Indepedence Spwy. monthly newsletter

[rebelracewriter]

Welcome to Independence Motor Speedway’s monthly newsletter. On or near the first of every month during the racing season, you will receive a complete recap of the previous month’s action on the 3/8-mile oval.

 

 

Included regularly will be an overview of driver accomplishments, statistics, trivia and an upcoming events calendar. Thank you for your support of Independence Motor Speedway!

 

 

 

 

 

JULY REVIEW

 

Weekly Racing

 

Although much of June proved to be frustrating weather-wise, all four of July's scheduled weekly racing programs were completed at the speedway without the threat of rain. Including this year's July schedule, the speedway has not had a July rainout on a weekly Saturday racing program since July 3, 1994. The completion of this year's July schedule took that streak to 18 straight nights of mid-summer racing.

 

 

 

I.M.C.A. Late Models - Four different drivers were victorious in the four late model events over the past month. Two drivers began the month with their first career wins. Rick Dralle opened the month with his first-ever victory followed by Levi Benn's first trip to the winner's circle one week later. Dralle is a second generation driver, the son of veteran late model pilot Red Dralle. Benn is also a second generation driver, the son of former NASCAR hobby stock driver Larry Benn. Levi Benn spent a few years behind the wheel of a NASCAR pro stock before joining the I.M.C.A. late model ranks. Points leader Darren Ackerman scored his second win of the season on July 21 to extend his points lead. Terry Neal closed out the month with a win in his first visit to the speedway this season for weekly racing. Ackerman currently sits eight points ahead of Luke Goedert in the points battle.

 

 

 

I.M.C.A. Modifieds - Max Corporon opened the month of July with his first win of the season on July 7. It was his first win at the speedway since August 3, 2002. Troy Cordes earned his first win of the season one week later when he took the checkers on July 14. The last time Cordes waited until the month of July to pick up his first win of the season was in 2004 when he got his first win of the year on July 17. Cordes backed up the July 14 win with a second straight trip to victory lane on July 21 to become the first back-to-back winner in the division this season. I.M.C.A. national points contender J.D. Auringer scored his third win of the year on July 28, one day after earning a win at Marshalltown Speedway and only two days after taking a win during the Benton County Fair in Vinton. With four points races remaining, Jerry Luloff holds a 19-point lead over Auringer in the standings.

 

 

 

I.M.C.A. Stock Car - Brian Irvine dominated the month of July in the stock car division. Irvine won all four of the division's features to creep back into the top five of the division standings after earning no better than an eighth place finish the four weeks prior to his winning streak. Irvine led 71 out of 80 total A feature laps in the stock car division last month. Four different drivers took runner-up honors to Irvine during his perfect month - Tony Schimmels, Steve Meyer, Norman Chesmore and Sean Johnson all scored second place finishes to Irvine over the last four races. Entering August, Jarod Weepie holds a 20-point lead over Meyer in the official standings.

 

 

 

I.M.C.A. Hobby Stocks - A pair of drivers who had never graced the winner's circle eventually dominated the hobby stock division in July. Justin Lichty opened the month with his first career victory on July 7 and quickly followed that feat with career win number two just one week later. Like Lichty, first-year driver Quinton Miller not only earned his first career win on July 21, he also scored wins in consecutive weeks as he doubled up on July 28. Josh Irvine currently holds the largest points lead in any division as he stands 28 markers ahead of Bill Meyer and Vince Buchholz who are tied for second.

 

 

 

B Modifieds - The B modified division joined the late models as the only division to celebrate four different winners in the month of July. Tony Olson opened the month with his third consecutive win at the speedway on July 7. Joe Docekal picked up his fifth win of the season a week later, his first since opening the season with four consecutive wins. Josh Steere made his first-ever trip to the B mod winner's circle on July 21 and Josh Sherbon won a thriller to close out the month as he scored his second win of the season on July 28. Olson currently holds a 21-point lead over Docekal in the division's standings.

 

 

 

 

 

Climate Seal Insulation Indee Open Series

 

While rain stayed clear of the speedway for weekly racing, Mother Nature did claim victory during the Indee Open Series on July 18. Scheduled to open the 2007 Buchanan County Fair, rain forced the cancellation of the event, which will not be rescheduled. The weather was much more cooperative when the series traveled north to Fayette County Speedway in West Union for the third and final series visit of the season. The July 24 event served as the opening night attraction for the 2007 Fayette County Fair.

 

 

 

Late Models - After following race leader Chad Simpson for most of the 40-lap feature in West Union, Ace Ihm worked the high side into the lead late to drive to the thrilling win, his second consecutive series triumph.

 

 

 

Modifieds - Dan Bohr pulled away early, then fought off his challengers in heavy lapped traffic before driving away to the modified victory on July 24. It was Bohr's third series win in his career and his second in three appearances on the West Union oval this season. Kevin Pittman charged through the field to earn runner-up honors.

 

 

 

Stock Cars - Another two-time winner in West Union this season, Tory Reicks survived a seven-car battle in the early stages of the 15-lap stock car main event to drive to victory ahead of Greg Mitchell.

 

 

 

B Modifieds - Jr. Boyer put behind him the misfortune of June's Indee Series event as he drove to his first series win on July 24. Boyer assumed command on the second lap to drive to the checkers ahead of Koal Deering.

 

 

 

 

 

INDEE FAST FACTS

 

Weekly Racing

 

I.M.C.A. Late Models

 

*** Luke Goedert (8), Jeff Aikey (5), Curt Martin (4), Darren Ackerman (3), Darin Burco (2), Tyler Bruening (2) and Rick Dralle (2) are the only drivers with multiple top-3 feature finishes.

 

*** Darren Ackerman has finished in the top-10 in each of the division's 11 feature races.

 

*** 16 drivers have led at least one lap of A-feature competition - Darren Ackerman, Jeff Aikey, Levi Benn, Joel Brasch, Tyler Bruening, Darin Burco, Rick Dralle, Luke Goedert, Dirk Hamilton, Greg Kastli, Curt Martin, Terry Neal, Jon Passick, Tysus Pattee, Travis Smock, Randy Wheeler.

 

*** Feature winners have led 159 out of 276 total feature laps.

 

*** 2 drivers have completed all 276 laps of feature competition - Darren Ackerman, Tysus Pattee.

 

*** 5 drivers have remained in the top-10 in the points standings every week of the season - Darren Ackerman, Darin Burco, Luke Goedert, Dale Hackwell Jr., Jon Passick.

 

*** The starting position to produce the best average feature finish - 10 (outside 5th row): Drivers starting in this position have an average feature finish of 6.64.

 

*** 28 drivers have earned at least one hard charger point.

 

*** 17 different drivers have earned at least one heat win and 26 drivers have earned at least one top-3 finish in a heat race (31 total heats).

 

*** Dale Hackwell Jr. has qualified for the most consecutive feature events - 144 (every feature since he entered the division in 1998).

 

 

 

I.M.C.A. Modifieds

 

*** Jerry Luloff (7), Troy Cordes (6), J.D. Auringer (5), Vern Jackson (5), Max Corporon (3), Adam Bolin (2), Todd Conrad (2), Adam Johnson (2) and Brett Ladehoff (2) are the only drivers with multiple top-3 feature finishes.

 

*** 13 drivers have led at least one lap of A-feature competition - J.D. Auringer, Adam Bolin, Todd Conrad, Troy Cordes, Max Corporon, George Cunha, Scott Hogan, Vern Jackson, Adam Johnson, Jerry Luloff, Rob Olson, Mel Saffran and Dain Sires.

 

*** Feature winners have led 154 out of 238 total feature laps.

 

*** Jerry Luloff is the only driver who has completed all 238 laps of feature competition.

 

*** 5 drivers have remained in the top-10 in the points standings every week of the season - J.D. Auringer, Troy Cordes, Max Corporon, Vern Jackson, Jerry Luloff.

 

*** The starting position to produce the best average feature finish - 8 (outside 4th row): Drivers starting in this position have an average feature finish of 6.58.

