8/8/2020
Park Jefferson International Speedway
Laney and Mari earn front row spots for 2020 Iron Cup
A heavy track and smooth racing surface greeted drivers as they entered Park Jefferson Speedway for night 1 of the 7th Annual Iron Cup presented by J&J Fitting. Drivers came from across the country to compete in the IMCA Modifieds with drivers from 7 different states represented at Park Jefferson. With drivers racing twin heat races with a complete invert, the top 10 have locked themselves into tomorrow night’s feature event.
Heat one was dominated by Jesse Sobbing and Bob Moore, as the two longtime western Iowa competitors showed their way around the heavy 3/8-mile gumbo. Sobbing got the jump from row one and that was all she wrote. Heat 2 saw Lakewood, Colorado gunner Tripp Gaylord win the pole, but the man on a mission was Ricky Stephan who grabbed 2nd and World of Outlaws late model ace Ricky Thornton battling for third from the 4th row. In the third heat there was plenty of action as the Cody Laney and Ethan Braaksma got by Iowa stud Joel Rust to take top spots.
The starting order of the heats was completely inverted, and now drivers were back at it in heat 4. It was time for some California dreaming as Ethan Dotson and Lance Mari let drivers know that Cali would represent as they finished in spots 1 and 2. In the 5th heat, Casey Arneson got some North Dakota props as he brought home the checkered with Ricky Thornton sneaking in for second. Chris Abelson decided enough was enough, and Sioux City Excitement hammered home a win to show the class of Sioux City racing to the outsiders.
The top 10 in passing points are locked into the first 5 rows of the Saturday A-Main. Row 1-Laney/Mari. Row 2-Stephan/Thornton. Row 3-Gaylor/Abelson. Row 4-Barragan/Arneson Row 5-Sobbing/Moore. All remaining drivers will be slated for the heat races which will be lined up based on points. A handful of drivers have indicated they will be tagging the rear of the heat races and trying to race their way in tomorrow. After the heat race transfers, there will be one last chance shootout to set the 24-car field for the Iron Cup.
In the IMCA Stock Cars it was Travis Barker once again picking up another win at Park Jefferson. A stout field was on hand for the $1,000 to win race Barker slowly worked his way thru the field that saw a number of cautions delay the program. Barker managed to nip thru from 12th and held of Greg Taylor for the win. Jesse Sobbing had an eventful run to finish third after he appeared to lose power, suffer a mechanical failure, then rally for 3rd over the 19-car field. The Stock Cars will run another complete program Saturday.
In the IMCA Sport Modifieds it was Harris Clash winner Cody Thompson notching yet another win at Park Jefferson. After spinning in his heat, Thompson came from deep in the pack to pick up another win over his arch rival Rusty Montagne. Jonah Chinn was 3rd.
In the IMCA Hobby Stocks it was 2019 Track Champions Zack Ankrum picking up the feature win as he had a fierce battle with another former champion in Andy Hoffman. Ankrum was able to withstand a challenge in turn 2 on lap 12 that resulted in a flat tire for Hoffman and a win for Ankrum. They will both regroup for another run on Saturday night. David Miller had a strong run for second and Nick Shilling was third.
The 2020 Iron Cup Champion for the Sport Compacts was crowned as Ramsey Meyer invaded to pick up the Iron Cup and the cash over the 8 car field. Meyer, who has dominated at Raceway Park in recent years, had a terrific run after a wild rollover accident in turn 1-2 which saw Trent Reed end up on his roof.
The 2020 Iron Cup comes to a conclusion Saturday as the Modifieds battle for $7,000 and the stock cars, sport mods, and hobby stocks are joined by the RACESaver Sprint Cars to determine who will be the Iron Cup Champions.
Gates open at 4pm for teams, 5pmf for fans. Hot laps are slated for 6:30 and racing at 7:30. For more information go to www.parkjeff.com.
Submitted By: Adam Adamson