Hutchinson Raceway Park 9/3/;04

[rebelracewriter]

Hutchinson Raceway Park 9/3/04

By J M Hallas

On the trip up to Boone Iowa for the Super Nationals we took a slight side trip over to Hutchinson, Kansas to watch the current IMCA National points leader, David Murray. The ladies at the pit gate were very hospitable to me, an out-of-town reporter. The track was a super fast high-banked 1/2 mile, wide enough fror multigroove racing in the corners.My only disappointment, no souvenier T-shirts or caps. I was also introduced to Murray and his crew and found them to be very personable and approachable, at least to a reporter.

The IMCA Modified 15 lap main, started 22 cars with Murray coming out of the 12th slot. The race got of to an auspicious start when outside polesitter, Randy Porter spun in front the field going into turn 1. Nearly half the cars got collected, with several pitting with flats and minor damage. On the second try Darin Schartz came out of turn 2 with the lead, while Terry Phillips moved by Chadd Brown for the second spot.

Howard Williams then got by C. Brown for third as track points leader, Marty Clark and Murray gained to eighth and ninth. Shawn Govern brought out the yellow on lap 3 when hye looped his ride in turn 4. During the yellow, Govern pitted from third. On the restart Scott Brown got sideways and collected Murray, with Clint Smith piling in.

Under caution Murray drove up behind S. Brown and shoved the nose under the rear of S. Browns car. Murray then proceeded to do a burnout that John Force would have been proud of, finally spinning S. Brown on the backstretch. Murray was black flagged, loaded up and headed out.

Finally back to racing, Kenny Cross, Clark and Mike Petersilie all freight training C.Brown as green waved. By lap 5 Schartz and Phillips were creeping away from Dean Brungardt and Cross. Phillips used the high side to get by Schartz for the lead on lap 6 as the field started to string out. At half way bthe top five were Phillips, Shartz, Bryngardt, Cross and Clark in the top five.

By lap 10 Phillips was pulling out to a good lead, with biggest battle being from sixth on back between C. Brown, Porter, Nate Ginest, Rick Julian and Wes Mohr. On lap 13 C. Brown spun from that pack and Julian getting the black flag, leading one to assume........

On the restart, Schartz took a look on the low side and was along side Phillips coming out of turn 2. Phillips out ran Schartz down the back stretch and Schartz fell in line with the two nose to tail at the line as the white waved. On the final lap Phillips was able to hold off Shartz to grab the checkers in his BMS Chassis.

IMCA Modifieds

1 66 Terry Phillips

2 1 Darin Schartz

3 91 Dean Brungardt

4 57 Kenny Cross

5 17c Marty Clark

6 9B Wes Mohr jr

7 G20 Nate Ginest

8 27R Randy Porter

9 9x Rick Meuller

10 16 Shawn Govern

11 D99 Ron Dauer

12 77 Jeremy Petty

13 B38 Jim Berends

14 38 Scott Brown

15 B21 Chadd Brown

16 12c Clint Smith

17 25P Mike Petersilie

18 L99 Loren Dauer

19 75 Rick Davis

20 22 Howard Williams

00 Rick Julian B/F

97M David Murray B/F Unsportsmanlike conduct

G20(Ginest) claimed the motor of 57 (Cross)

 

In the Rookie Modified feature, Jim Bell got the lead on lap 1 with the caution out quickly for a spin by GW Fulter. Allen Adams got inside Kurt Narron on the restart, with a three wide battle for fifth going on. Points leader Clay Bontrager, Narron and Jim Murphy ran three wide for third on lap 3.

Meanwhile up front Adams caught Bell and when Bell slid high in turn 2, Adams jumped on the chance and took over the lead. Adams would spin in turn 2 but a caution for Brandon Barnhart and Keith King gave him the spot back. adams got a good jump on the restart, while Bontrager moved by Bell for second. Bontrager wasted little time as he then grabbed the lead from Adams on lap 6.

Bontrager then had contact with a lap car of Dace Pearce with Bontager spinning and Pearce stopping on the front stretch. Bontager was sent to the rear handing the top spot to Murphy. At halfway Murphy was getting away with Bell, Ron Lundry, Adams and King rounding out the top five. Lundry's chance at a top spot ended on lap 9 when sparks began showering from the rear.

With three to go Murphy had a big lead over Adams who had a good gap back to Bell. With two laps remaining the battle was for the third spot with Bell, Barnhart and King slugging it out. The white waved on Murphy still holding a comfortable over Adams, with Murphy taking the win.

Rookie Modifieds

1 9J Jim Murphy

2 22A Allen Adams

3 22B Jim Bell

4 56k Keith King

5 7 Brandon Barnhart

6 77x GW Fulter

7 1B Clay Bontrager

8 29J Tracy Everhart

9 61 Kurt Narron

10 20 Brian Shore

11 K1 Ron Lundry

12 48D Dace Pearce