BRITT, Iowa (July 24) – There’s something about Hancock County Speedway that brings out the best in Kyle Strickler.
Strickler led every lap in winning Tuesday’s Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights Tour feature for IMCA Modifieds, earning $2,000 along with a spot on the 2019 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational ballot.
Hunter Marriott followed his Monday night victory at Park Jefferson Speedway with a runner-up finish. He pressured Strickler throughout the first half of the race and was joined by Ryan Ruter in hot pursuit the last half.
Strickler, however, was able to lengthen his lead on the rest of the field before taking the checkers.
The victory was Strickler’s Dirt Knights Tour career third and all have been at Britt. Strickler won the show that doubled as Night of 1,000 Stars in 2013 and the Salute to Veterans Night event in 2015.
He also counts the 2014 Night of 10,000 Stars and last year’s Shryock Memorial All-Star among his checkered flag runs at Hancock County.
Rounding out the top five were Ethan Dotson and ‘B’ feature qualifier Joel Rust.
Ricky Thornton Jr. restarted at the back of the field after an early flat tire and salvaged 11th place. His advantage over Marriott in the points race is now just a single marker with two events remaining.
Another $2,000 top prize is at stake Wednesday night, when the Arnold Motor Supply Dirt Knights Tour travels to Buena Vista Raceway at Alta. Racing follows 6:45 p.m. hot laps and IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars, IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods and Mach-1 Sport Compacts complete the card.
The series finale is Monday, Aug. 6 at Clay County Fairgrounds in Spencer, hometown of series title sponsor Arnold Motor Supply.
All Dirt Knights Tour events are broadcast by IMCA.TV.
Feature results – 1. Kyle Strickler, Troutman, N.C.; 2. Hunter Marriott, Brookfield, Mo.; 3. Ryan Ruter, Clear Lake; 4. Ethan Dotson, Bakersfield, Calif.; 5. Joel Rust, Grundy Center; 6. Kelly Shryock, Fertile; 7. Nick Meyer, Whittemore; 8. Jason Wolla, Ray, N.D.; 9. Joe Duvall, Claremore, Okla.; 10. Kyle Brown, Madrid; 11. Ricky Thornton Jr., Clive; 12. Jeremy Mills, Garner; 13. Troy Cordes, Dunkerton; 14. Jacob Bleess, Chatfield, Minn.; 15. Rob Hughes, Humboldt; 16. Al Hejna, Clear Lake; 17. Brock Bauman, Eureka, Ill.; 18. Cody Knecht, Whittemore; 19. John Parmeley, Phoenix, Ariz.; 20. Shane DeMey, Denison; 21. Tim Ward, Chandler, Ariz.; 22. Josh Ruby, Lakota; 23. Stacey Mills, Webb; 24. Troy Swearingen, Thompson.