Racing season gets the green flag at Maquoketa Speedway

Results

By Jerry Mackey

MAQUOKETA, Iowa (May 7, 2022) – The IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing season at Maquoketa Speedway got underway on Saturday night following three consecutive postponements due to the wet weather in Eastern Iowa. Drivers and fans alike responded in a big way by attending the opening night races that saw the final checkered flag of the night wave at 9:40 p.m. 

The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified 20-lap feature was the headliner of the night and action was hotly contested on the very racy track. Travis Denning shot into the lead and was not to be denied the opening night victory as he led flag to flag.

The feature saw one yellow flag wave early on lap two and then went the final 18 laps non-stop. Tim Current advanced from his fourth row start and closed on the race leader several times before settling for second. Veteran Maquoketa driver Ray Cox Jr. ran a very strong race in taking third.  

A 23-car field of Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods took the green flag for their opening night feature event. The main event winner was no stranger to the Maquoketa Speedway victory lane. Tyler Soppe drew the outside front row and led the main flag to flag.

Action behind Soppe saw several drivers take their turn at the second spot, at times the pack swelled to a five car battle. Justin Becker debuted a new car and was definitely dialed in as he broke loose from the pack and chased down Soppe only to finish second by less than a car length. Shane Paris advanced from the fifth row to take third ahead of Jacob Arp.

The IMCA Sunoco Stock Car victory proved to be a very popular win as hometowner Jacob Ellithorpe claimed the win. 

Ellithorpe stated in victory lane, “Last year was a very frustrating year, so we spent a lot of time in the garage making changes to the car.” 

The changes proved to pick up a lot of speed for Ellithorpe as he took the win ahead of Richard Nelson and Keith Feller. 

The IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks started the night off with a rollover in the very first heat. That rollover proved to be the first of four covering all classes in night number one. When the Hobby Stock feature hit the track it was veteran driver Randy LaMar taking his number 4R to victory lane. LaMar held off Andrew Burke and Jordan Miles in taking the win. 

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Maquoketa Speedway host car show and swap meet, awards ceremony 

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Results

Sievertsen jumps at second chance to promote at Maquoketa Speedway 

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