Soppe wins number 100 plus track title at Maquoketa

By Rob Hinckley

MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Aug. 24) – Again, no matter the obstacle, Tyler Soppe cranked the steering wheel one way and then back the other while at full speed. 

It was no surprise he was at the front of the 15-lap B&D Pit Stop IMCA Northern SportMod Season Championship feature Saturday evening at Maquoketa Speedway. 

Soppe had clinched the track championship before the green flag ever flew. 

“This is what we’re here for and the championship tops it off,” Soppe said. ““We like the track and what Nick (Promoter McCrady) has done with it. We’ll be back next year.” 

Soppe’s victory was the ninth at Maquoketa and 26th overall in 2019. It also was his 100th IMCA career victory in the division.

“The car wasn’t really that good tonight,” Soppe added. “We tried the top early and were able to make it work when we got out front.” 

Jerry Miles, Bob Silaggi, Jacob Ellithorpe and Scott Williams rounded out the top five. 

Jeff Larson launched from midpack at the start and then to the lead about halfway through the 20-lap QCJeeps.com IMCA Modified feature. He dominated the rest of the way.

Ray Cox, Jr. charged up to second ahead of early leader Timmy Current, Steve Johnson and Jaden Fryer. Bryce Garnhart was part of an early caution, finished 15th, but still won his second straight track title. 

Jimmy Comins was the model of consistency all season in the GRE / REV Chassis IMCA Stock Cars. That paid off with his first track crown and he got his first-ever 15-lap feature win in a Stock Car to top it off.

Point runner-up Tim Bader, Bob Ahrendsen, Chris Hinrichs and Rick Zaruba followed. After destroying his car in a rollover early in the season Comins jumped behind the wheel of his cousin Brandon’s machine to finish off the season run. 

The Shawn’s Auto Service IMCA Hobby Stock 12-lap Season Championship finale was the only main to settle the track bragging rights. Point leader Daniel Wauters pulled out of the feature early so Kile Vohringer made up the single point deficit with his second place finish behind first-time winner Brandon White to take the title.

White stormed to the front and held off Vohringer for his first win of 2019. Lane Vohringer, Shane Oberbreckling and Roger Winkers came next.