Werner scores first Maquoketa IMCA Modified win

Results

By Jerry Mackey

MAQUOKETA, Iowa (July 2, 2022) – Racing returned to the Jackson County Fairgrounds Maquoketa Speedway on Saturday following a week off due to a rainout. A great field of nearly 90 race teams packed the infield on a beautiful Saturday night for racing. 

The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature headlined the night of racing action that saw the final checkered flag of the night wave at 9:05 p.m. The 20-lap feature went caution free and saw Geneseo, Ill., driver Matt Werner score his first win at the ¼-mile Maquoketa Speedway.

The track was wide and smooth and very racy with drivers using several lines which provided great racing all night. Werner advanced from a third row start and took the lead from early pace setter Austin Blume and went on to score the win. Ryan Duhme advanced from his fourth row start to take second to Werner with Travis Denning crossing under the checkers in third. 

The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars provided another great race. Leader Chase Zaruba looked to be in command until a lap 12 caution bunched the field up for a three-lap dash to the finish. Zaruba was unable to hold back Jacob Ellithorpe, who shot into the lead on the restart. The win was Ellithorpe’s fifth win of the season at his hometown track. 

Zaruba ran second ahead of Keith Feller.  

The Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature was a highlight reel of racing action as the drivers used every inch of the track and were four-wide on multiple occasions. Shane Paris worked steadily to the front taking the lead near the midway point of the 15-lap feature. Paris went on to take the checkers ahead of Jarrett Franzen and Tyler Soppe. 

And The Buffalo Bandit Randy LaMar was forced to race his backup car on Saturday night, but the backup worked perfectly as LaMar scored another win in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock division. 

LaMar took the lead from Logan Gustaf and went on to score the win ahead of Gustaf and Jordan Miles. 

Cyle Hawkins continued his mastery of the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts. Hawkins drives his car the majority of the time on three wheels but the speed is still there as he scored the feature win ahead of Thomas Adams. 

Saturday, July 9 will be Iowa Donor Night at the races. Hot laps will take to the Maquoketa Speedway at 6 p.m. with racing to follow. 

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