Late Race Passes Determine $1k Winners at Independence

Late race heroics thrilled the fans on opening night (April 16, 2016) at the Independence Motor Speedway. The night which featured a $1,000 payday for winners in the IMCA Late Model and IMCA Modified features.

During the IMCA Late Model A-Main, Pole sitter Brian Hunter (Independence, IA) held the lead for a majority of the 25-lap race. Rick Wendling (Hazelton, IA) started eighth, but he was able to quickly make his way into second place. Over the final five laps, Wendling kept showing his nose to the leader. Hunter was able to shut the door on Wendling on the final lap to hold on for the win. Wendling settled for second. Luke Pestka (Robins, IA), Jon Passick (Waterloo, IA), and Russell Hesse (Waterloo, IA) rounded out the top five.

The IMCA Modified feature saw its only yellow flag while the field tried to complete its first lap. After that initial caution period, the drivers ripped off all 20-laps without a yellow flag. Mitch Morris (Eldridge, IA) flexed his muscle early leading the first nine laps. Pole-sitter Jason Wolla (Ray, ND) fell back at the start, but he was able to rebound and wrestled the lead away by lap ten.

JD Auringer (Evansdale, IA) worked past Morris, and he was able to make a play for the lead with three laps remaining. Auringer was able to get by the leader, but Wolla kept in close making a play for the win on the final lap. With a lapped car in between them, they raced three-wide off turn four. Auringer edged across the line for the win. Wolla finished a close second. Tyler Droste (Waterloo, IA) drove home third. Corey Dripps (Waterloo, IA) and Morris closed out the top five.

Danny Dvorack (Vinton, IA) was in complete control during the IMCA SportMod A-Main, but a caution flag tightened up the field. Tony Olson (Cedar Rapids, IA) capitalized and stole the lead two laps after the restart. Dvorak finished second. JJ Anderson (DePere, WI), Kyle Olson (Cedar Rapids, IA), and Ryan King (Montour, IA) followed Dvorack across the line.

Jarod Weepie (Dunkerton, IA) grabbed the IMCA Stock Car win followed by Austin Evens (Independence, IA) and Jason Hocken (Independence, IA).

Quinton Miller (Independence, IA) held off Shawn Kuennen (Hazelton, IA) for the win in the IMCA Hobby Stock. Jim Ball Jr. finished third.

Jake Steer (Tripoli, IA) won the Indee Car feature.

Next up at the Independence Motor Speedway is the Burco Sales Weekly Points Opener on Saturday, April 23, 2016. Hot laps are set for 6:30 PM.

INDEPENDENCE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
LATE MODEL/MODIFIED INVITATIONAL
INDEPENDENCE, IA
APRIL 16, 2016