Over the past several seasons drivers and fans would have to wait until mid-May before they could enjoy a Sunday evening at the Dubuque Speedway, but in 2016 the season opener was set for an April 17th date that turned out to be an absolutely perfect night for racing. The result? Four divisions running off an efficient and entertaining program that saw the final checkered flag wave just before 8:45 p.m.
This opener was so early that it couldn't even be a track or national point race yet for the IMCA Late Models, that chase will start at all IMCA Late Model tracks next weekend, but still a solid field of fourteen signed in for action. Jon Merfeld started third and slipped under the front row of Joel Callahan and Jeff Tharp to take the lead on the opening lap of the 25-lap headliner and he was then joined by Callahan in a two car breakaway from the field. With Callahan still five to ten car-lengths back, Merfeld appeared to have this one well in hand until lap nineteen when Jeremiah Hurst spun as he entered turn three. A car racing just in front of the leader veered right to miss Hurst, but Merfeld could not avoid the disabled car and made hard contact. While Hurst was able to drive away, Merfeld confirmed the damage and then dejectedly walked away from his car that otherwise surely would have soon been parked in victory lane.
Callahan would take the lead on the restart and even though he was second best on this night, it would be more than enough to take the win at his hometown track. Jon Poll had a nice run in second, Luke Merfeld rode the high line in for third, Jeff Tharp finished in the fourth position while Becky Roth held down fifth.
The racing surface is so wide at Dubuque that you can put track tires about the distance of two car widths out in the corners and still have plenty of room to race and that was the scenario until the start of the Modified main, the penultimate race of the night. Nobody was happier than Brandon Wilson to see those tires pulled in as he quickly went to the rail from his fourth starting spot and drove past Mark Schulte for the lead on lap two. As Wilson pulled away it was Mark Gansen who was making his way through the field using a combination of lines around the speedway to come from ninth up to battle Bryce Garnhart for the third position. Gansen slowed though on lap 14 and when he was able to make his way to the infield the race would stay green for the final six laps allowing Wilson to complete his victory in dominating fashion. "I'm glad they took those tires in," the winner told announcer Jerry Mackey in victory lane, "as everybody knows this car likes the bottom!"
Schulte would go unchallenged in second, Garnhart who has stepped up from a couple of solid seasons in the Sport Mod division was impressive in the third spot, Derek Thompson finished fourth and Jason Schueller filled out the top five.
Mike Mills has changed the number on his Sport Mod to 85m this year to honor his father Randy Mills who passed away unexpectedly during the offseason and when Mike drew the pole position for the 15-lap main event you just knew that everybody in the house was pulling for him on this opening night. Mills was solid out front and had no trouble opening up a lead despite three cautions during the first six laps. Tyler Soppe had started tenth and soon after the lap six restart he made a brilliant move in three-wide fashion to take over the second spot. It then took Soppe a couple of laps to reel in the leader and with just three circuits remaining Soppe made a nifty high to low move, off of turn four and entering turn one, to take the lead away from Mills. There would be no catching the new leader and after taking the checkers Tyler invited Mills into victory lane with him where he then presented the trophy to Mike in honor of his father. It was a classy move that shows just how strong the "racing family" can be.
Justin Becker finished in the third position behind Mills while Ryan Schilling and Nic Coates completed the top five.
Seven IMCA Stock Cars were in battle on opening night and here's hoping that this class can continue to add to the numbers here because as always this division offered up some good racin' and rubbin'. Jerry Miles and Tommy Thompson started on the front row with Miles gaining the early advantage. Some contact from Thompson exiting turn four on lap eight of the 15-lap feature got Miles a little squirrley down the front stretch and as they raced side-by-side into turn one Tim Helle tried to take advantage on the inside. Helle would run out of room though and had to pinch it sideways causing a caution that saw Miles and Thompson then have a bit of a "discussion" as they eased around the track prior to the restart. The renewed battle would be short-lived though as Thompson slowed with mechanical issues on lap ten and from there it would be all Miles for the win. Lucas Short would be tonight's runner-up as Helle recovered to finish third while Tim Schneider and Brian Kammerude were next in line.
I always appreciate the hospitality by the SPI crew and what more can you say about being on your home before nine o'clock on a Sunday night? I pulled into my garage right at eleven knowing that I will definitely make the trip up to Dubuque again soon. Don't forget that they have the MLRA Late Models there on Friday night May 13th.
After a triple header race weekend the weather forecast and activities other than racing have me scratching my head as to when or where my next race will be. Keep an eye out for me on the Back Stretch!
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