Watson wins Wetzel Memorial 

By Josh Reynolds

STUART, Iowa (July 19) – John Watson was the big winner Sunday in Stuart Speedway’s John Wetzel Memorial for IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks.

Shannon Anderson ran right behind or alongside most of the way, but couldn’t complete a last-lap pass of Watson, who went home with a career-best $1,000 victory.

Austin Luellen, Bill Bonnett and Jamie Songer rounded out the top five.

Watson and Nebraska racer Shawn Slezak led the field to green. Watson led early over Buck Schafroth and Anderson, with Eric Stanton and Luellen trucking to the front.

The final caution of the contest waved on lap eight and Watson picked up where he left off, lead­ing Anderson, Luellen and Stanton.

Fifteenth starting Bill Bonnett made it to fourth on lap 18 as the top three stayed the same. Anderson made his move on lap 23, heading up to the top side of the track and setting up a last-lap effort for the win.

As the front pair came out of the second turn on the last lap, Anderson dove low and looked to slide up, but Watson was too strong and stayed up top to take the win.

Other feature winners Sunday were Nick Roberts in the Xtreme Motor Sports IMCA Modifieds, Brian Blessington in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, Clint Luellen in the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods and Curtis Miller in the Mach-1 Sport Compacts.

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