By Joyce Eisele
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (April 14, 2023) – Jeffrey Abbey can add another title on his already lengthy list of IMCA accomplishments.
He’s now king of the King of the Highbanks.
Abbey took the checkers in the Friday night main event for IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars at Marshalltown Speedway and took a $5,000 check home to Texas.
He got the rich win, and a guaranteed starting spot in the B & B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational, ahead of Dylan Thornton and Troy Jerovetz.
Jim Horejsi, who had looked strong in Thursday qualifying, had started on the outside front row and sprang to the lead when the green flag dropped for the 50-lapper. Horejsi soon had the company of Dallon Murty and Thornton to contend with.
Thornton found his way around on lap four, taking over the top spot. He continued to lead with 20 laps down, but by this time Abbey had worked his way from seventh into second place and began his quest to reel in the leader.
Abbey worked his way methodically to the leader’s tail and got under him to take over the lead at lap 28.
Two late race yellows allowed some close racing in the final circuits, but in the end as the checkers flew, it was all Abbey as the Lone Star State speedster added King of the Highbanks winner to a resume that already includes national and Super Nationals crowns and a regional rookie of the year prize.
Thornton held on to score the runner up spot. with Troy Jerovetz, Iowa Falls taking third place. Tyler Wilson and Damon Murty chased Thornton and Jerovetz across the stripe to complete the top five.
Dustin Vis hauled from 23rd starting to sixth. Fifty-eight Stock Cars vied.
Tim Ward won a second Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature in as many nights and for the third time in as many Marshalltown Speedway starts this season. His latest $1,000 checkers came from 12th starting.
Eric Knutson topped the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock 20-lapper and Brayton Carter led the last 10 circuits in winning the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature.
Kolby Sabin started on the pole, and was never seriously challenged as he sailed home to the Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compact checkers.
Racing on April 21 at Marshalltown is billed as the IMCA Friday Night Spectacular. Modifieds, Stock Cars, Northern SportMods, Hobby Stocks, and Sport Compacts will be running. Hot laps are at 6:45 p.m. and the green flag drops at 7:30 p.m.
Stock Car feature results – 1. Jeffrey Abbey; 2. Dylan Thornton; 3. Troy Jerovetz; 4. Tyler Wilson; 5. Damon Murty; 6. Dustin Vis; 7. Buck Schafroth; 8. Chanse Hollatz; 9. Dallon Murty; 10. Nick Buckarma; 11. Derek Green; 12. Dan Mackenthun; 13. David Brandies; 14. Tom Berry Jr.; 15. Kyle Brown; 16. Tyler Pickett; 17. Cole Czarneski; 18. Jim Horejsi; 19. Johnathon Logue; 20. Casey Woken; 21. Cayden Carter; 22. Austin Kaplan; 23. Jeff Mueller; 24. Shelby Williams.