Garnhart speeds to Smokey Rupp Memorial win

Results

By Rob Hinckley

DUBUQUE, Iowa (June 9) – Bryce Garnhart thought he would settle for second.

Then the yellow light flashed in front of him due to the leader crashing.

The defending track champion put the pedal down on the restart and cruised to the 25-lap Smokey Rupp Memorial Merfeld Brothers IMCA Modified win Sunday at Dubuque Speedway. The $1,000 victory put him on the ballot for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational.

“I know it was bad for him, but it made me happy,” Garnhart said in Hoker Trucking / C&W Truck­ing/Kam Koncepts Victory Circle. “Car ran great and I can’t thank everyone enough that works on this and supports us.”

Hometown driver Austin Moyer helped lead the field to John Ryan’s green flag and quickly opened a large advantage. With a straightaway lead over Garnhart, who clawed from sixth in a competitive 22-car field, Moyer jumped the turn two cushion and banged the wall, ending his night on lap 19.

Garnhart beat Timmy Current off the restart on the top groove and sped to the win.

Ron Klein had a similar misfortune to Moyer in the Eichmann’s Bar and Grill IMCA Late Model 25-lap finale. Klein got caught up with a lapped car about halfway through, breaking the front end. Jeff Tharp inherited the lead on the restart and blasted to the win. 

Jerry Miles launched on a restart and won the Peosta Warehousing Logistics IMCA SportMod 15-lap feature.

Miles got that spot when top two drivers Rusty Deshaw and Tyler Soppe battled off turn two, col­lided and went head on into the backstretch wall. Deshaw’s ride ended upside down. He was not hurt, but both cars were done.

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