CJ checkers fly for McDaniel, Roth

By Jerry Mackey 

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (July 22, 2022) – Friday night racing action at the CJ Speedway saw two more drivers add their names to the first time winners list in 2022 at the Louisa County Fairgrounds oval. 

Jason McDaniel has raced on and off at CJ Speedway but had not won a race on the 4/10th mile dirt track since the 2018 season. McDaniel led the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car feature flag to flag en route to the win. 

The feature went under caution late and the restart saw the top five positions shuffled as Kirk Kinsley took advantage of the restart and raced into second and was closing in on McDaniel as the checkers waved. Rod Staats crossed the finish line third ahead of Corey Strothman.  

Jason Roth had a little something to prove in making a return trip to Columbus Junction. 

Roth, from Hazel Green, Wis., had raced at CJ a few weeks ago and finished second only to be DQ’d for an illegal gear. Roth proved on Friday night it wasn’t the gear that made him a contender in the very tough Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods.

He started 10th and steadily worked to the front, eventually taking the lead and going on to hold off Shane Paris for the win.  

Jarrett Brown scored another very impressive Friesen Performance IMCA Modified win. Brown started fifth but quickly worked to the front, taking the lead from Kyle Madden. Brown sailed on to the win over Madden and Dakota Simmons.  

Randy LaMar has had an up and down season at CJ Speedway, but with a win on Friday the veteran driver tightened up the race for the points championship in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks. LaMar was able to overtake early leader Jared Miller and earn another hard fought win. Miller took second ahead of John Richardson.  

The Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact feature saw a great battle between William Michel and Darin Smith. At the finish line it was Smith taking the win by less than a car length ahead of Michel. Garrett Porter took the third spot at the checkers. 

On Friday, July 29, CJ Speedway will hold a full program of racing during the 130th annual Louisa County Fair. Hot laps will get underway at 7 p.m. and the County Fair crowd will be treated to a fireworks display following the races.