By Rob Hinckley
DUBUQUE, Iowa (July 21) – Dozens swarmed to Hoker Trucking/C&W Trucking/Kam Koncepts Victory Circle. Tears flowed. There was emotion in the winner’s voice.
Jeremiah Hurst has won many, but the season championship at his hometown Dubuque Speedway is always special.
Hurst started eighth but made his run to the front quick, taking the point for good on lap five and won the Eichman’s Bar & Grill IMCA Late Model 25-lapper Sunday evening at Dubuque Speedway.
“It’s always special to win here,” Hurst said. “We’ll just keep winning.
The finale had to go to overdrive/overtime as runner-up Joel Callahan slammed the turn two wall and finally stopped on turn four as the white flag was ready to fly.
Hurst beat Jeff Tharp, Eric Pollard, Nebraska’s Cory Dumpert and Donnie Pataska on the green, white, checkered finish.
“That (car) thing was digging holes off the turns,” Hurst said. “I knew I had to get to the bottom when I saw (Pollard) on the bottom. My car owner (Ken Roberts) and I had the same plan.”
Jeff Larson used the high shelf and sped by early leader Timmy Current late in the 20-lap Merfreld Brothers Automotive IMCA Modified finale. Current did not go easy as it was a side-by-side battle for several laps.
Matt Gansen, Austin Moyer and Bryce Garnhart followed.
Gage Neal took the lead early and held off Tyler Soppe for the 15-lap Peosta Warehousing Logistics IMCA Northern SportMod win. Wes Digman, Jason Roth and Rusty Deshaw came next in a very competitive affair.
Joe Zrostlik topped point leader Cole Mather in the 12-lap K Motorsports IMCA Stock Car main. Early leader Chase Zaruba, Reece Norton and Kenny Taylor followed.
Daniel Wauters continued his stronghold on the Kinsella Concrete IMCA Hobby Stocks with the 12-lap win. Shane Oberbreckling almost made the high side work, but settled for second ahead of Roger Winkers, Brandon White and Hank White.
Action continues on the 3/8-mile, dirt oval this Wednesday, July 24 with the annual Dubuque County Fair races, featuring IMCA Modifieds and Northern SportMods.
Then racing finishes off the fair Sunday, July 28 with Eichman’s Bar and Grill IMCA Late Models competing for $1,500 to win. Also hitting the track will be Merfeld Brothers Automotive IMCA Modifieds, Peosta Warehousing Logistics IMCA SportMods and Kinsella Concrete IMCA Hobby Stocks.
Gates open Wednesday at 4 p.m. Hot laps are at 6:30 p.m. with racing to follow. Sunday gates open at 3:30 p.m. Hot laps are 5:30 p.m. with racing to follow.
Advance tickets are now available.