By Ben Deatherage
COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (July 17, 2024) – Wednesday provided the second installment of the brand-new Midweek Mayhem series at Cottage Grove Speedway, with IMCA feature wins going to Jake Mayden and Trevor Points.
When the green flag dropped for the Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds, it was Paul Rea who led the pack. He soon found himself in a heated battle with Mayden, who was determined to challenge for the race lead.
Rea got some breathing room, but before too long, Mayden worked the bottom of the racing surface brilliantly to beat Rea to the wire on lap four by a mere three hundredths of a second.
Mayden pedaled hard to separate from the runner-up and the race for second erupted into a complete melee. Carter Patterson threaded the needle under Rea on the eighth circuit, but Rea was able to get back around him on the following lap.
As Rea and Patterson battled, it brought Kevin Williamson into the fold to create a three-car contest for second 11 laps into the contest. The trio went three-wide on a number of occasions, with Rea comfortable up high, Williamson on the bottom, and Patterson making the middle work. Behind them would be fifth-running Curtis Towns as Rea eventually had the advantage for second.
Towns wound up third on the 17th trip around the park. While that maelstrom occurred, Mayden checked out to a half-of-a-lap advantage ahead of his closest challenger. Towns made a late-race move to capture second with four to go.
However, Mayden was just too far ahead as he had a nine second-plus advantage at the drop of the checkered flag. Towns was second, while Patterson charged late to end his night third. Rea and Muth were the balance of the Top 5, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
When the Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods out for their finale, Jason Kocks powered his way to the point to lead the first trip around the speedway ahead of Jacob Shandy.
Daniel Ray fought hard with Hunter Bloom for third and managed to secure the position two laps into the contest. Ray and Shandy engaged in a fierce battle for second, allowing Kocks to build a substantial lead.
As Ray attempted to pass Shandy, Shandy found a burst of speed on the high side, resulting in him closing the gap with the leader and mounting a challenge as they entered lapped traffic on lap seven. Shandy swept around Kocks to capture the trailblazing position on the eighth trip past the flag stand.
Shortly after that, Ray gave chase to Kocks while at the same time, Points caught up with Ray to challenge for third.
Points performed a claymaker on Ray on lap 13 and unfortunately for Ray had to take his mount pitside, ending his evening early. Points had Kocks in his sights beginning his pursuit for second and procured the position with another slider with eight to go.
While all of this occurred, Shandy was lightning fast ahead of the rest of the competition. Misfortune struck with two laps to go, however, as the race leader spun out in the final set of corners. Points would be placed as the pacesetter.
On the restart, Points was perfect as he went on to capture the win. Kocks was a strong second while Bloom was third at the line. Madilynn Ashley ended her night fourth, followed by fifth-finishing Shandy.
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