Merfeld wins classic battle at Dubuque

By Jerry Mackey

DUBUQUE, Iowa (July 17) – The IMCA Weekly Racing Series action at the Dubuque County Fair­grounds Speedway on Sunday night included a fantastic Out-Pace Racing Products IMCA Late Model feature that saw two Dubuque drivers battle for the entire 25 laps.

Luke Merfeld and Joel Callahan delighted the fans with plenty of wheel-to-wheel action and slide jobs were a big part of the tight racing. When the checkered flag flew it was Merfeld scoring the win and the $300 bonus money from sponsors, Pro Care Auto of Dubuque and Associated Real Estate Counselors of Preston. Callahan settled for second with Luke Goedert taking third.

The Merfeld Brothers Automotive IMCA Modifieds also put on a hotly contested race with Matt Gansen getting to the checkers with less than a half car length win. Mark Schulte raced Gansen very hard but came up just short at the finish line.

Tyler Soppe scored his 19th feature win of the 2016 season by topping the GSI Collision Special­ists IMCA Northern SportMod feature. Troy Bauer got into second with five laps to go but was unable to get by Soppe as the laps ran out.

Jerry Miles returned to victory lane on Sunday night with a feature win in the 15 lap IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature.