By Greg Grabianowski
ALGONA, Iowa (July 29) – Returning to the home of its birthplace five years ago, night number two of the Hunting With Heroes Salute to Veterans was a huge success as Cody Laney in the IMCA Modifieds and Kelly Shryock in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars were the big winners of the huge show at the Kossuth County Speedway.
The grandstand was packed with many veterans and race fans for the exciting night of dirt track racing.
Laney was the biggest winner of the evening money-wise as he led all 20 laps in the Modified feature to earn the $4,500 first place check.
The 24-car field did a great job as the race went green to checkered without a hitch. Laney, who started on the inside of the front row, and Zane DeVilbiss, who manned the outside of the front row, broke away early from the field.
DeVilbiss stayed close early but had nothing for Laney, already Fast Shafts All-Star qualifying eligible, earned the win. DeVilbiss was the runner-up as Wednesday winner Kelly Shryock was third with Tim Ward taking fourth and Jeremy Mills was fifth.
Chance Hollatz and Donovan Smith made up the front row in the Stock Car feature as Hollatz grabbed the lead before the yellow flag made an appearance on lap two.
Two laps later, Devin Smith used the high side of the track to become the new leader. He held the lead for the next four laps before a familiar driver came to the front.
Shryock, who won the Modified feature the previous evening in Spencer, took the lead on lap nine.
Another yellow flag was the only obstacle in Shryock’s way as he pocketed $3,500. Shryock was already B & B Chassis All-Star Invitational qualifying eligible.
Chad Palmer had a nice run to place second and Wednesday winner Jake O’Neil was third. Donovan Smith and DeVilbiss rounded out the top five.
Kelly Shryock’s second Salute to Veterans win in as many nights came in an IMCA Sunoco Stock Car at Kossuth County Speedway and paid $3,500. (Photo by Jim Steffens)
Izac Mallicoat led early in the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod main event, giving way to George Nordman following a lap four restart.
Two laps later, Colby Fett took over the lead and only two yellows delayed his trip into victory lane to pick up a $1,500 first place check.
Nordman came home in second place followed by Austin Schrage, Jared Boumeester and Alec Fett.
A nice group of 23 hobby stocks were at the oval on Thursday night as pole sitter Mike Smith grabbed the early lead in the feature.
The yellow flag on laps five and seven tightened the field up as Smith continued to hold the top spot as Josh Sidles slowly reeled him in. Coming out of the final turn, Sidles got past Smith to collect the $1,000 first place check.
Smith was the runner-up as Dylan Fitzpatrick finished third, Carter Koop was fourth and Chris Krug fifth.
Jade Lange started on the pole and led all eight laps to win the Mach-1 Sport Compact main ahead of Lucas Parsons and R.J. Esqueda.
