Stellar field headed to Marshalltown for IMCA American Stock Car Shoot-Out

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (June 29) – The stars will be on the track long before they turn the track lights on for the July 2-3 IMCA American Stock Car Shoot-Out at Marshalltown Speedway.

Defending race winner Damon Murty of Chelsea, 2005 winner Brian Irvine of Oelwein, national points leader Brian Blessington of Breda and Donavon Smith of Lake City, currently the leading contender for rookie of the year and last year’s Hobby Stock main event winner at Marshalltown, are among early entries from across the Midwest and Texas.

Early long tow honors appear headed to Lone Star State speedsters Kevin Sustaire of Emory, now third in national points, and Toby Miller of Boyd.

Another talented group will make the trip from Wisconsin, including Rod Snellenberger and Larry Karcz Jr. of Pulaski, Troy Jerovetz of Green Bay and Shawn Havel of Algoma.

The updated list of travelers also boasts Minot’s Robby Rosselli, the Smiley’s Racing Products state points leader in North Dakota, and Minnesota pilots Aaron Haggerty of New Richland and Dan Mackenthun of Hamburg.

Two-time national champions Mike Nichols of Harlan and Steve Jackson of Polk City, and 2006 national champ David Smith of Lake City will contend for Shoot-Out honors, as will Kevin Opheim of Mason City and Dustin Smith of Lake City. third and fifth, respectively, in current IMCA standings.

Looking to defend their home turf will be an equally fast group of hometown track regulars, including Rick, Jimmy, Ryan and Richie Gustin and Jeff Wollam, along with Rick Brown of Kellogg, Jay Schmidt of Tama, Mike Van Genderen of Newton, Steve Meyer of Grundy Center and Jeremy Gettler of Adair.

Monday’s 30-lap Stock Car feature pays $1,000 to win and a minimum of $100 to start. First place in the 40-lap fea­ture on Tuesday pays $2,000 with a minimum of $200 to make the 24-car starting grid.

An overall Shoot-Out champion will be determined by points accumulated over the two days and that driver becomes eligible to qualify for the Sunoco Race Fuels Race of Champions during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals in September.

IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks race for $500 to win on Monday and $750 to win on Tuesday; Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods run for a top prize of $200 on Monday and $400 on Tuesday.

Pit gates open at 4 p.m. Monday and at 5 p.m. Tuesday. Grandstands open at 5:30 p.m., hot laps are at 6:45 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30 p.m. both nights.

More information about the American Stock Car Shoot-Out is available from promoter Toby Kruse at 515 432-4703, by calling the track at 641 752-9676, or from IMCA at 319 472-2201.

“The weather forecast looks great for both nights,” commented Kruse, “and we look forward to two outstanding race programs.”

Members of the Iowa Bikini Team will present trophies and sell T-shirts in the grandstand and pit area on Monday.