Marshalltown first on Friday for Ballard

Nathan Ballard motored to his Marshalltown Speedway-first IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature win on Friday night. (Photo by Bruce Badgley, Motorsports Photography)

By Joyce Eisele

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (July 31) – Nathan Ballard raced to his first-ever Marshalltown Speed­way feature win, taking the Friday night IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock checkers.

Ballard started on the outside front row and led all 15 laps on his way to victory.  Jacob Floyd chased Ballard the entire distance but trailed a distant second.  Braden Richards finished third, fourth went to 11th place starter Solomon Bennett and Tyler Ollendieck was fifth.

Tom Berry Jr. posted another dominant win in the IMCA Modified feature as he won the 20-lap main event from the eighth starting spot. Berry had the lead at lap three and then drove away from the field.

The IMCA Sunoco Late Models went 20-laps for their feature.  Bobby Hansen held the top spot through the first portion of the race until Curtis Glover snatched it away for good on lap seven.  Luke Pestka finished in second over Darrel DeFrance.

Kenzie Ritter, fresh off of her recent first career win on a trip to South Dakota was looking strong in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature, taking the lead on lap two.  Dallon Murty was quickly up to challenge her for the lead however, and at the halfway mark of the 18-lapper, Murty took com­mand.

He would then hold that top spot the remainder of the way to the checkers and the win. Damon Murty would follow his son across the finish line in second after a late race pass of Ritter.

Johnathon Logue went home with the victory in the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod 18-lap con­test.  Logue started 10th and took command on lap five.  Kyle Olson came from eighth to finish as the runner-up.  Garrett Nelson started 11th and finished third.

Friday, Aug. 7, is Shawn’s Hay Grinding Night at the Races with season championship for the Late Models. All other classes will be in competition as well.  The green flag drops at 7:30 p.m.