By Jerry Mackey
COLUMBUS JUNCTION Iowa (July 30) – With the 129th Louisa County Fair providing the backdrop, CJ Speedway thrilled fairgoers with an action-packed night of racing.
The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars saw a great field of drivers take the green and the father and son team of Damon and Dallon Murty always provide strong competition for the locals when they pull into the track.
David Brandies took control of the feature in the early going before the elder Murty, Damon was able to catch Brandies and take over the top spot. Following a restart, fourth row starter Dallon Murty was able to catch his father and race side by side for a few laps before taking over the lead. The younger Murty went on to capture the $1,000 win over Brandies and Damon Murty.
The IMCA Modifieds were also running for a greatly enhanced purse thanks to several local sponsors. The winner’s share would be $1,100 and the check went to Jarrett Brown who started inside row two.
Brown used the low line of the track to shoot into the lead early and went on to hold off all challengers and earn Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational eligibility. Kurt Kile ran second ahead of Drew Janssen and Derek Walker.
The Karl Kustoms Norther SportMods boasted the highest car count of any class on Friday night with 29 drivers checking in. All 29 drivers raced in the main event and when the checkered flag fell it was CJ regular Logan Anderson piloting his no. 53 to the win.
Anderson started outside row four, quickly worked to the front and went on to score the feature win ahead of Trey Rock and Troy Phillpot.
Randy LaMar scored his second consecutive IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock feature win. LaMar chased down race leader Luke Phillips and made the winning pass on lap eight and went on to record the win ahead of Andrew Burk and Jared Miller.
The Mach-1 Sport Compact win was a very popular one as Shane Barnes made his way to victory circle. Barnes led early then fell back to third before battling back to retake the lead from Ashley Reuman with two to go. Barnes took the checkers ahead of Christian Grady and Rachel Kile.
Racing will continue at CJ Speedway on Friday, Aug. 6. Hot laps get underway at 7:15 with racing to follow.