 

*** 34 drivers have earned at least one hard charger point.

 

*** 13 different drivers have earned at least one heat win and 27 drivers have earned at least one top-3 finish in a heat race (37 total heats).

 

*** Jerry Luloff has qualified for the most consecutive feature events - 157 (his last miss was on July 5, 1997).

 

 

 

I.M.C.A. Stock Cars

 

*** Brian Irvine (7), Sean Johnson (7), Justin Temeyer (5), Jarod Weepie (5), Norman Chesmore (3), Tony Schimmels (3) and Steve Meyer (2) are the only drivers with multiple top-3 feature finishes.

 

*** 7 drivers have led at least one lap of A-feature competition - Brian Irvine, Sean Johnson, Jason Niedert, Justin Temeyer, Richard Quail, Eric Weber, Jarod Weepie.

 

*** Feature winners have led 170 out of 245 total feature laps.

 

*** 2 drivers have completed all 245 laps of feature competition - Steve Meyer, Jarod Weepie.

 

*** 6 drivers have remained in the top-10 in the points standings every week of the season - Norman Chesmore, Brian Irvine, Steve Meyer, Tony Schimmels, Justin Temeyer, Jarod Weepie.

 

*** The starting position to produce the best average feature finish - 9 (inside 5th row): Drivers starting in this position have an average feature finish of 5.33.

 

*** 27 drivers have earned at least one hard charger point.

 

*** 13 different drivers have earned at least one heat win and 19 drivers have earned at least one top-3 finish in a heat race (23 total heats).

 

*** Jarod Weepie has qualified for the most consecutive feature events - 96 (his last miss was on June 9, 2001).

 

 

 

I.M.C.A. Hobby Stocks

 

*** Josh Irvine (6), Vince Buchholz (5), Rod Grother (3), Chris Luloff (3), Justin Lichty (2), Bill Meyer (2), Quinton Miller (2), Wes Stanek (2), Jamie Whitaker (2) and Jeremiah Wilson (2) are the only drivers with multiple top-3 feature finishes.

 

*** 14 drivers have led at least one lap of A-feature competition - Jim Ball, Vince Buchholz, Brandon Davis, Jeremy Floyd, Rod Grother, Josh Irvine, Justin Lichty, Chris Luloff, John Meyer, Travis Michels, Quinton Miller, Micheal Smith, Greg Sweerin, Jeremiah Wilson.

 

*** Feature winners have led 125 out of 180 total feature laps.

 

*** No driver has completed all 180 laps of feature competition. Josh Irvine leads the division with 167 laps completed.

 

*** 3 drivers have remained in the top-10 in the points standings every week of the season - Rod Grother, Curt Hilmer, Josh Irvine.

 

*** The starting position to produce the best average feature finish - 3 (inside 2nd row): Drivers starting in this position have an average feature finish of 5.25.

 

*** 33 drivers have earned at least one hard charger point.

 

*** 16 different drivers have earned at least one heat win and 27 drivers have earned at least one top-3 finish in a heat race (33 total heats).

 

*** Josh Irvine has qualified for the most consecutive feature events - 22 (his last miss was on May 27, 2006).

 

 

 

B Modifieds

 

*** Joe Docekal (9), Kyle Bentley (5), Tony Olson (5), Josh Sherbon (5), Travis Brown (4) and Jim Buhlman (4) are the only drivers with multiple top-3 feature finishes.

 

*** 13 drivers have led at least one lap of A-feature competition - John Bates, Kyle Bentley, Jim Buhlman, Craig Cordes, Joel Cox, Joe Docekal, Mary Handberg, Russell Hesse, Tony Olson, Josh Sherbon, Chris Snyder, Josh Steere, Alan Wessels.

 

*** Feature winners have led 109 out of 180 total feature laps.

 

*** 1 driver has completed all 180 laps of feature competition - Tony Olson.

 

*** 7 drivers have remained in the top-10 in the points standings every week of the season - Kyle Bentley, Travis Brown, Jim Buhlman, Joe Docekal, Tony Olson, Marty Rouse, Alan Wessels.

 

*** The starting positions to produce the best average finish - 10 (outside 5th row): Drivers starting in this position have an average feature finish of 5.17.

