Forty drivers started Saturday’s U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway, but it was just a two-horse race with rookie Erik Jones and Ty Dillon combining to lead all but thirteen of the laps run. When the dust settled, it was Jones parked in Victory Lane with his Number-20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. He passed Dillon for his final lead of the night sixteen laps from the finish and stayed there the rest of the way, notching his third victory of the season and giving J-G-R a sweep of the two 2016 races run on the Newton oval. Sam Hornish Junior won the front half of the Midwestern twin bill last month. Jones’ margin of victory over Dillon was three-and-a-half seconds with Elliott Sadler, rookie Brennan Poole and Dakoda Armstrong completing the top five. Jones started second, jumped past pole sitter Daniel Suarez at the drop of the green flag and led a race-high 154 laps. Suarez failed to lead a lap and retired with engine failure in the second half of the race, finishing thirtieth. As a result, he slipped to second in the regular-season standings and is now fourteen points behind Sadler.
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NASCAR Iowa Penalties
John Hunter Nemechek and his Number-8 NEMCO Motorsports team have been penalized with the loss of ten driver and owner points after failing post-race inspection last Saturday night at Iowa Speedway.
Nemechek finished twelfth in the Speediatrics 200. Crew chief Farris Kennon Junior was fined six thousand dollars and placed on NASCAR probation through December 31st … In the X-FINITY Series, six crew chiefs – including Chris Gayle on Sam Hornish Junior’s winning entry at Iowa – were placed on probation through December 31st for body modifications that were done after pre-race inspection.
Iowa Track Facts
After last week’s races, here are the updated facts for the Iowa Speedway.
► With his victory in Sunday’s X-FINITY Series race, Sam Hornish Junior and the Number-18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota snapped Ford’s three-race winning streak at Iowa Speedway. Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski had won the last three events on the seven-eighths-mile Newton oval.
► It’s Joe Gibbs Racing’s third victory at Iowa, which ties the organization for second place on the track’s win list –matching Roger Penske. Jack Roush leads with five.
► William Byron’s win Saturday night in the Camping World Truck Series race and Hornish’s victory on Sunday afternoon gave Toyota a weekend sweep at Iowa Speedway.
► Byron’s victory extends Toyota’s Truck Series domination at Iowa in recent years. The manufacturer has now won five of the last seven races – two by Timothy Peters, two by Erik Jones and now Byron’s victory on Saturday.
Custer Gets New Crew Chief At Junior Motorsports
Marcus Richmond will take over the duties of crew chief on Cole Custer’s Number-00 Junior Motorsports Chevrolet for the remainder of the 2016 Camping World Truck Series, beginning with Saturday night’s race at Iowa Speedway. He replaces Joe Shear Junior, who resigned earlier this month. Richmond has 205 starts as a crew chief in the Truck Series with nine victories. He helped steer Ty Dillon to a runner-up finish in the 2013 championship standings, behind only Matt Crafton. Richmond has most recently served as a crew chief at G-M-S Racing. Custer is currently fourteenth in the standings after seven races, twenty-three points shy of a Chase berth with nine races remaining in the regular season. His best finish this year is fifth place last month at Dover International Speedway.
Ken Schrader Joins IMCA Modifieds For Southern Iowa Speedway Frostbuster
OSKALOOSA, Iowa (March 23) – Ken Schrader joins the Xtreme Motor Sports IMCA Modified field for the Wednesday, March 30 Frostbuster special at Southern Iowa Speedway.
The popular NASCAR driver will be among the contenders for a $1,000 winner’s check and a berth on the ballot for the 2016 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational.
Completing the season-opening program at Oskaloosa are IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars running for $500 to win, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods for $400 to win and IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks for $250 to win.
Pit gates open at 5 p.m. and the grandstand opens at 5:30 p.m. Hot laps are at 7 p.m. and racing starts at 7:30 p.m. The event will be broadcast by IMCA.TV.
