After a long wait, including one cancellation, opening night to the 2018 at the Murray County Speedway had finally arrived. I think it is safe to say, drivers and fans were excited that this day had finally arrived. Opening night featured all the IMCA classes (sport compacts, hobby stock, sport modified, stock cars, and modifieds) as well as the MCRA pickups. The sponsor for opening night was the Pizza Ranch of Slayton.
S&S Electric MCRA Pickups
The MCRA pickups kicked off the 2018 feature races. 7 trucks made the call for the 8 lap feature. Craig Gertsema and Matt Odom started on the front row and led the field to the green. On the start, Gertsema quickly jumped out to the race lead. Behind him, Jim Gertsema began to challenge Odom for second. While this happened, Craig Gertsema was able to put some distance between himself and the field. Odom held on to second and looked to reel Gertsema back in. After an early caution, Gertsema kept the race lead. Meanwhile, TJ Gertsema and Jim Gertsema began to battle for the third spot. However, contact between the two brought out the caution and forced the first Green White Checkered finish of the season. On the restart, Gertsema kept the lead and went on to go wire-to-wire to take home the first feature win of the season. Matt Odom finished second, TJ Gertsema finished third, and Scott Stirn finished fourth.
Plaid Moose IMCA Sport Compacts
Next to take the track were the Sport Compacts. 10 cars made the call for the 10 lap feature. Kaytee Devries and Kent Miller led the field to the green flag. On the start, Miller jumped out to the early lead. Behind him, Devries and Dustin Virkus battled for the second spot. Virkus was able to secure the second spot and looked to contest Miller. After an early caution, Miller kept the lead. Virkus quickly began to challenge for the lead, and was able to get around Miller for the lead. Miller tried to battle back, but Dustin Virkus was able to hold on and take home the feature win. Kent Miller finished second, Kaytee Devries finished third, and Jay Devries finished fourth.
Wyffels Seed and Independent Ag IMCA Hobby Stocks
Next up were the Hobby Stocks. 11 cars made the call for the 15 lap feature. Corey Gronewald and Justin Bolluyt led the field to the green. On the start, Gronewald momentarily took the race lead. Bolluyt was quickly able to get around him for the race lead. Cory Probst made his way to second and looked to reel in Bolluyt who had pulled away from the pack. Probst was able to catch him and began to challenge for the race lead. Behind them, Trevor Holm made his way to third and looked to join the battle. A late caution helped Holm with this. On the restart, Bolluyt kept the race lead. Probst and Holm made it a 3 car battle for the lead. Holm was able to take the race lead. Probst followed him and looked to challenge. Trevor Holm held on and took home the feature win. Cory Probst finised second, Justin Bolluyt finished third, and John Ross finished fourth.
Cars Limited IMCA Sport Modified
The IMCA Sport Modifieds were next up to take the track. 9 cars made the call for the 15 lap feature. Cory Hoogland and Jeremy Van Ede led the field to the green flag. On the start, Van Ede wasted little time and got off to a quick start. After an early caution, Van Ede kept the race lead and pulled out to amassive lead. Tony Rialson got to second and also checked out in hopes of catching Van Ede. Jeremy Van Ede went wire-to-wire and took home the feature win. Tony Rialson finished second, Cory Hoogland finished third, and Brycen Johnson finished fourth.
CarToyz IMCA Stock Cars
Next it was the Stock cars. 10 cars made the call for the 18 lap feature. Gage Noyes and Mike Carlson led the field to the green. On the start, Zach Olivier quickly jumped out the early race lead. Dustin Larson quickly made his way to second looked to battle for the race lead. After a late caution, Larson was able to make the pass and took the race lead. Dustin Larson quickly pulled away and went on to take the feature win. Zach Olivier finished second, Nick Johansen finished third, and Levi Feltman finished fourth.
O’Reilly’s Auto Parts IMCA Modifieds
Last up for the night were the IMCA modifieds. 16 cars made the call for the 20 lap feature. Jason Fisher and Don Gerritsen Jr led the field to the green. On the start, Fisher took the race lead. Tyler Limoges quickly made a pass on Fisher and took over the race lead. Gerritsen followed him through to take second and looked to battle for the lead. After an early caution, Limgoes kept the lead. Gerritsen again stayed close and challenged for the lead. Billy Kendall had gotten to third and began to battle with Gerritsen for second. Kendall got around Gerritsen and looked to challenge for the lead. However, problems for Kendall caused him to fall back and surrender a few spots. Gerritsen looked to reel in Limoges, but it was too late and Tyler Limgoes took home the feature win. Don Gerritsen Jr finished second, Clint Hatlestad finished third, and Josh Rogotzke finished fourth. Racing action at the Murray County Speedway will return next Friday with all of the same classes mentioned above.