By Jeff Werderman
DECORAH, Iowa (July 29) – Richie Gustin Jr. was first to the checkered flag in Thursday’s JR Motorsports Hawkeye Dirt Tour main event for IMCA Modifieds at Upper Iowa Speedway.
Despite two late race cautions, Gustin held off Mark Schulte and Vern Jackson for the $1,000 win, his second of the series.
Ron Pope and Schulte brought the field to green for the Weis Buick-sponsored 30-lap feature. Pope would lead the first lap while Schulte quickly found himself battling the fourth starting Gustin for second.
Gustin dropped to the bottom of turn one and worked past Schulte on lap three, then went underneath Pope to battle for the lead down the backstretch. Gustin climbed to the top of the scoring sheet by lap four while Schulte followed Gustin to slip by Pope for second.
Justin O'Brien challenged Schulte for second, swapping the spot well behind Gustin.
Frontrunners began to work through lapped traffic by midway. Gustin was in command as he opened up a large advantage over Schulte, O'Brien, and Vern Jackson.
O'Brien got caught up in lapped traffic on lap 23, as contact with a backrunner left him stalled coming off turn four.
The third and final caution came on the next lap, but Gustin pulled away from the field again.
Schulte and Jackson worked door-to-door to decide who would come home second, and Mike Jergens was right behind the battle for second. Schulte edged Jackson for second and Jergens finished fourth.
Rich Smith used the two late-race cautions to his advantage to parlay a fifth place finish.
Gustin had also won the Memorial Day series feature at I-35 Speedway in Mason City.
Next up for the Hawkeye Dirt Tour is a trip to Hancock County Speedway at Britt and a chance at $3,000 in first place money during the "Night of 1,000 Stars" special on Thursday, Aug. 12..
More information about upcoming tour events is posted at the www.dirttour.com website.
Feature results – 1. Richie Gustin Jr., Gilman; 2. Mark Schulte, Delhi; 3. Vern Jackson, Waterloo; 4. Mike Jergens, Plover; 5. Rich Smith, Davenport; 6. Ron Pope, Mason City; 7. Ronn Lauritzen, Jesup; 8. Greg Cox, Altoona; 9. Kurt Krauskopf, Decorah; 10. Mitch Morris, Long Grove; 11. Jason Snyder, Dunkerton; 12. Jeff Ignaszewski, Wells, Minn.; 13. Ed Thomas, Waterloo; 14. Dennis Betzer, Central City; 15. Rick Speck, Garwin; 16. Robert Whalen, Nashua; 17. Keith Pittman, Waterloo; 18. Justin O'Brien, West Union; 19. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, Ill.; 20. Shawn Ryan, Waterloo.
Heat winners were Jergens, Gustin and Jackson.
DECORAH, Iowa (July 29) – Richie Gustin Jr. was first to the checkered flag in Thursday’s JR Motorsports Hawkeye Dirt Tour main event for IMCA Modifieds at Upper Iowa Speedway.
Despite two late race cautions, Gustin held off Mark Schulte and Vern Jackson for the $1,000 win, his second of the series.
Ron Pope and Schulte brought the field to green for the Weis Buick-sponsored 30-lap feature. Pope would lead the first lap while Schulte quickly found himself battling the fourth starting Gustin for second.
Gustin dropped to the bottom of turn one and worked past Schulte on lap three, then went underneath Pope to battle for the lead down the backstretch. Gustin climbed to the top of the scoring sheet by lap four while Schulte followed Gustin to slip by Pope for second.
Justin O'Brien challenged Schulte for second, swapping the spot well behind Gustin.
Frontrunners began to work through lapped traffic by midway. Gustin was in command as he opened up a large advantage over Schulte, O'Brien, and Vern Jackson.
O'Brien got caught up in lapped traffic on lap 23, as contact with a backrunner left him stalled coming off turn four.
The third and final caution came on the next lap, but Gustin pulled away from the field again.
Schulte and Jackson worked door-to-door to decide who would come home second, and Mike Jergens was right behind the battle for second. Schulte edged Jackson for second and Jergens finished fourth.
Rich Smith used the two late-race cautions to his advantage to parlay a fifth place finish.
Gustin had also won the Memorial Day series feature at I-35 Speedway in Mason City.
Next up for the Hawkeye Dirt Tour is a trip to Hancock County Speedway at Britt and a chance at $3,000 in first place money during the "Night of 1,000 Stars" special on Thursday, Aug. 12..
More information about upcoming tour events is posted at the www.dirttour.com website.
Feature results – 1. Richie Gustin Jr., Gilman; 2. Mark Schulte, Delhi; 3. Vern Jackson, Waterloo; 4. Mike Jergens, Plover; 5. Rich Smith, Davenport; 6. Ron Pope, Mason City; 7. Ronn Lauritzen, Jesup; 8. Greg Cox, Altoona; 9. Kurt Krauskopf, Decorah; 10. Mitch Morris, Long Grove; 11. Jason Snyder, Dunkerton; 12. Jeff Ignaszewski, Wells, Minn.; 13. Ed Thomas, Waterloo; 14. Dennis Betzer, Central City; 15. Rick Speck, Garwin; 16. Robert Whalen, Nashua; 17. Keith Pittman, Waterloo; 18. Justin O'Brien, West Union; 19. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, Ill.; 20. Shawn Ryan, Waterloo.
Heat winners were Jergens, Gustin and Jackson.