 

*** 27 drivers have earned at least one hard charger point.

 

*** 12 different drivers have earned at least one heat win and 16 drivers have earned at least one top-3 finish in a heat race (25 totals heats).

 

*** Travis Brown and Marty Rouse have qualified for the most consecutive feature events - 27 (the last miss for each was on August 20, 2005).

 

 

 

Stat Shakeup

 

*** Of the 58 features so far this season, 33 winners came from an inside row starting position.

 

*** 121 drivers have earned at least one top-10 feature finish this season.

 

*** A total of 248 races have been run for a total of 2,545 laps.

 

*** Since the start of the 2000 season, there have been 127 different feature winners in the 514 feature races. On average, there is a “first-time” winner every 4.05 races.

 

*** Darren Ackerman (late models); Jerry Luloff (modifieds); Steve Meyer and Jarod Weepie (stock cars); and Tony Olson (B modifieds) are the only drivers to earn top-10 feature finishes in every feature event in their respective divisions this season.

 

*** 72 drivers have spent at least one week in the top 10 of his/her division's points standings this season.

 

 

 

Climate Seal Insulation Indee Open Series

 

The following statistics include all 34 events in the history of the Indee Open Series, dating back to May 30, 2001.

 

 

 

Late Models

 

*** The late models have taken part in all 34 series events. A total of 15 different drivers have earned victories in the division. Those winners include:

 

Jeff Aikey, Waterloo (7 wins)

 

Curt Martin, Independence (7)

 

Terry Neal, Ely (4)

 

Jeremiah Hurst, Dubuque (3)

 

Steve "Ace" Ihm, Hazel Green, Wis. (2)

 

Greg Kastli, Waterloo (2)

 

Darin Duffy, Hazleton (1)

 

Andy Eckrich, Iowa City (1)

 

Tommy Elston, Keokuk (1)

 

Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill. (1)

 

Bobby Hansen, Center Point (1)

 

Kevin Kile, West Liberty (1)

 

Bobby Moyer, Dubuque (1)

 

Chad Simpson, Mt. Vernon (1)

 

Rob Toland, Hillsdale, Ill. (1)

 

 

 

*** Ace Ihm currently leads all drivers with six consecutive top-10 finishes. Chad Simpson has four straight top-10s while Cam Granger, Terry Neal and Chris Simpson have each earned two straight top-10s.

 

*** Curt Martin is the career leader in top-3 finishes (14), top-5s (19) and top-10s (25).

 

*** 67 drivers have earned at least one top-10 finish in feature action, 43 drivers have earned at least one top-5 and 34 drivers have earned at least one top-3.

 

 

 

Modifieds

 

*** The modifieds have taken part in 29 series events. A total of 16 different drivers have earned victories in the division. Those winners include:

 

Kevin Pittman, Waterloo (5 wins)

 

Dan Bohr, Decorah (3)

 

Troy Cordes, Raymond (3)

 

Joey Schaefer, Waterloo (3)

 

Ron Barker, Dubuque (2)

 

Corey Dripps, Waterloo (2)

 

Mark Schulte, Delhi (2)

 

Mike Darnall, West Union (1)

 

Bob Dominacki, Bettendorf (1)

 

Darin Duffy, Hazleton (1)

 

Todd Hanson, Clear Lake (1)

 

Todd Ihde, Decorah (1)

 

Layne Meyer, West Union (1)

 

Jeff Morris, Long Grove (1)

 

Tommy Myer, Blooming Prairie, Minn. (1)

 

Steve Wetter, Platteville, Wis. (1)

 

 

 

*** Ron Barker, Kevin Pittman and Mark Schulte currently lead all drivers with four consecutive top-10 finishes. J.D. Auringer, Dan Bohr, Mike Darnall and Jerry King have each earned three straight top-10s.

 

*** Kevin Pittman is the career leader in top-3 finishes (12), top-5s (15) and top-10s (21).

 

*** 80 drivers have earned at least one top-10 finish in feature action, 46 drivers have earned at least one top-5 and 30 drivers have earned at least one top-3.

