Switch in lines pays off for Callahan

By Rob Hinckley

DUBUQUE, Iowa (July 7) – A change of plans for Joel Callahan.

The Dubuque veteran switched lines on the fly and took the Eichman’s Bar and Grill IMCA Late Model 25-lap feature Sunday evening on his home track.

“I thought it would be a top side track, but that changed,” Callahan said in Dubuque Speedway’s Hoker Trucking/C&W Trucking/Kam Koncepts Victory Circle. “It got treacherous up there so we hooked up down low.”

Callahan rolled off fifth and quickly moved into the fray for the point. He moved past Ron Klein on a late restart en route to the win. 

Luke Goedert also found the bottom to his liking and took second late. Klein, Jeremiah Hurst and Luke Merfeld followed.

Jason Schueller took off from the pole and paced all 20 Merfeld Brothers Automotive IMCA Modi­fied feature circuits. Bryce Garnhart charged from a late restart past Matt Gansen and Mark Schulte to take the runner up spot. Jed Freiburger took fifth.

Kelsy Hayes roller her ride in turn one just four laps from the end. She was shaken, but not in­jured.

Tyler Soppe waited out a first lap crash, a handful more of cautions and a wild battle with Jason Roth. He went on to win the 15-lap Peosta Warehousing Logistics IMCA Northern SportMod fea­ture. Justin Becker, Mitch Manternach and front row starter Matt Stagman came next. 

Cole Mather topped his third K Motorsports IMCA Stock Car 15-lap feature, outbattling Tom Schmitt at the finish line. Chase Zaruba, Joe Zrostlik and Reece Norton followed. 

Point leader Daniel Wauters sped away from Leah Wroten to take the Kinsella Concrete IMCA Hobby Stock 12-lapper. Brandon White, Roger Winkers and Brett Vanous followed.