It’s been a long winter, and the cure for cabin fever is coming with the first green flag of the 2010 racing season at Marshalltown Speedway with the IMCA Frostbuster set for Friday, April 2.
The event headliner will be IMCA Modifieds and pay $1,000 to the winner. Other classes competing will be IMCA Stock Cars, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks and Dwarf Cars. Weekly points racing will begin the following week on Friday, April 9.
Marshalltown Speedway promoter Toby Kruse has been busy getting his facility ready for the 2010 season. Snow was removed from the track in early March so that track prep work could begin.
There also will be a change behind the microphone. Blake Anderson, formerly of Newton, will take over the announcing duties Friday nights at Marshalltown while also announcing at Knoxville Raceway on Saturday nights.
The rest of the Marshalltown season schedule is highlighted by the IMCA Deery Brothers Late Models on May 18, the IMCA Stock Car Shootout is June 29, the USMTS Modifieds appear Aug. 31 and the Havoc on the Highbanks season finale is Sept. 17-18.
Several local drivers in Jasper County will be competing this year at Marshalltown.
In the Modified class, Kellogg’s David Brown will return in full force with his new Harris chassis with Noble Ford sponsorship.
Baxter’s Kyle Krampe will look to improve on his 13th place finish in points a year ago.
In the Sport Mod class last year, 15-year-old Jake Strayer finished second in the points and returns for 2010. Kellogg’s Kyle Brown has upgraded from a 1999 car to a 2007 Racemart chassis and looks to improve on his one win and sixth place points finish a year ago. Zach Rawlins will be in the mix as well in Sport Mods.
The Stock Car division will likely have Newton drivers Michael Jeanette and Tracy Gienger returning to compete. Also look for Kellogg’s Flyin’ Farmer Rick Brown to return for his 21st season along with Trevor Titus for his sophomore season.
Clayton Deppe has a new car going into this season. The Hobby Stock division will see several Newton competitors. Josh Saunders returns who built a new car over the winter and brought aboard Bruce Keith Trucking as a new sponsor. Brothers Clint and Jake Nelson will return along with John Schuring. Matt Deacon also is looking to race regularly at Marshalltown.
Good luck to all the teams this coming year at Marshalltown Speedway. See you in the stands.
Eric Arnold can be contacted by email atarniebhg@yahoo.com or by phone at 641-275-1260.