California Kid scores big win at CJ Speedway

Results

By Jerry Mackey

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (July 15, 2022) – Racing action returned to the CJ Speedway on the Louisa County Fairgrounds in Columbus Junction following two consecutive rainouts. The wet conditions on the grounds made for a very high speed racing surface on Friday night. The fans were treated to a very nice Fireworks display courtesy of Patriot Fireworks following the racing action.  

The Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature ran as the headliner of the night with a strong field of 20 drivers taking the initial green flag for the main event. 

Matt Mayo from Bakersfield, Calif., is spending time in Southeast Iowa racing out of the Shane Paris shop in Muscatine. Mayo took the lead from Matt Lundry and went on to score his first victory since arriving in the Hawkeye State. The feature was only slowed for one minor caution after lap one was completed. The race then restarted with Mayo making the pass for the lead on lap four and Mayo went on to score a comfortable win ahead of Lundry, Colton Livezey and Paris. 

The Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature belonged to CJ veteran Kurt Kile. The 77 of Kile raced in the lead the entire feature and was never seriously challenged. Kile took the win over Jarrett Brown. Dakota Simmons ran a strong race in taking third. 

The IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars always provide plenty of action and Friday night was no different. Kirk Kinsley scored his first win of the season following a good battle with Corey Strothman. Early leader Kenny O’Donnell finished third.  

The IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks saw Jake Benischek score his second feature win of the night by topping the 14-lap feature. Benischek was able to break away from an early race tussle with Randy LaMar and sail on to the win. LaMar settled for second for second ahead of Cody Staley. 

Benischek scored his first win of the night by taking the checkers ahead of Shane Barnes in the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact 10-lap main event. Darin Smith crossed under the checkers in third. 

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