Stock car drivers from 4 states met Friday night in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, most of that mixture coming out of the Mid American Stock Car Series. The Midwest Dash Series was also on hand for the first time ever at Hawkeye Downs; those drivers facing off against the Midwest Compact Series. The results, for some, seemed like they were racing at their home tracks.
Mid Am Series drivers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa all found that after qualifying, turn 4 was a monster that had to be tamed, with 8 drivers all having to slide out of the turn during practice. All except for 46 year driving veteran “The Franklin Flyer”, Bill Prietzel who qualified fastest. But the time between qualifying and the feature race gave all of the other drivers a chance to dial in what was needed. And for Sheridan, Illinois’ Ron Vandemeir Jr., that’s all the time he needed. After two restarts, Vandemeir found himself door to door with Wonder Lake, Illinois driver, Kenny Joosten with 4 to go in the 40 lap feature. Joosten led almost the entire race, but said in a post race interview, he could feel his right rear tire failing, which enabled Vandemeir to gain the lead and go onto win. James Swan finished third while Prietzel finished fourth. Next up for the Mid Am Series, a trip to the Grundy County Speedway July 14th.
For Stoughton, Wisconsin’s Brandon DeLacy, running at Hawkeye Downs was a challenge he was ready to face. The Midwest Dash Series driver had never raced here before and told series announcer, Dan Deicher before the races, he really didn’t know what to expect racing on a new track against drivers he had not faced before. After qualifying fastest and winning his heat race against other Midwest Dash Series and Midwest Compact Series drivers, his sights were set on getting the broom out. Mission accomplished. DeLacy started 7th in the 25 lap feature and it only took him 6 laps to cruise past pole sitter, Brad Chandler and West Salem, Wisconsin’s, Patrick Thicke, who also started in the front row. Starting 9th was Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin’s, Gary Stark, who also worked his way through the field and into second place. Also gaining a podium finish, first Midwest Dash Series feature winner, George Seliger of Wausau, Wisconsin.
Next up for the Midwest Dash Series, a stop at Dells Raceway Park on July 21st.
