Mason City Motor Speedway season opener brings new and familiar faces
Outside of money and padding his win total, Ricky Thornton Jr. has a very specific goal when he pulls into Mason City Motor Speedway.
“That’s probably the biggest thing about this place… they are always giving stuff away at the drivers meetings and you are always getting real cool trophies,” he said.
In terms of trophies, or in this case a propeller marking a feature victory, the driver who racks up feature wins across the country points to what he takes home outside of purse money in Mason City as a reason to test the half-mile track.
When asked about some of his most memorable mementos after wins, he credits MCMS with providing him two of his favorites.
Aside from the propeller he earned Sunday as a tribute to Dale Kjellsen, a man who helped restructure the track three years ago but died in a freak accident, Thornton recalled winning the Ted Zieman Memorial a few years back that featured a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer can as part of the trophy.
“This (propeller) is probably one of the top ones I have, to be honest,” Thornton said after dominating the USRA Modified feature during Sunday’s season opener to pocket $2,000. “Everybody makes (trophies) big, for the most part. But like this, you definitely want to hang it up because it’s different.”
During Sunday’s Dale Kjellsen Memorial, Thornton left little doubt who would be taking home the night’s top prize in the USRA Modified feature.
He started fourth and wasted little time darting to the lead. Once there, he was clicking off lap times in the 22-second range as his main competition in the waning laps was successfully navigating lapped traffic.
“This car is really good. I got to lapped traffic there but I didn’t feel like anyone held me up,” he said.
J.D. Auringer raced to second after starting 12th, while Jason Cummins, the defending track champion, drove from 11th to third. Scott Olson and Brandon Hare, the polesitter, rounded out the top five.
Jared Boumeester has a vision of what his trophy room will eventually look like.
It’s not similar to the one he currently has, which is a hodgepodge of trophies sitting in a room marking memorable victories for one of the top USRA B-Mod drivers in the region.
The propeller he earned Sunday at Mason City Motor Speedway will certainly have a place in his hopefully soon-to-be-built shop that will house reminders of major victories.
“Some day when I get a bigger shop, I want to hang up all the big ones. They are all in a room now, stacked up. I keep all the bigger ones and give the little (trophies) away,” he said.
There’s no doubt Boumeester plans on keeping the propeller he earned Sunday night by winning the USRA B-Mod feature prominently displayed.
“This one is pretty cool,” he said.
If Boumeester sticks to his plan and races weekly at Mason City Motor Speedway, you can expect him to be one of those chasing a track championship.
“We are going to run here every week as long as thing go good,” he said. “The pay is great, and I love this track and the setup.”
Boumeester came from the sixth starting position and held off Jim Chisholm to reach victory lane. Chisholm, Dan Drury, Nate Whitehurst and Nate Chodur rounded out the top five. Dan Hovden was the hard-charger, going from 22nd to sixth.
Another Hovden, in this case, Mitch, had no problem passing a few cars, either. He started third and emerged victorious in the USRA Stock Car feature after holding off Josh Zieman and Derek Green to capture the season-opening victory.
Dillon Anderson, who rolled off 20th, came through the field to finish fourth.
“If you can run with (Green) you can run with about anybody,” Hovden said in victory lane.
In the USRA Hobby Stocks, Eric Stanton stayed patient through a handful of cautions to make the trek from his home in Carlisle worthwhile.
Matt White was the early race leader but Stanton made a move on the high side coming out of turn 4 stick to nab the top spot. That’s a spot he wouldn’t relinquish as he beat White, Chanse Hollatz, Cory Gansen and Scott Dobel to the checkered flags.
In the Rookies Rockin' USRA Tuner main event, it was a two-car breakaway for the feature win. In the end, it was Nate Coopman emerging with the win after a side-by-side battle with Oliver Monson.
