VINTON, Iowa (July 26) – For the third time this season, the IMCA Late Model Sunday Series made an appearance at Benton County Speedway. For the second time, Ryan Dolan narrowly took the checkers ahead of series point leader Todd Cooney.
Each driver enjoyed sizable leads in the 25-lapper before exchanging slide jobs in the final stages to set up an exciting finish.
From a second row start, Dolan assumed command by the completion of the first lap while Cooney ran the top side from the fourth row.
Cooney reeled in Dolan on the 10th circuit and made his way into the lead one lap later. He quickly pulled away to a half-straightaway advantage.
Dolan kept the leader in his sights and was able to close back in on Cooney as he entered lapped traffic with a handful of laps to go. The field was reset following the final caution with 21 laps scored complete.
Cooney led the field back to green with Dolan in tow. Dolan powered to the inside of the leader to assume command as the frontrunners exchanged the top spot numerous times over the final four laps.
Cooney offered one last slide job in turn four on the final lap, but Dolan was able to sneak to the inside to steal the win by a few feet. John Emerson ran third.
Scott Hogan earned his second win of the year and regained the point lead in the Cassill Motors IMCA Modified division.
From a sixth row start, Hogan quickly raced through the pack and into the runner-up spot by the time the caution flag waved on lap five. He made his way beneath Bill Roberts to assume command at the midway point of the 20-lapper to take the win ahead of Troy Cordes and Roberts.
Shane Ebaugh earned his career first Ron-Da-Voo Lounge & Deli IMCA Stock Car win by coming out on top in an exciting five-car battle in that 18-lapper.
Ebaugh held off persistent challenges from Damon Murty and then Scott Pippert to score the milestone win. Murty inched ahead of Pippert to snare runner-up honors.
Earning his first Vinton win in the Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod division was Dakoda Sellers. Sellers held off point leader Tony Olson in lapped traffic to take the victory. Curt Hilmer finished third.
IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock point leader Nathan Ballard picked up his seventh win of the season in that division. Ballard took the lead from Brett Vanous at the midway point of the 15-lapper to drive to victory ahead of Justin Wacha and Matt Pohlman.
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