After two prior weeks of rainouts at the Karl Auto Group Marshalltown Speedway, the third time was the charm, and the regular points season got underway for the UAW Local 893 Cliff Chambers Memorial. One hundred fifty-eight cars were on hand for the evening’s program.

Feature racing kicked off with the Mod Lite 15-lap feature. Polesitter Bryan Zehm held the top spot for the first lap, but a caution flew just one lap in and it was Jon Padilla taking over at lap two in a race that would then continue caution-free. Padilla motored off and won easily as the checkers flew. Alex Eischeid started sixth and took the runner-up position. Third place went to Zehm, fourth was Cory Sonner, and Joe Glick rounded out the top five.

Matt Avila led the entire 20-lap IMCA SportMod feature, but it was a close finish for second with Cam Reimers dogging him constantly in the closing laps. It wasn’t to be, however, as Avila took the win and Reimers had to settle for second. Logan Anderson took third place ahead of Brayton Carter in fourth, and Taylor Kuehl completed the top five.

The IMCA 20-lap Hobby Stock feature had the fans on their feet as Calvin Dhondt and Eric Stanton went lap after lap nearly side by side. Most eyes were on Dhont, who started in 12th and was flying on the topside of the High Banks. Dhondt took command on lap seven and a couple of laps later, Stanton took over second spot and was throwing challenge after challenge at the leader. Dhondt withstood everything Stanton threw at him to take home the trophy. Bradly Graham took third, fourth went to Curt Reed, and early leader Solomon Bennett was fifth.

Jimmy Gustin and Jeff Mueller put on quite a show in the early laps of the 20-lap IMCA Stock Car feature. Gustin held down the top spot until lap seven when Mueller was able to get under him. Mueller never gave up that lead the rest of the way to seal the win. A tight battle behind the leader resulted in Buck Schafroth taking second and Gustin going third. Fourth place was Casey Woken, and fifth went to David Brandies.

The IMCA Modifieds saw a visitor from Mooresville, N.C., stop by for a little racing at the Speedway. Matt Crafton, who races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and was in the region for his race at the Kansas Speedway this weekend, started on the pole of the 20-lap feature. He was leading the race at lap six when a big pile up stopped the action on the frontstretch. This eliminated numerous cars when the race went back to green, and just a few laps later, Crafton also exited. By this time, it was Tripp Gaylord atop the pack and he took the win by a lengthy margin over second-place finisher Jake McBirnie. Johnathon Logue started 10th and took third, fourth went to Drew Janssen, and 12th-place starter Ronn Lauritzen was fifth.

The night ended with 15 laps of IMCA Sport Compacts racing. This too was a close one at the checkers. Tenth-place starter Cristian Grady and 11th-place starter Mitchell Bunch made it interesting the last handful of laps. Bunch was able to take the lead at lap 10, but Grady never went away. Bunch won out as he took the lead for good on the final circuit and took home the win. Grady had to settle for second place. Third went to hometown driver John Gill, Nolan Tuttle was fourth, and Mitchell Gardner started 12th and took fifth.

Next Thursday night, May 9, will be Thursday Night Thunder at the Marshalltown Speedway with no racing on Friday night. All six IMCA classes will be in action. Hot laps are 6:45 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.