McDonald Bags Big Bucks With First Ever Win At CJ Speedway 

Feature, Hobby Stock, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Stock Car

Preston McDonald negotiates CJ Speedway during Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock action. (Photo by Carroll Hoover Photography)

By Jerry Mackey

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (May 9, 2025) —  The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks raced for a $750 top prize Friday night at CJ Speedway, located on the Louisa County Fairgrounds. Jason Schutterle took early command and led the majority of the race, but as the laps wound down, the lead pack tightened to four drivers all vying for the bonus money. Schutterle, Kale Hemsley, Corey VanDerwilt, and young Preston McDonald entered turn four on the final circuit in a four-car battle for the win.

Somehow, McDonald emerged from the pack and edged out Schutterle by a bumper to capture his first career B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region victory in thrilling fashion. The top four were separated by less than a car length at the finish, with Hemsley taking third and VanDerwilt finishing fourth. The win was a memorable one for McDonald, who has been a regular at CJ Speedway for the past couple of seasons.

The Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds provided an action packed 16-lap main event with local hot shoe, Kurt Kile scoring his second Razor Chassis North Central Region win of the young season. Kile advanced to the front from his fourth row start to overtake early leader Danny Brau. Kile went on to hold off several challenges by Josh Foster in racing to the win. Troy Cordes made the long tow down to CJ from Dunkerton and raced up front all race long before settling for third.

The Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature was decided on the white flag lap as race leaders Trenton Whitt and Keegan Wells raced for the lead entering turn two, the turn that provided a real challenge on Friday night bit both leaders as they entered on the high line and both slipped off the top side of the track.

With the leaders bringing out the yellow after the white flag had been displayed the win was awarded to third running Kenny O’Donnell.   It was his first win in 22 years and his first in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region this season. Jimmy Comins followed O’Donnell across the finish line in second ahead of Kirk Kinsley.

Dylan VanWyk, known as the “Lil Speedster,” showcased his dominance at CJ Speedway once again by clinching the victory in the Karl Chevrolet IMCA SportMods main event on Friday night. VanWyk raced to the front from his fourth row start and overtook early leader Dustin Griffiths in route to the feature win. Griffiths held on for second ahead of Tyler Heckart, who made a late race charge to finish third.

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