Iowa State Fair Speedway

Iowa State Fair Speedway

Des Moines, Iowa

JJAM Racing Promotions

Mick Trier

(515) 201-JJAM

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David Wilkinson

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(Des Moines, Iowa) (May 7, 2004) Thrills and chills marked Coca-Cola Night at the Iowa State Fair Speedway Friday night. Strong winds from the east and falling temperatures and many crashes resulted in a memorable night. But it wasn’t the weather that Ryan Griffith will remember as he captured his first IMCA late model victory at the speedway. Joe McBirnie, in his IMCA modified, picked up his second win of the season as did Steve Jackson in his IMCA stock car, and Bret Moyer in his Karl Chevrolet dirt truck. IMCA hobby stock feature winners were Rick Gladson, Bill Bonnett, and Larry Embrey.

Ryan Griffith drew the number one pill in the re-draw for the IMCA late model feature and never let anyone get ahead of him as won the race. He was not alone though as Darrell DeFrance was right behind for much of the race and finished second with Craig Jacobs third and Todd Cooney fourth.

In the IMCA modified main, Terry Pruitt jumped into the lead at the drop of the green and Mark Daughenbaugh took up the chase immediately. Pruitt controlled the low groove and Daughenbaugh worked to make the higher lane work. On the sixth lap, Daughenbaugh motored to the front driving around Pruitt in turn four. He opened a nice lead looked the likely winner. By lap 11, Joe McBirnie, who started in the sixth row, caught the leader and passed on the next lap. McBirnie won with Daughenbaugh second, Greg Cox third, and Pat Graham fourth.

Maynard Davis III took the early lead in the IMCA stock feature, but by lap three Steve Jackson had passed Davis. Jackson, who started in the fifth row, had Steve Campbell on his rear bumper for most of the race. The finishing order was Jackson, Campbell, Greg Shepherd, and Don Killen.

Rick Gladson led the entire race in the first of three IMCA hobby stock mains. He was followed to the checkered by John Thoren, Don Wear, and Gary Stajcar. The second hobby feature was plagued with cautions and ended the race under yellow and checkered flags. Rusty Groves took the early lead, but Bill Bonnett shot passed him on a third lap restart. Bonnett led to the finish followed by Groves, John Watson, and Rex Bonnett. Veteran Larry Embrey led the entire race in the third hobby feature. This race also ended under the yellow and checkered flags as a car caused a caution on the last lap. The order of finish was Embrey, Tim Gannon, Steve Curtis, and Curtis Glover.

The last feature of the night was the Karl Chevrolet dirt trucks that started to race just before the 10:30 curfew. Lou Sipolt passed Bugs Vincent on the second lap for the lead and looked very strong. On lap eight, Bret Moyer beat Sipolt into turn one and became the leader. On lap eleven, a caution tightened the field. The drivers were notified that the race was now under the time limit. A stopped car on the track brought out the yellow after the restart and the race was concluded early. The top four were Moyer, Sipolt, Carl Moyer, and Ben Nading.

Racing continues next Friday evening as Miller Lite Beer Night 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.

IMCA Late Models

Heat Winners

1. Todd Cooney, Des Moines

2. Mike Collins, Council Bluffs

Feature

Heat Winners

1. Greg Cox, Altoona

2. Terry Pruitt, Stuart

3. Kevin Danielson, Grimes

Feature

Heat Winners

1. Steve Jackson, Des Moines

2. Maynard Davis III, Des Moines

3. Paul Anderson, Des Moines

Feature

IMCA Hobby Stock

1. Bill Bonnett, Knoxville

2. Gary Stajcar, Bondurant

3. Frank Grove, Des Moines

4. Justin Maschke, Knoxville

5. Michael Davis, Des Moines

6. Larry Embrey, Granger

Feature # 1

Feature # 2

Feature # 3

Karl Chevrolet Dirt Trucks

Heat Winners

1. Bret Moyer, Polk City

2. Mike Stark, Des Moines

Feature

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