by Jody Spear and Kelly Meyer –
It was an exciting night at the I-35 Speedway at the North Iowa Events Center Sunday night. Many close and down to the wire first place finishes.
Josh Ruby, #30 Modifieds, from Lakota, kept you holding your breath to see if he’d get the lead, keep the lead, and take home the win. First he was battling Rob Rose, Rose kept him at bay for many laps, but Ruby was able to go low and pull in first place. He kept the lead most of the finishing laps until JJ Wise, 2011 I-35 Defending Champion, pulled the same trick, took low position when Ruby had to go high and Wise took the lead. Wise won his first feature of the year.
Ruby’s father, Jay, was cheering his son on, showing a little disappointment when Wise took the lead, but proud none the less. “Josh is having a very good race,” he said. I guess if you have to take second place, it’s not so bad knowing it was lost to the defending champion. “We’re able to make about half the races in Mason City. My son, Ben, races in the Sports Mod, but he’s not here tonight. He stayed home to do the Mother’s Day thing.”
In the Hobby Stock challenge, what can be said about Heath Tulp. His third win out of four races his season at the I-35 Speedway. As in weeks past, Tulp in the last few laps had full lead, out in front alone to take the win. Chad Gentz, starting in one of the last position, put up a good fight in the second half of the race, along with Austin Wolfgram. Gentz, who has Elmo, sticking out two of his windows was asked, what’s up with Elmo, his reply, “Elmo’s cool.” He must be Gentz’s good-luck charm.
Kyle Germundson had an upsetting night when an accident pulled him from the race.(see video) Last year Germundson had won his first Sports Mod race on Mother’s Day and was hoping for a repeat.
Other Feature Winners were: Stock Cars-Travis Shipman, Sports Mods-Shane Swanson, Hornets-Kelly Miller, Jr. Hornets-Oliver Monson
Modifieds — J.J. Wise, Josh Ruby, Rob Rose, Shane Monson, Jamie Anderson, Damon Haslip, Tyler Prochaska, Nate Zimmerman, Zach Patterson, Curt Badker, Levi Nielsen, Kevin Stoa, Terrance Prochaska, Christian Wagler.
Stock Cars — Travis Shipman, Shawn Wilson, Andy Altenburg, Kevin Opheim, Derek Green, Larry Portis, Mick Meyers, Joe Willier, Dustin Wannarka, Blake Cole, Kellie Schmit, Cody Frerichs.
Sports Mods — Shane Swanson, Dan Tenold, Nick West, Adam Ackerman, Nate Whitehurst, George Nordman, Alex Zwanziger, Kurt Moeding, Travis Greenfield, Aaron Benson, Nate Chodur, Chase Ellingson, Coby Bangusser, Logan Swearingen, Daryl Ruter, Case Carlson, Brian Johnson, Robert Black, Dustin Enabnit, Brandon Toftee, Kyle Germundson.
Hobby Stocks — Heath Tulp, Austin Wolfgram, Chad Gentz, Pat Zimmerman, Cory Roe, Andrew Borchardt, Zac Smith, Chanse Hollatz, Tanner Green, Stac Schroeder, Scott Dobel, Cory Gansen.
Hornets — Kelly Miller, Jared Schlichting, Patrick Barrett, Ken Winkowitsch, Scott Schlichting, Ryan Bryant, Hunter Lee.
Jr. Hornets — Oliver Monson, Spencer Cole, Payne Schroeder, Lisa Cole, Sam Winkowitsch
Watch video:
