Dripps outruns Smith at BVR 

By Steve Zwemke

ALTA, Iowa (June 24) – Corey Dripps returned to Buena Vista Raceway Wednesday night and en­joyed a much more successful outing.  Dripps showed up incognito with a small, enclosed trailer as opposed to the super-sized tow rig that adorned the infield a week earlier.

He started on the front row and led all 15 laps of the Mark Hansen’s Rex Chevrolet IMCA Modi­fied feature although Dustin Smith gave him a good run for his money.  Smith trailed by not more than a couple of car lengths for most of the race as he and Dripps checked out on the rest of the field.

All three of the Stock Car racing Smiths led portions of the 15-lap North Central Line Service IMCA Stock Car main event. Donavon Smith led the first four laps until Devin Smith drove past.  Devin led through lap nine before giving way to David Smith who came from the back row. The win was the third for David Smith, who continues to lead the point standings.

The Pizza Ranch of Storm Lake IMCA Northern SportMod feature also had a couple lead changes. John Briggs led the first two laps but faded after Shane Hammen got by. Hammen led through the fourth lap when Tim Rupp got by.  Rupp then had to stand on the gas as Doug Smith closed in over the final laps.  Smith was racing in a ride borrowed from Sioux City driver Kaleb Kennedy.  The win was Rupp’s second.

Brandon Nielsen took over the lead on the fifth lap of the Rasmussen Ford IMCA Hobby Stock feature en route to his second win. Merle Bass led the first four laps. Nielsen survived a green, white, checkered finish challenge from Cody Nielsen.

The amazing points battle between Cody Nielsen and Justin Nehring continues as Nielsen has a one-point lead. They have remained within a point or tied for five consecutive weeks.

Tyler Thompson had a brief battle through the first two turns of the KCHE Radio IMCA Sport Com­pact feature before grabbing the lead and running with it for all 10 laps.  Thompson’s win was his second.