Action continues at the Mason City Motor Speedway next Sunday, June 10, with the Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series featuring USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks and Rookies Rockin' USRA Tuners, plus a special appearance by the North Iowa Vintage Cars. Fans can get in to the grandstands for just $5 with their ticket stub from the June 3 event. Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 6 and racing to follow.
The Mason City Motor Speedway is a half-mile clay oval located 5.1 miles east of I-35 at exit 194 on SR 122 (at the North Iowa Fairgrounds). For more information, call (641) 424-6515 or check out www.MasonCityMotorSpeedway.com online. You can also like the track’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MasonCityMotorSpeedway follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RacinMasonCity.
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OFFICIAL RESULTS
Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series
Dale Kjellsen Memorial
Mason City Motor Speedway, Mason City, Iowa
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver, hometown and money won.
USRA MODIFIEDS
Heat #1:
1. (1) 8x Scott Olson, Blairsburg, Iowa.
2. (3) 45 Levi Nielsen, Evansdale, Iowa.
3. (5) 3W Garett Wilson, Carlisle, Iowa.
4. (8) 98 Brandon Davis, Medford, Minn.
5. (6) 7 Al Hejna, Clear Lake, Iowa.
6. (7) 57 Duke Erickson, Sioux Falls, S.D.
7. (4) 31 Corey Dripps, Reinbeck, Iowa.
8. (2) 07 Cory Crapser, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Heat #2:
1. (2) 00J J.D. Auringer, Evansdale, Iowa.
2. (3) 20RT Ricky Thornton Jr., Harcourt, Iowa.
3. (1) 10 Jeremy Mills, Garner, Iowa.
4. (6) 56H Brandon Hare, Elma, Iowa.
5. (7) 28 Cole Hall, Sheffield, Iowa.
6. (5) 30 Josh Ruby, Lakota, Iowa.
7. (4) 8L Lyle Sathoff, Armstrong, Iowa.
Heat #3:
1. (1) 96 Jason Cummins, New Richland, Minn.
2. (2) 2 Jared Ratzke, Williams, Iowa.
3. (7) 19R Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa.
4. (3) 24 Aaron Benson, Clear Lake, Iowa.
5. (4) 02 John Davis, Altoona, Iowa.
6. (6) 14 Chase Ellingson, Iowa Falls, Iowa.
7. (5) 91 Shawn Ryan, Waterloo, Iowa.
"A" Main:
1. (4) 20RT Ricky Thornton Jr., Harcourt, Iowa, $2000.
2. (12) 00J J.D. Auringer, Evansdale, Iowa, $1000.
3. (11) 96 Jason Cummins, New Richland, Minn., $800.
4. (7) 8x Scott Olson, Blairsburg, Iowa, $600.
5. (1) 56H Brandon Hare, Elma, Iowa, $500.
6. (2) 24 Aaron Benson, Clear Lake, Iowa, $450.
7. (3) 98 Brandon Davis, Medford, Minn., $400.
8. (5) 3W Garett Wilson, Carlisle, Iowa, $375.
9. (10) 10 Jeremy Mills, Garner, Iowa, $350.
10. (8) 2 Jared Ratzke, Williams, Iowa, $325.
11. (18) 14 Chase Ellingson, Iowa Falls, Iowa, $300.
12. (13) 7 Al Hejna, Clear Lake, Iowa, $275.
13. (17) 30 Josh Ruby, Lakota, Iowa, $250.
14. (20) 8L Lyle Sathoff, Armstrong, Iowa, $225.
15. (15) 02 John Davis, Altoona, Iowa, $200.
16. (22) 07 Cory Crapser, Chippewa Falls, Wis., $200.
17. (16) 57 Duke Erickson, Sioux Falls, S.D., $200.
18. (21) 91 Shawn Ryan, Waterloo, Iowa, $200.
19. (6) 19R Ryan Gustin, Marshalltown, Iowa, $200.
20. (9) 45 Levi Nielsen, Evansdale, Iowa, $200.
