Three more champions named for 2007 season
By Dana Royer/34 Raceway

BURLINGTON, IA (Sept. 1) ­ 34 Raceway hosted season championship night for IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Modifieds and Hobby Stocks on Saturday, Sept. 1 and when the night¹s racing was completed three new champions were named. Added to the previous named champions of Lonnie Bailey for late models and Jayson Ditsworth for 305 sprints were Rich Smith, Davenport, for the IMCA Modifieds, Todd Holsteen, Burlington, for the IMCA Stock Cars and Luke McLaughlin, Mediapolis, for the hobby stock division. Only McLaughlin would also win his feature race. Also competing were the 305 sprints in a $700 to win grand finale and 4 cylinders as they prepared for their ³Mad Dash For Cash² on Sunday, Sept. 2.

Winners Saturday, Sept. 1 were: IMCA Modifieds ­ Darin Thye, Burlington; IMCA Stock Cars ­ Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant; Hobby Stocks ­ Luke McLaughlin, Mediapolis; 305 Sprints ­ Jayson Ditsworth, Gladstone, Il.

With one point separating the top two in the modified division going into the night¹s racing action the modified feature was the one nobody wanted to miss. Rich Smith, point leader and Bill Roberts both sat on the front row of the feature race. But what was set to be a barn burner would not happen as on the first lap of the twenty lap feature both cars would collide in turn one to bring out the yellow flag. Roberts had to be pushed to the pits while Smith would slowly go to the rear of the field. If Roberts could get his car started before the green flag flew it would still be ³the² race to watch. Officials checked in with the pit area to see if Roberts would be able to get his car running. But Roberts and his crew couldn¹t get it to start and the race was restarted without him. Smith limped around the track from the rear for a couple laps to ensure his point lead for the championship before he finally had to pull in. Meanwhile, out in the lead would be Darin Thye. Thye led from start to finish taking the checkered flag by a large margin, his fourth win this year. Earlier, Roberts was voted by fellow racers to receive the Sportsmanship award for that class.

Coming off the 2006 season with a hobby stock track championship, Burlington¹s Todd Holsteen raced his way this year to a 2007 season stock car track championship. Holsteen held a twenty six point lead over Jason Cook going into the nights racing. Cook took the early lead of the feature race followed by Kirk Kinsley of Wapello. Cook continued to lead the twenty two car field taking the checkered flag by several car lengths. Holsteen, brought out the second caution of the race when he hit a boundary tire and was sent to the rear of the field but he still finished high enough to earn the track championship. Cook was also voted to receive the Sportsmanship award.

The grand finale for the 305 sprints was held Saturday with Jayson Ditsworth making a fast comeback to take the checkered flag. With Ditsworth sitting on the pole position he jumped the start and flagman Donnie Williams brought out the yellow sending him to the rear of the sixteen car field. Again on the second restart, Matt Stephenson, who was moved up to the front, jumped the start and again the yellow was brought out. Third time was charm with Justin Newberry leading the field to the start line and the race was on. On lap four of the twenty lap race, Donnie Steward took over the lead and was headed for his fourth win this year. But moving back up through the field using the high side of the track would be Ditsworth. With four laps to go, Ditsworth had moved from sixteenth place to first as he flew around the 3/8 mile track taking the checkered flag by a large margin over Chad Huston who had moved into second.

Another new track champion was named after the hobby stock feature was completed when Luke McLaughlin won the twenty six car hobby stock feature. McLaughlin led the points race with an 11 point lead over Tanner Thomann when racing action began. McLaughlin led from flag to flag for his first hobby stock win this year and clinched his track championship. Thomann finished fourth just as a puff of smoke emerged from his car on the final lap.

COMING UP - Although season championships have been completed there is still plenty of racing action to come at 34 Raceway. Saturday, Sept. 8 will be the 34 Raceway Fastrak Challenge for IMCA Late Models, IMCA Stock Cars and Hobby Stocks as they compete for $800, $425 and $400 to win respectively. During the Fastrak Challenge a twist has been added. Pole sitters for the feature race can elect to go to the rear of the field. If they then take the checkered flag going from last to first they win a bonus of $500. Will any of them be daring enough to try? You¹ll have to some see. Time trials will be held for late models as they prepare for the upcoming J & J Steel/Ideal Ready Mix Pepsi USA Late Model Nationals to be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14 and 15. $10,000 will go to the winner of the late model feature. Added this year to the Friday night show will be the Sprint Invaders. Joining the late models on Saturday will be the IMCA Stock Cars.. Check the 34 Raceway website for more information. www.34Raceway.com

305 Sprints FEATURE: 1. Jayson Ditsworth, Gladstone, Il., 2. Chad Huston, Jamesport, Mo., 3. Rob Kubli, Milo, Ia., 4. Justin Newberry, West Burlington, Ia., 5. Dustin Whiting, Burlington, Ia., 6. Brian Hetrick, Stronghurst, Il., 7. Matt Stephenson, Des Moines, Ia.., 8. Mark Widmar, Ottumwa, Ia., 9. Seth Wilke, Burlington, 10. Monte Hill, Fairfield, ia., 11. Frankie Rodgers, Lucas, Ia., 12. Gary Bonar, Burlington, Ia., 13. Scott Boles, New London, Ia., 14. Daniel Bergquist, Burlington, Ia., 15. Donnie Steward, West Burlington, Ia., 16. Kevin Hetrik, Gladstone, Il. 

HEAT
WINNERS: Kubli, Ditsworth