Burns earns first career feature win

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James Burns became a first-time IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature winner Thursday at Kossuth County Speedway. (Photo by Greg Grabianowski)

By Greg Grabianowski 

ALGONA, Iowa (July 16) – James Burns won his first career feature race to highlight an exciting night of dirt track racing at the Kossuth County Speedway on Thursday. The big night of racing drew another nice crowd count of 104 cars filling the pit area looking for a tune up for the upcoming Salute to Veterans show.

Burns took the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature holding off a late challenge from Brandon Nielsen. The Al­gona driver was racing with a heavy heart as his grandmother had passed away earlier in the day and in a victory lane interview, dedicated the race to her. 

Jay Sidles grabbed the early lead before an early caution. The race resumed as Burns used the high side to get past Sidles on lap four. He built a comfortable lead only to see Nielsen closing fast, but Burns slammed the door to set off a wild celebration in victory lane with his first career victory. 

Brandon Nielsen took the runner-up spot as Cody Nielsen was third.

Austin Wolf was the IMCA Modified winner and Jake Masters dominated in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature. Matt Looft paced the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod headliner.

The closest feature finish of the evening came in the Mach-1 Sport Compacts as Lucas Parsons, Oliver Monson and Kaytee DeVries finished within a car length of each other as they crossed the finish line 1-2-3. 

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