21. (14) 28 Cole Hall, Sheffield, Iowa, $200.
22. (19) 31 Corey Dripps, Reinbeck, Iowa, $200.
USRA STOCK CARS
Heat #1:
1. (8) 15 Mitch Hovden, Decorah, Iowa.
2. (1) 87 Dylan Suhr, Waterloo, Iowa.
3. (9) 2J Steve Jackson, Polk City, Iowa.
4. (2) 7T Rick Todd, Des Moines, Iowa.
5. (3) 38c Kellie Schmit, Britt, Iowa.
6. (4) 27 Jamie Anderson, Mason City, Iowa.
7. (7) 4ord Bob Sutherland, Blairsburg, Iowa.
8. (6) 60 Wyatt Medlin, Rockford, Iowa.
9. (5) 30 Chris Adams, McIntire, Iowa.
Heat #2:
1. (5) 32x Derek Green, Granada, Minn.
2. (4) 21D Logan Brown, Clear Lake, Iowa.
3. (7) 32 Dan Feltus, Allison, Iowa.
4. (3) 00 Andy Altenburg, Truman, Minn.
5. (2) 87T Travis Shipman, Mason City, Iowa.
6. (6) 11 Jesse Brown, Nashua, Iowa.
7. (8) 44 Dillon Anderson, Decorah, Iowa.
Heat #3:
1. (1) 21 Andrew Borchardt, Plymouth, Iowa.
2. (2) 5 Luke Sathoff, Jackson, Minn.
3. (6) 24 Josh Zieman, Plymouth, Iowa.
4. (7) 14 Todd Staley, Webster City, Iowa.
5. (3) 96 Joe Willier, Mason City, Iowa.
6. (4) 51 Jared Dirks, Rowan, Iowa.
7. (5) 19s Nadia Treichel, Greene, Iowa.
8. (8) 98 Kevin Stoa, Albert Lea, Minn.
"A" Main:
1. (3) 15 Mitch Hovden, Decorah, Iowa, $600.
2. (9) 24 Josh Zieman, Plymouth, Iowa, $450.
3. (2) 32x Derek Green, Granada, Minn., $350.
4. (20) 44 Dillon Anderson, Decorah, Iowa, $250.
5. (4) 7T Rick Todd, Des Moines, Iowa, $225.
6. (12) 21 Andrew Borchardt, Plymouth, Iowa, $200.
7. (17) 11 Jesse Brown, Nashua, Iowa, $175.
8. (25) 30 Chris Adams, McIntire, Iowa, $150.
9. (8) 2J Steve Jackson, Polk City, Iowa, $125.
10. (7) 87 Dylan Suhr, Waterloo, Iowa, $110.
11. (16) 27 Jamie Anderson, Mason City, Iowa, $100.
12. (23) 7c Blake Cole, Nashua, Iowa, $95.
13. (5) 14 Todd Staley, Webster City, Iowa, $90.
14. (15) 96 Joe Willier, Mason City, Iowa, $85.
15. (19) 4ord Bob Sutherland, Blairsburg, Iowa, $80.
16. (21) 19s Nadia Treichel, Greene, Iowa, $75.
17. (6) 21D Logan Brown, Clear Lake, Iowa, $75.
18. (11) 32 Dan Feltus, Allison, Iowa, $75.
19. (1) 00 Andy Altenburg, Truman, Minn., $75.
20. (13) 38c Kellie Schmit, Britt, Iowa, $75.
21. (22) 60 Wyatt Medlin, Rockford, Iowa, $75.
22. (18) 51 Jared Dirks, Rowan, Iowa, $75.
23. (10) 5 Luke Sathoff, Jackson, Minn., $75.
24. (14) 87T Travis Shipman, Mason City, Iowa, $50.
25. (24) 98 Kevin Stoa, Albert Lea, Minn., $50.
USRA B-MODS
Heat #1:
1. (8) 49 Nate Whitehurst, Mason City, Iowa.
