Johnson wins IMCA Late Model thriller at Indee

Results

Sean Johnson prevailed in an IMCA Sunoco Late Model thriller Saturday at Independence Motor Speedway. (Photo by Scott Weber, Black Hat Photography)

By Jerry Mackey

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (July 25) – Rydell Auto Parts held Customer Appreciation Night on Satur­day night at the Independence Motor Speedway and fans were treated to an IMCA Sunoco Late Model feature that had everyone on the edge of their seats. 

The field took the green flag with Curran Beckler setting the pace in the early going. Sean John­son, Curt Martin and Jeff Aikey were making their way to the front to set up a battle for the ages. 

The trio swapped the lead several times late in the race with the lead changing hands every cor­ner.

Aikey led at the white flag only to have both Johnson and Martin get back by on the back chute. At the checkers it was Johnson by a very narrow margin over Martin and Aikey.  

The IMCA Modified 20-lap feature was led early by Josh Barta before Troy Cordes took over the top spot. Cordes had advanced from a fourth row start, but was not able to hold off Aikey, who came from deep in the field to take the lead with two laps to go. Aikey scored the win ahead of Cordes and Ronn Lauritzen.  

Cole Mather continued his mastery of Independence Motor Speedway in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car division. On Saturday night it took Mather the majority of the race to get to the front and make the winning pass. Mather was able to get by Tom Schmitt late in the race for his fifth consecu­tive win.  

The Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod feature win went to Vern Jackson. The win was Jackson’s 107th career win at Indee. Jackson overtook early leader Brett Thomas en route to the win. Tony Olson followed Jackson across the line in second. 

Brett Vanous raced to the front from a fourth row start to score the win in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock main event. Vanous took the checkers ahead of Tyler Ollendieck.

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