 

 

 

 

 

CIRCLE TRACK TRIVIA

 

Question #1: How many different drivers have won four consecutive features in their division (within a single season) in weekly competition since the start of the 2000 season? (Including only the five divisions that currently compete at the speedway.)

 

 

 

Question #2: Who was the last driver to win five consecutive features in the same division (within a single season) in weekly competition at the speedway?

 

 

 

Question #3: Who was the last driver to win five or more features in the same division in weekly competition over the course of two seasons?

 

 

 

(Answers appear below the schedule of upcoming events.)

 

 

 

 

 

SPOTLIGHT ON ...

 

Josh Sherbon - #75 B Modified

 

Hometown: Cedar Falls

 

Years Raced: 1

 

Sponsors: Toad's Bar & Grill, Auto Source, Dane Construction, Royal Machine, Wheeler Painting, Schuerman's Auto, Snyder Automotive, Dunkerton Co-op, Zsavooz, Knudsen Trucking, Bantz Trucking.

 

Crewmembers: Dale Miller, Jess Sherbon, Larry Sherbon, Pete.

 

Goals for 2007: "Win."

 

Take your pick ...

 

Ford, Chevy or Dodge? "Chevy."

 

1/4-mile, 3/8-mile or 1/2-mile? "3/8 - 1/2."

 

Heat races ... Go all out or save it for the feature? "All out."

 

Dominate from a pole position start or side-by-side at the checkers? "Both."

 

Chase for the Nextel Cup or "the old way?" "Chase for the Nextel Cup."

 

Iowa, Iowa State or UNI? "UNI."

 

Deal Or No Deal or 1 vs. 100? "Deal or No Deal."

 

 

 

Check out a new driver profile every Saturday night in the souvenir program on sale at the speedway!

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS IN AUGUST

 

Wednesday, August 1 – Indee Open Series (sponsored by Climate Seal Insulation) – Independence Motor Speedway – Late Models, Modifieds, B Modifieds – Gates Open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6:30, Racing at 7.

 

Saturday, August 4 – Weekly Points Racing (sponsored by McDonald's and Omega Cabinets) – Gates Open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6, Racing at 6:30.

 

Saturday, August 11 – Weekly Points Racing (sponsored by Independence Plumbing, Heating and Cooling - Martin Racing Team Fan Appreciation) – Gates Open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6, Racing at 6:30.

 

Wednesday, August 15 – Indee Open Series Finale (sponsored by Climate Seal Insulation) – Independence Motor Speedway – Late Models, Modifieds, Stock Cars, B Modifieds – Gates Open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6:30, Racing at 7.

 

Saturday, August 18 – Weekly Points Racing – Back to School Night (sponsored by ProCellular) – Gates Open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6, Racing at 6:30.

 

Saturday, August 25 – Season Championships / Weekly Points Racing (sponsored by Budweiser and JK Entertainment) – Gates Open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6, Racing at 6:30.

 

 

 

 

 

TRIVIA ANSWERS:

 

Question #1: 3

 

Dan Trimble (April 29, May 6, May 20 and June 3, 2000 - stock cars)

 

Joe Docekal (April 21, April 28, May 5 and May 12, 2007 - B modifieds)

 

Brian Irvine (July 7, July 14, July 21 and July 28, 2007 - stock cars)

 

 

 

Question #2: Chris Wessner won five straight I.M.C.A. stock car features in 1999. He earned those wins on May 22, May 29, June 5, June 12 and June 19.

 

 

 

Question #3: Brian Irvine closed the 2003 season with three straight I.M.C.A. hobby stock wins (August 9, August 16, August 23), then opened the 2004 season with three straight hobby stock wins (May 1, May 8, May 15) for six consecutive overall wins in weekly points racing. (Prior to Irvine's six-race streak in 2003-2004, Dan Trimble won seven I.M.C.A. stock car features in-a-row over the course of two seasons. The first three wins of his streak came on August 14, August 21 and August 28 to close out 1999 before he opened the 2000 season with the four straight stock car wins mentioned in the answer to trivia question #1.)