By Rob Hinckley
MAQUOKETA, Iowa (July 6) – Like a lot of drivers, Tyler Soppe surveyed the right side damage to his car.
Unlike the others, he did it in Hoker Trucking/C&W Trucking/Kam Koncepts Victory Circle after taking another 15-lap B&D Pit Stop IMCA Northern SportMod feature Saturday evening at Maquoketa Speedway.
“Seemed like a top side track, but made the bottom stick and here we are,” Soppe said. “This is our 15th win of the year and each one seems different.”
His seventh Maquoketa win came on Husco International Family Night before a great pre-fireworks display crowd.
Soppe jetted from his ninth starting spot on the bottom groove and passed Jacob Ellithorpe on lap nine. He also endured several cautions to wait out the win.
“I knew Jacob was sticking high and a tough run,” Soppe added. “This was different type of track, more of a hammer down, but we can adjust.”
Ellithorpe would later drop out. Kyle Olson, Rusty Deshaw, Jerry Miles and 17th-starting Brandon Tharp rounded out the top five.
Jeremiah Hurst took the point early and sped to the 25-lap Andover Meat IMCA Late Model win. Andy Nezworski and Matt Ryan gave chase, but fell short. Luke Goedert and Doug Nigh followed.
Point leader Bryce Garnhart took advantage of a late caution to roar by Milo Veloz and Eric Barnes en route to another QCJeeps.com IMCA Modified 20-lap win. Jarrett Franzen and Matt Stein were next.
Tom Cannon raced from the pole and won the 15-lap GRE/REV Chassis IMCA Stock Car finale, edging Terry Dulin at the checkers. Matt Picray, Joe Zrostlik and Kyle Merkes were next.
Randy Lamar used the high side and won his third Shawn’s Auto Service IMCA Hobby Stock feature. Kile Vohringer, Daniel Wauters, Randy Byerly and Brandon White followed in the 15-lapper.
A total of 107 race teams hit the track for 22 total events and racing was completed in time for fireworks at 9 p.m.