The same four classes are on the card each night of Frostbuster Week, which continues Thursday, March 31 at Benton County Speedway in Vinton; Friday, April 1 at Marshalltown Speedway; and Saturday, April 2 at Boone Speedway.
IMCA Speedway Motors Weekly Racing National, regional and Allstar Performance Iowa State points will be awarded at all four shows. Entry fees each night are $30 for Modifieds, $25 for Stock Cars and $20 for SportMods and for Hobby Stocks. Pit passes are $25.
One thousand dollar point funds will be paid to top five drivers in each division. Champions will be eligible to qualify for their respective race of champions events during the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s and receive jackets and plaques during the national awards banquet in November.
More information about the opening night Frostbuster is available from Southern Iowa Speedway promoter Mike Van Genderen at 641 521-0330. The track website iswww.oskyspeedway.com.
The regular point season starts April 6 at Oskaloosa.
Iowa Speedway President To Trade Running The Track For Running Routes
NEWTON, Iowa (November 10, 2015) – The Iowa Barnstormers Free Agent Camp kicks off Saturday, Nov. 14 in Pella, Iowa where players from around the country will work to earn a spot on the Barnstormers’ 2016 roster. One implausible player hoping to land a roster spot will be Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small.
“I’ve been a passionate football fan since I was a kid, and when I heard about the open tryouts, I realized that it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” said Iowa Speedway President Jimmy Small. “By no means do I think this will be easy, but I’ve learned a few things about speed, teamwork, and aerodynamics in racing which will give me an advantage. I’m going to this tryout with high expectations, and I will be prepared to compete on Saturday. My training starts today, and my goal is to finish with more than just a commemorative Barnstormers Free Agent Camp T-shirt on Saturday.”
Named one of the top 10 sports executives under the age of 30, according to SportsPro Magazine, Small will temporarily relinquish negotiating contracts and race sanctions in favor of reading defenses and running pass routes. The former high school basketball standout will be “coached” by current Iowa Barnstormers during the tryout.
“I am beyond excited to have Iowa Speedway President, Jimmy Small on hand at our free agent tryout in Pella in hopes of earning a contract,” said Iowa Barnstormers Head Coach Joe Brannen. “It is a true pleasure to have a person of his caliber not only show interest in the storied tradition of our organization, but also have the excitement and determination he does for making our squad. As a coach at these workouts, one thing you are always looking for that can’t be coached, is speed, something Mr. Small knows all about. We will have 2016 contracts on hand, and I am looking forward to seeing if Jimmy has what it takes to join our 2016 roster.”
The annual open tryout will take place Nov. 14 at the Pella Recreation Center Field House in Pella. The tryouts are open to the public including Iowa Speedway race fans. Any athlete 18 years of age and older, non-college eligible and interested in playing for the Iowa Barnstormers Indoor Football Team during the 2016 season is invited to participate in the tryout. Registration opens at 11 a.m. CST with tryouts starting at noon.
For more information and to submit a registration payment and forms, go to www.theiowabarnstormers.com.
About The Iowa Barnstormers
The Iowa Barnstormers are a professional indoor football team playing in Des Moines, IA at Wells Fargo Arena. Members of the Indoor Football League, the Barnstormers started playing indoor football in 1995 and helped begin the professional career of native Iowan Kurt Warner. The 2016 season kicks off on February 26 against the Green Bay Blizzard. Season tickets are on sale now. Call 515-633-2255 to order your tickets today. Visit www.theiowabarnstormers.com to learn more and “like” us on Facebook.
About Iowa Speedway
Iowa Speedway, “The Fastest Short Track on the Planet,” is a state-of-the-art 7/8 mile asphalt paved tri-oval race track and motorsports facility located in Newton, Iowa. Our 2016 schedule includes three exciting race weekends: June 18-19 (NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR XFINITY Series), July 9-10 (ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and Verizon IndyCar Series) and July 29-30 (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East/West and NASCAR XFINITY Series). For tickets, call 1-866-787-8946. To learn more, visitwww.IowaSpeedway.com, “like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @IowaSpeedway.
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