2. (1) 32Z Alex Zwanziger, Nashua, Iowa.
3. (6) 65J Josh Appel, Mason City, Iowa.
4. (4) 24c Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa.
5. (7) 52 Carter Koop, Rockwell, Iowa.
6. (5) 37c Michael Chisholm, Osage, Iowa.
7. (3) 69 Kyle Germundson, Mason City, Iowa.
8. (9) 16 Dan Hovden, Decorah, Iowa.
9. (2) 0 Daryl Ruter, Kanawha, Iowa.
Heat #2:
1. (1) 81 Jared Boumeester, Waseca, Minn.
2. (6) 27s Jason Schlangen, Cresco, Iowa.
3. (2) 3A Taylor Ausrud, Hayfield, Minn.
4. (5) 11x Alex Yohn, Clear Lake, Iowa.
5. (8) 86 Dan Tenold, Northwood, Iowa.
6. (3) 6 Chanse Hollatz, Clear Lake, Iowa.
7. (7) 28 Autum Anderson, Mason City, Iowa.
8. (4) 88N Nate Albrant, Britt, Iowa.
9. (9) 26G Bryce Gerber, Austin, Minn.
Heat #3:
1. (2) 21D Dan Drury, Eldora, Iowa.
2. (3) 07 Cory Crapser, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
3. (1) 88 Nate Chodur, Lake Mills, Iowa.
4. (5) 97 Rich Lewerke, Mason City, Iowa.
5. (8) 56 Ty Griffith, Webster City, Iowa.
6. (4) 56H Brandon Hare, Elma, Iowa.
7. (6) 42 Dan Christopher, Decorah, Iowa.
8. (7) 75 Cole Suckow, Cresco, Iowa.
"A" Main:
1. (6) 81 Jared Boumeester, Waseca, Minn., $600.
2. (7) 24c Jim Chisholm, Osage, Iowa, $450.
3. (3) 21D Dan Drury, Eldora, Iowa, $350.
4. (2) 49 Nate Whitehurst, Mason City, Iowa, $250.
5. (1) 88 Nate Chodur, Lake Mills, Iowa, $225.
6. (22) 16 Dan Hovden, Decorah, Iowa, $200.
7. (9) 65J Josh Appel, Mason City, Iowa, $175.
8. (11) 3A Taylor Ausrud, Hayfield, Minn., $150.
9. (21) 42 Dan Christopher, Decorah, Iowa, $125.
10. (20) 28 Autum Anderson, Mason City, Iowa, $110.
11. (23) 88N Nate Albrant, Britt, Iowa, $100.
12. (12) 07 Cory Crapser, Chippewa Falls, Wis., $95.
13. (14) 86 Dan Tenold, Northwood, Iowa, $90.
14. (18) 56H Brandon Hare, Elma, Iowa, $85.
15. (13) 52 Carter Koop, Rockwell, Iowa, $80.
16. (15) 56 Ty Griffith, Webster City, Iowa, $75.
17. (10) 97 Rich Lewerke, Mason City, Iowa, $75.
18. (17) 6 Chanse Hollatz, Clear Lake, Iowa, $75.
19. (26) 26G Bryce Gerber, Austin, Minn., $75.
20. (5) 27s Jason Schlangen, Cresco, Iowa, $75.
21. (8) 32Z Alex Zwanziger, Nashua, Iowa, $75.
22. (24) 75 Cole Suckow, Cresco, Iowa, $75.
23. (4) 11x Alex Yohn, Clear Lake, Iowa, $75.
24. (25) 0 Daryl Ruter, Kanawha, Iowa, $50.
25. (19) 69 Kyle Germundson, Mason City, Iowa, $50.
26. (16) 37c Michael Chisholm, Osage, Iowa, $50.
USRA HOBBY STOCKS
Heat #1:
1. (2) 83w Matt White, Nashua, Iowa.
