Moines

3. John Logue, Boone

Feature

Heat Winners

1. Steve Campbell, Des Moines

2. Randy Killen, Des Moines

3. Matt Hidlebaugh, Grimes

Feature

Heat Winners

1. Patrick Lowe, Des Moines

2. Todd Bass, Des Moines

3. Matt Inman, Des Moines

4. Steve Curtis, Des Moines

5. Randy Bradshaw, Des Moines

6. Gene Behle, Des Moines

Feature # 1

Feature # 2

Heat Winners

1. Mike Stark, Des Moines

2. Bill Hull, Lorimor

Feature

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