2. (1) 1 Derek Willert, Rockford, Iowa.
3. (3) 32 Tony Smidt, Britt, Iowa.
4. (4) 14 Cory Gansen, Clear Lake, Iowa.
5. (6) 32J Austin Jahnz, Lewisville, Minn.
6. (7) 15 Travis Johnson, Fertile, Iowa.
7. (5) 74L Jim Lokenvitz, Charles City, Iowa.
Heat #2:
1. (1) 83 Scott Dobel, Manly, Iowa.
2. (2) 6H Chanse Hollatz, Clear Lake, Iowa.
3. (7) 7B Eric Stanton, Carlisle, Iowa.
4. (3) 32 Wes Jahnz, St. James, Minn.
5. (6) 136 Tanner Green, Hampton, Iowa.
6. (5) 01 Kory Adams, Stacyville, Iowa.
7. (4) 76 Ben Petereson, Granada, Minn.
Heat #3:
1. (1) 6 Dustin Gulbrandson, Sioux Falls, S.D.
2. (4) 18z Zac Smith, Mason City, Iowa.
3. (5) 29 Brady Link, Waukon, Iowa.
4. (2) 85 Seth Jansen, Ogden, Iowa.
5. (6) 55 Blaine Hanson, Klemme, Iowa.
6. (7) 6c Spencer Cole, Nashua, Iowa.
7. (3) 56 Jake Blau, Latimer, Iowa.
"A" Main:
1. (11) 7B Eric Stanton, Carlisle, Iowa, $450.
2. (1) 83w Matt White, Nashua, Iowa, $350.
3. (3) 6H Chanse Hollatz, Clear Lake, Iowa, $250.
4. (10) 14 Cory Gansen, Clear Lake, Iowa, $200.
5. (9) 83 Scott Dobel, Manly, Iowa, $175.
6. (2) 18z Zac Smith, Mason City, Iowa, $150.
7. (12) 29 Brady Link, Waukon, Iowa, $125.
8. (5) 1 Derek Willert, Rockford, Iowa, $100.
9. (7) 6 Dustin Gulbrandson, Sioux Falls, S.D., $90.
10. (15) 55 Blaine Hanson, Klemme, Iowa, $80.
11. (14) 136 Tanner Green, Hampton, Iowa, $70.
12. (8) 85 Seth Jansen, Ogden, Iowa, $60.
13. (17) 01 Kory Adams, Stacyville, Iowa, $55.
14. (4) 32 Wes Jahnz, St. James, Minn., $50.
15. (18) 6c Spencer Cole, Nashua, Iowa, $50.
16. (16) 15 Travis Johnson, Fertile, Iowa, $50.
17. (21) 56 Jake Blau, Latimer, Iowa, $50.
18. (19) 74L Jim Lokenvitz, Charles City, Iowa, $50.
19. (6) 32 Tony Smidt, Britt, Iowa, $50.
20. (20) 76 Ben Petereson, Granada, Minn., $50.
21. (13) 32J Austin Jahnz, Lewisville, Minn., $50.
ROOKIES ROCKIN' USRA TUNERS
Heat:
1. (4) 9 Nate Coopman, Mankato, Minn.
2. (2) 5 Oliver Monson, Clear Lake, Iowa.
3. (3) 33 Kyle Balik, Fort Atchison, Iowa.
4. (5) 7 Stephanie Coopman, Mankato, Minn.
5. (1) 37 Ryan Bryant, Mason City, Iowa.
"A" Main:
1. (3) 9 Nate Coopman, Mankato, Minn., $200.
2. (2) 5 Oliver Monson, Clear Lake, Iowa, $150.
3. (4) 7 Stephanie Coopman, Mankato, Minn., $100.
4. (1) 33 Kyle Balik, Fort Atchison, Iowa, $80.
5. (5) 37 Ryan Bryant, Mason City, Iowa, $70.
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